University of Nebraska Medical Center officials say researchers there have devised a new way to create stem cells that could cure several conditions causing blindness.

A team led by ophthalmology and visual sciences professor Iqbal Ahmad has devised a way to turn adult limbal stem cells from the cornea into cells similar to powerfully regenerative embryonic stem cells in animals.

The university says the new cells can generate retinal progenitor cells that could potentially cure conditions such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.

The work builds off that of Drs. John B. Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka, who won this year’s Nobel Prize in science for their discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed into immature cells that can be turned into all tissues of the body.

Nebraska lawmakers heard passionate public testimony on a measure that would ban minors from tanning facilities, amid concerns that tanning beds can cause skin cancer.

The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee held a hearing on the issue Friday at the Capitol. Several skin cancer survivors and dermatologists spoke in favor of the bill, while the tanning bed industry opposed it.

Sen. Jeremy Nordquist of Omaha introduced the measure, which would ban minors under the age of 18 from using tanning beds. Nebraska currently does not have any age restrictions on indoor tanning.

Nordquist says he is concerned about ultraviolet rays used in tanning beds that can cause cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says those under 35 who tan have a 75% higher risk of melanoma.

LINCOLN CO. MARRIAGE LICENSES

Mark David Hooper, 25, North Platte and Megan Elizabeth Reynolds, 28, North Platte

Jason Michael Citta, 38, Hershey NE and Meghan Marie Gartner, 30, North Platte

Israel Gonzalez, 28, Lexington NE and Cristina Guajardo, 19, Lexington NE

Juan Francisco Orellana, 32,  North Platte and Chelsea Alexis Turnbull, 27, North Platte

On May 28, 2012, Kellie Whyte and Matt White experienced one of the true joys in life, the birth of twins, Jaxon Maurice and Zoie Sloane at Great Plains Regional Medical Center (GPRMC) in North Platte.

The twins continued to grow and progress as most babies do.  However, on December 1, joy turned to tragedy and devastation.  Their father went to feed the twins their bottle and found little Zoie, who had been awake just moments earlier,  unresponsive.  Matt quickly summoned his wife, Kellie, who performed CPR while waiting for the paramedics to arrive.

Doctors at GPRMC were able to stabilize Zoie, who was then flown to Denver Children’s Hospital.

Initially, doctors at Denver Children’s gave the devastated parents a very bleak prognosis stating that Zoie had experienced a “near SIDS” episode, and on December 12, Matt and Kellie were forced to make the decision that no parent ever wants to make, removing their baby girl from life support.  As the family waited for the inevitable to happen, Zoie miraculously began breathing on her own and on December 17, they were treated to the most amazing sound possible; the crying of little Zoie.

To the amazement of doctors, Zoie continues to make small improvements.  She is currently receiving speech, occupational and physical therapy, and here therapists are thrilled with her accomplishments.  However, the road to recovery for Zoie is still a long one.

The family has received a tremendous outpouring of prayers, love and support during this unbelievably difficult time.  But, the ordeal has been extremely costly and the family needs your help.

Friends of the family are organizing a fundraising event to assist the family with medical expenses.  The event will feature a bake sale, vendor booths and a silent auction, and will be held on Saturday February 2 form 10:00am to 4:00pm at the Knights of Columbus building located at 515 E. 5th in North Platte.  Additionally, donations can be made to the Zoie White Fund at Wells Fargo Bank and t-shirts can be purchased at White Tail Screen Print for $15.00.  Friends have also established a Facebook page to update the status of Zoie.  All proceeds will benefit Zoie and her family.