A new meal program helps provide nutritious options for Medicare Advantage recipients. Dr. Dawn tackles long COVID, offering insights on treatments and management strategies. Excitingly, a novel non-opiate pain medication has been FDA approved, changing pain management dynamics. Research reveals the troubling accumulation of microplastics in brains. The emergence of valley fever due to climate change is discussed, along with tracking innovations. Additionally, promising research on oyster proteins suggests a new way to fight antibiotic resistance.

Delve into the safety of testosterone therapy, revealing its surprising benefits for aging men. Explore the nuanced relationship between probiotics and antibiotics, plus the fascinating implications of pig kidney transplants. Discover why honey could be a better sugar substitute, along with strategies to reduce dementia risk through lifestyle choices. Get insights on managing migraines and learn about the current challenges facing genetic testing companies like 23andMe.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-23-2025: Dr. Dawn announces a recall of Mylan's generic levothyroxine due to quality testing failures, affecting lots expiring in 2025 that don't meet FDA's 5% threshold for stated content. She provides comprehensive guidance on health impacts from the Moss Landing California battery fire, discussing cancer risks, heavy metal exposure, and detoxification methods including testing options and protective measures. The show explores promising research on bisphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis prevention, discussing a study showing one or two doses of Reclast could prevent fractures in post-menopausal women with normal bone density. Dr. Dawn examines innovative research on transplanting foot sole cells to improve prosthetic comfort for amputees, explaining how fibroblast transplantation could create more durable skin surfaces. She discusses alternative treatments for gallstones, particularly focusing on using ursodiol combined with lithotripsy as a potential surgery alternative for high-risk patients. The show addresses listener questions about knee injections for osteoarthritis, explaining cortisone's benefits and discussing vitamin supplementation including vitamins D3 and K2 for bone health. Dr. Dawn provides detailed information to a caller about ischial bursitis treatment, discussing injection techniques and cushioning options for managing tailbone area pain.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-16-2025: Dr. Dawn provides a comprehensive analysis of the H5N1 bird flu situation, explaining viral mutations, transmission patterns, and potential risks in both agricultural and human populations. She examines the concerning implications of research showing rapid viral mutations after human transmission and discusses available antiviral treatments. The show addresses concerns about mirror cell research, warning about potential dangers of creating mirror-image microbes that could be unrecognizable to immune systems. She discusses the alarming rise in hypothermia deaths across America, noting how sudden temperature fluctuations and increasing homelessness contribute to doubled mortality rates since 1999. Dr. Dawn provides detailed analysis of an email from a person post-gastric bypass with dangerous blood sugar spikes, outlining potential causes and suggesting comprehensive testing approaches. A caller presents case of dual ureter injury during C-section surgery, Dr. Dawn explores treatment options and complications. She then responds to another caller with recurring toenail fungus, discussing various approaches from traditional medications to alternative remedies. She shares fascinating insights from the book "How to Win Friends and Influence Fungi," exploring parasites that control host behavior, from shrimp-manipulating worms to fungi that turn insects into spore-dispersing zombies. <

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-09-2025: Dr. Dawn celebrates major medical breakthroughs of 2024, highlighting the successful pig-to-human kidney transplant using CRISPR technology and a revolutionary HIV prevention injection. She discusses research showing the cognitive benefits of handwriting versus typing, explaining how writing activates more complex brain patterns in memory formation. The show explores recent health findings about the benefits of human touch, internet use for seniors' mental health, and promising LSD research for depression treatment. Dr. Dawn provides detailed analysis of dietary concerns, examining common vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the American population and their health implications. She examines the growing problem of kidney stones in children, linking it to increased sodium consumption and environmental factors like urban heat islands. The show concludes with an explanation of "fartlek" training, a Swedish exercise method combining interval training with spontaneous pace changes for improved cardiovascular health.

Explore the journey of a sepsis survivor rebuilding her microbiome through probiotics and fermented foods. Discover details on managing itchy skin, the diagnostic process, and implications of bacterial infections on eye health. Delve into methylene blue’s intriguing transition from dye to vital medical solution, particularly for cancer and surgery. Examine a Swedish study linking COVID-19 to heart arrhythmias and challenge recent vitamin D supplementation recommendations for older adults. A holistic approach to health emerges throughout the conversation.

A groundbreaking lawsuit challenges food giants for allegedly designing addictive ultra-processed foods for kids, sparking insights into health impacts like type 2 diabetes. The discussion shifts to new FDA standards, where many breakfast cereals fail while whole foods shine. Listeners explore Portugal's successful drug policies in addiction treatment. Dr. Dawn addresses omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, linking excess omega-6 to rising colorectal cancer in younger adults. The show wraps up with a scientific look at hangovers and their treatments.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 12-12-2024: Dr. Dawn examines the risks of ibuprofen overuse, discussing how NSAIDs can damage the gut lining, affect kidney function, and lead to various health complications when used long-term. She provides insight into Medicare reimbursement rates for common lab tests, explaining the significant price disparities between Medicare payments and commercial rates. The show explores the current H5N1 bird flu situation affecting egg and dairy production, discussing viral mutations and the promising development of a universal flu vaccine. Dr. Dawn explores the remarkable fact that among placental mammals, only humans, certain bats, elephant shrews, and one species of spiny mouse experience menstruation, leading to challenges in research models. She recounts the fascinating history of menstruation research, from 1940s scientists chasing elephant shrews in South Africa to shipping bats in takeout containers for laboratory studies. The show details modern breakthroughs in menstruation research through organoids and organs-on-chips technology, explaining how these tools are revolutionizing our understanding of women's health. Dr. Dawn addresses perimenopause and hormone replacement therapy, discussing historical misconceptions and current treatment perspectives. The show concludes with research on artemisia, explaining how this traditional herb shows promise in treating polycystic ovary syndrome through its effects on hormone regulation.

Broadcast on KSQD, Santa Cruz on 11-05-2024: Dr. Dawn opens with a health alert about a 500% increase in pertussis cases in California, providing guidance on recognizing symptoms and risks for various populations. She explores the growing trend of hospital-at-home programs, discussing their benefits, challenges, and the pending expiration of Medicare waivers that could affect patient care. The show examines the safety concerns in common household products, particularly focusing on harmful chemicals in laundry detergents and recommending safer alternatives. Dr. Dawn presents an in-depth analysis of fertility treatments and ovarian cancer risk, suggesting enhanced monitoring protocols for women with IVF history. She discusses the surprising toxicity of vintage books, revealing the presence of dangerous chemicals in their colored cloth covers and suggesting safety precautions. The show explores recent research linking dark chocolate consumption to reduced diabetes risk, explaining the scientific evidence and potential health benefits. Dr. Dawn concludes with promising breakthrough research using stem cells to treat macular degeneration in mini pigs, suggesting potential applications for human vision restoration.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 11-21-2-24: Dr. Dawn introduces the groundbreaking Cellular Atlas project published in Nature journal, explaining how new technology allows unprecedented analysis of cellular interactions and developmental patterns. She explores the concept of holobionts - viewing symbiotic organisms as composite life forms with their microbiomes as co-equal contributors - challenging traditional views of individual organisms. The show delves into examples of holobiont relationships in nature, from bark beetles carrying fungal spores to the complex bacterial communities in human bodies and plant root systems. Dr. Dawn discusses how the holobiont perspective is revolutionizing our understanding of diseases, from cancer microbiomes to colony collapse disorder in bees. She examines practical applications of holobiont research in agriculture, including drought-resistant crops and methods to reduce methane emissions from cattle. The show explores the gut-brain axis and how microbiome interactions influence various diseases including depression, anxiety, and metabolic disorders. She then discusses research identifying that various cancers co-exist in the body with distinct fungal and bacterial microbiomes of their own Dr. Dawn concludes with a discussion of declining iodine levels in the American population, examining dietary changes and potential health implications.