NIH scientists go public to criticize Trump's deep cuts in public health research
WASHINGTON — In his confirmation hearings to lead the National Institutes of Health, Jay Bhattacharya pledged his openness to views that might conflict with his own. 'Dissent,' he said, 'is the very essence of science.'
That commitment is being put to the test.
On Monday, scores of scientists at the agency sent their Trump-appointed leader a letter titled the Bethesda Declaration, a frontal challenge to 'policies that undermine the NIH mission, waste public resources , and harm the health of Americans and people across the globe.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Curebound Challenges San Diego to Help Raise Vital Funding Amid Billions in Federal Grant Cuts that Threaten Cancer Research
Curebound launches all-new Curebound Cancer Challenge event and calls on individuals, corporations, and philanthropists to join together to support innovative cancer research as federal grants evaporate and scientists brace for more cuts next year SAN DIEGO, June 12, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cancer research and the scientists conducting vital studies are facing an uncertain financial future. National Institutes of Health (NIH) slashed $1.81 billion in federal agency grants in 2025, according to an analysis published in JAMA1 (NBC News, 2025). Nearly 700 grants across 24 NIH institutes were affected, covering research on cancer, aging, diabetes and more. The federal administration has also proposed a 40% cut to NIH's 2026 budget2 (Reuters, 2025). Curebound, a philanthropic organization that invests in cancer research with the power to save lives, is committed to raising the funds needed to ensure the significant momentum in cancer research continues. Last month, Curebound's Concert for Cures: Elton John event at Petco Park raised $11.5 million, and Curebound continues the battle with an all-new Curebound Cancer Challenge on August 2 at UC San Diego. At Curebound Cancer Challenge (formerly Padres Pedal the Cause), Curebound invites San Diego's diverse communities to support important cancer research with a challenge to run, bike, walk, or spin and celebrate progress with an elevated fundraising experience. By increasing collaboration among philanthropists, corporations, those impacted by cancer, and the public, Curebound is focused on fostering community unity and a spirit of collaboration to accelerate cancer research into cures. The Curebound Cancer Challenge features three world-class 25 to 75-mile bike routes along San Diego's Torrey Pines coastline, a family friendly 5K, a new 10K run, 50-minute spin classes, entertainment, family activities and a team village where fundraising teams can gather and celebrate their fundraising efforts. This year, Challenge team signups are outpacing last year's with 130+ stepping forward to fundraise and support the most innovative cancer studies today. The Challenge is part of Curebound's ultimate goal of investing $100 million across early-stage cancer studies anchored in San Diego, with the potential to spread nationally through scientific collaborations. Every dollar donated will help fund pioneering cancer research among San Diego's top scientists and institutions including UC San Diego, Salk Institute, Sanford-Burnham Prebys, La Jolla Institute of Immunology and Scripps Research. Curebound CEO Anne Marbarger says, "Curebound has received a record number of research grant funding applications this year – due in large part to the current and potential federal agency cuts. With these cuts, many cancer studies will be reduced or eliminated, setting us back as we work to accelerate cures for cancer. The stakes are high. Now more than ever, we need to raise more and fund more. People with cancer can't afford to wait for federal budgets, court orders or maybes." Victor Manzanilla, Edward Jones Financial Advisor and Cancer Challenge Team Captain, says, "So many on our Edward Jones team have been affected by this disease. We are committed to doing what we can to lead in the fight against cancer – and that starts here at home in San Diego. We invite our fellow business leaders and their teams to join us on August 2 at UC San Diego and be part of this incredible effort to fund cutting-edge cancer research." Curebound Cancer Challenge is attracting corporate and institutional support from Edward Jones San Diego, UC San Diego, Janux Therapeutics, Vividion Therapeutics, JP Morgan, Lusardi Construction, Pfizer, Resmed, Thermo Fisher Scientific, BD, CBRE, Dexcom, Illumina, Genentech, Ranch & Coast, San Diego Self Storage, Koman Family Foundation, Maravai Life Sciences, WE O'Neil Construction, and Bernstein Private Wealth Management. For more information about how to get involved with the Curebound Cancer Challenge, contact Liz DeGeronimo at liz@ Register for Curebound Cancer Challenge. Early-bird incentives end June 15. About Curebound Curebound is a philanthropic organization that invests in cancer research with the power to save lives. Through collaborative grants, corporate partnerships, and strategic investments, Curebound's aim is to significantly accelerate better prevention, detection, and treatments for cancer. Headquartered in the major U.S. biotech hub of San Diego, amid 3,000+ life sciences companies, leading health systems, and world-class research institutions, Curebound partners with these organizations to forge interdisciplinary collaboration, foster knowledge sharing, and fund pioneering cancer research. So far, Curebound has funded $43+ million in cancer research, awarding 143 study grants for 23 types of pediatric and adult cancers with one vision: cures in our lifetime. Join us - View source version on Contacts Media Contact:Hilary McCarthy774.364.1440Hilary@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
an hour ago
- Business Wire
Curebound Challenges San Diego to Help Raise Vital Funding Amid Billions in Federal Grant Cuts that Threaten Cancer Research
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cancer research and the scientists conducting vital studies are facing an uncertain financial future. National Institutes of Health (NIH) slashed $1.81 billion in federal agency grants in 2025, according to an analysis published in JAMA 1 (NBC News, 2025). Nearly 700 grants across 24 NIH institutes were affected, covering research on cancer, aging, diabetes and more. The federal administration has also proposed a 40% cut to NIH's 2026 budget 2 (Reuters, 2025). 'The stakes are high. Now more than ever, we need to raise more and fund more. People with cancer can't afford to wait for federal budgets, court orders or maybes," says Curebound CEO Anne Marbarger. Curebound, a philanthropic organization that invests in cancer research with the power to save lives, is committed to raising the funds needed to ensure the significant momentum in cancer research continues. Last month, Curebound's Concert for Cures: Elton John event at Petco Park raised $11.5 million, and Curebound continues the battle with an all-new Curebound Cancer Challenge on August 2 at UC San Diego. At Curebound Cancer Challenge (formerly Padres Pedal the Cause), Curebound invites San Diego's diverse communities to support important cancer research with a challenge to run, bike, walk, or spin and celebrate progress with an elevated fundraising experience. By increasing collaboration among philanthropists, corporations, those impacted by cancer, and the public, Curebound is focused on fostering community unity and a spirit of collaboration to accelerate cancer research into cures. The Curebound Cancer Challenge features three world-class 25 to 75-mile bike routes along San Diego's Torrey Pines coastline, a family friendly 5K, a new 10K run, 50-minute spin classes, entertainment, family activities and a team village where fundraising teams can gather and celebrate their fundraising efforts. This year, Challenge team signups are outpacing last year's with 130+ stepping forward to fundraise and support the most innovative cancer studies today. The Challenge is part of Curebound's ultimate goal of investing $100 million across early-stage cancer studies anchored in San Diego, with the potential to spread nationally through scientific collaborations. Every dollar donated will help fund pioneering cancer research among San Diego's top scientists and institutions including UC San Diego, Salk Institute, Sanford-Burnham Prebys, La Jolla Institute of Immunology and Scripps Research. Curebound CEO Anne Marbarger says, 'Curebound has received a record number of research grant funding applications this year – due in large part to the current and potential federal agency cuts. With these cuts, many cancer studies will be reduced or eliminated, setting us back as we work to accelerate cures for cancer. The stakes are high. Now more than ever, we need to raise more and fund more. People with cancer can't afford to wait for federal budgets, court orders or maybes.' Victor Manzanilla, Edward Jones Financial Advisor and Cancer Challenge Team Captain, says, 'So many on our Edward Jones team have been affected by this disease. We are committed to doing what we can to lead in the fight against cancer – and that starts here at home in San Diego. We invite our fellow business leaders and their teams to join us on August 2 at UC San Diego and be part of this incredible effort to fund cutting-edge cancer research.' Curebound Cancer Challenge is attracting corporate and institutional support from Edward Jones San Diego, UC San Diego, Janux Therapeutics, Vividion Therapeutics, JP Morgan, Lusardi Construction, Pfizer, Resmed, Thermo Fisher Scientific, BD, CBRE, Dexcom, Illumina, Genentech, Ranch & Coast, San Diego Self Storage, Koman Family Foundation, Maravai Life Sciences, WE O'Neil Construction, and Bernstein Private Wealth Management. For more information about how to get involved with the Curebound Cancer Challenge, contact Liz DeGeronimo at liz@ Register for Curebound Cancer Challenge. Early-bird incentives end June 15. About Curebound Curebound is a philanthropic organization that invests in cancer research with the power to save lives. Through collaborative grants, corporate partnerships, and strategic investments, Curebound's aim is to significantly accelerate better prevention, detection, and treatments for cancer. Headquartered in the major U.S. biotech hub of San Diego, amid 3,000+ life sciences companies, leading health systems, and world-class research institutions, Curebound partners with these organizations to forge interdisciplinary collaboration, foster knowledge sharing, and fund pioneering cancer research. So far, Curebound has funded $43+ million in cancer research, awarding 143 study grants for 23 types of pediatric and adult cancers with one vision: cures in our lifetime. Join us -
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Mark Cuban says left-leaning Bluesky's ‘lack of diversity of thought' driving users back to Elon Musk's X
Mark Cuban says Bluesky has 'grown ruder and more hateful' and warned that a 'lack of diversity of thought' on the platform is pushing users back to Elon Musk's X, the social network formerly known as Twitter. The billionaire entrepreneur and longtime tech enthusiast had been one of Bluesky's most visible champions, but now says the platform's predominantly left-leaning user base has created a hostile echo chamber where dissenting or even mildly nuanced opinions are met with outrage. 'The lack of diversity of thought here is really hurting usage,' Cuban wrote this week in a series of critical posts. 'There used to be great give and take discussions on politics and news. Not so much any more. Doesn't have to be this way.' Cuban, the tech billionaire who once owned the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and who recently concluded a lengthy stint as one of the investor 'sharks' on the hit reality show 'Shark Tank,' posted a link to a Washington Post opinion piece titled: 'The Bluesky bubble hurts liberals and their causes. In the piece, columnist Megan McArdle argued that the platform's left-leaning user base fosters a political silo. Cuban agreed with the piece's assessment. 'The moderation and block tools on here are so advanced, if you see someone you don't want to see on here, just block them. Don't attack them,' he added. He supported Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election but didn't donate to her campaign, joined Bluesky in late 2024 and has posted nearly 2,000 times since. His first post — 'Hello Less Hateful World' — set a hopeful tone. But that optimism has since faded. 'Engagement went from great convos on many topics, to agree with me or you are a nazi fascist,' Cuban wrote. 'We are forcing posts to X.' He said even small disagreements are met with outsized hostility. 'Even if you agree with 95% of what a person is saying on a topic, if there is one point that you might call out as being more of a grey area, they will call you a fascist etc.,' Cuban wrote. According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Cuban's net worth stands at approximately $8.35 billion. Some users didn't take kindly to Cuban's critiques — and they made their feelings known in blunt, often profane language. In response to his concerns, one user wrote, 'Go wipe your crocodile tears with a wad of hundreds you tw-t. People are over the idea of 'cool' billionaires.' Another told him, 'Man if I were as rich as you I'd probably be less of a p—y,' while a third simply said, 'F–kin leave then, p—y.' Yet another post, which Cuban also reposted, read: 'It's like you, as a billionaire, are a despicable bastard and we want you to stop pushing AI and big business here and just Go Away.' Bluesky launched as a decentralized social media alternative and saw explosive growth in the aftermath of Elon Musk's full-throated endorsement of Donald Trump's reelection campaign in late 2024. Musk's backing of Trump triggered an exodus from X, driving millions of liberal-leaning users to Bluesky in search of a quieter, more ideologically aligned environment. Between November 2024 and May 2025, Bluesky's user base tripled — from roughly 10 million to over 30 million — according to Pew Research Center. That analysis also found that many of the platform's most prominent news influencers lean left politically. Bluesky CEO Jay Graber acknowledged the politically driven migration in a June 4 podcast interview with Vox's Peter Kafka. 'It's people wanting to just try something new. It's people finding their community here,' she said. 'I think in general it's both people looking for something and people looking to get away from something.' But for Cuban, that community appears to have turned inward. He now worries the platform is discouraging debate and becoming a digital echo chamber. The Post has sought comment from Bluesky.
