Weekly Science Roundup: Rising Cancer Rates, Innovative Tests, and Space News

Last Wednesday, researchers from the American Cancer Society published a study indicating a concerning trend: it has been documented that the incidence rates of a number of cancers are increasing from one generation to a subsequent one. In detail, it revealed that the occurrence of eight out of 34 cancers analysed rise with each five-year period from 1920 to 1990. For instance, cancer incidences of people born in 1965 exceeded the incidences of people born in 1960, but were lower than the incidences of people born in 1970 and so on. Nine other cancers also exhibited the similar trend, where even although the rates were described to have reduced, they are now on the rise in the younger population. The researchers have not identified the reasons for such a behavior pattern of human population yet. Thus, despite the increased incidence of sedentary lifestyles and obesity, which are named to be key causes of cancer in general, and in young people in particular of colon cancer, specifically in the recent years, there could be other reasons for the observed growth of the disease.

On a happier note in the last week the FDA approved a new blood test for the screening of colorectal cancer. Guardant Health built the test, which has previously been offered to the doctors as a diagnosticial under the name of Shield, with the rather steep price of nearly $900. Although Shield is not an absolute substitution for colonoscopy, which may be used to identify and remove noncancerous polyps that can develop into colon cancer, the two present a less invasive way to test for colon health. Lungus et al defined sensitivity of the blood test to be at 83% of the actual colorectal cancer, though it is more accurate in the later stages of the disease. Since colonoscopies are time-consuming and most of the procedures are painful to patients, this new tests might fill some gaps for the screening.

In another promising study, scientists have highlighted the importance of a healthy microbiome for cancer patients. Researchers discovered that certain bacteria in the mouth might benefit individuals with head and neck cancers, leading to better outcomes. They found that Fusobacterium, a common oral bacterium, could kill some cancer cells in petri dish experiments. This discovery underscores the potential role of the microbiome in cancer treatment and patient outcomes.

Switching gears to a different health topic, let's talk about Toxoplasma gondii, a parasitic protozoan that causes toxoplasmosis. This parasite reproduces in the intestines of cats and can infect other mammals, including humans, through contact with cat feces or consumption of undercooked meat. Toxoplasma gondii is notorious for making infected rodents lose their fear of cats and increasing the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women. However, recent research suggests that this parasite might be harnessed for positive purposes. Scientists have discovered that Toxoplasma gondii can cross the blood-brain barrier, which is notoriously difficult for drug delivery. Early-stage research in rodent models shows promise in using the parasite to deliver therapeutic proteins to the brain.

On other front on health, last week, the CDC revealed a five-million-dollar plan to immunize farm workers of seasonal flu. Though it is not effective specifically for H5N1, which is one of the two viruses causing bird flu, it lowers the chances of getting regular flu strains that affect people. The goal is to reduce the risk of having both diseases, a common flu and H5N1 that can potentially create a new bird flu that could spread directly from one human to another. Although the number of US citizen who gotten a seasonal flu vaccine remains at between 40 and 50 percent, this particular intervention could go a ways towards enhancing community health. Some want the U. S. to like finland vaccinate farm workers against H5N1 due to potentiality to be exposed it while CDC officials still considers the pros and cons of doing so.

Shifting more away from health news, SpaceX is ready for the first-ever private spacewalk, sponsored by billionaire Jared Isaacman. Polaris Dawn mission, the next BFR Moon mission, was planned to take off in 2022 and will occur on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spaceship. However, during a press conference on July 26, again Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX stated that the launch was to be delayed to mid to late August. The delay is however regrettable, but the mission is unique in the history of private space ventures.

Finally let us discuss some unknown or the least known facts of this vast field of botany. Scientists have identified a new type of wood structure, termed "midwood," in the two surviving species of the Liriodendron genus: which are Tulip Tree and the other is the Chinese Tulip Tree. In the past, woods were differentiated by the hardness and the origins were classified as hard wood obtained from trees with leaves that change color seasonally and soft wood obtained from coniferous trees. Nanoscale explorations of the trees exposed that the midwood provides general support for the swift growth of the trees, and their impressive carbon storage. Knowledge of this mechanism may help scientists to decide which trees are more appropriate for carbon storage and predictably, to develop plants to improve their carbon-concentrating abilities.