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An anti-aging pill for dogs, a surprising benefit of tinted sunscreen, and a viral quinceañera
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Today’s episode dives into the anti-aging pill aiming to extend dogs’ lifespans. Plus, a commonly prescribed med that could help combat one of the deadliest forms of breast cancer, the 20th annual Homeless World Cup in Norway, a one-eyed goose who brought a Louisiana neighborhood together, and a surprising benefit of tinted sunscreen. This episode was hosted and produced by Case Kenny. Research and writing by Natalie Stone, Ally Mauch, Rebekah Brandes, and Stephanie Friedman. Music by Ryan Peitzke. For more good news, tune in to Nice News Today on Mondays and Fridays and subscribe to the daily Nice News newsletter at NiceNews.com. The episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. Nice News listeners get 40% off at cozyearth.com with code NICENEWS at checkout.
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Good morning. Welcome to Nice news today, your 10 minute roundup of the week's most positive News. It is August 29th and today I'm diving into the anti aging pill currently being tested to extend dogs lifespans. Plus I'll fill you in on a commonly prescribed medication that could help combat one of the deadliest forms of breast cancer, the 20th annual Homeless World cup in Norway, a one eyed goose who brought a Louisiana neighborhood together, and a surprising benefit of tinted sun sunscreen. I'm your host, Case Kenney. Let's uncover some good together. Dogs are the best, right? They comfort us, bring us joy and some heroic pups even save lives. But when it comes to their lives, we're often left wishing we could have a little bit more time with our best friends. A California biotech startup called Loyal is working to make that wish come true by developing an anti aging pill for dogs. The pill, which is beef flavored of course, is for dogs aged 10 years or older that weigh 14 pounds or more. It works by mitigating the metabolic dysfunction and diseases that are associated with aging. And the company says it could add at least one healthy year to a dog's life. Loyal has already received preliminary acceptance from the FDA to continue developing the drug and they're currently running a double blind clinical trial involving 130016 senior pups across the country. One of these pups is Cheddar, an 11 year old rescue in Santa Clara, California. His owner, Courtney Farrow, noticed he was slowing down on walks and had trouble getting into the car. So when she heard about an experimental pill that could extend his life, she jumped at the chance to join the trial, CBS News reports. She said, quote, I don't have kids. I have my dogs. I know a lot of us who can relate to that. It's still a few years from going to market, but aside from extending dogs lifespans, Loyal's research may have some promising implications for humans too. The co director of the project told the Guardian, quote, if we're successful with dogs, it could be a turning point in informing us how to give human populations extra healthy lifespans too. Moving on to the world of human medicine now, research has identified a potential power player in the fight against one of the deadliest forms of breast cancer. And if you happen to have high blood pressure or performance anxiety, you might already have it in your medicine cabinet. Researchers from Australia's Monash University found that beta blockers are associated with longer relapse free survival for patients with triple negative breast cancer, a particularly aggressive form of the disease with limited treatment options. Beta blockers are often prescribed to treat heart and circulatory conditions and can also be used off label to manage the fight or flight symptoms that some people experience during things like public speaking. They work by blocking the effects of stress hormones in the body. In the case of triple negative breast cancer, stress hormones can activate a certain receptor that then speeds up the disease's spread. By using the gene editing technology CRISPR to modify a specific gene that fuels that process, the researchers were able to identify which patients would benefit from beta blocker therapy. Essentially, the medication could, quote, turn off tumor progression for people with this gene. Further research is needed, but the study's lead author said the discovery could pave the way to improving survival outcomes for people with triple negative breast cancer. We're in the midst of a few different sports seasons. Baseball's been underway for months. The U.S. open wraps up on Sunday, the WNBA is nearing the playoffs, the NFL's opening game is next Thursday and this week In Norway, the 20th annual Homeless World Cup Kick Off. The soccer tournament aims to build community and help end homelessness. UPI reports more than 500 players from 48 countries have come together in Oslo for the event, which runs through tomorrow. All the participants have experienced either homelessness or social exclusion and have taken part in local street soccer clubs in their home countries. The tournament offers the athletes a sense of purpose and belonging and according to its leadership, 94% of players have reported a positive effect on their lives, 83% reported improved relationships with their family and friends, and 76% said they kept up with playing soccer after the event ended. Co founder Mel Young said the cup is, quote, much more than a game. It's like the firefly effect. One light alone is just a spark, but many together will create a bright light. I love that and I think I'll be using that analogy myself going forward. And now a quick break to learn about today's sponsor, Cozy Earth. Everyone has a happy place in their home. For me, it's my bed. There's nothing better than collapsing into bed at the end of a long day. And Cozy Earth sheets are the ultimate way to make your bed as comfortable as possible. They're made from viscose from bamboo and naturally wick heat and moisture away from your body, helping you sleep several degrees cooler. As someone experiencing summer in the south, that's been a game changer for me. If you want to try them out for your yourself, the purchase is risk free. Cozy earth offers a 100 night sleep trial and a 10 year warranty. Head to cozyearth.com use the code nice news to get 40% off. And if you get a Post purchase survey, make sure to let them know you heard about Cozy Earth from Nice News today. Your bed should be more than a place to sleep, it should be your happy place. And Cozy Earth makes that possible. Next up, we have a heartwarming tale that sort of sounds like the plot of a children's book. In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a flightless one eyed goose named Billy helped turn a regular neighborhood into a tight knit family. CBS News had the story reporting that about seven years ago, Billy showed up one day without explanation and never left. He spent his time getting to know his neighbors by waddling around to different houses for food and aff. One resident said, quote, billy was like another little person. He tried to talk. He would like beep at you and you'd be back. Billy also served as a caretaker for other critters in the area, specifically three ducks named Effie, Ellie and Emmy. And after a while, he was trusted to interact with neighborhood kids on his own, earning him the nickname Mother Goose. Billy sadly died last month, but his death prompted the community to reflect on what an incredible impact he made on them. They even installed a permanent memorial in his honor. One neighbor shared that he was a bright light for the community, adding that seeing the connection everyone had with the goose was uplifting and quote, really showed me a lot about how much he's touched so many lives. Rest easy, Billy. These days there are plenty of different sunscreen options. Creams, lotions, sprays, sticks, you name it. But if you're concerned about hyperpigmentation, there is another important consideration Is your sun protection. Tinted Unlike regular sunscreens that only block UV rays, tinted formulas also block visible light, an often overlooked factor that can cause dark spots or patches. Per npr. Hyperpigmentation and melasma, a skin condition characterized by brown or blue gray patches, are particularly common in those with darker skin tones. And while they don't pose dangers to physical health, they can certainly affect self esteem and quality of life. And yet, a 2024 survey of US dermatologists found that while over 90% of providers reported talking to patients about visible light protection, only about 10% offered evidence based recommendations. This could shift soon with more research emphasizing the benefits of tinted sunscreens and more brands expanding the range of skin tones they serve. We're at the point in the episode where we usually highlight an inspiring human, but today we're actually highlighting a whole of inspiring humans. It all started when the soft spoken daughter of local garbage collectors in a small Mexican town had a disappointing turnout on what was supposed to be one of the most memorable days of her life, her quinceanera. In Latin American cultures, when a girl turns 15, she celebrates with a big blowout party called a quinceanera. Isela Anahi Santiago Morales's family saved up to host a small party, and when some of the invited guests didn't show up, her family was left not only with the sting of rejection rejection, but also a ton of untouched food and drinks. Not wanting it to go to waste, her dad posted on Facebook that they had enough food left for 40 people, and the post went viral. First, a local photographer offered to do a photo shoot for Azela, and then a DJ reached out, pledging to provide music for a second attempt at the party. Soon, donations from local businesses and private citizens were pouring in, according to the Associated Press, and eventually the municipal government offered to host the event at the city's stadium. In total, 2,000 people turned up to celebrate Isela, who asked guests to donate toys for kids rather than give her gifts. But despite her request, she got two pretty incredible presents. On stage at the party, decked out in a pink ball gown and tiara, she opened a package and burst into tears at what was inside. She was given a small plot of land in her hometown and a scholarship to help her fulfill her dream of one day being a teacher. Talk about a happy ending. And that's it for today's episode. If you loved these stories, please consider giving us a follow on Apple, Spotify and YouTube Music and sharing this episode with a friend. If you want more good news, visit nicenews.com to sign up for our free daily newsletter. Until next time, keep spreading your light and remember, there's more than enough good out there to go around. Have a great day.