The use of drugs that are agonists of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor is associated with an increased risk of alopecia development in adults with type 2 diabetes. According to the study results, when comparing these medications with gliflozins, the risk increased by 37 percent, and when compared with gliptins, it increased by 68 percent. The data from this study were published in The BMJ.
Previously, suspicions regarding the influence of GLP-1 agonists on the probability of alopecia were raised during post-marketing surveillance. Several studies, as well as reports from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, recorded cases of hair loss after starting such medications, including semaglutide and tirzepatide. However, until now, there was no large-scale population assessment of this potential association.
A team of scientists led by Chen Yun from the University of Pennsylvania conducted a simulation of a clinical trial using electronic health record data. The goal of the work was to determine the correlation between the prescription of GLP-1 agonists and the frequency of baldness. Other glucose-lowering agents were used as comparison groups: sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (gliflozins) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (gliptins).
The comparison cohorts included patients with type 2 diabetes ranging from 11,233 to 15,221 people. When comparing GLP-1 agonists with gliflozins, the GLP-1 recipient group was younger (mean age 58.1 years versus 64.5 years), had a higher body mass index (36.2 versus 32.3), and showed fewer comorbidities. Similar differences were observed when comparing with gliptins: participants in the GLP-1 agonist group were younger (mean age 58 years versus 66.9 years) and had a higher BMI (36.2 versus 31.3).
The observation periods for each drug group ranged from two to three years. The overall incidence rate of alopecia reached 8.65 cases per 1000 person-years in the GLP-1 agonist cohort, compared to 4.25 per 1000 person-years in the gliflozin group, which is equivalent to a 37 percent increased risk (the adjusted risk ratio was 1.37). When compared with gliptins, the risk was 68 percent higher—8.64 cases versus 2.96 per 1000 person-years (adjusted risk ratio 1.68). Furthermore, the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists was associated with an increased risk of scarring alopecia compared to gliptins (risk ratio 3.83).
Scientists believe that the identified absolute risk is insignificant, but it is important enough for further scientific research and clinical decision-making. A specific area for future research is the study of the biological mechanisms underlying this effect.
A team of researchers, including Julia Steinberg from the University of Maryland in College Park and colleagues from Denmark, conducted a large population cohort study. They found that both medical and instrumental abortion do not lead to an increased chance of being prescribed any psychotropic medication for the first time in subsequent years.
The study utilized data from 67,390 women aged 12 to 38 (with an average age of 21.8 years), obtained from Danish health registries. These women underwent planned medical or instrumental abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy between January 2000 and December 2018. Regression models were used to assess possible changes in the probability of first psychotropic drug prescription after the procedure, taking into account various confounding factors. Bonferroni correction was applied to ensure accuracy when accounting for multiple tests.
Out of the total participants, 33,793 women had their first medical abortion, and 33,597 had their first instrumental abortion. Among them, 4,575 had a previously diagnosed psychiatric condition, and 19,979 received their first psychotropic medication during the observation period. Using the standard p-value cutoff of 0.05, a slight increase in the probability of psychotropic drug prescription was observed in the first year after both types of abortion (odds ratios of 1.10 and 1.09; p = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). However, such associations were not recorded between the first and fifth years, and after the fifth year, a decrease in the probability of prescription was observed (0.85 and 0.83; p < 0.001 for both indicators).
After applying Bonferroni-corrected p-values (0.002), the statistical significance of the increased probability in the first year disappeared, while the trend toward decreased probability after five years remained statistically significant.
In another field, German, British, and Peruvian scientists conducted a series of experiments. They discovered that the sounds of local forest animals contribute to improving mental state more noticeably than the sounds of animals from other regions. Furthermore, this positive effect was enhanced with a higher level of perceived animal species diversity. This article was published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology.
A bill allowing women to purchase pepper spray for personal self-defense purposes in Brazil was approved by the National Congress last month. The proposal received the endorsement of the Brazilian President, Lula da Silva, who sanctioned the measure, introducing some changes to the version published in the Official Gazette of the Union.
To purchase the aerosol, the woman must present an official photo ID, proof of fixed residence, and a Criminal Record Certificate, which must attest to the absence of conviction for a willful crime. The legislation restricts the purchase to sprays with a maximum capacity of 50 milliliters for women, while larger containers are reserved exclusively for public security agents and members of the armed forces.
Retail establishments authorized to sell the device are required to archive purchase and sale records for a period of five years, and must also maintain data on both the buyer and the person who will possess the aerosol. Furthermore, selling companies must provide basic guidance on the correct use of pepper spray. The law establishes that these devices are for individual and non-transferable use, and prohibits them from containing lethal or permanently toxic substances.
The use of pepper spray will be considered legal in situations of self-defense, aiming to ward off an aggressor when facing an unjust aggression that is occurring or about to occur. Lula validated the law but vetoed specific sections, such as the requirement for explicit authorization from legal guardians for adolescents between 16 and 18 years old, thus maintaining the possibility of automatic purchase for adult women. The Brazilian President also vetoed the application of penalties, such as fines, against women who used the spray outside legal guidelines, arguing that this section 'contradicts the public interest.'
The approval of this project occurs in a scenario where Brazil has registered an increase in femicides for the fourth consecutive year. According to the 20th Brazilian Yearbook of Public Security 2026, in 2025, 1,571 victims of femicide were recorded, totaling four daily deaths in the country. The report from the Brazilian Forum of Public Security points out that, besides fatal cases, there were 4,189 attempted femicides in the previous year, representing a 5.9% growth compared to 2025. The non-governmental organization emphasizes that for every completed femicide, there were almost three attempts.
Additionally, the Violence Atlas 2026, produced by the Institute of Applied Economic Research and the Brazilian Forum of Public Security, indicates that sexual violence in Brazil is often underreported, potentially reaching around 822,000 incidents of violation annually.
Thousands of patients are in danger, and hundreds already have cancelled procedures due to specialists' objections to the order regarding medical actions outside regular working hours.
