Latest news with #UniversityofPennsylvania
Gizmodo
19 hours ago
- Health
- Gizmodo
This Experimental Weight Loss Drug Works Without the Nausea or Vomiting
What if you could lose weight with a drug that won't make you lose your lunch at the same time? New research shows it might be possible. Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Kentucky, and other institutions say they've found a potentially novel way to suppress people's appetite and treat obesity—without causing the nausea or vomiting commonly experienced with semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy). In early animal experiments, the team's experimental drug appears to be working as intended. Semaglutide and similar drugs mimic the natural GLP-1 hormone, which is important to regulating our insulin production and hunger. As effective as these medications are at helping people lose weight, they have their tradeoffs—most notably a high chance of gastrointestinal side effects. So there's clearly still a need for improved obesity treatments, according to lead study author Caroline Geisler, an assistant professor at UKY's College of Pharmacy. This Simple Strategy Could Curb One of Semaglutide's Worst Side Effects Geisler and her team have been exploring one particular strategy for treating obesity, involving a protein called octadecaneuropeptide, or ODN. ODN is produced by the brain's glia, specialized cells that support neurons. But glia aren't just the brain's support troops, and ODN seems to be important to controlling our sense of hunger. 'Now we know that [glia] play a large role in sensing and communicating the status of the body, and we hope that by targeting a glial signaling molecule, we can engage many energy-regulating pathways in the brain and avoid the side effects of nausea and vomiting,' Geisler told Gizmodo. The researchers first tested their hypothesis by delivering ODN directly to the hindbrain of rats. Once treated, the rats lost weight and improved their blood sugar control. And when they blocked ODN signaling in rats, the animals exhibited a weaker response to GLP-1 treatment (suggesting its effects are at least partly tied to ODN). Finally, they indirectly dosed mice, rats, and shrews with an experimental drug derived from ODN, called TDN. In mice, TDN improved blood sugar control; in rats, it caused weight loss without nausea or vomiting; and in shrews (animals commonly used to test motion sickness and vomiting), the drug triggered no puking at all. The drug also appeared to not have any noticeable effects on the animals' heart rate, movement, and temperature. 'This paper shows for the first time that giving a smaller version of ODN in the periphery is still effective to improve body weight and metabolic control without side effects,' Geisler said. The team's findings, published Wednesday in Science Translational Medicine, are only a proof of concept for now. There remain many questions about exactly how ODN works in the brain to tamp down our appetite and control blood sugar. It's also possible that ODN-based drugs can be further optimized for medical use, though TDN seemed to produce steady weight loss in animals for at least over a week without waning. Still, the researchers are hopeful this potential new drug class can match or even surpass the effectiveness of today's GLP-1 therapies while being less of a hassle to take. And they're now planning to develop such drugs for testing in people. 'We have an optimistic timeline that we could be ready to start clinical trials within 2 years,' Geisler said. The Best Obesity Drugs Aren't Even Here Yet The study researchers are hardly the only ones working to introduce the next generation of improved obesity and diabetes treatments. But it's likely plenty of people would sign up for a safe weight loss drug that comes without the need for a barf bag.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Attorneys general urge NCAA to erase transgender athlete records
"Since taking office in January, President Trump has made restoring fairness to women athletes a priority. While we appreciate the steps the NCAA has taken since then, there is far more the NCAA can do for the women athletes that have competed and continue to compete in your events," the letter reads. The letter comes as the Trump Administration has targeted removing transgender athletes from competing in women's sports, and threatening schools that resist. On Feb. 5, less than a month into his presidency, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that barred transgender women and girls from playing in school sports, and schools that don't comply would be cut off of federal funding. The NCAA altered its policy on transgender athletes as a result. Previously, the policy used a sport-by-sport approach that "preserves opportunity for transgender student-athletes while balancing fairness, inclusion and safety for all who compete." At the time, it aligned with decisions by United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, as well as International Olympic Committee. But one day after Trump's executive order, the NCAA changed course. Now, only student-athletes assigned female at birth can compete in women's sports. The policy was "effective immediately and applies to all student-athletes regardless of previous eligibility reviews under the NCAA's prior transgender participation policy." Since the executive order, there have been several legal threats against states for allowing transgender athletes from participating in women's sports, notably in Maine and in California. It also led to a notable Title IX investigation into the University of Pennsylvania surrounding former swimmer Lia Thomas, who became the first openly transgender athlete to win a NCAA Division I title. In March, the federal government suspended roughly $175 million in contracts to Penn for allowing Thomas to compete. On July 1, the university reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in women's sports and strip Thomas' records. While Thomas' records were removed at Penn, it didn't impact her NCAA championship records. Thomas won the women's 500-yard freestyle event in 2022, and she tied for fifth in the women's 200-yard freestyle and eighth in the 100-yard freestyle. "The University of Pennsylvania took an important public step recently, affirming that it will comply with Title IX and President Trump's executive orders," the letter states. "All colleges and universities should follow suit, as should the NCAA." In a statement to USA TODAY Sports, the NCAA did not address whether it would erase transgender athlete records. "The NCAA's transgender participation policy aligns with the Trump Administration's order and male practice players have been common practice in women's college athletics for decades," the NCAA said. NCAA President Charlie Baker told a Senate panel in December there are less than 10 transgender athletes in the NCAA, making up a small percentage of the roughly 510,000 men and women who compete in the organization.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How Much Will 4 Years of Tariffs Cost the Middle Class?
For middle-class families, the impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs is more than a policy debate. Read Next: Discover More: According to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, middle-class households face an average of $22,000 in lifetime losses due to tariffs. That's a significant blow to households already struggling with rising costs for food, housing, and essentials. In addition, experts also say that the real impact could affect everyday expenses, often in ways families don't immediately see. So, how much will four years of tariffs really cost the middle class? What Four Years of Tariffs Could Cost You The middle-class price tag for tariffs ranges from $3,800 to nearly $5,000 per household per year. Over four years, that could mean up to $20,000 in lost purchasing power, a steep cost for families already squeezed by inflation. Here are the receipts: A Yale Budget Lab model found that tariffs could bump grocery bills by up to $4,900 annually. That same model estimates a broader $3,800 annual loss per household from consumer price increases tied to all 2025 tariffs. A separate study from the Becker Friedman Institute at the University of Chicago found that tariffs imposed in 2018 resulted in a 12% price increase for washers and dryers, with ripple effects extending to other major appliances. 'I've seen grocery bills for clients increase by 10% due to tariffs on imported food,' said Seann Malloy, founder and managing partner at Malloy Law Offices, LLC. Where Price Increases Add Up Fast Tariffs don't just touch one product or category. They compound across the things families rely on most. The steepest price hikes are being seen in cars, clothes, electronics and even shipping, as import costs are quietly passed on to consumers. Malloy said items like clothes, cars and electronics tend to see the steepest price hikes since 80-95% of tariff costs are typically passed on to consumers. Based on his estimates, clothing prices have risen by 17%, cars by 8.4%, and electronics by 10-5%. 'For example, a $30,000 car could become $2,520 more expensive, and a $500 smartphone could gain $75,' Malloy said. 'Services like shipping, which is linked to imported fuel, would also rise by 5-7%.' How to Cushion the Financial Blow If tariffs persist at 2025 levels, the Yale Budget Lab estimates the average household will lose about $3,800 per year in purchasing power due to higher prices. Over four years that adds up to more than $15,000 in additional costs. 'That could require families to tap savings or take on debt, especially for those on fixed incomes,' Malloy said. 'Clients of mine have sliced out $2,000 a year of retirement contributions to pay for them. My suggestion for the average household is to build a $5,000 emergency fund now to buffer long-term tariff impacts and avoid high-interest credit card debt.' How to Defend Your Budget Against Tariffs While individuals can't control trade policy, they can take steps to minimize the impact of prolonged price increases. Financial experts said smart shopping, strategic borrowing and prioritizing savings over extras could help households stay afloat if tariffs remain in place. 'To preserve funds, buy groceries and electronics at discount warehouses such as Costco, where a $200 annual membership yields $1,000 savings annually,' Malloy said. 'Purchase produce at farmers' markets, if you can, though prices might go up with demand.' He added, 'My suggestion is to explore credit unions for low-interest loans to cover unexpected costs and consult a financial advisor to prioritize savings over discretionary spending.' More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Tells Americans To Stock Up on Consumables as Trump's Tariffs Hit -- Here's What To Buy This article originally appeared on How Much Will 4 Years of Tariffs Cost the Middle Class? Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
USA Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Attorneys general from 28 states urge NCAA to erase transgender athlete records
Attorneys general from 28 states sent a letter to the NCAA, urging the organization to wipe out records, awards, titles and any other recognitions transgender athletes received in women's sports. The letter, spearheaded by Mississippi attorney general Lynn Fitch, was sent on Tuesday, July 22, co-signed by other Republican attorneys general. Fitch said in a statement the letter urges the NCAA to "restore to female athletes the records, titles, awards, and recognitions they earned but were denied because of policies that allowed biological males to compete in female categories." "Since taking office in January, President Trump has made restoring fairness to women athletes a priority. While we appreciate the steps the NCAA has taken since then, there is far more the NCAA can do for the women athletes that have competed and continue to compete in your events," the letter reads. The letter comes as the Trump Administration has targeted removing transgender athletes from competing in women's sports, and threatening schools that resist. On Feb. 5, less than a month into his presidency, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that barred transgender women and girls from playing in school sports, and schools that don't comply would be cut off of federal funding. The NCAA altered its policy on transgender athletes as a result. Previously, the policy used a sport-by-sport approach that "preserves opportunity for transgender student-athletes while balancing fairness, inclusion and safety for all who compete." At the time, it aligned with decisions by United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, as well as International Olympic Committee. But one day after Trump's executive order, the NCAA changed course. Now, only student-athletes assigned female at birth can compete in women's sports. The policy was "effective immediately and applies to all student-athletes regardless of previous eligibility reviews under the NCAA's prior transgender participation policy." Since the executive order, there have been several legal threats against states for allowing transgender athletes from participating in women's sports, notably in Maine and in California. It also led to a notable Title IX investigation into the University of Pennsylvania surrounding former swimmer Lia Thomas, who became the first openly transgender athlete to win a NCAA Division I title. In March, the federal government suspended roughly $175 million in contracts to Penn for allowing Thomas to compete. On July 1, the university reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in women's sports and strip Thomas' records. While Thomas' records were removed at Penn, it didn't impact her NCAA championship records. Thomas won the women's 500-yard freestyle event in 2022, and she tied for fifth in the women's 200-yard freestyle and eighth in the 100-yard freestyle. "The University of Pennsylvania took an important public step recently, affirming that it will comply with Title IX and President Trump's executive orders," the letter states. "All colleges and universities should follow suit, as should the NCAA." In a statement to USA TODAY Sports, the NCAA did not address whether it would erase transgender athlete records. 'The NCAA's transgender participation policy aligns with the Trump Administration's order and male practice players have been common practice in women's college athletics for decades," the NCAA said. NCAA President Charlie Baker told a Senate panel in December there are less than 10 transgender athletes in the NCAA, making up a small percentage of the roughly 510,000 men and women who compete in the organization.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
One Dietary Supplement Shown to Reduce Aggression by Up to 28%
Keep calm and try omega-3. The fatty acids, available as dietary supplements via fish oil capsules and thought to help with mental and physical well-being, could also cut down on aggression, according to a 2024 study. These findings haven't come out of nowhere: omega-3 has previously been linked to preventing schizophrenia, while aggression and antisocial behavior are thought in part to stem from a lack of nutrition. What we eat can influence our brain's chemistry. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania built on earlier, smaller studies of omega-3 supplementation effects on aggression. Their meta-analysis looked at 29 randomized controlled trials across 3,918 participants in total. Across all the trials, a modest but noticeable short-term effect was found, translating to up to a 28 percent reduction in aggression across multiple different variables (including age, gender, medical diagnosis, and length and dosage of treatment). Related: "I think the time has come to implement omega-3 supplementation to reduce aggression, irrespective of whether the setting is the community, the clinic, or the criminal justice system," said neurocriminologist Adrian Raine when the meta-analysis was published. The trials included in the study, carried out between 1996 and 2024, ran for an average of 16 weeks. They covered a variety of demographics, from children aged 16 and under to older people aged between 50 and 60. What's more, the reductions in aggression included both reactive aggression (in response to provocation) and proactive aggression (behavior planned in advance). Before this study, it wasn't clear if omega-3 could help with these different types of aggression. While larger studies across longer periods of time are going to be needed to further establish this relationship, it adds to our understanding of how fish oil pills and the omega-3 in them might be beneficial for the brain. "At the very least, parents seeking treatment for an aggressive child should know that in addition to any other treatment that their child receives, an extra portion or two of fish each week could also help," Raine said. The researchers think something in the way that omega-3 reduces inflammation and keeps vital brain processes ticking over might be helping regulate aggression. There are still a lot of unanswered questions, but the team suggests there's enough evidence to look into this further. Add in the studies that show that medications derived from fish oil can help reduce the risk of fatal heart attacks, strokes, and other heart health problems, and there seems to be plenty of upside to adding some omega-3 to your diet. "Omega-3 is not a magic bullet that is going to completely solve the problem of violence in society," said Raine. "But can it help? Based on these findings, we firmly believe it can, and we should start to act on the new knowledge we have." The research has been published in Aggression and Violent Behavior. An earlier version of this article was published in June 2024. Related News Do Women Need More Sleep Than Men? Here's The Science. Virus Traces Discovered in The Brain Lining of People With Schizophrenia 40% of People Have Eyes That Aren't Perfectly Round. Here's What You Need to Know. Solve the daily Crossword
