Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-15-2026:

• An emailer from Switzerland asks about fluorescein angiography requested before her first retina appointment. Dr. Dawn suspects protocol-based medicine screening for macular degeneration and suggests negotiating to see the doctor first given her different reason for seeing a retinal specialist. She encourages patients to maintain agency in medical settings.
• An emailer asks about creatine supplements. Dr. Dawn notes it helps muscle development in people doing weight training at 3-5 grams daily, but does nothing for aerobic-only exercisers. Claims about cognition and mood lack solid research. She advises against high-dose "loading," and cautions that creatine causes fluid retention problematic for congestive heart failure and should be avoided with stage 3 or higher kidney disease.
• Dr. Dawn reminds listeners it's not too late for flu shots, noting this season's H3N2 strain emerged after vaccine formulation was finalized. She laments mRNA vaccine research defunding, as that technology allows rapid reformulation.
• She describes organoids—tissues grown from stem cells that self-organize into primitive organ structures, enabling rapid drug screening without animal testing. Stanford researchers created assembloids by placing four neurological organoids together that spontaneously connected and built the ascending sensory pain pathway, offering new approaches to studying chronic pain.
• Dr. Dawn explains research showing satellite glial cells transfer healthy mitochondria to spinal sensory neurons through tunneling nanotubules. When this transfer fails, neurons fire erratically causing pain. Infusing healthy mitochondria into mouse spinal columns cured peripheral neuropathy—suggesting future periodic infusion treatments for humans.
• She reports Texas A&M researchers created "nanoflowers" from molybdenum disulfate that double stem cell's mitochondrial production, potentially supercharging regenerative medicine for conditions including Alzheimer's and muscular dystrophy.
• A caller asks about flu vaccines with egg allergy. Dr. Dawn explains that his gastrointestinal reactions to eggs differ from dangerous IgE allergies causing hives or anaphylaxis—GI intolerance doesn't preclude vaccination.
• Dr. Dawn reveals that 20 years of Parkinson's research followed a false lead. MRI showed increased iron in patients' brains, prompting iron chelation trials—which worsened symptoms. The problem: MRI detects paramagnetic ferric iron (stored, inert) not ferrous iron (biologically active). Patients accumulate useless ferric iron but are deficient in usable ferrous iron. Earlier 1980s studies showing that iron supplementation helped were ignored and abandoned prematurely. She suggests Parkinson's patients discuss iron supplementation with neurologists. She will post the link in the resources page on her website.
• A caller concerned about early Parkinson's describes tremors and balance problems in darkness. Dr. Dawn suggests darkness-related symptoms sound more like peripheral neuropathy than Parkinson's, recommending neurological examination and screening for diabetes, B vitamin deficiency, or heavy metal exposure. She confirms that sedentary lifestyle reduces mitochondrial production while progressive exercise builds both muscle and mitochondria.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-08-2026:

• Dr. Dawn concludes her 2025 medical advances recap, noting that while GLP-1 weight loss drugs showed unexpected benefits for addiction, schizophrenia, and dementia risk, Novo Nordisk recently reported semaglutide had no effect on cognition in people with existing dementia or mild cognitive impairment.
• She describes the first successful human bladder transplant performed on May 4th. The 41-year-old recipient received both kidney and bladder due to the bladder's complex blood vessel network. Surgeons practiced on cadavers with active circulation before achieving success, opening pathways for future bladder-only transplants for the 84,000 Americans diagnosed with bladder cancer annually.
• An emailer follows up about purslane for cognitive health. Dr. Dawn reviewed the referenced studies and found neither actually supported claims about purslane and cognition—one discussed the Lyon Heart Study's Mediterranean diet, the other described antioxidant properties. She cautions listeners that websites citing "scientifically proven" claims often reference articles that don't support their assertions.
• An emailer asks about statin alternatives after developing severe muscle pain on both atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. Dr. Dawn suggests he shouldn't be on statins given his classic adverse reaction. She recommends ezetimibe plus oat bran for cholesterol, metformin for his elevated triglycerides indicating insulin resistance, and checking LDL particle size and inflammation markers. She emphasizes that cholesterol is a risk factor, not a disease, and treating 50 low-risk people for 10 years prevents only one heart attack.
• A caller discusses plaque formation theory, comparing it to calluses. Dr. Dawn explains Linus Pauling's similar hypothesis that plaque forms at vessel bifurcations to protect against turbulent blood flow damage. She warns against driving total cholesterol below 130, as it disrupts steroid hormone production. The caller shares his mother's near-fatal rhabdomyolysis from statins—muscle breakdown releasing myoglobin that clogs kidneys—and criticizes data transfer failures between hospital systems.
• An emailer reports four UTIs in two months at age 79. Dr. Dawn questions whether all were true infections, since vaginal contamination causes false positives on dipstick tests. For confirmed UTIs, she recommends D-mannose and cranberry to prevent bacterial adhesion, post-void residual ultrasound to check for incomplete emptying, lactobacillus probiotics, and vaginal DHEA (Intrarosa) to restore mucosal thickness and disease resistance.
• Dr. Dawn describes Stanford's Phase III trial for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, where defective collagen-7 causes skin layers to separate at the slightest touch. Researchers take patient skin biopsies, use retroviruses to insert corrected genes, grow credit-card-sized skin grafts over 25 days, then suture them onto wounds. At 48 weeks, 65% of treated wounds fully healed versus 7% of controls.
• She reports a Stanford study showing premature babies who heard recordings of their mothers reading for 2 hours 40 minutes daily developed more mature white matter in language pathways. The left arcuate fasciculus showed greater development than controls, demonstrating how early auditory stimulation shapes brain circuitry even in NICU settings.
• Dr. Dawn concludes with tattoo safety concerns. Modern vivid inks contain compounds developed for car paint and printer toner, including azo dyes that break down into carcinogenic aromatic amines—especially during laser removal. Pigment particles migrate to lymph nodes and persist in macrophages, causing prolonged inflammation. She advises those with tattoos to avoid laser removal, wear sunscreen, practice lymphatic hygiene, and reconsider extensive new tattoos.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-01-2025:

• An emailer asks about omega-3 supplementation for memory at age 72. Dr. Dawn advises checking that fish oil capsules contain adequate DHA—at least 1,000 mg—since many omega-3 products have low DHA levels. She notes Medicare covers the same testing at standard labs as proprietary labs like OmegaQuant that charge patients directly. Beyond omega-3s, she emphasizes glucose control (hemoglobin A1c below 5.6) since the enzyme that breaks down insulin also clears beta-amyloid, and weight training to raise brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which promotes new synapse formation essential for memory.
• Dr. Dawn reviews Popular Science's top 2025 health innovation: eye drops from Lens Therapeutics containing aceclidine that correct age-related farsightedness for 10 hours. The drops shrink the pupil to increase depth of field, improving near vision by three or more lines on eye charts within 30 minutes without affecting distance vision. Side effects include eye irritation, dimmed night vision, and headache.
• She describes Duke University's breakthrough allowing heart transplants from circulatory death donors using an on-table reanimation technique. This could expand the pediatric donor pool by 20%—critical since up to 20% of children die waiting for transplants.
• Dr. Dawn celebrates CAR-T immunotherapy for multiple myeloma, which saved her husband's life. Of 97 heavily pretreated patients, 38% achieved complete remission still present at five years, with over 50% total survival. The therapy removes T-cells, uses CRISPR to add receptors targeting cancer cell antigens, then reinfuses the modified cells.
• She highlights a UC Davis study showing remote blood pressure monitoring with home technology, education, and coaching dropped patients' average blood pressure from 150/80 to 125/74 in months—low-tech with high impact.
• Dr. Dawn explains the Nano Knife for prostate cancer, which uses localized electrical pulses delivered through thin wires to destroy tumors while sparing surrounding nerves. This minimally invasive approach could reduce erectile dysfunction and incontinence common with traditional surgery.
• She describes Gilead's Sunlenca, a twice-yearly injection for HIV prevention that's 99% effective. At $14,000 per injection in the US, proceeds help fund access in resource-limited countries where it can be distributed like a vaccination.
• Dr. Dawn discusses Journavx (suzetrigine), a new non-opioid pain medication working on sodium channels to block pain signals before reaching the brain. At $30 for 50 pills on GoodRx, it offers an alternative for surgical pain in patients with addiction history or genetic vulnerability to opioid dependence.
• She details the landmark case of Baby KJ, the first person to receive personalized CRISPR gene therapy. Born with a CPS1 enzyme deficiency causing toxic ammonia buildup, KJ was too small for liver transplant. Scientists identified his specific mutation and used CRISPR base editing delivered via lipid nanoparticles to correct a single DNA letter—changing an A to G—in his liver cells which restored enough function to be discharged home.
• Dr. Dawn reports surprising findings that COVID mRNA vaccines amplify cancer immunotherapy. Lung cancer patients who received COVID vaccination within 100 days of checkpoint inhibitor treatment had 56% three-year survival versus 31% for unvaccinated patients. The mechanism is unknown but may involve mRNA generally alerting the immune system.
• She revisits research showing Zostavax shingles vaccination reduced dementia risk by 20% over seven years. A natural experiment in Wales—where an age cutoff created comparable vaccinated and unvaccinated groups—provided strong evidence that preventing herpes zoster inflammation protects brain health.
• Dr. Dawn concludes with Huntington's disease breakthrough: microRNA therapy delivered by virus directly into the brain slowed disease progression by 75% over three years. The microRNA binds to Huntington protein mRNA, preventing ribosome translation and toxic protein production. Some patients returned to work; others expected to need wheelchairs are still walking.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 12-11-2025:

• Dr. Dawn presents colleague Dr. Paul Godin's essay on why US healthcare fails as a market system . She explains that healthcare violates every assumption of functional markets: patients can't compare options during emergencies, information asymmetry prevents informed decisions, demand is inelastic when one has an urgent medical issue, and trust is essential to medicine and in direct conflict with profit incentives. Since 1988's Knox-Keen Act allowed for-profit healthcare, private equity has acquired and stripped hospitals, while administrative costs consume enormous resources fighting over payments rather than providing care. She contrasts this with European models like Switzerland and Germany where everyone must participate, insurers must accept all patients, and profit on basic coverage is limited.
• She celebrates a vaccination success story: HPV vaccines have reduced cervical cancer by 50% over 30 years. The American Cancer Society now endorses self-collected vaginal samples for HPV screening, with an FDA-approved at-home kit from Teal Health allowing women to skip speculums and traditional Pap smears. Current guidelines recommend screening starting at age 25, with testing every five years after a negative result.
• Dr. Dawn issues a health alert about multiple hospitalizations in Santa Cruz County from foraged wild mushrooms identified incorrectly by phone apps. She describes cholinergic toxicity symptoms: sweating, excessive salivation, pinpoint pupils, and abdominal cramping—signs requiring immediate emergency care rather than waiting it out.
• She offers follow-up vaccine advice: "go in wet, then sweat." Hydrate before vaccination, then take a hot Epsom salt bath until sweat runs off your face. This helps eliminate adjuvants that cause post-vaccine fatigue and aches, which are often misinterpreted as catching illness from the vaccine itself.
• Dr. Dawn expresses alarm that Kennedy's reconstituted ACIP nearly voted to eliminate hepatitis B vaccination at birth. She notes infants exposed to infected mothers have 99% infection rates, with half becoming chronically infected and half of those developing terminal cirrhosis or cancer. Testing pregnant women misses infections acquired during pregnancy, and 12-16% of delivering women have no test records. Major insurers have committed to covering birth vaccination through 2026 despite the panel's actions.
• She offers holiday microbiome advice from researcher Karen Corbin: increase fiber intake through steel-cut oats, whole grain breads like Dave's Killer Bread, beans, apples, and alternative pastas made from lentils or garbanzo beans. Cooking potatoes ahead and reheating creates resistant starch that feeds beneficial gut bacteria, reduces inflammation, and even stimulates natural GLP-1 production.
• Dr. Dawn reviews research proving health insurance saves lives. When the ACA's Medicaid expansion became optional by state, researchers could compare outcomes, finding 8% lower mortality and 19,000 fewer deaths in expansion states over four years. An accidental IRS experiment—sending insurance enrollment letters to only 85% of penalty payers—showed significantly lower mortality among those who subsequently got insured. Studies of gunshot and auto accident victims found uninsured patients died more often despite receiving identical emergency treatment.
• She concludes with surprising cancer symptoms: chest pain specifically triggered by alcohol consumption may indicate Hodgkin's lymphoma, as vasodilation activates inflammatory chemicals in affected lymph nodes. Fractures from minimal trauma in people without osteoporosis warrant investigation, as 5% of cancers involve bone. Elevated calcium levels double cancer diagnosis risk in the following year and should prompt follow-up testing.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 12-04-2025:

• Dr. Dawn opens with an experimental vaccine that prevents severe allergic reactions by targeting IgE antibodies. The vaccine could eventually replace current monoclonal antibody treatments like omalizumab that require injections every two weeks.
• She explains how adjuvants work in vaccines as additives that irritate the immune system enough to notice the vaccine target. Aluminum hydroxide is s common adjuvant. Modern vaccines use small pathogen fragments rather than whole organisms, requiring adjuvants to trigger adequate immune response. Dr. Dawn expresses concern about the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices reviewing aluminum adjuvants this week. A Danish study of over one million children finding no connection between aluminum with autism and ADHA contradicts RFK,Jr's public claims.She worries that removing aluminum could devastate vaccine effectiveness and children's health, noting that whenever vaccination rates drop, diseases like measles return to native circulation.
• She recounts pertussis vaccine history—when Japan stopped vaccination due to rare adverse reactions (approximately one death per million doses), they lost about 5,000 children to whooping cough in the first year. The newer acellular vaccine using pathogen fragments plus adjuvants is safer but only lasts 4-5 years versus lifetime immunity from the older whole-cell version, necessitating "cocooning" strategies where everyone contacting newborns must be recently vaccinated.
• Dr. Dawn describes a vaccine to prevent fentanyl from reaching the brain now starting clinical trials in the Netherlands. It pairs a fentanyl-like molecule with a carrier protein large enough to trigger antibody production. Once primed, the immune system attacks any fentanyl entering the blood, preventing highs and overdoses—potentially helping people in addiction recovery and those accidentally exposed through contaminated drugs.
• She reports the first documented death from alpha-gal syndrome. Alpha-gal is a meat allergy triggered by Lone Star tick bites; the tick essentially vaccinates humans against the alpha-galactosidase protein found on beef and pork. Cases have increased since 2010 as climate change expands the tick's range northward, yet a 2023 survey found 42% of doctors had never heard of the condition.
• Dr. Dawn highlights research from Edith Cowan University showing that blood drawn after exercise suppresses cancer cell growth when added to tumor cultures. In breast cancer survivors, plasma from high-intensity interval training or weight lifting caused cancer cells to stop growing or die; blood drawn before exercise had no effect. The key mechanism involves myokines, particularly IL-6, released by contracting muscles. A Stanford study found colon cancer survivors who exercised were 37% less likely to experience recurrence.
• A caller asks about pig-to-human heart transplants and mask recommendations. Dr. Dawn clarifies that newer xenotransplant pigs have more genes edited to reduce rejection compared to the 2022 case. For masking, she recommends context-dependent use—especially in public restrooms where toilet flushing aerosolizes COVID-containing particles, transportation hubs, and hospitals, noting that COVID vaccination prevents death but not infection or long COVID.
• She advises the same caller about spacing vaccines because adjuvant loads stack. Most vaccines can be combined safely, but she recommends against pairing COVID and Shingrix vaccines due to their heavy adjuvant content—wait at least ten days between them. She suggests inducing a sweat the night of vaccination through hot baths, saunas, or exercise to reduce adjuvant-related discomfort without diminishing antibody response.
• Dr. Dawn discusses seasonal affective disorder. She recommends 5,000 units of vitamin D3 and morning light exposure.
• She suggests that sun avoidance advice may have gone too far. A UK study of 3.36 million people found 12-15% lower mortality with greater UV exposure even accounting for skin cancer risk. A Swedish study following 30,000 women for 20 years found sun-seekers had half the mortality risk. Benefits may involve nitric oxide production lowering blood pressure, with each 1,000 km from the equator correlating with 5 mmHg higher blood pressure. Lack of bright outdoor light also contributes to childhood myopia, with rates exceeding 80% in some Asian cities.
• Dr. Dawn concludes with Danish microbiologists at Copenhagen's Alchemist restaurant reviving an old Bulgarian practice of fermenting milk with live red wood ants. The resulting yogurt, cheese, and ice cream contain far more beneficial microbes than commercial products, with a complex lemony acidity. Only live ants work, and wild ants may carry parasites dangerous to humans.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 11-20-2025:

• Dr. Dawn discusses GLP-1 inhibitors like Zepbound and semaglutide showing unexpected benefits for addiction treatment beyond diabetes and weight loss. Patients in rehab report these drugs mute cravings for alcohol, cocaine, and cigarettes. Multiple studies show reduced substance abuse rates in users, with VA and NIH conducting trials examining brain activity and responses to triggers. With 80,000 annual drug overdose deaths and 48 million Americans having substance abuse disorders, these medications may revolutionize addiction treatment by dampening brain reward circuitry, though costs threaten healthcare budgets.
• A Stanford twin study found those twins assigned a vegan diet had substantially lower cholesterol, insulin, and body weight compared to their omnivore twins after several months, with LDL dropping 15mg, four pounds more weight loss, and 20% lower insulin.
• Dr. Dawn explains how a fungal disease decimating Central American frog populations caused 500% malaria increases in some areas. The fungus kills frogs by blocking skin electrolytes until hearts stop, eliminating tadpoles that eat mosquito larvae. Ecosystem collapses followed with algae blooms and snake population drops. She provides other examples showing how species losses affect human health, emphasizing the "one health" movement recognizing ecosystem health as fundamental to human wellbeing.
• An Australian study found people aged 70+ who listen to or play music regularly had 39% lower dementia rates, though causation remains uncertain. Princeton research shows music activates multiple brain regions simultaneously. Learning instruments increases gray matter, and musical memory remains intact in advanced dementia since it's stored separately from other memories.
• A caller discusses how modern screen-based activities provide less multisensory engagement than past social experiences like dances. Another caller describes Grover's disease causing persistent itchy skin with no known cause. Dr. Dawn recommends an elimination diet removing common allergens for one month, then reintroducing individually to identify food sensitivities triggering immune responses.
• Dr. Dawn explains xenotransplantation advances with genetically edited pigs beginning full-scale kidney transplant trials. Companies use CRISPR to disable genes causing immune rejection and insert human genes promoting immune tolerance. With only 10% of global kidney patients receiving organs, these could provide unlimited supply. Other innovations include kidneys with thymus tissue to teach immune tolerance and external pig liver systems as transplant bridges.
• She concludes noting research showing female dogs remember and prefer humans who demonstrate competence at tasks, while male dogs show no preference.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 11-13-2025:

• Dr. Dawn discusses a New England Journal of Medicine study examining radiation exposure from medical imaging in over 4 million children showing increased hematological cancer risk. Head and brain CTs deliver highest bone marrow doses, with under-1-year-olds receiving 20 milligrays compared to background radiation of 1 milligray yearly. The study found 3,000 cancers in 4 million children over roughly 10 years, with relative risk increasing 1.6-fold per CT scan. However, methodological flaws include combining US and Canadian cohorts with different data quality, potential reverse causation where imaging detected pre-existing cancers, and arbitrary 6-month latency assumptions are significant flaws in this study.. Despite small absolute risk increases given low baseline cancer rates, she encourages parents to question necessity of repeat scans and request alternatives like MRI when appropriate.
• She reports on cutting-edge CRISPR therapy using lipid nanoparticles to deliver molecular scissors targeting the ANGPTL3 gene controlling LDL cholesterol production. Recent setbacks in several other CRISPR trials raise issues for unexplained liver toxicity. Concerns include off-target gene editing effects and partially repaired DNA creating mutated proteins triggering autoimmune reactions. Dr. Dawn emphasizes restricting gene therapy to life-threatening genetic diseases with no alternatives until safety improves.
• Stanford scientists used AI model Evo trained on 9 trillion gene samples to design 300 new bacteriophages from scratch, with 16 phages successfully killing E. coli bacteria. AI tools now predict protein structures, design custom drugs, create antivenoms, invent antibiotics, and break down PFAS forever chemicals. The research represents evolution through computation and requires guardrails on AI's ability to manipulate biological structures.
• An emailer shares the Rosencare model where hotel chain owner Harris Rosen created self-insured health coverage featuring direct provider contracting, imaging facilities charging one-third to one-half traditional costs, transparent pharmacy benefit management, and zero or $5 primary care copays. Employees receive proactive screening for colonoscopies, mammograms, cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension during clinic visits. Ninety percent of medicines including insulin cost nothing, with remaining drugs $0-25, and hospital admissions cost flat $750. The model saved $600 million while providing superior preventive care by eliminating insurance middlemen and focusing on early chronic disease detection when 75-85% of costs originate.
• Dr. Dawn explains abdominophrenic dyssynergia causing bloating unrelated to gas or food. The diaphragm descends and abdominal wall muscles relax, pushing organs forward after meals. CT scans showed lettuce-related bloating involved no intestinal gas changes but demonstrated this abnormal muscle reflex. Randomized trials showed biofeedback training with chest-lifting and abdominal wall contracting exercises before and after eating for four weeks improved symptoms 66%. She warns that constant bloating in postmenopausal women unrelated to eating requires ovarian cancer screening.
• She discusses how genes drive personality using dopamine receptor gene DRD4 polymorphisms as an example. The 7-repeat variant present in 48% of Americans creates receptors binding dopamine poorly, associating with ADHD, pathological gambling, alcoholism, drug dependence, and bulimia, plus personality traits of novelty-seeking, impulsiveness, and optimism. The 2-repeat DRD4 variant common in Asia correlates with lower anger and higher forgiveness. DRD2 variations enhance the memory of negative outcomes, creating pessimistic bias and avoidance behavior.
• She presents the KETO trial showing "lean mass hyper-responder phenotype" where very low-carbohydrate dieters averaging age 55 maintained LDL cholesterol of 272 for five years but showed identical coronary artery calcium scores and plaque burden as matched controls with LDL under 150. Despite extreme LDL elevation, the very low insulin levels from carbohydrate restriction prevent LDL oxidation, the inflammatory "loading" process enabling arterial damage.
• She concludes with unusual cancer symptom where recurrent pain in specific body locations after alcohol consumption, lasting 1-2 days, occurs in 5% of Hodgkin lymphoma patients and in other cancers when alcohol induced blood vessel dilation and inflammatory chemical release in cancer-containing lymph nodes causes pain after drinking.