2 Private Lunar Landers | Cervical Cancer Deaths Plummet, Experts Credit HPV Vaccine · Science Friday summary

Key takeaways

Norway leads the world in electric vehicle adoption, with aims for full transition to electric cars.
Creative naming contests can foster public engagement in scientific projects.
Space missions continue to thrive, pushing the boundaries of lunar exploration.
The FDA's preventive measures impact public health through stricter regulations on harmful food additives.
Dementia predictions call for proactive healthcare measures to address an aging population.
AI's emerging role in medicine offers promising solutions for underserved areas and medical research.
Uncovering ancient tattoos reveals invaluable cultural insights and advancements in imaging technology.
The HPV vaccine is proving to be a game changer in reducing cervical cancer mortality rates.

Summary

Electric Vehicle Surge in Norway

In Norway, an astonishing 90% of new cars sold are electric, with the country aiming for 100% by the year's end. This shift started in 2017 with incentives for electric car buyers, including tax breaks, free parking, and access to bus lanes, while maintaining gas vehicle sales through taxes.

Naming Earth’s Quasi Moons

A creative collaboration between Radio Lab and the International Astronomical Union led to a contest for naming an Earth quasi-moon, which resulted in the name 'Cardia', inspired by the Roman goddess of transitions and doorways.

Space Explorations and Lunar Missions

SpaceX successfully launched a rocket carrying two lunar landers—one from a US company and another from Japan. These landers are set to advance scientific exploration on the moon, focusing on agriculture and advanced technologies for space navigation.

FDA's Ban on Red Dye Number 3

The FDA announced the ban on Red Dye Number 3 in food and beverages effective 2027, after its link to cancer was established. While the ban aligns with practices in several other countries, there are exemptions for certain products.

The Future of Dementia Cases in America

A new study projects that dementia cases in the U.S. could double by 2060, highlighting the impact of an aging population. Increased awareness and management of risk factors could help mitigate this trend.

AI Innovations in Snake Antivenom Design

Groundbreaking research utilizes AI to create proteins that may offer new treatments for snake bites, drastically improving the efficiency and potential storage solutions for antivenoms, paving the way for significant advancements in pharmaceuticals.

Tattoos of Ancient Mummies

Researchers utilized advanced technology to unveil tattoos on ancient Peruvian mummies, showcasing the intricate details of skin art from centuries ago and shedding light on the cultural significance of tattoos in history.

HPV Vaccine and Cervical Cancer Deaths

The discussion with Dr. Ashish Deshmukh revealed a significant 62% drop in cervical cancer deaths among young women, attributed to the widespread introduction of the HPV vaccine, emphasizing its potential to eradicate this type of cancer.

Show notes

The SpaceX rocket carries lunar landers from companies based in Texas and Japan. They could arrive at the moon in the coming months. HPV can cause a variety of cancers, including cervical. New mortality data for women under 25 point to the success of the HPV vaccine.

Rocket Launches With Lunar Landers From 2 Private Companies

On Wednesday, a SpaceX rocket launched carrying payloads from two separate private companies hoping to achieve lunar landings. The pair of landers—one from Japanese company ispace, and one from Texas-based Firefly Aerospace—will take months to reach the moon. Firefly’s lander is scheduled to arrive first, in March, with ispace’s lander planned for a touchdown in late May or early June.

Another SpaceX launch on Thursday, a test flight of the company’s Starship system, had mixed results. The booster returned to earth and was successfully “caught,” but the spacecraft exploded over the Caribbean shortly after launch. That explosion is under investigation.

Jason Dinh, climate editor at Atmos in Washington, D.C., joins Ira to talk about the Wednesday launch and plans for private lunar exploration. They also discuss other stories from the week in science, including the ban of Red Dye #3 an AI approach to snake antivenom, and a study predicting a rise in US dementia cases by 2060.

As Cervical Cancer Deaths Plummet, Experts Credit HPV Vaccine

In 2006, a vaccine for the human papillomavirus (HPV) became widely available to adolescents. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, and it can cause cancers of the mouth, throat, and sexual organs. It’s also the cause of nearly every case of cervical cancer.

Now, almost 20 years after the HPV vaccine was introduced, a study published in JAMA noted a 62% drop in deaths due to cervical cancer in women under 25 in the US: from 50 or 60 deaths per year to 13. This follows earlier research that noted a decrease in cervical precancer and cancer since the introduction of the vaccine.

With HPV vaccine uptake at about 60% for adolescents aged 13-15, a higher uptake could virtually eliminate cervical cancer, experts say. However, childhood vaccination rates have dwindled since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, sparking concerns about the spread of preventable disease.

Joining Flora Lichtman to talk about this latest study is lead author Dr. Ashish Deshmukh, professor of public health sciences and co-leader of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina.

Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com.

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2 Private Lunar Landers | Cervical Cancer Deaths Plummet, Experts Credit HPV Vaccine