Core Viewpoint - The research team from East China Normal University has made significant advancements in the field of obesity and metabolic diseases, discovering that beige fat can be activated through local thermal therapy to alleviate obesity and improve metabolic disorders. This finding was published in the prestigious journal "Cell" and selected as a cover article [6][9]. Group 1: Research Findings - The study reveals that beige fat, which has characteristics of both white and brown fat, can be activated by local heat therapy, leading to increased thermogenesis and energy expenditure [7][10]. - The research identified the heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) as a key player in sensing local heat and activating thermogenic mechanisms, which can effectively combat obesity and improve insulin resistance and liver lipid accumulation [9][12]. - A large-scale clinical study established a correlation between HSF1 and various metabolic traits, providing new targets and strategies for obesity intervention [9][14]. Group 2: Implications and Applications - The findings suggest that local thermal therapy could be a safe and effective method for weight loss, without affecting the sympathetic or immune systems, indicating its potential as a new direction for obesity treatment [9][12]. - Traditional thermal therapies, such as those used in Chinese medicine, have been recognized for their metabolic benefits, but the study emphasizes the need for safer and more effective activation methods for beige fat [10][12]. - The research lays a solid foundation for the development of new clinical drugs and precision treatments targeting metabolic disorders [14].