The Dragon Slayer: This Scientist's Injection is Conquering Obesity (and Big Pharma)

The Mother of Dragons (and Weight Loss Injections): This Scientist is Changing How We Think About Obesity

Move over, Elon Musk! There's a new innovator in town, and her name is Lotte Bjerre Knudsen. This unassuming Danish scientist is the brains behind Wegovy, the revolutionary weight loss injection that's making Novo Nordisk more valuable than Daimler, Bayer, Lufthansa, and BMW combined.

Here's the TL;DR:

• From Pizzas to Planes: Wegovy's impact is being felt everywhere, from decreased calorie sales at Walmart to airlines potentially using less jet fuel due to lighter passengers.

• Not About the Benjamins: Despite her groundbreaking research, Knudsen remains humble, emphasizing teamwork over individual gain. She even jokes about being a socialist and hasn't pushed for a raise in 34 years!

• Facing the Critics: Knudsen had to battle skepticism within her own company to pursue her research. But armed with clinical data and a network of scientists (especially from Germany!), she persisted.

• More Than Just Weight Loss: While semaglutide is making waves for its slimming effects, its potential applications go far beyond aesthetics, showing promise in treating heart failure and possibly even Alzheimer’s.

• Ethics and Access: The interview also delves into the ethical considerations surrounding Wegovy, including its high cost and potential for misuse.

Key takeaways you don't want to miss:

• Knudsen's story highlights the power of scientific perseverance and the potential for research to transform global health.

• The interview sparks a conversation about the societal implications of weight loss drugs, including access, affordability, and ethical considerations.

• Knudsen's personality shines through – a down-to-earth scientist more interested in advancing science than personal accolades.

This is one interview you won't want to skim!

Source: Spiegel

This One’s Music to Our Ears: Gene Therapy Restores Hearing in Toddler

Opal Sandy, an 18-month-old British girl, has made medical history. Born deaf due to a rare condition, Opal received groundbreaking gene therapy at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The results? Her hearing is now close to normal!

Here's the breakdown:

• Opal's deafness stemmed from a faulty OTOF gene, which hindered communication between her ear cells and hearing nerve.

• The gene therapy delivered a working copy of the OTOF gene directly to her ear, aiming for a "one and done" fix.

• Just weeks after the procedure, Opal began reacting to sounds – first loud claps, then whispers.

• This breakthrough could signal a new era in treating genetic deafness and paves the way for similar therapies.

What's next: More children are being enrolled in the trial, and researchers are closely monitoring Opal's progress. While widespread availability is still a way off, this success story offers hope for countless families affected by genetic deafness.

Source: Independent

Ancient Maya Offering: A Psychedelic Surprise

Archaeologists just unearthed a mind-blowing discovery at an ancient Maya ball court in Mexico – a ceremonial bundle of plants, including the hallucinogenic flower xtabentun (think ancient LSD!).

Here's the lowdown:

• The bundle, dating back to 80 C.E., was found beneath a plaza and contained xtabentun, chili peppers, lancewood, and jool leaves.

• Researchers believe this was a ritual offering to appease the gods during the ball court's construction, kinda like a "christening."

• Maya ball courts were considered sacred spaces, not just for sport.

Key takeaways:

• This discovery sheds light on the spiritual practices of the ancient Maya and the importance of ball courts in their society.

• The use of hallucinogenic plants highlights the role of altered states of consciousness in their rituals.

• Finding well-preserved organic material in a tropical climate is extremely rare, making this a landmark discovery.

So, next time you catch a basketball game, remember the Maya might have preferred a little xtabentun with their sport.

Source: Smithsonian

Antarctica: The Final Frontier Against Invasive Species 🐧 

Antarctica, the icy wonderland at the bottom of the world, is facing a new threat: invasive species. While the continent's extreme conditions have long served as a natural barrier, climate change and increasing human activity are weakening its defenses.

Here's the lowdown:

• Non-native species are hitching rides on ships and even kelp rafts, potentially disrupting the delicate Antarctic ecosystem. Think mussels smothering native species and voracious seastars wreaking havoc on the food chain.

• The good news? Antarctica's waters are still the least invaded on the planet! But scientists are sounding the alarm: we need to act now to protect this pristine environment.

• Solutions are on the horizon! Researchers are proposing innovative approaches like using underwater drones and environmental DNA to detect invaders early on.

• Protecting iconic species like emperor penguins could be the key to broader conservation efforts. Expanding marine protected areas would benefit not just penguins, but the entire ecosystem.

Bottom line: Antarctica is our last chance to prevent a large-scale invasion of non-native species. Let's not blow it!

Source: Revelator

America Goes Full Mercenary in the Central African Republic

We venture into the heart of Africa, where the US is reportedly stepping up its game against Russia's Wagner Group in a battle for influence over the resource-rich Central African Republic (CAR).

Here's the lowdown:

• Wagner's been dominating CAR: They've brought a semblance of peace, but at a cost. Think human rights abuses, exploitation of resources, and a tightening grip on the country's political system.

• America's new play: Enter Bancroft Global Development, a US security consultancy with a history of working in conflict zones. Rumor has it they're setting up a private military company in CAR to rival Wagner, securing mines and other valuable assets.

• Caught in the crossfire: The author, a journalist, got detained for weeks in CAR, highlighting the rising tensions between the US and Russia. Turns out, getting caught in a geopolitical power struggle isn't exactly a walk in the park.

• CAR's dilemma: Torn between Western ideals and the stability offered by Russia, the country's leadership seems to prioritize its own interests above all else.

• The big picture: This clash in CAR is a microcosm of a global trend – the rising use of private military companies and the increasing struggle for control over resources in unstable regions.

Key takeaways:

• The mercenary game is heating up: With the US potentially joining the fray, the fight for Africa's resources is getting even more intense.

• CAR's future is uncertain: Caught between superpowers, the country's fate hangs in the balance.

• The decline of Western influence? The author's experiences and conversations with locals point to a growing disillusionment with the West's perceived weakness and inaction.

Bottom line: This ain't your typical vacation read. This article offers a chilling glimpse into the realities of a new kind of Cold War, where mercenaries are the weapon of choice and the spoils are a continent's riches.

Source: Granta