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Reuters
18 hours ago
- Reuters
Exclusive: Harvard patents targeted by Trump administration
Aug 8 (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Friday ordered a comprehensive review of Harvard University's federally funded research programs, and threatened to take title to or grant licenses from the school's lucrative portfolio of patents. In a letter to University President Alan Garber and obtained by Reuters, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick accused Harvard of breaching its legal and contractual requirements tied to the research programs and patents. Lutnick also said the Commerce Department has begun a "march-in" process under the federal Bayh-Dole Act that could let the government take ownership of the patents or grant licenses. Signed in 1980, that law ensures that Americans benefit from inventions funded through taxpayer dollars, a senior administration official said. "The Department places immense value on the groundbreaking scientific and technological advancements that emerge from the Government's partnerships with institutions like Harvard," Lutnick wrote. He said that carried a "critical responsibility" for Harvard to ensure that its intellectual property derived from federal funding is used to maximize benefits to the American people. Harvard did not immediately respond to requests for comment. President Donald Trump has made bolstering the country's manufacturing and economic competitiveness a priority of his second White House term, including by raising tariffs on imports from dozens of countries. Friday's letter ratchets up White House pressure on Harvard, which it has accused of civil rights violations for failing to address antisemitism on campus. Harvard sued in April after the administration began stripping or freezing billions of dollars of federal research money. Lutnick demanded that Harvard provide by September 5 a list of all patents stemming from federally funded research grants, including how the patents are used and whether any licensing requires "substantial U.S. manufacturing." As of July 1, 2024, Harvard held more than 5,800 patents, opens new tab, and had more than 900 technology licenses with over 650 industry partners, according to a university website. Other schools that have faced federal funding losses have included Columbia University, which last month agreed to pay more than $220 million to settle the government's antisemitism claims. The New York Times has said Harvard was open to spending up to $500 million to settle similar claims. Signed by President Jimmy Carter about six weeks before he left the White House, the bipartisan Bayh-Dole Act was sponsored by Senators Birch Bayh of Indiana and Bob Dole of Kansas. Carter said at the time it was important that industrial innovation promote U.S. economic health, and the legislation "goes far toward strengthening the effectiveness of the patent incentive in stimulating innovation in the United States." Many civil rights experts, faculty and White House critics believe the Trump administration's targeting of schools is a pretext to assert federal control and threaten academic freedom and free speech.
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Potatoes ‘increase your risk of type 2 diabetes by 20%' – but it all depends how you cook them
POTATOES are a British kitchen staple but cooking them a certain way might raise your risk of diabetes, a study has warned. Researchers at Harvard University in the US said 'not all carbs are created equal' and the way you prepare food is key. 1 Their study of more than 200,000 people found those who ate three or more servings of French fries per week were 20 per cent more likely to have type 2 diabetes. The condition affects four million Brits and is linked to excess weight and sugary diets. Results showed that boiling potatoes, mashing them or having jacket potatoes was not linked to the same risk. But diabetes was even less likely in people who ate more grains, such as pasta and bread, than spuds. Spuds are one of UK's favourite foods YouGov polling shows chips are Brits' second favourite food, behind only roast chicken, and fish and chips ranks third. Luckily mashed potato – not linked to diabetes in the study – ranks sixth. Harvard study author Professor Walter Willett said: 'Not all carbs – or even all potatoes – are created equal. 'The distinction is crucial when it comes to shaping effective dietary guidelines. 'The public health message here is simply that small changes in our daily diet can have an important impact on risk of type 2 diabetes. 'Limiting potatoes, and especially limiting French fries, and choosing healthy, whole grain sources of carbohydrate could help lower the risk.' Diabetes symptoms and the signs of all types of diabetes The NHS says people can reduce their chances of type 2 diabetes by staying slim, eating healthily and doing regular exercise. Separate research by the University of Cambridge has found that basic healthy eating can reduce the risk of diabetes across all groups of people. The analysis included 826,000 people across 33 studies on three different diets. They included the Mediterranean, the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (Dash) diets. Researchers suggest the eating habits, all of which place a focus on consuming more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, 'can be promoted across all populations'.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- The Guardian
Eating chips regularly raises risk of type 2 diabetes by 20%, study finds
Love potatoes? Well, there's good news and there's bad news. Eating chips has been found to raise the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but baking, boiling or mashing potatoes was much healthier. Consuming french fries three times a week increases the chances of someone getting the disease by 20% – and doing so five times a week by 27% – according to a study published in the British Medical Journal. Globally, potatoes are the third most commonly consumed food crop, after rice and wheat. Nine out of 10 of the estimated 5.8 million people in the UK with diabetes have the type 2 version of the disease, which is closely associated with lifestyle, especially diet. The findings confirm potatoes do not of themselves pose a danger to health, but frying them to turn them into chips, and eating them regularly, does make a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes more likely. An international team of researchers, led by Seyed Mohammad Mousavi, a public health expert at Harvard University, investigated the relationship between potato intake and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. They based their findings on food questionnaires filled out by 205,000 health professionals in the US every four years between 1984 and 2021. Someone who eats chips three times a week was found to raise their risk of diabetes by 20%, but those who ate potatoes with the same regularity after baking, boiling or mashing them did so by only 5%. 'The high starch content of potatoes, leading to a high glycemic index and load, combined with possible loss of nutrients and possible health risks resulting from various cooking methods, could contribute to adverse health outcomes,' the study explains. Replacing potatoes with whole grains lowers the risk of diabetes by 8%, and if grains are eaten instead of chips specifically, that cuts the risk by 19%. Dr Kawther Hashem, a lecturer in public health nutrition at Queen Mary University of London, said: 'Potatoes can be part of a healthy diet, but it's how we prepare them that makes the difference. Boiled, baked or mashed potatoes are naturally low in fat and a source of fibre, vitamin C and potassium. 'But when we deep fry them into chips or french fries, especially in large portions and with added salt, they become less healthy with their high-fat, salt and calorie content that's much more likely to contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.' However, replacing any form of potatoes with white rice is a bad idea as it leads to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, the paper found. Dr Hashem added: 'This research reinforces the simple message, which is to enjoy potatoes – just don't rely on chips as your go-to option. And, where possible, try swapping them out for whole grains like brown rice, bulgur wheat, wholemeal pasta or even sweet potato with skin on, which are healthier and protective for long-term health.' The researchers stressed their findings were observational and did not prove a cause and effect relationship between eating chips and type 2 diabetes risk. The Food Standards Agency and Department of Health and Social Care both declined to comment.
