Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 8-14-2025: Dr. Dawn shares the story of Tim Fried, a construction worker who deliberately exposed himself to 850 snake venom doses over 18 years to build immunity. An immunologist developed antivenom from Fried's antibodies that neutralizes venom from 19 deadly snake species, potentially saving thousands of lives annually from snakebite deaths. She describes cuttlefish sign language research revealing four specific arm movements. The cuttlefish respond to video...
Aug 15, 2025•51 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 8-07-2025: Dr. Dawn opens with groundbreaking news about the first successful islet cell transplant for type 1 diabetes without immunosuppression. A 42-year-old man received gene-edited donor cells that were modified to avoid immune rejection by removing tissue compatibility markers and adding protective proteins. The transplanted cells in his forearm began producing insulin autonomously, reducing his A1C by 42% over 12 weeks. This breakthrough could lead to of...
Aug 08, 2025•50 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 8-31-2025: Dr. Dawn interviews Katherine Rockwood and Jess Stevens, both registered nurses and breastfeeding advocates, during International Breastfeeding Month. They discuss community events including breastfeeding cupcakes at hospitals, partnerships with WIC (Women, Infants & Children) nutrition programs, and upcoming festivals featuring educational booths from various healthcare organizations. The conversation covers how these events aim to normalize bre...
Aug 02, 2025•49 min
Broadcast on KSQD, Santa Cruz on 7-24-2025: An emailer from Israel asks about mouth taping for sleep benefits, prompting Dr. Dawn to review a comprehensive study examining social media claims. She discusses the limited evidence base for most purported benefits like better sleep, oral health, and reduced snoring. The research reveals only mild sleep apnea showed meaningful improvement, while most other claims lack scientific support despite widespread promotion on social media platforms. Dr. Dawn...
Jul 26, 2025•46 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 7-17-2025: Dr. Dawn interviews Dr. Drew Richard, a first-year resident at Dominican Santa Cruz Family Medicine Residency. Dr. Richard discusses his motivation to bridge socioeconomic health disparities and his experience creating educational cooking episodes featuring cultural dishes from medical students. He explains his philosophy that medicine should help people cultivate compassion and his belief in the fundamental capacity for human goodness. The conversat...
Jul 18, 2025•52 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 7-10-2025: Dr. Dawn responds to an email about lion's mane mushroom blood thinning properties. Lion's mane contains hericenones that inhibit platelet aggregation but promote nerve cell growth. People on blood thinners like Eliquis or those with bleeding disorders should stop these supplements before surgery. She recommends lion's mane for cognitive preservation effects despite bleeding risks, emphasizing the need to balance benefits versus risks. An emailer ask...
Jul 11, 2025•47 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 7-03-2025: Dr. Dawn responds to an email about vitamin D and statin interactions, explaining how statins may prevent vitamin D's longevity benefits by interfering with CoQ10 production. She references a study showing vitamin D preserved telomeres and prevented aging over 3-4 years, but benefits disappeared in statin users. For borderline high LDL, she recommends testing for large versus small particles and oxidized LDL rather than treating with statins or red y...
Jul 04, 2025•50 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 6-26-2025: Dr. Dawn opens with groundbreaking results from Vertex Pharmaceuticals' stem cell treatment for severe type 1 diabetes. The experimental therapy, Zimislecel, converts stem cells into pancreatic islet cells and infuses them into patients. In a 12-person study, 10 patients no longer need insulin after one year. The cells migrated to the liver and began producing insulin in response to glucose levels. Patients with hypoglycemic unawareness saw complete ...
Jun 27, 2025•52 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 6-19, 2025: Dr. Dawn presents the VITAL study evidence showing 2,000 IU daily vitamin D prevents telomere shortening in immune cells, effectively slowing biological aging by three years. Groundbreaking mouse research reveals maternal iron deficiency can alter fetal sex development. When iron levels dropped 60%, the SYR gene controlling male development switched off, causing 6 of 39 XY offspring to develop ovaries instead of testes. Thus, mammalian sex can be in...
Jun 21, 2025•50 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 6-12-2025: Dr. Dawn opens with alarming news about NIH budget cuts devastating cancer research just as breakthrough CAR-T cell therapy shows promise for gastrointestinal cancers. This personalized immunotherapy extracts patients' T cells, engineers them to target specific cancer antigens, and makes them essentially immortal before reinfusion. While previously successful only for blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, researchers achieved tumor shrinkage in 2...
Jun 13, 2025•48 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 6-05-2025: Dr. Dawn answers an email about Dupuytren's contracture treatment, explaining her clinic experience using acupuncture anesthesia combined with Traumeel injections directly into palm nodules. She describes how this anti-inflammatory homeopathic compound, when injected into tendon sheaths, can break the cycle of fibrosis formation. Dr. Dawn explores fascinating quantum physics concepts involving collagen microstructure, water molecules, and hydrogen io...
Jun 07, 2025•50 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 5-30-2024 and 5-29-2925: Cognitive errors in medicine dismissing unusual presentations as psychological A case of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis causing psychiatric symptoms Failures of genetic research to identify causes Need for integrating neurology and psychiatry; Importance of testing for antibodies and using MRI scans Detailed explanation of immune tolerance...
May 30, 2025•56 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 5-22-2025: Dr. Dawn explores groundbreaking cancer research using high-throughput "digital twin" analysis to reverse colon cancer cells back to normal states, identifying three master molecular switches that can induce normal cell differentiation without killing the cancer cells, thus avoiding traditional chemotherapy side effects. She discusses remarkable results from Memorial Sloan Kettering showing 80% of patients with mismatch repair deficient tumors, inclu...
May 24, 2025•56 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 5-15-2025: Dr. Dawn provides a comprehensive overview of bone health, describing bones as the "silent architects" of our bodies that require ongoing care and attention throughout life. She outlines key risk factors including family history of fractures, eating disorders, hormonal changes, digestive surgeries, and medication use, while explaining how DEXA scans measure bone density through T-scores and Z-scores, recommending the FRAX risk calculator as a superio...
May 17, 2025•49 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 5-08-2025: Dr. Dawn examines groundbreaking research on rising rates of early-onset colorectal cancer worldwide, explaining how researchers have identified a bacterial toxin called colibactin produced by specific E. coli strains that appears to cause early genetic mutations in cancer-controlling genes, potentially explaining why younger generations face significantly higher cancer risks. She discusses how modern medical practices like antibiotic overuse and ces...
May 10, 2025•49 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 04-24-2025: Dr. Dawn issues an alert about hair growth vitamins containing high doses of biotin that can interfere with important medical tests, explaining how biotin supplementation can cause false readings for thyroid function, troponin, parathyroid hormone, sex hormones, vitamin D, testosterone, PSA, and ferritin tests. Responding to an email about non-stick cookware safety, she examines various ceramic-based technologies claiming to be non-toxic, noting con...
Apr 25, 2025•55 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 4-17-2025: Dr. Dawn analyzes a leaked federal health program budget document, noting a significant $80 billion cut in discretionary funding, workforce reductions of 20,000 employees, elimination of disease prevention programs, and potential reorganization chaos that could impact healthcare access. She reports on research showing a troubling 5% increase in infant mortality rates in states that have implemented abortion bans, with particularly high increases amon...
Apr 18, 2025•37 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 4-10-2025: Dr. Dawn responds to an email about difficult-to-control asthma, recommending quercetin and inhaled cromolyn as mast cell stabilizers, and suggesting Montelukast to address leukotrienes while investigating possible mold exposure as an underlying cause. She discusses groundbreaking research on age-related bone deterioration, explaining how osteocytes undergo structural changes with age, and exploring the concept of cellular senescence including potent...
Apr 12, 2025•53 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 4-03-2025: Dr. Dawn provides a comprehensive explanation of vertigo versus dizziness, describing inner ear anatomy, how displaced crystals cause positional vertigo, and various treatment maneuvers including the Epley, Sarmont, and Foster techniques. Responding to an email from a listener suffering from both vertigo and tinnitus, she recommends exploring chiropractic adjustment for the tinnitus and special electroacupuncture treatments while suggesting additiona...
Apr 04, 2025•50 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-27-2025: Dr. Dawn comments on how inappropriate conclusions of cause and effect lead to too many drugs being prescribed and incorrect claims of drug allergies. Dr. Dawn examines the risks of ibuprofen overuse, discussing how NSAIDs can damage the gut lining, affect kidney function, and lead to various health complications when used long-term. She provides insight into Medicare reimbursement rates for common lab tests, explaining the significant price disparit...
Mar 30, 2025•57 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-20-2025: Dr. Dawn responds to an email about osteoporosis treatment options, explaining the risk assessment for fractures, discussing injectable alternatives to Fosamax for patients with swallowing difficulties, and analyzing vibration plate therapy's effectiveness for osteoporosis. The show explores scientific curiosities including genetically modified "woolly mammoth mice" created using CRISPR technology, showing how gene editing advances could potentially ...
Mar 21, 2025•52 min
Broadcast on KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-13-2025: Dr. Dawn debunks the common misconception about extra virgin olive oil's smoke point indicating oxidation damage, citing new research showing it remains stable and safe even at high cooking temperatures due to its high flavenoid and antioxidant content. She discusses critical timing factors for surgical procedures, sharing research that reveals a "weekend effect" with 9-12% higher mortality rates for surgeries performed on Fridays compared to early-wee...
Mar 14, 2025•49 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-06-2025: Dr. Dawn addresses an email about coronary artery blockage, explaining that a 70% calcified plaque in the LAD vessel might be better managed with medication than stenting, and recommending statin therapy to prevent further plaque formation. A live caller with a history of staph aureus infection describes unusual fingernail changes and fungal infection following prolonged antibiotic treatment, with Dr. Dawn suggesting an in-person examination for prop...
Mar 08, 2025•55 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 2-27-2025: Dr. Dawn addresses the alarming news of the first US measles fatality in almost 20 years, explaining how the disease led to the death of a healthy grade school child in Texas amid an outbreak of 124 cases, with 80% affecting unvaccinated children. She warns about subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a delayed but fatal complication of measles infection that occurs in approximately 1 in 600 babies who contract measles before vaccination. The sh...
Feb 28, 2025•54 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 2-06-2025: A live guest in the studio introduces Mom's Meals (momsmeals.com,) a program providing free meal delivery services for qualifying Medicare Advantage and Medi-Cal recipients with various dietary needs. During a lengthy live call, Dr. Dawn provides comprehensive guidance for a patient experiencing recurring COVID infections, discussing treatment options, long-haul symptoms, and recovery strategies. She announces FDA approval of Suzetrigine (Journavx), ...
Feb 08, 2025•54 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-30-2025: Dr. Dawn explores new research on testosterone replacement therapy's cardiovascular safety, explaining benefits for muscle mass maintenance and diabetes prevention in aging men. She addresses caller concerns about probiotics during antibiotic treatment, explaining how dead bacteria can still provide beneficial effects and help prevent complications. The show examines the current challenges facing 23andMe, including data breaches and financial difficu...
Feb 01, 2025•52 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-23-2025: Dr. Dawn announces a recall of Mylan's generic levothyroxine due to quality testing failures, affecting lots expiring in 2025 that don't meet FDA's 5% threshold for stated content. She provides comprehensive guidance on health impacts from the Moss Landing California battery fire, discussing cancer risks, heavy metal exposure, and detoxification methods including testing options and protective measures. The show explores promising research on bisphos...
Jan 25, 2025•53 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-16-2025: Dr. Dawn provides a comprehensive analysis of the H5N1 bird flu situation, explaining viral mutations, transmission patterns, and potential risks in both agricultural and human populations. She examines the concerning implications of research showing rapid viral mutations after human transmission and discusses available antiviral treatments. The show addresses concerns about mirror cell research, warning about potential dangers of creating mirror-ima...
Jan 18, 2025•51 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-09-2025: Dr. Dawn celebrates major medical breakthroughs of 2024, highlighting the successful pig-to-human kidney transplant using CRISPR technology and a revolutionary HIV prevention injection. She discusses research showing the cognitive benefits of handwriting versus typing, explaining how writing activates more complex brain patterns in memory formation. The show explores recent health findings about the benefits of human touch, internet use for seniors' ...
Jan 10, 2025•55 min
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 01-02-2025: Dr. Dawn provides comprehensive advice to a sepsis survivor about rebuilding her microbiome after extensive antibiotic treatment, emphasizing the importance of fermented foods and probiotics. She discusses long-term recovery strategies and addresses the psychological trauma of surviving a life-threatening infection that reached the patient's eyes. The show explores a caller's concerns about widespread itchy skin, examining various potential causes a...
Jan 03, 2025•51 min
