In this episode, Brandon talks with New York Times bestselling author, public theologian, preacher, and founder of Sojourners, The Rev’d Jim Wallis. Their conversation explores the theological implications of authoritarianism, new frames for understanding church unity, and the difference between optimism and hope.

58: The Idolatry of White Nationalism with Jim Wallis

In this episode, host Rob Malley and guest Elhanan Miller discuss the power of religious and cultural dialogue in building bridges between Jewish and Muslim communities, and how Elhanan’s Arabic-language media project aims to foster empathy across deep political divides.

Rabbi Elhanan Miller is the founding director of People of the Book, an educational non-profit that explains Jewish faith and culture to Muslim audiences. His viral videos reach some 450,000 subscribers and millions of monthly hits, mostly in the Arab Middle East. Miller is a research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, specializing in Arab and Israeli politics and the intersection of Judaism and Islam. He regularly comments on Israeli affairs for international Arabic news channels, such as: BBC Arabic, Sky News Arabia, DW Arabic, France 24 Arabic, al-Mashhad (Dubai), and Israeli public news channel Makan. Miller previously served as the Arab Affairs Correspondent for The Times of Israel and as rabbi of the Jewish community in Canberra, Australia. Born and raised in Jerusalem, Miller began studying Arabic at 13. He completed his BA and MA degrees in Middle East History and Islamic Studies at Hebrew University.

You can find Elhanan and his work here:

https://www.youtube.com/@people.of.thebook 
https://www.facebook.com/peoplethebook/ 
https://www.instagram.com/people.of.thebook/

The host: Robert Malley is a seasoned diplomat and conflict resolution expert with decades of experience in international affairs. He has served in senior roles under multiple U.S. administrations, including as Special Envoy for Iran and as a lead negotiator for the Iran nuclear deal. He is a Senior Fellow at the Jackson School of Global Affairs and the founding director of the International Leadership Center’s Peace Hub. 

This episode is part of a 4-part interview series with Yale’s 2025 Peace Fellows. Find out more about the Yale Peace Fellowship here: https://jackson.yale.edu/international-leadership-center/peace-fellowship/


Episode 1: Building Bridges Between Jewish and Muslim Communities, with Rabbi Elhanan Miller

In this episode, host Yuval Ben-David and guest Mengistu Assefa Dadi explore the roots of conflict in the Horn of Africa, the decline of regional leadership, and the critical role of grassroots peacebuilding and local resilience in driving long-term stability.

Mengistu Assefa Dadi is an Ethiopian political and conflict analyst known for designing peace dialogue projects, managing initiatives that promote human rights, media freedom, and democratic governance, and implementing innovative strategies to address complex socio-political challenges in fragile states. Throughout his career, Mengistu has held roles at organizations such as the Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD) in Ethiopia and has most recently been a Peace Fellow at Yale’s International Leadership Center. Mengistu holds a Master’s in Global Studies and International Relations and is pursuing another master's in African studies at Addis Ababa University.

You can connect with Mengistu on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mengistuassefa-dadi

The host: Yuval Ben-David is Chief Strategy Officer at Yale’s International Leadership Center.
This episode is part of a 4-part interview series with Yale’s 2025 Peace Fellows. Find out more about the Yale Peace Fellowship: https://jackson.yale.edu/international-leadership-center/peace-fellowship/


Episode 2: Africa’s Leadership Crisis, with Mengistu Assefa Dadi

In this episode, host Robert Malley and guest Jaser AbuMousa talk about defining moments of Jaser’s life and work in Gaza, how he honors the memory of his wife and sons, and how he finds hope in continuing to work towards peace in the Middle East.

Jaser AbuMousa is a Palestinian political analyst and development specialist from Khan Younis, Gaza. He most recently served as a Program Manager for the Swiss Development Cooperation in the occupied Palestinian territory, where he managed humanitarian projects and authored biweekly reports on Gaza’s political, economic, and humanitarian dynamics. His career spans roles in engineering, social work, and political research, including with UNRWA and the EU-funded ‘Private Sector Reconstruction in Gaza’ program.

In October 2023, Jaser lost his wife Heba and two sons in an airstrike. Following the incident, he and his two surviving children spent over a year in the United Arab Emirates for medical treatment. As a Yale Peace Fellow, Jaser focused on postwar reconstruction strategies that reflect Palestinian priorities and mend Gaza’s torn social fabric.

You can connect with Jaser on socials:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaser-abumousa-9b01441a5/ 
https://x.com/jaser_hmaid

The host: Robert Malley is a seasoned diplomat and conflict resolution expert with decades of experience in international affairs. He has served in senior roles under multiple U.S. administrations, including as Special Envoy for Iran and as a lead negotiator for the Iran nuclear deal. He is a Senior Fellow at the Jackson School of Global Affairs and the founding director of the International Leadership Center’s Peace Hub.

This episode is part of a 4-part interview series with Yale’s 2025 Peace Fellows. Find out more about the Yale Peace Fellowship: https://jackson.yale.edu/international-leadership-center/peace-fellowship/

Episode 3: Finding Hope after Gaza, with Jaser AbuMousa

BUFFALO, NY — July 21, 2025 — A new #research paper was #published in Aging (Aging-US) Volume 17, Issue 6, on June 27, 2025, titled “Enhancing oocyte activation in women with ovarian failure: clinical outcomes of the Stem Cell Regenera study using G-CSF mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells and intraovarian injection of stem cell factor-enriched platelet rich plasma in real-world-practice.”

This study, led by Amparo Santamaria with co-authors Ana Ballester and Manuel Muñoz from IVI Clinics Alicante, evaluates the effectiveness and safety of a regenerative treatment that may enable women with ovarian failure to regain the ability to produce viable eggs. The approach combines stem cell mobilization and enriched plasma injections into the ovaries to stimulate follicle growth. It provides an alternative for patients experiencing infertility due to poor ovarian response, diminished ovarian reserve, or premature ovarian insufficiency.

Researchers evaluated the Stem Cell Regenera treatment in 145 women, aged 26 to 44 years, who had not responded to conventional fertility therapies. The procedure involved mobilizing the body’s own stem cells using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), followed by an injection of platelet-rich plasma enriched with stem cell factors directly into the ovaries. This method was designed to activate dormant follicles and promote ovarian regeneration.

Nearly 70% of participants demonstrated oocyte activation, defined as increased follicle growth or a rise in key hormone levels. Approximately 7% achieved spontaneous pregnancies, and 14% conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) after treatment. These results indicate that the therapy stimulates ovarian activity and may increase the chances of conception in selected patients.

“The primary outcome measures were the rate of oocyte activation, leukocytes and stem cell count, and pregnancy rates.”

No severe adverse effects were reported. Most participants tolerated the treatment well, with only mild and transient symptoms such as headaches or fatigue. The use of the patient’s own cells minimized the risk of immune reactions and helped ensure the treatment was safe.

The findings provide evidence of effectiveness and safety for the Stem Cell Regenera protocol in a clinical setting. While the study was retrospective observational, the outcomes support further investigation through larger controlled trials to confirm long-term benefits and identify which patient populations may gain the greatest benefit from this approach.

This research contributes to the growing field of regenerative medicine in reproductive health, offering clinicians additional tools to address infertility in women with complex ovarian conditions.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206274

Corresponding author -Amparo Santamaria - Amparo.santamaria@ivirma.com

Author interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRFJNwnXZWI

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Keywords - aging, Stem Cell Regenera, oocyte activation, ovarian regeneration, G-CSF, SCFE-PRP, ovarian failure

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Aging (Aging-US)

Stem Cell Treatment Shows Potential for Restoring Fertility in Women with Ovarian Failure

A new #study published recently in Volume 17, Issue 6, examines a novel treatment for women with ovarian failure. Researchers from IVI Clinics Alicante in Spain investigated a procedure called Stem Cell Regenera, which uses the body’s own stem cells and platelet-rich plasma to activate dormant follicles in the ovaries. This innovative protocol could expand options for patients with ovarian failure who have not responded to conventional fertility therapies.

Understanding Ovarian Failure

Ovarian failure affects women’s ability to conceive by reducing the quantity and quality of eggs in the ovaries. Conditions like Poor Ovarian Response, Diminished Ovarian Reserve, and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency are key reasons for infertility and make it hard to use assisted reproduction methods like in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Standard fertility treatments often fail to improve outcomes for these patients, leaving donor eggs as the primary alternative. However, recent advances in regenerative medicine have raised the possibility of restoring ovarian function using cellular therapies. Emerging research suggests that the right biological conditions could reactivate dormant follicles within the ovaries, potentially helping patients to use their eggs.

Full blog - https://aging-us.org/2025/07/stem-cell-regenera-a-regenerative-approach-to-activating-dormant-ovarian-follicles/

Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206274

Corresponding author -Amparo Santamaria - Amparo.santamaria@ivirma.com

Author interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRFJNwnXZWI

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Keywords - aging, Stem Cell Regenera, oocyte activation, ovarian regeneration, G-CSF, SCFE-PRP, ovarian failure

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Stem Cell Regenera: A Regenerative Approach to Activating Dormant Ovarian Follicles

BUFFALO, NY – July 22, 2025 – A new #research paper was #published in Volume 16 of Oncotarget on July 21, 2025, titled “Statins exhibit anti-tumor potential by modulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling in colorectal cancer.”

In this work, led by first author Sneha Tripathi from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research and corresponding author Sanjeev Galande from the Center of Excellence in Epigenetics at Shiv Nadar University, researchers discovered that statins, widely used to lower cholesterol, may also suppress colorectal cancer growth. This finding highlights a potential new role for these common drugs in cancer prevention and therapy.

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and new strategies are urgently needed to improve treatment results. Statins, originally developed to lower cholesterol levels, have gained attention for their possible anti-cancer properties. The study investigated how statins affect the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, a critical driver in colorectal cancer development and progression.

The researchers discovered that statins disrupt the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, leading to lower levels of tumor-promoting proteins and to cancer-suppressing cellular behaviors. Experiments in both colorectal cell cultures and mouse models confirmed that statins reduced tumor growth without causing noticeable side effects. This study further revealed that statins downregulate SATB1, a protein linked to aggressive tumor behavior, while increasing SATB2, a protein with tumor-suppressing effects. These changes made the cancer cells less able to grow and spread.

“This reciprocal regulation shifts cellular phenotypes between epithelial and mesenchymal states in 3D spheroid models.”

Overall, the findings suggest that statins could be repurposed to complement existing colorectal cancer treatments or even be used in preventive strategies for high-risk individuals. By targeting the molecular machinery that drives colorectal tumor development, statins offer a promising, accessible, and well-understood option for further research in cancer therapy.

This research opens the door to larger clinical studies to explore how best to integrate statins into cancer care. If successful, this approach could provide a cost-effective strategy for reducing the global burden of colorectal cancer, which remains a significant health challenge.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28755

Correspondence to - Sanjeev Galande - sanjeev.galande@snu.edu.in

Video short - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A95ICULaH3Y

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Keywords - cancer, colorectal cancer, statins, SATB1, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, tumor-suppressive phenotype

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MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

Oncotarget

Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Show Promise Against Colorectal Cancer

BUFFALO, NY — July 23, 2025 — A new #research paper was #published in Aging (Aging-US) Volume 17, Issue 6, on June 16, 2025, titled “rDNA copy number variation and methylation from birth to sexual maturity.”

In this study, led by first authors Alina Michler and Sarah Kießling along with corresponding author Thomas Haaf from Julius Maximilians University in Germany, researchers explored how ribosomal DNA (rDNA) copy number and methylation change from infancy to adolescence. They discovered that the epigenetic changes often associated with aging in adults do not occur before sexual maturity. This finding offers new insights into when the biological aging process truly begins.

Ribosomal DNA plays a critical role in producing proteins essential for cell survival. The researchers analyzed blood samples from 280 individuals, ranging from newborns to 18 years of age, including healthy individuals and those with developmental delays. They measured the number of rDNA copies and examined how genes are switched on or off through methylation, a chemical modification of DNA. The results showed that while adults experience a gradual loss of active rDNA copies and increased methylation—a hallmark of aging—these changes were absent in children and teenagers. In fact, during childhood and adolescence, the number of active, unmethylated rDNA copies slightly increased.

These findings support the long-debated idea that biological aging begins only after the body reaches reproductive maturity. Until that point, cells appear to actively maintain rDNA in a youthful state, ensuring that protein production remains efficient. This may help explain why children and teenagers are better at resisting many age-related diseases and why their cells recover more easily from stress.

The study also shows that changes in rDNA copy numbers are not associated with unexplained developmental delays. This suggests these epigenetic processes are probably not involved in early-life syndromes. The findings highlight how the body works to preserve genetic stability during childhood and raise important questions about what triggers the shift to aging-related changes after puberty.

“Collectively our data suggest that the rDNA hypomethylation state is actively maintained in somatic tissues of young individuals.”

The insights gained from this research expand the understanding of the molecular clock of aging. They suggest potential new ways to delay aging processes by exploring how youthful rDNA methylation patterns are maintained. As scientists continue to investigate these mechanisms, the study provides a clear foundation for future research aimed at extending cellular health beyond adolescence.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206271

Corresponding author - Thomas Haaf - thomas.haaf@uni-wuerzburg.de

Video short - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww21u33uUhk

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Keywords - aging, absolute rDNA copy number, active rDNA copy number, deep bisulfite sequencing, developmental delay, droplet digital PCR

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Ribosomal DNA Methylation Patterns Reveal When Aging Begins

In this episode, Elliot Canfield-Dafilou talks about his interest in the architectural acoustics of sacred spaces. He begins by recounting his background in musical training and technology, eventually combining the two to find his interdisciplinary home in musical acoustics. With a particular emphasis on sacred spaces, Canfield-Dafilou explores in his research the unique liturgical contexts within which musical acoustics unravels itself.

Between Art and Science: An Exploration into the Musical Acoustics of Sacred Spaces

BUFFALO, NY – July 24, 2025 – A new #casereport was #published in Volume 16 of Oncotarget on July 23, 2025, titled “Extracorporeal blood filtration leading to tumor growth arrest and reduced analgesic requirements in Stage IV poorly differentiated pancreatic adenocarcinoma: A case report.”

In this report, Susanna Ulahannan from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and colleagues describe the use of extracorporeal blood filtration in a patient with metastatic pancreatic cancer. The patient experienced clinical improvement, reduced pain, and no signs of new tumor growth over 12 months of follow-up.

Metastatic pancreatic cancer is difficult to treat and is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. In this case, a 51-year-old woman with stage IV poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma chose not to undergo standard chemotherapy. Instead, she received extracorporeal blood filtration with the Seraph® 100 device, which is designed to remove circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from the bloodstream. CTCs are thought to contribute to the spread of cancer to other organs.

“Circulating tumor cells (CTC’s) are tumor cells that are shed from the primary tumor and travel via blood or lymphatic system to form micro metastases in distant organs under a suitable environment.“

The patient received between nine and twelve treatments over the course of a year. These treatments were performed both abroad, where the device is approved for this use, and under a clinical protocol in the United States. Medical imaging showed that her disease remained stable, with no new metastases detected. She also reported improvements in appetite, energy levels, and pain control. Her opioid use was reduced by 90%.

Blood samples confirmed a drop in CTC levels after treatment. This observation supports the idea that removing CTCs might help limit cancer progression in some patients. However, given that this is a single case report, larger clinical studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach.

The mechanism behind the patient’s pain relief is not fully understood. Authors suggest that it may be related to the reduction of tumor cells or inflammatory molecules in the blood. Researchers noted that pro-inflammatory cytokines, known to influence pain, could also have been affected by the filtration process.

This is the first documented case of stable disease and reduced symptoms following CTC filtration in advanced pancreatic cancer. While these findings should not be generalized, they highlight an approach outside standard protocols that should be further explored in clinical research. Future studies will be needed to determine whether this method can contribute to symptom management or disease control in other patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28756

Correspondence to - Susanna Ulahannan - susanna-ulahannan@ouhsc.edu

Video short - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dro6iUGDrVQ

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Keywords - cancer, extracorporeal blood filtration, circulating tumor cells, metastatic pancreatic cancer, seraph 100, OncoBind

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Blood Filtration Stabilizes Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Case Report

Oncotarget is a primarily oncology-focused, peer-reviewed, open access journal. Papers are published continuously within yearly volumes in their final and complete form and then quickly released to Pubmed.

Oncotarget is now indexed by MEDLINE, PubMed and PMC/PubMed.

Read about the Oncotarget Scientific Integrity Process: https://www.oncotarget.com/scientific_integrity/

Blood Filtration Stabilizes Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Case Report

Oncotarget Podcast

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