Latest news with #Marwell
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Animal that smells like popcorn arrives at zoo
An animal that smells like popcorn has arrived at a zoo as part of a breeding programme. Marwell Zoo has welcomed its second binturong, a peculiar animal often described as a cross between a bear and a cat with a distinct scent reminiscent of buttery popcorn. The new addition, a male named Hanoi, arrived from France and will join Bellatrix, completing the zoo's pair of binturongs. These creatures, also known as bearcats, are classified under the civet family. Refurbished habitat welcomes Marwell's penguins after months in temporary quarters (Image: Marwell Zoo) Notable for their lack of agility, binturongs predominantly dwell in trees, using their prehensile tails for balance and to grab branches. The zoo staff hopes that the new arrival will breed with Bellatrix. However, not all news about binturongs is positive. Native to Southeast Asia, they are listed as vulnerable, mainly due to threats such as poaching, the pet trade, and habitat loss. READ MORE: Marwell Zoo to host activities for Love Your Zoo Week Carrie Arnold, Marwell's carnivore team leader, said: "This is such an important addition to our Marwell family. "Binturongs are a vulnerable species, so this new arrival is a really exciting and important step in our breeding efforts. "Our hope is that Hanoi and Bellatrix will form a strong bond and help secure the future of this fascinating species." Carrie also noted that the animals can prove elusive to zoo visitors. She suggested checking the Marwell app for feeding times, as this would provide a better chance of spotting the binturongs in their treetop habitat. The zoo also has more good news to share this half term, with the reopening of the penguins' home following renovations. After three months in a temporary habitat, the penguins will return to the refurbished Penguin Cove, complete with an innovative advanced water flow system designed to create variable-speed currents, ideally improving the penguins' fitness and muscle development. Marwell has invited and encouraged the public to visit the zoo during half term, from May 24 to June 1, to see the new animal residents and join the Love Your Zoo Week celebrations, which offer countless fun-filled activities and animal-related adventures. Tickets and more information about the zoo can be found on the Marwell website.
Medscape
21-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Mobility Over Metrics: A New Take on Senior Obesity
For older adults living with obesity, the goal of treatment should not just be shedding pounds — it should be improving physical function, preserving independence, and enhancing quality of life. That was the central message from a group of experts who presented on patient-centered approaches to obesity care at the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago. Rather than defaulting to weight loss as the primary measure of success, clinicians should focus on what matters most to each patient, said Julianna Marwell, MD, geriatrician and assistant professor of medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina. 'We can't afford to be weight-centric,' she said. Marwell framed obesity management using the 5Ms of geriatrics, which include mind, mobility, medication, multicomplexity, and what matters most. Through the case of a 73-year-old woman with a body mass index of 38 who had multiple chronic conditions, Marwell explained how functional goals like fall prevention, sleep improvement, and managing depression should drive treatment decisions. Research shows intentional weight loss in older adults can lead to better mobility, reduced medical complications, and improved quality of life. Marwell said clinicians have to integrate nutrition, physical activity, behavioral support, and medication review to achieve these benefits. Many medications commonly prescribed to older adults like antidepressants and pain medications can contribute to weight gain or hinder weight loss efforts, underscoring the need for routine medication reassessment, she said. Structural inequities such as not having access to healthy food options, limited access to exercise spaces, and lack of transportation can make weight loss guidance unrealistic for many patients without broader systems-level support, said Anna Pendrey, MD, primary care physician at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis. 'We can't recommend diet and exercise without acknowledging the social and economic realities our patients face,' Pendrey said. Pendrey and her colleagues at the Indiana University Student Outreach Clinic are addressing these barriers through community partnerships, free clinic services, transportation support, and embedding pharmacists, dieticians and physical therapists to support underserved older adults. Pendrey said obesity treatment requires 'tackling structural obstacles to care, not individual willpower.' That same level of intentionality is important when considering newer pharmacologic treatments, she added. While incretin mimetics drugs, including glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists like semaglutide, offer promising results for both obesity and diabetes management, they must be used cautiously in older adults, given side effects, high costs, and limited long-term data in this age group, panelists said. The expert panel members did not report any relevant disclosures.
