Embryonic stem cells are the only cells that have been proven to develop into every kind of cell in the human body. This quality is known as 'pluripotency'. As their name suggests, embryonic stem cells are harvested from human embryos, which presents an ethical dilemma. An alternative is adult stem cells, but they were long thought to lack pluripotency. In 2007, Japanese scientists created an alternative type of stem cell — from skin cells! Then - in what is being hailed as the stem cell breakthrough of the century - recently Chinese scientists proved that these cells have the potential to create new life. Carte Blanche Medical looks at a feat that will be talked about by the scientific world for years to come.

In the '60s, the Beatles took a break from rock 'n roll and turned to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for spiritual guidance. This Indian guru introduced them to Transcendental Meditation. He also brought this form of meditation to the Western world. Critics dismiss Transcendental Meditation as being quasi-religious nonsense - a cult, a religious practise, even an outright sham. But does it have the health benefits that its advocates insist can enhance wellbeing? Carte Blanche Medical investigates what science has revealed about an ancient Indian tradition that is today practised by over six million people worldwide.

A surprisingly large number of people report having had an out-of-body experience. A typical scenario involves these people feeling as though they are floating near the ceiling while looking down on their body and the rest of the action in the room below. What causes this well-documented phenomenon? Carte Blanche Medical meets scientists in Switzerland who've been trying to re-create a full out-of-body experience and suggest that confused sensory information is the cause. Studies of electrical signals even point to a specific spot in the brain that could be responsible.

Cancer is extremely clever at evading the body's immune system. It can sidestep all the normal parts of the body that say these cells should be dead and shouldn't be here. One can think of a cancer cell as a lean mean machine that's switched off everything that isn't important for its existence and the only genes left functioning are those that enable it to propagate. Carte Blanche Medical finds out whether, in their quest to spread, tumours could be more sophisticated than we previously thought?

What is a sexologist? In this country one finds many self-styled authorities claiming competency to dish out advice regarding sexual products, ways to spice up relationships and also deal with all matters of a personal nature relating to sex. So why doesn't the Health Professions Council of South Africa recognise sexology as a profession? Carte Blanche Medical asks how you would know if someone claiming to be a sexologist is properly qualified and finds that some so-called 'sexperts' are anything but what they claim to be.

Molecular Bypass Researchers in Perth - Western Australia - have developed a new kind of science that's offering hope for people with serious illnesses. Different to genetic engineering, the technique works like a genetic 'patch' which snips out disease-causing parts of the message that is being translated when DNA is copied in a cell. Carte Blanche Medical looks into research that has significant implications for a variety of conditions including cancer, asthma, Alzheimer's, diabetes - and particularly for young Conor Murphy, who was diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy known as Duchenne when he was three years old.

Why isn't there a male pill? Well, it's a good question. After all, women have used the contraceptive pill since 1961 to prevent ovulation and provide a hostile reception for sperm game enough to try their luck. The two options men have today hark back to Queen Victoria's reign - the vasectomy in the 1890s, and before that, the modern condom - thanks to Charles Goodyear and his vulcanised rubber. Since then, nothing - despite decades of research. Carte Blanche Medical meets the scientists who are recruiting 400 couples to undertake a clinical trial as part of part of an international study into a new hormonal male contraceptive.

The most extraordinary thing about master magicians is that they can do something right in front of you without giving themselves away at all. Apollo Robbins specialises in the obscure branch of magic that is pick pocketing. He has an uncanny sense of when to make his move - known in the trade as "Grift" sense. Now, neurobiologists have set out to uncover how startling gaps in our awareness provide clues to how our brain simulates the world. Carte Blanche Medical investigates the way that our brain allows for the bamboozling and entertainment provided by magicians.

Myths about how best to deal with burns abound. Suggestions range from applying toothpaste, baking soda or honey to the burn and extend even to suggestions of using butter or cow dung on the wound. How should one ideally react to a bad burn wound to minimise the trauma of this sort of serious injury? Carte Blanche Medical talks to paramedics.

Imagine a life of broken bones... 200 bone fractures by the time you're 30, and the first one in infancy. Carte Blanche Medical investigates Osteogenesis Imperfecta - or Brittle Bone Syndrome - and finds that, for parents of children with this condition, dealing with the breaks is sometimes the least of their worries. They're often accused of child abuse by medical staff due to the frequency with which their children come into hospitals with broken bones. This genetic disorder can cause a serious bone fracture to occur from an incident as minor as tripping while walking.