GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Surge in Eating Disorders as 'Forever Chemicals' and Crypto Heists Dominate Tech News

A new report indicates that the global incidence of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa has surged by 71% between 1990 and 2023. While GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are hailed as a biotech breakthrough, clinicians warn they may exacerbate this crisis by acting as potential triggers for eating disorders. This development highlights the complex interplay between pharmaceutical innovation and mental health risks, demanding urgent regulatory attention. In parallel, concerns are mounting over PFAS, known as "forever chemicals," which have been used for decades in nonstick pans and firefighting foams. These substances are linked to increased risks of fertility challenges, developmental delays, cancer, and reduced immune response. Although the concept of scrubbing PFAS-contaminated soil is still in its infancy, experts emphasize the need to limit their buildup by removing them from water systems to protect both human health and the planet. The tech sector is also grappling with significant security breaches. Binance has suffered the largest crypto hack in history, with the exchange reporting that $6.3 billion in assets were affected. Analysts have blamed the attack on North Korea, while the stolen Bitcoin is unlikely to be recovered. In response, Binance has suspended all deposits and withdrawals, marking a pivotal moment for cryptocurrency security. Broader implications extend to the energy and climate sectors, where data centers are set to send US climate pollution skyrocketing. Gas plants could push power-sector emissions up by 42% by 2030, raising alarms about the environmental cost of the AI boom. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has suspected that freezers at military bases were hacked, with malfunctions spoiling food and potentially linking to similar incidents in French supermarkets. These events underscore the growing vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyber threats.