One day, Oscar may be a famous dog - a pioneer in cancer research. Oscar was a very sick dog and researchers are calling him ‘a miracle dog’. Dr. Joseph Bauer has presented remarkable findings:
President John Kennedy set forth the goal of putting a man on the moon. It must have seemed a lofty ambition. However, on July 20, 1969, American astronauts landed on the moon. The American President had set a goal and it was realized.
Science appears to be venturing into a realm that dogs know well. Research is predicting that it may be possible to identify people by their odour. Speculation is that each individual emits a unique ‘odourprint’:
What colour are tomatoes? If you think the answer is “red”, you may be right temporarily. Soon the answer may include “purple”:
“Scientists have developed purple tomatoes which they hope may be able to keep cancer at bay.
The fruit are rich in an antioxidant pigment called anthocyanin which is thought to have anti-cancer properties.”
link: Purple tomato ‘may boost health’
Purple is very close to blue; and blue food appears only rarely in nature. Yes, there are blueberries but blue is not a colour associated with health. Green is associated with health. Blue has been noted as an appetite suppressant. This may be a long term, conditioned response that humans have had. Blue meant that a food could have turn rancid. The marketing of purple tomatoes will focus on health. However, that marketing will have to overcome generations of conditioned bias.
Catherine Forsythe
In the medical literature and through anecdotal reports, some dogs have detected cancers cells and have drawn it to their owners’ attention. The dogs may have sniffed at the spot continually or may have tried to nip at it. Science has confirmed what some dogs already knew:
“…Now chemists have discovered what they call the scent of basal cell carcinoma – the most common form of skin cancer. They hope it will lead to quicker ways of diagnosing the disease, using a hand-held scanner or sensor waved over the skin.”
link: Skin cancer has a specific ’smell’ – so how do we sniff it out?
This ability of some dogs to identify that cancer scent through perfumes, colognes, soap residue, detergent chemicals and a myriad of other smells is remarkable. What remains a mystery is ‘how do the dogs know that the cancer scent is harmful?’.
Catherine Forsythe
Intel has demonstrated a working model for wireless transmitted electricity. One of the major concerns is security:
“…”The trick with wireless power is not can you do it; it’s can you do it safely and efficiently,” Intel researcher Josh Smith said in an online video explaining the breakthrough.
“It turns out the human body is not affected by magnetic fields; it is affected by elective fields. So what we are doing is transmitting energy using the magnetic field not the electric field.”"
link: Intel demos wireless power system
One faction who will not be thrilled to hear about this Intel development is the safety experts who voice their concern over cell phone transmissions. For example, there has been recent speculation over the link cancer and cell phone use. Further possible electromagnetic fields would stimulate increased safety and health concerns.
Catherine Forsythe
It is with great sadness that I post this. Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon University computer science professor, had pancreatic cancer; and, at forty seven, Professor Pausch has passed away. Professor Pausch’s famous Last Lecture is on YouTube. It is a presentation on “Achieving Your Childhood Dreams”. It is a video that speaks volumes:
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/ji5_MqicxSo" width="350" height="288" wmode="transparent" /]
Our condolences to Professor Pausch’s family.
Catherine Forsythe
It is an irony that is commented upon by many. Scientists are using the tobacco plant to produce a component of a cancer vaccine:
“…They are using the plants as factories for an antibody chemical specific to the cells which cause follicular B-cell lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
These antibodies are put into a patient newly-diagnosed with the disease, to “prime” the body’s immune system to attack any cell carrying them.”
link: Tobacco ‘could help treat cancer’
While the medical research has, in theory and in clinical settings, tried to find triggers that activate the body’s auto-immune system, the success has been mixed. It would be basically a war on a cellular level. It can be seen conceptually as the body’s immune system recognizing and then attacking the “bad” cells. In this case, the body would be able to identify and attack the lymphoma cells.
If the methodology proves valid and reliable, it would be science coming full circle to a starting point. The scorned tobacco plant could be part of the treatment process.
Catherine Forsythe
Katie Reider was a talented songwriter and singer. She was just at the beginning of a singing and performing career that she loved. A cancer in her jaw robbed Katie of her voice and vision.
“…In May, Reider fan and friend Lauren Fernandes launched a Web site, 500Kin365.org, where fans could donate $1 for a digital compilation of nine of Reider’s original songs. All proceeds from the compilation and private donations will continue to help Reider’s family pay for medical bills and funeral arrangements, which are still pending.”
link: Musician Katie Reider dies
link: Katie Reider - photograph
Katie Reider leaves a legacy of music. She had so much more to say…
Catherine Forsythe
In the immunology literature, expanding the role of immune cells in defeating cancer has been part theory and part baseless speculation. Now there is a report of a full recovery:
“A cancer patient has made a full recovery after being injected with billions of his own immune cells in the first case of its kind, doctors have disclosed.
The 52-year-old, who was suffering from advanced skin cancer, was free from tumours within eight weeks of undergoing the procedure.”
link: Cancer patient recovers after injection of immune cells
This is a break-through finding that begs for additional research for validation. The immune system research will lead back to stem cell controversies where science, politics and ideologies collide. Nevertheless, this could be a landmark finding in the use of white blood cells to combat cancer.
Catherine Forsythe
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