Latest news with #UniversityofSouthernCalifornia
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Harris says she won't run for California governor
Washington — Former Vice President Kamala Harris won't run for California governor next year, she announced Wednesday afternoon in a statement. "In recent months, I have given serious thought to asking the people of California for the privilege to serve as their governor," the 60-year-old Oakland native and 2024 Democratic presidential nominee said. "I love this state, its people, and its promise. It is my home. But after deep reflection, I've decided that I will not run for governor in this election." "For now, my leadership—and public service—will not be in elected office," she added. Declining a gubernatorial bid gives Harris a window to run for president in 2028. Since Harris' defeat in her truncated 2024 presidential run, which followed then-President Joe Biden's decision to drop his reelection bid, the Democratic Party has wondered what Harris' next political move will be. In May, sources familiar with Harris' thinking said she was weighing a campaign to be California's chief executive, a third run for the White House or not seeking elected office. Harris announced on Thursday that she's written a book about her 2024 campaign that will be released in September. It's called "107 Days," highlighting the breakneck pace of her last-minute bid for the presidency. "What the world saw on the campaign trail was only part of the story," she wrote. "My new book is a behind-the-scenes look at my experience leading the shortest presidential campaign in modern history. 107 Days is out on September 23. I can't wait for you to read it." A source close to Vice President Kamala Harris told CBS News that while Harris "seriously considered" a run for California governor in 2026, she ultimately decided against it — concluding she can have more impact for her party on a national stage and that her "heart wasn't into running for governor". "She grappled with it," the source said about a possible gubernatorial bid. "There were a lot of conversations over the last few months. But she's been a public servant for her whole career." The source said she wants to take time to experience life as a private citizen. According to the source, Harris felt tempted by the idea of leading her home state, but instead, she is finding other ways to remain engaged in public life — including potentially writing a book, launching her nonprofit and traveling the country to campaign for Democratic candidates ahead of the 2026 midterms. "She genuinely has not decided about a 2028 presidential run," the source said, adding the decision not to seek the governorship "keeps the door open" for a potential run in 2028. Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, are back in California. Emhoff returned to private law practice, and he teaches at the University of Southern California. Below is Harris' full statement: "Over the past six months, I have spent time reflecting on this moment in our nation's history, and the best way for me to continue fighting for the American people and advancing the values and ideals I hold dear. I am a devout public servant, and from the earliest days of my career, I have believed that the best way I could make a difference in people's lives and fight for a better future was to improve the system from within. And it has been a profound honor to do that work and serve the people of California and our nation—as a prosecutor, Attorney General, United States Senator, and Vice President. In recent months, I have given serious thought to asking the people of California for the privilege to serve as their Governor. I love this state, its people, and its promise. It is my home. But after deep reflection, I've decided that I will not run for Governor in this election. I have extraordinary admiration and respect for those who dedicate their lives to public service—service to their communities and to our nation. At the same time, we must recognize that our politics, our government, and our institutions have too often failed the American people, culminating in this moment of crisis. As we look ahead, we must be willing to pursue change through new methods and fresh thinking—committed to our same values and principles, but not bound by the same playbook. For now, my leadership—and public service—will not be in elected office. I look forward to getting back out and listening to the American people, helping elect Democrats across the nation who will fight fearlessly, and sharing more details in the months ahead about my own plans. In the United States of America, power must lie with the people. And We, the People must use our power to fight for freedom, opportunity, fairness, and the dignity of all. I will remain in that fight." Watch: Hawaii Gov. Josh Green gives update on tsunami warning Forensics expert analysis of Jeffrey Epstein jail video contradicts government's claims Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi gives tsunami warning update
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Could Your Birth Control Method Be Affecting Your Performance In The Gym? Here's What Experts Say
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Thanks to TikToks, sketchy health blogs, and Thanksgiving soapboxes courtesy of your toxic aunt, the rumor that birth control affects your ability to perform athletically has been spread far and wide for way too long. We get why it's confusing. Hormonal birth control methods such as contraceptive pills alter your hormones, which can affect…well, everything else, like your workouts. But, science hasn't exactly found that to be true. Plus, there are several kinds of birth control methods; some are more studied than others. We have some limited information on how oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) affect athletic performance in females. Other forms, including intrauterine devices (IUDs) with and without hormones, as well as implants, work differently and are even less studied. We consulted the experts to find out what we know, and what we don't, about how your birth control may affect your workouts. Meet the Experts: Jessica Shepherd, MD, is a board-certified ob-gyn, author of Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause, and Women's Health advisory board member. Bailey McLagan is a PhD candidate in exercise physiology at the University of Southern California, who specializes in women's performance research, including how birth control affects workouts. It's difficult to generalize these medications' effects since there are a bunch of different types, and they affect women differently. The most commonly used is oral contraceptives. These medications include synthetic hormones and generally work by "sending a signal to our brain to tell our body not to release an egg,' says Bailey McLagan, MS, a PhD candidate in exercise physiology at the University of Southern California, who studies the role of female hormones in exercise and recovery. 'The goal is to prevent ovulation, thus preventing the possibility of getting pregnant.' They can cause a handful of side effects that may indirectly affect performance, such as mood changes, spotting, cramping, nausea, or headaches. Even though these side effects are possible, it's important to note that not everyone will experience them, McLagan notes. Beyond side effects, 'it's not clear what, if any, effect OCPs have on training,' McLagan says. 'This is because there are so many kinds that are often not recorded in research and because studies don't often differentiate between OCP users and non-users.' One 2022 study, for example, looked at hormonal oral birth control effects on strength training outcomes, including muscle thickness, muscle fiber size, and composition over a 12-week period. They found that factors were similar between women who did and did not use oral contraceptives, says Jessica Shepherd, MD, board-certified ob-gyn and Women's Health advisory board member. START YOUR STRENGTH TRANSFORMATION Another study looked at exercise performance factors such as workload, exhaustion, time to completion, mean peak outputs, rate of production, and maximal oxygen intake between oral contraception users and non-users. The study found a trivial reduction in performance factors in those using oral contraception. 'It's important to remember that performance is impacted by a lot of things, so a trivial reduction doesn't signify an advantage in one over the other,' McLagan says. Some studies have looked at the impact of hormonal birth control on VO2 max—a measure of how much oxygen you use during training, Dr. Shepherd says. When VO2 max is high, it means that your body is more efficient at delivering oxygen to the muscles, Dr. Shepherd says. One study found the use of oral contraceptives might lower VO2 max. As mentioned, oral contraceptives aren't the only form of birth control. Dr. Shepherd says hormonal IUDs have shown some positive results. In one study, it was found to be the best-tolerated contraceptive for female endurance athletes. It also had the highest percentage of users who perceived positive training and competition impacts. 'Overall, there should be better research that looks at a prospective, randomized design to assess the effects of all types of hormonal contraceptives on athletic performance in females,' Dr. Shepherd says. What we do know: Much more research needs to be done to determine the effects of different birth control methods on training performance. Ultimately, how your experience on how birth control affects your workouts will differ from others. Therefore, you might have to go through some level of trial and error to determine what works for you. If you're on a new form of birth control, your doctor might tell you to stay on it for more than a month to see if potential symptoms subside or not. Ultimately, you shouldn't have to choose between being on birth control and getting the workout results you want. There are a ton of reasons to stay on birth control beyond pregnancy prevention—and there are tons of options to choose from. So don't be afraid to advocate for yourself to find the one that gives you the best results in all aspects of your life. 'If a certain form of OCP is making you feel uncomfortable, it may be that you need a different formulation of hormones, a lower dose, or switch to a different birth control method altogether,' McLagan says. Keep an open line of communication with your doctor, and adjust as necessary until you find a path that works for you. You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Health
- Boston Globe
Three out of five liver cancer cases are preventable, study finds
Advertisement The findings align with what liver specialists have seen in their clinics for years. 'Liver cancer is common, it causes immense suffering and death, and the saddest part for me as a physician is that most of the cases are preventable,' said Dr. Brian P. Lee, an associate professor of medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, who was not involved in the study. Improved screening, vaccination and treatment in recent years have helped stem viral hepatitis, especially in the United States. But the threat of liver cancer from heavy alcohol use and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD, formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, 'has been underrecognized and underestimated,' said Dr. Ahmed Kaseb, a professor of gastrointestinal medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, who was not associated with the study. Advertisement A 'highway' to liver cancer A vast majority of liver cancers arise in people with cirrhosis, said Dr. Hashem El-Serag, the chair of the department of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas and one of the authors of the new study. Cirrhosis, or advanced and largely irreversible scarring of the liver, damages healthy tissue and prevents the organ from working normally. The hepatitis B and C viruses cause inflammation that, if left untreated, can scar and damage the liver, potentially leading to cirrhosis. And both alcohol and metabolic dysfunction lead to abnormal deposits of fat in the liver, which can also result in inflammation. Related : Lee said the accumulation of fat and inflammation acted as a 'highway' to liver scarring, which in turn can injure DNA and lead to cancer. 'There could be multiple ramps to get onto that highway,' he said. Why disease may go undetected The new paper found that the share of liver cancers resulting from hepatitis B and hepatitis C is expected to drop to 63% in 2050, from 68% in 2022. But the burden of liver cancers resulting from alcohol and MASLD is expected to grow. An estimated 4 in 10 adults worldwide have MASLD, a condition in which fat builds up in the liver. Risk factors include obesity and Type 2 diabetes. A subset of patients with MASLD will go on to develop an advanced form called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, or MASH, which has been described as a silent killer because it can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer without being noticed. Current guidance recommends monitoring for liver cancers in patients who have a history of viral hepatitis or established cirrhosis. Patients with MASH typically don't meet that criteria, Kaseb said, but they could have liver scarring without symptoms, and nobody would know. Related : Advertisement That's why screening for liver disease needs to begin at the primary care level, where cases can easily go undetected, said Dr. Mary Rinella, a hepatologist at University of Chicago Medicine and the lead author of guidelines for the management of MASLD. She recommended that doctors use a metric called the Fib-4, which uses routine blood test results to estimate the amount of liver scarring, to screen high-risk patients. These include people who have Type 2 diabetes or obesity with at least one other metabolic risk factor, such as high cholesterol. MASLD is reversible with lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and increased exercise, and weight-loss drugs have recently been shown to be effective at reversing scarring as well. 'If you stop the reason or the impetus for scarring and injury in the liver, then you're going to have less impetus for the development of cancer,' Rinella said. Alcohol compounds the problem Alcohol-related liver disease is also on the rise. In research published this month, Lee and his colleagues showed that the risk of alcohol-related liver disease among heavy drinkers (at least 10 drinks per week for women and 15 for men) in the United States more than doubled between 1999 and 2020, despite similar alcohol use over that period. That suggests that heavy drinkers today may be more sensitive to the effects of alcohol on the liver than those in the past, Lee said. This may be because the population of heavy drinkers is changing. The researchers found that women, who are more prone than men to develop fat and damage in the liver from alcohol, now make up a greater share of heavy drinkers than they did 20 years ago. So do people with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of metabolic disorders that together raise the risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke — and compound the damage done by alcohol to the liver. Related : Advertisement Drinking heavily and having a metabolic condition such as obesity can independently damage the liver, but patients who fall in both categories are at an especially high risk. These trends are likely to continue. 'Alcohol use is increasing,' Rinella said. 'Obesity and diabetes are increasing.' 'I expect that we're going to continue to see a high burden of liver disease,' she added. This article originally appeared in .
Japan Times
3 days ago
- Science
- Japan Times
Rising seas and shifting sands attack ancient Alexandria from below
From her ninth-floor balcony over Alexandria's seafront, Eman Mabrouk looked down at the strip of sand that used to be the wide beach where she played as a child. "The picture is completely different now," she said. The sea has crept closer, the concrete barriers have got longer and the buildings around her have cracked and shifted. Every year, 40 of them collapse across Egypt's second city, up from one on average a decade ago, a study shows. The storied settlement that survived everything from bombardment by the British in the 1880s to attacks by crusaders in the 1160s is succumbing to a subtler foe infiltrating its foundations. The warming waters of the Mediterranean are rising, part of a global phenomenon driven by climate change. In Alexandria, that is leading to coastal erosion and sending saltwater seeping through the sandy substrate, undermining buildings from below, researchers say. "This is why we see the buildings in Alexandria being eroded from the bottom up," said Essam Heggy, a water scientist at the University of Southern California who co-wrote a study published in February describing a growing crisis in Alexandria and along the whole coast. The combination of continuous seawater rises, ground subsidence and coastal erosion means Alexandria's coastline has receded an average of 3.5 meters a year over the last 20 years, he said. Eman Mabrouk, 50, stands on her ninth-floor balcony overlooking Alexandria's corniche, in Alexandria, on April 19. | REUTERS "For many people who see that climatic change is something that will happen in the future and we don't need to worry about it, it's actually happening right now, right here," Heggy said. The situation is alarming enough when set out in the report — "Soaring Building Collapses in Southern Mediterranean Coasts" in the journal "Earth's Future". For Mabrouk, 50, it has been part of day-to-day life for years. She had to leave her last apartment when the building started moving. "It eventually got slanted. I mean, after two years, we were all ... leaning," she said. "If you put something on the table, you would feel like it was rolling." Egypt's government has acknowledged the problem and promised action. Submerged breakwaters reduce coastal wave action and truckloads of sand replenish stripped beaches. Nine concrete sea barriers have been set up "to protect the delta and Alexandria from the impact of rising sea waves," Alexandria's governor, Ahmed Khaled Hassan, said. The barriers stretch out to sea, piles of striking geometric shapes, their clear curves and lines standing out against the crumbling, flaking apartment blocks on the land. Authorities are trying to get in ahead of the collapses by demolishing buildings at risk. Around 7,500 were marked for destruction and 55,000 new housing units will be built, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly told a crowd as he stood on one of the concrete barriers on July 14. "There isn't a day that passes without a partial or complete collapse of at least one building that already had a demolition order," Madbouly said. A man fishes by the Mediterranean city of Alexandria on April 20. Sea levels are rising across the world, but they are rising faster in the Mediterranean than in many other bodies of water due partly to the relative shallowness of its basin. | REUTERS Some are hopeful the measures can make a difference. "There are no dangers now ... They have made their calculations," coffee shop owner Shady Mostafa said as he watched builders working on one of the barriers. Others are less sure. Alexandria's 70-kilometer-long coastal zone was marked down as the most vulnerable in the whole Mediterranean basin in the February report. Around 2% of the city's housing stock — or about 7,000 buildings — were probably unsafe, it added. Every day, more people are pouring into the city — Alexandria's population has nearly doubled to about 5.8 million in the last 25 years, swollen by workers and tourists, according to Egypt's statistics agency, CAPMAS. Property prices keep going up, despite all the risks, trackers show. Sea levels are rising across the world, but they are rising faster in the Mediterranean than in many other bodies of water, partly because the relative shallowness of its basin makes it warm up faster. The causes may be global, but the impacts are local, said 26-year-old Alexandria resident Ahmed al-Ashry. "There's a change in the buildings, there's a change in the streets," he said. "Every now and then we try to renovate the buildings, and in less than a month, the renovations start to fall apart. Our neighbours have started saying the same thing, that cracks have started to appear."
Epoch Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
George Lucas Unveils New Museum During First Comic-Con Appearance in San Diego
'Star Wars' creator George Lucas made his first appearance at Comic-Con International in San Diego over the weekend, giving thousands of fans a sneak peek at his forthcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, set to open in Los Angeles next year. 'This is sort of a temple to the people's art,' Lucas, 81, said on Sunday while speaking on a panel with veteran production designer Doug Chiang and Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, who serves on the board of the museum. 'This museum is dedicated to the idea that ... any kind of story that is written to affect people and to build community is extremely important to society,' the 'Indiana Jones' creator said elsewhere during the conversation. 'Art illustrates that story, and that's the right hand of building a community, is you need the art to make it seem real.' Lucas first announced the project back in 2017. According to a July 27 press release, the museum will serve as 'the world's first institution dedicated to the exploration of narrative art, celebrating illustrated storytelling across eras and cultures, from ancient cave drawings and children's book illustrations to comic books and digital media.' Lucas co-founded the museum with his wife, Mellody Hobson. Once opened, it will showcase a variety of narrative artworks from the award-winning filmmaker's extensive 40,000-piece art collection, including the first-ever 'Flash Gordon' comic strip and original 'Peanuts' strips dating back to the 1950s and 1960s. During the discussion, the panel's moderator, singer Queen Latifah, revealed that Lucas had been stockpiling his vast repertoire of artworks for more than 50 years. 'I've been collecting art since I was in college,' Lucas told the audience at Comic-Con. 'I couldn't really afford real art. I love all art, no matter what it is, but I could afford comic art because in those days it was underground.' The new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will be housed in Los Angeles's Exposition Park, located across the street from the University of Southern California. In addition to the gallery spaces, the 300,000-square-foot facility, which was designed by renowned architect Ma Yansong, will feature two theaters, a retail store, a library, a café, a restaurant, and several event spaces. Chiang, the senior vice president of Lucasfilm, praised Lucas and Hobson for exposing younger generations to the art of visual storytelling. 'Comic art and magazine illustration were kind of looked down upon, but it was a way for me to enjoy art, and it invited me to learn more about art,' he shared. 'What I love about what George and Mellody are doing with this museum is they are acknowledging and giving respect to artists who really haven't been highlighted before.'
