Cancer, Flu Vaccines, and Shingles Research

Our bodies are made up of trillions of cells. The instruction manual for how our cells grow and divide is dictated by our genetic material, or DNA. Occasionally, when a cell splits, it can make a mistake, or mutation, in its DNA that causes it to begin dividing abnormally.

> This interactive allows users to calculate their fatality risks. (More)
> See how cancer varies by gender, race, and state. (More)

Our body's defense systems can typically handle a few mistakes, but when these defense mechanisms are overwhelmed, abnormal cells begin to grow and divide uncontrollably, resulting in cancer.

> Explore what the different stages of cancer mean and why there are different prognoses based on bodily location. (More)

> A universal cancer cure remains out of reach due to biology. (More)

> Alcohol contributes to roughly 5% of cancer cases. (More, w/video)

Globally, cancer is the second-leading cause of death, behind only cardiovascular disease. Breast, colorectal, lung, cervical, and thyroid cancer are the most common forms among women, while lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach, and liver cancer are the most common types among men. While overall medical advances, including immunotherapy, have improved survival rates, incidences of certain cancers are increasing among young individuals.

> Chemotherapy disproportionately affects rapidly developing cells, like hair cells. (More)

> This National Cancer Institute database includes complementary and pharmacologic therapies. (More)

Discover more: 

> Why does one area of Louisiana have cancer rates 50% above the national average? (More)

> The name "cancer" is a nod to crabs. (More)

> Watch how high-intensity sound waves can destroy tumors with a novel noninvasive cancer treatment called histotripsy. (More)
> ... explore everything we've learned about Cancer.

In partnership with MUD\WTR

A Coffee Alternative Without the Crash

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 News in Context 

1440 brings you the knowledge and context behind recent intriguing stories:

The FDA approved the first-ever mRNA flu vaccine. (More)

> See why mRNA vaccines, which depend on messenger RNA, can be so quickly developed for different diseases.

> Ferret experiments led to modern flu vaccines.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order recommending splitting up the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines and revising childhood vaccine protocols. (More)

> Explore our 1440 explainer on measles.

Last year's Legionnaire's outbreak in Harlem sickened 118 people and killed seven, and affected families are now suing NYC and others. (More)

> A famous Legionnaires' outbreak was linked to Disneyland's cooling towers.

> The disease is named after a 1976 outbreak that occurred at an American Legion gathering.

America's daily marijuana use continues to rise, with 21.4 million daily or near-daily weed users versus only 17.2 million daily drinkers. (More)

> Gen Z is drinking less than older generations.

> US states this year have reported over $27B in tax revenue from marijuana.

The current Ebola outbreak, with more than 4,200 confirmed cases and more than 1,900 deaths, really began in February—months earlier than initially believed, according to the World Health Organization. (More)

> See how Ebola affects blood circulation in the body.

> There's no vaccine for the Ebola virus circulating in the DRC.

 Medical Developments Spotlight 

We love spending time learning about the latest medical breakthroughs and spotlighting research that piques our interest, may influence future research directions, or inform healthcare conversations. Here's what we found this week.

Carbs and sugar may have been just as important for early human development as meat. 

History | Dave Roos. New modeling research out of Australia suggests that carbs and sugar played a significant role in early human development, with natural sugars providing roughly 20%-35% of our total dietary energy intake for millions of years. The substances may have better enabled our ancestors to meet the energy needs of increasingly bigger brains. (More)

>The ancient Romans invented the first known artificial sweetener—it involved lead.

Eczema appears to heighten the risk of developing shingles.

JDDG | Anna K. Schober, Sinéad M. Langan, et al. Shingles, caused by the same virus as chickenpox, causes a painful rash. Researchers who analyzed more than 100 million records in a UK database found that people with eczema, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, had a 28% higher risk of developing shingles. The finding suggests people with eczema may particularly want to consider getting the shingles vaccine. (More)

> The shingles vaccine also appears to slow biological aging.

'Poop pills' of frozen gut bacteria show some promise as an experimental food allergy treatment.

Nature | Edward Chen. Fecal transplants from people without allergies—offered via dozens of frozen pills taken orally—helped six people with severe peanut allergies tolerate small doses of the nut months after receiving the new gut microbes. Nine people who underwent the procedure did not respond to the treatment, however, and the study notes that most of the people who responded to the microbial infusions were men. Researchers are planning a larger trial to learn more. (More, paywall may apply)

> Fecal transplants can cure life-threatening C. diff infections.

 Can You Trust Your Memories?

In partnership with MUD\WTR

Less Caffeine, Same Momentum

Coffee's energy tends to come with a catch: the jitters climb, then focus drops out from under you, often for hours. MUD\WTR is a USDA-organic alternative built with functional mushrooms—lion's mane, cordyceps, chaga, and reishi—at a fraction of coffee's caffeine, with no artificial flavors or fillers. 

Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, it's worth a try if your mornings could use a steadier start. Get started with MUD\WTR for $25 off.

Please support our sponsors!

 Etcetera 

> We're experiencing a 35-year high in US measles cases as vaccination rates drop.

> See how humans are "built" with this mesmerizing animation.

> New data suggests we should be throwing out our kitchen sponges a lot.

> In the early 2000s, social media algorithms were far less dynamic—and didn't provide that same dopamine hit.

> Some people are looking to hookworm infection as an allergy treatment.

> A fungus that ultimately led to LSD may also be responsible for the hallucinations behind the Salem witch trials.

> More Americans support all-day cellphone bans in school than ever before.
 

> The idea that only certain regions of the tongue are responsible for certain tastes is a myth.

> Goldfish are supertasters, with almost 20% of their brains devoted to taste.
 

> A DNA paternity test will show a less than 1% probability if the tested man is not the actual father.

> Explore this database to discover Lyme disease incidence in your county.

> A virologist successfully treated her own cancer with lab-grown viral injections.