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The weight-loss device stops users from eating solid food by locking their mouths almost shut. Photo / Supplied

A new weight-loss device which uses magnets to stop people opening their mouths enough to eat solids has been labelled "creepy and bizarre" by critics.

But Dunedin researchers who developed the device are defending the invention, saying those panning the weight loss tool have misunderstood its intention.

Otago University and United Kingdom researchers developed the world-first device, which uses magnets to lock the mouth almost shut, to help fight the global obesity epidemic.

DentalSlim Diet Control is an intra-oral device fitted by a dental professional to the upper and lower back teeth.

It used magnetic devices with unique custom-manufactured locking bolts.

The device was being widely ridiculed after being shared on social media, with Twitter users calling it "creepy" and "bizarre".

Lead researcher, University of Otago Health Sciences pro-vice-chancellor Prof Paul Brunton, said it was not intended to be used for general weight loss purposes, but instead for specific cases where there was a clinical need to lose weight quickly.

"Sometimes the first step [of losing weight] is quite difficult ... so it was developed with a view of being an additional treatment that could be used in selected cases where it's appropriate."

Brunton said feedback from colleagues in the field had been positive.

The device allows the wearer to open their mouths only about 2mm, restricting them to a liquid diet, but it allows free speech and does not restrict breathing.

Participants in a Dunedin trial lost an average of 6.36kg in two weeks and were motivated to continue with their weight loss journey.

It would be fitted by a dentist, and could be released by the user in case of an emergency and could be repeatedly fitted and removed.

"The main barrier for people for successful weight loss is compliance and this helps them establish new habits, allowing them to comply with a low-calorie diet for a period of time."It really kick-starts the process.

"It is a non-invasive, reversible, economical and attractive alternative to surgical procedures," Prof Brunton said.

The tool could be particularly helpful for those having to lose weight before they can undergo surgery, and for diabetes patients for whom weight loss could initiate remission, he said.

The practice of surgically wiring people's jaws shut became popular in the 1980s, but it came with risks; vomiting brought with it the risk of choking and after nine to 12 months the patients developed gum disease.

In some cases, there were continuing issues with restriction of jaw movement and some developed acute psychiatric conditions.

"Alternative strategies are required which may obviate surgery, or which reduce weight prior to surgery and so make it easier and safer.

"The beauty of it is that once patients are fitted with the device, after two or three weeks they can have the magnets disengaged.

"They could then have a period with a less restricted diet and then go back into treatment."

Patients given the device described it as tolerable, though the design has since been improved.

"This could actually help a lot of people."

The research team consisted of Brunton, Dr Jithendra Ratnayake, Dr Peter Mei and Dr Arthi Veerasamy, all of Otago University, Dr Jonathan Bodansky, of Leeds, and Dr Richard Hall, of RMH Consultancy, Leeds.

The paper was published in the British Dental Journal.

Excerpt from:
DentalSlim Diet Control: Researcher defends weight-loss device after it sparks ridicule on social media - New Zealand Herald

JACKSON, MI - Stephanie Titler was at her job as a veterinary assistant when she received a message on social media from a stranger, asking if she could help with a racoon stuck on the frozen lake behind her house.

She could tell the racoon was breathing but it wasnt moving, Titler, of Jackson, said of the January 2020 incident. She said she contacted animal control and they told her they were too busy. She said, Im just watching this ice melt and eventually the raccoon is going to fall in and drown.

Titler quickly left her job in Ann Arbor and drove to Jackson to the womans house, arriving the same time animal control did.

The animal control officer and Titler could not reach the raccoon with a rabies pole, so Titler took matters into her own hands, slowly crawling onto the ice on her hands and knees, grabbing the non-moving raccoon and pulling it back to land with her.

Its actions like this that have contributed to Titler being one of five contestants in the running for a 2021 American Humane Hero Veterinary Nurse Award. Her grandmother, Sharon Gerry, nominated her for the award because of her dedication to helping animals.

Shes a fantastic person, Gerry said. She is willing to help out someone she doesnt even know, thats how passionate she is about it.

Titler showed an interest in becoming a vet when she was 8 years old and has always had a passion for animals, Gerry said, adding that Titlers dedication to animals grew when she reached high school.

Its just one thing shes always wanted to do, and she does a great job. Shes fantastic with animals, Gerry said.

Titler has worked in veterinary medicine for 13 years and has been a licensed veterinary technician since 2012. Shes currently finishing her bachelors degree in biology at Eastern Michigan University and plans to apply to veterinary school in September.

In addition to her education and veterinary care work, Titler also has volunteered in animal rescue and rehabilitation with the Jackson County Animal Shelter. Over the years, she has fostered two pregnant dogs and many cats.

Currently, Titler works as a veterinarian nurse at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Ann Arbor. She said when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, all general veterinary practices were closed due to Gov. Gretchen Whitmers stay home order.

The only practices allowed to stay open were emergency services, which is her line of practice. This brought in a lot of animal care services to the emergency clinics that they usually would not conduct, she said.

Ive worked at BluePearl for seven years and Ive never seen anything like that, she said.

Since the clinics have re-opened, Titler said there is still a continued back up in veterinary care. She said she usually would be scheduled for a 10-hour shift at her practice, but has been working 12-hour shifts.

Id rather work myself to the bone rather than have an animal suffer for it, Titler said.

People can vote for Titler to receive the veterinary award until Thursday, July 29, at the American Humane website. The winner will be announced as part of the annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards, which will be taped for televising on the Hallmark Channel in October.

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Id rather work myself to the bone than have an animal suffer. Jackson woman up for national award - MLive.com

Well, that was a reality check.

As the Yankees limp out of Fenway Park after a weekend drubbing by the first-place Boston Red Sox, theres no sugar coating the facts: Through 77 games, the Yankees are only three games over .500. Even if New York wins its next four games, a team some thought could win over 100 games will be on pace for just 88 wins. And thats a best-case scenario. This looks and feels like a club that will win between 84-86 games.

Introducing Yankees Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers

That, of course, wont be good enough for the playoffs in the American League. But it sure sounds like general manager Brian Cashman will be a buyer, not a seller. If that plan unfolds, here are five starting pitchers the club could target to help in the rotation. It was an area of need before the news about Corey Kluber. Now its an absolute necessity between now and July 30.

Kyle Gibson, RHP, Rangers

2021 stats: 90 IP, 2.00 ERA, 3.31 FIP

Team control: Signed through 2022. AAV: $9.3M

Why he makes sense: Veteran thats morphed from middle-of-the-rotation starter to one of baseballs best. Poised. Likely wouldnt be overwhelmed by the moment. Has pitched entire career in the American League and with the DH present. Comes with a very reasonable contract, and could replace Kluber (for a cheaper price) in next years rotation.

Jose Berrios, RHP, Twins

2021 stats: 89.2 IP, 3.41 ERA, 3.40 FIP

Team control: Arbitration eligible in 2022, free agent before 2023 season

Why he makes sense: The best combination of raw talent and team control on this list. Getting Berrios for two pennant chases would be a steal, and something no one saw coming before this season. The Twins are a mess, but might not be one a year from now. This is the time to pounce on an All-Star caliber pitcher.

German Marquez, RHP, Rockies

2021 stats: 90.1 IP, 3.99 ERA, 3.52 FIP

Team control: Signed through 2023, with a 2024 club option. AAV: $8.6M

Why he makes sense: One stat sums up why Marquez should be a must-chase for Cashman over the next month:

Marquez at Coors Field: 348.2 IP, 4.85 ERA

Marquez on the road: 376.0 IP, 3.71 ERA

Last time I checked, Yankee Stadium is not in the Rocky Mountains. Marquez is an affordable and durable innings eater that could turn into even more if given the chance to pitch regularly outside of Coors Field.

Jon Gray, Rockies

2021 stats: 68.0 IP, 3.97 ERA, 4.20 FIP

Team control: Free agent after 2021 season

Why he makes sense: Rental. Cheap. Could perform way better outside of Coors. Always blessed with big-time stuff, but rarely shows it from start to start. This is the kind of acquisition that pitching coach Matt Blake would be tasked to work magic with. Would likely come cheap in terms of prospect cost.

Pablo Lopez, Marlins

2021 stats: 91 IP, 2.87 ERA, 3.26 FIP

Team control: Arbitration eligible in 2022, free agent before 2025 season

Why he makes sense: Only 25, Lopez has an All-Star appearance likely coming next month. Over the next few years, earning votes for the Cy Young is not out of the question. Has the kind of stuff (ground balls, swings and misses) that play in any park, including the hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium. Would cost a ton, but the Yankees have bats (Gleyber Torres? Clint Frazier?) that could interest the Marlins.

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Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com.

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MLB rumors: 5 starting pitchers Yankees should target in trades - NJ.com

Britney Spears at a movie premiere in 2019. She pleaded with a judge on Wednesday to end a conservatorship that has controlled her personal and business lives for years. // AFP via Getty Images, Valerie Macon

Updated June 23, 2021 at 9:22 PM ET

Addressing a Los Angeles Superior Court judge via a remote connection, Britney Spears on Wednesday afternoon made her most public statement to date about her long-running conservatorship. For over a decade, the pop star's life has been ruled by an atypical court-dictated legal arrangement that removes practically all autonomy from her life. Until now, she has remained mostly quiet on the subject.

In a passionate statement to the judge, she pleaded for the conservatorship to end. According to tweets sent by observers on the scene, and some audio that was heard by NPR, Spears was sternly open and outspoken about her situation.

"I feel ganged up on, I feel bullied and I feel left out and alone," Spears said. "And I'm tired of feeling alone."

She detailed parts of her life that had been unknown. She said that she is being exploited and that she can't sleep, is depressed and cries every day.

Spears recalled one incident in which she didn't want to do an additional run of shows in Las Vegas. She felt relieved when her handlers said she didn't have to do the shows anymore but suspected there would be consequences. Days later, Spears said her therapist told her that he heard she was being uncooperative. She said he then changed her medication regimen.

In another shocking revelation, Spears said that she wanted to have another child but has been forced to keep an IUD in place.

Throughout her statement, Spears reminded the judge that it was her work financially supporting the people controlling her namely her father, Jamie Spears.

"All I want is to own my money and for this to end," she said.

The plea may be Spears' final public say on the matter. Through her lawyer, Samuel Ingham III, she said that the statement was all she wanted the public to hear and suggested that proceedings from now on be sealed.

Jamie Spears, who has been in charge of Spears' conservatorship, said through his lawyer that he's sorry to see his daughter in so much pain and that he misses her and loves her very much.

The hearing ended without resolution.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny called Spears' remarks "courageous" and said Spears would have to file a formal petition asking for the conservatorship to end before she could render a decision.

Before Wednesday, after a recent New York Times and FX documentary, Framing Britney Spears, reignited interest in her story and the wider #FreeBritney movement, she had shied away from public comment, but did share some thoughts on social media.

"I didn't watch the documentary but from what I did see of it I was embarrassed by the light they put me in," she wrote in an Instagram caption in March. "I cried for two weeks and well .... I still cry sometimes !!!!"

On Tuesday, The New York Times, citing recently obtained confidential court records, reported that Spears has been trying to fight her conservatorship for years.

"She articulated she feels the conservatorship has become an oppressive and controlling tool against her," a court investigator wrote in a 2016 report. The system had "too much control," Ms. Spears said, according to the investigator's account of the conversation. "Too, too much!"

"Ms. Spears informed the investigator that she wanted the conservatorship terminated as soon as possible. "She is 'sick of being taken advantage of' and she said she is the one working and earning her money but everyone around her is on her payroll," the investigator wrote.

"In 2019, Ms. Spears told the court that she had felt forced by the conservatorship into a stay at a mental health facility and to perform against her will."

You can find more details about the history of her conservatorship here, but these are the broad strokes:

In 2008, Jamie Spears gained control of all aspects of his daughter's life after the singer publicly struggled with her mental health. (As the Framing Britney Spears documentary brought new attention to her case, it also started some soul-searching among media types who farmed her mental health issues for tabloid headlines.) Everything from her performances to her finances to her relationships with her two now-teenage sons was under her father's control.

The pop star's fans began to question the ethics and legality of the arrangement, and under the banner #FreeBritney, they have sustained a lengthy campaign to see it end.

During this time, Britney Spears continued working putting out platinum-selling albums, doing TV gigs and mounting a hugely successful four-year residency in Las Vegas. She had no control over the financial arrangements of any of these projects.

In a 2020 court filing, Spears asked the court to suspend her father from his role as conservator and refused to perform if he remained in charge of her career. As a result, a wealth-management company became a co-conservator for her finances, but her father presently remains the main conservator for all other aspects of Spears' life.

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Britney Spears Asks Court To End Conservatorship, Detailing Its Control Over Her Life | NPR - Houston Public Media

BARCELONA, June 28 (Reuters) - IBM (IBM.N) will offer telecom operators Verizon (VZ.N) and Telefonica (TEF.MC) new services ranging from running 5G over a cloud platform to using artificial intelligence, the U.S. technology company said on Monday.

Big technology players such as Microsoft (MSFT.O) and Amazon (AMZN.O) are vying for a share of 5G revenue by offering telecom operators next-generation software tools.

IBM, using technology it obtained from buying software firm Red Hat, will offer the telecom operators cloud services to run their networks and assist them in selling products tailored to customers. No financial terms were disclosed about the tie-ups, which broadened IBM's existing partnerships with the two firms.

A cloud platform uses software instead of physical equipment to perform network functions, helping telecom operators build 5G networks faster, reduce costs and sell customised services.

"It's a disruptive time in this particular market segment, telcos are trying to position themselves as the destination for services like augmented reality, machine learning and AI," Darell Jordan-Smith, vice president of Redhat, told Reuters.

On the AI front, IBM and Spain's Telefonica have created a virtual assistant that they say will remove friction points, such as long wait times, by automating the handling of frequently asked questions and tasks like billing.

"We see this as an existential moment for telco operators with 5G: architecturally, they're looking to gain more control on their platforms and rethink their network as a digital world rather than a structured physical model," said Steve Canepa, IBM's general manager for communications business.

Reporting by Clara-Laeila Laudette and Supantha Mukherjee in Barcelona

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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With cloud and AI, IBM broadens 5G deals with Verizon and Telefonica - Reuters