Newspaper article about judge had an effect (8)
I believe the answer is:
operated
'had an effect' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to bodily activities as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'newspaper article about judge' is the wordplay.
'newspaper article' becomes 'op-ed'.
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'judge' becomes 'rate' (rating is a kind of judging).
'oped' going around 'rate' is 'OPERATED'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for operated that I've seen before include "ran" , "'Directed or controlled, machinery say (8)'" , "Functioned" , "Adore pet (anag.)" , "Performed surgery or worked a machine" .)