Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DUmSfKQDoQz/Genetically modifying bacteria using AI-refined DNA leads to production of vaccines with 8-fold higher immunogenicity in a time-frame even 5 times shorter than even the speedy mRNA technology. Microbiologists at the University of Virginia and Duke University now report this proof-of-concept in the journal Vaccines.This novel approach utilizes inactivated bacteria programmed with synthetic DNA instructions to produce new, highly effective vaccine antigens in about 3 weeks. The DNA design is guided by AI protein-structure modeling. The resultant vaccines are stable at refrigerator temperatures. They are inexpensive to produce costing less than $1/dose. In contrast, mRNA vaccines require more complex manufacturing and ultra-cold storage. They require about 3 months or more to go from design to a test-ready product.Additional preclinical testing is needed before human trials, but the researchers predict that  this approach could transform how the world responds to

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DUmR81-DQm_/Cancer research may be entering a new, animal-free era thanks to a novel organ-on-a-chip platform that mimics how human tumors behave. Nanoscientists at the University of Arizona have developed this tumor micro-environment and utilized it for testing the effects of radiation therapy on lung cancer. They report the result in he journal iScience.Their technology is termed ASTEROIDS which is short for Apparatus to Simulate Tumor Environment and Reproduce Organs in an Interactive and Dynamic System. This system mimics the human tumor microenvironment including blood-flow forces, cell-to-cell communication, immune interactions, and mechanical stress. It accurately reproduces how tumors respond to treatment and offers a more human-relevant method for testing cancer therapies.This study focused on lung cancer, but the ASTEROIDS platform can be adapted to any solid tumor. It supports the tenants of the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 which encourages reducing animal testing

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DUmRDXNDmVN/A pill that uses a genetic trick to reset your body’s internal clock forward could eliminate jet lag more effectively than light therapy or melatonin. A team of researchers at several Japanese universities have developed an experimental oral compound and report their discovery in the Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Their discovery, named Mic-628, works by activating a core clock gene known as Period1, or Per1, which establishes the timing of sleep, wakefulness, and metabolism. Unlike existing approaches that rely on precisely timed light exposure, Mic-628 advances the body clock no matter when it is ingested.Using a mouse model to simulate eastward jet travel, a single dose of Mic-628 successfully shortens jet-lag recovery from seven to just four days. Most significantly, this drug shifts both the brain’s master clock and peripheral clocks in organs like the lungs and maintains body sync.The researchers note that advancing the body’s cl

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DUl9DtHidW2/It is possible that an internal switch in your body can be pushed to stop you from gaining weight. As a bonus, this switch also keeps your cholesterol in control and prevents liver damage.  Molecular biologists at Cleveland’s Case Western University have found this switch and report their discovery in the journal Science Signaling. Working in a mouse model, the researchers identified a novel enzyme named ScoR2 that plays a significant role in fat generation. ScoR2, a denitrosylase, enzymatically removes nitric oxide, NO, a molecule that normally reduces fat and cholesterol production.The next research step was deactivating this ScoR2 enzyme. Genetic modification halted enzyme production but the team also developed a drug to block its activity and maintain nitric oxide levels. When the enzyme stopped functioning, treated mice stopped gaining weight, experienced cholesterol lowering, and experienced less liver damage.This ScoR2 blocking experimental medication,

Bioengineered Skin Grafts For Burn VictimsVidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DUmPV6MDxn4/The treatment of severe burns requires replacement of destroyed skin with skin grafts.  From the Swiss company Cutiss, a spin-off from the University of Zurich, comes better skin graft technology called DenovoSkin. Starting with a postage stamp-sized sample of a patient’s skin as a cell source, in just 4 weeks Cutiss can grow multiple, personalized bilayer skin grafts 10 times that size that have both epidermal and dermal layers. The result skin for grafting is elastic, grows with the patient, reduces scarring, and, because, it is derived from the patient’s own cells, it will not be rejected. The ability to grow with the patient is critical for pediatric burn patients.Traditional split-thickness skin grafts tend to scar, and can only be harvested from the burn victim ’s remaining healthy skin. That can be as little as 40% of the total pre-burn skin. Split thickness graft harvesting also leaves a donor site that can be

Understanding How The Ketogenic Diet Suppresses SeizuresVidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DUmOnBlD1tp/The ketogenic diet forces the body to burn fat instead of carbohydrates and produces molecules called ketones including β-hydroxybutyrate. This particular ketone reduces seizures by activating a brain receptor called HCAR2. Neurologists at the UVA Brain Institute, using a preclinical mouse model, now report this finding in the Archives of Neurology.The activated HCAR2 receptor suppresses the electrical activity of otherwise hyper-excitable neurons. This is particularly true in the hippocampus where many seizures initiate. This receptor also has a suppressing effect on immune cells within the brain that trigger inflammation and resultant neurological disease.Understanding the mechanism by which the ketogenic diet controls otherwise drug-resistant seizures opens the door for development of therapy that bypasses the need for the ketogenic diet. This is important since many children and adults with troublesom

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DUmN4L7F7_c/Well, its not really total elimination or zero cases but reducing the cases to 4 or fewer for every 100,000 women. Preventing all cervical cancer cases is actually a realistic goal since all cases are driven by the Human Papilloma Virus infections and are preventable by the  use of HPV vaccine.                    A new national study led by collaborators at the Medical University of South Carolina, the Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the University of Puerto Rico was recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute Cancer Spectrum.The data shows that Massachusetts is nearly at the elimination threshold, with a rate of 4.3 cases per 100,000 women. By contrast, states in the Southeast average nearly 10 cases per 100,000, and those in the Southwest more than 11/100,000. Mississippi has the highest rate in the nation at 14.8 cases per 100,000.Mortality rates from cervical cancer track a similar pattern with higher death rates in the Southeas

Better Technology For Liquid Cancer BiopsiesVidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DUl8icojego/A new “lab on a spinning disc” can detect and speed the analysis of cancer markers that will help to revolutionize both diagnosis and management of malignant disease. Bioengineers at Boston’s Mass General Hospital have developed a fully automated device named SpinEx that is capable of isolating and analyzing tiny particles in the blood known as extracellular vesicles, or EVs. These vesicles are released by tumor cells and carry molecular signals that reveal whether cancer is present and pinpoint the type and the quantity of that cancerCurrent extracellular vesicle analysis methods are slow, manual, and limited to measuring one marker at a time. SpinEx, in contrast, speeds the process by combining the multiple steps of plasma separation, EV enrichment, and protein labeling of a minuscule 150 microliters of blood onto a single spinning disc that completes the process automatically.Here is how it works.  The tiny sample

Vidcast:   https://www.instagram.com/p/DUl7k40j79N/Hospitalized COVID patients have more than double the risk of developing thyroid disease compared with COVID-negative patients. A new study from NYC’s Montefiore Health System studied more than 400,000 patients with no prior thyroid disease and compared those who tested positive for COVID-19 with those who tested negative. Their results were just published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.The data for hospitalized CoVid patient demonstrated a 3-fold increase in hyperthyroidism, that is elevated thyroid activity, a 2-fold increase in hypothyroidism, that is reduced thyroid function, and an elevated risk for other thyroid disorders. Importantly, even non-hospitalized CoVid patients, many of whom are younger adults, have a 30–50% higher risk of thyroid disease.The risk doesn’t appear immediately. Researchers found thyroid problems often emerged two or more years after infection, and continued rising beyond four years of follow-up.The res

The Immunizations Your Children NeedVidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DUmK4-4jnPW/The American Academy of Pediatrics has released its Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for 2026.  The serecommendations reaffirm the longstanding routine vaccinations necessary to protect children and teens against serious illness. This academy represents the pediatricians who, along with pediatric nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and all professionals on your child’s medical team, are responsible for keeping your children healthy. They are the ones who delight in watching your children grow and mature. But… they are also the ones who must shepherd you and your children through illnesses, both mild and serious.  And, god forbid, they are the ones to deliver the worst news a parent ever has to hear and then grieve with youThe AAP leaders say the 2026 schedule is largely unchanged from last year’s guidance and continues to reflect longstanding scientific evidence. It does differ from a recently i

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DURJzV8kelK/Salmonella causes serious or sometimes fatal infections in young children, in the elderly, and for people with weakened immune systems. Affected are 120-capsule bottles with lot number A25G051 and an expiration date of 07/2028.These recalled Moringa Capsules were sold in the US through Why Not Natural’s e-commerce site and third-party online retailers including amazon.com from July 2025 through January 2026.Stop taking these capsules and may return the product to Why Not Natural for a full refund. For additional information, contact Why Not Natural by email at care@whynotnatural.com.https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/why-not-natural-houston-texas-recalling-its-why-not-natural-organic-moringa-green-superfood-because#whynotnatural #moringa #salmonella #infection #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DURI3IqAFBD/Ingestion of these fish balls lead to serious or life-threatening allergic reactions for people with allergies to these ingredients. Affected is product with lot codes 08/12/2025 for the 200-gram pack, 09/02/2025 for the 400-gram pack, and 11/11/2025 for the 5-pound pack.These recalled fish balls were sold in California, Washington, Oregon, New York, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, Massachusetts, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado between August 2025 and November 2025.If you have wheat or sesame allergies, do not consume these fish balls. To return, replace or obtain a refund, contact Koikoi Trading Inc. by phone at 1-323-588-9888 or by email at info@koikoitrading.com for instructions.https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/koikoi-trading-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-and-sesame-fu-zhou-fish-ball-200g-400g-5lb#fuzhou #fishballs #wheat #sesame #allergy #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DURIT44D9wS/The 5.5-ounce boxes contain soft plastic or paper pieces creating an ingestion hazard. This recall applies to products with Best Before dates ranging from October 16, 2026, through December 16, 2026. No other Gerber products are affected.The recalled biscuits were sold nationwide in the US. Do not feed these recalled biscuits to your children. Return them to the place of purchase to receive a full refund. For more information, contact Gerber by phone at 1-800-443-7237.https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gerber-products-company-announces-voluntary-recall-limited-batches-arrowroot-biscuits-out-abundance#gerber #biscuits #foreignbodies #ingestion #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DURHoWgDkh4/These crayons contain high levels of strontium and aluminum that create a poisoning hazard if ingested by young children. The recall applies to sets with product code 0309401.About 600 coloring sets were sold at Primark stores in the Northeast, Florida, Maryland, and Illinois from October 2024 through July 2025.Stop using these recalled coloring sets and return them to a Primark store for a full refund in the form of the original payment. For more information, contact Primark by phone at 1-617-946-3236 or online at primark.com/recall.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Primark-Recalls-The-Nightmare-Before-Christmas-Glow-in-the-Dark-Coloring-Sets-Due-to-Ingestion-Hazard#primark #coloringsets #strontium #aluminum #ingestion #poison #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DURG5xOAAMq/These lithium coin batteries can be easily accessed by children creating risks of ingestion, serious injury, chemical burns, and death. The recall applies to LuxJet Submersible LED Lights sold in sets of ten color-changing LEDs with two remote controls, twenty preinstalled CR2450 lithium batteries in the lights, and four preinstalled CR2032 lithium batteries in the remotes.About 9,150 sets were sold online at Amazon.com from January 2022 through November 2025.Stop using these recalled LED lights and contact LuxJet at info@luxjet.com.cn for instructions on how to destroy the product and receive a full refund. You must email a photo of the destroyed product to the company. Then dispose of the coin batteries at your local hazardous waste center.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/LuxJet-Submersible-LED-Lights-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Battery-Ingestion-Violates-Mandatory-Standard-for-Consumer-Products-with-Coin-Batteries#luxjet #submersib

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DURGDCxFmrw/The silicone pull strings on these toys are smaller than allowed under the mandatory toy safety standard. The strings can reach the back of a child’s throat and become lodged creating a risk of respiratory distress, serious choking, and death. The recall involves AiTuiTui Pull String Teething Toys, model 688-59.About 49,410 teething toys were sold online at Amazon.com from August 2022 through September 2025.Stop allowing your children to use these recalled teething toys and contact Vanfun by email at recallmls@outlook.com to obtain a full refund. To obtain the refund, you must cut and discard all silicone string tentacles, write the word “DESTROYED” on the off-white main body of the toy using a permanent marker, and email a photograph of the destroyed product to the company at the email I just mentioned.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/AiTuiTui-Pull-String-Teething-Toys-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Choking-Violate-Mandatory-Standard-fo

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DURFbNRDYPZ/These serums contains 5% minoxidil and is packaged in bottles that are not child-resistant creating a risk of serious injury or death from poisoning if swallowed by young children.About 7,000 bottles were sold online at Amazon.com from December 2023 through September 2025.Secure these recalled serum bottles out of sight and reach of children. Contact the company by email at sesuall@outlook.com to receive a free replacement bottle. To obtain the replacement, pour the contents of the bottle into the trash, take a photo of the empty bottle in the trash, and email the photo to the company at the email I just mentioned.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Sefudun-5-Minoxidil-Hair-Growth-Serum-Kits-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Child-Poisoning-Violates-Mandatory-Standard-for-Child-Resistant-Packaging-Sold-on-Amazon-by-Nengmiaokejihttps://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Viofairy-Hair-Growth-Serum-Bottles-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-f

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DUREs1QjWTm/These bolts, installed on model year 2026 Trek FX+ 1 and Electra Townie Go! electric bicycles, break when torqued causing the rear wheel to separate from the bicycle and creating fall and injury hazards. The recall involves the original black rear wheel bolts on Trek FX+ 1 Midstep, FX+ 1S Midstep, FX+ 1 Stepover, FX+ 1S Stepover bicycles, Electra Townie Go! Step Thru and Townie Go! S Step Thru electric bicycles sold before October 28, 2025.About 19,890 bicycles were sold at Trek stores and Trek authorized retailers and online from April 2025 through October 2025.Stop riding these bicycles with the recalled rear wheel bolts and contact an authorized Trek or Electra dealer to schedule a free repair. The dealer will replace the original black rear wheel bolts with new silver rear wheel bolts at no cost. If you participate in this recall, you’ll also receive a ten-dollar in-store credit toward Trek, Electra, or Bontrager merchandise valid through December 31, 2026

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DUREHndlLep/A compression strap that wraps around the outside of the pool legs create a foothold that allows a child to climb into the pool and drown. The recall includes Sunneday Oasis Cottage pool models 70018 and 70024 and Blue Bay pool models 358015W, 359015G, 360018W, 361018G, and 380018T.About 2,390 pools were sold online at Amazon.com and www.sunneday.com from January 2024 through October 2025.You should contact Starmatrix to request a free repair kit. Until the repair kit is installed, ensure that children cannot access the pool unattended or drain the pool to prevent use. Contact Starmatrix by phone at 1-888-254-2714 or by email at info@starmatrix.cn for more information.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Sunneday-and-Blue-Bay-Above-Ground-Pools-48-Inches-and-Taller-Recalled-Due-to-Drowning-Hazard-Manufactured-by-Starmatrix-Group#sunneday #bluebay #pools #children #drowning #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DURDe8_FJ-F/The fan wheels on these units can fail causing abnormal burner operation that produces smoke and/or bursts of flames during use. The recall includes Gas Wet Steam and Hot Water Pressure Washers, Gas Hot Water Commercial Pressure Washer Skids, and Trailer-Mounted Hot Water Commercial Pressure Washers. Only units with a serial number containing a MONTHYEAR code between 0125 and 0825 and a WEEKYEAR burner date code between 0125 and 2625 are included.About 1,416 pressure washers were sold at Northern Tool + Equipment stores and online at NorthernTool.com, Amazon.com, Ebay.com, and GNEDI.com from January 2025 through August 2025.Stop using these recalled pressure washers and contact Northern Tool + Equipment by phone at 1-888-518-0342 or by email at inquiry@northerntool.com to request a free repair. The repair will be performed by an authorized technician at a Northern Tool + Equipment service center or by an authorized third-party servicer.https://www.cpsc.gov/Rec