Scientists are uncovering how GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy act on brain regions that control hunger, nausea, pleasure-based eating, and thirst. These discoveries may help create treatments that keep the benefits of weight loss while reducing unwanted side effects.

Researchers have created one of the most detailed virtual mouse cortex simulations ever achieved by combining massive biological datasets with the extraordinary power of Japan’s Fugaku supercomputer. The digital brain behaves like a living system, complete with millions of neurons and tens of billions of synapses, giving scientists the ability to watch diseases like Alzheimer’s or epilepsy unfold step by step. The project opens a new path for studying brain function, tracking how damage spreads across neural circuits, and testing ideas that once required countless experiments on real tissue.

Rutgers scientists found that metformin can blunt many of the metabolic and cardiovascular improvements normally produced by exercise. Participants who took the drug saw reduced gains in fitness, blood vessel function, and glucose control. The interference may stem from how metformin affects mitochondrial activity.

Chronic kidney disease has surged to nearly 800 million cases and is now among the top causes of death worldwide. The condition is heavily linked to diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, and often goes unnoticed until late stages. Many countries lack access to dialysis and transplants, leaving millions without adequate care.

Scientists discovered that alcohol activates a sugar-producing pathway in the body, creating fructose that may reinforce addictive drinking. The enzyme responsible, KHK, appears to drive both alcohol cravings and liver injury. When this enzyme was blocked in mice, their drinking decreased and their livers showed far less damage.