Bad idea Florida man eats diet of butter, cheese, beef; cholesterol oozes from his body High cholesterol is considered 240 mg/dL. The man's was over 1,000 mg/dL. Beth Mole Jan 22, 2025 4:49 pm | 47 Credit: Getty | PhotoEuphoria Credit: Getty | PhotoEuphoria Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreWhat could go wrong with eating an extremely high-fat diet of beef, cheese, and sticks of butter? Well, for one thing, your cholesterol levels could reach such stratospheric levels that lipids start oozing from your blood vessels, forming yellowish nodules on your skin.That was the disturbing case of a man in Florida who showed up at a Tampa hospital with a three-week history of painless, yellow eruptions on the palms of his hands, soles of his feet, and elbows. His case was published today in JAMA Cardiology. Painless yellowish nodules were observed on the patients palms (A) and elbows. B, Magnified view of the palmar lesions. These lesions are consistent with xanthelasma, likely resulting from severe hypercholesterolemia associated with a high-fat carnivore diet. Credit: JAMA Cardiologym 2024, Marmagkiolis et al. The man, said to be in his 40s, told doctors that he had adopted a "carnivore diet" eight months prior. His diet included between 6 lbs and 9 lbs of cheese, sticks of butter, and daily hamburgers that had additional fat incorporated into them. Since taking on this brow-raising food plan, he claimed his weight dropped, his energy levels increased, and his "mental clarity" improved.Meanwhile, his total cholesterol level exceeded 1,000 mg/dL. For context, an optimal total cholesterol level is under 200 mg/dL, while 240 mg/dL is considered the threshold for 'high.' Cardiologists noted that prior to going on his fatty diet, his cholesterol had been between 210 mg/dL to 300 mg/dL.The cardiologists diagnosed the man with xanthelasma, a condition in which excess blood lipids ooze from blood vessels and form localized lipid deposits. The escaped lipids would normally be taken up by roaming white blood cells called macrophages. But, in cases with xanthelasma, the amount of lipids is too large for the macrophages, which turn into foam cells with the excess cholesterol, leading to visible deposits.Such deposits are often seen around the eye (a condition called xanthelasma palpebrarum), which often strikes people with lipid abnormalities, such as familial hypercholesterolemia. It's thought that continuous blinking of the eye over a person's life can eventually weaken capillaries in the area, allowing for lipid seepage. But, while this may be a more common presentation of the condition, lipid deposits can occur anywhere in the body.Xanthelasmaespecially xanthelasma palpebrarumis not always associated with high cholesterol and heart risks, but having high total cholesterol is strongly associated with coronary heart disease.The case study doesn't provide information on the man's outlook. However, the authors write that the case "highlights the impact of dietary patterns on lipid levels and the importance of managing hypercholesterolemia to prevent complications."Beth MoleSenior Health ReporterBeth MoleSenior Health Reporter Beth is Ars Technicas Senior Health Reporter. Beth has a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and attended the Science Communication program at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She specializes in covering infectious diseases, public health, and microbes. 47 Comments

Women want payback Apple must face suit over alleged policy of underpaying female workers Apple fails to argue sexual harassment claim was just about a seating preference. Ashley Belanger Jan 22, 2025 4:16 pm | 7 Credit: malerapaso | iStock / Getty Images Plus Credit: malerapaso | iStock / Getty Images Plus Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreApple must face a potential class action alleging that Apple had a policy of paying men higher salaries than women for similar work.On Tuesday, California Superior Court Judge Ethan P. Schulman filed an order that largely denies Apple's motions to strike the class allegations and suspend several class claims. This allows what one lawyer representing women suing, Joseph Sellers, said was "a very important case that impacts thousands of current and former female Apple employees."Perhaps most significantly, Apple tried and failed to argue that pay disparities for individual female workers suing were "justified" and that their circumstances were not common to the 12,000 female employees who could be owed backpay if the class action is certified and Apple loses.But Schulman agreed with employees suing that there was a "reasonable possibility" that thousands of women in Apple's California-based engineering, AppleCare, and marketing divisions experienced similar unequal pay and discrimination as alleged in the complaint.Schulman said that workers suing sufficiently alleged that Apple "has implemented an unlawful wage rate scheme that is generally applicable" to the class and results in Apple underpaying female workers, compared to their male counterparts.According to workers suing, Apple has three policies that seemingly perpetuate and widen gender pay gaps. Allegedly, Apple relies upon "prior pay and pay expectations to set starting salaries," uses performance evaluations that "reward" men and "penalize" women "for the same behaviors," and uses "talent" reviews to pay men more than women "with similar levels of talent."Schulman warned that accepting Apple's argument that evidence of pay disparity to particular employees did not reflect a common pattern or policy would seemingly "mean that a class action could never be certified" under California's Equal Pay Act."Plaintiffs sufficiently allege that Defendant's salary decisions are made in a centralized location pursuant to an employment policy which appears facially neutral but 'has had the effect of perpetuating past pay disparities and paying women less than men performing substantially similar work,'" Schulman wrote.While some of Apple's defense was deemed "demonstrably inaccurate" and most of its arguments "insufficient," Apple did successfully argue against efforts to seize back pay for former female employees no longer working for Apple who were seemingly also impacted by allegedly sexist policies implemented in 2020. That claim must be dropped as the proposed class action moves forward.Additionally, another claim alleging pay disparity that was linked to racial discrimination was suspended. But the Apple worker suing, Zainab Bori, will have a chance to amend her claim that she was fired as retaliation for filing a discrimination complaint. It could survive if she adds currently missing evidence that "she suffered an adverse employment action" while working under a manager with an alleged "history of negative interactions with African American employees," Schulman's order said.Apple did not immediately respond to Ars' request for comment.In a press release sent to Ars, Eve Cervantez, a lawyer representing Apple workers suing, celebrated the court's ruling."I am really pleased with todays ruling," Cervantez said. "This start low, stay low practice has been a no-win situation for women working at Apple for years. So, Im glad they will have their day in court."Apple accused of ignoring hostile work environmentFor Justina Jongwhom the complaint noted joined Apple in 2013 and has helped lead "cross-functional teams that improve the App Review experience for global app developers"this week's win might be particularly encouraging after Apple allegedly refused to take her experience with sexual harassment seriously.Jong has alleged that in 2019, Blaine Weilert, a senior member of an Apple talent development team, touched her in a sexually suggestive manner without consent. Although Weilert admitted to the act and was disciplined, Apple tried and failed to argue this was a one-time offense that didn't constitute a hostile work environment or warrant Jong's repeated requests to be moved away from Weilert in Apple's offices.But Schulman again disagreed with Apple. He said that Jong's complaint wasn't just about wanting a certain "seating assignment" to rectify what Apple said it did not consider "severe or pervasive conduct." Instead, Jong sufficiently alleged that her "allegations involve more than a single event" and spanned her entire time working with Weilert, Schulman said."Jong's allegations encompass more than her issues with an unsatisfactory seating arrangement," Schulman wrote, while noting that Jong "further alleges that she witnessed Mr. Weilert's conduct with other females in the office."Apple was hoping the court would agree that Jong's request to transfer was unreasonable and that the tech giant "cannot be held liable" because "a reasonable accommodation was not available." Apparently, Apple even claimed that it tried to provide such an accommodation that Jong rejected. But according to Schulman, Apple never showed any evidence of that and may have neglected its legal responsibility to transfer Jong into a new position by instead offering to connect her to a recruiter and suggesting that she compete for another job opening if she wanted out of the allegedly hostile work environment.Schulman said that Apple's "argument places the burden on Plaintiff Jong to identify an available role at the time of her request, which contradicts binding authority." To support this, he cited precedent that said, "although an employer does not have an obligation to create a new job, reassign another employee, or promote a disabled employee, courts have made it clear that an employer has a duty to reassign a disabled employee if an already funded, vacant position at the same level exists."Jong told the court that she suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after Apple refused to move her out of the allegedly hostile work environment. If she wins the fight, Apple could be liable for failing to timely accommodate her request.Ashley BelangerSenior Policy ReporterAshley BelangerSenior Policy Reporter Ashley is a senior policy reporter for Ars Technica, dedicated to tracking social impacts of emerging policies and new technologies. She is a Chicago-based journalist with 20 years of experience. 7 Comments

Leader and HealthWe often obsess about nighttime routines for good sleep, but mounting evidence shows that what we do during our waking hours is also important a more holistic view that could ease the modern pressure to create a perfect environment for when our heads hit the pillow 22 January 2025 Caroline Tompkins/Refinery29 for Getty ImagesWhen trying to form a healthy habit, it usually helps to be conscious. So it is easy to understand why sleep-tracking devices, which claim to reveal what happened while users were out for the count, have become so popular with those in pursuit of better rest. These promise to monitor not just how long you have slept, but the depth and quality of your sleep too. They even offer insights into how peppy you should expect to feel the next day.Most sleep scientists caution that the data recorded by these devices is unreliable, but putting aside whether or not we can trust the information they provide, focusing too hard on the numbers can leave people unduly fretting about their sleep quality. This obsessive approach to optimising rest, which has been coined orthosomnia, only tends to make things worse. In other words, data overload can keep you up at night.There is another reason to avoid such a laser-focus on what happens while the lights are out if you are hoping for more shut eye: you are missing the bigger picture. Good sleep is fundamental to our long-term health, but, as we explore in our special issue that starts with The new science of sleep: How to sleep better whatever your lifestyle, good sleep isnt just made in the bedroom.AdvertisementAn obsessive approach to optimising sleep only tends to make things worseTake diet, for example. A growing body of evidence suggests that a healthy gut microbiome leads to better sleep and vice versa (see The surprising relationship between your microbiome and sleeping well), so if you want to sleep better, what you eat is important.It would also be remiss to expect our sleep requirements to be the same every night or identical to those of others. We are increasingly learning that our needs are both individual (see Why your chronotype is key to figuring out how much sleep you need) and variable, due to factors like our age and fluctuations in hormones (see A better understanding of our hormones and sleep could improve both).So, while the way we approach the actual hours of sleep can, of course, improve it (for personal tips from the experts, see What nine sleep researchers do to get their best nights rest), all of this suggests we can ease up on the pressure to create the perfect bedtime conditions and recognise that it isnt just our unconscious hours that define good sleep. What we do throughout our waking day can make a big difference too.Topics:

A magnetic and optical trap used to cool atoms to close to absolute zeroNASA/JPL-Caltech/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARYThe laws of physics assert that an organised system will grow increasingly disordered over time until it dissolves into featureless mush but a new experiment shows that some extremely cold atoms could avoid such entropy.Any system beginning with low disorder, or low entropy, is bound to eventually become more of a mess. Picture flowers arranged in a bouquet: their entropy will gradually keep increasing until the brightly-coloured bundle

My dad's avgolemono soup only needs a few ingredients, and you probably already have most of them in your kitchen.Avgolemono soup traditionally features chicken, rice, lemon, and eggs. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider To make my dad's classic avgolemono soup for four, you'll need:2 chicken half-breasts (with bones)2 eggs2 cups chicken broth (or 2 chicken bouillon cubes)1 lemon cup medium-grain white rice onionFeel free to mix things up with the chicken. You could throw in chicken legs if you prefer, or even the whole bird! And if you'd rather go meat-free, this soup is still plenty comforting when it's vegetarian-friendly.My dad's family recipe always kept things simple, but he said the soup also works with some carrots and celery added in as well. The star of the show, though, is always the avgolemono.Our first step is some very minimal prep, which is just chopping up the onion First, chop your onion. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider Just roughly chop half an onion you still want chunky pieces. and seasoning the chicken.Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider My dad recommends sprinkling salt and pepper on both sides of your chicken pieces.Then, add a tablespoon of olive oil to your pressure cooker or pot and let it warm up.Add some olive oil to your pot. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider My dad now makes avgolemono soup in his pressure cooker, which allows him to finish the dish in around 20 minutes.But if you don't have one at home, you can always use this recipe with a regular pot over the stove (which should take around 30-35 minutes instead).Once the olive oil is hot, add the onions and then the chicken.Let the onions brown a little, then add the chicken. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider Cook the onions over medium heat. (If you're using a pressure cooker, turn it to the browning setting.)Before the onions have fully browned, toss in the chicken pieces and let them brown for around one to two minutes on each side.Then, add water and either the chicken broth or chicken bouillon cubes.My dad has used both chicken broth and chicken bouillon cubes for his avgolemono soup. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider If you're using chicken bouillon cubes, my dad recommends adding 5 cups of water and 2 cubes to your pressure cooker or pot. If you're opting for chicken broth, add 3 cups of water and 2 cups of chicken broth.Then, add salt to taste, but remember that some bouillon cubes and chicken broth can already be quite salty.Now, throw in your rice.Your broth will be ready in around 11 minutes if you're using a pressure cooker. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider Cover the pot and let your chicken and rice cook.If you're using a pressure cooker, this should take around 11 minutes on the high-pressure setting. However, the time will vary depending on your model.While your soup is cooking, it's time to prepare the avgolemono.To make the avgolemono sauce, first separate your eggs. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider First, break your eggs gently, separating the whites from the yolks over a small saucepan.Carefully set your yolks aside.Don't throw away the yolks! Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider You'll need those in just a second.With a whisk or fork, beat the egg whites in the saucepan until they're fluffy.You can use a whisk or fork to beat your egg whites. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider You're already almost done with your sauce!Then, add the egg yolks to the mixture and whisk everything together.Then, throw in your yolks and mix everything together. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider "You can mix the egg whites and yolk together, but mixing the whites first makes the avgolemono fluffier," my dad told me.Juice one lemon and add it to your beaten eggs.Add the juice of one lemon to your sauce. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider Whisk everything together, and voila! You've just made your very own avgolemono sauce.Once your chicken and rice have cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.Remove the chicken from your broth before adding the avgolemono sauce. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider Let your soup cool for a few minutes, which will help when mixing the avgolemono into the broth.Scoop some of the hot broth with a ladle and slowly pour it into the avgolemono, continuously mixing them with a whisk or fork.Tempering the avgolemono sauce with the broth keeps the eggs from curdling. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider Because the avgolemono is cold and the soup is hot, you can't just dump the whole sauce into the broth. The eggs in the avgolemono would cook with the heat and curdle, ruining the soup.This tempering technique helps combine everything, creating a silky and creamy soup.Repeat the tempering step three to four times.Your avgolemono sauce should be hot enough after using the tempering technique a few times. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider By this point, the avgolemono sauce should be hot enough.Then, take your avgolemono-broth mixture and pour it back into the big pot.Then, pour the sauce into the pot of broth. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider You're almost ready to serve!Add your chicken meat to serving bowls along with the broth, season with some pepper, and enjoy!Avgolemono soup is comforting but still light. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider What I love about avgolemono soup is that it is both rich and light. The broth has the comforting thickness of, say, a chicken tortilla soup, but the lemon gives it that lightness you'd find in a classic bowl of chicken noodle soup.It's such a simple recipe, but still so satisfying. I think the best word to describe the taste would be gentle perfect for an upset stomach, a sore throat, or just a soul that needs to be soothed.My dad's avgolemono soup has gotten me through many colds and many cold nights. I hope his recipe can soothe you, too.My dad's avgolemono soup is perfect for a sick day. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider Whenever I was sick as a kid, avgolemono soup ended up on the dinner table. I actually had a sore throat when my dad taught me how to make this recipe over the holidays, and smelling that lemony broth again immediately made me feel better. This recipe isn't just a reminder of home; it's medicine.So, as we get through the January blues and chilly temperatures, I hope my dad's easy avgolemono soup will help you feel a little better.

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn moreMaroon 5's Las Vegas residency is on a break, but the band's performances continue on an international scale. Tickets are going fast as concert dates fill up. In addition to securing passes for their festival appearances this year, we've broken down how to buy Maroon 5 tickets for their concert tour below.Originally formed in 1994, Maroon 5 is celebrating 30 years together as they kicked off their Las Vegas residency in the summer at the Dolby Live at Park MGM. The new tour, referred to in shorthand as "M5LV: The Las Vegas Residency," is an extension of their 16-show residency last year.Maroon 5's residency began on May 17, 2024 with the final show taking place in October. Now, the band will soon kick off the international leg of their tour, visiting major cities across Asia. After eight shows across countries like Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan, Maroon 5 will return to the Dolby Live at Park MGM to resume their residency through the spring.We've got you covered if you're looking for how to get tickets to Maroon 5's concert tour. Here's our breakdown of Maroon 5's residency and tour schedule, purchasing details, and original and resale ticket price comparisons. You can also browse ticket specifics at your leisure on StubHub and Vivid Seats.Don't forget your Vivid Seats coupon. If you're a new customer at VividSeats, you can save $20 off a $200+ transaction. Simply enter our exclusive discount code INSIDER20during the checkout process.Maroon 5 2025 tour scheduleMaroon 5 is briefly stepping away from their Las Vegas residency to visit Florida and countries across Asia for the winter and early spring of 2025. They'll return to the Dolby Live in March, currently scheduled to perform eight dates while there.Below are all of the remaining concert dates for Maroon 5's tour. All concert times are listed in local time zones.Manila, Philippines$269-TBAJakarta, Indonesia$88-7 p.m.Bangkok, Thailand$98-8:30 p.m.Tokyo, Japan$72-7 p.m.Tokyo, Japan$86-6 p.m.Tokyo, Japan$81-5 p.m.Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia$122-8 p.m.Kaohsiung City, Taiwan$61-7 p.m.Las Vegas, Nevada$99$728 p.m.Las Vegas, Nevada$86$868 p.m.Las Vegas, Nevada$99$1008 p.m.Las Vegas, Nevada$97$978 p.m.Las Vegas, Nevada$95$968 p.m.Las Vegas, Nevada$91$948 p.m.Las Vegas, Nevada$91$938 p.m.Las Vegas, Nevada$93$908 p.m.Endicott, New York$128$1179 p.m.If you're planning to travel for Maroon 5's residency, be sure to check out our roundup of the best Airbnbs in Las Vegas to secure your stay.How to buy tickets for the Maroon 5 2025 concert tourYou can buy standard original tickets for Maroon 5's 2024 and 2025 concert tour on Ticketmaster and Live Nation. Both their Las Vegas residency and outside tour dates still have options available. However, the quantity of remaining original tickets continues to decrease as each concert date approaches.Passes to see Maroon 5 in their 2025 concert series are also available for purchase through verified ticket resale sites such as StubHub and Vivid Seats. You may find better luck with more variety in seating availability through these resale vendors.How much are Maroon 5 tickets?Maroon 5 tickets for their 2024 concerts are generally less expensive than similar big-name acts on tour this year. Of course, original ticket prices for Maroon 5's 2024 tour vary depending on date, location, and demand for each show.Maroon 5 is also offering VIP packages for their 2024 concert tour. Their Las Vegas residency dates offer a Premium VIP Banquet package beginning at $495, but these tickets must be sold in multiples of two. The band also offers three VIP packages for their tour dates elsewhere: Diamond Premium Seat (starting at $685), Gold Premium Seat (starting at $435), and Silver Hot Seat (starting at $410).Who is opening for Maroon 5's tour?Maroon 5 doesn't have any opening acts for their Las Vegas residency concert dates. The band has not announced any opening acts for their international tour dates.Will there be international tour dates?Maroon 5 will be visiting a handful of cities across Asia in 2025. Here are the locations they're set to perform at internationally:Manila, Philippines - January 29, 2025Jakarta, Indonesia - February 1, 2025Bangkok, Thailand - February 3, 2025Tokyo, Japan - February 6, 8, and 9, 2025Kuala Lumpur, Malayasia - February 12, 2025Kaohsiung City, Taiwan - February 14, 2025

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump relished the chance to assure voters that the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade meant people did not need to worry about more federal abortion restrictions, since it was all effectively moot and now up to the states. As Election Day grew closer, Trump insisted hed be great for women and their reproductive rights and even that he would not support a federal abortion ban, under any circumstances. His flip-flopping worked: Most voters believed that Trump would not be a threat to abortion rights and that he would not prioritize the issue if elected.Since winning, Trump and his transition team have aimed to keep abortion out of the news and maintain the appearance of moderation to avoid losing broader support. While Trump did tap two anti-abortion doctors to oversee the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Food and Drug Administration (Dr. Mehmet Oz and Marty Makary, respectively), his Health and Human Services secretary pick is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is on record supporting abortion rights. Trumps team also rejected naming Roger Severino to a top HHS post, primarily because his team thought his anti-abortion views would be too controversial. (Anti-abortion leaders lobbied heavily for Severino.) On his first day back in office Trump sought to downplay reproductive rights: None of his first dozens of executive orders directly pertained to abortion, though his anti-transgender decree did invoke the idea that human personhood begins at conception, a key tenet of the fetal personhood wing of the anti-abortion movement. Trump will also be in California on Friday, skipping the chance to speak at the March for Life rally in Washington, DC, which he addressed as president in 2020.But this more evasive period will soon run headlong into the reality of Congress, litigation, and executive governing.His administration will have to weigh in on pending abortion rights lawsuits, legislation dealing with new abortion restrictions, and hell have to appoint more judges. (In his first term, Trump appointed one of the most anti-abortion judges in the country Matthew Kacsmaryk.) In the months ahead, as Congress sends bills to his desk and courts issue more fetal personhood rulings, Trumps carefully crafted moderate image on abortion will face mounting pressure. While he likely does not want to wade back into the messy world of abortion politics an issue he has never held strong convictions about hell soon have to.The anti-abortion strategyEmerging statements from anti-abortion advocates suggest that most are prepared to be lenient with the new president, accepting compromises so Trump can continue to claim that he signed no new federal abortion ban. Activists see it in their interest to accommodate the president so as to stay within his good graces, and influence policy and judicial nominees where possible. Letting Trump keep his promise of no federal abortion ban isnt such a big sacrifice, because there was never much likelihood that Congress would be able to pass such a ban without lawmakers overturning the filibuster. The anti-abortion movement, for its part, had not been counting on the GOP to push bills with a simple majority. Quite frankly, unless something really unusual happens in this election, neither side is going to have the votes in Congress to pass a national law, Carol Tobias, president of the National Right to Life Committee, told the Associated Press in early October. Expect more euphemistic language games. Steven Aden, the general counsel at Americans United for Life, told States Newsroom in November that his national anti-abortion group would support a federal dismemberment bill, meaning a proposed ban on the most common second-trimester abortion procedure, known as dilation and evacuation. This would still technically leave physicians able to use methods like C-sections to terminate later pregnancies allowing Trump to claim he didnt ban abortion writ large but those alternatives are less safe. Several states have banned D&E since 2017.Anti-abortion advocates will also press for enforcement of the Comstock Act, an 1873 federal law that could prohibit anything associated with abortion from being sent in the mail. The Comstock Act was rendered moot by Roe in the 1970s but never formally repealed, and now, with Roe gone, many conservatives see it as an ideal vehicle for restricting abortion nationwide, precisely because it wouldnt require passing a new law. The Trump administration could enforce it, and Trump could continue to insist he kept his campaign pledge to sign no new federal ban. In August, after months of dodging the question, Trump told CBS he generally speaking would not use the Comstock Act to restrict access to abortion medication. However, many people in his orbit, including his vice president, are on record urging the opposite, and its not clear if Trumps Department of Justice will keep the Biden-era interpretation that mailing abortion pills is not in violation of the act. Trumps DOJ pick, Pam Bondi, has not clarified what shed do, but said in her confirmation hearing that she would not let her personal opposition to abortion influence her actions as US attorney general. Other items high on the anti-abortion wish list that could allow Trump to maintain the relative pretense of moderation include renewed efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, the largest reproductive health network in the country. While Planned Parenthood is popular, Trump could say federal funding is at odds with the vision of states deciding abortion policy. On the campaign trail, JD Vance said Trump would support defunding Planned Parenthood, and in his first term, Trump implemented a domestic gag rule on US-based family planning programs, eliminating funding for any program that provided abortion services or even abortion information. It led to 400 Planned Parenthood clinics nationwide losing federal money. Legislation to defund the organization was recently reintroduced in Congress.Activists also want to bring back older restrictions on medication abortion like bans on telehealth which will make the drugs much harder for people to access but enable the president to claim he isnt actually banning them. Anti-abortion groups plan to press the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study potential environmental harm from flushing abortion pills down the toilet, a move they hope could lead to new restrictions on how the drugs can be legally administered and disposed of. Activists also hope RFK Jr.s general skepticism of FDA drug approvals helps them win support for a federal study, since they argue the agency erred in its approval of mifepristone 25 years ago.Thorny decisions awaitOne less polarizing course for the Trump administration would be to merely undo Biden administration policies, reverting back to more typical GOP restrictions like the global gag rule, which blocks foreign organizations receiving US aid from providing abortion information or referrals. Every Republican president since Ronald Reagan has implemented this policy, including Trump in 2017. Other things Trump could revoke include Bidens expanded abortion access for military veterans, and a Biden-era Medicaid waiver that supports patients traveling out of state for care. They dont have to advance a pro-life federal law, Eric Kniffin, a fellow at the conservative Ethics and Public Policy Center, told The Hill recently. They just have to stop the overreaches that [the Biden] administration has been taking.But even if Trump wanted to duck more high-octane political fights over abortion, he likely wont be able to avoid the brewing battles over IVF, which now accounts for about 2 percent of births in the US. Personhood advocates argue that discarding unused embryos during IVF is tantamount to abortion, and pushing for new restrictions could significantly affect millions of Americans struggling with infertility. While Louisiana remains the only state to outright prohibit the destruction of embryos, activists are pressing more states to follow its lead. Federal courts may also need to address whether embryos possess constitutional rights a legal battle that could reshape reproductive law.In a post-election memo, SBA Pro-Life America, a major anti-abortion advocacy group, insisted that the Republican Party must focus on the unalienable right to life for the unborn child that exists under the 14th Amendment. This indicates the GOP may be pressured to adopt the far-right goal of fetal personhood more aggressively potentially influencing its stance on issues like IVF too.Several pending lawsuits will force Trump to take clearer positions on abortion access than he might otherwise like.One concerns the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) requiring hospitals to provide emergency abortion care. Though Trump campaigned on supporting abortion in emergency situations, he has not yet clarified his position on the law. Project 2025, the controversial GOP blueprint that Trump has distanced himself from, called for rescinding Bidens EMTALA guidance and ending federal investigations into cases of alleged refusals to perform abortion. Trumps administration might also dismiss ongoing EMTALA cases in Texas and Idaho where the federal government has been arguing to preserve abortion rights. Another lawsuit is a newer case taking aim at mifepristone filed by three Republican state attorneys general. This suit notably argues that the FDA violated the Comstock Act by permitting abortion pills to be sent by mail. Last week, Kacsmaryk said this lawsuit could move forward. In the previous federal attempts to challenge the legality of mifepristone, the Biden administration defended access to the medication. Its not clear what Trumps DOJ will decide to do.Beyond these legal challenges, Congress may force Trumps hand as well. While House Speaker Mike Johnson limited certain anti-abortion measures in previous must-pass spending bills, it will be easier this year for Republicans to push restrictions forward. He and GOP Senate Majority Leader John Thune are planning to speak at the March for Life rally later this week, and Thune has already pledged to hold a vote on legislation that would introduce new criminal penalties for doctors based on myths about later abortions a move abortion rights advocates see as part of a larger plan to criminalize the procedure.For now, abortion rights groups are not planning to seek compromiseWhile some Republican lawmakers in addition to Trump have signaled openness to compromise on issues like abortion exceptions, contraception, and IVF, thus far theres little indication that abortion rights groups would seek such opportunities. We have no interest in shrinking our vision, Kimberly Inez McGuire, executive director of Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, told me late last year. Working with Republicans on even limited protections could also undercut the narrative of GOP extremism a message advocacy groups see as crucial for Democrats winning in 2026 and 2028.In general, polls show voters have grown even more supportive of abortion rights than they were before the Supreme Court overturned Roe. About 80 percent of voters say protecting contraception access is deeply important to them, and 72 percent of Republican voters had a favorable view of birth control. IVF is even more popular: 86 percent of Americans think it should be legal, including 78 percent of self-identified pro-life advocates and 83 percent of evangelical Christians.These overwhelming public approval numbers show why Trumps strategy of distancing himself from abortion restrictions resonated during the campaign. But governing requires actual decisions and unlike campaign rhetoric, those cant be as easily walked back.Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

New executive actions from the Trump administration on Tuesday make clear that not only is President Donald Trump using his power to purge the practice of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from the federal government hes acting to try and purge it from American culture as a whole.In an executive order Tuesday night, Trump dismantled the decades-old requirements that federal contractors practice affirmative action by trying to employ more women and people of color. Trumps acting chief of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) the office that oversees the federal civil service also ordered that all employees of DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility) offices at federal agencies be placed on paid administrative leave by the end of the day Wednesday.But Trump went further, also taking aim at DEI in the private and nonprofit sectors. His executive order instructed the Justice Department and other agencies to identify the most egregious and discriminatory DEI practitioners in their jurisdiction. Every federal agency, the order went on, must send a recommendation to the attorney general of up to nine potential investigations of corporations, large nonprofits, foundations with assets of $500 million or more, higher education institutions with endowments of $1 billion or more, or bar and medical associations. All this, the order said, was meant to encourage the private sector to end illegal discrimination and preferences, including DEI.DEI is, broadly, efforts at companies, universities, and other institutions to manage their internal cultures on identity-related matters, from hiring to workplace policies. Its supporters say DEI is necessary to combat bias and ensure employees of underrepresented backgrounds feel comfortable and supported. Its critics argue say it often crosses the line into speech policing and advances a progressive political agenda that conservatives dont share.Trumps legal justification for all this is his claim that DEI programs or race- and sex-based preferences can violate civil rights laws he claims that they often amount to illegal discrimination (the implication being: discrimination against whites, Asian Americans, and men when they do not receive such preferences). The order argues that individual merit, aptitude, hard work, and determination not race or sex should matter. (What exactly crosses the line to make a DEI program illegal is left extremely vague in the order.)All this marks a seismic cultural and legal shift away from the 2010s and the racial reckoning of 2020, when these programs became widespread across the US. A few years ago, they seemed to many to be a commonsense response to enduring structural discrimination now, they might get you investigated. But the rollback goes even further than that. Trump revoked a 1965 order by President Lyndon B. Johnson calling for affirmative action in federal contracting, which has become a pillar of the civil rights canon in the decades since.The order also underscores the ascendance to power of the anti-wokeness crusaders who, irate at what they viewed as increasing progressive dominance in American culture, came up with a detailed plan for using federal power to combat it. They are now seeing that plan put into action by the president of the United States.This policy shows the impact of the anti-wokeness crusadersIn a certain sense, this latest move is nothing surprising, given that conservatives have long criticized affirmative action practices that were adopted after the civil rights era.Supporters of affirmative action argued that such programs were necessary to help broaden access to institutions dominated by white men due to longstanding societal discrimination. The right has long had a two-part critique: First, that these programs deprioritize qualifications and merit; and second, that programs to benefit minorities or women amounted to reverse discrimination against whites and men (and, in recent years, Asian Americans). That is, that, far from being compliant with civil rights law, affirmative action actually violates the principle of race neutrality by doing its own kind of discrimination.In the 1990s and 2000s, conservative activists won victories in certain states that approved bans of affirmative action, but they kept coming up short at the Supreme Court and the status quo prevailed in federal policy. Then, in the 2010s, the practice evolved into a newfound trend toward DEI programs, which focused not just on affirmative action in hiring but on more broadly managing institutions internal culture on identity-related matters, culminating in an intense focus on such topics during the racial reckoning of 2020.During Trumps first term, he and his appointees did not make challenging affirmative action or DEI a top priority. But in 2020 and the years after Trumps defeat, activists on the right increasingly focused on pushing back against wokeness. Their number included Trumps policy expert Stephen Miller, who was mainly preoccupied with immigration during Trumps first term, but branched out to focus on challenging DEI as well during the Biden years, when he founded a legal nonprofit to challenge Bidens policies. And in 2023, the Supreme Court finally delivered the anti-affirmative action ruling long sought by the right, severely curtailing the use of affirmative action in college admissions.But the right didnt want to stop there. Advocates and commentators like Chris Rufo and Richard Hanania had gained prominence on the right by coming up with theories of why wokeness was so widespread and how it could be combated. Rufos big idea was that the left controlled major institutions in American life, and that the right must take over such institutions and use power to purge left-wing ideas and practices from them.As for Hanania who wrote various extremely racist things for white supremacist sites in the early 2010s under a pseudonym, but has since claimed he now finds his old beliefs repulsive he argued the roots of wokeness were in federal civil rights law. He singled out LBJs 1965 executive order on affirmative action for government contractors as starting the trend, arguing that GOP presidents (including Trump) had inexplicably failed to roll it back. He also argued for going further, and issuing a new executive order stating that you cant have an affirmative action program. Trumps sweeping actions are aimed at reshaping American law and cultureThis is in essence what Trump did. Trump is acting far more aggressively on this topic than he did in his first term, apparently spurred on by some combination of the new focus from conservative activists, interest from Miller, his deputy chief of staff, and cover from the Supreme Court decision. Another potential contributor is a sense that many in the public have soured on wokeness and that public backlash will be muted.His new executive order reflects the Rufo-Hanania agenda, rolling back the LBJ order specifically to dismantle affirmative action in federal contracting, while putting private sector and nonprofit institutions on notice that DEI initiatives they deem discriminatory could land them in legal hot water. With his OPM order, Trumps team is also outright purging DEI supporters from the federal government. And theyre also warning federal employees against fighting back. The OPM announcement stressed that higher-ups are aware of efforts by some in government to disguise these programs by using coded or imprecise language, and instructed employees to report any changes made since the election to obscure connections with DEI. Failure to report this information within 10 days may result in adverse consequences, the announcement adds.The question now is how American institutions will respond. Enthusiasm for DEI has already cooled in recent years, as several major corporations have rolled back their efforts; more companies could follow their lead, using these legal threats as justification. More progressive-leaning colleges and nonprofits may be more inclined to fight back but they, too, face the threat of investigations (Trumps order calls out major universities, nonprofits, and foundations as potential egregious offenders).Legal challenges against Trumps order will clearly be coming. Progressives could argue that the order goes too far and threatens constitutional rights of speech or association. But whether the Supreme Court will sympathize with progressives is questionable, given that its six conservatives share the view that affirmative action amounts to discrimination. (The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race, Chief Justice John Roberts famously wrote in 2007.)For now, what is clear is that Trumps team is making an all-out effort to dismantle both the legal framework and the larger culture that have underpinned affirmative action and DEI in recent years. It is unclear what pushback they will receive and, if none materializes, the ultimate legacy of the racial reckoning could well be a backlash that ends up rolling back decades of progressive policy.Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

With a second movie on the way, the Wicked train is not slowing down anytime soonand now Jon M. Chus hit film has impacted ticket sales for Broadways mainstay feature. Not only that, but now the stage production of the musical has cast its first Black Elphaba. Starting March 4, musical theater enthusiasts and fans of the film who head to see the show live on Broadway will witness Lencia Kebedes debut as Elphaba Thropp in the story of the Wicked Witch of the West. Kebede will be the first full-time main cast member who is a Black woman to play Elphaba on Broadway, though Black performers such as Saycon Sengbloh and Brandi Massey have stepped in to play Elphaba in the production in the pastand Black performers have similarly portrayed her full-time in the shows British home on Londons West End. This casting has been a long time coming and follows Cynthia Erivos revelatory take on the character for the Universal Pictures film. Previously, the Broadway show cast Brittney Johnson as the first Black woman to play Glinda in 2022; shed been an understudy for the role since 2019. Joining the cast in 2025 opposite Kebede is Allie Trimm, taking over the popular role which was played by Ariana Grande in the 2024 film. Kebede comes off a run as Angelica Schuyler in Lin-Manuel Mirandas Hamilton to play Elphaba, while Trimm steps into the role after being a featured standby for Glinda since 2021.Take a a look at the casting announcement below from Wicked: The Musicals official YouTube. Wicked: The Musical is currently running on Broadway. Wicked the movie is out now in theaters and digital. And Wicked: For Goodopens this Thanksgiving.Update: This post has been updated to note that Black performers have played the role of Elphaba on Broadway in the past, with Kebede being the first full-time cast member to take on the role. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

By Ed Cara Published January 22, 2025 | Comments (1) | Ketamine has become an important alternative for treatment-resistant depression in recent years, Shablon via Shutterstock An emerging treatment for clinical depression has reached an important milestone. This week, the Food and Drug Administration approved Johnson & Johnsons ketamine-based nasal spray, Spravato, as a standalone therapy for cases of depression that havent responded to other options. J&J announced the FDAs supplemental approval Tuesday. Previously, Spravato was approved as an add-on therapy for treatment-resistant depression, in conjunction with an oral antidepressant. The expanded use signals a promising future for ketamine and similar drugs as a mental health intervention. Spravato was first approved by the FDA in 2019, following years of research suggesting that ketamine therapy could provide unique and fast-acting antidepressant benefits. Though ketamine is perhaps more infamously known as a recreational drug with dissociative effects, its long used medically as an anesthetic. Prior to Spravatos approval, intravenous ketamine had became a growing, if off-label, option for difficult cases of depression. However, Spravato contains a different form of ketamine than the version that is used intravenouslya chemical sibling called esketamine. In the years since its approval, Spravato and ketamine have continued to show their potential as a depression treatment. Studies following its release have found, for instance, that ketamine can outperform other standard alternatives for treatment-resistant depression, such as certain antipsychotics. The FDA granted Spravatos expanded approval on the basis of another post-market phase 4 trial, one that compared Spravato alone to a placebo. The double-blinded, randomized, and controlled trial involved people with treatment-resistant depression, who were assigned to three groups: two groups who received different doses of Spravato twice a week for four weeks and a control group who received a placebo spray. Those on Spravato experienced a significant and sustained reduction in depression symptoms compared to controls, the study found. Only 7.6% of patients taking a placebo experienced a clear remission of their symptoms, for instance, compared to 22.5% of people taking Spravato. The drug also appeared to be as safe as its appeared in earlier trials.Treatment-resistant depression can be very complicated, especially for patients who do not respond to oral antidepressants or cannot tolerate them, said Bill Martin, the global therapeutic area head of neuroscience at J&Js innovative medicine department, in a statement. Spravato is now available as a standalone treatment, meaning patients may experience improvements in depressive symptoms as early as 24 hours and at 28 dayswithout the need for daily oral antidepressants. Like any drug, ketamine isnt without its risks. When used for depression, common side effects can include sedation, dissociation, and respiratory depression (overly slow or shallow breathing). These side effects and the potential risk of harmful dependence have led to the FDA mandating a special treatment strategy for providing Spravato to patients, known as a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, or REMS, program. People taking Spravato can only do so at clinics or medical offices certified to distribute it, and only under direct medical supervision.Still, Spravatos expansion into a standalone therapy means that more people with treatment-resistant depression will be able to access the drug. In the long term, one big reason why researchers have been so excited about ketamine is that the drug targets different receptors in the brain tied to depression than other medications. This not only allows ketamine to possibly help people who havent responded to past treatments, it could someday mean the arrival of newer drugs that work in a similar way. And if these drugs can be made even safer, then they could also become frontline treatments for depression in general.Daily Newsletter