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“I have had an amazing 11 years”

— Lewis Hamilton, breaking the internet by announcing he’s leaving Mercedes for Ferrari. Honk if you love a plot twist.

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To Be a Woman

The Story

Researchers are trying to answer big health questions for women.

On what?

Autoimmune diseases and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Of the up to 50 million Americans living with an autoimmune disease like lupus, about 80% are women. As many as 5 million American women live with PCOS, but it often goes undiagnosed. This week, researchers published studies on the issues. Here’s what they found on…

Autoimmune diseases…There’s an RNA molecule called Xist (pronounced like “exist” and has no known ties to Elon Musk). Xist’s job is to shut down one of the two X chromosomes that women typically have so their body doesn’t make toxic levels of proteins. Now, a new study suggests that Xist can confuse cells in the process, causing the body to produce an overactive immune response. Men with XY chromosomes don’t necessarily have this problem. Researchers say Xist may help explain why women are more likely to get an autoimmune disease than men and that it could help lead to new treatment options. Still, more studies are needed since men can end up with the same autoimmune diseases.

PCOS…It’s a hormonal imbalance that can lead to infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, and excess body hair. There isn’t much known on how it can affect brain health. Now, new research suggests there could be an association between PCOS and cognitive decline in women. At the end of the 30-year study, participants with PCOS reportedly scored about 11% lower on the attention test compared to others who didn't have the condition. The decline for women began around the midlife mark (typically between the 40s to 60s). Still, the researchers say more studies are needed since there’s just a correlation now, not causation.

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For years, women have been overlooked by medical research, underrepresented in medical trials, and had their doctors dismiss their concerns — an issue that is especially true for women of color. Now, new research could validate these women’s experiences and develop new pathways for treatment.

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Eyes on the Israel-Hamas war

Yesterday, President Biden signed an executive order sanctioning four Israeli settlers accused of attacking Palestinians in the West Bank. Violence in the West Bank existed before the Israel-Hamas war, with more than 100 Palestinians killed in 2022, according to an Israeli human rights org. Since the October 7 attack, violence has escalated. The UN says Israeli settlers have launched nearly 500 attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank, killing at least eight people. The EO is reportedly the first ever move by the US to sanction Israeli settlers with frozen assets. It comes as Biden landed in Michigan yesterday, where Arab and Muslim Americans have launched the “Abandon Biden” campaign in response to his admin’s handling of the war.

Meanwhile, the US and UK have also each revealed they are considering options for the possible recognition of Palestinian statehood. US policy has been that Palestinian statehood can reportedly only come about through direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. The Biden admin maintains this is not a policy shift, with former presidents looking at a two-state solution. In recent weeks, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the option for a Palestinian state.

…Oh and speaking of Biden’s plans for the Middle East, the US has reportedly approved plans to strike Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq. This is meant to be a direct response to the attack along the Jordanian-Syrian border that killed three US soldiers last week, blamed on Iranian-backed militants in Iraq. Still, the US and Iran have each said they don’t want war.

And Also...This

Who might’ve felt personally attacked by the “Barbie” movie...

The Gen Z boys. Yesterday, new data showed that Gen Z boys and men are more likely than older baby boomers to think that feminism has caused more harm than good. Researchers polled about 3,700 people in the UK and found 35% of men between the ages of 16 and 29 think it is more difficult to be a man than a woman. One-fifth also had a positive opinion on self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate, who has more than eight million followers on X. Among those more likely to follow Tate are people from ethnic minority backgrounds, with more than one-third agreeing he “raises important points about real threats to male identity and gender roles.”

Which issue the FDA has its eye on...

Sleep apnea. Earlier this week, Philips Respironics said it would stop selling all of its breathing devices that treat sleep apnea and other breathing disorders as part of a settlement with the FDA. On Wednesday, the FDA reported 561 deaths in connection to the machines. In 2021, Philips recalled millions of breathing machines amid reports of them blowing gas and pieces of foam into users’ airways. The settlement is expected to cost about $400 million and is pending approval by the court.

Who’s going full country…

Lana Del Rey.

While Punxsutawney Phil is deciding how long seasonal depression is going to last...

A pigeon is apparently no longer a threat.

What needs to not be a trend…

Legging legs.

SKIMM TESTED

Together with

Wanna know what products are actually, truly worth buying? Our series Skimm Tested — where we try and review buzzy items — can help you figure that out. Today, we’re spilling our thoughts on…

Amazing Grass Greens Blend with drink and woman pouring blender contents into glass

Amazing Grass’s delicious greens blend

Adding one scoop of this purposeful combo of 14 fruits, veggies, and greens to your morning bev will support your overall health and wellness.*

Read our thoughts

Skimm Picks

Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. An extra-large electric heating pad that'll provide relief for aches and pains.

It has a super-soft microfiber cover that feels like a blanket on cold days, and it's FSA/HSA eligible.

Add to cart

2. 15% off Black-authored books.

In honor of Black History Month, Bookshop is offering discounts on a curation of books by Black writers with code BHM24. Our recs? This essential Toni Morrison title and a vibrant cookbook that collects recipes from the African diaspora.

Read on

3. The multipurpose lotion we can't live without.

Victoria Beckham swears by this German moisturizer, and we do, too. Use it as an allover moisturizer, an overnight lip mask, or a dewy highlighter on your cheekbones. Psst...find more overachieving beauty products here.

Buy it

4. Valentine's Day gifts that won't just sit in a box.

A punny hat they'll wear on every dog walk, a chai-spiked hot chocolate mix, and more practical presents they'll actually use.

Treat them

Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).

On Our Vision Board

Confidence in the bedroom. We’ve gathered three of our top recs to help you prioritize your sex life in 2024. Time to lock the door and turn the lights real lowww.

THESKIMM BETA

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Skimm'rs

We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.

Doing it RN…Karen R (CT). She quit her corporate job while at the top of her career after feeling helpless during the pandemic. Instead, Karen pursued nursing and just passed her boards. She will be starting her new career in a few weeks.

(Some) Birthdays…Talia Spiegel (NY), Laura Beggins (TX), Carolyn Becker (CA), Claire Bewley (AR), Michele Corigliano (UT), Tara Crowley (NJ), Laura Pope (TN), Emma Zlotowitz (NY), Melissa Carter (TX), Elle Morton (IL), Wendy Sciara (NJ), Aline Naroditsky (NJ), Christine Wamble (MO), Kelly Polk (GA), Kimberly Cottle (NC)

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