Latest news with #Harvard-affiliated
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
US State Department orders embassies to ‘immediately begin additional vetting' for anyone seeking a visa to travel to Harvard
The US State Department on Friday ordered all US embassies and consulates to 'immediately begin additional vetting' for anyone seeking a visa to travel to Harvard University 'for any purpose.' The move is a significant escalation of the Trump administration's feud with the Ivy League institution that is poised to have massive implications, as it applies to more than just students. The 'additional vetting' is comprised of 'a complete screening of the online presence' of the applicants who wish to travel to Harvard, which will serve as a pilot for expanded social media screening and vetting visa applicants across the board. 'Such applicants include, but are not limited to prospective students, students, faculty, employees, contractors, guest speakers, and tourists,' the diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and seen by CNN said. CNN reported Wednesday that the State Department would begin reviewing Harvard-affiliated visas, but the cable provides more details about how this will be applied to those seeking the ability to visit, attend, or work at Harvard. The cable notes that consular officers should determine, either in pre-screening or an interview, if the applicant is seeking to travel to Harvard, and such applicants should be refused a visa 'pending review of their online presence.' The words 'any' are underlined and bolded in the passage where the cable states that the screening applies to 'any' nonimmigrant visa applicant for 'any' purpose. 'As in all instances in which an applicant fails to provide certain information on request, consular officers should consider whether the lack of any online presence, or having social media accounts restricted to 'private' or with limited visibility, may be reflective of evasiveness and call into question the applicant's credibility,' the cable said. The cable, first reported by Reuters, instructs consular officers to have applicants who are otherwise eligible for a visa to set their social media accounts to public and then refer their cases to the Fraud Prevention Unit. That unit 'should conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting of each such applicant, including social media activity … and more generally any online presence, to identify possible inadmissibilities, information suggesting the applicant intends to engage in activities inconsistent with the visa classification sought, or other information that might call into question the applicant's credibility, ' the cable says. It tells consular officers that if they 'are not personally and completely satisfied that the applicant, during his time in the United States, will engage in activities consistent with his nonimmigrant visa status, you should refuse the visa.' 'The enhanced vetting measures described in this guidance aim at ensuring that consular officers can appropriately identify such visa applicants with histories of anti-Semitic harassment and violence, and to duly consider the visa eligibility under U.S. immigration law,' it states, noting the Department of Homeland Security's assertion that Harvard 'failed to maintain a campus environment free from violence and anti-Semitism.' Earlier this week, the State Department sent a separate cable suspending all new student visa appointments as they prepare the expanded social media vetting.
CNN
3 days ago
- Business
- CNN
US State Department orders embassies to ‘immediately begin additional vetting' for anyone seeking a visa to travel to Harvard
The US State Department on Friday ordered all US embassies and consulates to 'immediately begin additional vetting' for anyone seeking a visa to travel to Harvard University 'for any purpose.' The move is a significant escalation of the Trump administration's feud with the Ivy League institution that is poised to have massive implications, as it applies to more than just students. The 'additional vetting' is comprised of 'a complete screening of the online presence' of the applicants who wish to travel to Harvard, which will serve as a pilot for expanded social media screening and vetting visa applicants across the board. 'Such applicants include, but are not limited to prospective students, students, faculty, employees, contractors, guest speakers, and tourists,' the diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and seen by CNN said. CNN reported Wednesday that the State Department would begin reviewing Harvard-affiliated visas, but the cable provides more details about how this will be applied to those seeking the ability to visit, attend, or work at Harvard. The cable notes that consular officers should determine, either in pre-screening or an interview, if the applicant is seeking to travel to Harvard, and such applicants should be refused a visa 'pending review of their online presence.' 'As in all instances in which an applicant fails to provide certain information on request, consular officers should consider whether the lack of any online presence, or having social media accounts restricted to 'private' or with limited visibility, may be reflective of evasiveness and call into question the applicant's credibility,' the cable said. The cable, first reported by Reuters, instructs consular officers to have applicants who are otherwise eligible for a visa to set their social media accounts to public and then refer their cases to the Fraud Prevention Unit. That unit 'should conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting of each such applicant, including social media activity … and more generally any online presence, to identify possible inadmissibilities, information suggesting the applicant intends to engage in activities inconsistent with the visa classification sought, or other information that might call into question the applicant's credibility, ' the cable says. It tells consular officers that if they 'are not personally and completely satisfied that the applicant, during his time in the United States, will engage in activities consistent with his nonimmigrant visa status, you should refuse the visa.' 'The enhanced vetting measures described in this guidance aim at ensuring that consular officers can appropriately identify such visa applicants with histories of anti-Semitic harassment and violence, and to duly consider the visa eligibility under U.S. immigration law,' it states. Earlier this week, the State Department sent a separate cable suspending all new student visa appointments as they prepare the expanded social media vetting.
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Korea University opens doors to Harvard international students blocked by Trump's crackdown
Korea University has announced plans to welcome professors, researchers and students from Harvard University following a move by the Trump administration to revoke the enrollment of international students at Harvard. The university is the first in South Korea to formally step forward with an offer of support for those affected. Korea University, one of the country's most prestigious educational institutions, said it would launch a special program to assist Harvard-affiliated international professors, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students and undergraduates who are facing uncertainty due to the US government's restriction on foreign student enrollment. Under the initiative, undergraduate and graduate students will be able to continue their studies at Korea University through transfer admissions or exchange programs. The university also pledged to ensure that credits earned could be transferred when students return to Harvard. The university seeks to appoint distinguished international faculty, including scholars from Harvard, as visiting professors with support such as housing and relocation assistance. 'In times like these, we must ensure that the next generation of scholars can continue their academic journeys without disruption,' said Kim Dong-won, president of Korea University. 'We will do all we can to support talented individuals whose education and research have been jeopardized.' The Trump administration formally notified Harvard University that its Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification had been revoked on May 22, barring the university from hosting international students on F-1 or J-1 visas. However, a US court issued a temporary injunction the next day, allowing affected students and researchers to retain their visa status while legal proceedings are underway.
Observer
24-05-2025
- Health
- Observer
HEAT WAVE HAZARDS
Maureen Salamon With June's arrival, summer heat waves can't be far behind. They're happening more often than ever: according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American city experiences six heat waves — prolonged periods of unusually high temperatures — each summer, three times as many as in the 1960s. Beyond comfort, paying attention to rising mercury levels is vital to our health for a key reason. Certain medications can leave us more vulnerable to heat-related effects or the sun's rays and higher temperatures may render medicines less effective. Most people don't consider that the weather can amplify drug side effects. "But they should, because it can be dangerous if you don't take the right precautions," says Magie Pham, a primary care pharmacist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital. Tens of millions of Americans take drugs that can change the way they tolerate intense heat and sunshine. Over all, about three-quarters of Americans ages 50 to 64 take prescription drugs, a proportion that climbs to nine in 10 people at 65 and older. The situation is similar with over-the-counter drugs, which adults 65 and up use more than any other age group. There's no magic number the temperature must reach before this issue becomes relevant. It's relative, Pham says, since people who live in warmer climates year-round typically have different thresholds for how heat affects them compared with those who live in four-season climes. "Every person tolerates heat differently," she says. Research indicates that people become increasingly vulnerable to heat as they age, since their ability to sweat efficiently and circulate blood to the skin — two key ways the body cools itself — decreases over the decades. (See "Know the signs of heat stress.") Older women are also more physiologically vulnerable to high heat and humidity compared with men of the same age, according to a study published online on August 26, 2024, by the American Journal of Physiology–Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. MEDICATIONS TO WATCH Known as "water pills," diuretics make us urinate more, removing excess fluids from the body. But these drugs, which are prescribed to manage conditions such as high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney disorders, or glaucoma, can make it more likely you will become dehydrated quickly in extreme heat. They can also lead to imbalances in levels of electrolytes — minerals essential to various bodily functions — which make it harder for the body to regulate its temperature. "We see many people who've been fine for a long time on diuretics, but then they go somewhere a lot warmer than they're used to and end up becoming severely dehydrated," Pham says. "It's probably the medication I'm most worried about." Other blood pressure drugs. These widely prescribed medications, which include ACE inhibitors, beta blockers and calcium-channel blockers, raise the odds of fainting and falling if they drive blood pressure too low. "If someone is already dehydrated, that can also lower their blood pressure, causing them to faint or fall," Pham says. "It's more of a domino effect from being out in the sun." Doxycycline. This antibiotic is just one example of the many drugs that cause photosensitivity, "meaning you're more likely to get sunburned," she says. "The safest way to avoid that is to make sure you wear sunscreen any time you're going to be outside — even on a cloudy day, because you can still get sunburn." Some antidepressants. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can make you sweat more and impair your body's ability to regulate temperature, hindering your ability to stay cool. "You don't realise how warm you're getting when you're taking these medications," Pham says. "It's important to be hydrated and wear sun-protective clothing, such as a hat, as well as stay in the shade. These approaches can make a real difference in keeping your temperature down." Thyroid hormone. One of the most frequently prescribed medications in the United States, thyroid hormone — usually in the form of levothyroxine (Synthroid, Tirosint, Unithroid) — treats hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland), a condition far more common among women than men. Like other medications above, thyroid drugs can impair the body's temperature regulation, making people sweat too much and increasing the chance of dehydration. Adding to the risk, older people are less likely to realise thirst and sense the degree of heat. Some over-the-counter antihistamines. Used for allergies and also as a sleep aid, diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and doxylamine (Unisom) may be helpful during the pollen explosion common to hot weather. But like other medicines, they can also hinder sweating and impair core temperature control. Additionally, they raise your risk of sunburn. Most medication labels direct us to keep the substance in a cool, dry place. That's because elevated temperatures can damage drugs in ways both known and unknown. Insulin, for example, which requires refrigeration, becomes unusable in the heat; inhalers, which are pressurised, can explode; and EpiPens, used to counter extreme allergic reactions, can malfunction. But scientific studies don't typically examine the effectiveness of drugs beyond room temperature, Pham notes. "If it's 80° or 85°, we have no idea how effective those medications are," she says. "But it makes sense to believe that they're not going to work as well as if they're kept at a more moderate temperature." Plan ahead to avoid exposing your medications to unstable temperatures while you're travelling. On road trips, place medicines in a cooler, not your car's glove box, which can get too hot even if you have the air conditioning on. For plane flights, stash your medications in your carry-on bag, since checked luggage can get lost or delayed and temperatures in a plane's cargo hold can be variable. "Unfortunately, the temperatures where luggage is stored can be too hot or cold," Pham says. Also, check with your prescribing doctor or pharmacist about how long medications requiring refrigeration can be safely kept at room temperature. And before you fly, Pham suggests calling the Transportation Security Administration toll-free at 866-289-9673 for guidance about medications you'll be carrying, so no snafus arise as you pass through airport security checkpoints. "Your doctor can also provide you with a travel letter to present to TSA representatives so you have no issues," she says. — The New York Times SIGNS OF HEAT STRESS - hot, dry skin or profuse sweating - confusion - throbbing headache - loss of coordination - rapid heart rate - extreme weakness - fast, shallow breathing - nausea and vomiting - loss of consciousness - Heat-related drug damage
Newsweek
23-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
This Vitamin May Slow Aging Process—New Research
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New research suggests vitamin D may help slow biological aging by reducing telomeres shortening, a key marker of cellular aging. Newsweek has reached out to some of the study's authors as well as other experts for comment via email on Friday. Why It Matters Chronological age is a straightforward measure of age—simply put, it's the number of years since a person was born. Unlike biological age, it does not account for health, lifestyle, genetics, epigenetics and environmental factors. Biological age can be determined by biomarkers, epigenetic alterations and physiological factors, among others. In the scientific community, biological age can provide a more nuanced and accurate reflection of an individual's aging process because biological age does not increase at the same rate for everyone. A person holding a multivitamin tablet on November 21, 2016. A person holding a multivitamin tablet on November 21, 2016. Charlotte Ball/PA Wire/AP Images The study measures telomeres length, which are made from DNA sequences and proteins, and serve as a cap, protecting the end of chromosomes. They become slightly shorter every time the DNA is copied to produce new cells, so their length can be a useful indicator of cells' biological age. What To Know The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was part of a larger study conducted by researchers at Harvard-affiliated Mass General Brigham and the Medical College of Georgia, the VITAL trial. It featured 25,871 participants. Specifically, the telomere portion focused on around 1,000 participants, consisting of women aged 55 years and older and males aged 50 and older. The results found that those taking vitamin D supplements experienced significantly reduced telomere shortening than those taking the placebo, as measured at two-year intervals. They also found that taking omega-3 fatty acid supplementation did not have any strong effect on telomere length. Telomeres shorten a little during each cell division, a natural part of aging and can be associated with an increased risk of various diseases. When the telomeres get very short, the cells stop dividing and die. Researchers in the study concluded that vitamin D supplementation prevented the equivalent of nearly three years of aging in telomere terms. However, Mary Armanios, a professor of oncology and director of the Telomere Center at Johns Hopkins University, who was not involved in the research, told Scientific American that the health implications aren't as clear because "It's only at the extremes that telomere length really matters in terms of aging." She noted that the differences in lengths from the trial were within the normal range of human variation and also noted that the study's method of measuring telomere length can be very sensitive. The majority of the study's participants were white, raising questions about diverse participant pools. As of 2024, the Endocrine Society's vitamin D recommendations state, "In the general population ages 75 years and older, we suggest empiric vitamin D supplementation because of the potential to lower the risk of mortality." What People Are Saying Dr. Michael Holick, a specialist in vitamin D research at Boston University's Vitamin D, Skin, and Bone Research Laboratory, told Newsweek in an email: "This observation is very consistent with the observation that improvement in vitamin D status can reduce risk of mortality by as much as 90%." JoAnn Manson, a co-author, principal investigator of VITAL, chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital said: "VITAL is the first large-scale and long-term randomized trial to show that vitamin D supplements protect telomeres and preserve telomere length. This is of particular interest because VITAL had also shown benefits of vitamin D in reducing inflammation and lowering risks of selected chronic diseases of aging, such as advanced cancer and autoimmune disease." Haidong Zhu, first author of the report and a molecular geneticist at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University said: "Our findings suggest that targeted vitamin D supplementation may be a promising strategy to counter a biological aging process, although further research is warranted." Purdue University Professor Majid Kazemian told Newsweek last year in an email: "Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with many diseases, and as a steroid hormone, vitamin D impacts many cellular processes, including anti-inflammation and anti-aging effects." What Happens Next The findings offer further insights into the aging process and telomeres preservation. Further studies are needed to better understand how vitamin D affects telomere dynamics and cellular aging in more diverse populations.
