In the movie "X-Men," humans with genetic mutations displayed supernatural powers: telepathy, weather control, telekinesis, the ability to create magnetic fields, etc. All clearly sci-fi, comic-book stuff, above nature . . . or was it?

The "X-Men" character Wolverine is able to regenerate damaged tissue after injury, an ability seen in certain reptiles and amphibians that replace lost limbs, tails and other tissues. For centuries, doctors and surgeons have dreamed of a way of inducing regeneration in humans, but, alas, tissue regeneration does not occur in mammals -- wounds are just patched up and healed with scar tissue.

At least, it was not thought to occur in mammals. That was until Tuesday, when a landmark paper was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.