Powerful new weight loss drugs not a panacea

+ discovering a shark with regenerated dorsal fin US Edition - Today's top story: As Zepbound dominates headlines as a new obesity-fighting drug, a nutritionist warns that weight loss shouldn’t be the only goal [View in browser]( US Edition | 10 January 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Prescription weight loss medications such as Zepbound and Ozempic, which mimic a natural hormone that makes people feel satiated, are poised to have a profound impact on public health and many people’s lives. But Mississippi State University dietitian and dietetics educator Mandy Conrad offers a well-timed warning that people [shouldn’t treat these breakthrough drugs as a silver bullet]( that will usher in perfect health. Yes, low weight is typically associated with good health, but she notes that these medications should be part of a bigger individualized plan that includes exercise and healthy eating. In particular, she says people should focus on maximizing nutrients from the food they eat. Millions of Americans are dealing with the effects of major storms this week, including blizzards and heavy rains. National weather analysts yesterday reported there were 28 natural disasters that caused at least $1 billion in damage last year, shattering the previous tally. Atmospheric scientist Shuang-Ye Wu from the University of Dayton explains the [science of how global warming fuels strong storms](, even cold snaps. Certainly one technology to watch in the world of biomedicine is mRNA, which came onto the world stage with the arrival of the first COVID-19 vaccines. Biochemist Li Li from the UMass Chan Medical School explains the mechanics of [mRNA-based drugs and describes some of the more promising applications]( other than vaccines, including the treatment of genetic diseases. Also in this week’s science news: - [Mountain chickadee a ‘canary in coal mine’ for climate change]( - [How to protect against rabies]( - [Studying fruit-eating bats to treat diabetes in humans]( If there’s a subject you’d like our team of science editors to investigate, please reply to this email. Martin LaMonica Director of Editorial Projects and Newsletters Overall health and well-being are about much more than just weight management. Carol Yepes/Moment via Getty Images [As Zepbound dominates headlines as a new obesity-fighting drug, a nutritionist warns that weight loss shouldn’t be the only goal]( Mandy Conrad, Mississippi State University Medications can play an important role in weight management, but not at the expense of overall nutrition. And healthy lifestyle habits are also key. Flood water filled streets in downtown Montpelier, Vt., on July 11, 2023. Kylie Cooper/Getty Images [2023’s billion-dollar disasters list shattered the US record with 28 big weather and climate disasters amid Earth’s hottest year on record]( Shuang-Ye Wu, University of Dayton An atmospheric scientist explains how rising temperatures are helping to fuel extreme storms, floods, droughts and devastating wildfires. Two hurdles mRNA drugs face are a short half-life and impurities that trigger immune responses. BlackJack3D/iStock via Getty Images Plus [Drugs of the future will be easier and faster to make, thanks to mRNA – after researchers work out a few remaining kinks]( Li Li, UMass Chan Medical School The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the promise of using mRNA as medicine. But before mRNA drugs can go beyond vaccines, researchers need to identify the right diseases to treat. [I set out to investigate where silky sharks travel − and by chance documented a shark’s amazing power to regenerate its sabotaged fin]( Chelsea Black, University of Miami After scientists’ GPS tracking tag was violently removed from one shark’s dorsal fin, they were in for a surprise: The wound didn’t just heal, but the missing tissue grew back. [Jan. 6 was an example of networked incitement − a media and disinformation expert explains the danger of political violence orchestrated over social media]( Joan Donovan, Boston University Social media allows a political leader to direct the behavior of political movements, including engaging in violence and insurrection. [Rabies is an ancient, unpredictable and potentially fatal disease − two rabies researchers explain how to protect yourself]( Rodney E. Rohde, Texas State University; Charles Rupprecht, Auburn University An unexpected case of rabies found in an animal can raise concerns for a potential outbreak. Proactive vaccination of both wildlife and people can help protect everyone. [Literature inspired my medical career: Why the humanities are needed in health care]( Irène Mathieu, University of Virginia While medical school may teach students about how the body works, it often neglects the social, political and cultural factors that determine health and disease. The humanities can help. - [Focus on right now, not the distant future, to stay motivated and on track to your long-term health goals]( Kaitlin Woolley, Cornell University; Paul Stillman, San Diego State University Long-term goals can be hard to stick to if the benefits are only way off in the future. Research suggests ways to focus on the here and now to help you ultimately achieve your more far-off targets. - [What happens to the ocean if we take out all the fish? A marine ecologist explains the complex roles fish play in their ecosystem]( Kory Evans, Rice University There are so many fish in the ocean that if you took them out, important habitats and food sources for many creatures would be lost. - [Cannabis products may harbor fungal toxins harmful to human health, but regulations are uneven or nonexistent]( Kimberly D. Gwinn, University of Tennessee Hemp flowers and certain cannabis products contain fungal toxins, including Aspergillus and Fusarium, that can exceed acceptable regulatory levels. - [Earth isn’t the only planet with seasons, but they can look wildly different on other worlds]( Gongjie Li, Georgia Institute of Technology You might hate winter, but at least you know what to expect every year. Other planets have wobbly axes that lead to wild, unpredictable seasons. - [Radiation therapy takes advantage of cancer’s poor DNA repair abilities – an oncologist and physicist explain how]( - [We used AI and satellite imagery to map ocean activities that take place out of sight, including fishing, shipping and energy development]( - [Why don’t fruit bats get diabetes? New understanding of how they’ve adapted to a high-sugar diet could lead to treatments for people]( - [What is resilience? A psychologist explains the main ingredients that help people manage stress]( - [The chickadee in the snowbank: A ‘canary in the coal mine’ for climate change in the Sierra Nevada mountains]( - Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly emails: [Politics Weekly]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Global Economy & Business]( - - About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. 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