Finding Genius Podcast

How can the water you drink contribute to the formation or treatment of cancer? Deuterium present in the water may play a significant role. Press play to learn: What heavy water is How deuterium factors into MRI's Where to find deuterium-depleted water Functional medicine doctor Petra Davelaar joins the podcast to discuss her research on deuterated water and how it may be a critical factor in health and cancer. Deuterium present in water and the food around us is often overlooked but plays a significant role in maintaining health and staving off potentially severe diseases. The lower the deuterium present in what is put into the body, the better it is. Despite the evidence that deuterium plays such a significant role in many different processes within the body, the medical industry continues to overlook the benefits of manipulating the levels within the body. However, drinking deuterium-depleted water and honing one's diet may be effective strategies to combat certain...

When you’re out and about and stop for a bite to eat, what else are you putting in your body with those plastic utensils?  Well…plastic. Leaching from plasticware is real, and it could be causing damage to your body. But there’s a healthier, less wasteful option available--and it comes with the perk of being intentional about the way you eat. Tune in to learn: What’s unique about the alchemy of brass The mechanism by which brass, copper, and sterling silver self-sanitize   What products are offered by a company named Fed Twenty-five years ago, Dawn Prokop picked up a book that would eventually define the trajectory of her career. It was about a Tibetan monk who was issued a single wooden bowl to use for each and every meal. He would rinse it in the river, scrub it with sand, and let it dry in the sun before tucking it away in a special place. It was more than a routine--it was a ritual.  Today, the way most people consume food couldn’t be further from this. We o...

Beverly Mok is a graduate student in Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University. She is currently working in the complex field of genes and genomics focusing on genome editing in the David Liu Lab. She is also involved in the development of programmable tools to perform detailed and accurate modifications on the human genome. Current tools do a double-stranded break which the cell may try to resolve in a way that may not be ideal. Once the break happens, the cells resolve the break in two ways. They make repairs by insertions or deletions which is not ideal. Or they supply a template DNA that undergoes homogenous DNA repair back to the original sequence to precisely repair the DNA. Base editing is a new way of targeting and repairing faulty genes. The new genome editing techniques do not use double-strand breaks. The benefits of the base editing approach is that it facilitates precise genome editing and minimizes undesired by-products and toxicity associated with the do...

Turn lead into gold? Yes, it’s possible. But according to Denys Bondar, PhD, that’s beside the point. He’s asking this question: can any substance be made to look like any other one? Press play to explore the meaning and implications of this and more: How much computing power you can get from shining ‘bright’ light on a single atom How it’s possible to make one element look like another, and why it matters Whether it’s possible for a computer to process information at the speed of light Bondar is an assistant professor at the Tulane University School of Science & Engineering whose most recent work has been on nonlinear optics. It's a field of study that describes the behavior of bright light (high-intensity light, like that given off by lasers) in nonlinear substances. He contrasts an explanation of this with an explanation of linear optics, which is observed when everyday light—like that from the lightbulbs in your house—interacts with materials and reflects back to t...

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin as a treatment for diabetes. For the past several decades, innovation in the diabetes space has reached unprecedented levels. Dr. David Kendall has been a key player in this space, and shares the latest insights and developments.  Press play to learn: The key difference between glucose and glucagon What causes severe hypoglycemic events in the body How dasiglucagon works, how it can be administered, and who is a good candidate for it Dr. David Kendall is a senior global medical advisor at Zealand Pharma, a company that for decades has been committed to innovation in the peptide therapeutics space. By modifying naturally-occurring peptides—the tiny building blocks of proteins and enzymes—the team at Zealand is using them as treatments for human diseases. The primary focus is on metabolic diseases, like diabetes and certain GI diseases. For example, Zealand has created da...

What are the ethical limits of human genetic engineering, and where will it take us in the future? While there may never be a firm answer, considering certain limitations is critical. Listen in to learn: The differences between modification and design Which procedures fall on either side of the line How biases separate the categories of modification Francoise Baylis, a university research professor, joins the podcast to discuss the bioethics of human genetic engineering and where it will lead us going forward. The novel genetic technologies that have become available to humans have exploded in the recent future. However, the move from modification to design of genetics has begun, prompting questions surrounding the ethics of the issue. While ethical questions of this nature can be next to impossible to determine definitively, the medically legal line must be drawn somewhere. Biases and preferences separate themselves from medically required modification to have a healthy pregna...

How can cancer be treated differently than how many others have accepted as standard? Gene therapy may be the solution to change the course of cancer treatment. Listen in to learn: The chances of getting cancer in your lifetime How CAR-T therapy operates How genetic therapies are limited CEO of Poseida Therapeutics, Eric Ostertag, discusses his work trying to treat the underlying problems of cancer rather than merely treating it. Since cancer has a genetic basis for operation, gene therapy can be even more effective than the previously used viruses or other therapeutic techniques. Immuno-oncology is the bleeding edge of cancer treatment and has shown the most promising results in solid tumors. Due to the genetic limitations of viral technology, it does not have the capacity for efficacy found in non-viral therapeutics. The next generation of CAR-T will have higher chances of not being thwarted by mutations and solid tumors. Visit poseida.com for more information. Episod...

How can plasmalogens lead researchers to discoveries in age-related disease ? By giving clues of how various bodily functions work, they may be the missing piece of the puzzle. Press play to learn: How plasmalogens facilitate biogenesis Why low-level plasmalogens are problematic in the body How maximum lifespan can be extended CEO and founder of Prodrome Sciences, discuss his work with plasmalogens and how their function in the body facilitates necessary tasks throughout. As we age, our body begins to struggle to carry out processes that did not pose a challenge earlier in life. One of the keys to these functions is the presence of plasmalogens throughout the body to help facilitate proper pathways that are working as they should. Age-related diseases may have been found to be caused, at least in part, by the absence or deficiency in plasmalogens. Rather than treating diseases and increasing average lifespan, Prodrome Sciences focuses on the conditions in the body that lea...

Can the healthcare experience be made more comfortable and humanized? Research may show that seeking more holistic care may make some treatments and experiences more beneficial. Press play to learn: How more medical services can be coordinated  How the healthcare consumer can play a role in their own healthcare journey The three main pillars of patient comfort in treatment Author and paramedic-turned-physician, Dr. Summer Knight, shares her work to shift the field of healthcare to a more human-focused experience that puts comfort at the forefront. The current focus of the healthcare industry is less on the comfort of the patient and more on the profitability and efficiency of the operations. While this may work from a business perspective, a more empathetic approach may be more beneficial for patients and families involved in ongoing treatment. By coordinating services and various silos of the medical field, the patient will have a better understanding of their enduri...

As a world traveller, Nykki Hardin has learned about time-tested and proven methods to heal the body mentally and emotionally. She used the knowledge gained from her travels working with experts in foreign lands to create a nontoxic, detox program that is easy to use and produces amazing results for weight loss, metabolism, and hormone balance. Click on play to learn: What detoxing is about and how to do it the right way to maximize results and achieve health. How to improve nutrition and create new habits that can become a part of a healthy lifestyle. How 21 Cleanse works to rid the body of toxins and heavy metals to boost energy and clarity. Why 21 Cleanse is successful where other methods fail. At the age of 15, Nykki Hardin was a three-sport athlete and straight A student and learned how food affects physical performance and mental health. As a world traveller visiting India, Australia, Thailand, and other countries, she learned about the bodily harm caused by toxins and he...

How can the body's equilibrium impact your overall health and immune system's strength? By maintaining blood chemistry balance, your body may be able to fight off disease that to which it may have been previously prone. Press play to learn: The optimal range of balance for each individual What can cause toxicity within the body How the HPAT system regulates overall health Dr. Sandy Bevacqua shares her insight into balancing blood chemistry and maintaining equilibrium within the body. If the body is not in a state of equilibrium, it will continue to function while doing significant harm to various systems throughout. Outside toxicity is also a considerable contributor to throwing the system out of balance and can be a primary cause of sickness and chronic disease. Since many of the systems rely on each other to function correctly, a shutdown or malfunction in one can cause widespread poor health in many parts of the body. As toxicity in our environments builds, it beco...

With the help of an African Grey parrot named Alex, Irene Pepperberg, Ph.D. has conducted years of research that helped the world understand the unique and amazing communication abilities of Grey parrots. In this podcast, Dr. Pepperberg shares the results of more than four decades of her research into the cognitive and communitive capabilities of Grey parrots. Press play to learn How Dr. Pepperberg’s research influenced how scientists perceive avian intelligence Why Pepperberg used the model/rival technique to train Alex About Alex’s ability to identify shapes, colors, and sizes, and count objects The pros and cons of having an African grey parrot as a pet Dr. Pepperberg completed her studies in chemistry at Harvard University in the 70s. While finishing her degree, Pepperberg became interested in the use of sign language and computer interfaces and studied the available data on interspecies communication. Her ultimate objective was to establish two-way communication with a G...

How do various CRISPR systems interact with the body in beneficial ways? Using different techniques, specific immunity systems may be targeted and cleaved. Listen up to learn: How molecules are targeted to be cleaved Why RNA helps target specific systems Where the RNA fuses onto the DNA Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Cornell, Ailong Ke, shares his research working with CRISPR interference and RNA molecules . By degrading and cleaving DNA in rounds, the molecule may be repaired, and the DNA can be made to function in the intended way. By editing DNA in this way, insertions and deletions can be accomplished, and DNA can be corrected to perform in its intended role. This technique can be used to correct genetic diseases and other ailments caused by errors embedded in the DNA. As these tools and techniques advance, broader targeting abilities will become available, and deletion abilities may become more precise and effective. Visit https://sc...

The aftermath can be just as challenging and uncomfortable—the aftermath of major surgery, that is. Tune in to learn about a revolutionary product that’s changing the post-op lives of thousands. You’ll learn: The specifics behind the robe design that enables better movement, greater comfort, and erases the risk of skin irritation from other methods of securing Jackson Pratt (JP) drains The incredible story of how the “Elliott” Superhero Robe got its name, and what makes this robe so unique About how many surgeries requiring JP drains occur in the US each year Allison Schickel is a mother, wife, mentor, speaker, and Creator/Founder/CEO of Brobe, a company that has helped tens of thousands of people feel more comfortable, secure, and independent while recovering from major operations. The company began with a focus on the needs of breast cancer survivors in the post-op phase of recovery. The Brobe is a bra and robe combination designed specifically to hold JP drains, which are...

How can historically misunderstood retinal neurodegenerative diseases be researched and treated? New discoveries may lead to continuing advancements in treatment for previously thought to be untreatable ailments. Listen in to learn: How treatment is targeted at specific cells How functions in the eye can be swapped between parts How the optogenetic process works Dr. Bernard Gilly, The CEO and Co-Founder of GenSight Biologics discusses his work trying to cure blinding diseases and the development of LUMEVOQ. By studying genetic therapies and root causes of optical degenerative diseases, patients who have been blinded by their condition can seek treatment to regain partial vision. Though it is challenging to continue studying improving patients, the therapeutic techniques continue to be improved, and results remain promising. Though treatments and further research have been delayed, the first patient has received treatment and has regained fundamental visual function. This is p...

How can new cancer therapies and treatments emerge along with the understanding of cancer cell's behavior? By learning how cells communicate and proliferate, researchers may be able to find new solutions. Press play to learn: The point at which a group of cells becomes cancerous When treatments can be too aggressive How the behavior of cancer cells will be affected by a treatment Assistant Research Professor in the Biodesign Center for Biocomputing, Security, and Society, at ASU, Luis Cisneros, shares his research on cancer cells and their behavior. Groups of cancer cells within the body may be able to work cooperatively and view the cluster as a single entity working to survive. Since the cells are present before they become cancerous, the original group will grow and spread to the tissue around the original site. Studying the molecular mechanisms and cell signaling of groups of cancer cells , proper therapeutic techniques can be applied, and cancer can be adequatel...

Many of us will take a vaccine without thinking twice about it. But how are they developed, how do they even work, and how are they tested for safety? Press play to learn: What happens when proteins and aluminum-containing adjuvants are combined in the development of vaccines Why most vaccines are injected rather than inhaled or consumed orally, and what the future of vaccine delivery might look like How vaccines are tested for safety and efficacy Maria Elena Bottazzi is associate dean at the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, and vaccine scientist who specializes in tropical, infectious, and emerging diseases. She explains conventional versus new technologies for vaccine development, like RNA technology platforms, and where the vaccine for the current virus situation lands in this regard. She dives into the science behind vaccine engineering, giving listeners an inside look at this technical and extremely relevant area of resear...

How many parasitic worms do you have in your gut, and how long have they been there? The answer comes with some surprising implications. Tune in to discover: What the “weep and sweep” immune response entails and how it works What surprising tradeoff exists between reproductive abilities and the strength of immune responses to infectious diseases What interactions occur between host microbiota and parasitic infections in the gut   Andrea Graham is a professor at Princeton University in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology whose work revolves around a simple question, with a not-so-simple answer: Why do hosts vary so much in their susceptibility to infectious disease and autoimmune disease? Most of her research is on the parasitic worms that live inside the guts of over a billion animals worldwide, including humans. What dictates whether a host will immediately or very slowly detect the presence of these...

How can zebrafish lead to new insight into how neurons within the brain function? Researchers may be able to determine how information is sent between the two by studying the specific relationships between their retinas and brains. Listen up to learn: How neurons connect How long visual information takes to be processed Why ocular tissue is challenging to study in humans Tom Baden, Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Sussex, shares his research into how the body sends input information for the brain to process. By examining large numbers of nerve cells and how they respond to specific stimuli, researchers can determine how inputs cause the brain to react. From information from the retina and showing how different colors are sent, the information pathway can be tracked. Tissue from the retina of humans is surprisingly very similar to the tissue found in non-human primates. From studying humans going forward in research, the determination that similar principles hold b...

What part do extracellular vesicles play a role in cancer development ? Research shows that they may be the next step in discovering new cancer treatment techniques. Press play to learn: How extracellular vesicles are isolated Why EVs are so difficult to study The function of EVs within the body Ph.D. student at Oxford University, Scott Bonner, shares his research on the relationship between extracellular vesicles and cancer . Some extracellular vesicles may play a role in the body more effectively than others. By identifying and isolating certain types, new therapeutic EV technology may lead to new cancer treatments and research developments.  By learning more about receptors and how EV biogenesis occurs, the ability to pinpoint specific functions and advantages of the vesicles will emerge. Technologies being developed for the near future will only serve to enhance research and lead to discoveries regarding EV uptake within the body. Visit Scott Bonner's profile on ht...

Nearly 200 million metric tons of production come from global aquaculture and fisheries combined. Dr. Bill McGraw discusses the science, strategy, and logistics behind it all. Tune in to learn: The difference between aquaponics and aquaculture Why salmon are particularly hard to grow in aquaculture systems The many (and surprising) applications of seaweeds        Why there is a threat of blue-green algae contamination in catfish Returning guest, Dr. Bill McGraw, joins the show to discuss an area of his expertise: zeo water exchange and disease free aquaculture systems. He explains how they work, what they produce, and the most recent global trends in the field. He also discusses the billion-dollar US catfishing industry, GMO salmon, shrimp aquaculture and how it’s connected to  vibrio  bacteria, SPF (specific pathogen free) status and shrimp culture in places around the world, the importance of biosecurity in aquaculture, the problem of mislabelin...

How can bacteria that have become resistant to treatment be overcome? Using genome engineering may be the technique that allows treatment to overcome the infection once again. Press play to learn: How bacteria become resistant How the virome reacts to gaining resistance How bacteria avoid the immune system Gaetan Burgio, a group leader of the Burgio Group as a part of Australia National University, shares his experience working with AMR bacteria. Some bacteria may build resistance to any treatments or antibiotics over time through mutation or other genomic changes . However, CRISPR techniques have allowed researchers to pinpoint how a bacterium is resistant and alter it at a genomic level . By evaluating how these bacteria have become resistant and how the microbiome changes, we can determine how various phages affect virulence. Evading the immune system is the primary mode of resistance, and by lowering virulence, it will remain undetected within the body, avoiding an immu...

Is there something in the water? Or are there many different types of things in the water, depending on the source and location of the water…? Explore the answer, and learn: What factors are impacting the chemical profile of your water How the team at Hydroviv is able to customize water filters for specific customers Why testing a sample of water in a given area or home isn’t the best method for determining which contaminants are present “Water across the United States is different, and we believe at Hydroviv that the filter should actually match the water,” says CEO, Eric Roy. He elaborates on how significant these differences are, and why. It’s a labor-intensive task, but Hydroviv is doing it: Every time a customer submits an order through their website, a team of scientists begins investigating the water that is consumed by that specific customer, and building point-of-use filters that are optimized for it. Customers are pleased—almost universally so. Visit https://www.hyd...

A cure for cancer exists, says Dr. Bill McGraw, who also says he knows this to be true because he’s been curing it in countless patients for years, with a 95% success rate. Tune in for his insights, and learn: How specific frequencies have the ability to shatter glass, and the medical implications of this What a Rife machine is and how it works What the Béchamp theory of disease transmission is, and why it’s worth a closer look What happened when the American Medical Association discovered the findings of Dr. Raymond Royal Rife The first person to ever see a live virus using a microscope is also, quite possibly, the first person to have discovered a true cure for cancer and many other diseases. His name was Royal Raymond Rife, a bacteriologist who carried out groundbreaking work in the 1920s and onwards, but whose research has been largely suppressed, and sometimes even ridiculed. Dr. Bill McGraw shares with listeners the details of Dr. Rife’s work—namely the incredible potent...

Where is that smell coming from?! It’s a question we’ve probably all exclaimed before tracking down the culprit…whether or not we want to. Scent detection is an important ability, but do we really understand how it even works? Press play to discover: How jet streams and the movement of people and animals through the atmosphere influence our sense of smell How a better understanding of scent dispersal and detection could aid in the development of olfaction-based technologies What reality would be like if it matched up with simple mathematical models of scent detection Gerard McCaul is a postdoctoral research fellow at Tulane University who's taken on a side project on olfaction—the sense of smell. He set out to determine what really enables scent tracking, and whether simple mathematical models, such as a pure diffusion model, can really account for it. Unlike hearing and sight, the sense of smell is not well understood or described by mathematical modeling; diffusion simpl...

How can latent viruses in your body transform into cancer over time? Research shows that while many people have a virus known to cause cancer within them, only some individuals will ever be affected. Press play to learn: How cancer-causing viruses can be detected If you have a latent virus within you How cancer cells react to viral infection Patrick S. Moore, MD, MPH, and distinguished professor at PITT, shares his research on cancer-causing viruses and viral replication. While there are only a small number of viruses with the potential to transform into cancer within the human body, the forms they cause constitute around 18% of cancer in the world. Some viruses are even present in close to 95% of the population. Targeting specific pathways in cells that are also responsible for controlling tumor growth may make a previously healthy cell prone to developing cancer. While this poses a risk, it also may lead to new therapeutic techniques to slow the spread around the body. To le...

How can theoretical physics give researchers new insight into cancer progression? By opening the zeitgeist of methodology, new understanding may be gained. Listen up to learn: How the generation of new tumors is enhanced How epigenetic conditions arise How the body regulates mutations Herbert Levine, University Distinguished Professor at Northeastern University, shares his work applying the ideals from physics to cancer research. Viewing the evolution of tumors as they grow with principles used in theoretical physics research, new analytics can be gained to hone and improve our understanding of cancer. By understanding how cell states function within various tumors, a unique view of metastasis can be achieved. Cancer may arise as a forced adaptation from cells exposed to stressors over time, though most cancer may still arise from pure mutational events. Metastasis is the deadly part of cancer due to the infection of various other parts of the body and the increased resistance ...

The #1 killer in the world is heart disease—it doesn’t matter who you are or where you live, this killer doesn’t discriminate. But does it have a code? And could it be cracked with the right technology? Tune in to discover: Why all of our cells would burst without cholesterol, but what happens when there’s too much of it How CRISPR/Cas9 technology could hold the key to permanently low cholesterol levels (without the need for injections or pills), and a cure for sickle cell anemia What lipid nanoparticles are, how they can be used to deliver genes to specific organs in the body, and why this is significant Dr. Kiran Musunuru is a cardiologist, professor of medicine, and director of the Genetic and Epigenetic Origins of Disease Program at Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. As the leading cause of death globally, he believes heart disease is the preeminent global health threat of the 21 st century, and the greatest challenge facing the medical profession to...

For most, PCR testing was a topic confined largely to the world of molecular biology textbooks before its widespread use during the ongoing virus situation. Mention of the test can be heard almost everywhere at this point, but do we know how it actually works? Do we understand its intended use, and what it can actually tell us? Press play to learn: The strengths and limitations of PCR testing, and the implications related to the current virus situation What a ‘cycle threshold’ is, whether it needs to be known for detecting the target virus, and what it means if it isn’t known   How the use, results, and interpretation of a PCR test can be affected by who or which lab is carrying it out Professor of molecular medicine at Anglia Ruskin University, Stephen Bustin, has spent years trying to improve the quality of molecular testing for diagnostic and research purposes. This includes PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test...

Is there an underlying cause of negative mental health symptoms and pain for women? Endometriosis may be the culprit for a wide range of adverse health impacts. Listen in to learn: How endometriosis is diagnosed Simple but effective remedies for pain The symptoms of endometriosis Author Jessica Murnane joins the conversation to discuss her work with endometriosis research and finding new solutions for the prevalent condition. A lack of knowledge surrounding endometriosis has led to a deficiency in diagnosis and effective treatment for sufferers of the ailment. At the same time, the common misconception of simple, painful periods remains widespread. While the cause of endometriosis is still unknown, it continues to plague women worldwide and has even barred women from police service in Spain. By spreading symptom awareness and general knowledge to new generations and researchers, the road to a solution has come into sight. To learn more, visit knowyourendo.com or centerforen...