Monthly Friends Report: Bright and colorful cupcakes.

In this issue: Is Food Addiction Real? Studies find neurobiological and behavioral similarities between substance use and overeating.

Every month, I scan the CU Anschutz and UCHealth newsrooms for the stories our readers have told me they care about most.

In this issue...

5280 Magazine's Top Docs 2025: Features 600+ CU physicians.
Air Cleaners: Why some devices may do more harm than good.
Vaccine Confusion: What’s changed and who’s eligible this fall?
Preventing Falls: Small changes that make a big difference.
Food Addiction: What weight-loss drugs are revealing.
GLP-1 & Thyroid Cancer: Breaking down the FDA warning.
Chronic Pelvic Pain: A smarter, biology-based approach to treatment.

Also this month...

🧠 Sept 24: Free event on brain, hearing health & aging well.
🧬Research: CBD for mild cognitive impairment & Alzheimer’s risk.
🥣 Recipe: Thai Summer Squash Curry.

Yours in health and discovery,

Julia Patrick

CU Anschutz Advancement Team

P.S. Do you find this newsletter helpful? Our objective is to update you on the latest discoveries happening at CU Anschutz thanks to the power of philanthropy. If you want to make sure we continue to land in your inbox once a month, please subscribe and tell us what topics we should include in future issues.

ASK A SCIENTIST:

How do mRNA vaccines work?

This month, Marty Lenz of Colorado's Morning News asks Aimee Bernard, PhD, about mRNA vaccines.

Take a listen to hear Dr. Bernard explain how mRNA technology works and how NIH funding cuts impact the promise that this research holds, not only for vaccine development, but also for diseases like pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis.

Ask a Scientist moving image sneak peek with play button

▶ LISTEN

(Radio interview begins at the 1:30 minute mark.)

If you'd like a better understanding of something you've read or heard about related to medicine and health in general, please email your question(s) to [email protected] (or just reply to this email).

HEALTH + WELLNESS ADVICE FROM OUR EXPERTS

Over six hundred University of Colorado physicians recognized in 5280 Magazine's 2025 Top Doctors list. The annual list offers patients a trusted guide to top-tier care.

Most air cleaning devices have not been tested and little is known about their potential harms. Some portable air cleaners generate chemicals such as ozone, formaldehyde and hydroxyl radicals to kill microbes.

With several advisory panels disbanded and conflicting vaccine guidance emerging, CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has outlined current recommendations and eligibility criteria, providing a clear summary of the changes affecting COVID-19 vaccine access and distribution this fall.

A compound that makes up a tiny portion of the kratom leaf has generated concern in recent years, as herbal products derived from the leaf but synthesized in labs to market more potent versions have contributed to calls to poison centers and high profile deaths.

Do noise-cancelling headphones help or hurt hearing? An audiologist breaks down how the popular headphones work and how they can affect ear health.

When dementia begins, early medical evaluation and trusting your instincts are key. Resources like the Dementia Roadmap can guide families through tough decisions and help build a strong support network for the journey ahead.

More than 20 million people in the United States are living with thyroid issues, and an estimated 12% of Americans will develop a thyroid condition in their lifetime. Up to 60% of those affected, however, may not even realize they have a thyroid disorder. Feeling out of whack? It could be your thyroid.

Kyle Concannon, MD, grew up in a rural family with limited health care literacy — an experience that drives his mission to make cancer care more understandable and humane. In his video podcast, Cracking Cancer, he and survivor co-hosts break down lung cancer science and treatment in plain language, challenging the divide between patients and providers.

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospital visits for older adults — and most are preventable. Learn how small changes in your home, habits and health routines can dramatically reduce your risk.

LATEST DISCOVERIES + BREAKTHROUGHS

Is food addiction real? Weight-loss drugs are sparking widespread debate while simultaneously opening new avenues of research for scientists exploring the complex relationship between food and the brain.

Does using GLP-1 drugs, like Zepbound or Wegovy, increase your risk of thyroid cancer? CU Cancer Center member Bryan Haugen, MD, breaks down the science behind the FDA warning on the popular weight-loss medications.

Spondyloarthritis is a type of arthritis that causes chronic pain and stiffness, especially in the lower back and hips. A current study is building a registry of those at risk for the disease in hopes of understanding its origins, heading off its damaging effects and learning new ways to treat it.

The Gates Institute has provided CAR T-cell therapy to the 50th patient enrolled in an investigator-led clinical trial. These are patients who might not have had access to other treatments after failing chemotherapy or bone marrow transplants.

Researchers have found the first direct evidence that common respiratory infections, including COVID-19 and influenza, can awaken dormant breast cancer cells that have spread to the lungs, setting the stage for new metastatic tumors.

Researcher Dr. Alison Xie is exploring a smarter way to treat chronic pelvic pain. Instead of relying on broad painkillers, her team is studying how nerve and immune cells interact, aiming to calm pain at its source. The research could lead to personalized treatments tailored by sex and biology, offering relief without numbing the whole body.

The so-called “frankenbody” could unlock new insights into diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It's a new imaging tool developed at CU Anschutz and is helping scientists watch proteins move and interact inside living cells in real time.

Philanthropic Spotlight

Joanna Sakata’s $1 Million Gift Sows Support for Rural Health Training

Newly graduating students in traditional commencement attire hold up a banner that reads, "University of Colorado School of Medicine Rural Track."

Joanna Sakata, a lifelong advocate for rural communities and matriarch of Sakata Farms, has donated $1 million to establish the Joanna Sakata Family Rural Health Endowment at CU Anschutz.

Her gift will fuel housing support and strategic growth for the Rural Program in Family Medicine, ensuring future clinicians are equipped to serve where care is needed most.

STORIES OF CHANGE

SEPTEMBER 24
Brain and Hearing Health: A Modern Approach to Aging Well
Noticing changes in memory, focus or energy? Wondering what those small shifts might mean? Learn how to stay sharp, social and independent.

LEARN MORE

RESEARCH STUDY
CBD for Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment and at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
Seeking individuals aged 55-85 to learn if different types of CBD can reduce symptoms effecting sleep, memory, anxiety and inflammation.

MORE DETAILS

YOU MAY HAVE MISSED...
Aging with Vitality Webinar: Advances in Wellness and Longevity
Our top experts discuss muscle and bone preservation for seniors, periodontal hygiene’s link to brain health and new Alzheimer's treatment discoveries.

WATCH NOW

A black cast iron pot holds a freshly made batch of bright yellow curry, with a wooden spoon ready for serving.

Recipe: Thai Summer Squash Curry

Rich in fiber and protein, this dish is a great source of vitamin C and potassium, supporting immunity and hydration.

GET THE RECIPE

Brain Teaser

How can "L" be greater in size than "XL"?

Riddles test logic, lateral thinking as well as memory, engaging the brain to see patterns and connections between different things and circumstances.

See the answer >>

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[email protected]
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