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Good morning, it's Saturday, Aug. 29. Scientists may be getting closer to a one-and-done cholesterol treatment. First time reading? Join over 4.7 million insatiably curious readers. Sign up here.
Also in today's Digest: Norway's king dies (Quick Hits), Dolly Parton's music sees streaming surge (Quick Hits), a principal who risked his job for a homeless student (Humankind), ancient Rome's toilet culture (Etc.), and much more.
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One Big Headline
CRISPR Takes on Cholesterol
An experimental gene-editing treatment lowered "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides in patients for at least a year after a single dose, according to new results released yesterday from an early-stage trial. Among those receiving the highest dose, bad cholesterol fell by an average of 53% and triglycerides by 48%.
The treatment uses CRISPR—a technology that allows scientists to make targeted changes to DNA—to switch off a gene in liver cells that helps regulate blood fats. Initial results released last November showed the approach worked for at least two months; the latest follow-up suggests the effect may be longer lasting. The trial involved 15 patients with severe cholesterol or triglyceride disorders. Researchers reported no serious treatment-related side effects, though larger trials are needed to assess long-term safety and effectiveness. Watch how CRISPR works.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that comes in two forms, low- and high-density lipoproteins (LDL and HDL), while triglycerides are energy stored as fat in the bloodstream. Too much LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, can contribute to plaque buildup in blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
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Quick Hits
Nepal flood death toll nears 600 as rescue efforts continue.
More than 3,700 people have been rescued as crews search for survivors following Wednesday's massive flood along the Nepal-China border. At least 579 people have been killed in Nepal and five in Tibet, while roughly 2,500 remain missing; authorities are monitoring newly formed lakes upstream for risks of further flooding. (More) | See how the glacier collapse triggered the flood. (More)
Iran war reaches six-month mark.
Six months after fighting began between Iran, Israel, and the US, diplomatic efforts have yet to produce an agreement to end the conflict. At least 18 US service members have been killed and more than 750 wounded, while the Pentagon estimates the war has cost the US more than $37.5B. (More) | How the world has changed since the war began. (More) | ... and how the war affects you. (More)
Norway's King Harald V dies at 89 after 35 years on the throne.
Harald died yesterday after being hospitalized with a rare blood disorder and later developing a bacterial bloodstream infection. The monarch, who took the throne in 1991, is succeeded by his 53-year-old son, Haakon; Haakon's 22-year-old daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, is now heir to the throne. (More) | Which countries still have monarchies? (More)
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh signals interest rate hikes may be needed.
Warsh yesterday said the Federal Reserve has "work to do" if underlying inflation does not move toward the central bank's 2% target quickly enough. The comments, delivered during his first Jackson Hole speech as Fed chair, led investors to increase their expectations for a September rate hike. (More) | Read Warsh's speech. (More) | How raising interest rates controls inflation. (More)
Dolly Parton's music streams surge more than 2,000% after her death.
US audio and video streams of Parton's catalog jumped from 1.2 million Monday to 30.5 million Tuesday, the day the country music icon died at age 80. "Jolene" led the surge, climbing from roughly 196,000 streams to 3.3 million, while "9 to 5" jumped to 3 million. "Islands in the Stream" and "I Will Always Love You" each topped 2 million. (More) | Explore resources 1440 staff has collected about Parton. (More)
Thousands rally for voting rights in Washington, DC.
Demonstrators gathered on the National Mall yesterday for the Defend the Vote march, held 63 years after Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech at the 1963 March on Washington. The rally comes amid changes to voting rules and congressional maps ahead of November's midterm elections. (More, w/video) | See photos from the march. (More)
Humankind
Ohio principal lets homeless student move in with him to stay in school—and loses his job over it. (More)
Terminally ill New Yorker says goodbye to his dogs—Bowie and Nikki—in his hospital room, says his dying wish is for them to find loving homes. (More)
Tokyo café is run by robots operated by people with disabilities, offering them a meaningful way to participate in the workforce. (More)
Kitten rescued from heavy machinery is deemed the company's "shop cat" and adopted by the construction company's mechanic. (More)
Girlfriend throws her boyfriend a surprise party, and he surprises her right back by proposing. (More, w/video)
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They’re not replacing humans; they’re working with them. That’s the promise of “cobots” or collaborative robots. It’s a segment projected to grow 12X by 2035, topping $85B.
Miso Robotics' Flippy Fry Station robot boosts restaurant profits up to 4X working alongside human workers for brands like White Castle. Now, Flippy’s scaling into college campuses, NBA arenas, and a national burger chain to be announced soon for a $4B/yr US revenue opportunity.
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Humankind(ness)
Today, we're sharing a story from reader Susan W. in Richmond, VA.
"I do improv outside of work. I was in a special show themed around professional wrestling. While my coworkers are supportive, they all have lives, etc. At the show, I was flabbergasted to see nine people from my work there with signs cheering me on. It was so uplifting, and I am incredibly grateful."
Humankind(ness) is a reader-built corner of joy. So, what act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here. And if this story made you smile—share our email (copy URL here).
Why We Lose Muscle–And How to Keep It
We naturally lose muscle as we age, but the consequences go beyond strength. In our new "1440 Explores" episode, Health & Medicine Editor Dina Fine Maron digs into what lifting weights actually does inside the body and why staying strong matters as we grow older. Listen to the full episode here, or click below to watch a snippet:
PS—Click here to listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.
Etcetera
Ancient Romans treated pooping as a group activity.
Dogs blink more when they see their owners blink.
... and do dog or cat owners have better retirements?
Buckingham Palace pays tribute to Dolly Parton. (w/video)
Occupations with the highest divorce rates.
Ranking the 21 best weekend getaways in and around the US.
How much has US wildlife changed since Lewis and Clark? (w/audio)
The oldest family businesses in every country.
Science says your ability to focus changes with the seasons.
Inside the busiest restaurant on Uber Eats. (w/video)
A college football team's walk-on is a 47-year-old pastor.
What your parents' lifestyle would cost today.
Why can't we remember being babies? (w/audio)
Most Clicked This Week: Five factors that influence how likable you are.
Historybook: "Casablanca" actress Ingrid Bergman born, dies (1915, 1982); Sen. John McCain born (1936); Michael Jackson born (1958); Netflix is founded (1997); Hurricane Katrina makes landfall in Louisiana, kills nearly 1,400 (2005).
"Nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than yourself, something that encompasses you but is not defined by your existence alone."
— John McCain
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