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‘This is life or death': Mass. scientists fear consequences of funding cuts by federal government

‘This is life or death': Mass. scientists fear consequences of funding cuts by federal government

Yahoo06-03-2025

Massachusetts is a mecca for cutting-edge science.
New changes in how the federal government plans to fund research are sending a chill through many local laboratories.
Many scientists are trying to figure out if they can continue their work with deep budget cuts.
'My group and I study the evolution of disease, in particular, the evolution of cancers,' said John Quackenbush, Ph.D., the chair of the department of biostatistics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. 'Our goal is to identify the point in time, the place where those changes occur, with the idea that we can intervene and block cancer from progressing.'
While Quackenbush is usually thinking about curing cancer, he's now trying to think of a way to keep his research alive after a sudden announcement by the National Institutes of Health.
The federal government's leading provider of scientific research funds said they were capping the money institutions could receive for 'indirect costs' at 15%.
'We're all scrambling to try to figure out how we would make this work. Where we would find the additional money. We can't just set up a GoFundMe page.'
Indirect costs cover things like rent, utilities, support staff and grant management.
Quackenbush said the federal government already has stringent oversight.
'The process of determining the indirect cost rate is a rigorous one. Every few years representatives from the government visit the institution. They do a thorough audit.'
'My hunch is that we would be better of with less, and not any government funding, but it's a controversial question. There's not a trivial right or wrong
answer to that,' said Jeffrey Miron, vice president for research at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank that promotes less government.
But that doesn't mean he thinks the Trump Administration's approach is good.
'Because they're not cutting the underlying funding. They're disrupting. They're creating a lot of confusion and anxiety and messiness of the activities, many of which are totally productive, and not having the conversation of, should we be funding this activity in the first place.'
Supporters of Alzheimer's research believe they'd pass any litmus test like that. They've seen big steps forward for the roughly seven million Americans who currently have the disease.
'The scientific progress has been extraordinary,' said Jim Wessler, CEO of the MA/NH chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. 'I've been at this for 27 years and I would say the last five years have just been remarkable.'
That's thanks to better diagnostic tools and the first drugs that can slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease.
Today, Wessler is worried, particularly for patients currently in clinical trials.
'With therapeutics that are now in phase 2, some even phase 3 clinical trials, and the idea that those would just be frozen for families that are looking for anything that will help their loved ones is extraordinarily concerning.'
Another concern is the regional economy.
The NIH distributed about $3.5 billion to 219 Massachusetts organizations in fiscal 2024.
That's the highest amount per capita in the country.
Every dollar invested in research here creates $2-$3 in economic activity.
'There's no doubt that the uncertainty about these federal NIH grants trickles down to every level of our economy,' said Greg Reibman, the president and CEO of the Charles River Regional Chamber.
'It will impact who's able to go out to eat at a restaurant, who is able to hire a babysitter, who's able to purchase their next car.'
Some of the largest recipients of NIH grants in Massachusetts include Mass General, Brigham and Women's, Boston Children's, and the UMass Medical School in Worcester.
Like many of the cost cutting measures initiated by President Trump and Elon Musk, this one is now being challenged in the courts.
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How viral images are shaping views of L.A.'s immigration showdown

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Sleeping Naked Can Keep You Cool, but It Might Not Be Right for Everyone
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Cooling sheets can also help keep you temperature-neutral and wick away moisture. BasakAllergies and sensitivities When you sleep in the nude, there's no barrier between your body and your bedding, which can cause a quicker build-up of things like dirt, oil and dead skin. This isn't just gross; it can actually cause health problems if you have certain allergies or sensitive skin. Here's why. As you sleep, your body sheds dead skin cells, which attract dust mites that then feed on this dead skin. If you're one of the 20 million Americans who are allergic to these mites, you might notice symptoms like congestion, coughing and sneezing. Also, depending on your bedding, sleeping with your skin directly against your sheets could lead to uncomfortable side effects like rashes and irritation. Sleeping without clothes on certain types of sheets (such as ones made of polyester or other synthetic materials) isn't recommended if you have conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Instead, experts suggest sticking to breathable, natural fabrics (such as cotton and silk). Difficulty getting to sleep For some people, being in the nude can feel awkward and unnatural. If you go to bed without clothes, but being naked isn't comfortable for you, you might have a hard time settling into sleep. As a result, your sleep quality could decline, which could lead to irritation, trouble concentrating and memory issues. Similarly, if you go to bed in uncomfortable clothing, you could also face sleep problems. When picking out bedtime attire, choose whatever puts you at ease, whether that's an old T-shirt, a matching set of pajamas or a nightgown. Your sleep quality can also be impacted by other environmental factors, such as room temperature, noise and light levels. In addition, behavioral factors like the time you go to bed, using the bed for other activities and poor sleep hygiene can also make it more difficult to fall asleep. External factors and exposure Aside from the hygiene risks of sleeping in the nude, there are other practical concerns to consider as well. First, clothes can also act as a protective barrier against hungry spiders and insects. They might not completely stop you from getting bitten, but they provide an extra layer of defense. On a different note, going to bed naked could land you in some uncomfortable situations if you have roommates, live with your children or parents, travel often or sleepwalk. For instance, things could get awkward if you're on your way to the restroom in the middle of the night and unexpectedly run into someone else in the hallway. Even worse, if there's an emergency, you might not have time to get dressed before taking action. That could be potentially awkward or embarrassing, especially if you have to evacuate your home for a fire or other unexpected long; didn't read Going to bed naked might not put you at risk for serious, life-or-death health problems, but it's worth thinking about the risks involved in sleeping nude. Importantly, sleeping without clothes can increase the build-up of dirt and dust mites, which can trigger allergies and make your bed a less hygienic place to sleep. Ultimately, the decision of what to wear to bed is a personal one. If you're more comfortable sleeping without clothes, there's no real harm in continuing to do so, but you should aim to change your sheets every week to keep them free of dirt, dust, sweat and other nasty bedfellows.

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