Donna Aldrich, LMT

09/09/2025

A natural plant virus that doesn’t infect humans is helping the body fight cancer. Yes, really.

A virus that infects black-eyed peas is showing remarkable promise as a cancer-fighting tool—and it doesn’t make humans sick.

Scientists at the University of California San Diego have discovered that the cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) can awaken the human immune system to target and destroy cancer cells.

Though harmless to humans, CPMV triggers a robust response from both innate and adaptive immune systems, training the body not just to eliminate tumors, but also to recognize and attack cancer elsewhere. When injected directly into tumors in lab studies on mice and dogs, the virus mobilized key immune players like macrophages, B cells, and T cells, with lasting anti-cancer effects.

Unlike other similar plant viruses, CPMV uniquely stimulates a cascade of interferons—proteins long known for their cancer-fighting abilities—and activates key immune pathways inside human cells. It’s also cheap and scalable, grown in plants with nothing more than sunlight, soil, and water.

This breakthrough not only offers hope for a more accessible form of immunotherapy, but also helps researchers better understand what makes an immune system strike back. With clinical trials on the horizon, CPMV may soon redefine how we use biology—and even plants—in the battle against cancer.

Source: Omole, A. O., Newton, H. S., Cedrone, E., Nematpour, K., Xie, S., Zhao, Y., Tran, B., Dobrovolskaia, M. A., & Steinmetz, N. F. (2025). Comparative analyses for plant virus-based cancer immunotherapy drug development. Cell Biomaterials, 22 May 2025.

09/08/2025

A recent study revealed that dandelion root extract can induce cancer cell su***de in over 90% of colon cancer cells within just 48 hours.

Dandelion root extract (DRE) triggers apoptosis (programmed cell death) in aggressive cancer cell lines such as colon cancer, melanoma and leukemia with minimal to no effect on healthy cells.

DRE targets the altered metabolic pathways within cancer cells. Research shows DRE disrupts the mitochondrial membrane potential and increases Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels in cancer cells’ mitochondria.

Studies indicate DRE can affect specific signaling pathways involved in cancer cells proliferation and survival. For instance, it may activate the extrinsic pathway of apoptoses, involving caspase-8 activation.

In breast cancer, DRE affects P13/AKT signaling pathways involved by inhibiting the expression of choline kinase a (CHKA).

DRE can also influence the expression of genes associated with cell death and survival. Some studies show that DRE treatment led to the upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes in certain cancer cell lines.

PMID: 27564258

09/08/2025

A groundbreaking discovery from Japan has revealed that humans may possess a hidden third set of teeth capable of regrowth. For decades, it was believed that people only had two chances for natural teeth: baby teeth and permanent adult teeth. Now, scientists have identified dormant tooth buds that could one day allow a fresh set to emerge.

These hidden teeth are part of what researchers call a “third dentition,” and while they usually remain inactive, new studies suggest it may be possible to stimulate their growth. In laboratory experiments and clinical observations, scientists found evidence that certain genes control whether these tooth buds activate or stay dormant. If triggered, they could provide a natural replacement for lost or damaged teeth.

The potential impact is enormous. Instead of relying solely on dentures, implants, or artificial restorations, future dental care could involve regrowing a brand-new set of natural teeth. Japanese teams are already testing drugs that may awaken these hidden buds, with early trials showing promising results.

This breakthrough could transform dentistry and improve the quality of life for millions suffering from tooth loss. The possibility of regrowing our own teeth is no longer science fiction, it is becoming science fact.

09/06/2025

Incredible

A breakthrough gel could regrow joints without surgery or implants

In Germany, scientists have developed a revolutionary gel that can regrow joint cartilage, offering hope to millions who suffer from arthritis and joint damage. For decades, joint problems have been treated with implants, metal replacements, or painful surgeries. Now, this new discovery points to a future where the body can heal itself naturally, with no implants, no invasive procedures, and no long recovery times.

Cartilage is the smooth, cushioning tissue that allows our joints to move without friction. Once damaged, it rarely repairs on its own, leaving patients with stiffness, swelling, and long-term pain. Until now, the only solutions were temporary fixes like medication or permanent interventions like joint replacement. But this German-made gel changes everything.

When injected into the joint, the gel provides a scaffold that encourages the body’s own cells to regrow healthy cartilage. Over time, it restores natural cushioning and mobility, allowing the joint to function as if it were never damaged. Unlike artificial implants, which can wear down or require replacement, this method focuses on true regeneration, giving people back their original tissue.

Early results are deeply promising. Patients treated with the gel show improved movement, reduced pain, and long-term healing that simply was not possible before. If larger trials confirm these findings, this could replace surgery as the gold standard of joint repair.

The implications go far beyond arthritis. Athletes with injuries, elderly patients struggling with mobility, and anyone facing joint damage may soon have access to a treatment that restores, rather than replaces, what was lost.

This discovery is more than just a medical breakthrough—it is a reminder of the incredible potential of regenerative medicine. Instead of patching the body, science is learning how to help it rebuild itself. The future of healing may not lie in machines or implants, but in unlocking the natural powers hidden within us all.

09/05/2025

We may have a cure for diabetes.

A patient with type 1 diabetes is now producing his own insulin after receiving a groundbreaking transplant of gene-edited pancreatic cells, without needing any anti-rejection drugs.

This is the first time in humans that donor islet cells have been genetically modified to evade the immune system entirely. Type 1 diabetes is caused when a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks the islet cells in their pancreas, which are responsible for insulin production.

Treatments typically involve lifelong insulin injections and, in rare cases, transplants, though these usually require immunosuppressants, which carry serious long-term risks. In this new case, a 42-year-old man who had lived with type 1 diabetes since childhood received injections of donor islet cells into his forearm. But before that, scientists made three specific edits using CRISPR: two removed cellular markers that help T cells recognize foreign tissue, and one added a protein called CD47, which helps block the body's innate immune responses.

The results were dramatic. Over 12 weeks, the edited cells began producing insulin in response to glucose spikes, like after meals. The man didn’t need any immunosuppressive medication to keep the cells alive. Not all the edited cells survived, only those with all three edits remained functional, which gave researchers a built-in comparison and proof that their editing approach worked. While the patient didn’t receive enough cells to fully manage his condition without additional treatment, the experiment shows that functional, gene-edited cell transplants can survive and work in the human body without being attacked by the immune system.

paper
"Survival of Transplanted Allogeneic Beta Cells with No Immunosuppression" New England Journal of Med. (2025)

09/04/2025

09/04/2025

A cozy corner for flower lovers and veggie growers 🌸🥕
Get planting ideas, pruning tips, and bloom-worthy inspiration for your tiny garden — no matter the size.

09/03/2025

Your self talk matters

09/01/2025

A psychedelic compound may hold the key to longer cellular life

Groundbreaking research revealed that psilocin, the active compound found in psychedelic mushrooms, extended the lifespan of human skin and lung cells by more than 50 percent. This astonishing result has scientists rethinking not only the medical potential of psychedelics but also what it might mean for the future of human longevity.

Psilocin is usually studied for its effects on the brain, particularly in treating depression, PTSD, and anxiety. But this study looked deeper, exploring how the compound interacts with cells at a biological level. To the researchers’ surprise, psilocin didn’t just protect the cells from stress—it significantly slowed down the aging process, allowing them to survive far longer than normal.

Traditionally, aging has been seen as an unstoppable decline, where cells gradually lose their ability to repair and regenerate. Current treatments focus mainly on managing age-related diseases rather than extending the vitality of the cells themselves. This discovery challenges that assumption, suggesting that psilocin or compounds like it might directly influence the mechanisms of aging.

If further studies confirm these findings, the implications could be extraordinary. Skin cells that live longer could revolutionise treatments for wounds, burns, and age-related degeneration. Lung cells with extended lifespans could pave the way for breakthroughs in treating chronic respiratory illnesses. On a larger scale, this research might be the first step toward therapies that extend human healthspan, keeping people stronger and healthier for decades beyond current limits.

This does not mean psilocin is suddenly a miracle cure. Much more work is needed before it could ever be used safely in humans outside the lab. But it is a powerful reminder that nature hides unexpected medicines in the most surprising places.

The discovery points to a future where psychedelics may not only heal the mind but also extend the life of the body itself. It is a glimpse of a world where aging could be slowed, and vitality preserved, offering hope for generations to come.

09/01/2025