Scientists at Cambridge University have figured out a way to get paralyzed dogs to walk again, by injecting cells from their NOSES into their spinal cord.  They used special cells called olfactory ensheathing cells, which were discovered in 1985.  They're different from normal cells, because they can communicate between our central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.       

That means that the cells can transmit messages past the damaged parts of the dogs' spines.  The nose cells are also able to regenerate, meaning they can produce new ones, which cells in the spine can't do.   

It didn't FIX the dogs' injured spines, and the researchers aren't entirely sure WHY it worked.  But it got them walking again, and the dogs don't seem to have any negative effects.    There's still a long way to go before they'll be able to consider doing a similar procedure to help humans with spinal injuries.

(ABC News)