Scientists at Cambridge University have figured out a way to get paralyzed dogs to walk again . . . by injecting cells from their NOSES into their spinal cord.

 

 

--They used special cells called olfactory ensheathing cells . . . which were discovered in 1985.  They're different from normal cells, because they can communicate between our central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.       

 

 

--That means that the cells can transmit messages past the damaged parts of the dogs' spines.  The nose cells are also able to regenerate . . . meaning they can produce new ones, which cells in the spine can't do.  

 

 

--It didn't FIX the dogs' injured spines . . . and the researchers aren't entirely sure WHY it worked.  But it got them walking again, and the dogs don't seem to have any negative effects.      

 

 

--There's still a long way to go before they'll be able to consider doing a similar procedure to help humans with spinal injuries.

 

 

(ABC News)