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YOUR WEEKLY CHECKUP

This week: What you need to know about the newest up-and-coming Omicron variants; the risks of using this popular diabetes drug for weight loss; a deadly new monkeypox variant smolders in Central Africa; creating psychedelics without the side effects.

PHOTOGRAPH BY PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

The variants poised to take over in the U.S.

Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 now account for a tenth of the nation’s COVID-19 cases, while BF.7 accounts for another 5 percent. (Globally, the horse race also includes worrisome contenders such as the Omicron subvariant XBB.) What exactly are these variants and how are they different from those we've seen before?

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

WHY IT MATTERS: Here's how multiple COVID-19 infections can harm the body +

PHOTOGRAPH BY IMYSKIN, GETTY IMAGES

Ozempic, TikTok's favorite weight loss drug, is unproven—and not meant for weight loss

Scientists caution that for weight loss, the diabetes medication's safety and efficacy aren't settled. That hasn't stopped influencers. Here's what you need to know about the medication—including how it works and the risks.

THE RISKS OF OFF-LABEL USE

DIET WARNING: Low-calories sweeteners might not be as good for us as we thought +

PHOTOGRAPH BY BRENT STIRTON

A deadly new monkeypox variant is surging. Here's why the world should be worried.

The majority of the cases of this variant—10 times deadlier than the global strain—are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. But health experts say countries should be concerned about its threat to global communities and take stronger action to prevent it and other animal-borne diseases from blazing around the world: "If we don't do this, it will come back to haunt us."

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

PHOTOGRAPH BY ALANA PATERSON, THE NEW YORK TIMES/REDUX

Why scientists want to create psychedelics that give better trips

Drugs modeled on natural compounds could help people with anxiety, depression, and addiction. But can side effects, like long-and-winding trips, be eliminated while keeping the therapeutic benefits?

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

RELATED: A psychedelic surprise may be thriving in your local garden +

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

NG STAFF

FDA authorizes the first non-mRNA COVID-19 booster

As we head into the winter, scientists are expecting to see a surge in COVID-19 cases in the U.S.

TRACKING COVID IN THE U.S.

What Europe's COVID wave means for the U.S. (The Atlantic)

Could COVID-19 trigger depression? Yes—but not for the reasons you think.

Long COVID may set you back a decade in exercise gains (Washington Post)

How Black Death survivors gave their descendants an edge during pandemics (NPR)

MORE HEALTH NEWS

CORBIS/GETTY IMAGES

Our bodies are unique. Our cancers are too.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month celebrates, in part, how much better we understand how cancer behaves. But the great challenge for researchers remains: Cancer has many faces.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

MARTIN OEGGERLI

Breast cancer spreads more aggressively during sleep

Many more cancerous cells circulate in the blood at night, suggesting that time of day could play a role in diagnosis and treatment.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

ANTHONY KWAN, BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY

Innovative new blood tests could detect cancers early

The tests could detect multiple types of cancer before people even have symptoms, potentially saving many lives.

Have you exercised your body fat lately? (Washington Post)

How to boost your immune system during cold and flu season (New York Times)

Respiratory virus cases in children surging "like never before" (Axios)

84 percent of U.S. maternal deaths are preventable, committee finds (NPR)

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