A New Weight

With obesity rates nearing 30 percent in the U.S., one thing is certain: The scientist who develops a safe weight-loss drug will be one rich individual. (To date, only six are FDA-approved, five of which aren’t deemed safe for long-term use.) So imagine the elation when scientists, mid-research on an experimental cancer drug, found that it caused their Rhesus macaques (i.e. monkey) test subjects to drop 11 percent of their body weight in just one month and also increased their metabolism. It seems to work by cutting blood flow to fat cells—which can also cause temporary dehydration and kidney changes—but it’s unclear whether that same effect will occur in humans, or if it’s safe long-term. But for now: Eureka, indeed. It could certainly be a life-changing discovery!

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