This Hayden Planetarium space show led to a cosmic discovery
"Encounters in the Milky Way" at the American Museum of Natural History explores the motion of our solar system through the galaxy, using scientific data and visualizations to explain how these cosmic movements have shaped—and continue to influence—our position in space. Gabe Singer has more.
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The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Weight-loss drugs were said to be a game changer. Turns out the benefit might be thinner than thought
Common GLP-1 weight loss drugs - including Wegovy and Ozempic - may not work for everyone in a 'real-world' setting, Cleveland Clinic researchers said Tuesday. The reason is that patients may take lower dosages or discontinue their treatment, negatively impacting the ability to control blood sugar levels in those who are pre-diabetic. The findings may have implications for people considering using the drugs, that are taken by more than eight million Americans every year. They've offered an alternative to traditional and taxing weight loss methods, such as diets and fitness. 'Our study shows that patients treated for obesity with semaglutide or trizepatide lost less weight on average in a regular clinical setting compared to what is observed in randomized clinical trials,' Dr. Hamlet Gasoyan, a researcher with Cleveland Clinic, said in a statement. 'According to our data, this could be explained by higher rates of discontinuation and lower maintenance dosages used in clinical practice, compared to randomized clinical trial settings.' Gasoyan was the lead author of the study published on Tuesday in the Obesity Journal. A request for comment from the drugmakers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly was not immediately returned to The Independent. The study focuses on drugs with the active ingredients semaglutide and tirzepatide; they include the U.S. Food and Drug-administration approved type 2 diabetes medications Zepbound and Mounjaro. The authors studied their effects on weight loss and blood sugar regulation in a real-world setting. They noted that previous randomized clinical trials have shown the efficacy of those medications. The authors monitored the health of nearly 7,900 adults who were severely obese. Of those, more than 1,300 had pre-diabetes at the study's start and were at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes: a chronic condition that affects a person's ability to use insulin and keep blood sugar at normal levels. Participants took the shots between 2021 and 2023. The researchers sorted patients who discontinued their obesity medications into two groups: those who did it within just three months and by three months to a year. The study's follow-up period ended last December. The most common reasoning for discontinuation of treatment in the real-world setting was due to the steep cost of the drugs and insurance, side effects and shortages. Notably, since the study's, prices have started to fall. Of the participants, more than 20 percent discontinued their medications early and 32 percent discontinued their medications late. Furthermore, the authors noted than more than 80 percent had been on the lower dosages needed to sustain a therapeutic effect. For semaglutide, that's equal to or less than 1 milligram and equal to or less than 7.5 milligrams for tirzepatide. Following a year of treatment, the average weight reduction was 3.6 percent among participants who discontinued their treatment early, compared to 6.8 percent for those who discontinued their treatment late. But, those who did not discontinue treatment and were on the highest dosages necessary lost the most weight, at up to 13.7 percent with semaglutide and 18 percent with tirzepatide. Participants had higher odds of achieving 10 percent or greater weight reduction after one year of treatment if they did not discontinue their medications or did so late, were on the highest dosages needed for a therapeutic effect, received tirzepatide, and were women. Tracking the maintenance of blood sugar levels in those with pre-diabetes, the researchers said just a third of those who discontinued their treatment early experienced normal blood sugar levels compared to 41 percent who discontinued their treatment late and 67.9 percent who did not discontinue treatment. Lastly, the researchers observed that while patients who discontinued obesity medications lost significantly less weight compared to those who did not, their weight trajectories remained relatively stable. They said that would be the subject of additional research. 'Our findings about the real-world use patterns of these medications and associated clinical outcomes could inform the decisions of healthcare providers and their patients on the role of treatment discontinuation and maintenance dosage in achieving clinically meaningful weight reductions,' explained Gasoyan.
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Humpback whales may blow bubble rings to say hi to humans
Humpback whales are known for being pretty smart mammals, and researchers have made a discovery that may tell us even more about them. A team of scientists from the SETI Institute and the University of California at Davis have documented humpback whales blowing large bubble rings when interacting with people for the first believe it could be a way in which the whales greet humans, representing either play or communication. Humpback whales blowing bubbles has been seen before, mainly when they're either tracking down their prey or competing for the attention of a female the latest discovery suggests the mammals' bubble rings, which they make by forcing air through their blowholes and mouths, could also be used when it comes to encounters with humans. "We show they are blowing bubble rings in our direction in an apparent attempt to playfully interact, observe our response, and/or engage in some form of communication," said Dr. Fred Sharpe who is a co-lead author on the study which was published in in the journal Marine Mammal part of their research, the team looked at 12 separate instances of bubble production involving 39 rings made by 11 different whales. Out of the twelve episodes reported, ten were collected near a boat or near human swimmers, with eight of the bubble ring blowers actually coming closer. Six of the episodes had more than one whale present and there was no sign of annoyance or aggressive behaviour towards the boats or humans in any of them. "Humpback whales often exhibit inquisitive, friendly behaviour towards boats and human swimmers," said co-lead author Jodi Frediani who is a marine wildlife photographer. "We've now located a dozen whales from populations around the world, the majority of which have voluntarily approached boats and swimmers, blowing bubble rings during these episodes of curious behaviour."
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Health snacks loved by young people shockingly linked to risk of sudden strokes, heart attacks
A popular sweetener used in protein bars and sugar-free energy drinks could raise your risk of suffering from a stroke, a study suggests. Researchers at the University of Colorado, Boulder, exposed human cells found in the brain to erythritol in amounts they claimed mirrored a diet soda. The cells showed worrying changes within hours, including a decrease in the amount of clot-busting proteins they released, which is key for preventing strokes. Auburn Berry, a graduate student who led the research, said: 'While erythritol is widely used in sugar-free products marketed as healthier alternatives, more research is needed to fully understand its impact on vascular health. 'In general, people should be conscious of the amount of erythritol they are consuming on a daily basis.' It comes amid a mystery rise in strokes in young people, which have surged almost 15 percent among under-45s since 2011 — according to CDC data. Erythritol is a wildly popular sweetener, used in drinks including Vitaminwater Zero sugar, Monster Zero and Arizona Iced Tea, and in Quest protein bars. It is also found in the sweetener truvia, which is often added to coffee as a sugar replacement. Although the new study was small and used isolated cells, it adds to the growing body of evidence raising concern about the sweetener. A 2023 Cleveland Clinic study tracked 4,000 people found those who consume erythritol were more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or early death. The new study was published in the Journal of Applied Physiology. Researchers isolated human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells — cells that line blood vessels in the brain. After exposing them to erythritol for three hours in a lab, the researchers identified several damaging changes. These included the cells producing 75 percent more compounds that can damage them and surrounding tissue. And they also produced about 20 percent less of a compound used to help blood vessels relax, allowing more blood to flow through and minimizing the risk of a clot. Researchers also noted that erythritol decreased the production of a clot-busting protein called t-PA, which can dissolve clots and help prevent strokes. In their conclusion, they said the sweetener 'potentially contributes to [an] increased risk of ischemic stroke'. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching brain tissue. This can cause brain cells to die within minutes. Limitations of the study include that it was carried out in a lab outside the human body, which may not mirror internal conditions. For example, it was not clear how much of the sweetener is typically absorbed by these cells in people. The study also exposed the cells to the equivalent of 30 grams of erythritol. The researchers claimed this was 'equivalent to the typical amount... in an artificially sweetened beverage.' But the stated amount of sweetener in the beverages typically falls below this threshold. For example, Monster Energy Zero contains about two grams of erythritol — according to consumer website Open Food Facts. Meanwhile Vitaminwater says less than one percent of its 500 milliliter (ml) bottles contain erythritol, or less than five grams. Quest protein bars also contain up to five grams of erythritol each, according to the company's website. Erythritol is about 70 percent as sweet as sugar but contains six percent of the calories. It can be found in small amounts naturally in some foods, but in diet sodas is often made from processing corn. It also isn't easily processed by the body, meaning it is often passed out through urine. Some may, however, be stored in the body — where its effects can build-up overtime. It was approved by the FDA as safe for foods in 2001 The study comes amid a concerning rise in strokes among young Americans, with previous work blaming this on increased stress, a more sedentary lifestyle and higher drug use than past generations. Obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes also play a role — all three are more prevalent in young people today than historically. In previous research from last year, scientists also found that when people are given the sweetener erythritol, cells in their blood that cause clotting become more active. Specifically, they found the sweetener caused platelets in the blood to become activated and stick together, forming clots.
