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Scientists find a pregnancy cell that appears briefly and may respond to cannabis signals
Science
Published on 12 May 2026
It shows up early then disappears fast
Researchers at UCSF report discovering a new human cell, DSC4, present only in the first weeks after conception. They suspect it helps guide how the placenta connects to the mother’s blood supply and that DSC4 is linked to a receptor responsive to cannabinoids. The work could eventually shed light on pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia.
- A new early-pregnancy cell called DSC4 has been identified
- DSC4 may influence how the placenta attaches to maternal blood
- The cell’s activity is tied to a cannabinoid-responsive receptor
- Findings could improve understanding of preeclampsia risk
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times