Urbana High graduate, special education advocate looks ahead to Harvard University

After two years of advocating for students living with disabilities in Frederick County Public Schools, a new graduate of Urbana High School is on his way to Harvard University.
Jake Kamnikar, 18, joined the Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) during the 2023-24 school year.
The committee, while technically a part of the Frederick County Board of Education, is a mandated committee by the Maryland State Department of Education.
Committee members include faculty from the special education department at FCPS, community members, parents, other FCPS faculty members and students.
Kamnikar was diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy at 18 months old, which creates muscle tightness in his lower body as well as hand tremors.
He said in an interview that his first year on the committee was 'super interesting,' and that he had never been a part of something like that before.
Kamnikar added that while the committee has had student members in the past, 'the year I applied was the first time in a while that they had students back.'
'My cerebral palsy historically has been a hard thing for me to talk about,' he said. 'I wasn't really a big advocate in elementary and middle. Not many kids are. They're little. They're learning about themselves.'
Kamnikar's mom, Buffy Kamnikar, said she served on SECAC as a parent when Jake was in kindergarten.
'It was an awesome experience for me as a parent, and they weren't offering a student role at that time,' she said.
Buffy Kamnikar said she received an email about the committee accepting student members and showed it to her son.
Jake Kamnikar said his mom, dad and family members pushed him to use his voice to advocate for others.
'I know a lot of families are confused or overwhelmed at times with the process of special education, and every kid is different. Their needs vary widely, and a lot of kids aren't able to advocate for themselves,' he said. 'So, if I can make that process easier for students and their families, that's why I wanted to do it.'
Jake Kamnikar said his role in the committee was to see firsthand how school board policy affected students living with disabilities.
'My friends in special education programs — how are my general education peers interacting with those students?' he said. 'And what can we do to make improvements and make the school lives, the day-to-day lives, of our students easier?'
Jake Kamnikar said elementary and middle school students have a hard time discussing what makes their educational experience difficult.
He added that 'the desire is truly there' to help students, but case managers often have a heavy workload and another role within the school system, and sometimes struggle to dedicate enough individualized time working with special education students.
'If you can put a name and a friendly face to whoever you're talking to [about] your disability or your accommodation, that, I think, would go a long way,' he said. 'It would've gone a long way for me.'
Jamie Shopland, the chair of SECAC, said Individualized Education Plans are meant to best support students individually, 'and it's different for everyone.'
While on SECAC for his junior and senior year, Jake Kamnikar helped create the Student Voices Subcommittee and hosted a Q&A for students living with disabilities and their families.
Buffy Kamnikar said the event was nice, and that parents asked questions about special education resources and experiences in the school system.
She added that her son is 'probably the most dedicated, hardworking individual I've ever met in my life.'
'He always conducts himself in a way of, how can I be better so the other people around me can be better?' Buffy Kamnikar said. 'I couldn't be more proud.'
Shopland said the student perspective on the committee is 'extremely important' to understand how the school board's policies affect students daily.
'If you can understand where people are coming from, then you can connect with them on a different level and in a different way, and be more inclusive and really understand what it means to belong,' she said.
Jake Kamnikar said the committee is always looking to increase the number of student voices at the monthly meetings.
He added that he had a great time at Urbana High School, and that his favorite topic was economics.
Jake Kamnikar said he applied to four Ivy League universities — Yale, Brown, Cornell and Harvard.
He said he opened the decision responses from the schools in front of his family, and that after getting rejected from Yale and Cornell and waitlisted at Brown, he opened the Harvard decision and 'couldn't believe what I was reading.'
'It said, 'Jake, we'd love to have you,'' he said. 'I was in shock. I wasn't overly loud or anything — I was just staring at the screen. Mom and Dad were screaming.'
Jake Kamnikar said one piece of advice he has for students is to 'trust yourself.'
'The opinions of others are not end-all be-all,' he said. 'There's definitely opportunities for you to work on yourself and grow as a person, and the right people are going to notice you for that and not what they think defines you.'

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Novo Nordisk advances early-stage obesity medication, amycretin, to phase 3 clinical development based on early-phase clinical trial results in people with obesity or excess weight, published in The Lancet

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At Novo Nordisk, we understand that addressing obesity is a complex challenge that many patients face. These results reflect our robust pipeline in obesity, our focus on progressing scientific innovation and expanding the range of options available to patients and healthcare professionals," said Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president for Development at Novo Nordisk. "We remain steadfast in our mission to discover and develop therapies that can have a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by obesity." Results from the phase 1b/2a trial of subcutaneous amycretin showed treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were mild or moderate in severity and increased in frequency in a dose-dependent manner. The most frequent reported TEAEs were gastrointestinal in nature. Compared to placebo, participants receiving amycretin observed greater weight loss across the full range of doses investigated.1 Subcutaneous amycretin at multiple doses demonstrated greater weight reduction than placebo at the end of the trial. Participants who received the highest doses (up to 60 mg) reported body weight reductions of up to 24.3% versus 1.1% with placebo after 36 weeks of treatment. Results from this first-in-human phase 1b/2a study support further investigation of potential weight-loss efficacy of amycretin. Results from the published phase 1 trial of oral amycretin showed that the most common TEAEs were related to gastrointestinal symptoms (mainly nausea and vomiting) and decreased appetite; these were most frequent for the higher doses. Trial participants receiving the study treatment demonstrated significantly greater weight loss across the full range of doses investigated versus the placebo group.2 Exploratory results showed participants taking 100 mg per day of oral amycretin achieved a mean weight loss of 13.1% versus 1.2% with placebo after 12 weeks.2 Based on these phase 1 results, longer evaluation with more participants is warranted to substantiate the full efficacy findings of oral amycretin on body weight reductions and changes in metabolic parameters. Novo Nordisk will advance both subcutaneous and oral amycretin formulations straight to phase 3 development for weight management based on these and other completed clinical studies, as well as feedback received from regulatory authorities. About amycretinAmycretin is a unimolecular long-acting GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist under development by Novo Nordisk, to provide a treatment for adults with overweight or obesity and as a treatment for adults with type 2 diabetes. Amycretin is under investigation for oral and subcutaneous administration, and is not approved in the US for weight loss. About the phase 1b/2a subcutaneous amycretin trialThe phase 1b/2a trial was a randomized, placebo-controlled, single-center, double-blinded study of 125 participants assessing the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and effects on body weight after subcutaneous administration of amycretin in people with overweight or obesity.1 Adults with a body mass index of 27-39.9kg/m2 and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) <6.5% were eligible for the trial.1 The trial was conducted in 5 parts: a single ascending dose (Part A) for determination of pharmacokinetics and starting dose for the first multiple dose cohort in which the safety and tolerability were explored using dose escalation until 36 weeks of total treatment duration (Part B).1 Lastly, in the multiple ascending dose – dose response parts, body weight loss was explored for up to 36 weeks of dosing by escalating to dose levels of 1.25 mg, 5 mg, and 20 mg, respectively, dosed for 12 weeks (Part E, D and C).1 About the phase 1 oral amycretin trial The phase 1 single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of single ascending doses (Part A) and multiple ascending doses (Part B, 10 days of treatment; Part C/D, 12 weeks of treatment) of 144 adult participants with overweight or obesity.2 The primary endpoint was the number of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) observed in the trial. The trial evaluated the single-ascending dose and multiple ascending doses for oral amycretin, up to 2 times 50 mg, in people with overweight or obesity, with a total treatment duration of up to 12 weeks.2 About obesityObesity is a serious chronic, progressive, and complex disease that requires long-term management.3-5 One key misunderstanding is that this is a disease of just lack of willpower, when in fact there is underlying biology that may impede people with obesity from losing weight and keeping it off.3,5 Obesity is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, social determinants of health, and the environment.6,7 The prevalence of overweight and obesity is a public health issue that has severe cost implications to healthcare systems.8,9 In the US, about 40% of adults live with obesity.10 About Novo NordiskNovo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company that's been making innovative medicines to help people with diabetes lead longer, healthier lives for more than 100 years. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to drive change to help people defeat other serious chronic diseases such as obesity, rare blood, and endocrine disorders. We remain steadfast in our conviction that the formula for lasting success is to stay focused, think long-term, and do business in a financially, socially, and environmentally responsible way. With a US presence spanning 40 years, Novo Nordisk US is headquartered in New Jersey and employs over 10,000 people throughout the country across 12 manufacturing, R&D and corporate locations in eight states plus Washington DC. For more information, visit Facebook, Instagram, and X. Novo Nordisk is committed to the responsible use of our semaglutide-containing medicines which represent distinct products with different indications, dosages, prescribing information, titration schedules, and delivery forms. These products are not interchangeable and should not be used outside of their approved indications. Learn more at Contacts for further information Media:Liz Skrbkova (US)+1 609 917 0632USMediaRelations@ Ambre James-Brown (Global)+45 3079 9289Globalmedia@ Investors:Frederik Taylor Pitter (US)+1 609 613 0568fptr@ Jacob Martin Wiborg Rode (Global)+45 3075 5956jrde@ Sina Meyer (Global)+45 3079 6656 azey@ Ida Schaap Melvold (Global)+45 3077 5649 idmg@ Max Ung (Global)+45 3077 6414mxun@ References Dahl K, Toubro S, Dey S, et al. Amycretin, a novel, unimolecular GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist administered subcutaneously: Results of a randomised, controlled, phase 1b/2a study. The Lancet. Published online: June 20, 2025. Gasiorek A, Heydorn A, Gabery S, et al. Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of the first-in-class GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist, amycretin: a first-in-human, phase 1, randomised, placebo-controlled study. The Lancet. Published online: June 20, 2025. Kaplan LM, Golden A, Jinnett K, et al. Perceptions of barriers to effective obesity care: results from the national action study. Obesity. 2018;26(1):61-69. Bray GA, Kim KK, Wilding JPH; World Obesity Federation. Obesity: a chronic relapsing progressive disease process. A position statement of the World Obesity Federation. Rev. 2017;18(7):715-723. Garvey WT, Mechanick JI, Brett EM, et al. American association of clinical endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for medical care of patients with obesity. Endocr Pract. 2016;22 (Suppl 3):1-203. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adult obesity facts. Last accessed: June 2025. Available at: World Obesity Federation. World Obesity Atlas 2023. Last accessed: June 2025. Available at: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Risk Factors for Obesity. Last accessed: June 2025. Available at: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Why it matters. Last accessed: June 2025. Available at: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity and Severe Obesity Prevalence in Adults: United States, August 2021–August 2023. Last accessed June 2025. Available at: © 2025 Novo Nordisk All rights reserved. US25SEMO01477 June 2025 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE NOVO NORDISK INC.

Health Line

34 minutes ago

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What Is the Disney Rash?

So-called 'Disney rash' is a condition known as exercise-induced vasculitis (EIV). You can prevent EIV by staying hydrated and avoiding too much sun exposure. If symptoms occur, wet coverings and anti-itch cream may help. A 'Disney rash' may not be the souvenir you had in mind, but many visitors to Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and other amusement parks find that they get it. The medical name for Disney rash is exercise-induced vasculitis (EIV). This condition is also called golfer's rash, hiker's rash, and golfer's vasculitis. This condition results from a combination of: hot weather sunlight exposure sudden, prolonged periods of walking or exercising outdoors That's why people who spend long days strolling at theme parks may be prone to it. In this article, we take a look at the symptoms, treatment, and prevention strategies. What are the symptoms of Disney rash? Although EIV is often called Disney rash, the condition isn't a true rash. Instead, EIV is a condition in which small blood vessels in the legs are inflamed. Swelling and discoloration can occur on one or both ankles and legs. It often affects the calves or shins, but it may also affect the thighs. EIV can include large red patches, purple or red dots, and raised welts. It may itch, tingle, burn, or sting. It may also cause no physical sensations. EIV is typically confined to exposed skin and doesn't occur under socks or stockings. It's not dangerous or contagious. It usually resolves on its own. You'll typically see it clear up around 10 days after returning home, once you're away from the conditions that brought it on. What's the best way to treat Disney rash? Use cool washcloths or ice packs If you're experiencing this temporary form of vasculitis, using a wet covering, such as a towel, on your legs can help treat it. Keeping your legs cool with ice packs or cold washcloths can also help soothe irritation and reduce swelling. Apply anti-itch cream If your rash is itchy, taking over-the-counter antihistamines or using topical corticosteroids may provide relief. You can also try using witch hazel towelettes or an itch-reducing lotion. Stay hydrated Don't let yourself get dehydrated. Drinking water and other fluids may help alleviate and prevent EIV. Elevate your feet It may be hard to rest while you're out and about on vacation, but try to build in rest breaks with your legs elevated whenever possible. You may be able to do this while someone holds your place in ride lines and during snack or meal breaks. Ducking into air-conditioned kiosks or restrooms with seated areas can also help. Check guest services Disney and other theme parks typically have first aid stations throughout the facility. They may stock anti-itch cooling gel to use on your skin. You can also gear up with some ahead of time. Soak your feet When the day is done, treat yourself to a cooling oatmeal bath. Keeping your legs elevated overnight may also help. How can you prevent Disney rash? Anyone can get Disney rash, but women over age 50 may be most at risk, according to a 2015 article. No matter your age or sex, you can take some steps to help prevent this condition during vacation. Protect your skin from the sun Research from 2016 indicates that keeping your legs and ankles covered with light clothing, such as socks, stockings, or pants, may help. This will reduce your skin's exposure to both direct and reflected sunlight. Anecdotally, some people report that using sunscreen has the same effect. Wear compression clothing Older research from 2006 indicates that people who have already experienced an episode of EIV may be able to prevent future occurrences by wearing compression socks or stockings. Compression leggings and pants are also available. However, more research needs to be done on the effectiveness of compression clothing in preventing EIVs. Massage your legs That same small study suggests manual lymphatic drainage massage could be of benefit as well. This gentle massaging technique is geared toward draining lymph (fluid) out of the legs and increasing blood flow in both deep and superficial leg veins. Here's how to do it. Drink water and go light on salt Drink lots of fluids and avoid eating salty food. This will help prevent the swelling associated with EIV. Wear moisture-wicking clothing If it's hot and sunny, protect your legs from sun exposure by covering them with light-colored fabric or sunscreen. If it's humid, try wearing moisture-wicking socks for added comfort. Covering your skin will help prevent further irritation. What does Disney rash look like? Here are some photos of Disney rash (exercise-induced vasculitis). What else could it be? In addition to EIV, here are some other rashes and skin irritations that may occur while you're on vacation: Heat rash (prickly heat). Heat rash can affect adults or children. It occurs in hot, humid weather and results from skin-on-skin or fabric-on-skin chafing. Urticaria. This condition is earmarked by hives brought about by raised body temperature. It can occur if you exercise strenuously or sweat profusely. Sunburn and sun poisoning. Too much sun exposure can cause sunburn or sun poisoning to occur. Also known as sun allergy, this condition can result in a painful, itchy red rash and blisters. You can avoid it by using sunscreen or covering your skin with UV-protective fabric. Contact dermatitis (allergy). While on vacation, you might be exposed to environmental irritants you're sensitive to or allergic to. These can include hotel soaps and shampoos and the detergent used to wash your bedding. When to contact a doctor Disney rash generally clears up independently, but you might need to see a doctor for more severe cases. A doctor can help you manage Disney rash if it: is very Itchy or painful lasts longer than 2 weeks returns with other forms of exercise A doctor might run tests to confirm that Disney rash is causing your symptoms. You'll likely be tested for allergies and other skin conditions with similar symptoms. After Disney rash is diagnosed, you could be prescribed an antihistamine or a topical corticosteroid cream to help manage your rash. Tips for staying cool and comfortable while on vacation Disney rash may not be the only tourist-related malady you experience while on vacation. Here are some other vacation-related conditions and their fixes. Preventing aching feet and legs People claim to clock in anywhere from 5 to 11 miles per day at theme parks like Disney. That amount of walking is bound to take its toll on feet and legs. Wearing well-fitting, comfortable shoes is a good way to ensure that your feet can handle the challenge. Make sure you choose footwear that allows your feet to breathe and provides ample support. Choose footwear that's appropriate for hiking in hot weather, and your feet, legs, and back will all be in better shape at the end of the day. Flip-flops and flimsy sandals may not be your best bet. But they're handy to keep with you for a quick change at the very end of the day. Avoiding sunburn Wear sunscreen, whether the sun is bright or you're walking around on a cloudy or hazy day. A hat and sunglasses can help protect your face and eyes. Also, consider opting for light-colored sun-protective clothing. If you do get a sunburn, treat it with home remedies, such as aloe vera, oatmeal baths, or cool compresses. If your sunburn is blistered or severe, check in with your hotel doctor or stop by a theme park first aid station for treatment. Staying cool It can be hard to escape from heat and humidity at a theme park, but there are ways to stay cool on the go. Consider the following: Carry a battery-operated or paper handheld fan. You can also find battery-operated fans that attach to strollers or can clip onto wheelchairs. Use a personal, handheld water mister on your face, wrists, and the back of your neck for an instant cooldown. Keep drinks in a small cooler with an ice pack or frozen bottle of water. Wear a cooling bandana with activated polymers around your forehead or neck. Wear a cooling vest. These usually use evaporative cooling or come with a cold-pack system. Wear moisture-wicking fabrics to keep skin comfortable and dry. The most important thing is to drink plenty of water or other hydrating drinks. They can be cold or not. Staying hydrated helps your body do what it does best to keep you cool: sweat. Takeaway It may be vacation, but a day at a theme park can be grueling, even if you're in excellent physical condition. At the end of the day, try to build in some quiet time when you can rest and recharge. Getting a great night's sleep will also help rejuvenate you for the next day's fun. Drink lots of fluids, and avoid having too many dehydrating substances like alcohol and caffeine. If you develop a Disney rash, plan to take a cool bath or shower, followed by an application of skin-cooling gel or ointment. Remember to elevate your feet.

Medscape

39 minutes ago

• Medscape

Switch to Water From Diet Sodas May Boost Diabetes Remission

TOPLINE: Regularly substituting water for diet beverages contributed to greater weight loss and was associated with a twofold increase in the diabetes remission rate among women with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity or overweight. METHODOLOGY: Diet sodas, despite being calorie-free, may affect the body differently from water, and their regular consumption is linked to potential health risks, including cardiovascular disease, T2D, and obesity. Researchers conducted an 18-month study to evaluate the effects of replacing diet beverages with water. The study included 81 adult women with T2D and obesity or overweight who participated in a weight-management program and regularly consumed diet beverages. Participants were randomly assigned to replace diet beverages with water or to maintain their usual intake of five diet drinks per week, consumed after lunch. All participants underwent a 6-month weight-loss program, followed by a 12-month maintenance program. TAKEAWAY: Women in the water group experienced a greater average weight loss (-6.82 ± 2.73 kg) than the diet beverage group (-4.85 ± 2.07 kg; P < .001). Diabetes remission was achieved by 90% of participants in the water group compared with 45% of those in the diet beverage group (P < .0001). Significant improvements were noted in BMI, fasting glucose, postprandial glucose, insulin, triglyceride levels, and insulin resistance in the water group. IN PRACTICE: "These findings challenge a common belief in the US that diet drinks have no potential negative effects for managing weight and blood sugar," Hamid R. Farshchi, MD, PhD, CEO of the digital platform D2Type, said in a press release. "However, with most of the women in the water group achieving diabetes remission, our study highlights the importance of promoting water, not just low-calorie alternatives, as part of effective diabetes and weight management. It's a small change with the potential for a big impact on long-term health outcomes." SOURCE: The study was led by Hamid R. Farshchi, MD, PhD, of D2Type, and former associate professor at the University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences. It was presented as a poster on June 22, 2025, at the 85th Scientific Sessions - American Diabetes Association held at the McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago (June 20-23, 2025). LIMITATIONS: No limitations were discussed in the press release. DISCLOSURES: No disclosures or conflict-of-interest statements were provided. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.