Human Choriogonadotropin and Obesity Treatment - Research results about using oral administration of Human Choriogonadotropin to decrease subcutaneous fat in dieting obese patients. Genetics of Food Intake, Body Weight and Obesity - Gene involved in initial identification and maintaining body weight. Overproducing leptin receptors in fat cells may be key to halting weight gain - Study by researchers suggests that when fat cells increase in size, as they do during the development of obesity, the cells progressively lose receptors for the hormone leptin, a powerful stimulus for fat burning. Santa Barbara Independent - Eating French - Psychologist considers why the French are thin despite their diet, concluding it is the environment in which the food is consumed. New York Times - Low Buzz May Give Mice Better Bones and Less Fat - Short periods of mechanical vibration appear to reduce obesity in mice. Columbia Tribune - Professor Fights against Plastic - Vom Saal, a biology professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, discusses his studies of bisphenol-A in connection with obesity and aggression. It's a synthetic hormone, similar to estrogen, used to make rigid, clear plastic containers for food, water and baby bottles. Washington Post - Way to Shrink, Grow Fat Is Found - Scientists report on a biological switch by which stress can promote obesity, a discovery that could help explain the world's growing weight problem and lead to new ways to melt flab and manipulate fat for cosmetic purposes NBC News - Scientists Discover ‘Skinny’ Gene - Genetic basis for staying thin, found in a variety of animals including humans. Salon - Does plastic make us fat? - Article written by Andrew Leonard pertaining to environmental chemicals like bisphenol A, and their effects on humans.