Latest news with #NewYorkCity-based
Newsweek
21 minutes ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Weight Loss Jab Found To Shrink Breast Cancer Tumors
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Millions of Americans have turned to weight-loss injections originally developed to treat diabetes—and now, research suggests that these medications may offer a surprising additional benefit: shrinking obesity-related breast tumors. A new study in mice shows that tirzepatide—the active ingredient in the popular drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound—not only helps shed pounds but may also slow or reduce the growth of breast cancer tumors linked to obesity. Dr. Sue Decotiis, a New York City-based physician who specializes in medical weight loss, told Newsweek she is encouraged by the findings. She said: "These results, although preliminary, are very promising. From my experience as a weight loss physician, I am not surprised." The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan. It found that obese mice treated with tirzepatide not only lost about 20 percent of their body weight, but also experienced a significant reduction in breast tumor volume. A stock image of an overweight female injecting into stomach. A stock image of an overweight female injecting into stomach. Vincent Scherer/iStock / Getty Images Plus Tirzepatide's Rise and Dual Potential More than two in five adults in the U.S. have obesity and weight-related diseases continue to place a heavy burden on public health. In November 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) as a treatment for chronic weight management in adults. The drug is also marketed as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes. Together with other GLP-1-based medications like Ozempic, these drugs have become widely used—data shows that around 6 million Americans are currently prescribed either Ozempic or Mounjaro, according to the Indiana University School of Medicine. Now, the new research hints that these drugs could serve a dual role—helping individuals lose weight while potentially reducing cancer risk. A Study in Mice: Fat Loss and Tumor Shrinkage The study involved 16 female mice genetically prone to obesity. The mice were fed a high-fat diet until they became significantly overweight. At 32 weeks old—roughly middle-aged in human terms—they were divided into two groups. One group received tirzepatide injections every other day for 16 weeks, while the other was given a placebo. The team found that the tirzepatide-treated mice lost about 20 percent of their body weight, mostly from reduced fat mass. In tandem, their breast tumors shrank, with researchers noting that tumor volume was directly tied to body weight and total fat—suggesting a strong link between fat reduction and tumor growth suppression. Paper author and and physiologist Amanda Kucinskas said in a statement: "Obesity is a significant risk factor for breast cancer, and while it is very preliminary data, our studies in mice suggest that these new anti-obesity drugs may be a way to reduce obesity-associated breast cancer risk or improve outcomes." Why Obesity Increases Cancer Risk The link between excess body fat and cancer is well established. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed over 1,000 studies and found consistent evidence that higher body fat increases the risk of at least 13 types of cancer, including colorectal and breast cancer. Decotiis explained the biology behind this link: "Obesity increases the risk of breast cancer especially in postmenopausal women. Overweight or obese women often experience more aggressive cancer growth and poorer response to treatment. "Higher levels of estrone, a secondary type of estrogen produced in fatty tissue that is inflammatory and carcinogenic, are found in overweight women after menopause. Additionally, insulin resistance, which is another inflammatory state, aids abnormal cellular growth patterns, which contribute to cancer." Fat cells aren't just passive—they secrete substances that can trigger inflammation and influence how nearby tissues behave. In obese individuals, this can create an environment that fosters cancer growth. Tirzepatide, by dramatically reducing fat stores, may indirectly weaken that cancer-friendly environment. What's Next? Separating Weight Loss from Cancer Effects The Michigan team is now working with nutrition scientist Steve Hursting at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to investigate whether tirzepatide's effect on tumors is solely due to weight loss—or if the drug may have direct anti-cancer properties. "While these are very preliminary results, they suggest that this new anti-obesity drug may also have a beneficial impact on breast cancer outcomes," Kucinskas said. Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about tirzepatide? Let us know via health@
New York Post
4 hours ago
- Health
- New York Post
NYC banking exec dead after hiking Wyoming peak six times during ‘Everesting' endurance challenge
A Big Apple banking executive and father-of-three died after quickly hiking up and down a Wyoming peak six times during an 'Everesting' endurance challenge. Slava Leykind, 43, of Westport, Connecticut, went into cardiac arrest after competing in the event at Snow King Mountain in Jackson Hole late last month. The endurance-style event sees hikers repeatedly trek 1,500 feet up the mountain to match climbing Mount Everest — the world's tallest peak at 29,032 feet. 3 Connecticut banker, Slava Leykind, with his wife and children Amy Keller Leykind / Facebook 3 Flat Creek and the Snow King ski resort in Jackson, Wyoming. Christopher Boswell – Leykind managed to complete six laps before first responders were called in and he was rushed to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho where he died on July 2, Jackson Hole News & Guide reported. His cause of death was a 'an electrolyte imbalance causing cardiac arrest,' the Teton County Coroner said. Leykind, who lived in Westport with his wife and their three kids, was an exec at the New York City-based investment bank, CG Sawaya Partners, where he'd worked for two decades, according to his LinkedIn. 3 Dad of three Slava Leykind died during an endurance challenge. Amy Keller Leykind / Facebook 'Despite his significant professional success at a young age, Slava's role as a husband and father was his greatest achievement, passion and pride,' his obituary said. 'He fervently supported his children, bringing love and a sense of calm to the wonderful chaos of a full house.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Betaworks' third fund closes at $66M to invest in early-stage AI startups
New York City-based Betaworks has closed its $66 million Fund III, which will focus on investing in early-stage AI companies. Betaworks has been investing in AI since at least 2016 and, through its investment program Camp, has backed companies such as Huggingface and Granola. Jordan Crook, a partner at the firm (and former TechCrunch employee), said the new fund will focus on agents, native AI interfaces, and application-layer AI. 'Around these themes, we will continue to do straight seed investing and the Betaworks Camps,' Crook said. Fund III will seek to invest in at least 25 pre-seed to seed investments, as well as make at least 50 investments into startups as part of the Betaworks Camps program. 'Thus far, we've done around 37 deals,' Crook said, adding that the average check size was around $500,000. Crook called the current fundraising environment 'frothy' for startups, and 'spiky' for funds, but she noted that Fund III saw many of the firm's previous limited partners returning to invest. 'The fundraising environment in venture was challenging in 2024, and we weren't exempt, given that we were upsizing our fund,' she said. Betaworks previously raised a $46 million Fund II in 2020, and a $48 million Fund I in 2016. It launched in 2008 as a venture studio, and has since become a staple in the New York City tech ecosystem, launching its Betaworks Camps program in 2016. The firm's other notable investments include Tumblr and Kickstarter.
India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
US woman offers 7-month-old daughter for sex to stranger, charged with trafficking
A mother of seven in Indiana was arrested after she allegedly told a man to molest her seven-month-old daughter in exchange for $400 (approximately Rs 33,000). Morgan Stapp, in a purported message to the man sought half of the amount in advance. The 32-year-old also allegedly asked the man if he was interested in her nude woman was charged with child sex trafficking for asking the man to molest her infant woman allegedly used the social media app Snapchat to try and facilitate a sexual assault on her daughter, according to a New York City-based news outlet, People. According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by People, the mother of seven sent the purported message to the man on November 1, 2024, suggesting he could assault the child."Half now rest after I'll send my address I do live alone, and her dad is not in the picture," the alleged message read, the news outlet flagged the message to authorities and 10 days later FBI agents met with Stapp at her home in Indianapolis, according to the affidavit, People 32-year-old woman reportedly told agents that she did not have access to her Snapchat account and denied sending the message in one phone had access to the account, according to the YOU BE INTERESTED IN MY NUDES, ASKED INDIANA WOMANDetective Kristen Hartman of the Metropolitan Police Department of Indianapolis found over 7,000 messages had been sent between October 29 and November 1, the affidavit read, including 81 that said: "Would you be interested in buying my nudes so I can get baby diapers?" according to the to the affidavit, the search also uncovered multiple images of Stapp that were taken after she claimed to FBI agents that she had lost access to her court docket shows that Stapp was booked into custody on July 8 and is being charged with child sex trafficking (attempt to commit), a level 2 felony, according to the Indiana law, a Level 2 felony conviction carries a mandatory prison sentence ranging from 10 to 30 in court last week, Stapp said that she is a stay-at-home mother and receives government aid, and help from her parents, The UK's Daily Mail added that she is unemployed but does some deliveries to earn extra bond was initially set at $200,000 surety but was later reduced to $100,000. She was also issued a no-contact order involving two of her woman was arrested on July 8 and is still in Marion County Jail, and a pre-trial hearing is scheduled for September 15.- Ends
Elle
2 days ago
- Business
- Elle
The Surprising Place People Are Turning for Shopping Recommendations
In the age of social media, phrases like 'link in bio,' 'like and subscribe,' and 'everybody's been asking,' have been seared into our vocabulary, especially if you follow influencers with massive online followings. However, a fan base is no longer a prerequisite for sharing and profiting off of your own curated recommendations. Most probably started noticing affiliate links in the early 2010s, when RewardStyle, now known as LTK, entered the scene and allowed bloggers to earn money from their product recommendations through commissions on every sale. More than two decades later, the company counts on 40 million monthly users and drives $5 billion in annual retail sales through its platform. A newer player is ShopMy, which launched in 2020, and is now valued at $410 million after it announced it had raised $77.5 million earlier this year. According to ShopMy, its affiliate rates range anywhere from 4 to 50 percent. In 2025, influencer-driven shopping behavior is a natural result of how much time we're spending on our phones. Online personalities like Leandra Medine Cohen, Tamu McPherson, and Tinx are helping shape what we buy, all within the palms of our own hands. A 2024 Pew Research Center survey found that 62 percent of U.S. adults on TikTok rely on the app for product recommendations. Looking specifically at female users between the ages of 18 to 49 on the platform, that percentage jumps to 74 percent. Now, the affiliate link landscape is changing yet again. LTK, ShopMy, and Amazon Storefront currently allow anyone to easily create commissionable links they can share, regardless of platform size. Meaning, you can click a link to a product recommended by Meghan Markle just as easily as you can one from your co-worker. Many of these platforms are technically invite-only, but you can apply to join. On ShopMy, you can easily be referred by someone already on there. Bryn Poulos, a New York City-based fashion consultant with just under 4,000 Instagram followers, has been on ShopMy for a little over six months. She was encouraged by her friend, jewelry designer Jennifer Fisher, to join, despite not having a major Instagram following of her own. Originally, she did so in an effort to 'get a better hold on finances,' feeling inspired by personal finance creators like Tori Dunlap (@herfirst100k) and Haley Sacks (@mrsdowjones), to invest, save, and develop a new revenue stream. 'At first, you're not really making much if I can really build out my investments through this platform, that's great,' Poulos says, before adding, 'working in fashion, your friends are going to ask you for links all the time anyway.' Poulos familiarized herself with the platform, and started generating commissionable links to share. 'It was mainly things I was wearing,' she explains. 'Then I realized you didn't have to be wearing an outfit to promote it. You could just post the links with the picture of your edits, like you would if you're doing a magazine page or a gift guide. That opened a lot more doors.' It didn't take long for her to climb the platform's tiered system, which rewards users who drive strong traffic and order volume, to the very top (dubbed 'Icon'). This then brought gifting and brand partnerships (she's worked with Coach on two promotions so far). Beyond sharing links and curating products on her profile, Poulos has also found success in using a platform like ShopMy for other aspects of her professional life: As a personal shopper and stylist, she can compile products for her clients there. 'It's one link that they click, and everything's in one place,' she says. The affiliate link appeal expands beyond the fashion industry, too. Take Jess Gray, a sports business executive in Detroit with just under 3,000 Instagram followers, who opened a LTK account almost three years ago. Like Poulos, she figured she should find a way to streamline the process of sharing links to products her friends kept asking her for. She'll post things she loves, as well as things she knows could work for a variety of lifestyles. Recommendations can include the comfiest work-from-home leggings, 'or, if I'm traveling, what I'm packing or what I use on the road,' she says. But there's a clear appetite from her peers: 'The feedback I get is, 'I want more.'' For now, most of the clicks on Gray's links are coming from people she knows. 'But it's growing where there are people that don't know me and might only have interest in me for certain things that I post,' she explains. She herself has followed people on social media that she first discovered on LTK, and vice versa; some are full-time content creators, others are like her, sharing commissionable links on the side, whom she wants to support. (Friends have done similar for Gray, too: 'My best friend will be like, 'Post this on your LTK, so I can buy it. I can click your link, and you get a couple of dollars.'') This personal element brings an authenticity to recommendations, one that we may no longer feel from full-time influencers once they blow up. According to Dr. Jay Sinha, associate professor at the Temple University Fox School of Business and Management, Gen Z, especially, engages with micro-influencers (accounts with between 10,000 and 100,000 followers) more than celebrities or professional influencers because they prize 'real people' who take the time to respond to questions. Plus, with Gen Z, they've grown up on the internet. 'It feels more instinctual to just share a link,' says Sinha. Sky Howard, a program manager in Washington, D.C. with around 2,000 Instagram followers, started on ShopMy and LTK as a consumer. Once she started posting more recommendations on her personal social media accounts, she realized she could take advantage of these tools, too. 'I was already sharing links with my friends directly, and with followers and other people who follow me that were genuinely interested in what I was wearing,' Howard says. 'I figured, why not make the most of the influence that I already have in a more intentional way?' Howard describes what she's earned from affiliate links as 'play money'—nice to have, but not enough to make a living. 'I'm open to the possibilities of where content creation and making money online can take me,' she adds. Lindy Segal, a New York City-based writer and editor with 4,000 Instagram followers, joined ShopMy in February 2022, through a referral from a colleague. 'As a freelancer, I'm always looking to see how I can have a side hustle,' she says. She started 'testing the waters' with beauty recommendations, but didn't actively use the platform until she launched a Substack newsletter called Gatekeeping, that now has around 2,000 subscribers, that winter. 'I always say it's a shopping-ish newsletter—there are newsletters that go out that have no shopping links at all, but then there are some that have a bunch,' Segal says. 'I wanted to have affiliate somehow.' ShopMy was the most straightforward way to incorporate commissionable links into Substack. (She's since also opened an Amazon storefront.) Segal thinks it's mostly friends who buy products through her commissionable links, but she's heard from strangers, both on Instagram and Substack, who have purchased from her as well. 'I had a friend Venmo me $10 randomly,' she says. 'She was like, 'I bought these Adidas you recommended. You deserve a kickback.'' She compares the appeal of nano- and micro-influencers to what she calls 'the original influencing': customer product reviews. 'We all read the reviews first,' she says. Howard agrees: 'People believe that they'll get the honest truth about a particular item, similar to a review on a website. I'm the type of person that will read every single review before purchasing something.' So, why not trust the review of someone you know IRL? 'For a long time, people wanted to shop through celebrities or influencers, but now, they're looking at people they know and trust,' Poulos says. Plus, at the end of the day, 'we all have influence,' adds Gray. It's just the scale that varies.
