Mouth Taping Sleep Claims, Brain Drain to France, and Revolutionary Knee Surgery Alternatives

Broadcast on KSQD, Santa Cruz on 7-24-2025:

• An emailer from Israel asks about mouth taping for sleep benefits, prompting Dr. Dawn to review a comprehensive study examining social media claims. She discusses the limited evidence base for most purported benefits like better sleep, oral health, and reduced snoring. The research reveals only mild sleep apnea showed meaningful improvement, while most other claims lack scientific support despite widespread promotion on social media platforms.
• Dr. Dawn reports on American scientists fleeing to France due to research funding cuts and political pressures. She describes how 300 American researchers have applied to just one French university, citing eliminated grants and demands to justify their basic science work. The brain drain parallels Europe's post-WWII exodus to America, but now affects climate research, gender studies, biology, and even NASA astrophysics programs.
• She introduces Salsalate, an aspirin-related drug from 1876 being reconsidered for diabetes treatment. Dr. Dawn explains how this salicylate works through anti-inflammatory pathways to reduce insulin resistance. Recent trials show promising results for glucose control and metabolic improvements, potentially offering an older, affordable alternative to newer diabetes medications.
• Dr. Dawn describes breakthrough surgical robot technology that successfully removed organs without human guidance. The system uses dual AI components for vision and instrument control that communicate with each other to correct mistakes. She notes the progression toward live animal testing as the next development phase.
• She explores revolutionary nanobots based on tiny algae cells that can navigate the human body for targeted drug delivery. These microscopic robots use flagella for movement and can be guided by magnets and ultrasound to reach specific organs like kidneys. The technology offers potential for precise chemotherapy delivery while avoiding healthy tissues.
• An emailer questions gabapentin's connection to cognitive decline after being prescribed the medication for sleep. Dr. Dawn challenges the study's methodology, noting that early dementia symptoms include insomnia, which leads to sleep medication prescriptions. She argues the correlation may reflect pre-existing cognitive decline rather than drug-induced impairment.
• Dr. Dawn presents alternatives to knee replacement surgery for patients hesitant about major procedures. She details innovative nerve ablation techniques that rewire pain signals by connecting sensory nerves to motor nerves, potentially providing permanent relief. Additional options include radio frequency ablation and blood vessel embolization to reduce inflammation-related pain.
• She highlights Alice Walton's new medical school in Arkansas focusing on preventative medicine and whole-person care. The curriculum emphasizes lifestyle factors, community service, and includes art training to develop empathy and observation skills. Dr. Dawn praises this approach as addressing the gap between medical education's biological focus and the behavioral causes of premature death.