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MORE PROMISE FOR OZEMPIC?

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

In today’s newsletter, we examine new benefits of Ozempic and similar drugs, learn about the pirates of the Atlantic, look at how weather affects our bodies … and dig into a 9,000-year-old necklace. Plus, see a brand-new discovery: a red ‘crocheted’ walking fish.

An Ozempic needle injection pen photographed against a red background.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAAP ARRIENS, NURPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Drugs like Ozempic (above) and Mounjaro already have made a difference in weight loss and type 2 diabetes. Could they tamp down inflammation, too?

That seems to be the case in a recent study on mice—and might lead to treatment for diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.

HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

A painting of The Glorious Victory of Elizabeth's seamen over the Spanish Armada with two, large, 16th century ships

PHOTOGRAPH BY THE HISTORY EMPORIUM, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Who were the pirates of the Atlantic, really? And how did some go ‘legit’? (The painting above depicts the defeat of the Spanish Armada by England’s Navy in 1588.)

Are we seeing a return of measles? Why? And what is ‘immune amnesia?’

Everything you know about the ancient Maya has been upended

How does weather affect the body?

The secrets of the Red Sea Scrolls

What is Jerusalem Syndrome?

What are ‘death doulas’ and how do they help patients go with grace?

Letting go of the Leap Second

The big myth about diamonds

The real life rise and fall of Griselda Blanco

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

A round red fish with a small tail.

PHOTOGRAPH BY SCHMIDT OCEAN INSTITUTE

Meet this ‘walking fish’: It’s one of 100 new fish in the sea: Scientists in the Pacific have stumbled upon unique ecosystems that are home to these new species, such as the sea toad (above), which appears to have a red crocheted skin.

WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

Watch the trailer now and stream on March 5 on Hulu and Disney+.

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

Final physical reconstruction of 9,000 year old necklace at the new museum of Petra in Jordan made of amber, turquoise, sea shells, and other materials

PHOTOGRAPH BY ALARASHI ET AL., 2023 PLOS ONE, CC-BY 4.0

This 9,000-year-old necklace (pictured above) was an extraordinary find in southern Jordan. Fashioned from amber, turquoise, sea shells, and other materials, the piece has an elaborately engraved mother-of-pearl ring and hematite pendant. Who wore it?

A. A farmer’s wife
B. An eight-year-old child
C. A king
D. A community elder

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT

We asked, you answered: After our article on ultra-processed foods, we asked readers for tips to cut our consumption. “Keep a bag of apples in your car or truck,” John P. Franz of Pittsburgh suggested. “They travel better than almost any other fruit. Also keep roasted, unsalted nuts in your pantry or car. Dried fruits: apricots, peaches, mangoes, strawberries, also travel well and provide a wide variety of nutrients.”

Today’s soundtrack: Yet To Be, Rhiannon Giddens and Jason Isbell

We hope this newsletter brightened your Wednesday! It was curated and edited by David Beard, Nancy San Martín, Jen Tse, and Nishita Naga. Know someone who might want our newsletter in their inbox? Here’s the signup. See you tomorrow!

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