Trump’s Cuts to N.I.H. Grants Focused on Minority Groups Are Illegal, Judge Rules

South Africa had become a leader in cutting-edge medical research, particularly in HIV and tuberculosis, thanks to years of investment and collaboration. But recent funding cuts by the Trump administration—slashing nearly $50 million in U.S. support—have gutted critical programs, shuttered labs, and left scientists scrambling. The damage threatens not just South Africa’s progress but global health efforts, especially in fighting diseases that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about budget lines—it’s about real-world consequences. South Africa’s research was a lifeline for breakthroughs in diseases that still ravage low-income communities worldwide. Losing that capacity doesn’t just set back one country; it weakens the world’s ability to respond to health crises. And with pandemics on everyone’s mind, undermining science cooperation seems like a dangerously shortsighted move.

Norma Swenson, a pioneering co-author of the groundbreaking women’s health manual Our Bodies, Ourselves, has passed away at 93. She was a fierce advocate for natural childbirth and helped create a frank, empowering resource that reshaped how women understood their own health—selling millions of copies worldwide and becoming a cultural icon.

Editor’s Note: Swenson’s work wasn’t just a book—it was a revolution. At a time when women’s health was shrouded in stigma and misinformation, Our Bodies, Ourselves gave women the tools to take control of their bodies and choices. Her legacy reminds us how far we’ve come—and how much of that progress traces back to fearless voices like hers.

Scientists studying bats in a Ugandan national park captured rare footage showing predators like snakes and birds feasting on fruit bats—animals known to carry viruses that can jump to humans. The video provides a real-world glimpse into how diseases might spread between species through the food chain.

Editor’s Note: Bats are infamous for harboring viruses like Ebola and Marburg, but we still don’t fully understand how those pathogens move into other animals (or us). This footage offers a possible answer: predators eating infected bats could act as bridges, passing viruses along. It’s a small but important piece of the pandemic puzzle.

A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration's cuts to NIH grants targeting minority and LGBTQ+ communities were illegal, calling them discriminatory. The judge ordered the government to reinstate most of the funding, siding with advocates who argued the cuts unfairly harmed marginalized groups.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about budgets—it’s about whether the government can single out funding for vulnerable communities. The ruling pushes back against policies that critics say deepened inequities in healthcare research, especially for groups already facing systemic barriers. It’s a win for advocates, but also a reminder of how political shifts can directly impact who gets support—and who gets left behind.

This piece dives into the latest chatter around health care stocks, spotlighting companies like Regis Healthcare and CSPC Pharmaceutical. Think of it as a quick pulse check on how these players are faring in the market—whether they’re catching investor interest or facing headwinds.