NEWBORN MICE'S HEARTS CAN HEAL THEMSELVES:

"Now researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center report in the current issue of Science that the mammalian newborn heart can fully heal itself."  A cardiologist at the medical center worked with mice and found that if a portion of the heart was removed within the first week of life, the heart grew back completely.  However, after the first seven days, this regeneration is lost.  In, humans, this could last for a few months.  Scientists believe cardiomyocites or stem cells could be aiding in this regeneration.  They are looking for genes that can regulate this process with hopes of finding a way to encourage the heart to regrow.