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Ancient ‘pharaoh's curse' could be used to fight cancer: ‘It's up to us to uncover its secrets'

Ancient ‘pharaoh's curse' could be used to fight cancer: ‘It's up to us to uncover its secrets'

New York Post24-06-2025
From curses to cures — an ancient hex might just be modern science's secret to battling leukemia.
In the 1920s, archaeologists blamed a string of bizarre deaths following the excavation of King Tutankhamun's tomb in Egypt on the 'pharaoh's curse.'
3 British archaeologist Howard Carter and his patron, Lord Carnarvon, made history by entering the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in 1922.
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Decades later, in the 1970s, it happened again when a group of scientists entered the tomb of Casimir IV in Poland.
Out of a team of 12, 10 died within weeks.
They didn't know it then, but the tomb contained Aspergillus flavus, a fungus that can cause lung infections.
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Now, University of Pennsylvania researchers have modified this microbial villain and tapped into its potential as a biomedical hero.
Their new study — published this week in the journal Nature Chemical Biology — revealed that Aspergillus flavus could transform into a cancer-fighting agent that rivals traditional medicines approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Their work highlights the ability to rebrand a historically toxic substance into a groundbreaking drug.
3 Carter examines King Tut's sarcophagus.
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'Fungi gave us penicillin,' Sherry Gao, an associate professor in chemical and biomolecular engineering and bioengineering, said in a statement, referring to the world's first successful antibiotic.
'These results show that many more medicines derived from natural products remain to be found,' she added.
First study author Qiuyue Nie called it an 'unexplored region with tremendous potential.'
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Gao's group isolated and purified four RiPPs from Aspergillus flavus, with these molecules showing killer results against leukemia cells.
But there are obstacles to greater success.
'Purifying these chemicals is difficult,' Nie said.
And while scientists have identified thousands of RiPPs in bacteria, far fewer have been found in fungi.
This might be in part because researchers used to confuse them with a different class of molecules and didn't fully understand how fungi produced them.
'The synthesis of these compounds is complicated,' Nie noted.
3 Mummy in the UK is shown before it goes on display in a centenary exhibition commemorating the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb 100 years ago on Nov. 2, 2022.
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'But that's also what gives them this remarkable bioactivity,' she continued.
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The new research confirms that much of our environment and nature are not yet fully understood — and this exploration could benefit contemporary medicine.
'Nature has given us this incredible pharmacy,' Gao said.
'It's up to us to uncover its secrets.'
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WNBA All-Star Game 2025: Caitlin Clark Opens Up About Injury Recovery, Her Mental-Health Musts, and the One Health Stat Every Woman Should Know
WNBA All-Star Game 2025: Caitlin Clark Opens Up About Injury Recovery, Her Mental-Health Musts, and the One Health Stat Every Woman Should Know

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WNBA All-Star Game 2025: Caitlin Clark Opens Up About Injury Recovery, Her Mental-Health Musts, and the One Health Stat Every Woman Should Know

Getty Images As a pro athlete, Caitlin Clark has access to some of the most innovative wellness treatments—red-light therapy, dry needling, hyperbaric oxygen chambers—which she's currently using as she recovers from the groin injury that kept her from competing in Friday's 3-point contest and Saturday's All-Star Game during the WNBA All-Star Weekend. But her favorite tactics for staying mentally and physically on-point are the most basic—and the most accessible. 'I've obviously done everything under the sun, but [for me] there's no better rest and recovery than just straight up sleeping,' she told Glamour Global Editorial Director Samantha Barry in Indianapolis on Saturday. When she's not sleeping, Caitlin said one of her favorite ways to de-stress and decompress is by rewatching Disney movies. 'The other day I watched The Parent Trap, which literally never gets old, even though I know every single word in it,' she said. Things she doesn't do: Pump herself up pre-game using intense music (she prefers silence or calming songs) or lose herself in Love Island. ('I watched the first episode but couldn't get into it. Maybe it was too cringe for me? And it takes a lot of time—there's a new episode like every single day! I just couldn't do it.') These were just a few of the personal insights Clark shared during an All-Star Weekend event Glamour co-hosted with Eli Lilly and Company, the Indiana-based company that sponsors Clark's WNBA team, the Indiana Fever. (Clark is also a Lilly ambassador.) A celebration of women's sports, health, and community, the event centered around one key statistic from the American Cancer Society: There's a five-year relative survival rate of up to 99 percent when breast cancer is detected early and hasn't spread beyond the breast. Lilly memorably broadcast this stat at the first Women's College All-Star Combine during the NCAA women's Final Four tournament in April, where it outfitted all 30 WNBA draft prospects in matching 99 jerseys. They also partnered with Black Health Matters and Meridan Mobile Mammography to bring mobile mammogram units to All-Star Weekend. 'I encourage you to spread the news around 99,' Lina Polimeni, Lilly's chief corporate brand officer, told the crowd at Artsgarden. 'Make sure as many people as possible get to know that number and the importance of early screening.') 'Hosting this event during WNBA All-Star Weekend was about more than celebration—it was a statement,' Barry said. 'Athletes like Caitlin Clark are redefining what strength, focus, and resilience look like.' Clark opened up about how she prioritizes both her physical and mental health while navigating a high-pressure profession in the public eye. 'Obviously I love playing basketball, but it can be stressful having so many eyes on you all the time, and during the season, you're just going game to game to game,' she said. That's why she makes sure to enjoy some restorative downtime with her teammates during their travels, even if that's just going on an evening walk or finding a restaurant to try. Her other favorite way to unwind when she has time: playing golf, which she's eager to get back to post-injuries. 'This is the first time I haven't felt like a young body that can run around and sprint every day and just continue to do that,' she said. 'Being a professional athlete, you really have to take care of both your body and your mind—it's been a journey learning about that.' That's included regularly opening up to a professional about how she's feeling. 'We have a sports psychologist on our staff who I sometimes meet with multiple times a week, to not only talk about basketball but other things in life, and that's something that's been important to me over the course of my career,' she says. 'I don't just talk about things that stress me out but also the joys in my life, and that's always a good reminder and reset for me.' She's also grown to understand the importance of turning to family, friends, her coach, and her teammates for support. 'When you have an athlete or role model you look up to, it's easy to see them as always happy and living a glamorous life, but it's not always like that,' she said. 'We go through difficult things too, and being able to lean on people and tell them your frustrations or that you're not OK is really important.' Another mental-health outlet: Clark has a longtime pre-game ritual of journaling. 'It makes me really intentional about what I want to accomplish and is a good reset if I'm feeling nervous or anxious about the game, to kind of wipe that away,' she said. Saturday's event—which featured healthy snacks, a skills-and-drills session with a professional coach, Pop-A-Shot, and custom '99' T-shirt-making—also included a fireside chat between two other big names in sports whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer: ESPN SportsCenter anchor and breast-cancer survivor Hannah Storm and Juju Watkins, University of Southern California guard, who lost her grandmother to breast cancer in 2019. 'It's so important for women to take the time to put themselves and their health first,' Watkins said. She recalled a time when a girl came to one of her games with a poster with two check boxes on it: beat cancer, and meet Juju. 'She saw me as an inspiration in some way, but I was like, 'You're literally a superhero standing in front of me.' This topic is so personal to me because of my story with my grandmother. It's so important to spread the word and the message that even though you can't necessarily prevent cancer, you can get ahead of it.' Storm added some of her own perspective as a recent cancer survivor. 'If you find your cancer early—which happened to me last year—you can have up to a 99 percent survival rate. That's why it's really, really important to do that testing,' she said. Attendees included NBA players Tyus Jones and Tre Jones; Caitlin's Fever teammate Lexie Hull; UCONN Huskies forward Sarah Strong; former WNBA stars like ESPN host/analyst Chiney Ogwumike, podcaster/analyst Renee Montgomery; comedians Leslie Jones and Cedric the Entertainer, and TV stars like The Home Edit's Joanna Teplin and Clea Shearer, a breast-cancer survivor, and Bethenny Frankel of Real Housewives of New York City. 'We always need to be reminded as women that [breast cancer] can happen to anyone at any age,' she said in her Instagram Story from the event. 'I love that Glamour is here with Lilly raising awareness about early breast cancer screening.' The main takeaway from an event filled with unique personalities and perspectives: For women, who often are so busy taking care of others, it's crucial to prioritize health, whether that's doing regular breast-cancer self-checks and mammograms or just taking time out to reduce stress and find joy. 'Our conversation in Indianapolis wasn't just about basketball; it was about the routines, the mental grit, and the wellness practices that fuel greatness, and the importance of rest and recovery,' Barry said. 'Caitlin embodies that power, and we're proud to spotlight voices like hers that continue to inspire on and off the court. Thanks to Lilly for partnering with Glamour to use that spotlight and stage for impactful conversations—including early breast cancer detection.' Originally Appeared on Glamour

Endometriosis affects one in 10 women. These are the signs to look for
Endometriosis affects one in 10 women. These are the signs to look for

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Endometriosis affects one in 10 women. These are the signs to look for

British singer and songwriter Ella Henderson has revealed that she was officially diagnosed with endometriosis in January. Endometriosis affects one in 10 women and those assigned female at birth in the UK, according to Endometriosis UK; however, it remains a widely misunderstood condition. In a video posted on Instagram, the 29-year-old singer said: 'The last few years have been a little bit of a roller coaster to say the least behind the scenes. I have really, really been struggling not only with stomach bloating and physical pain, but also with my mental health on the basis that I thought at one point that this was just all in my head and I wasn't really believed.' Henderson said that although it had been 'devastating news', it 'has been the most validating and empowering feeling because I can finally take control of my own body'. 'I feel very, very fortunate that I was able to have a laparoscopy earlier this year to find out what I do have. Speaking to other women who have endometriosis and learning about it and understanding it more, and about how to live with it, has been so so crucial to me feeling like I am not alone.' Emma Cox, CEO for Endometriosis UK, said she applauds Ella for 'sharing her experience of endometriosis in such an open and frank way, highlighting the significant and detrimental impact the condition can have on all aspects of someone's life'. 'Ella's willingness to share her story will no doubt help others in their diagnosis journey; helping them access the care they need.' Experts at London Gynaecology have shared exactly what endometriosis is and what some of the common symptoms to look out for are. What is endometriosis? 'Endometriosis is an oestrogen-driven, chronic inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus, leading to various symptoms, including painful periods,' explains Mr Hemant Vakharia, consultant gynaecologist, specialising in endometriosis and advanced minimal access surgery at London Gynaecology. Endometriosis is often categorised into four main types – which refer to the location, amount and depth of endometrial lesions – and it's possible to have more than one type, according to Endometriosis UK. Here are some explanations of the different types, which are listed on Endometriosis UK's website: Peritoneal (superficial) endometriosis – is found mainly on the pelvic peritoneum – a thin film that lines the inner surface of the pelvis and surrounds the pelvic organs. Ovarian endometriosis (endometrioma) – is when endometriosis cysts are found in the ovaries. Deep endometriosis – is found in locations such as the bladder, bowel and recto-vaginal septum (tissue separating the vagina and the rectum). The lesions of endometriosis are at a deeper level than peritoneal (superficial) endometriosis. Extra-pelvic endometriosis – is when endometriosis is found outside of the pelvis, such as the thorax (chest) and caesarean scars. What are the common symptoms, and how do they differ from typical menstrual cramps? 'Painful periods, known as dysmenorrhoea, is a common sign of endometriosis,' highlights Vakharia. 'Endometriotic cells are stimulated by hormones in your natural cycle which causes inflammation and pain.' Another typical sign is dyspareunia, the medical term for painful intercourse. 'The inflammation can lead to structures in the pelvis sticking together and also lead to thickening of tissues developing,' says Vakharia. 'As a result of the inflammation and thickening, patients with endometriosis can have pain with intercourse.' It can also impact your bowels. 'In patients who have endometriotic deposits on the bowel, or in those where the inflammation has caused their bowel to stick to other structures, it can be painful to open their bowels,' notes the endometriosis specialist. 'This can occur with their periods or all the time.' Other issues include chest pain when on your period, difficulty conceiving and ovarian cysts, adds Vakharia. How is endometriosis diagnosed? 'If you suspect you have endometriosis, it is a good idea to speak to your GP in the first instance, who will take a history from you and examine you,' advises Vakharia. 'Often, they will request an ultrasound of the pelvis and discuss the results with you.' However, endometriosis does not always show up on standard imaging, such as ultrasounds or MRIs. 'This is especially true in superficial endometriosis, where the signs can be very subtle or when the disease affects areas not easily visualised,' highlights Vakharia. 'If you have been told your scan is normal but have persistent symptoms, such as chronic pelvic pain, heavy periods, or pain during sex, it's essential to advocate for yourself and seek a specialist for further evaluation.' When should women seek medical help? 'It can be difficult to differentiate between 'normal' periods and 'heavy or painful' periods, as there is often no objective way of comparing,' says Mr Narendra Pisal, consultant gynaecologist at London Gynaecology. 'A lot of women just put up with that 'time of the month' and are told to get on with it. 'However, if you have to put your life on hold for those few days or if your sex life is affected by pain during sex, it is time to take note and ask for some tests.' Pisal acknowledges that it can be challenging for a GP to identify the root cause during a 10-minute appointment, so she suggests keeping a diary to track when your symptoms occur and how intense the pain is. 'Have a diary of your menstrual cycle with particular emphasis on heaviness, pain and any other symptoms with a system for indicating severity,' suggests Pisal. 'Also note down if you have to take painkillers and how many. If the symptoms are affecting your life and you have to take time off work, that is also a significant factor. ' What treatment options are available for endometriosis? 'Patients can be treated with the combined pill, progesterone-only pill, progesterone intrauterine device or surgery,' says Vakharia. 'Sometimes, we also use medications that induce a temporary menopause by blocking hormonal signals to the ovary which reduces stimulation of the endometriotic tissue. This option is often used before surgery for severe disease. 'A laparoscopy will allow diagnosis and excision of disease which can improve symptoms. In patients with severe disease, they may need a two-stage procedure.'

COVID-19 Made Our Brains Age Faster
COVID-19 Made Our Brains Age Faster

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COVID-19 Made Our Brains Age Faster

Credit - Yuichiro Chino—Getty Images COVID-19 is leaving all kinds of legacies on our health, both on our bodies and our brains. In a study published July 22 in Nature Communications, researchers report that living through the pandemic aged our brains—whether or not you were infected with COVID-19. To investigate COVID-19's impact on the brain, researchers looked at brain scans from 1,000 people during and before the pandemic. They compared these to brain scans from other people taken during "normal" times as a model for typical brain aging. Led by Ali-Reza Mohammadi-Nejad from the University of Nottingham School of Medicine in the U.K., the researchers looked at measures like brain function, gray and white matter volume, a person's cognitive skills, and their chronological age. Gray matter is critical for memory, emotions, and movement, while white matter is essential for helping nerves transmit electrical signals. The pandemic-era brains aged about 5.5 months faster compared to the brains of those studied before the pandemic. The accelerated aging was documented in people who had COVID-19 infections as well as those who didn't, which strongly suggests that pandemic-related factors other than biological or virus-driven ones—like high stress—were also at work. In fact, the changes in gray and white matter were similar in people who were and were not infected. 'This finding was interesting and rather unexpected,' says Mohammadi-Nejad. Other studies have already shown that the COVID-19 virus can change the brain for the worse, but "we found that participants who simply lived through the pandemic period, regardless of infection, also showed signs of slightly accelerated brain aging. This highlights that the broader experience of the pandemic—including disruptions to daily life, stress, reduced social interactions, reduced activity, etc.,—may have had a measurable impact on brain health.' Read More: What to Know About the New COVID-19 Variant XFG The impact of the pandemic seemed to be greater in certain groups—notably men, the elderly, and people with more compromised health, lower educational status and income, or unstable housing. People with less stable employment had an average of five months of additional brain aging compared to those with higher employment status, while poorer health added about four months of increased brain age compared to better health. However, only people infected with COVID-19 showed drops in cognitive skills. But the fact that those who weren't infected during the pandemic also showed accelerated aging reflects the need to acknowledge the broader health effects of the pandemic beyond the obvious physical metrics on which doctors tend to focus. 'Brain health can be influenced by everyday life activities, and major societal disruptions—like those experienced during the pandemic—can leave a mark even in healthy individuals,' Mohammadi-Nejad says. 'This adds to our understanding of public health by reinforcing the importance of considering mental, cognitive, and social well-being alongside traditional physical health indicators during future crisis-response planning.' While the study did not explore specific ways to address brain aging, he says that strategies known to maintain brain health, such as a healthy diet, exercise, adequate sleep, and social and cognitive interactions are important, especially in the context of stressful circumstances such as a pandemic. 'Whether these can reverse the specific changes we observed remains to be studied,' he says. Contact us at letters@

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