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Title: Gene linked to hair loss brings cure for baldness nearer
Source:
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URL Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/ ... -cure-for-baldness-nearer.html
Published: Mar 8, 2010
Author: Richard Alleyne
Post Date: 2010-03-08 13:30:30 by christine
Keywords: None
Views: 212
Comments: 18
A cure for baldness has come a step closer after scientists identified a gene that is connected to hair loss. The breakthrough should help scientists develop new treatments as well as help pinpoint early in life which men are likely to lose their hair. The Sox21 gene has in the past been shown to be linked to the formation of nerve cells, but the new study is the first to indicate its function in ensuring hair retention. Researchers made the finding during experiments on mice which, like humans, carry the gene. The scientists blocked the activity of the gene in mice and found that the rodents started losing hair on their heads about 15 days after birth and became completely naked a week later. "It is entirely possible that the gene is also a cause of thinning hair among humans", said Professor Yumiko Saga at the National Institute of Genetics in Tokyo. Hairs have a long growing phase - two years or more - followed by a short resting phase of two or three months. But as some men age this pattern gradually reverses until eventually the resting period is so long that there's no new hair coming through to replace the 100 to 150 hairs we lose daily through natural shedding. The Japanese reseachers, who published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, believe that Sox21 governs this cycle. "Normally, new hair appears right after old hair falls out," said Professor Saga. "But the hair of these mice fell out very early, making their bald periods longer." Dr Bessam Farjo, medical director of the Institute of Trichologists, said the research added to the growing knowledge of hair loss and could help identify and target young men who will lose their hair. "It is very interesting," he said. "It should help in the current research into finding a cure for hair loss. It will also help us accurately target men likely to lose their hair so we can treat them before it happens." Hair loss affects an estimated 7.4million British men. There is no cure but several tablets and lotions claim to have a preventive effect and help regrowth. By the age of 60 more than two thirds of men are affected by it.
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#1. To: christine (#0)
I've been shaving my head since 1997. I can grow my hair, but I like being bald. I have never understood why people are so hung up on the whole hair thing. I'd rather be bald, than be one of those guys feeling insecure about not having hair. Seems pretty silly really considering there are other things to be more concerned about. Besides, women love bald guys. I'm living proof.
It is better to be hated for what you are, than loved for what you are not. - Tommy The Mad Artist.
you have to have a nice shaped head to look good bald. you must. ;)
I use Rogaine; works.
I have a size 7 1/2 head that looked like an ugly Casaba melon when I was a paratrooper and got clipped high and tight. If I could, I'd grow my hair back to my waist like it was at age 18. Alas, Mother Time is cruel to men. Though it's true there are conversational advantages to testosterone.
I can get you a great deal on an original Traficant wig. Just shoot me a PM.
I was just thinking how much I'd look like Uncle Fester if I was bald. Help me trap a badger and I'll just skin the fucker and wear its pelt turban style.
“we were respected as the most disinterested and charitable nation in the world.” - Robert A. Taft
I use genetics - baldness doesn't run in my family. My grandfather, in his late 90's, still had hair. It was getting kind of sparse but there was still enough to comb. I have the beginnings of a bare spot in back, and my forehead has gotten a bit larger, but overall I still have enough hair to keep a barber busy, and I am fortunate in having a head shape that works well with my preferred "French Foreign Legion Cut" i.e., very tight.
"One of the least understood strategies of the world revolution now moving rapidly toward its goal is the use of mind control as a major means of obtaining the consent of the people who will be subjects of the New World Order." K.M. Heaton, The National Educator
My dad was very bald in the back. I was getting there, but now instead of a clearcut, I have a commercially thinned stand of hair. (OK, guess I have worked in reforestation too many year) ;-D
Heh, actually, I would pefer a Cousin It wig to that look.
LOL
Goes to show that even the rich don't have everything.
Shaving my head makes me look ten years younger, and yes, women love it. :)
Holy Taco, that is a butt ugly comb over. If my mane was that lame, I'd wig out or shave.
Then there is the Ric O'Barry method of hiding an older, balding head at the Academy Awards when 'The Cove,' the movie about Japanese dolphin slaughter won the documentary prize. ;-)
I think this study is overlooking something very important. Most bald men have no problem growing hair elsewhere on their body, just their head. Doubt the gene in question would only effect hair growth on the head, and in only certain places on the head as well.
God is always good!
(OK, guess I have worked in reforestation too many year) ;-D Got it. ;-) I've had a clearcut but didn't care for it - other than the convenience. Right now it's getting kind of bushy so I'm due for my Tri-annual trek to the barber where I'll get it cut very short and then not have to worry about it for a few months.
"One of the least understood strategies of the world revolution now moving rapidly toward its goal is the use of mind control as a major means of obtaining the consent of the people who will be subjects of the New World Order." K.M. Heaton, The National Educator
#2. To: TommyTheMadArtist (#1)
#3. To: TommyTheMadArtist (#1)
#4. To: christine (#2)
#5. To: Ferret (#3)
#6. To: Jethro Tull (#5)
Traficant wig
#7. To: Ferret (#3)
I use Rogaine; works.
#8. To: Original_Intent (#7)
(Edited)
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#9. To: Dakmar, Ferret, TommyTheMadArtist, Jethro Tull, All (#6)
then there's the gawdawful combover~
#10. To: Jethro Tull (#5)
TEXT DOLPHIN To 44144
#11. To: Jethro Tull (#5)
I can get you a great deal on an original Traficant wig. Just shoot me a PM.
#12. To: christine (#9)
(Edited)
"then there's the gawdawful combover~"
TEXT DOLPHIN To 44144
#13. To: Ferret (#10)
#14. To: TommyTheMadArtist (#1)
I've been shaving my head since 1997.
The only real restraint on gummints is people who say "live free or die" ... and mean it. - Enderby
#15. To: christine (#13)
TEXT DOLPHIN To 44144
#16. To: christine (#13)
TEXT DOLPHIN To 44144
#17. To: christine (#0)
#18. To: Ferret (#8)
My dad was very bald in the back. I was getting there, but now instead of a clearcut, I have a commercially thinned stand of hair.
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