How Air Pollution Triggers Lung Cancer + Scientists Develop Parkinson's Test Based on Woman's Ability to Smell It – Xtalks Life Science Podcast Ep. 78

In this episode, Ayesha shared new research about how scientists at the Francis Crick Institute and University College London have found a mechanism of action to explain how air pollution may cause lung cancer in non-smokers. The research findings revealed that people who live in polluted areas have a higher risk of lung cancer, and that particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) can act on existing genetic mutations to trigger inflammation and the development of cancer. Hear more about the research findings in this episode.

Ayesha also talked about how a woman with a unique ability to smell Parkinson’s disease has helped scientists develop a new test that may aid in the early diagnosis of the condition. The Scottish woman was able to detect something was off with her husband’s body odor more than a decade before he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Find out more about how researchers leveraged her powerful sense of smell to develop the new test.