Starfish, or sea stars, have remarkable regenerative capabilities. They can regrow lost limbs and, in some species, even regenerate an entire new body from just one severed arm—as long as part of the central disc, the core of their body where all arms connect, is intact. This process is not merely healing but true regeneration: complex structures like muscles, nerves, and organs are rebuilt. This ability varies by species. For example: Linckia species (like the blue sea star) are especially known for this full-body regrowth. In most species, losing an arm isn't fatal, and regrowth may take several months to years depending on environmental conditions and injury severity. This regenerative trait is not only a survival advantage but also a subject of scientific interest, especially in regenerative medicine

Recent scientific breakthroughs have revealed that specific protein combinations can stimulate heart tissue regeneration and potentially repair other organ damage. These discoveries mark a major step forward in regenerative medicine, particularly for patients suffering from heart attacks or chronic heart failure. Key Discoveries: 1. Zebrafish Protein in Mammals (Hmga1): Scientists at the Hubrecht Institute found that Hmga1, a protein essential for heart regeneration in zebrafish, can be used in mice to activate previously dormant genes, resulting in enhanced healing of damaged heart muscle without causing dangerous side effects. 2. Protein Cocktail from Macrophages: A study published in Nature Communications used a five-protein blend (including C1QB, NRP1, and PLTP) derived from specialized immune cells. This stimulated adult heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) to multiply, accelerating tissue repair in mouse models after heart injury. 3. Dual Protein Targeting (Meis1 and Hoxb13): Researchers at UT Southwestern repurposed existing antibiotics (paromomycin and neomycin) to modulate these two proteins. This led to reduced scarring and improved pumping efficiency in damaged hearts, offering a novel way to restart the heart’s regenerative capabilities. 4. N-Cadherin and Cell Communication: Boosting levels of N-cadherin, a protein involved in cell connections, triggered β-Catenin signaling—a pathway that leads to the growth of new heart cells in adult mice. This mechanism helped restore heart function after a heart attack.

Stanford University researchers have achieved a major milestone in regenerative medicine by creating lab-grown heart and liver organoids that include their own blood vessels. These vascularized organoids mark a significant leap forward because previous versions lacked the ability to grow beyond a limited size due to the absence of internal circulation. Without vessels, cells in the center of organoids would die from a lack of nutrients and oxygen. The addition of functional blood vessel networks allows the mini-organs to sustain more realistic structure, function, and longevity in lab environments. The team focused primarily on developing heart organoids that resemble a human embryonic heart around 6.5 weeks into gestation. These lab-grown hearts were able to beat and exhibited cell diversity that mirrors actual early-stage human heart development. Using a rigorous screening of 34 different combinations of growth signals and structural scaffolding, researchers identified the optimal formula (referred to as “condition 32”) that reliably produced key cell types including cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells), smooth muscle, and endothelial cells (which form blood vessels). One striking application was testing how fetal tissues might respond to external chemicals. The team exposed the heart organoids to fentanyl — a powerful opioid — and observed abnormal increases in vessel growth, indicating that the organoids can model how drugs affect early development. This has major implications for studying toxic exposures and congenital disease origins. Moreover, the researchers replicated their vascularization technique in liver organoids, proving that the approach is flexible and scalable. The long-term goal is to create implantable organoids for use in human therapy, especially for repairing damaged organs. Until then, these mini-organs provide a valuable new platform for drug testing, developmental biology, and reducing animal use in research — aligning with updated FDA guidelines favoring human-relevant models.

Say hello to your new favorite breakfast treat! This Sour Cream Blueberry Coffee Cake is moist, delicious, and perfect for any time you want a sweet, guilt-free indulgence. Enjoy it with a cup of coffee or tea and bask in the joy of a homemade treat! ### Ingredients: - 2 cups almond flour - 1/2 cup coconut flour - 1/2 cup erythritol (or your favorite keto sweetener) - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup sour cream - 4 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries (or frozen, thawed and drained) ### Directions: 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to keep things tidy. 2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, erythritol, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well combined. 3. In another bowl, beat the softened butter and erythritol together until the mixture is light and fluffy. It’s the perfect moment to show off those arm muscles! 4. Next, add the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix until everything is beautifully blended. 5. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ones, stirring gently until just combined. You don’t want to overmix—this cake loves a little bit of tenderness. 6. Now comes the best part! Gently fold in the blueberries, taking care not to smash them into oblivion. 7. Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish, smoothing it out evenly. 8. Pop it in the oven and let it bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 9. Once done, allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. ### Nutrition Facts (per serving): - Serving size: 1 piece (about 1/12 of the cake) - Calories: 190 - Fat: 14g - Carbohydrates: 8g (Net 5g) - Protein: 6g - Fiber: 3g Indulge in this deliciously moist coffee cake that’s low in carbs but high in flavor! Perfect for breakfast or a sweet afternoon snack. Now, grab a slice, a hot drink, and enjoy! #BlueberryBliss #CoffeeCakeLovers #KetoDelight #BakingJoy #HealthyTreats

Today’s run had me thinking… The body reflects the journey — the mind writes the story. 🤍✨🏃🏼‍♀️ . #fitness #gym #workout #fitnessmotivation #fit #motivation #bikini #training #health #travel #healthylifestyle #lifestyle #love #gymlife #gymmotivation #sport #summer #healthy #healthyfood #muscle #running #fitnessmodel #exercise #food #fitnessjourney #fashion #happy #girl #model #style Valentina | Strength Coach IG:valentinaathletic