Kuru: A disease of love and loss

The Radium Girls: When Medicine Glowed in the Dark

In the 1910s, glowing watch dials symbolised progress ... until the women who painted them began to die. In this deep dive, we uncover how the tragedy of the Radium Girls reshaped modern medicine, from radiation safety to medical ethics. Their bones glowed in the dark, but their courage lit the path toward truth, justice, and the oath every doctor now takes.  Do no harm. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/blood-vessels-eyes-predict-heart-disease-biological-aging-risk [https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/blood-vessels-eyes-predict-heart-disease-biological-aging-risk ] https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/fda-oks-linzess-ibs-constipation-kids-2025a1000ums [ https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/fda-oks-linzess-ibs-constipation-kids-2025a1000ums] https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/uk-regulator-approves-new-skin-test-tuberculosis-2025 [https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/uk-regulator-approves-new-skin-test-tuberculosis-2025] Clark, Claudia. Radium Girls: Women and Industrial Health Reform, 1910–1935. University of North Carolina Press, 1997. Moore, Kate. The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women. Sourcebooks, 2017. Martland, Harrison S. “The Occurrence of Malignancy in Radioactive Persons.” American Journal of Cancer, 1931. Rowland, R. E. “Radium in Humans: A Review of U.S. Studies.” Argonne National Laboratory Report ANL/ER-3, 1994.

Kuru: A disease of love and loss

In this episode I discuss the gripping story of kuru from funeral rites to exploring how mouring revealied the existence of prions. I also cover three fascinating discoveries in medicine from the past month. https://www.cdc.gov/prions/about/index.html https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK559103/ [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK559103/] https://www.who.int/teams/radical-innovation- access/prion-diseases [ https://www.who.int/teams/radical-innovation- access/prion-diseases] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC397180/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC397180/] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6466359/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6466359/]

Treating severe frostbite, lung and skin cancer drug and scary wild animals

In this week's episode, we cover some more medical news and learn a bit more about rabies. FDA Approves First Medication to Treat Severe Frostbite https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-medication-treat-severe-frostbite [https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-medication-treat-severe-frostbite] https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/fda-authorizes-sleep-apnea-app-2024a10003g3 [https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/fda-authorizes-sleep-apnea-app-2024a10003g3] https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-approves-osimertinib-chemotherapy-egfr-mutated-non-small-cell-lung-cancer?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery [https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-approves-osimertinib-chemotherapy-egfr-mutated-non-small-cell-lung-cancer?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery] https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/fda-warns-against-using-unauthorized-glucose-monitors-2024a10003im [https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/fda-warns-against-using-unauthorized-glucose-monitors-2024a10003im] https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/european-approval-lung-and-skin-cancer-drugs-2024a10003nx [https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/european-approval-lung-and-skin-cancer-drugs-2024a10003nx] https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/ema-approves-treatments-psoriasis-and-other-autoimmune-2024a10003nw [https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/ema-approves-treatments-psoriasis-and-other-autoimmune-2024a10003nw] https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/ema-approves-two-therapies-rare-genetic-diseases-2024a10003nt [https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/ema-approves-two-therapies-rare-genetic-diseases-2024a10003nt] https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/europe-greenlights-two-avian-flu-vaccines-2024a10003nj [https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/europe-greenlights-two-avian-flu-vaccines-2024a10003nj] Rabies  https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies#:~:text=Rabies%20is%20a%20vaccine%2Dpreventable%2C%20zoonotic%2C%20viral%20disease%20affecting,both%20domestic%20and%20wild%20animals [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies#:~:text=Rabies%20is%20a%20vaccine%2Dpreventable%2C%20zoonotic%2C%20viral%20disease%20affecting,both%20domestic%20and%20wild%20animals]. https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html [https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html] FDA Authorizes Sleep Apnea App FDA approves osimertinib with chemotherapy for EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer FDA Warns Against Using Unauthorized Glucose Monitors European Approval for Lung and Skin Cancer Drugs EMA Approves Treatments for Psoriasis and Other Autoimmune Disorders EMA Approves Two Therapies for Rare Genetic Diseases Europe Greenlights Two Avian Flu Vaccines

Handwriting vs Typing and appendicitis

In this week's episode, we cover some of this week's news and learn more about appendicitis. links to recourses: https://www.euronews.com/next/2024/01/24/blood-tests-can-diagnose-alzheimers-as-accurately-as-spinal-punctures-and-better-than-brai [https://www.euronews.com/next/2024/01/24/blood-tests-can-diagnose-alzheimers-as-accurately-as-spinal-punctures-and-better-than-brai] https://time.com/6565140/alzheimers-blood-test-getting-closer/ [https://time.com/6565140/alzheimers-blood-test-getting-closer/] https://www.alzforum.org/news/research-news/paper-alert-p-tau217-blood-test-predicts-plaques-tangles-over-time [https://www.alzforum.org/news/research-news/paper-alert-p-tau217-blood-test-predicts-plaques-tangles-over-time] https://www.earth.com/news/handwriting-increases-brain-connectivity-and-promotes-learning/ [https://www.earth.com/news/handwriting-increases-brain-connectivity-and-promotes-learning/] https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240126/Handwriting-boosts-brain-connectivity-and-learning.aspx [https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240126/Handwriting-boosts-brain-connectivity-and-learning.aspx https://www.sciencenews.org/article/handwriting-brain-connections-learning] https://www.sciencenews.org/article/handwriting-brain-connections-learning [https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240126/Handwriting-boosts-brain-connectivity-and-learning.aspx https://www.sciencenews.org/article/handwriting-brain-connections-learning] https://www.cshl.edu/the-fountain-of-youth-is-a-t-cell/ [https://www.cshl.edu/the-fountain-of-youth-is-a-t-cell/] https://www.biocompare.com/Life-Science-News/610407-Reprogramming-T-Cells-to-Combat-Aging/ [https://www.biocompare.com/Life-Science-News/610407-Reprogramming-T-Cells-to-Combat-Aging/ https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240124/T-cells-can-be-reprogrammed-to-fight-aging.aspx] https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240124/T-cells-can-be-reprogrammed-to-fight-aging.aspx [https://www.biocompare.com/Life-Science-News/610407-Reprogramming-T-Cells-to-Combat-Aging/ https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240124/T-cells-can-be-reprogrammed-to-fight-aging.aspx] https://www.laparoscopicsurgeryindia.com/blog/10-common-questions-and-answers-regarding-appendicitis-surgery/ [ https://www.laparoscopicsurgeryindia.com/blog/10-common-questions-and-answers-regarding-appendicitis-surgery/ https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiVxtTOvP-DAxVHV0EAHUnyDlwQFnoECA8QAw&url=https://www.intercoastalmedical.com/2021/12/17/frequently-asked-questions-about-appendicitis-treatment/&usg=AOvVaw044kuD-VllG9q1qY0llXG-&opi=89978449 https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiVxtTOvP-DAxVHV0EAHUnyDlwQFnoECDQQAQ&url=https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/773895-questions-and-answers&usg=AOvVaw0fYbghknSwH-ToI1WO6Smu&opi=89978449 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369549 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369543] https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiVxtTOvP-DAxVHV0EAHUnyDlwQFnoECA8QAw&url= [ https://www.laparoscopicsurgeryindia.com/blog/10-common-questions-and-answers-regarding-appendicitis-surgery/ https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiVxtTOvP-DAxVHV0EAHUnyDlwQFnoECA8QAw&url=https://www.intercoastalmedical.com/2021/12/17/frequently-asked-questions-about-appendicitis-treatment/&usg=AOvVaw044kuD-VllG9q1qY0llXG-&opi=89978449 https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiVxtTOvP-DAxVHV0EAHUnyDlwQFnoECDQQAQ&url=https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/773895-questions-and-answers&usg=AOvVaw0fYbghknSwH-ToI1WO6Smu&opi=89978449 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369549 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369543] https://www.intercoastalmedical.com/2021/12/17/frequently-asked-questions-about-appendicitis-treatment/&usg=AOvVaw044kuD-VllG9q1qY0llXG-&opi=89978449 [ https://www.laparoscopicsurgeryindia.com/blog/10-common-questions-and-answers-regarding-appendicitis-surgery/ https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiVxtTOvP-DAxVHV0EAHUnyDlwQFnoECA8QAw&url=https://www.intercoastalmedical.com/2021/12/17/frequently-asked-questions-about-appendicitis-treatment/&usg=AOvVaw044kuD-VllG9q1qY0llXG-&opi=89978449 https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiVxtTOvP-DAxVHV0EAHUnyDlwQFnoECDQQAQ&url=https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/773895-questions-and-answers&usg=AOvVaw0fYbghknSwH-ToI1WO6Smu&opi=89978449 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369549 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369543] https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiVxtTOvP-DAxVHV0EAHUnyDlwQFnoECDQQAQ&url= [ https://www.laparoscopicsurgeryindia.com/blog/10-common-questions-and-answers-regarding-appendicitis-surgery/ https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiVxtTOvP-DAxVHV0EAHUnyDlwQFnoECA8QAw&url=https://www.intercoastalmedical.com/2021/12/17/frequently-asked-questions-about-appendicitis-treatment/&usg=AOvVaw044kuD-VllG9q1qY0llXG-&opi=89978449 https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiVxtTOvP-DAxVHV0EAHUnyDlwQFnoECDQQAQ&url=https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/773895-questions-and-answers&usg=AOvVaw0fYbghknSwH-ToI1WO6Smu&opi=89978449 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369549 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369543] https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/773895-questions-and-answers&usg=AOvVaw0fYbghknSwH-ToI1WO6Smu&opi=89978449 [ https://www.laparoscopicsurgeryindia.com/blog/10-common-questions-and-answers-regarding-appendicitis-surgery/ https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiVxtTOvP-DAxVHV0EAHUnyDlwQFnoECA8QAw&url=https://www.intercoastalmedical.com/2021/12/17/frequently-asked-questions-about-appendicitis-treatment/&usg=AOvVaw044kuD-VllG9q1qY0llXG-&opi=89978449 https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiVxtTOvP-DAxVHV0EAHUnyDlwQFnoECDQQAQ&url=https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/773895-questions-and-answers&usg=AOvVaw0fYbghknSwH-ToI1WO6Smu&opi=89978449 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369549 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369543] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369549 [ https://www.laparoscopicsurgeryindia.com/blog/10-common-questions-and-answers-regarding-appendicitis-surgery/ https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiVxtTOvP-DAxVHV0EAHUnyDlwQFnoECA8QAw&url=https://www.intercoastalmedical.com/2021/12/17/frequently-asked-questions-about-appendicitis-treatment/&usg=AOvVaw044kuD-VllG9q1qY0llXG-&opi=89978449 https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiVxtTOvP-DAxVHV0EAHUnyDlwQFnoECDQQAQ&url=https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/773895-questions-and-answers&usg=AOvVaw0fYbghknSwH-ToI1WO6Smu&opi=89978449 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369549 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369543] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369543 [ https://www.laparoscopicsurgeryindia.com/blog/10-common-questions-and-answers-regarding-appendicitis-surgery/ https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiVxtTOvP-DAxVHV0EAHUnyDlwQFnoECA8QAw&url=https://www.intercoastalmedical.com/2021/12/17/frequently-asked-questions-about-appendicitis-treatment/&usg=AOvVaw044kuD-VllG9q1qY0llXG-&opi=89978449 https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiVxtTOvP-DAxVHV0EAHUnyDlwQFnoECDQQAQ&url=https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/773895-questions-and-answers&usg=AOvVaw0fYbghknSwH-ToI1WO6Smu&opi=89978449 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369549 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369543]

Covid detecting plasters and space travel

This week's special topic will be all about burns. Resources: https://www.healthpartners.com/care/hospitals/regions/specialties/burn-center/skin-grafting/#:~:text=A%20skin%20graft%20is%20a,severe%20burns%20require%20skin%20grafts. [https://www.healthpartners.com/care/hospitals/regions/specialties/burn-center/skin-grafting/#:~:text=A%20skin%20graft%20is%20a,severe%20burns%20require%20skin%20grafts.] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/burns/symptoms-causes/syc-20370539 [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/burns/symptoms-causes/syc-20370539] https://nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/burns.aspx#:~:text=Burns%20damage%20the%20skin's%20protective,able%20to%20fight%20off%20threats. [https://nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/burns.aspx#:~:text=Burns%20damage%20the%20skin's%20protective,able%20to%20fight%20off%20threats.] https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/skin-hair-and-nails/burns/stages.html#:~:text=What%20Are%20the%20Classifications%20of,they%20penetrate%20the%20skin's%20surface. [https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/skin-hair-and-nails/burns/stages.html#:~:text=What%20Are%20the%20Classifications%20of,they%20penetrate%20the%20skin's%20surface.] https://medlineplus.gov/ency/presentations/100100_1.htm [https://medlineplus.gov/ency/presentations/100100_1.htm] https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230620/New-adhesive-bandage-relies-on-gold-nanoparticles-to-quickly-detect-COVID-19-antibodies.aspx [https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230620/New-adhesive-bandage-relies-on-gold-nanoparticles-to-quickly-detect-COVID-19-antibodies.aspx] https://b-s-h.org.uk/about-us/news/astronauts-experience-altered-gene-expression-in-white-blood-cells#:~:text=Astronauts%20experience%20altered%20gene%20expression%20in%20white%20blood%20cells,-26%20June%202023&text=The%20activity%20of%20genes%20that,according%20to%20a%20new%20study. [https://b-s-h.org.uk/about-us/news/astronauts-experience-altered-gene-expression-in-white-blood-cells#:~:text=Astronauts%20experience%20altered%20gene%20expression%20in%20white%20blood%20cells,-26%20June%202023&text=The%20activity%20of%20genes%20that,according%20to%20a%20new%20study.]