A newly released study by scientists, mostly from Penn State University, outlines their technique of penetrating cancer cells and editing them to make them more vulnerable to cancer therapies. The proof-of-concept study was published July 4 in Nature Biotechnology. The scientists “devised an approach to edit cancer cells, delivering two new ‘switches’ into them. The first switch enables modified cells to outgrow the rest of the cancer cell population. Then, the second switch allows these cells to unleash a toxic drug onto the remaining tumor,” Kristel Tiandra wrote in LiveScience. Tiandra explained that the scientists inserted two “suicide genes” into non-small cell lung cancer cells (NSCLC); one gene, aided by the cancer drug erlotinib — which usually stops a protein called EGFR from being activated — allowed the cancer cells to become resistant to erlotinib, thus permitting the team to control whether the cancer cells proliferated. The modified cancer cells grew faster than the unmodified cells that resisted the drug. Once more of the modified cells were added, the scientists stopped using erlotinib, and the growing cells stopped. “Once their trap was set, the scientists activated the second suicide gene using a harmless molecule called 5-FC. Cleverly, the second gene codes for an enzyme that helps cells transform 5-FC into a toxin, called 5-FU, that kills cancer. The 5-FU ultimately kills both the modified cancer cells and the cells surrounding them,” Tiandra explained. The team found that after 20 days of treatment, the modified cancer cells had outgrown the unmodified cells; by roughly 14 weeks after the initial treatment, the tumor’s volume had dwindled to zero. “We see this as something beyond the treatment of lung cancer,” lead study author Scott Leighow said. “We see this as a generalizable platform for delivering therapeutic genes in cancer and using those to create therapeutic opportunities that might lead to cures in the future.” Aaron Goldman, a cancer pharmacologist at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, told LiveScience, “I’ve not seen anything like this.”

According to an exclusive report from The Wall Street Journal, an analysis of billions of Medicare records showed private insurers connected to the federal government’s $450 billion-a-year Medicare Advantage program issued “hundreds of thousands of questionable diagnoses that triggered extra taxpayer-funded payments from 2018 to 2021.” The Journal noted that the program currently covers more than half of the 67 million seniors and disabled people on Medicare. It explained that insurers can add their own diagnoses in addition to the ones doctors submit for their patients. “Medicare gave insurers that option so they could catch conditions that doctors neglected to record,” the Journal stated, adding, “The Journal’s analysis, however, found many diagnoses were added for which patients received no treatment, or that contradicted their doctors’ views. The insurers make new diagnoses after reviewing medical charts, sometimes using artificial intelligence, and sending nurses to visit patients in their homes.” “They pay doctors for access to patient records, and reward patients who agree to home visits with gift cards and other financial benefits,” the Journal asserted. Between 2018 and 2021, Medicare compensated insurers roughly $50 billion for diagnoses the insurers had added. “The government paid all Medicare Advantage insurers more than $700 million from 2019 to 2021 for diabetic cataracts. Most of the diagnoses were added by insurers,” the Journal reported. Over 66,000 Medicare Advantage patients were diagnosed with diabetic cataracts despite the fact they had previously received cataract surgery. “It’s anatomically impossible,” Dr. Hogan Knox, an eye specialist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, told the Journal. “Once a lens is removed, the cataract never comes back.” UnitedHealth spokesman Matthew Wiggin responded to the Journal’s report by saying its analysis was “inaccurate and biased.” He stated that Medicare Advantage “provides better health outcomes and more affordable healthcare for millions of seniors” than traditional Medicare. A spokesman for Humana echoed that the Journal’s analysis of treatment rates “is flawed and misleading.” However, the Journal claimed that more than a dozen experts said the news outlet’s methodology was accurate.

President Joe Biden is set to face a significant diplomatic challenge at the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, D.C., from July 9-11, 2024. This summit marks a crucial moment as it will be the 75th anniversary of the alliance, bringing together 32 allied nations to address pressing global security issues, primarily focusing on the ongoing war in Ukraine and the alliance's future strategy​​. Biden's leadership will be scrutinized as he aims to maintain unity among NATO members while managing divergent views on key issues such as Ukraine's membership. The summit is expected to highlight NATO's steadfast support for Ukraine, a stance Biden has championed since Russia's invasion in February 2022. He plans to use the summit to reinforce the message of unwavering support for Kyiv, arguing that Western aid has been pivotal in Ukraine's resilience against Russian aggression​​. Hello! Welcome to Washington, D.C. Capital of the United States, witness to the founding of NATO 75 years ago, and host of the 2024 #NATOSummit pic.twitter.com/YyB7rlcM8V — NATO (@NATO) July 9, 2024 One of the major points of contention is Ukraine's potential NATO membership. While Eastern European members and nations like Poland support Ukraine's eventual inclusion, key allies such as Germany and the U.S. remain cautious, citing the need for further democratic reforms and military readiness. French President Emmanuel Macron has recently aligned more closely with Eastern European leaders on this issue, adding to the complexity of the discussions​​. Another significant agenda item will be the formal approval of Sweden's NATO membership. Although Finland's accession was finalized earlier, Sweden's bid has faced objections from Turkey and Hungary. Biden has been actively involved in negotiations to resolve these issues, aiming for a breakthrough during the summit​​. Zelensky is in Washington for the NATO summit.Ukraine is not part of NATO (so why is he there). Children's hospital attacked. (why was he here). Russian peace deal on table. Zelensky rejected it. Refuses elections. How much will this cost?#cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/gY99Itpycm — sonofabench (@therealmrbench) July 9, 2024 Additionally, Biden will push for continued NATO support for Ukraine as the conflict enters a critical phase. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to press for more definitive commitments from NATO leaders regarding military aid and a clearer path to membership. This comes against the backdrop of Ukraine's counteroffensive efforts, which have seen mixed results so far​​. Internally, Biden faces challenges from rising skepticism within the U.S., particularly from some congressional Republicans and GOP presidential candidates who question the extent of American financial and military support for Ukraine. This domestic opposition adds pressure on Biden to secure robust international backing for Ukraine at the summit, ensuring that the alliance remains united in its approach to Russian aggression​​. The summit also provides an opportunity for Biden to reaffirm NATO's broader strategic goals. This includes addressing the evolving security landscape, bolstering defense capabilities, and ensuring that all member states meet their defense spending commitments. The meeting will be a critical test of Biden's diplomatic skills and his ability to navigate complex international dynamics while reinforcing the United States' leadership within the alliance​​. As the world watches, Biden's performance at the NATO summit will have far-reaching implications for the alliance's future and the ongoing efforts to counter Russian threats. His ability to maintain cohesion among NATO members and secure concrete commitments will be crucial in shaping the alliance's response to current and future challenges. The post Biden Faces Major Test at NATO Summit appeared first on The Conservative Brief.

That is one way to unite a crowd

'A few seconds of history that changed the world'

'She knew that was sort of the retaliation moment'

A screenshot of a headline shared on Facebook claims philanthropist and Microsoft founder Bill Gates has launched a dairy alternative made from maggots called “maggot milk.” Verdict: False The claim is false. A spokesperson for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation denied the claim’s validity in an email to Check Your Fact. Fact Check: Gates […]

Another low is forming over the Atlantic

'I want him to do whatever he decides'

By the author of Be Ready for Anything and the online course Bloom Where You’re Planted Most preppers don’t live out in the boonies without television, internet, satellite, or some kind of streaming system for entertainment. Lots of us enjoy kicking back and watching a movie or program, particularly if we can tie it in with our lifestyle. We’ve talked about choices for your prepper movie marathon and series to binge-watch, but what if you’re looking for something non-fictional?  Forget the overblown shows that are designed to make us all look like fruitcakes. Check out some programs that showcase real survival skills. When I asked you recently what your favorite things to watch were, I was looking more for fictional stuff. But it turns out, preppers like reality TV – just not shows about shallow characters like the people merely famous for being super-rich or people competing for the chance to marry somebody they don’t even know. We like our reality shows to actually be…well… reality. Your Favorite Prepper/Survival Reality TV Shows Here are some of your top picks for reality TV, survival style. Frontier House Frontier House, a six-part hands-on history series, took three modern-day families back in time to live like the 1880s homesteading pioneers in Montana. The families headed west in May 2001 and resided there until October, with just the tools of the period at their disposal. Throughout their historic adventure, the families’ trials, triumphs, simple pleasures, and daily rigors were revealed. (via PBS) You can watch it on YouTube – here’s a link. Pioneer Quest: A Year on the Prairie Pioneer Quest follows two couples as they assume the lives of early settlers to the West and spend one year living as 1870s pioneers on the Canadian prairie. Using only the resources and tools of the period, they will attempt to build homes, raise livestock, hunt, and grow crops. No running water. No electricity. No modern conveniences. Stream it here on Amazon Prime. SOS: How to Survive “SOS: How to Survive” presents gripping true stories of people who suddenly find themselves in a life and death battle with the elements. Survival expert Creek Stewart and his team show viewers innovative skills that teach us how to make it out alive. (via The Weather Channel) This show is available on YouTube. Townsend’s This is a channel on YouTube about 18th-century living and cooking. Some great skills can be learned from watching the program. Find it here. Cyclone Tracy On Christmas Day 1974, the eye of Cyclone Tracy ripped through Darwin. Over 100 people were killed, 20,000 were left homeless, and 80 percent of the city’s buildings were destroyed. It was the worst natural disaster in Australian history. This miniseries is available from Amazon Prime. Tales from the Green Valley In this BBC documentary series, we get to follow a small group of historians and archeologists as they recreate farm life from the age of the Stuarts. They wear the clothes, eat the food and use the tools, skills, and technology of the 1620s for one year. Find it on YouTube here. Tudor Monastery Farm Historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Peter Ginn and Tom Pinfold turn the clock back 500 years to the early Tudor period to become tenant farmers on monastery land. It’s available on YouTube. Wartime Farm Historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Alex Langlands and Peter Ginn face up to the challenges of the biggest revolution ever seen in the history of the British countryside as they turn Manor Farm back to how it was run in the Second World War. When Britain entered the war, two-thirds of all Britain’s food was imported – and now it was under threat from a Nazi blockade. To save Britain from starvation, the nation’s farmers were tasked with doubling food production in what Churchill called ‘the frontline of freedom’. Find it on YouTube. Victorian Farm Victorian Farm is a British historical documentary TV series in six parts first shown on BBC Two… The series recreates everyday life on a farm in Shropshire in the mid-19th century, using authentic replica equipment and clothing, original recipes, and reconstructed building techniques. This program is on YouTube. Mountain Men Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live your life off the grid? Have you wished you could shed the complications of modern society and live in the wilderness, using only the things nature has provided? Meet Eustace Conway, Tom Oar, and Marty Meierotto, three men who have devoted their lives to survival in its simplest form. But how simple is it really? This show is available from Amazon video and on the History Channel. Naked and Afraid For 21 days, one man and one woman – meeting for the first time in the nude – are paired and tasked to survive in some of the world’s most extreme environments… with no food, water or clothes. They will need to surmount physical challenges to create shelter, forage for food and find water. But as the days wear on and the danger ramps up – the mental challenge can become unbearable… Will any of them be strong enough, physically and mentally, to last 21 days NAKED AND AFRAID? Some episodes are available for free on the Discovery Channel and you can find the whole series on Amazon. Homestead Rescue Expert homesteader, Marty Raney, along with his daughter Misty and son Matt, give struggling families a second chance at surviving off-the-grid. The stakes are high, but the Raney family is determined to prepare these families for nature’s worst and set them up for success. You can stream this from the Discovery Channel. Alone There are 11 seasons of this competitive and entertaining show. The latest is set in the unforgiving Arctic Circle. Stream this from the History Channel. Forged in Fire Swords may not be the weapon of choice for many people nowadays, with more advanced weaponry readily available, but that doesn’t stop some from continuing to work as bladesmiths. “Forged in Fire” tests some of the best in the field as they attempt to re-create some of history’s most iconic edged weapons. You can stream this from the History Channel. Life Below Zero Life Below Zero is a documentary television series that illustrates the daily and seasonal activities of subsistence hunters as they make their living in remote areas of Alaska. Produced by BBC Worldwide, the show airs on the National Geographic Channel. You can stream some episodes on the National Geographic Channel. The Last Alaskans Back to the beautiful state of Alaska for another reality-documentary series, this one set in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a protected area home to thousands of native animals… and a handful of people. In 1980, the U.S. government banned human occupation in the refuge, and only residents in seven permitted cabins are allowed to remain. The series depicts the daily rituals of four families living in isolation and contending with bitter weather, frustrating setbacks, and aggressive wildlife in an unspoiled and unforgiving wilderness.  This show is available to stream on the Discovery Channel site. The Colony The Colony is an experiment that simulates a post-apocalyptic world in which ten volunteers (colonists) are tasked with surviving and rebuilding everything from scratch, using only raw ingenuity and supplies they scavenge from their environment. This show is available on Amazon. The Wheel The Wheel dares six participants to survive in six distinctly grueling landscapes across South America. With every turn of the wheel, each survivalist is dropped into a new isolated location, exposed to the world’s deadliest terrains, including freezing tundra, rugged mountains, and treacherous rainforest. Participants don’t know when or why the wheel will turn – nor that their stint at each spot is determined by the rotation of the moon. Equipped only with light survival packs and SOS devices that can be used at any time to quit the challenge and call for help, they must fend for their lives by procuring food, water, and shelter. And when the wheel turns again, they will be thrust into a new location, forced to use a completely different set of skills to survive. Stream from the Discovery Channel. What are your favorites? Do you enjoy documentaries and survival reality shows? Have you watched any of the ones here? Share your favorites in the comments section below. The post Reality TV: Survival Style appeared first on The Organic Prepper.