LA JOLLA — The Nov. 4 online edition of the journal “Current Biology” reveals that Salk Institute researchers have made a stride in stem cell research — revealing that stem cells can sense decreases in available nutrients and respond by retaining only a small pool of active stem cells for tissue maintenance. The journal states that researchers discovered that when — or if — favorable conditions return, stem cell numbers multiply to accommodate increased demands on the tissue. This finding about stem cell behavior both under normal conditions and under stress provides important insights into the activities of stem cells in regenerative medicine, during wound repair and in individuals experiencing metabolic stress, according to the institute.