Good morning🌞 

Only 7 days until Christmas! As we approach the holidays, here’s a quick update with insights and important info to keep you on track as the year winds down!

Health Sciences

Century Old Treatment

Researchers at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia have introduced a pioneering therapy that significantly shrinks ovarian tumors, even in chemotherapy-resistant cases, according to preclinical lab models. This innovative approach combines beta-glucan, a myeloid cell activator, with interferon-gamma (IFNγ) to stimulate a powerful immune response within the peritoneal cavity—a common site for ovarian cancer metastasis. By leveraging the immune system, the therapy offers hope for tackling a cancer known for its resistance to traditional treatments.

Ovarian cancer, the deadliest gynecological malignancy, poses significant challenges due to its tendency to spread through immunosuppressive peritoneal fluid and its natural resistance to chemotherapy. Inspired by 19th-century surgeon William B. Coley, who pioneered cancer immunotherapy using dead pathogens, the research team led by Dr. Nan Zhang adapted this concept. They focused on myeloid cells, abundant in the peritoneal cavity, to overcome the tumor’s defenses. This targeted immune activation approach represents a novel way to combat the aggressive progression of ovarian cancer.

The study, published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine, revealed that the therapy not only reduced tumor size but also enhanced the tumors’ sensitivity to chemotherapy, offering a dual advantage in resistant cases. “This is the first demonstration of inducing an immune reaction to indirectly target ovarian cancer cells in peritoneal fluid,” said Dr. Zhang. Backed by NIH grants, the team is now exploring the role of IL-27 to further refine and amplify the therapeutic potential of this groundbreaking strategy, marking a significant step forward in the fight against ovarian cancer.

Good News

A Recipe for Reunion

In Chicago, a mother and son unknowingly reunited at a bakery before discovering their true connection. Hunter Varmarr, a regular customer at Give Me Some Sugah, admired baker Lenore Lindsey’s work and service. Neither knew they were mother and son. Lindsey had given Varmarr up for adoption as a teen, and he only learned he was adopted at 34. A DNA test eventually linked them, leading to a phone call that revealed the truth. Both were stunned, with Lindsey describing the emotional moment as an instant, unexplainable connection.

After the discovery, Varmarr began working at the bakery to support Lindsey during a health recovery period, despite having no baking experience. Their reunion also introduced Varmarr to a long-lost sister and extended family, creating a network of newfound bonds. Reflecting on the experience, Varmarr said, “You can’t make up for lost time, but you can make the most of what you have now.”

World News

World’s Oldest Saddle

Archaeologists have uncovered a 2,700-year-old saddle—the oldest ever found—buried with a herdswoman in northwest China. Discovered at the Yanghai cemetery near Turpan and dated between 700 and 400 B.C., the saddle was part of the woman’s burial attire, which included animal hides, woolen pants, leather boots, and other riding gear. This discovery redefines earlier assumptions about the origins and use of saddles, suggesting their adoption extended beyond elite warriors to include everyday pastoralists.

The find, led by Patrick Wertmann of the University of Zurich and published in Archaeological Research in Asia, is remarkable because saddles made from organic materials rarely survive due to decay. Previously, the oldest known saddles were attributed to the Pazyryk culture in Kazakhstan and Russia, dating to around the 5th century B.C. Wertmann hypothesizes that the Pazyryk culture may have influenced saddle use in northwest China. However, the Yanghai saddle now holds the title of the oldest example, preserved by the region’s arid climate.

Crafted from hides stuffed with straw, deer hair, and camel hair, the saddle demonstrates early advancements in horse-riding technology. Its design alleviated pressure on the horse’s spine, reflecting a practical focus on both rider comfort and animal welfare. Unlike the opulent saddles found in Scythian elite burials, this saddle was made from affordable materials and belonged to an ordinary woman, highlighting its widespread utility. The discovery also challenges assumptions that saddles were exclusively used by men for military purposes, instead suggesting that women were equally engaged in the mobility and labor of mounted pastoralist life.

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

Captured memories within its space,
It keeps the past in a perfect place. What could this be?

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:
I arrive with whispers from far and near,
In black and white, I make things clear. What am I?

—A newspaper 📰 Cheri M got this correct first!

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected] or reply to email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.