Finding Genius Podcast

The dragonfly is the fastest flying insect in existence—regularly breaking most residential speed limits. This is just one of the many fascinating details discussed by entomologist Jessica Ware. Tune in to discover: How dragonflies use interception-style predation to catch mosquitoes and other flying insects How an understanding of dragonfly aerodynamics could be used as bioinspiration for our own flight styles How male dragonflies use their two penises to mate with a female Why dragonflies can be used as a measurement of water pollution levels Jessica Ware is an assistant curator in invertebrate zoology at the American Museum of Natural History whose work centers around insect evolution—and that of dragonflies in particular. She welcomes listeners into the world of dragonfly social behaviors, physiology, and development, discussing aerial hunting, eating, and mating styles, the unique stages of their life cycle, and more. Ware also discusses her latest work, which involves g...

Paul Sloane’s always been interested in lateral thinking puzzles and has written international best sellers on the subject. He shares how he’s translated those methods into solving problems in the business world. A professional who’s helped busy executives with creativity and innovation in their companies for over fifteen years, he describes some of his methods to raise the bar for leadership and problem solving. Listen and learn How lateral thinking starts with approaching problems from the side, Examples of his 12 “great ways to innovate,” Why corporate culture provides little incentive to innovate and how he advises to change that, and Some of the most interesting puzzles he’s faced in the corporate world. Author, speaker, and innovator Paul Sloane explains his cutting-edge approach to business problems and solutions for listeners with concrete examples and the philosophy behind what he does. It all starts with countering the staid habit of vertical thinking. That’s where “yo...

Can examining the world of insects give humans insight into our state of being? Research may show that many fields of human health can be advanced through the study of insects. Listen up to learn: How colony collapse disorder may be solved How communication suffers from lack of sleep The role of sleep in the world of insects Barrett Klein, professor at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, shares his research on the relationship between human and insect social biology. Humans have a lot to learn from the intricacies of insect ecology, including the possibility to understand many aspects of our culture and bodies better. Through research into social insect biology and how they sleep, new elements of the ecological role of insects have been discovered. Though bugs were not initially thought to sleep in the same way that other groups of animals do, discoveries into how and why they sleep have shed light on the impact it holds even beyond the insect kingdom. It even has the pote...

Is studying cellular community ecology the next direction cancer research will take? By gaining insight into the behavior of cancer cells , new treatments may be uncovered. Press play to learn: If cancer is an intelligent entity within the body How cancer cells cooperate and compete  How a cell shifts from benign to aggressive behavior Evolutionary Biologist, William Miller Jr., shares his insight into the motivation of cancer cells and how it may shape the course of the disease and treatment. By examining cancer through the lens of a separate and self-aware group of cells, we may finally be able to understand the motivation of cancer's spread throughout the body. Cancer cells even go as far as cooperating with various systems and tissues throughout the body to achieve homeostasis. Since every cancer has a unique tumor microbiome, it has specific triggers that cause it to grow, spread, or adapt as its conditions change. By considering factors such as these, treatment c...

“I went into oncology because I was fascinated by the human side of cancer,” says Dr. Eisenberg. This motivation gives him a unique focus while struggling alongside his patients searching for a cancer cure . He talks about not leaving his patients’ humanity out of the picture of cancer cells , and how that ultimately provides an effective medicine. Listen and learn How he sets the tone at his first patient meeting and what measures he takes to keep that connection during treatment, Why doctors are facing burnout and how keeping empathy and connection front and center can speak to that struggle, Why patient engagement and physician enrollment are vital, and How the mind-body connection can be an ally for a physician and patient. Oncologist Dr. Steven G. Eisenberg is the author of the new book Love is the Strongest Medicine . He shares the impetus behind the book, including stories of patient interactions and his own burnout and cancer diagnosis that propelled him to a healthi...

Is a cell as complex as a major city? Or is it thousands of times more complex? Tune in to explore the answer, and learn: How all of life generates energy What cells sense, and how they do it Why cancer cells are like super-microbes Dr. Jon Lieff is a nationally recognized neuropsychiatrist, expert on cellular communication, and author of The Secret Language of Cells , which is a synthesis of an impressive amount of science literature that culminates in a compelling and easy-to-understand look at cellular communication—how it works, and what it means for our bodies. “It’s not that life is defined as a cell; it’s that life is defined as an intelligent cell who can talk with other cells and make decisions about the physiology of our bodies, about health and disease,” says Dr. Lieff. The complexity of cells, the source of life, energy, and consciousness, the wired and wireless brain, cellular signaling, and cancer cell communities are just a few of the topics explored in today’s...

Do doctors have the correct insight to treat common health issues effectively? Research shows that simple vitamins and minerals may play a much more significant role than you've been led to believe. Press play to learn: How vitamin C can be beneficial for more than just your immune system If nebulization can present new paths towards cures How your body naturally fights viruses Author and cardiologist Dr. Thomas Levy shares his experience and research into treating patients with more natural remedies the coverup by the industry at large.       Our bodies may respond more effectively through administering natural vitamins and minerals than when treated with standard pharmaceuticals. Since this path of treatment is actively shunned by most medical fields, the treatments that may drastically benefit many individuals worldwide are being stifled.  Hydrogen peroxide is often overlooked as a natural antibiotic even though the benefits are immense and can be e...

“When something provokes in you a certain feeling that you can’t describe, you can recreate that feeling for the viewer in a painting,” says Jordan Henderson, an artist who has done just that with something few would consider subject matter for artwork: the current pandemic. Tune in to learn: What led Henderson to view the current virus situation through an artistic lens, and how people are responding to it How art and a little hyperbole can make people see the absurdity of what they’ve grown accustomed to What makes the current virus situation so ideal for visual art How opposition to the current situation can take place from anyone at any time For an interesting and unique look at the current situation, listen to Henderson share his insights on it, and how he is using his artistic talent to make powerful statements which are resonating with many. He shares feedback on his pieces, the meaning behind them, details of the piece he is in the process of painting, plans for future ...

"Who eats first?" Richard asks Dr. Emeran Mayer as the researcher discusses his new book about the gut-immune connection. The answer is as complex as gut health and immune system interactions, but also just as fascinating. Listen and learn How the rapid timeline of microbiome research led to understanding connections between gut microbiota and immunity, How facial expressions from emotions are also happening, in a sense, in the gut, How your brain monitors what's happening in your gut through the gut-immune connection , and What hormones are released in your gut and how those tie to emotional reactions. Dr. Emeran Mayer's discusses his latest book, The Gut-Immune Connection: How Understanding the Connection Between Food and Immunity Can Help Us Regain Our Health. He digs deep on some of this timely book's topics, including the ties between our emotions and gut processes. The trillions of microbes producing their own chemicals, or metabolites make for ...

"Everything's a chemical interaction, isn't it?"  says Brendon Coventry, as he describes how lymphocytes are affected by a chemical released from tumor cells that mutes their response. The challenge he and other researches face is how to work within these reactions towards effective cancer prevention and suppression strategies rather than irrelevant efforts. He addresses some exciting therapies, like immunotherapy, and what researchers understand about the nature of tumors. Listen and learn What some of the newer and promising therapies are that address the cancer immune system interaction, How tumors produce factors that down regulate the immune system in proximity to the tumor, Which types of cancer respond more effectively to immunotherapy than others, and Why one of the most interesting characteristics of the immune system, its plasticity, makes it difficult to measure effective cancer therapy treatment. Brendon Coventry is an associate professor of s...

How does California and the US at large handle their water and prevent a crisis? Research and work on sustainable storage and flood prevention may lead us to the ultimate solution. Listen in and learn: Why California struggles with a consistent water supply If flood water can be used to manage water crises How local ecology can be used to control flooding Retired Water Resources Engineer from the California Department of Water Resources, Ricardo S. Pineda, discusses his continuing lifetime of work researching water access, quality, and storage. Water is a resource necessary for life everywhere, but due to specific hardships posed by locations around the country, it can be challenging to manage. Between pollution and flooding, finding a sustainable solution has remained elusive to engineers worldwide. While the United States has a competent water management system, it still faces challenges like contamination and flooding regularly, especially in California. Other countries, l...

How can diagnostic accuracy benefit both patient and physician alike? If breast cancer is diagnosed precisely and accurately the first time, treatment can be much more effective. Press play to learn: How various types of breast cancer be differentiated How some lesions may be more lethal than others What makes cancer act differently in various tissues  Sandy Borowsky, Doctor and researcher at the UC Davis Center for Comparative Medicine, describe their work with diagnosing breast cancer and its accuracy. By utilizing various categorization and detection techniques, specific breast cells can be determined as the culprit for breast cancer. Due to the highly variable nature of breast cancer, this diagnostic technique allows for a more targeted treatment and therapeutic path. The level of variation may even warrant breast cancer being treated as a set of almost ten different diseases. Each form offers its own risk, with some slipping under the body's radar and others directly f...

How can you be sure any medical treatments are safe and regulated? Organizations around the world are responsible for the information, but are they telling the truth? Listen up to learn: If proper safety procedures were used in trials during the current virus situation If new treatments enhance the abilities of diseases How someone may fight against the misinformation fed to citizens worldwide The founder of ICAN, Del Bigtree, discusses medical risk assessment and informed consent revolving around the central issues facing society today. A rush to develop a treatment for burgeoning diseases historically leads to botched trials and ultimately risks the health of individuals globally. Informed consent before treatment has become a movement being backed by millions of wary consumers through education and activism efforts. Efforts to cover up negative repercussions of rushed treatments may cause even more significant harm than was initially necessary. Corruption throughout global l...

Do your circumstances dampen or enhance your ability to make a decision? Studies show that high-pressure decision-making can be much more difficult without certain factors put in place. Listen in to learn: What situations can hinder decision-making ability The skills that can make decisions more straightforward to come to If a foundation of basic training is necessary for advanced decision-making President of ShadowBox LLC, Gary Klein, Ph.D., discusses his research into decision making during strenuous situations and how to enhance your cognitive ability. Making decisions can be difficult even under the most conducive situations, but it can be practiced and trained like many other skills through various techniques. For instance, the ShadowBox technique developed by Dr. Klein has been proven to enhance decision-making ability under duress. Paying attention to specific cues in their body and the situation can lead to more effective and meaningful decisions. By training under ch...

How can artificial intelligence modify psychiatric treatment to benefit the patient? Analyzing large sets of data and the study of genomics can target specific doses of medications more effectively for each individual. Listen in the learn: How machine learning can fit into psychiatric treatment Why some medicines are not effective in specific sets of individuals How trial and error prescription can be reduced Maurice Chiang, the cofounder of Prairie Health, describes his work using machine learning and data analysis in psychiatric treatment. By analyzing longitudinal data sets collected over decades, treatment in psychiatry can be tailored more effectively for each patient based upon their response to medication. By studying the data with artificial intelligence systems, genetic trends can be discovered, and analysis techniques can be refined and made more effective in the years to come. For patients who have tried and found particular treatments ineffective, this research op...

How can Tasmanian Devils give cancer researchers a hint into the spread of tumors and how they interact with the body? The spread of facial tumors in the population may be an appropriate starting point. Press play to learn: How Tasmanian devil facial tumors are spread If extracellular vesicles play a role in the incubation of the disease How vaccines and other treatments may be effective  Camila Espejo, a researcher at the Tasmanian School of Medicine in the College of Health and Medicine, shares her work with Tasmanian Devils and oncology . When Tasmanian devils bite each other, there is a chance that a tumor-laden devil can spread the cells into healthy devils through saliva. If the disease can be detected early before the tumor begins to form, treatment becomes an option and can extend the lifetime during the disease's incubation. It is crucial to understand how the disease spreads and can be treated to prevent a possible extinction event. Without devils present as ...

Where can quantum computing take the next step to continue improving and begin outperforming current computers. Theoretically, physical transformations may be the next stage of development. Listen up to learn: The basic unit of quantum computation The challenges that face quantum computation development If biological systems can be emulated in quantum computers A Research Fellow working in the Physics Department of the University of Oxford, Chiara Marletto, joins the conversation to discuss the quantum theory of computation. While our current understanding of computers focuses mainly on speeding up and bolstering computing power, research leads quantum computational researchers in a new direction. Constructors theoretically have the capability to modify shape within the laws of physics and appear to be on the horizon for quantum computing. Constructor theory relies on solving the problems from the current generation of computing machines, such as the noise, need for cold, and...

"The evolution of the nucleus may have initially occurred . . . because of this coevolutionary dynamic with giant viruses," says Professor Frank Aylward. He shares several mysterious tidbits of giant virus evolution and how these particles may have caused evolutionary pressures that produced everything from the silica shell of diatoms to cellular metabolism. Listen and learn What determines giant viruses, an interesting group of DNA viruses that infect eukaryotes, How scientists think microbial evolution led to their large size, What genomics and bioinformatics tells scientists about giant viral genomes and why they're still surrounded by mystery, and Why giant virus genome evolution indicates some exciting dynamics of viral indigenization. Frank Aylward is an assistant professor of biological sciences, at Virginia Tech.  He specializes in microbial diversity and is fascinated by the abundance of microbes "that play critical roles in human health, the ev...

Are genetically modified food products the best option you have when shopping for food? Emerging research shows that there may be better choices both for your health and for the environment. Listen up to learn: The origin of GMO foods How glyphosate interacts within the environment How GMO fish impacts the environment Expert in his field, Dr. Bill McGraw, lends his experience with GMO research and its implications on the long-term health of individuals around the world. Originally thought to have no negative repercussions to consumer health, genetically modified products seemed to be the key to many logistic problems plaguing produce manufacturers. However, in the years since their introduction, GMO products have begun to show their true colors. Without proper labeling required in supermarkets, it can be challenging to determine if a product is genetically modified or comes into contact with other GMO products. GMO salmon or salmon fed with GMO ingredients can leave lasting i...

Is time what clocks measure, or is it the difference between the shape of two triangles? Explore the answer, and discover: Why Barbour believes the universe is changing shape rather than expanding Why it is important to remember that size is relative What kinematic relativity is, and why it is so essential to Barbour’s work   What the theory of black holes requires of the universe Physicist and author of The Discovery of Dynamics and The Janus Point: A New Theory of Tim e, Julian Barbour, joins the show for an eye-opening and mind-probing deep dive into his ideas of time and space, and how they’ve been shaped by and differ from the ideas of other great thinkers in history, like Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Johannes Kepler. “Science is always tentative, but my feeling is that people have lost some contact with the real foundation of things, of what reality is really like, and so I think it certainly doesn’t harm to go back and see what people like Kepler did,” he add...

“I am not a conspiracy theorist, I am a fact investigator…I want to know facts as soon as I can possibly get them. Is there a way to do that? Yes, there is,” says David Getoff. Tune in to learn how, and discover: How to know who funds the major media networks, and why it matters Which fats are “good” and which are “bad” and why In the midst of so many competing diets, all claiming to be the best, how to determine which ones are truly healthful What the hygiene hypothesis is, and how it might explain why so many people have weak immune systems Getoff is a board-certified clinical nutritionist, traditional naturopath, author of Abundant Health in a Toxic World , and internationally recognized lecturer on a variety of topics surrounding nutrition and health.   “Almost every holistic professional that I’ve ever met has had something go on in their life where mainstream medicine was not able to help them or cure them or get them better…or save their life…but some other holistic...

“Tumors are kind of like deposits, where the body can store up excess amounts of phosphorus,” says Dr. Ronald Brown. In this continuation of the Finding Genius cancer disease series, he discusses his unconventional and exciting theory on what causes tumor cells to proliferate. Listen and learn Why, because phosphate promotes growth, its excess promotes tumorigenesis, much like fertilizer runoff leads to dangerous algal blooms in water, Why this differs from conventional theories about tumorigenesis, and How this translates into techniques for cancer prevention and cancer therapy treatment through methods like low phosphorus, healthy diets. Ronald B. Brown’s PhD in industrial organizational psychology lends him a unique view of cancer research. In particular, he utilized grounded theory to note the significance of phosphate toxicity and cancer spread , and has continued this work with research partner Mohammed Razzaque. He explains that if we get too much phosphate, our kidne...

How can early-onset Alzheimer's detection play a part in treatment as the disease progresses. Early detection may hold a key in finding new and more effective treatments for Alzheimer's. Press play to find: How independence can be maintained for as long as possible The future of how Alzheimer's disease  The red flags to watch out for in the onset of dementia Lucas Driskell, an Assistant Professor at Yale School of Medicine, stops by to share their insight into neurodegenerative diseases and rehabilitation psychology. By focusing on treatment or therapeutic techniques for early-onset neurodegenerative diseases, the threshold for detection may lower. By detecting the disease early and using medication from the onset, there is a much higher chance of making Alzheimer's a disease that can be lived with. Many factors can bring on many cognitive difficulties, and there is no "magic bullet" to treat neurodegenerative diseases across the board. However, effect...

There are natural alliances, when certain kinds of tumors end up in obvious places," says Steve Gullans, and because cancer cells know how to unlock entry into different types of cells and tissue, they naturally settle where their tools let them. This is how he answers Richard's question about communication and cancer cells. As coauthor of Richard's new cancer book, he shares years of insights and experience with listeners. Listen and learn How, as part of the team to first sequence a tumor, he describes single-cell sequencing and informatics, Why immune cells like lymphocytes being present in tumors or around tumors makes a difference with effective drugs, How metastases are much harder to treat than primary tumors and what needs to be done to change that, and Why the microenvironment around tumors is an area currently under active investigation and what scientists hope to discover. Steve Gullans has extensive experience in all aspects of the life sciences, from Ch...

Over half of New Orleans is below sea level, and it used to be entirely above it. What is happening, how is it impacting the lives of those in Louisiana, and what can be done about it? Tune in for the answers, and learn: Why water levees speed up the rate of organic material decomposition, and why it’s problematic Various ways in which land loss and subsidence occurs How trees offer resistance to storm surges Michael Hopkins is Assistant Director of Pontchartrain Conservancy (PC), a nonprofit organization whose aim is promote environmental sustainability and address serious environmental challenges in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin, a 10,000 square mile watershed in Louisiana. Over the past 100 years, more than 2,000 square miles of coastal Louisiana have disappeared, detrimentally impacting the lives of so many. Hopkins is a geologist whose focus at PC has been on coastal monitoring and restoration. Much of his work centers around subsidence, which is the gradual sinking of...

John McDougall Bio: John McDougall, MD is a board-certified internist, author of 13 national best-selling books, the international on-line “McDougall Newsletter,” and co-founder of the 10-day, live-in McDougall Program in Santa Rosa, CA. He is a clinical instructor for 4 schools training young physicians and licensed in 5 states in the US to practice. Other McDougall activities include seminars and health-oriented adventure vacations. Scientific results of the McDougall Program are published in the Nutrition Journal : ( http://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-13-99 ) and in MS and Related Disorders : http://www.msard-journal.com/article/S2211-0348(16)30100-6/pdf. Website: www.drmcdougall.com E-mail: drmcdougall@drmcdougall.com Phone: (800) 941-7111 Previous National Best Selling McDougall Books: The McDougall Plan McDougall's Medicine: A Challenging Second Opinion The McDougall Health Supporting Cookbook, Volume 1 The McDougall Health Supporting ...

Controlling cancer depends on controlling tissue microenvironments, according to researcher James DeGregori. “There's going to be pressure on cells in the lungs of a smoker to adapt to that new environment,” he explains, “and by adapting to it, it can basically favor new phenotypes that could lead to a malignancy that could lead to the initiation of a cancer.” He and Richard discuss the initiation of cancer and cancer evolution, opening up an exciting path toward prevention. Listen and learn How cancer development stems from our own cells "going rogue" in concert with selective pressures, like carcinogenic conditions, in their tissue environment, Why, therefore, random mutations are important in the initiation of cancer, but not enough to explain its growth, Why effective prevention of cancer lies with controlling tissue microenvironments, and How modulating inflammation affects carcinogenesis pathology and may be key in cancer prevention.  James DeGregori is t...

Are you consuming high amounts of deuterium without even knowing it? Could this predispose you to a higher likelihood of developing cancer? Press play for the answers to these questions, and discover: How mitochondrial dysfunction might explain the development of cancer, and what can be done in light of this How the oxygen we breathe and food we eat combine to contribute to the production of water in our bodies How diet and lifestyle can protect against the development of cancer László G. Boros is a professor of pediatrics at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and a member of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute at UCLA and The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation. He takes a metabolic approach to the problem of cancer , focusing on the metabolic pathways of normal versus tumor cells, and trying to develop therapies that specifically target pathways unique to cancer cells. Boros discusses a variety of interesting topics, including the role of mitochondrial breakd...

When does cancer in the body reach a threshold at which it becomes an entity, and what causes it? New research shows that cancer may be a latent part of us already and only becomes hazardous after proliferation. Press play to learn: How cell types can help each other grow If chemotherapy promotes genetic mutation The point of origin in a tumor Adrienne Scheck, an Adjunct Professor at Arizona State University, joins the conversation to share her insight into the field of cancer growth. Each type of cell that comprises or benefits the growth of a tumor has differing preferences for its ideal microbiome. Whether they be slow or fast-growing, the different types of cells require different therapeutic techniques, even depending upon the area of the body. The heterogeneity inherent in tumor cells is the culprit for making it so difficult to treat. Due to the fast-growing nature, the level of adaptability and refresh of cells makes an effective treatment hard to pin down. To learn ...

Ninety-eight percent of the human genome is non-coding. The majority of our DNA instructs and regulates the other two percent. Until recently, this ninety-eight percent was considered junk DNA and held a mystery of purpose akin to dark matter.  George Calin opens the mystery for listeners and explains how researching non-coding RNAs will lead to better cancer treatments. Listen and learn How non-coding RNAs stay in the nucleus and other mechanistics, Why early earth was an “RNA world,” and what that indicates about the evolution of life, How non-coding RNAs are considered “double phase” and why that’s significant for therapeutics and mRNA vaccines, and How his research on non-coding RNA biomarkers in body fluids should lead to targeted interventions. George Calin is a principal investigator with the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas. He specializes in how non-coding RNAs impact disease and virus mechanisms, specifically the role of microRNAs in huma...

"The wider view of nature is the more powerful one," says Andreas Mershin, a researcher who stays out of bounds. "Nature is not divided by a textbook," he continues, and this foundation sets the tone for his work. He's a physicist who's exploring the innovative discovery of diseases at their earliest stages, from a prostate cancer diagnosis to breast cancer, by harnessing the smelling acuity of dogs. Listen and learn How studies have shown surprising and encouraging results with dog sniffing and cancer identification, What mechanics of smell and scent enable the dogs to detect cancer when it can't be identified by biomarkers, and How scientists are looking at mechanical devices to do the same thing and more, including sensing our emotional states. Andreas Mershin is a research scientist at the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms. While that department may not seem congruous with researching the latest treatment for prostate cancer , he explains that...

What causes a primary tumor to form in the body? Metastatic dissemination explains how genetic damage in the cell can develop cancer and begin the spread. Press play to learn: The triggers for the spread of cancer cells How a stroma supports the primary tumor If excess mutations can revert tumors to stem cell-like tissue Robert Weinberg, a member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and professor of biology at MIT, discusses his research into the formation and spread of cancer. The tissue in tumors resembles very closely the tissue found in wounds. The inflammatory state which assists in healing all wounds may be responsible for the aggression and proliferation of cancer cells and tumor growth. As the tumor grows and continues to mutate, it begins to recruit several different types of cells to assist in growth and survival. Multiple mutations in a tumor may continue to increase the aggression and inflammatory nature of the tumor as it grows. For more information,...

Could better emotional and physical health be as simple as subtle movement? Anna Jacobsen says it is, but the art of her practice is not quite so simple. Tune in to discover: What it means to say that every organ has an energetic quality How emotions like anger and aggression can manifest physically and be “felt” in certain organs Why depression presents special challenges and a greater level of complexity when it comes to healing through Jacobsen’s approach Jacobsen is an alternative practitioner who focuses on helping people reduce stress and fear in their life, improve their cognition and creativity, and foster physical health through movement—specifically by applying a deep understanding of the correlation between body systems and movement. She’s a somatic movement educator and therapist, but her work with clients is really a hybrid of various techniques and approaches, each of which she tailors to the individual.   She dives into the details o...

Could a vaccine for specific forms of cancer be a realistic prospect in the future? Based upon research into rhythms in the body, research shows that it may be a viable possibility. Press play to learn: If the time cancer treatment is administered can make a difference Can the sequence or timing of vaccines cause variation in efficacy? How the body regulates levels of inflammation Brendon Coventry, Associate Professor of Surgery in Adelaide at the University of South Australia, discusses his work with rhythms in the body and how this can affect optimal treatment. By treating patients at abnormal times throughout the day, new treatments may become more or less effective even if inconvenient for practitioners. This will afford researchers a unique perspective when it comes to treating cancer and may even unlock new therapeutic methods and treatments. Cycles that involve CRP in the body can lead to certain forms of cancer, especially colorectal cancer. Based on a seven-day proce...

“The anthropomorphic language has been frowned upon in biology for a hundred years…and I think it’s because it’s the only way to understand it,” says Perry Marshall. Press play to learn more about his compelling view of cancer and discover: How Perry’s understanding of cancer might explain why stage four cancers are almost always impossible to treat Why the neo-Darwinian view of evolution and the inability to accept the idea of cellular cognition are major roadblocks to finding a cure for cancer What consequences result from the resistance to change in the medical industry While the idea that cancer is a genetic disease resulting from random DNA damage which triggers endless cell proliferation may be true, Perry Marshall doesn’t think it gets to the essence of what cancer really is. According to him, cancer is when the cells of the body lose their identity and begin evolving or speciating out of control. Marshall says that when the simple laws of physics and chemistry are insu...

What happens when a classically trained medical doctor develops chronic fatigue? When Jeanne Drisko struggled with her health, she discovered integrative medicine and nutrition. Now she’s running a clinic at the University of Kansas with Dr. Kay Chin utilizing translational medicine to unlock better care for cancer patients. Listen and learn What’s the difference between the effects of oral and intravenous vitamin C, How intravenous vitamin C works as a treatment of pancreatic cancer and blood cancer among others, Why it also shows promise in studies with the Covid-19 virus , and How intravenous vitamin C has worked in tandem with chemotherapy. Jeanne Drisko is professor emeritus at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She tells her story of discovering intravenous vitamin C therapy to meet her own health struggles. She was impressed by its effect and, after working with internationally-renowned experts in nutritional medicine like Dr. Hugh Riordan, she started her own pr...

How do doctors measure your liver function, kidney function, cholesterol levels, and heart disease? They use biomarkers, and David Wishart helps identify biomarkers with analytical chemistry, mass spectrometry, and other bioinformatics tools. He and his colleagues look at blood or urine and other biological fluids to help in the diagnosis and characterization of human diseases. He explains What characterizes a useful and reliable biomarker and how low false positive rates distinguish them, How the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve works and where common tests fall in the curve, What’s the history of biomarker testing and how it’s been improved, and How he’s meeting the challenging task of identifying Alzheimer’s biomarkers in his research. David Wishart is a professor in the Departments of Biological Sciences and Computing Science at the University of Alberta. He works with bioinformatics software, nanobiology, and machine learning in healthcare to fine tune th...

How should cancer be viewed while in the body. Research shows that it may be classified as a separate entity rather than a component of tissue. Listen in to learn: The percentage of cells that do not metastasize How tumors coerce the surrounding healthy tissue to serve its needs How "clusters of death" interact with populations around the world Christos Chinopoulos, associate professor and project manager of the RPPA facility, joins us to discuss his work with finding metabolic pathways that differ in cancerous tissue when compared to healthy tissue. Depending on the stage of development that cancer has reached, it is motivated by different factors within the body. Since the subject ultimately dies in the end, there must be other contributing factors along the path of growth and spreading. Using promising new technologies like liquid biopsies, there may be a way to detect signs of cancer even earlier. From biomarkers like DNA, RNA, and lipids, early detection of aff...

Can the aging process actually be reversed or prevented? The answer to this age-old question is explored in today’s show.   Tune in to learn: What changes about the way DNA is read as we get older, and how this could hold the key to reversing cellular aging What differs between old and young tissues, and why they heal differently Whether it’s the loss of stem cells or the loss of function of stem cells that might explain the aging process New research on the biological basis of tissue rejuvenation potential suggests that developing therapeutics for the restoration of old and damaged tissues is possible. With the use of machine learning, hundreds of thousands of small molecules are being screened for activities which promote rejuvenation and youthfulness in cells and tissues. Once identified, those small molecules are converted into pill form and given to mice that are aging rapidly, or that are likely to develop an age-related disease. Researchers then look at whether thes...

One of the biggest challenges is identifying kidney disease in the early and middle stages, says Prabir Roy-Chaudhury. He works to emphasize the importance of simple blood and urine tests for high-risk populations for earlier diagnosis, but also strives for better treatment once kidney failure sets in. He discusses Why his main interest is dialysis vascular access dysfunction, What are common issues, such as cardiovascular complications in kidney disease patients, How current tests like the GFR and albumin amounts are calculated and why they determine the kidney failure risk equation, and What should patients prioritize in treatment, from Vitamin D importance to new drugs and technologies. Prabir Roy-Chaudhury is a professor of medicine in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension and co-director of UNC Kidney Center and specializes in uremic vascular biology. He brings listeners online with the basics of kidney disease, who’s at risk, and what’s being done to make tre...