STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about fears of a Trump-inspired brain drain, Ozempic’s effect on drinking, and more
Scientists fear disruptive Trump policies could lead to a brain drain and undermine the nation's leadership in biomedicine
Rise and shine, everyone, another busy day is on the way. We can tell by the parade of motor vehicles passing by the Pharmalot campus and the continuous rumble of commuter trains off in the distance. As for us, we are engaged in the usual ritual of brewing cups of stimulation. Our choice today is blueberry cobbler, a household favorite. As always, you are invited to join us. The neurons could use all the help they can get, would you not agree? Meanwhile, here are a few items of interest for you to digest as you embark on your own journey today, which we hope is meaningful and satisfying. On that note, time to hustle. Best of luck, and do keep in touch. …
A torrent of disruptive Trump administration policies is alarming scientists who fear the current political climate is weakening resolve among researchers to stick with careers in academic science, STAT says. Already, the anxiety is so deep that many scientists say it could undermine the country’s enduring position as the world leader in biomedicine. In interviews with STAT, more than a dozen scientists and academics across the country expressed concern that talented young scientists may abandon academic research, which drives medical and scientific innovation, for jobs in industry or other careers. Senior scientists warned that researchers might leave the U.S. in search of more stable opportunities abroad — and STAT spoke with scientists who are considering doing exactly that.
Some people who take drugs like Ozempic have noticed a surprising but welcome side effect: They drink less, The New York Times tells us. A new paper offers the strongest evidence yet that this is more than just anecdote, or a placebo effect: It found that semaglutide, the substance in Ozempic and the weight loss drug Wegovy, could in fact help curb alcohol cravings. It is the first randomized controlled trial on semaglutide and alcohol consumption. The study followed 48 adults who met criteria for alcohol use disorder, a condition often characterized by difficulty controlling alcohol consumption. Half of the patients took low doses of semaglutide, and half received placebo shots. The participants spent two hours in a lab room stocked with their preferred alcoholic beverages — once before they started taking the drug, and once after. The effects on alcohol consumption were larger than the researchers anticipated, given previous data on other medications for alcohol use disorder.
