Science Weekly Evidence of alien life, a clue about the rise of bowel cancer, and a new colour?
8 snips
Apr 24, 2025 This week, hosts discuss a tantalizing hint of alien life with possible biosignatures found on the exoplanet K2 18b. They tackle the alarming rise of colorectal cancer among those under 50, linking it to specific E. coli strains. The conversation also dives into groundbreaking findings about gut bacteria's role in childhood cancer risk, influenced by diet and breastfeeding. Finally, they unveil a new color named 'Olo,' discovered through innovative research, merging health and the wonders of visual perception.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Potential Life Markers on K2 18b
- Observations from the James Webb Space Telescope indicate the tentative presence of gases linked to life on the planet K2 18b.
- These markers, dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide, are considered biosignatures as they're produced by marine phytoplankton on Earth.
Bacteria Linked to Early Onset Cancer
- A bacterial toxin colibactin from E. coli is linked to mutation patterns driving early onset colorectal cancer.
- This mutation signature is more frequent in younger patients, highlighting a possible microbial role in rising cancer rates.
Future Directions in Cancer Prevention
- Understanding how colibactin causes mutations is vital to developing methods to prevent infections.
- Early detection and probiotic interventions could help reduce cancer risks linked to this bacterium.