Eating disorders are increasing worldwide, and clinicians warn that GLP-1 weight-loss drugs could worsen the problem for some people. This edition also examines the prospects for PFAS cleanup, a short story about self-aware cities, major technology and science news, and an emerging debate over artificial intelligence and animal rights.
GLP-1 drugs and eating disorders
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are among the biggest biotechnology advances of the past decade. But some clinicians worry that they could also trigger or exacerbate eating disorders.
A new report suggests that the global incidence of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa rose by 71% between 1990 and 2023. Clinicians are already seeing cases in which GLP-1 drugs appear to be making the problem worse.
Here is how these drugs could intensify an already growing public-health challenge.
—Jessica Hamzelou
This story is from “The Checkup,” a weekly biotech newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox every Thursday.
Love is Infrastructure
“Love is Infrastructure” is a short story by Charlie Jane Anders, author of the novel Good Things Will Come to You.
Mainspring and St. Barnabas are neighboring cities with distinct personalities. They have never particularly liked each other, but that changes when they develop minds of their own, formed through a vote by their residents.
As the cities begin to gravitate toward each other, a third city emerges. Turnbull promises Mainspring a more efficient future, but his vision of urban life comes at an alarming price.
Read the full short story about self-aware cities, direct democracy, and hot romance.
This story is from the latest edition of the print magazine. Subscribe now to receive every issue as soon as it is released.
Have you arrived yet? PFAS cleanup
PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” have been used for decades in products and materials ranging from nonstick pots to firefighting foam. They are associated with increased risks of fertility problems, developmental delays, cancer, and a weakened immune response.
Cleaning PFAS-contaminated soil could prevent a number of disasters for people and the planet. Although the technology is still in its infancy, removing the chemicals from water systems could limit their buildup.
See how close we are to eliminating these chemicals from the world forever.
—Sarah Kiley Watson
This story is part of “Have You Arrived Yet?,” a series evaluating six technologies that have long promised to change the world and tracking their progress. We are investigating each technology now; more coverage is on the way. Subscribe to read the rest of the series.
Must-read content
We scoured the internet to find the most entertaining, important, scary, and fascinating technology stories of the day.
1. Binance suffered the biggest cryptocurrency hack in history
The exchange said $6.3 billion in assets were affected. (BBC)
+ Analysts blamed North Korea for the hack. (The Guardian)
+ Stolen bitcoins will probably never be recovered. (Bloomberg $)
+ Binance has suspended all deposits and withdrawals. (NBC News)
+ How a pastor’s cryptocurrency scheme cost investors millions of dollars in losses. (MIT Technology Review)
2. Nvidia’s Jensen Huang targeted by Chinese spy suspect
The suspect is an executive at a data-center company in Singapore. (The New York Times $)
+ US intelligence agencies believe she developed a relationship with Mr. Huang. (The Guardian)
+ Her company was investigated over suspicions of tip diversion. (CNBC)
+ Nvidia said the transaction was “normal.” (Bloomberg $)
3. Alphabet just cut its market value by $500 billion
The record loss was attributed to AI eating into search profits. (CNBC)
+ Amazon and Intel pushed technology stocks further down. (Bloomberg $)
+ Hyperscalers are gambling with trillions of dollars. (MIT Technology Review)
4. The Pentagon suspects military-base freezers were hacked
Food spoiled after the freezers malfunctioned. (Reuters $)
+ The incident may be related to a similar hack at a French supermarket. (Gizmodo)
5. US midterm elections could reshape the future of US science
A Democratic Congress could curb President Trump’s cuts to the science sector. (Nature)
+ Trump has already dealt a major blow to science. (MIT Technology Review)
6. Data centers will dramatically increase US climate pollution
Gas plants could increase power-sector emissions by 42% by 2030. (The Verge)
+ European data-center workers face dangerous conditions. (The Guardian)
7. SpaceX withdraws from NASA
The company is prioritizing Starlink and AI. (Ars Technica)
+ But Cape Canaveral is busier than it was during the space race. (Axios)
8. Battery makers are finding new markets in the US
They are shifting from electric vehicles to grid storage. (The Wall Street Journal $)
+ Batteries set a new record in the US. (MIT Technology Review)
9. Humanists received a religious exemption from using AI at work
He argued that using AI would undermine human flourishing. (Gizmodo)
10. Psychics are fighting back against computerized clairvoyance
Human practitioners argue that chatbots lack a sacred quality. (The Guardian)
Quote of the day
“Liz is something that only people have, so it’s becoming more and more in demand.”
—Stephen Strogatz, professor of mathematics at Cornell University, speaking to Business Insider. As AI increasingly takes over intellectual tasks, personal appeal will become more valuable.
One more thing
The Bay Area animal-rights movement wants to embrace AI
In early February, animal-rights activists and AI researchers arrived at Mox, a shoe-free coworking space in San Francisco, wearing socks. They met to discuss provocative ideas: If artificial general intelligence is on the horizon, can we prevent animal suffering?
Some participants brainstormed ways to use custom agents in advocacy, while others proposed using AI tools to grow meat. But the event’s main talking point was the large amount of money expected to flow into animal-rights charities, not from individual mega-donors but from employees of AI institutes.
Participants also considered more controversial ideas. AI could develop the capacity to suffer, which could constitute a moral catastrophe. We investigated why these ideas are gaining traction and sparking controversy.
—Michelle Kim and Grace Huckins
We still have good things
A place for comfort, fun, and distraction to brighten your day. Today is a Halloween special. Any ideas? Please contact me.
+ Meet “Picasso the Pumpkin Sculptor,” who brings artistry to Halloween traditions.
+ Bill McClintock’s “Ghostmashers” is the perfect soundtrack for your All Hallows’ Eve party.
+ Want to give someone a proper scare this year? The professionals behind America’s haunted attractions have a few ideas.
+ This Halloween light show combines 210 drones, fire, lasers, projections, fountains, and the Beastie Boys.
Source: www.technologyreview.com
