iNaturalist:
Sugar maple spotting slows as Canada's fall color fades
iNaturalist:
Red oak spotting slows down as fall colors fade
iNaturalist:
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iNaturalist:
Milkweed sightings stay high across Canada as autumn sets in
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Invasive buckthorn sightings surge across Canada this week
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Pokeweed sightings dip slightly as fall observation seaso...
iNaturalist:
This weedy wetland plant is everywhere on iNaturalist this week
iNaturalist:
Eastern redcedar is having a moment on iNaturalist this week
iNaturalist:
Sugar maple spotting slows as Canada's fall color fades
iNaturalist:
Red oak spotting slows down as fall colors fade
iNaturalist:
This fuzzy forest moss is suddenly everywhere in Canada
iNaturalist:
Milkweed sightings stay high across Canada as autumn sets in
Yam gel and licorice compound repair worn-out spinal discs in goats
PubMed · 2026-04-28
Scientists built an artificial spinal disc using a yam-derived gel and a licorice plant compound that calms inflammation and aging in cells, and it successfully repaired degenerated discs in goats, a close model for human backs.
1
The isoliquiritigenin-loaded nanoparticle treatment cut inflammatory markers (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta) and degradation enzymes (MMP9, MMP13) while lowering senescence markers P16 and P21 in disc cells
2
Treatment boosted matrix-building proteins ACAN and COL-II and reduced the number of aging (SA-beta-gal-positive) cells and apoptosis
3
In goats, a large-animal model with high mechanical stress on the spine, the yam-hydrogel disc preserved disc height and suppressed matrix-degrading enzymes over time
