Frothy flowers over my shoulders

M came to Taiwan for a visit; and we met yesterday afternoon. He had another friend with him as well. I sure felt great seeing him since 2004. We had noodles for lunch and then headed to Taipei 101. He wanted to buy a watch, which cost about USD170. But I thought it would be better for him to get that in the States.

While eating ice cream at Taipei 101, we phoned Taylor. He sounded half asleep; but I thought he usually went to bed after midnight. M and Taylor were good friends and we all went to the U. I graduated first, then M. then Taylor. During those past three years, Taylor got married and now has a son. I guess I will be able to see his kid sometime soon…

Recent research demonstrated that using stem cells instead of neural cells can actually make damaged neurons to grow and regain certain cerebral functions. It’s really great news to many doctors and neuroscientists, and of course those whose family members suffer from brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Certainly the researchers used rats as experimental subjects, a usual approach to examine and induce whether it would have the same result for humans. I suppose human experiments regarding any medical trials are difficult because it involves ethics and safety issues. Brain is so complex and any slight mistake can possibly cause severe damage. Therefore doctors and scientists must make sure the risk is the lowest and have to run tests many times on animals before applying them to human beings.

Again, my immediate reaction directed to language related issues in brain. If stem cells can be used instead of neural ones, then how can we utilize this to help those who suffer impairment in language, for example, dyslexia? I need more time pondering on this thing. I want to read more research about this area…

Frothy flowers were over my shoulders when M. asked what I saw myself in ten years. I didn’t tell him I planned to live in Swiss and work for one of the top brain institutions and enjoy myself the beauty of suburban community next to Geneva Lake.