Cuts to science research funding cut American lives short

Forget finding a cure for cancer 

Deborah Fuller, University of Washington and Patrick Mitchell, University of Washington

Nearly every modern medical treatment can be traced to research funded by the National Institutes of Health: from over-the-counter and prescription medications that treat high cholesterol and pain to protection from infectious diseases such as polio and smallpox.

The remarkable successes of the decades-old partnership between biomedical research institutions and the federal government are so intertwined with daily life that it’s easy to take them for granted.

However, the scientific work driving these medical advances and breakthroughs is in jeopardy. Federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation are terminating hundreds of active research grants under the current administration’s direction. 

The administration has also proposed a dramatic reduction in federal support of the critical infrastructure that keeps labs open and running. Numerous scientists and health professionals have noted that changes will have far-reaching, harmful outcomes for the health and well-being of the American people.

The negative consequences of defunding U.S. biomedical research can be difficult to recognize. Most breakthroughs, from the basic science discoveries that reveal the causes of diseases to the development of effective treatments and cures, can take years. Real-time progress can be hard to measure.

As biomedical researchers studying infectious diseases, viruses and immunology, we and our colleagues see this firsthand in our own work. Thousands of ongoing national and international projects dedicated to uncovering the causes of life-threatening diseases and developing new treatments to improve and save lives are supported by federal agencies such as the NIH and NSF.

Considering a few of the breakthroughs made possible through U.S. federal support can help illustrate not only the significant inroads biomedical research has made for preventing, treating and curing human maladies, but what all Americans stand to lose if the U.S. reduces its investment in these endeavors.

A cure for cancer

The hope and dream of curing cancer unites many scientists, health professionals and affected families across the U.S. After decades of ongoing NIH-supported research, scientists have made significant progress in realizing this goal.

The National Cancer Institute of the NIH is the world’s largest funder of cancer research. This investment has led to advances in cancer treatment and prevention that helped reduce the overall U.S. cancer death rate by 33% from 1991 to 2021.

Basic science research on what causes cancer has led to new strategies to harness a patient’s own immune system to eliminate tumors. For example, all 12 patients in a 2022 clinical trial testing one type of immunotherapy had their rectal cancer completely disappear, without remission or adverse effects.

King Donald's alphabet

Only in Trump's America...

New Study: A Lack of Intelligence, Not Training, May Be Why People Struggle With Computers

Researchers in Finland suggest that it may simply be that you're stupid. Seriously.

By Aalto University

A new study has found that general cognitive abilities, such as perception, reasoning, and memory, are more important than previously believed in determining a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks on a computer.

“Our research findings are the first clear proof that cognitive abilities have a significant, independent, and wide-ranging effect on people’s ability to use a computer. Contrary to what was previously thought, cognitive abilities are as important as previous experience of computer use,” says Aalto University’s Professor Antti Oulasvirta, who studied human-computer interaction extensively with his team.

The researchers emphasize that these findings raise concerns about digital equality. As user interfaces have grown increasingly complex, practice alone is no longer enough, cognitive ability is now a key factor in successfully navigating digital environments.

WARM Center looking to fill key position

Hiring a WARM Respite Case Manager

Full-time to start ASAP

Who is WARM Center, Inc? Founded in 1987 on the values of Compassion, Hope and Dignity, WARM Center, Inc. provides a continuum of seventeen programs serving over 4,000 low-income households a year. 

Our programs provide essential support and resources to low-income individuals and families at risk of becoming homeless or experiencing homelessness. Ranging from street outreach to permanent housing, our programs share the primary goal of preventing and ending homelessness, and promoting economic stability across Washington County. 

Job Summary: The WARM Respite Housing Stabilization Case Manager will provide comprehensive case management services to individuals and families experiencing housing instability, with a focus on those with more marked medical and mental health needs. The role involves coordinating care, connecting clients to resources, and supporting them in maintaining stable housing and improved health outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

•    Case Management: Provide direct, hands-on case management services to clients, including assessment, planning, and implementation of individualized service plans.

•    Resource Coordination: Connect clients to medical, mental health, and social services, ensuring they have access to necessary resources to maintain housing stability.

•    Client Support: Offer support services to clients with co-occurring disorders, substance use issues, and chronic health conditions.

•    Community Integration: Enhance community integration by creating opportunities for clients to access local resources and participate in community activities.

•    Advocacy: Advocate for clients' needs within the healthcare and social service systems, ensuring they receive appropriate services and support.

•    Documentation: Maintain accurate records of client progress, needs, and services utilized. Prepare reports for analysis and data tracking purposes.

•    Home Visits: Conduct regular home visits to monitor client progress, provide support, and ensure safe living conditions.

•    Life Skills Training: Coach clients on basic life skills, including meal preparation, housekeeping, and financial management.

•    Collaboration: Work collaboratively with other case managers, healthcare providers, landlords, and community organizations to support clients' goals.

Qualifications:

•    Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field (Master's preferred), or equivalent experience.

•    Experience in case management, particularly with homeless or medically vulnerable populations.

•    Strong understanding of medical and mental health issues, and experience working with individuals with co-occurring disorders.

•    Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

•    Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

•    Proficiency in using case management software and Microsoft Office applications.

•    Valid driver's license and willingness to travel for home visits and appointments.

Compensation:

•    Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

•    Benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan, and paid time off. 

How to Apply: Please send your resume to Monique Krupka, Deputy Director at mkrupka@warmcenter.org.

Trump regime quietly shutting down efforts to regulate plastic PFAS pollution

Amid EPA upheaval, states fear losing strong federal limits on PFAS in drinking water

Shannon Kelleher 

With the looming possibility that the Trump administration could reduce federal limits on toxic PFAS chemicals in drinking water, public health advocates are warning that people across the country would suffer.

Concerns for the future of the federal limits come amid ongoing litigation over the federal limits on six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. A 60-day stay on the litigation granted in February ends Tuesday, after which the Trump administration could seek to make changes to the standards, which were put into place a year ago under the Biden administration.

The Biden-era rule requires public water systems to complete initial monitoring for the PFAS chemicals by 2027, and to implement technologies for reducing PFAS in their water by 2029 if levels exceed the limit.

The nation’s first legally enforceable limits for PFAS in drinking water include limits of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). PFOA has been classified as carcinogenic and PFOS has been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans by an international cancer research group.

The rule has drawn widespread opposition from public utilities, which could face substantial costs for implementing new technologies, and penalties for failing to do so.

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) sued the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last June contending that the EPA broke the law when it established the limits.

The groups argue that the agency violated the Safe Drinking Water Act by cutting the rulemaking process short and failed to consider critical data.

The Trump administration has not stated if it will seek to rework the rule but those who helped fight for PFAS mitigation measures say they fear for its future.

“Once again we’re looking at millions of Americans that are going to be drinking unsafe drinking water if this standard goes away,” said Sarah Woodbury, the vice president for policy and advocacy at the Maine-based nonprofit Defend Our Health.

Magaziner wants members of Congress to disclose potential profiteering from Trump's market manipulation

MAGA politicians need to disclose their stock trading in Trump's recent tariff flipflop

U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Mike Levin (CA-49), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and David Min (CA-47) wrote a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson requesting that he call on every member of the House of Representatives to immediately file and release their Periodic Trading Reports (PTR) for any transactions conducted between April 2, 2025 and April 9, 2025 – the window in which President Donald Trump and his administration plunged the United States into a reckless trade war, issuing on-again, off-again tariffs on nearly 90 countries. Magaziner  also called on Speaker Johnson to immediately schedule a vote on legislation to ban stock trading for members of Congress.

The lawmakers’ letter called attention to the fact that Members of Congress closest to the President, including many of whom met or were in his presence throughout the course of the week, were in positions to profit from the unstable changes in policy.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Newsweek reports that MAGAnut and Chair of the House DOGE Committee Marjorie Taylor Greene made major stock purchases at the start of Trump's trade war and may have made significant profits from insider information. In a rare bout of truthfulness, Trump attempted to mitigate criticism of his trade war by noting that some people are making a lot of money.   - Will Collette

Tariffs on Canadian drugs will strain US supply chain

How a malignant narcissist handles America's med supply

Stephanie Soucheray, MA

Donald Trump’s trade tariffs on Canadian pharmaceuticals are expected to increase costs in the United States and strain drug supply chains, according to an analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Pharmaceuticals will no longer be exempt from the Trump administration's 25% tariff on goods produced in Canada.

Writing in a research letter, scientists at the University of Toronto and their colleagues at Hertie School in Berlin and at the University of Pittsburgh, say the United States imports 400 different ready-for-use medications from Canada, 28 of which have no alternative supplier. 

Though not the largest source of medical drugs in the United States, Canada represents a significant player in the drug landscape. 

Straining this supply chain could trigger drug shortages and jeopardize patient care.

"The proposed tariffs could affect a wide range of medications, from antibiotics to mental health treatments," said Mina Tadrous, PharmD, PhD, lead author and assistant professor of pharmacy at the University of Toronto, in a university press release. "Straining this supply chain could trigger drug shortages and jeopardize patient care. We know that drugs with only one manufacturer and rapidly shifting supply chains increase the risk of shortages."

Potential $750 million cost increase 

In a comprehensive analysis of US pharmaceutical sales in 2022 and 2023 based on the National Institutes of Health's DailyMed package inserts database, the authors found that 22,082 drug products were sold in the US market from the fourth quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023, of which 411 (1.9%) were manufactured in Canada, representing $3 billion in sales.

Of the 411 Canadian drug products, 79% (323) were generic, and 21% (88) were brand-name products, including 20 (4.9%) under patent protection. Also, drugs with final production in Canada result in a subset of the pharmaceuticals, which would be subject to tariffs. 

"We estimate that $3 billion in US pharmaceuticals depend on Canadian manufacturing, with 25% tariffs adding $750 million in cost," the authors wrote. "Extending tariffs to larger suppliers (eg, China, India, Europe) could worsen the predicted effects, providing rationale for pharmaceuticals being exempt from tariffs to avoid increasing health care costs and worsening disruptions in US supply."

Tadrous said the authors recommend that pharmaceuticals should be exempt from tariffs to prevent higher healthcare costs and worsening supply chain disruptions. 

"Our work highlights that perhaps the U.S. should consider removing medications from its list of imports, in line with previous tariffs, to avoid disruptions to supply chains and potential shortages that may affect U.S. patients," he said. 

Travel warnings

 

ICE's mission

 

Here it is in action...

America's big addiction problem and it's not fentanyl

“Plastics addiction” is killing us, experts say, but hope remains

Douglas Main

Plastics are negatively impacting our health in shocking ways, with the problem growing worse over time amid lax government regulations, a group of scientists and policy experts warned on Thursday.

“We have, I think, a plastics addiction,” said Shanna Swan, a professor and epidemiologist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said in a livestreamed conference hosted by Moms Clean Air Force.

“The regulatory system is broken, in the way it fails to protect us,” Swan said.

Plastic contamination harms everybody, the panelists said: Microplastics have been found in human organs, plastics additives are linked to heart disease and death, and air pollution from manufacturing causes respiratory illness and contributes to climate change. These issues are all particularly urgent now as the Trump Administration slashes rules and agencies meant to protect people from plastic-associated air and water pollution.

URI Cooperative Extension hosts Food Safety conference on April 24

The state of the plate: Food protection and safety subject of URI conference

Kristen Curry 

The University of Rhode Island’s Cooperative Extension is hosting this year’s 31st annual Rhode Island Food Safety Task Force Conference on Thursday, April 24. The conference, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel in Warwick, will provide attendees with information on the Food Safety Modernization Act’s Food Traceability Rule and how it applies to food businesses and operations. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act requires the Food and Drug Administration to designate high-risk foods for which additional recordkeeping requirements are needed to protect public health. The component Food Traceability Rule aims to monitor and regulate foods which can pose a public health threat if contaminated and distributed, spreading items no one wants to see on the menu: E. coli, Norovirus, Salmonella or more.

URI’s food safety specialist Nicole Richard says the Food Traceability Rule protects food safety and protects public health; URI Cooperative Extension can help business owners adhere to the rules in place to protect consumers. 

“Having this list and the traceability rules in place increases response in the event of an outbreak,” Richard says, “reducing illness by decreasing response time. Traceability recordkeeping requirements in regulations apply to anyone who manufactures, processes, packs, or holds foods on the Food Traceability List. The final rule requires a higher degree of coordination between members of the food industry than has been required in the past. Entities must be in compliance: we’re here to help them do that, for public health.”

The Food Traceability List calls for recordkeeping for several foods, whether sold individually or as an ingredient, which rank high for risk of foodborne illness in case of contamination:

AARP reports that Trump may have backed down on crazy Social Security plan

Social Security Drops Most Restrictions on Benefit Claims by Phone

We'll see if it lasts

Also: why the hell is Social Security using Musk's "X" (a.k.a. Twitter) to make the announcement?

By Andy Markowitz, AARP 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is walking back a plan to implement burdensome new in-person measures for identity verification that could have prevented millions of older Americans from applying for benefits by phone.

“Beginning on April 14, #SocialSecurity will perform an anti-fraud check on all claims filed over the telephone and flag claims that have fraud risk indicators,” the SSA announced April 8 in a series of posts on X. 

While those callers flagged for fraud risk will be required to confirm their identity in person at a Social Security field office, the agency said that claiming by phone “remains a viable option” for the vast majority of people.

An SSA spokesperson confirmed in an email statement on April 9 that the agency “will allow all claim types to be completed over the telephone.”

“This is great news for older Americans,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s chief advocacy and engagement officer, in an April 9 statement. “We appreciate SSA listening to AARP and millions of Americans about the impact on their lives and providing better access to customer service for Social Security benefits.”

AARP and other advocates for older Americans and people with disabilities opposed the plan to restrict phone service for benefit applications since the SSA announced it in mid-March.

How Trump and Musk are marching America into fascism

When Fascism Comes to America

Bill Durston for Common Dreams

There's a relatively obscure quotation, sometimes attributed to the 20th-century American author Sinclair Lewis, that reads, "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."

Although no one’s actually sure that Sinclair Lewis ever wrote or said this, his 1935 novel, It Can't Happen Here, centers around a flag-hugging, Bible-thumping politician named Berzelius (”Buzz”) Windrip. 

Despite having no particular leadership skills other than the ability to mesmerize large audiences by appealing to their baser instincts (and to bully those people who aren’t so easily mesmerized), Windrip is elected President of the United States. 

Shortly after Windrip takes office, through a flurry of executive orders, appointments of unqualified cronies to key governmental positions, and then a declaration of martial law, Windrip quickly makes the transition from a democratically elected president to a brutal, fascist dictator. The novel’s title, It Can’t Happen Here, refers to the mindset of key characters in the novel who fail to recognize Windrip’s fascist agenda before it’s too late.

Written almost a century ago during the rise of fascism in Europe prior to World War II, It Can’t Happen Here is disturbingly prescient today. Buzz Windrip’s personal traits, his rhetoric, and the path through which he initially becomes the democratically elected U.S. president, and soon afterward, the country’s first full-fledged fascist dictator, bear an uncanny resemblance to the personality traits and rhetoric of Donald Trump and the path through which he has come thus far to be the 47th President of the United States, and through which he appears to be on course to become our country’s first full-fledged…. But no! It can’t happen here! Or can it?

Trump’s uncanny resemblance to the fictional dictator in Sinclair Lewis’s 1935 novel is disconcerting. The far more important concern, though, is the degree to which Trump resembles real-life fascist dictators, past and present. A study of notorious 20th- century fascist dictators, including Hitler and Mussolini, concluded that they and their regimes all had several characteristics in common. (The current regimes of Vladimir Putin in Russia, Xi Jinping in China, and Kim Jong Un in North Korea also share these characteristics.)

Donald Trump fights crime

Monday Charlestown Town Council meeting will include long-overdue action to give residents a Homestead property tax credit

 

Fellow Charlestown Residents, The Charlestown Town Council will have their first regular meeting of the month on Monday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The agenda packet can be read here. There is also a link for watching the live stream of the meeting. Discussion and potential action about adoption of a Tentative 2025-2026 budget and any potential warrant Items for presentation at the Budget Public Hearing that will be held on May 5, 2025. Discussion and potential action about amending the fees for disposal of material at the Charlestown Residential Collection Center (CRCC). Discussion and potential action to request legislation from the General Assembly to allow Charlestown to enact a Homestead Exemption (details starting on page 435 of the agenda packet). Discussion and potential action regarding possibly moving the Charlestown Parks and Recreation Department from the Town Hall to Ninigret Park (details starting on page 458 of the agenda packet) I hope to see you there! There are some future meetings that may be of interest: Town Council Second Monthly Meeting, Monday, April 28, 2025, 7:00 p.m. at Charlestown Town Hall, Council Chambers Budget Public Hearing, Monday, May 5, 2025, 7:00 p.m. at Charlestown Town Hall, Council Chambers. Town Council Regular Meeting Monday, May 12, 2025, 7:00 p.m. at Charlestown Town Hall, Council Chambers With Thanks, Tim Quillen, Chair Charlestown Residents United Paid for by Charlestown Residents United P.O. Box 412 Charlestown, RI 02813 Visit our Website   Charlestown Residents United | PO Box 412 | Charlestown, RI 02813 US EDITOR'S NOTE: see previous article on the passage of Homestead exemption legislation for residents of South Kingstown.

South Kingstown residents are going to get a Homestead Tax Credit

Will Charlestown be next? First steps this Monday

The General Assembly has approved legislation (2025-H 5030, 2025-S 0044) introduced by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee and Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski that grants the South Kingstown Town Council with the authority to enact a homestead exemption ordinance, similar to those that have already been adopted in several other communities in the state.

“South Kingstown’s housing market is pricing out our current and future homeowners.  Out-of-state buyers and corporations are driving up the cost of home ownership by buying up properties and turning them into rentals, and our residents are then being squeezed with rising home evaluations.  The year-round residents of South Kingstown have been asking for a homestead exemption for quite some time and this legislation will finally grant our hard-working year-round residents the tax relief that they deserve and that will help keep them in their homes,” said Representative McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett).

Even the richest Americans face shorter lifespans than their European counterparts, Brown University study finds

Trump regime will resolve this problem by wiping out funding for this kind of research as well as collection of data

By Juan Siliezar, Associate Director of Media Relations and Leadership Communications, School of Public Health, Brown University

Comparing wealth and survival rates in the U.S. with those in Europe, researchers found that over a 10-year period, Americans across all wealth levels were more likely to die than their European counterparts.

The findings were detailed in a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine by a team led by researchers at the Brown University School of Public Health. 

The analysis compared data from more than 73,000 adults in the U.S. and different regions of Europe who were age 50 to 85 in 2010 to determine how wealth affects a person’s chances of dying. The results revealed that people with more wealth tend to live longer than those with less wealth, especially in the U.S., where the gap between the rich and poor is much larger than in Europe.

Comparison data also showed that at every wealth level in the U.S., mortality rates were higher than those in the parts of Europe the researchers studied. The nation’s wealthiest Americans have shorter lifespans on average than the wealthiest Europeans; in some cases, the wealthiest Americans have survival rates on par with the poorest Europeans in western parts of Europe such as Germany, France and the Netherlands.

U.S. life expectancy has been declining in recent years, said study author Irene Papanicolas, a professor of health services, policy and practice at Brown. The study provides a more detailed picture of life expectancy across demographics in the U.S. compared to different parts of Europe, she said.

How Elon Musk’s SpaceX Secretly Allows Investment From China

While also taking billions from US taxpayers

By Joshua Kaplan and Justin Elliott for ProPublica

Kyle Ellingson for ProPublica

Elon Musk’s aerospace giant SpaceX allows investors from China to buy stakes in the company as long as the funds are routed through the Cayman Islands or other offshore secrecy hubs, according to previously unreported court records.

The rare picture of SpaceX’s approach recently emerged in an under-the-radar corporate dispute in Delaware. Both SpaceX’s chief financial officer and Iqbaljit Kahlon, a major investor, were forced to testify in the case.

In December, Kahlon testified that SpaceX prefers to avoid investors from China because it is a defense contractor. There is a major exception though, he said: SpaceX finds it “acceptable” for Chinese investors to buy into the company through offshore vehicles.

“The primary mechanism is that those investors would come through intermediate entities that they would create or others would create,” Kahlon said. “Typically they would set up BVI structures or Cayman structures or Hong Kong structures and various other ones,” he added, using the acronym for the British Virgin Islands. Offshore vehicles are often used to keep investors anonymous.

Experts called SpaceX’s approach unusual, saying they were troubled by the possibility that a defense contractor would take active steps to conceal foreign ownership interests.

Trump's National Security Advisor Has Used Personal Email and 20 Other Signal Threads for Government Affairs

Despite relentless attacks on Hilary Clinton, Trump tolerates far worse breech by his own guy 

By Sharon Zhang, Truthout

Donald Trump’s national security adviser Michael Waltz and his staff have used personal Gmail accounts to conduct government business, a new report released Tuesday reveals, in the latest instance of Waltz seemingly using methods of communication that are unsecured and vulnerable to breaches.

In at least one instance, a senior aide to Waltz used Gmail to discuss “sensitive military positions and powerful weapons systems relating to an ongoing conflict,” according to The Washington Post, which viewed the emails. In other instances, Waltz himself used his personal email to review documents and discuss matters like his work schedule.

Government officials have secure, encrypted services for communications that are less vulnerable to hacking and other cyber attacks. Gmail is not one of those services, and “the contents of a message can be intercepted and read at many points,” Electronic Frontier Foundation cybersecurity director Eva Galperin told The Washington Post.

The news comes after The Atlantic revealed in a bombshell report last week that Waltz had seemingly inadvertently added Jeffrey Goldberg, the publication’s editor in chief, to a group chat on the messaging app Signal that was dedicated to planning and discussing the Trump administration’s strikes in Yemen that killed dozens of civilians.

The news also adds to a growing picture of a seemingly blasé attitude toward secure communications within the office of a U.S. security official. These lax security practices leave the U.S. vulnerable to hacks, while also potentially breaking federal laws regarding archival of federal communications, experts have said.

On Wednesday, Politico reported that Waltz and his team “regularly” use Signal to coordinate issues relating to foreign affairs. This includes issues regarding Gaza, the Middle East, Ukraine, China, Africa, and other places — with sensitive information often shared. Citing four people who have been added to the chats, Politico said that there are at least 20 such chats.

Sources said that the use of Signal isn’t just common with Waltz and his office — it’s effectively standard practice.

Your turn will come

What Trump's cabinet members said about him BEFORE they got the job

Burlingame, Charlestown Breachway campgrounds open tomorrow

Four State Campgrounds Open April 12

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is announcing that four state campgrounds will open for the season on Saturday, April 12. The annual opening of Burlingame, Charlestown Breachway, Fishermen’s Memorial, and George Washington Memorial State Campgrounds aligns with spring school vacation and trout fishing season, offering families a chance to enjoy Rhode Island’s outdoors. East Beach State Campground opens on Saturday, May 24. Find your next adventure at a Rhode Island State Campground at: riparks.ri.gov/campgrounds. 

Fishermen’s Memorial, George Washington, and Burlingame State Campgrounds offer a pre-check-in process to help campers “Camp More, Wait Less.” After booking through Reserve America system, they will receive an email to pre-register, which must be completed at least two days before arrival. Campers needing a second car pass can select and pay for it up to one day before their registration. 

Also let RFK Jr. where he can find his lunch

Reporting ‘Rhode Kill:’ New study calls on citizen scientists

DEM issues new rules to allow you to eat what you find

Anna Gray, URI College of the Environment and Life Sciences. 

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are more than one million wildlife vehicle collisions in the United States annually with significant personal and economic costs: they result in approximately 200 deaths and 26,000 injuries to drivers and passengers and cost more than $8 billion annually. 

Kathleen Carroll, assistant professor of applied quantitative ecology in the University of Rhode Island’s  Department of Natural Resources Science, is working on a solution to make roads safer for both wildlife and humans that will utilize the help of citizen scientists.

Rhode Islanders can now report roadkill that they hit or observe using a QR-code generated survey, also available online. The public’s participation will ultimately inform research efforts to mitigate risks for both drivers and animals.

Vaccines Don't Cause Autism. Why Do Some People Think They Do?

How a retracted study from the 1990s undermined trust in vaccines and led to a persistent myth.

By Public Health On Call, Johns Hopkins University 

In 1971, the FDA approved the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, which combined three vaccines that had been approved previously—in 1963, 1967, and 1969, respectively. The vaccine has proven safe and effective and has been widely administered around the world for decades.

But in 1998, a paper describing 12 children who received the MMR and later developed autism or other disorders planted seeds of doubt about the vaccine’s safety. The paper was later retracted, and several large studies have since shown no association between vaccines and autism, but the idea persists among some groups that vaccines cause autism.

In the March 14 episode of Public Health On Call, vaccinologist Daniel Salmon, PhD ’03, MPH, director of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Vaccine Safety, spoke with Josh Sharfstein, MD, about how this idea took hold and why it’s been so hard to dispel. This Q&A is adapted from that conversation.

King Donald’s tariffs are all about his fragile ego and his need to assert power

All The Damage Trump’s Tariffs Are Doing

By David Cay Johnston

Just how could Donald trump’s so-called Liberation Day tariffs mess up the American and world economies and make us all worse off not just now, but for the long term?

What Donald really wants is submission to his imagined greatness, everything else be damned.

Let me count the ways, or at least a few of them.

1. Consumer prices will rise not only for imported goods, but domestic manufacturing products as well. That’s because one of the basic points of tariffs is to give domestic manufacturers the ability to raise prices to just below the competing tariffed good, as I explained here  last September.
2. The other major global economies could form a free trade zone that excludes the United States. Imagine a trading alliance among the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and perhaps China and India. That would spell D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R for most Americans, especially the millions of factory workers whose ranks shrank during Trump’s first term, but grew significantly under Biden.
3. Even worse, these countries could also stop using the greenback as the world reserve currency, ending a massive and subtle subsidy to Americans. About 60% of global financial reserves are in dollars.
4. China’s patient but persistent drive to lead trade and economic policy, as well as exert military power, in Asia and Oceana is likely to grow, especially since Trump in his first term withdrew the U.S. from the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trading zone (parts of which I criticized here, here, and here as damaging personal liberty, discouraging competitive market capitalism, and expanding corporate power).
5. Inflation must worsen. Joe Biden got America’s inflation rate down to 2.9% in December, well below the post-World War II average of 3.65%. When the data comes in for March and April expect inflation to be up.
6. The risk of a recession is 45%. Goldman Sachs estimates. On this, Goldman is one of the more optimistic Wall Street firms.
7. Countries that allow American military bases — more than 800 are known publicly — could pare back or even expel our military, refuse to dock our Navy ships for refueling or repairs, and even end our positioning of Air Force bomber, fighter, and surveillance aircraft on their soil.
8. Countries could stop honoring monopoly patents owned by American companies, a policy shift that could devastate America’s extraordinarily profitable pharmaceutical and digital enterprises.
9. Over time other countries could develop their own fiber optic cables crisscrossing the oceans, hampering the gathering of signals intelligence, or SIGINT, which is now easier because most global digital traffic flows through the U.S., and is easily accessed by our allies, especially our Five Eyes partners: Canada, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand.
10. The rest of the world could join China in reducing purchases of American farm products from beef and corn to poultry and soybeans. Trump’s first term caused a massive shift in soybean sales to China. Midwest farmers lost out to Brazil and that business hasn’t come back. Trump covered that over with billions (note that B) in subsidies. During Trump’s first term these subsidies nearly tripled from $11.5 billion to $32 billion.