Unexpected Clues Emerge About Why Diets Fail

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January 13, 2020

Dear Reader,   Research shows that nearly every diet fails in the long term. Yet each new year countless people resolve to lose weight. Most will not be successful, and many will regain what they had shed. Today's top story explores surprising hints that could explain why the rebound happens. From our January issue, the editors of Scientific American take a stance on banning "conversion therapy," the dangerous and discredited practice of trying to change an individual's sexual identity. And researchers in Australia and China are trying to use perovskite crystals to build cheaper and more efficient solar panels, but the material's stability remains an obstacle.

Sunya Bhutta, Senior Editor, Audience Engagement @sunyaaa

Wellness Unexpected Clues Emerge About Why Diets Fail The physiology of weight regain still baffles scientists, but surprising insights have emerged By Daniel Engber,Nature Medicine

Policy & Ethics A Nationwide Ban Is Needed for "Anti-Gay Therapy" Most states still allow this damaging practice targeting young teens By THE EDITORS

Space Did Astronomers Just Discover Black Holes from the Big Bang? Gravitational waves attributed to the collision of two neutron stars could have been produced by something much stranger By Nola Taylor Redd

Energy This Material Could Squeeze More Energy from Solar Panels Perovskite may be more efficient, and cheaper, that traditional silicon, but durability remains an issue By Nathanial Gronewold,E&E News

Conservation Loss of Large Mammals Stamps Out Invertebrates, Too Hunted areas of Gabon have fewer large mammals and a thicker forest understory—but they also have fewer termites. Jason G. Goldman reports. By Jason G Goldman | 03:49

FROM THE STORE The Mystery of Sleep   The reason we need sleep has long mystified scientists, but it’s crystal clear that we do need it. In fact, the more we learn about what happens while we snooze, the more we discover new benefits for multiple processes including hormone balance, immune function, emotional health, learning and memory. Studies show that even one night of disturbed rest leads to measurable impairments, and for this mini-collection, we’ve gathered the most recent research on the mechanisms of sleep.

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FROM THE ARCHIVE Get Ready for More Volcanic Eruptions as the Planet Warms A new study shows that even relatively small-scale climatic changes affect volcanic activity By Annie Sneed | December 2017

QUOTE OF THE DAY "An old saying posits that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. If the $60-billion dieting industry is any indication, our society is steps away from a straitjacket." Andrea Gawrylewski, Scientific American Health&Medicine

WHAT WE'RE READING Philippines volcano spews ash, prompting evacuations and airport closure   By Quartz Trippy maths program could help figure out the shape of the universe   By New Scientist How you attach to people may explain a lot about your inner life   By The Guardian

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