In the July/August 2024 issue of the local newspaper, readers provided feedback on various articles, sharing their personal experiences and thoughts on the topics discussed.
One reader, John P. Moore from Weill Cornell Medicine and Scientific American’s Board of Advisers, expressed his appreciation for the article on appetite control and satiety pathways. He shared his own experience with a drug candidate called Axokine, which helped him lose a significant amount of weight during a clinical trial. Moore emphasized the life-changing potential of satiety drugs and their impact on weight management.
Another reader, Alain Morin, highlighted the similarities between his own experience with gastric bypass surgery and the effects of GLP-1 drugs discussed in the article. Morin raised questions about the possible changes in GLP-1 levels post-surgery and how they contribute to weight loss.
In response to a reader’s inquiry about the discovery of longer-lasting structures of GLP-1 in the saliva of the Gila monster, the author, Lauren J. Young, explained that research on venomous creatures like the Gila monster led to the development of GLP-1-based drugs. The discovery of exendin-4 in Gila monster saliva served as a foundation for the creation of effective GLP-1 drugs for diabetes and weight management.
Anne Prucha and Schuyler V. shared their experiences with ticker-tape synesthesia, a phenomenon where individuals see words they speak as visual text. Both readers related to the article discussing this unique form of synesthesia, highlighting their personal encounters with speech-to-text visualization.
Steve Wise raised questions about the origins and age of the near-Earth asteroid Bennu, suggesting the possibility of it being a relic from Earth’s history. Robin George Andrews explained that chemical analyses of Bennu’s sample material ruled out its origin from Earth or the moon, pointing to its unique composition and ancient nature.
Charles Gould from Las Vegas, Nevada, reflected on past efforts to address the issue of orbital debris in space. He shared his experience working on NASA contracts aimed at finding solutions for removing space debris, emphasizing the challenges and limitations faced in developing effective strategies.
In a note on errata, corrections were made to articles regarding the use of a GPS device instead of a transmitter and the proper credit for a cover image in the November issue.
Overall, reader feedback provided valuable insights and personal connections to the topics covered in the July/August 2024 issue of the local newspaper, enriching the discussion on science, health, and space exploration.