Science moving quickly toward needed solutions
Headlines give us hope toward healthier future
Science sometimes feels like it moves faster than the speed of light. Blink — and you might just miss a great story.
In fact, check out these headlines from last week alone:
“HPV vaccine benefits ‘exceed expectations,’ may lead to elimination of cervical cancer” — NBC News reports that the more people who receive the vaccination, the better, because everyone benefits from herd immunity, as there are fewer HPV hosts. Eventually, it is possible that cervical cancer could be eliminated. Imagine a world where a vaccine eliminates a form of cancer? That would be an amazing scientific achievement!
“Morning people may have a lower risk of breast cancer, says study” — CNN reports that people who prefer to get out of bed early were found to have a lower risk of breast cancer than those who stay up late. Experts note that other factors such as alcohol consumption and being overweight have more impact than sleep, but still, sleep is an interesting angle. And when it comes to cancer, exploring every angle for answers is crucial.
“Prostate cancer: New urine test hope” — The BBC said an experimental urine test is showing promise at indicating whether a man with early prostate cancer needs aggressive treatment, or if the cancer can be left untreated but monitored. The report notes that currently, such a test is lacking — but it could eliminate “unnecessary worry, investigations and treatment.” Any test that reduces the need for treatment and gives peace of mind is important, so hopefully, this test’s promise pans out.
“Coffee could help you burn fat, new study finds” — This is a study that should make coffee lovers rejoice! CBS News reports “Coffee can stimulate ‘brown fat’ — the fat in your body that keeps you warm by burning calories.” Researchers note that exercise and good sleep also stimulate brown fat, and that up to three cups of coffee a day could have a health benefit. But stop the caffeine by 1 or 2 p.m.
These headlines are just four over a two-day period that show just how hard scientists and researchers work. Sometimes, the news isn’t good, such as common drugs being linked to an increased dementia risk — also a headline last week.
But ultimately, scientists are working hard to improve our lives. Headlines such as the ones above give us hope — and ultimately, that is what we often need most in our day.