A new report indicates a sharp increase in eating disorders, with global cases of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa rising by 71% between 1990 and 2023. The trend is concerning for clinicians who are now linking a popular class of drugs to the problem.
GLP-1 weight-loss medications, hailed as a major biotech advancement, are being viewed by some medical professionals as a potential trigger for eating disorders. These drugs, which work by suppressing appetite, are already showing a negative impact in clinical settings.
The drugs’ mechanism of action directly targets appetite control.
Self-Aware Cities and a New Kind of Romance
In a different technological area, a fictional story explores the idea of cities that develop their own consciousness. In “Love is Infrastructure,” neighboring cities named Mainspring and St. Barnabas begin to develop minds of their own, shaped by the collective votes of their residents.
A third city, Turnbull, offers Mainspring a more efficient future. However, this promise comes at a cost, forcing the characters to question what they are willing to sacrifice for progress and connectivity.
PFAS and the Challenge of Cleanup
Used for decades in many products, PFAS chemicals are linked to serious health issues. These “forever chemicals” are associated with increased risks of cancer and developmental delays.
Scrubbing PFAS from contaminated soil could eliminate these risks. The concept of cleaning them up is still in its infancy, but it is possible to limit their buildup by removing them from water systems.
The Must-Reads of the Week
Binance, a major crypto exchange, suffered the biggest hack in history. The company says $6.3 billion in assets were affected. Analysts have blamed the hack on North Korea. The stolen Bitcoin will likely never be recovered.
Nvidia’s CEO was targeted by an alleged Chinese spy. The suspect is an executive at a Singapore data center firm. US intelligence believes she cultivated ties with the executive. Nvidia has stated that their dealings were “normal.”
Alphabet lost $500 billion in market value in a single day. This record loss is due to AI taking a bite out of its search profits. The fall also affected other tech stocks like Amazon and Intel.
The Pentagon suspects freezers at military bases were hacked. The malfunctions spoiled food. These hacks may be linked to similar incidents in French supermarkets. An investigation is ongoing.
Data centers are set to send US climate pollution skyrocketing. Gas plants could push power-sector emissions up 42% by 2030. Workers in Europe’s data centers are also facing dangerous conditions.
The pros behind America’s haunted attractions have tips. This incredible Halloween light show combines 210 drones, fire, lasers, projection, fountains, and the Beastie Boys.
