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Florida Atlantic University Research Links Ultra-Processed Foods to Increased Prostate Cancer Risk in U.S. Men

Florida Atlantic University Research Links Ultra-Processed Foods to Increased Prostate Cancer Risk in U.S. Men

New research from Florida Atlantic University indicates a significant association between higher consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and an increased risk of prostate cancer in men. The study, which analyzed data from 17,024 U.S. men aged 18 and older who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2003 and 2023, found that men in the highest UPF consumption groups had a 29% to 30% greater risk of prostate cancer compared to those with the lowest intake. UPFs, such as soft drinks, packaged snacks, and processed meats, constitute nearly 60% of adult caloric intake and 70% for children in the U.S. These foods are characterized by refined fats, added sugars, sodium, and artificial additives, often compromising nutritional quality. The findings contribute to a growing body of evidence linking UPFs to various adverse health outcomes, including obesity, metabolic disease, cardiovascular issues, and premature death.
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Congressman Cohen Announces $1.4 Million in National Cancer Institute Grants for University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Congressman Cohen Announces $1.4 Million in National Cancer Institute Grants for University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) has announced that the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) will receive two grants totaling $1,441,914 from the National Cancer Institute. The first grant, amounting to $1,052,689, will fund research led by Dr. Liza Makowski-Hayes. Her team will investigate the role of microbial-derived metabolites in protective immunity related to obesity-driven cancer risk, specifically exploring how underlying mechanisms of obesity-mediated chronic inflammation contribute to increased cancer risk. The second grant, for $389,215, will support Dr. Michio Kurosu's research into drug discovery for triple-negative breast cancer, a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer that accounts for 15-20 percent of all cases.
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Early-Onset Bowel Cancer Study Reveals Distinct Biological and Clinical Features in Younger Adults

Early-Onset Bowel Cancer Study Reveals Distinct Biological and Clinical Features in Younger Adults

A significant study, led by Flinders University and Flinders Medical Center in Australia, has identified crucial differences in bowel cancer diagnosed in individuals aged 50 or younger compared to those diagnosed after 50. Published in the Medical Journal of Australia, the research analyzed data from 1,691 Australians with advanced bowel cancer that had spread to the liver. The findings indicate that younger patients exhibit distinct tumor biology, disease characteristics, and survival outcomes. Specifically, younger patients are more likely to be women, have tumors on the left side of the bowel, and possess certain genetic mutations. They also demonstrated longer overall survival after the cancer had spread to the liver. The study also highlighted that specific genetic mutations, BRAF and KRAS, are associated with poorer outcomes across both age groups, emphasizing the growing importance of genetic testing.
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University of Utah and Huntsman Cancer Institute Advance Colorectal Cancer Prevention with Biomarker Research

University of Utah and Huntsman Cancer Institute Advance Colorectal Cancer Prevention with Biomarker Research

The Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology at the University of Utah, in partnership with the Huntsman Cancer Institute, is actively engaged in research aimed at colorectal cancer prevention. Dr. Mary Playdon's lab is leading two NIH-funded projects from the National Cancer Institute. The first project focuses on translating a validated blood-based dietary biomarker into clinical practice for colorectal cancer prevention. The second project investigates biomarkers related to meal timing behaviors and their connection to cancer risk. This research involves epidemiologic and translational analyses, integrating nutritional metabolomics, multiplex inflammatory protein profiling, dietary intake data, and electronic medical records. The work also includes collaboration with investigators at the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, utilizing metabolomic data from multiple cohort studies. The Huntsman Cancer Institute, an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, provides a coll...
Reuters Reuters
Cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan climb to over 14,700, state health officials say

Cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan climb to over 14,700, state health officials say

Sept 3 (Reuters) - Michigan health officials reported 14,718 cases linked to an outbreak of cyclosporiasis on Thursday, an increase of 208 cases since its last update a week earlier.
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NPR Investigation Reveals Significant Undercount of Heat-Related Deaths in U.S.

NPR Investigation Reveals Significant Undercount of Heat-Related Deaths in U.S.

A two-year investigation by NPR, in partnership with Boston University, has uncovered a substantial undercount of heat-related deaths in the United States. Federal records from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) typically report an average of 700 heat-related deaths annually between 2004 and 2018, with recent years seeing an increase to around 1,700 to 2,000. However, the NPR and Boston University analysis estimates that approximately 9,000 deaths each year between 2018 and 2025 are impacted by heat, a figure five times higher than official averages. Some years, this number could exceed 10,000. The discrepancy arises because heat often exacerbates existing health conditions, such as heart disease, leading to deaths that are officially attributed to the underlying condition rather than heat exposure. This 'silent killer' aspect of heat means its role is frequently overlooked by medical professionals and coroners, resulting in its omission from death certificates and subsequent federal tall...
The Knoxville News-Sentinel The Knoxville News-Sentinel
Is Tennessee whiskey losing ground? Jack Daniel's sales stall as fewer Americans drink

Is Tennessee whiskey losing ground? Jack Daniel's sales stall as fewer Americans drink

Jack Daniel's parent company says sales are slowing as fewer Americans drink alcohol and trade tensions with Canada weigh on demand.
The Columbus Dispatch The Columbus Dispatch
In Ohio, new cases of illness caused by cyclospora parasite increase again

In Ohio, new cases of illness caused by cyclospora parasite increase again

After four weeks of declines, Ohio saw a 47% increase in new cyclosporiasis cases on Sept. 3. Here are the latest case numbers for the year.
Palm Springs Desert Sun Palm Springs Desert Sun
COVID-19 infections growing across California, CDC says

COVID-19 infections growing across California, CDC says

California is among 48 states seeing growing COVID-19 infections as a seasonal late-summer uptick boosts viral activity nationwide.
Trendline Trendline
N-Power Medicine Secures $32M Series B Funding to Expand Oncology Research Network

N-Power Medicine Secures $32M Series B Funding to Expand Oncology Research Network

N-Power Medicine Secures $32M Series B Funding to Expand Oncology Research Network
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Neighborhood Deprivation Linked to Breast Cancer Tumor Genomics and Treatment Disparities

Neighborhood Deprivation Linked to Breast Cancer Tumor Genomics and Treatment Disparities

A multi-institution study in the U.S. has revealed significant associations between neighborhood deprivation and breast cancer tumor genomics, targeted treatment use, and survival outcomes. The research found that patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) living in highly deprived neighborhoods exhibited a higher rate of somatic TP53 mutations and lower rates of AKT1 mutations in their circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) compared to those in less deprived areas. Critically, patients from higher deprivation areas were less likely to receive targeted therapies like PI3K inhibitors, even when eligible due to activating mutations. The study also highlighted significantly shorter overall survival for patients from highly deprived neighborhoods, particularly for Black patients, suggesting an interaction between race and neighborhood deprivation in MBC outcomes.
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Fred Hutch Cancer Center Leads $15 Million National Clinical Trial for Older Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Fred Hutch Cancer Center Leads $15 Million National Clinical Trial for Older Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Fred Hutch Cancer Center is spearheading a new national clinical trial initiative, backed by a $15 million grant from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). This initiative aims to identify the most effective treatment strategies for older adults diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive and rapidly progressing blood cancer. The clinical trial program, led by Dr. Mohamed Sorror, will involve an 18-center U.S. consortium. It will compare stem cell transplantation with non-transplant therapies for AML patients after they achieve remission. This research is crucial given the challenges in treating AML in older populations. Additionally, Fred Hutch researchers, including Dr. Andrew C. Hsieh and Dr. Rashmi Mishra, have identified a molecular switch that allows prostate cancer to evade therapy, opening new avenues for treatment. Separately, Dr. David MacPherson and Dr. Gavin Ha received a $1.5 million grant to develop SCLCpheno-seq, a liquid biopsy for small cell lung cancer (...