Archeoastronomy uses the rare times and places of previous total solar eclipses to help us measure history 
The rising flood of space junk is a risk to us on Earth – and governments are on the hook 
Eggs from men, sperm from women: how stem cell science may change how we reproduce 
Six space missions to look forward to in 2024 
Alpha, beta, theta: what are brain states and brain waves? And can we control them? 
Why is the universe ripping itself apart? A new study of exploding stars shows dark energy may be more complicated than we thought 
If life exists on Jupiter’s moon Europa, scientists might soon be able to detect it 
Why some people don't trust science – and how to change their minds 
Larger and more frequent solar storms will make for potential disruptions and spectacular auroras on Earth 
Spacesuits need a major upgrade for the next phase of exploration 
Synthetic human embryos let researchers study early development while sidestepping ethical and logistical hurdles 
Our survey of the sky is uncovering the secrets of how planets are born 
Orbital resonance − the striking gravitational dance done by planets with aligning orbits 
Could a telescope ever see the beginning of time? An astronomer explains 
The mystery of consciousness shows there may be a limit to what science alone can achieve 
Growing human body parts has been the focus of study for many in the medical industry for decades. In a recent breakthrough, a new study revealed that children with underdeveloped ears were given new ones that were grown using their own cells. This is a first in the world and is touted by the researchers behind the study as proof that restoring the ear structure can be done.
As Tessa Hadlock, of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston, explained to New Scientist, children with underdeveloped ears suffer from a condition known as microtia. Those who are afflicted by the condition often feel self-conscious and can also become a target for bullying. By restoring these children’s ears to how they would have normally developed, they won’t simply get an ear or two; they’ll also get the chance to live a normal life.
“It’s a very exciting approach,” Hadlock said. “They’ve shown that it is possible to get close to restoring the ear structure.”
The research explained the method and implications of their study in a paper. The ears were basically grown using the cells of the children, shaped using structures that dissolve. This is a huge advancement in terms of how the condition can be treated.
Previously, those suffering from microtia could only choose to have a prosthetic ear or to harvest cartilage from the child’s ribs to create a false ear. Neither of these solutions was perfect and were often accompanied by dangerous side-effects.
Naturally, since this is the first procedure of its kind in the world, the results were rather mixed. Some of the ears were misshapen, but the parts were intact.
The researchers will now focus on refining the approach to make it safer, more precise, and produce more aesthetically pleasing results. In any case, it’s still a promising development.
