Latest news with #UCSD
Sustainability Times
21 hours ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Elusive Plasma Voids Found': US Scientists Crack Tokamak Confinement Mystery After Decades of Global Fusion Frustration
IN A NUTSHELL 🔥 UC San Diego researchers have introduced a new theoretical model that may resolve the plasma boundary discrepancies in fusion reactors. have introduced a new theoretical model that may resolve the plasma boundary discrepancies in fusion reactors. 🌊 The study highlights the role of previously overlooked structures called 'voids' , which contribute to turbulence at the plasma edge. , which contribute to turbulence at the plasma edge. 🔍 This research addresses the 'shortfall problem' , where simulations fail to predict the observed turbulent behavior in tokamaks. , where simulations fail to predict the observed turbulent behavior in tokamaks. 🔧 If validated, the model could enhance the design and efficiency of future fusion reactors, advancing the quest for sustainable nuclear fusion energy. Recent advancements in nuclear fusion research have brought focus to the enigmatic plasma boundary, a critical component in sustaining fusion reactions. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, have developed a groundbreaking theoretical model that sheds light on previously misunderstood structures known as 'voids.' These insights could be pivotal in resolving discrepancies in fusion energy research, particularly in the context of tokamaks—advanced devices designed for controlled nuclear fusion. As the scientific community explores these new findings, the potential for achieving a sustainable fusion reaction seems closer than ever. Understanding the Plasma Boundary The plasma boundary is a key area of interest in nuclear fusion research, particularly in the operation of tokamaks. These advanced devices use powerful magnetic fields to confine plasma at temperatures reaching millions of degrees Fahrenheit. The plasma boundary, however, presents a complex layer of turbulence that has historically puzzled scientists. Known as the 'shortfall problem,' this issue arises when computer simulations fail to accurately predict the behavior of the turbulent layer at the plasma's edge. Maintaining the right conditions at this boundary is crucial for sustaining nuclear fusion reactions and protecting reactor components from extreme heat. The inability to account for this turbulence has been a significant obstacle in the development of reliable fusion reactors. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the plasma boundary's physics is essential for advancing fusion technology. 'Pentagon Goes Nuclear Again': U.S. Deploys Microreactor Test Beds to Secretly Power Remote Military Bases Without the Grid The Role of 'Voids' The recent research conducted at UC San Diego has redirected attention to the processes occurring at the plasma's outer boundary. This region undergoes dynamic changes, characterized by gradient relaxation events that produce distinct structures. While past research primarily focused on outward-moving 'blobs,' the inward-moving 'voids' had remained largely unexplored. These voids, which move inward from the plasma boundary, play a crucial role in the dynamics of edge-core coupling. The study by physicists Mingyun Cao and Patrick Diamond proposes that voids function as coherent, particle-like entities. By treating voids in this manner, the researchers could analyze their impact on plasma behavior, offering new insights into the mechanisms driving turbulence. 'China Leaves West in the Dust': Its Small Nuclear Reactor Leap Puts Beijing Years Ahead in the Future of Clean Energy A New Model for Turbulence Generation The groundbreaking model developed by Cao and Diamond highlights a previously overlooked mechanism for turbulence generation. According to their findings, as a void moves from the cooler plasma edge toward the hotter core, it traverses steep temperature and density gradients. This movement generates plasma drift waves, which facilitate the transfer of energy and momentum, ultimately creating additional local turbulence. This novel mechanism could explain the extra turbulence observed in experiments, which earlier models failed to account for. If validated, this model could significantly enhance the accuracy of predictive simulations, aiding in the design of future reactors and improving plasma control techniques. The study underscores the importance of understanding void dynamics for optimizing fusion reactions. China Caught Off Guard as U.S. Unleashes Liquid Uranium Rocket to Conquer Mars with Unmatched Nuclear Speed Implications for Future Research The model proposed by the UC San Diego researchers remains theoretical, but it holds significant promise for the future of nuclear fusion research. By offering a potential solution to the shortfall problem, this model could lead to more reliable predictions of plasma behavior. Such advancements are crucial for the development of efficient fusion reactors capable of providing a sustainable energy source. If further experiments validate the model, it could revolutionize the approach to plasma control and reactor design. As the scientific community continues to explore these findings, the potential for achieving controlled nuclear fusion becomes increasingly tangible. This research not only addresses longstanding questions but also paves the way for innovative techniques in fusion technology. As researchers delve deeper into the mysteries of the plasma boundary, the quest for sustainable nuclear fusion energy continues to evolve. With the potential solutions offered by this new model, the future of fusion research looks promising. What other breakthroughs lie ahead in the pursuit of harnessing the power of the stars? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (29)
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘No way to invest in a career here': US academics flee overseas to avoid Trump crackdown
default Eric Schuster was over the moon when he landed a lab assistant position in a coral reef biology lab at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography (SIO). The 23-year-old had recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in nanoengineering from the University of California, San Diego, into a fiercely competitive job market. He felt like he'd struck gold. But the relentless cuts to scientific research and attacks on higher education by the Trump administration have turned what felt like a promising academic future into unstable ground. 'There are several labs, both at our institution and around the US, that have essentially just sent everyone home because they have no money,' Schuster said, expressing concern not just for oceanography but for all fields of scientific research. The multi-pronged attacks have 'been seriously detrimental to just about everyone', he said. Though Schuster is grateful for his position, he is in a constant state of worry about whether it will still exist tomorrow. UCSD, which SIO is a part of, told the Guardian that the Trump administration has ended or frozen roughly $90m in grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Nearly 200 other grants are facing delays. SIO researchers have noted that the 'vast majority' of their funding comes from the government. Schuster has decided he's not going to stick around to see if he will lose his job. He'll be starting his graduate studies this fall in France with a European University Networks (EUN) program, a transnational alliance of higher education institutions. He plans to stay outside of the US after to continue his career. 'It's a grab bag that anyone you're talking to has had decreased funding, or lost almost all of their funding, or is having trouble continuing their funding,' he says. 'That, along with the pretty pervasive and growing anti-science establishment narrative … have been strong motivators to look elsewhere,' Schuster said. Schuster is one of many budding academics reflecting what could become a significant American brain drain, sending the brightest minds in the country to flee the US and take their scholarly endeavors elsewhere. Historically, the US has attracted top talent from around the world, but the moves by the Trump administration may have reversed these conditions in record time. Research institutions are feeling the strain from funding cuts from some of the biggest grant-making bodies in the world. The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds about 25% of federally backed basic research at US universities, but Trump's proposed budget would cut over $5bn, or 57%, from its budget, chopping it from roughly $9bn down to $3.9bn. The US National Institutes of Health would lose about 40% of its budget compared to last year. Related: US universities are moving to the right. Will it help them escape Trump's wrath? But those cuts aren't the only cause for anxiety. Nerves throughout the scholarly community are also on edge given what is widely perceived as a historic attack on academic freedom through administration assaults against universities such Columbia and Harvard University under the guise of rooting out antisemitism and diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Dozens more universities are waiting for their turn. A recent Nature survey revealed that approximately 75% of US-based scientists are contemplating relocation, with early-career researchers and PhD students particularly inclined toward opportunities in Canada, Europe and Australia. Valerio Francioni is one of them. A 32-year-old Italian citizen who moved to the US after getting his PhD at the University of Edinburgh, Francioni is now a postdoctoral research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology studying neuroscience. International students have faced nonstop chaos in the past few months, from visa suspensions to the attempted deportations of several students who expressed support for Palestinians. Last month, the Trump administration ordered US embassies worldwide to immediately stop scheduling visa interviews for foreign students as it prepares to implement comprehensive 'social media screenings' for all international applicants. 'As an international, there's just no way that you can invest safely into a career here right now, there's just no way to plan ahead. The situation is just too volatile to feel that you're making a safe investment by being here,' Francioni said. A recent report from the Economist suggests that international students (and some domestic) are losing interest in American PhD programs. Searches for US PhD programs on the website FindAPhD fell 40% year on year in April, while interest from students in Europe has fallen by 50%. Data from another website, Studyportals, shows a decrease in interest for domestic PhDs among Americans, and a rise in interest for international programs compared to the previous year. I don't want to live in a country that does not abide by the laws that they have set in stone ... It has deeply troubled me Carter Freshour, Thunderbird School of Global Management Though his own visa has not been affected yet, Francioni plans to leave the US once his run at MIT is finished. He had wanted to stay in Boston – it's a great place for people in the neurotech field, he says, and his American partner is there. But his calculus has changed in the past few months. Kristina, originally from Sweden, is grappling with the same questions. A mathematics professor at a university in the north-east US, Kristina requested that only her first name be used and her institution not be named over concerns of retaliation by the Trump administration. 'Right now, I think that everyone who's not a citizen feels that we cannot express our opinions,' Kristina said. She's been in the US for 25 years, but does not have US citizenship. She is now debating whether to stay or leave. To her, the question is a moral one, whether to leave for safety or stay to 'fight for a more democratic future'. Emmanuel Guerisoli, a French and Italian academic with a PhD in sociology and history, moved to the US in 2010 to pursue a masters in sociology. He is now finishing a postdoc at the Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility at the New School. Guerisoli is concerned about being targeted by Ice because of discussions he has led in class on the war in Gaza. He was offered a tenure-track position at a different institution, he said, but it was quickly rescinded, which he was told was due to the Trump administration's funding cuts. He gave up on applying to academic jobs in the US and decided to move to Argentina this summer, where the dread of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agents knocking down his door will not follow him every day. 'It's not just that you're being questioned on your political beliefs, but any type of critical or academic engagement on certain topics that go beyond the realm of just politics are being targeted,' he said. 'Even if the state department renews my visa, I would be concerned about teaching courses the way I have done it in the past,' he said. Scholars at Risk, which assists academics facing political pressure, saw this coming. 'The recent policies have created a tremendous amount of anxiety,' Robert Quinn, the group's executive director, said. He worries the loss will have ripple effects far beyond campus. 'When a big economic contributor gets disrupted, that's going to begin to affect everybody relatively quickly in those communities,' Quinn said. 'Beyond that is the effect on public health. If we look at the cutting of the research pipeline, that means fundamentally cutting off access to services and medicines and treatments that affect every American who happens to get sick.' Related: Why Trump is really going after Harvard Quinn says that Scholars at Risk is working on ways to support US academics exploring foreign opportunities. Several other countries are jumping in to fill the void, and have already begun courting American academics. The European Union has pledged €500m (around $556m) over the next two years to become a prime destination for displaced scientists. France's president, Emmanuel Macron, announced $113m for a national program to bring in American researchers, and Aix-Marseille University separately announced Safe Place for Science, a three-year, $16.8m program to attract 15 American scientists working in climate, health and astrophysics. A university spokesperson previously told the Guardian that more than 60 applications have been received, 30 of them coming within the first 24 hours. Meanwhile, Denmark is fast-tracking 200 positions for American researchers. In a widely shared Instagram post, the head of the Danish chamber of commerce directly invited American scientists to consider Denmark, 'a place where facts still matter'. Related: 'Insidious fear' fills universities as Trump escalates conflict during commencement season Sweden's education minister held a roundtable of university leaders to strategize on attracting frustrated US talent, and publicly called for American scientists to relocate. Canadian institutions are following a similar path. The University Health Network in Toronto and associated foundations are investing CA$30m ($21.5m) to bring in 100 early-career scientists from the US and beyond. Meanwhile, the University of British Columbia reopened graduate applications in April specifically to accommodate interested US students. Carter Freshour, a 22-year-old US citizen, had just begun his masters program in business at the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona when Trump took office. As soon as the attacks on higher education began, he dropped out of the program out of fear of the direction the country is heading. He is now in the process of moving to Madrid, where he will finish his business degree, and then plans to move to Portugal. 'I don't want to live in a country that does not abide by the laws that they have set in stone,' Freshour said. 'It has deeply troubled me, the direction that the United States is going.'
The Guardian
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘No way to invest in a career here': US academics flee overseas to avoid Trump crackdown
Eric Schuster was over the moon when he landed a lab assistant position in a coral reef biology lab at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography (SIO). The 23-year-old had recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in nanoengineering from the University of California, San Diego, into a fiercely competitive job market. He felt like he'd struck gold. But the relentless cuts to scientific research and attacks on higher education by the Trump administration have turned what felt like a promising academic future into unstable ground. 'There are several labs, both at our institution and around the US, that have essentially just sent everyone home because they have no money,' Schuster said, expressing concern not just for oceanography but for all fields of scientific research. The multi-pronged attacks have 'been seriously detrimental to just about everyone', he said. Though Schuster is grateful for his position, he is in a constant state of worry about whether it will still exist tomorrow. UCSD, which SIO is a part of, told the Guardian that the Trump administration has ended or frozen roughly $90m in grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Nearly 200 other grants are facing delays. SIO researchers have noted that the 'vast majority' of their funding comes from the government. Schuster has decided he's not going to stick around to see if he will lose his job. He'll be starting his graduate studies this fall in France with a European University Networks (EUN) program, a transnational alliance of higher education institutions. He plans to stay outside of the US after to continue his career. 'It's a grab bag that anyone you're talking to has had decreased funding, or lost almost all of their funding, or is having trouble continuing their funding,' he says. 'That, along with the pretty pervasive and growing anti-science establishment narrative … have been strong motivators to look elsewhere,' Schuster said. Schuster is one of many budding academics reflecting what could become a significant American brain drain, sending the brightest minds in the country to flee the US and take their scholarly endeavors elsewhere. Historically, the US has attracted top talent from around the world, but the moves by the Trump administration may have reversed these conditions in record time. Research institutions are feeling the strain from funding cuts from some of the biggest grant-making bodies in the world. The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds about 25% of federally backed basic research at US universities, but Trump's proposed budget would cut over $5bn, or 57%, from its budget, chopping it from roughly $9bn down to $3.9bn. The US National Institutes of Health would lose about 40% of its budget compared to last year. But those cuts aren't the only cause for anxiety. Nerves throughout the scholarly community are also on edge given what is widely perceived as a historic attack on academic freedom through administration assaults against universities such Columbia and Harvard University under the guise of rooting out antisemitism and diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Dozens more universities are waiting for their turn. A recent Nature survey revealed that approximately 75% of US-based scientists are contemplating relocation, with early-career researchers and PhD students particularly inclined toward opportunities in Canada, Europe and Australia. Valerio Francioni is one of them. A 32-year-old Italian citizen who moved to the US after getting his PhD at the University of Edinburgh, Francioni is now a postdoctoral research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology studying neuroscience. International students have faced nonstop chaos in the past few months, from visa suspensions to the attempted deportations of several students who expressed support for Palestinians. Last month, the Trump administration ordered US embassies worldwide to immediately stop scheduling visa interviews for foreign students as it prepares to implement comprehensive 'social media screenings' for all international applicants. 'As an international, there's just no way that you can invest safely into a career here right now, there's just no way to plan ahead. The situation is just too volatile to feel that you're making a safe investment by being here,' Francioni said. A recent report from the Economist suggests that international students (and some domestic) are losing interest in American PhD programs. Searches for US PhD programs on the website FindAPhD fell 40% year on year in April, while interest from students in Europe has fallen by 50%. Data from another website, Studyportals, shows a decrease in interest for domestic PhDs among Americans, and a rise in interest for international programs compared to the previous year. Though his own visa has not been affected yet, Francioni plans to leave the US once his run at MIT is finished. He had wanted to stay in Boston – it's a great place for people in the neurotech field, he says, and his American partner is there. But his calculus has changed in the past few months. Kristina, originally from Sweden, is grappling with the same questions. A mathematics professor at a university in the north-east US, Kristina requested that only her first name be used and her institution not be named over concerns of retaliation by the Trump administration. 'Right now, I think that everyone who's not a citizen feels that we cannot express our opinions,' Kristina said. She's been in the US for 25 years, but does not have US citizenship. She is now debating whether to stay or leave. To her, the question is a moral one, whether to leave for safety or stay to 'fight for a more democratic future'. Emmanuel Guerisoli, a French and Italian academic with a PhD in sociology and history, moved to the US in 2010 to pursue a masters in sociology. He is now finishing a postdoc at the Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility at the New School. Guerisoli is concerned about being targeted by Ice because of discussions he has led in class on the war in Gaza. He was offered a tenure-track position at a different institution, he said, but it was quickly rescinded, which he was told was due to the Trump administration's funding cuts. He gave up on applying to academic jobs in the US and decided to move to Argentina this summer, where the dread of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agents knocking down his door will not follow him every day. 'It's not just that you're being questioned on your political beliefs, but any type of critical or academic engagement on certain topics that go beyond the realm of just politics are being targeted,' he said. 'Even if the state department renews my visa, I would be concerned about teaching courses the way I have done it in the past,' he said. Scholars at Risk, which assists academics facing political pressure, saw this coming. 'The recent policies have created a tremendous amount of anxiety,' Robert Quinn, the group's executive director, said. He worries the loss will have ripple effects far beyond campus. 'When a big economic contributor gets disrupted, that's going to begin to affect everybody relatively quickly in those communities,' Quinn said. 'Beyond that is the effect on public health. If we look at the cutting of the research pipeline, that means fundamentally cutting off access to services and medicines and treatments that affect every American who happens to get sick.' Quinn says that Scholars at Risk is working on ways to support US academics exploring foreign opportunities. Several other countries are jumping in to fill the void, and have already begun courting American academics. The European Union has pledged €500m (around $556m) over the next two years to become a prime destination for displaced scientists. France's president, Emmanuel Macron, announced $113m for a national program to bring in American researchers, and Aix-Marseille University separately announced Safe Place for Science, a three-year, $16.8m program to attract 15 American scientists working in climate, health and astrophysics. A university spokesperson previously told the Guardian that more than 60 applications have been received, 30 of them coming within the first 24 hours. Meanwhile, Denmark is fast-tracking 200 positions for American researchers. In a widely shared Instagram post, the head of the Danish chamber of commerce directly invited American scientists to consider Denmark, 'a place where facts still matter'. Sweden's education minister held a roundtable of university leaders to strategize on attracting frustrated US talent, and publicly called for American scientists to relocate. Canadian institutions are following a similar path. The University Health Network in Toronto and associated foundations are investing CA$30m ($21.5m) to bring in 100 early-career scientists from the US and beyond. Meanwhile, the University of British Columbia reopened graduate applications in April specifically to accommodate interested US students. Carter Freshour, a 22-year-old US citizen, had just begun his masters program in business at the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona when Trump took office. As soon as the attacks on higher education began, he dropped out of the program out of fear of the direction the country is heading. He is now in the process of moving to Madrid, where he will finish his business degree, and then plans to move to Portugal. 'I don't want to live in a country that does not abide by the laws that they have set in stone,' Freshour said. 'It has deeply troubled me, the direction that the United States is going.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
UCSD pulls out of San Diego Pride amid objections to festival headliner
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — UC San Diego and UC San Diego Health has announced it will not be participating in the San Diego Pride this year over what it views as antisemitic statements made by Kehlani, one of the festival headliners, regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The move to pull its sponsorship and opt out of the festival follows a coalition of Jewish groups and Mayor Todd Gloria, who announced earlier this month they were sitting out of this year's the celebrations in light of the Grammy-nominated singer's comments and 'safety concerns.' In a statement earlier this week, UCSD officials described Kehlani's views as 'blatantly Antisemitic' and stressed they were making the move to 'stand firm' in its commitment to supporting Jewish members of its campus community. 'Not just a party:' World Pride celebrations end with defiant politics on display The statement noted the university and its health system still intend to march in the Pride Parade. Kehlani, who identifies as non-binary, has been an outspoken advocate for Palestinians amid Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza through their social media platform and music. Although the singer's stalwart advocacy has drawn accusations of promoting antisemitic rhetoric from those supportive of Israel. One such display critics point to is their music video for 'Next 2 U,' in which the message 'long live the intifada' is prominently featured. The phrase means 'shaking off' in Arabic and has been used to describe Palestinian rebellion against Israeli occupation. However, this history leads those supportive of Israel to view the phrase as a call for violence against Jewish people. The use of this phrase was cited as the rationale in the cancellation of a scheduled performance of theirs back in April at Cornell University by the school's administration. In response to Cornell's decision, the singer posted a video to Instagram pushing back on the interpretation of her view as antisemitic, saying she is not 'anti-Jew,' rather 'anti-genocide' and is opposed to the actions of the Israeli government in the course of the conflict. FOX 5/KUSI reached out to San Diego Pride for comment on UCSD's withdrawal and is awaiting a response. The nonprofit, in a previous statement, said it does not endorse the political views of performers booked for the festival, adding, 'We honor the value of artistic integrity, the importance of free expression and the role that artists play in shaping culture, challenging systems and amplifying voices while respecting each other's differences.' How to handle the ongoing conflict in Gaza has been a tension point for San Diego Pride, having also drawn backlash from those who have expressed support for Palestinians. Last year, the nonprofit came under fire for the abrupt cancellation of a workshop led by two pro-Palestinian groups, Jewish Voice for Peace and People for Palestine San Diego, at San Diego She Fest — a beloved street fair that takes place prior to the Pride Parade and Festival. Local LGBTQ+ community deals with vandalism amid Pride Month At the time, San Diego Pride cited safety concerns in canceling the workshop. In an open letter shortly after, however, She Fest organizers said the purported risk was 'non-existent,' as they had 'an extensive safety plan, security on site and no viable threats.' The move ultimately led She Fest's leadership to sever ties with the nonprofit, stating in a post on Instagram the two came to a mutual decision that it was not possible for them to move forward together 'in a way that honors [She Fest's] values and responsibility to our community.' As for the Jewish groups boycotting this year's Pride in light of Kehlani's statements, several said they similarly plan to celebrate Pride independently of the main festivities in July. 'It's really sad to me that the San Diego Pride didn't understand the needs of the community,' Lilian Faderman, a congregant at Temple Emanu-El and LGBTQ+ historian, told FOX 5/KUSI earlier this month. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UCSD students protest Trump cuts to science research funding
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — For the second time this year, students and faculty at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) staged a protest outside Geisel Library, demanding the federal government reverse deep education funding cuts imposed by the Trump administration — cuts they say are threatening research, jobs and the future of scientific innovation. Dozens of protesters gathered on campus, holding signs and sharing personal stories about how the loss of federal research grants is impacting their work and well-being. Dozens possibly detained by federal officials amid immigration raids in Los Angeles 'This year has been filled with many moments of insecurity,' said Eleanor Ketterer-Sykes, a first-year Ph.D. student in the neuroscience program. 'UCSD is one of the best science schools in the country because of its renowned research labs, you have access to labs at the Salk Institute, Sanford and Scripps as well as the VA Hospital — but that future is in jeopardy.' The Trump administration has canceled hundreds of research grants in recent months, citing concerns over 'ideologically driven science.' The cuts have targeted studies ranging from HIV prevention to violence prevention in children. UCSD Chancellor Pradeep Khosla warned in an April letter that the university stands to lose between $75 million and $500 million annually as a result. 'As of May 30, there have been more than 150 federal grants terminated, resulting in a loss of $30 million,' said Lisa Eyler, a UCSD psychiatry professor. 'These cuts are already leading to layoffs among instructors, staff scientists, and support personnel like librarians.' 'No Kings Day' protests planned across California on June 14 The ripple effects could be felt beyond UCSD. Stanley Maloy, emeritus professor of microbiology at San Diego State University, said the cuts threaten the pipeline of future scientists and engineers. 'Reduced positions mean talented students are left behind,' Maloy said. 'As this innovation workforce dries up, our economy is going to suffer.' Eyler echoed those concerns, warning of a generational loss in scientific progress. 'There will be a gaping hole in the pipeline of future scientists, engineers and healthcare providers, which could result in the potential loss of an entire generation of great scientific thinkers,' she said. Thousands in San Diego protest cuts to federal education funds For Ketterer-Sykes, the issue is personal. She entered the neuroscience program hoping to make life-saving breakthroughs. 'So many people rely on scientific innovation — whether it be to find cures for diseases like tuberculosis or Alzheimer's disease,' she said. 'It really is vital to humanity.' While the exact financial toll remains uncertain, university leaders say the impact is already being felt — and may only get worse. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
