From Deadly Measles Outbreaks to Radiation-Resistant Tardigrades: Health Alerts, Nature-Inspired Medical Innovations, and Nutrition Science

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 2-27-2025:

• Dr. Dawn addresses the alarming news of the first US measles fatality in almost 20 years, explaining how the disease led to the death of a healthy grade school child in Texas amid an outbreak of 124 cases, with 80% affecting unvaccinated children.
• She warns about subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a delayed but fatal complication of measles infection that occurs in approximately 1 in 600 babies who contract measles before vaccination.
• The show highlights a community health survey about the Moss Landing battery fire, encouraging listeners to participate and share any symptoms experienced after the January incident.
• Responding to an email from Philadelphia, Dr. Dawn discusses adaptogens in mushroom coffee, recommending rotating different mushroom varieties to prevent tachyphylaxis, where the body becomes unreactive to the beneficial compounds.
• A caller asks about German measles (rubella) and its relation to regular measles (rubeola), with Dr. Dawn explaining they are completely different viruses offering no cross-immunity.
• Dr. Dawn explores fascinating research on tardigrades (water bears), explaining how scientists extracted their damage suppressor protein to protect mice from radiation, potentially benefiting cancer patients and space exploration.
• A caller asks about health impacts of indoor gas heating and cooking, with Dr. Dawn confirming that gas appliances produce harmful nanoparticles but suggesting heat pumps as a cleaner alternative.
• She discusses nature-inspired medical adhesives derived from mussels and mucus that work in wet environments, offering potential solutions for surgical glues, implant bonding, and infection prevention.
• The show examines innovative stool analysis techniques that can accurately detect dietary patterns from DNA in feces, potentially transforming nutrition science by eliminating unreliable food diaries.
• Dr. Dawn addresses an email about polyphenols in olive oil, highlighting their anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits, and responds to Amy's email about a hand lump, suggesting that it is most likely a volar retinacular cyst.
• She concludes by exploring DNA origami technology, where scientists create microscopic structures that can bind to specific molecules, potentially revolutionizing medical testing through highly sensitive biosensors.