By Lawrence Jones, PhD

Although a lot of men may like drinking a cold glass of milk or a bowl of their favorite cereal, several studies reviewed in the article suggest that men who consume milk daily even in small amounts could face a higher risk of developing prostate cancer. Hormonal factors are a concern: Cow’s milk contains naturally occurring hormones like estrogen and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), both of which may promote cancer growth. Buhl (August 30, 2023) reports that several recent studies concluded that milk may put them at higher risk for prostate cancer. There are certain risk factors for prostate cancer. Unfortunately, some factors may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer, including:

• Age: Nearly 60 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over age 65, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Because it is often a slow-growing cancer, it could start in younger men but not show up on screening tests.
• Race. It is not clear why, but black men and are more than twice as likely as white men to die of prostate cancer.
• Family History: The more closely related a family member diagnosed with prostate cancer is to you, the greater the risk. For example, having a father with prostate cancer puts you at a higher risk than if your grandfather had prostate cancer.
• Obesity is associated with more dangerous, high-grade tumors. Body mass index (BMI) raises the risk of dying from prostate cancer by 10 percent.

Researchers Herby and associates (2023) reviewed several extensive studies linking cancer to dairy consumption. They pointed to two possible reasons why milk may increase prostate cancer risk: estrogen and something called insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which are hormones produced naturally in cow’s milk.

• Low-fat and skim milk may be riskier: Surprisingly, these types of milk were associated with a higher risk than whole milk, possibly because estrogen binds more easily to watery substances.
• Even minimal intake matters: One study found that just a tablespoon of milk daily could increase risk, while 1¾ cups per day raised the risk by 25%.

Supporting Research

• A long-term study tracking 22,000 men over nearly 30 years found that those consuming 2.5 servings of dairy daily had a 34% higher risk of prostate cancer compared to those consuming less than half a serving.
• Another study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition followed 30,000 men and linked higher dairy intake with increased prostate cancer incidence.

The experts are emphasizing that IGF-1 is a growth hormone that can stimulate cancer development and that cautiously cutting back on milk might not be enough to reduce risk. At least this provides helpful information in understanding the contributing factors to prostate cancer!

The Narrative Matters!

References:

Buhl, L. (August 30, 2023). Drinking Milk May Put You at Risk for Prostate Cancer. Milk Consumption and Prostate Cancer Risk: What Men Need to Know

Dillard, R. (October 21, 2022). Men With Higher Dairy Intake May Face Increased Risk of Prostate Cancer. GU Oncology Now. Men With Higher Dairy Intake May Face Increased Risk of Prostate Cancer | GU Oncology Now

Drake, I., Sonestedt, E., Gullberg, B., Ahlgren, G., Bjartell, A., Wallström, P., & Wirfält, E. (2012). Dietary intakes of carbohydrates in relation to prostate cancer risk: a prospective study in the Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 96(6), 1409-1418.

Herby, A. R., Cullimore, J. P., Paul-Quinn, J. L., & Crosby, L. M. (2023). Dairy Intake and Incidence of Common Cancers in Prospective Studies: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention, 5(1), 14-pp.

photo credit: CarlosGaw

Tags: prostate cancer risks

by Dr. Lawrence Jones II

WASHINGTON, D.C., [July 08, 2025] — Howard University Faculty Practice Plan (HUFPP) and Howard University Hospital (HUH) are proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with the Dynasty Interactive Screen Community’s (DISC) Health Equity Action Lab (HEAL) that will enhance public access to critical health information and expand health education outreach locally in the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) area and on a national level. HEAL is an initiative of DISC Health. This initiative was spearheaded and led by DISC representative Dr. Lawrence Jones II, the National Director of DISC HEAL and the Founder and CEO of Biotechnology Health Management and Care LLC. Howard University Faculty Practice Plan and Howard University Hospital will expand health initiatives and awareness by promoting and distributing preventive health information, as well as news about active aging and healthy lifestyles, impacting the community both on campus and in community clinics. Through this collaboration, HUH and HUFPP will now leverage DISC’s network of more than 800 indoor digital media screens regionally, including access to 500,000 monthly viewers across the Washington, D.C. region alone.

These digital displays are strategically placed in high-traffic community hubs such as restaurants, salons, community centers, and local businesses, making health information more visible and accessible in everyday settings. The DISC platform features multimedia content that is both expert-curated and culturally relevant, covering a wide range of topics, including preventive care, mental health, nutrition, and chronic disease management. With more than four million monthly viewers nationwide, DISC enables Howard’s providers and educators to connect directly with communities and other underserved populations, delivering targeted campaigns, including virtual screenings, video education, and branded health content, helping to strengthen relationships and improve trust with communities that have historically faced barriers to healthcare access. “This partnership represents a bold and transformative step in our mission to close the health equity gap,” said Vincent Orange Jr., CEO of the Howard University Faculty Practice Plan.

Mr. Orange elaborates by stating that “By bringing reliable, expert health content directly into the places where our community gathers, we are not only increasing awareness—we are empowering individuals with the knowledge to make healthier decisions. He further adds that “This collaboration is Howard at its best — leading, educating, and advocating.” “DISC is proud to align with a nationally respected institution like Howard University,” said Dr. Frederick Echols, DISC HEAL team member. Mr. Orange and the DISC HEAL team believe that “Together, we are amplifying trusted voices in healthcare and delivering content that speaks to the lived experiences of the communities we serve. This collaboration allows us to bring meaningful, life-changing health education directly to the people who need it most — where they live, work, and connect.”

By combining Howard’s legacy of care and advocacy with DISC’s dynamic technology, the institutions are advancing a shared vision for a more informed and health-literate society. Together, they are building a future where every community has access to the tools and education needed to lead healthier, more equitable lives.

For media inquiries, contact: PR Manager, Anizia Fulmore Anizia.Fullmore@howard.edu

The Howard University Faculty Practice Plan is a multi-specialty medical group practice serving all community members in the cultural hub of Washington, D.C. The Faculty Practice Plan is committed to the advancement of healthcare and health equality, locally and globally by providing exemplary education, service and research that promotes patient-centered collaborative care and advocates for the elimination of health disparities. The Faculty Practice Plans is dedicated to providing the highest-quality care and experience for every single patient and visitor that enters through its doors.

Howard University Hospital, a private nonprofit institution, is the nation’s only teaching hospital located on the campus of a historically Black university. The hospital is one of the most comprehensive health care facilities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area that offers primary, secondary, and tertiary health care services, and is designated a DC Level 1 Trauma Center. The hospital’s rich tradition of leadership and service offers medical students a superior learning environment and opportunities to observe or participate in ground-breaking clinical and research work with professionals who are changing the face of health care. Together the medical school and the hospital have served as a training ground for many of the nation’s top African American physicians. Washingtonian and Black Enterprise magazines have identified physicians affiliated with the hospital as leaders in a vast range of specialties.

DISC currently powers over 4400 indoor digital screens in high-traffic locations across the US, reaching more than 13.5 million viewers monthly. These screens deliver engaging local news, events, announcements, and advertisements directly to people where they live, work, and relax.

Contact DISC Health today.

#HealthEquity #HowardUniversity #CommunityHealth

Tags: Health Care Communication, Healthcare Experiences

By Dr. Lawrence Jones II

A biotech startup is a company that focuses on developing and applying biotechnology to create new products, services, or technologies, typically in the fields of healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, or industrial applications. These startups are generally small, innovative companies that bring scientific breakthroughs to market, often intending to disrupt established industries.

My observation of a biotech startup often includes:

1. Innovation: Biotech startups often work on cutting-edge scientific research or develop new methods to solve problems in biology, medicine, or environmental science.
2. Technology-driven: A biotech startup's core usually uses advanced technology or scientific processes. This can involve anything from gene editing (e.g., CRISPR) to synthetic biology, bioinformatics, or new drug delivery methods.
3. High Risk and High Reward: Biotechnology startups typically face uncertain outcomes. Their innovations require years of research and development and often depend on regulatory approvals (such as the FDA for medical products).
4. Investment: Biotech startups often seek venture capital, angel investors, or grants to fund their research and development, as biotech ventures can require significant upfront investment before any products hit the market.
5. Interdisciplinary Expertise: These companies often have teams of experts, including biologists, chemists, engineers, medical professionals, and business managers, who collaborate to translate scientific discoveries into real-world applications.

Examples of biotech startups include companies developing new medicines, creating sustainable agricultural solutions, producing bio-based materials, or developing technologies to improve environmental health.

Years ago, I created an original metaphor influenced by Morgan's metaphors of organizational dysfunction (Morgan, 2008) (Jones, 2020). My proposed new metaphor includes some corporate examples. The metaphor is a Pygmalion Mirage. Pygmalion (1968) “In Greek mythology, Pygmalion was a sculptor that became fascinated with his work that he fantasized it was a living and breathing masterpiece.” A Pygmalion Mirage is a situation where an organization's culture becomes overly confident in its perception of a problem, often due to the leader's influence. The mirage can lead to the leader experiencing an illusion of success.

A Pygmalion Mirage in the context of biotechnology startup companies refers to a phenomenon where high expectations or inflated perceptions of a company's potential by the leadership team can lead to unrealistically positive beliefs about its success, even when it is foundations or actual achievements might not justify them. The term draws from the "Pygmalion effect," a psychological principle suggesting that higher expectations increase performance (Rosenthal and Jacobson (1968). However, in the "mirage" (Mirage, 2020) aspect, these expectations are based on distorted or idealized perceptions, often disconnected from the reality of the company's capabilities, research, or financial stability.

In the context of biotechnology startups, this could manifest in several ways:

1. Overhyped Products or Technologies: A biotech company may be perceived as having the next big breakthrough or revolutionary treatment, but in reality, the science behind the product is still unproven, or there are significant hurdles in the development process that are not immediately apparent to investors, partners, or the public. These false perceptions can generate hype and attract capital that the product's true potential might not justify.
2. Investment FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): Biotechnology startups often attract venture capitalists, angel investors, and other stakeholders who may be swept up in the hype surrounding the company of what the company could become, investors may feel compelled to participate, driven by a fear of missing out on the next big biotech success without solid data or proof of concept.
3. Media Amplification: Media outlets may amplify the company's narrative by focusing on sensational aspects of its technology or team, inflating public and investor expectations. This can create a "mirage" where everyone involved believes that the company is poised for enormous success when, in reality, it may still be dealing with fundamental issues like regulatory approval, clinical trial results, or financial instability.
4. Founder of Team Expectations: The leaders of biotech startups, particularly visionary founders, may begin to believe in their narrative of success, sometimes to the point where they ignore the risks or challenges (Hamm and Symonds (2006, November 26). This self-reinforcing belief can result in overconfidence, which distorts decision-making and can lead to poor choices—whether in product development, hiring, or scaling.
5. Market Trends and Herd Mentality: The biotech industry is often influenced by trends—such as the popularity of gene editing, personalized medicine, or immunotherapy. A startup that aligns with these trends may be seen as a potential leader in the field, even though it may not have the infrastructure or proven results to live up to those projections. This creates a "mirage" where the perceived opportunity is much greater than the actual reality of what the startup can deliver.

Consequences of a Pygmalion Mirage in Biotech Startups:

• Failure to Meet Expectations: Overblown expectations can lead to investors and stakeholders may losing confidence. I have seen first hand that this outcome can lead to crashes in valuations, layoffs, or the failure to secure further funding.
• Resource Drain: Because of overconfidence, companies may waste time, energy, and resources on initiatives that were never feasible in the first place, leading to unsustainable growth.
• Delayed Innovations: Focusing on unrealistic projections can divert attention from more viable, smaller-scale innovations or practical solutions that might be more successful in the long term.

Mitigating the Mirage:

• Focus on Clear Milestones: Setting realistic, science-backed milestones and emphasizing transparency can help mitigate the overhype.
• Cautious Expectations: Encouraging a balanced view of what can be achieved and understanding the long, uncertain road biotech companies often face can prevent companies from falling into the trap of chasing mirages.
• Realistic Valuations: Ensuring authentic company valuations are based on solid data, regulatory approvals, and the technology's true potential rather than speculative projections can prevent unrealistic expectations.

In short, a Pygmalion Mirage in biotech startups could result in companies building more on the perception of their value than their actual achievements or potential, leading to a risky bubble that might burst if those high expectations are unmet. These consequences and considerations are not just for a startup; any company (even older ones) that does not monitor its performance closely can experience a Pygmalion Mirage.

References:

Hamm, S., & Symonds, W. C. (2006, November 26). Mistakes made on the road to innovation. Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2006-11-26/mistakes-made-on-the-road-to-innovation

Jones, L. (May 2020). Pygmalion Mirage as an Organizational Metaphor. Organizational Metaphors.

Lewin, A. Y., & Stephens, C. U. (1994). CEO attitudes as determinants of organization design: An integrated model. Organization Studies, 15(2), 183–21

Mirage [Def. 1]. (2020). Merriam-Webster Online. In Merriam-Webster. Retrieved November 26, 2015, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citation

Morgan, G. (2006). Images of organization (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Inc.

Powell, S. (2011). The nexus between ethical corporate marketing, ethical corporate identity and corporate social responsibility. European Journal of Marketing, 45(9/10), 1365-1379.

Pygmalion [Def. 1]. (1968). Merriam-Webster Online. In Merriam-Webster. Retrieved November 26, 2015, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citation

Rosenthal, R., & Jacobson, L. (1968). Pygmalion in the classroom. The Urban Review, 3(1), 16–20.

Tags: Metaphors

By Dr. Lawrence Jones II

Reuters (July 22, 2024) reported that Tesla will have humanoid robots in "low production" for the company's internal use next year, CEO Elon Musk said on Monday, months after he announced a rollout by the end of 2024. The automaker will have the robots "hopefully" in high production for other companies in 2026. Musk, on his social media platform X, said that the Tesla robot, called Optimus Gen 2, would be able to perform tasks in the factory by the end of this year and could be ready for sale as soon as the end of 2025. The name was inspired by "Optimus Prime the fictional character and the protagonist of the Transformers movie franchise.

Technology is moving faster and faster every month and every year. Jones (2024) mentioned earlier this year that artificial intelligence is emerging everywhere, and "general tasks have been programmed with broad human-like cognitive capabilities autonomously engaging on unfamiliar tasks like discerning and making decisions without human guidance. However, the super intelligent task AI "represents a future form of AI where machines could surpass human intelligence across all fields, including creativity, general wisdom, and problem-solving." Tesla put out the first generation of its Optimus robot, dubbed Bumblebee, in September 2022. The company, he predicted, will have "over 1,000, or a few thousand, Optimus robots working at Tesla" in 2025.

Musk just mentioned a couple of days ago (September 20, 2024) that his company's (Tesla) aim is to produce millions of humanoid Optimus Gen 2 and 3 robots and will ramp up production until millions of Optimus across the globe. Musk plans these robots to do countless tasks around your house; you only need to spend $20,000 for your robot. Tesla is confident that it has the most advanced humanoid robot in the world and boasts that the Optimus 3 could be a homemaker, launder your clothes, or even home-school your kids. According to (2024), "Elon has confidently stated multiple times they could truly replace humans in the tedious dangers and repetitive daily chores of life."

Optimus Gen 2 is the second generation of Tesla's humanoid robot. It is designed to be a general-purpose machine that can assist humans in various domains, such as manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and entertainment. Optimus Gen 3 will be able to perform even more complex tasks compared to Optimus Gen 2. Although humanoid robots have been developing for several years by Japan's Honda and Hyundai Motor's Boston Dynamics, "companies are betting on them to meet potential labor shortages and perform repetitive tasks that could be dangerous or tedious such as logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing." Tesla put out the first generation of its Optimus robot, dubbed Bumblebee, in September 2022. 

References:

Jones, L. (June 25, 2024). Our Cultural Fixation of Artificial Intelligence is Becoming Part of Our Lives. The Narrative Matters. St. Louis, MO

Kolodny, L. (June 13, 2024). Elon Musk claims Optimus robots could make Tesla a $25 trillion company more than half the value of the S&P 500 today. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/13/elon-musk-says-optimus-robots-could-make-tesla-25-trillion-company-.html

Reuters. (July 22, 2024). Tesla to have humanoid robots for internal use next year, Musk says. Tesla to have humanoid robots for internal use next year, Musk says | Reuters

Tesla.(August 25, 2024). The Tesla Bot 2025 Update is HERE! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96g2Dap_l3U

Tesla.(December 13, 2023).Optimus Gen 2 | Tesla. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpraXaw7dyc

Tesla.(September 20, 2024). It Happened! Elon Musk Review Everything Tesla Bot Optimus Gen 3 Can Do! Homemaker and Hard Worker!

Photo credit: https://cyberguy.com/future-tech/next-generation-teslas-humanoid-robot-makes-debut/

Tags: A.I., Tesla

By Dr. Lawrence Jones II

Carbajal (January 30, 2024) reported earlier this year, Elon Musk’s neurotechnology company, Neuralink, implanted a chip into a human brain for the first time. Neuralink is currently seeking people with quadriplegia (a person who is paralyzed in all four limbs) to participate in a groundbreaking investigational medical device clinical trial for our brain-computer interface. The first human received an implant from Neuralink on January 29, 2024. The initial results showed promising neuron spike detection.”

Mr. Musk mentions that the ideal patient is someone under 40 years old who is paralyzed in all four limbs. Neuralink’s first product would be called Telepathy, and its initial users will be those who have lost the use of their limbs. The brain-computer interface “enables control of your phone or, through them, almost any device, just by thinking,” The implant is about the size of a quarter and is placed in a person’s skull by a surgical robot. Neuralink was founded in 2017, and the computer received FDA clearance for human clinical trials last May 2023.

Business Wire (September 5, 2023) reports that another company, Syncron, is an endovascular brain-computer interface (BCI) developing technology to restore functionality in patients with severe paralysis. The COMMAND trial enrolled six patients and is being conducted under the first investigational device exemption (IDE) awarded by the FDA to a company assessing a permanently implanted BCI. The company Synchron, the first company in 2021 to secure FDA clearance to test a device in people to use a brain-computer interface designed to allow people to use their thoughts to control selected digital devices. Synchron uses a minimally invasive endovascular procedure dedicated to empowering autonomy and social connection.

Business Wire (September 5, 2023) published that Dr. Thomas Oxley is the founder and CEO of Synchron, Dr. Rahul Sharma is a Co-founder, and Dr. Nicholas Opie is the founding director. Synchron’s implants are minimally invasive and can be inserted through blood vessels. Willyard (April 19, 2024) reports that the company has received funding from the United States, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and the Australian government. Synchron is the world’s first percutaneous brain-computer interface.

The company has strong ties to large medical device strategics, works closely with startups and incubators, and stressed private equity and venture capital firms interested in healthcare. The early feasibility studies while evaluating efficacy measures of the Synchron Switch™ in patients with severe paralysis. The study’s primary goal is to the device’s safe implanted into the brain’s blood vessels using neuro-interventional procedures. The Synchron Switch brain-computer “is implanted in the blood vessel on the surface of the brain’s motor cortex” by way of the jugular vein through a minimally invasive endovascular procedure.

It is intended to restore the capability of severely paralyzed patient controlling of their personal devices with hands-free. Other companies like Paradromics and Precision Neuroscience are also racing to develop brain implants. These things are important to be aware of! 

References:

Business Wire (September 5, 2023). Synchron Completes Patient Enrollment for COMMAND Trial of Brain Computer Interface. Synchron Completes Patient Enrollment for COMMAND Trial of Brain Computer Interface | Business Wire

Carbajal, E. (January 30, 2024). 1st patient gets brain chip implant from Elon Musk’s Neuralink.1st patient gets brain chip implant from Elon Musk’s Neuralink (beckershospitalreview.com)Willyard, C. (April 19, 2024).

Beyond Neuralink: Meet the other companies developing brain-computer interfaces. You’ve heard of Neuralink. Meet the other companies developing brain-computer interfaces. | MIT Technology Review

Tags: Synchron