Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 166
April 8, 2025
Tripeptide-29 in Scientific Research: Emerging Properties and Implications
Tripeptide-29 in Scientific Research: Emerging Properties and Implications
Peptides, small chains of amino acids, have garnered increasing interest in various scientific fields due to their potential in molecular signaling, tissue repair, and cellular regulation. Tripeptide-29 is a peptide composed of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, a specific sequence (Gly-Pro-Hyp) that appears to be fundamental for collagen synthesis and connective tissue dynamics.
While research on Tripeptide-29 is still developing, its distinct structure and biochemical properties have led to the exploration of its potential in several scientific domains. This article seeks to outline possible research implications of Tripeptide-29, emphasizing its structure-function relationships, its impact on extracellular matrix modulation, and its potential role in cellular signaling, tissue engineering, and biomaterial science.
Structural Composition of Tripeptide-29
Tripeptide-29 is primarily characterized by its three amino acids: glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. Glycine, being the smallest amino acid, is vital in maintaining peptide flexibility, allowing the chain to adopt various conformations. Proline introduces rigidity due to its cyclic structure, which may help the peptide to stabilize specific conformations important in biological contexts. Hydroxyproline, a post-translationally modified form of proline, supports peptide stability through hydrogen bonding and contributes to the thermodynamic stability of collagen-like structures.
Extracellular Matrix and Tissue Dynamics
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic network of proteins, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans that provide structural and biochemical support to cells. Collagen, a primary component of the ECM, is essential for maintaining tissue integrity and cellular communication. Since Tripeptide-29 shares a molecular motif common to collagen, it has been hypothesized that the peptide might influence ECM remodeling, collagen fibril formation, and cellular attachment.
Investigations purport that Tripeptide-29 may serve as a molecular scaffold or signal modulator in studies related to wound healing, tissue regeneration, and fibrotic processes. Interacting with collagenous structures might provide a framework that facilitates the recruitment of ECM proteins, helping to promote tissue repair processes. Studies suggest that in tissue engineering contexts, this peptide may be applied to support the physical properties of biomaterials, potentially supporting their potential to integrate with native tissues and support cell growth.
Cellular Signaling and Molecular Communication
Research indicates that beyond its structural roles in the ECM, Tripeptide-29 may also participate in cellular signaling processes. Collagen fragments, or bioactive peptides derived from collagen, have been implicated in various signaling pathways that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. It is theorized that Tripeptide-29 may act as a bioactive peptide, triggering specific receptor-mediated signaling cascades that influence cellular behavior.
In this regard, research indicates that Tripeptide-29 might interact with integrins, a class of transmembrane receptors that mediate cell-ECM interactions. These interactions are critical for transmitting mechanical and biochemical signals from the extracellular environment to the intracellular machinery. Findings imply that through such pathways, Tripeptide-29 may hypothetically modulate processes such as cell adhesion, migration, and tissue organization. These properties might be exploited in research areas focused on tissue repair, where controlled cell migration and attachment are essential for healing.
Tripeptide-29 in Tissue Engineering and Biomaterial Science
The emerging field of tissue engineering seeks to develop biologically compatible materials that may replace or support the repair of damaged tissues. Given its structural similarity to collagen, Tripeptide-29 has been speculated to be of interest in biomaterial science as a potential additive to support the mechanical and biological properties of scaffolds. Scientists speculate that these scaffolds, which are often exposed to cells in research models to support cell growth and tissue regeneration, might profit from the inclusion of Tripeptide-29, which may assist in collagen deposition and stabilization within the engineered constructs.
Researchers theorize that incorporating Tripeptide-29 into biomaterials might support scaffold biocompatibility, making them more conducive to cellular attachment, proliferation, and tissue integration. This might be particularly valuable in designing materials for soft tissue repair, such as dermal or tendon substitutes, where collagen-like structures are essential for mimicking the native tissue environment. Studies postulate that the tripeptide’s potential to influence collagen organization and ECM synthesis might also allow for the fabrication of scaffolds that more closely resemble the mechanical and biochemical properties of endogenous tissues.
Future Research Directions
The speculative nature of current findings on Tripeptide-29 points to several avenues for future research. While its potential role in collagen stabilization and ECM modulation appears promising, further investigations are needed to elucidate its precise molecular mechanisms and interactions. Researchers might explore the possibility of modifying Tripeptide-29 to support its properties, such as increasing its stability or affinity for specific receptors or ECM components, thereby expanding its utility in various scientific domains.
Conclusion
Tripeptide-29, with its unique structural characteristics and potential biological activities, presents an intriguing candidate for further exploration in various scientific fields. Its possible impacts on collagen synthesis, ECM remodeling, and cellular signaling hint at significant implications in tissue engineering, regenerative studies, and biomaterial science. However, much remains to be understood about the exact mechanisms by which Tripeptide-29 functions.
Its emerging role in peptide research underscores the importance of further investigation into its properties and potential implications. As research continues to unfold, Tripeptide-29 may provide new insights and tools for advancing scientific understanding of tissue dynamics and cellular communication. Scientists interested in further studying peptides are advised to visit biotechpeptides.com.
References
[i] Ricard-Blum, S. (2011). The collagen family. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology, 3(1), a004978. https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a004978
[ii] Shoulders, M. D., & Raines, R. T. (2009). Collagen structure and stability. Annual Review of Biochemistry, 78, 929-958. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.biochem.77.032207.120833
[iii] Xu, Y., Xu, G., Liu, L., Zhang, W., & Huang, X. (2014). Tripeptide Gly-Pro-Hyp promotes collagen synthesis in cultured human fibroblasts. Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry, 61(6), 700-705. https://doi.org/10.1002/bab.1221
[iv] Gelse, K., Pöschl, E., & Aigner, T. (2003). Collagens—structure, function, and biosynthesis. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 55(12), 1531-1546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2003.08.002
[v] Lee, C. H., Singla, A., & Lee, Y. (2001). Biomedical applications of collagen. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 221(1-2), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-5173(01)00691-3
Hearing on State Farm’s 22% emergency rate hike request starts
This week, State Farm is seeking to convince state insurance regulators to finalize a steep emergency rate hike for homeowners across California in the wake of the devasting Los Angeles wildfires.
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has already signaled his willingness to allow the company to raise homeowner rates by an average of 22%. He also granted the state’s largest insurer initial approval to increase premiums by 15% for renters and condo owners and 33% for rental owners.
But before giving his final sign-off, Lara ordered State Farm representatives to appear before an administrative judge to justify the company’s request — a rare move for a rate hike proposal. That multi-day public hearing started Tuesday in Oakland and could last through Thursday.
After the hearing, which will also include testimony from consumer advocates who oppose the hikes, the judge will issue a proposed decision within 10 days. It will then be up to Lara to decide whether to accept it.
If approved, it’s unclear how much premiums could go up in the Bay Area or which parts of the region would see the largest rate hikes, which could take effect as early as June 1 for many homeowners. Statewide, the insurer covers roughly 15% of homes, totaling more than 1 million customers.
The insurer’s California-only subsidiary, State Farm General, says the emergency hikes must be approved quickly to ensure it can pay out future claims after it expects to cover $7.6 billion in estimated losses from the wildfires in Los Angeles County. State Farm General said it has the money to cover the staggering damage but must raise rates to shore up its shaky financial health.
Even before the multibillion-dollar blazes earlier this year, State Farm General had issued multiple warnings about its solvency. The provider said once it pays out claims from the Los Angeles fires, it expects its cash surplus to drop from $1.04 billion at the end of 2024 to $600 million. S&P Global Ratings recently threatened to downgrade the insurer’s credit rating, signaling concerns about its financial strength.
Ahead of the hearing, Lara called on State Farm General to stop canceling coverage for homeowners in fire-risk areas and to ask its parent company for $500 million to stabilize its financial situation. However, the commissioner could still approve the rate hikes even if the insurer doesn’t commit to those steps.
Horoscopes April 8, 2025: Robin Wright, use your energy wisely
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Taylor Kitsch, 44; Patricia Arquette, 57; Robin Wright, 59; John Schneider, 65.
Happy Birthday: Use your energy wisely. Take the initiative to look, feel and do your best. Put more credence into living a healthy lifestyle, and you’ll be in tip-top shape and ready to deal with whatever glitches you encounter this year. Expand your mind, connections and skills to accommodate whatever change comes your way. Preparation, discipline and adaptability under whatever circumstances arise are your tickets to success. Your numbers are 6, 17, 23, 28, 32, 35, 49.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): A change of attitude, how you deal with institutions and superiors and your handling of money, investments and budgeting look promising if you put emotions aside and wheel and deal practically. Anger needs an outlet; choose a physical activity that can alleviate stress. Personal improvements will boost your confidence. 5 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): If you want change, stop pontificating and start making things happen. Take control, and be proud of who you are and what you achieve. Don’t feel obliged to take a backseat to someone louder, bolder or emotionally manipulative; reject what isn’t right for you and do your own thing. 2 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Be careful what you promise, sign up for or donate. If you want to help or make a difference, contribute with your energy, not your wallet. Make choices based on facts, not emotions. Look at every aspect or situation that pops up and warrants an equal and opposite reaction. 4 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take a moment to observe, wait, watch and evaluate, and only make a choice or initiate a change that’s practical, budget-friendly and legal. Timing is essential to get the highest return from your effort. Keep the conversation going and the momentum flowing; something you desire will come to you. 4 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A last-minute change will cost you. Don’t jeopardize your position. Search for innovative alternatives, be upfront and participate in events that shed light on something you are considering pursuing before officially announcing your next move. Work quietly behind the scenes; don’t take a risk until you are prepared to go the distance. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Keep moving forward. A change will pump you up and encourage you to meet new people and engage in events and pursuits that grab your attention. Life is about living, and by making lifestyle changes that get you out and about, you’ll discover people, places and interests that enrich your life. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Absorb information, insight and ideas to help you transform and initiate your plans to enhance the changes around you. Being aware and prepared to counter anything that might have a negative impact on your dreams will make it easier to turn your intentions into a reality. A passionate presentation will pay off. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Get out into the field and see what’s happening firsthand. Living that experience will help you find the best path to fulfill your needs. Mingle, participate and actively contribute to whatever group, event or institution is suitable to help you have a positive impact and make a difference. 4 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You may want to keep your plans to yourself. Being too open will allow someone to take advantage of you. A domestic change that’s cost-efficient looks promising, but get quotes in writing and only work with those who are qualified and offering guaranteed results. A networking event will help connect you to someone special. 2 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Regardless of how entertaining someone or something is, don’t feel you have to overpay to show appreciation. Give back using intellectual contributions, gestures and referrals. Positive change due to collaboration will be your inroad to a brighter future. Mix business with pleasure, and you’ll create a passage to victory. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Prioritize partnerships, diversity and concentrating on making your money grow. Turn something you are good at or enjoy doing into a home-based business. Declutter your space, sell off what you no longer use and ease debt stress. It’s up to you to find solutions and implement the necessary changes. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Refrain from making uninformed decisions. Don’t let ego or emotions lead you down a slippery slope that can affect your savings. Restructure how you handle expenses and lower your overhead. Look for government assistance or a part-time job to offset debt. Network, and you’ll meet someone with valuable input. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are lively, persistent and outspoken. You are spontaneous and demonstrative.
1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.
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April 7, 2025
SF Giants’ winning streak snapped as Greene turns in masterful outing
SAN FRANCISCO — The components of a pitcher’s duel were in place. The starters were Logan Webb and Hunter Greene, a pair of All-Stars who met on Opening Day. The venue was Oracle Park, a pitcher’s paradise. The weather was crisp, cold.
Webb was excellent; Greene was masterful.
Webb threw seven shutout innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks, but Greene countered by tossing 8 2/3 shutout innings with seven strikeouts, a masterful performance that snapped the Giants’ (8-2) seven-game winning streak as San Francisco lost to Cincinnati, 2-0, in a battle of aces.
“I think Hunter’s one of the best pitchers in baseball,” Webb said. “Speaking of last year, if he stays healthy, he has a good chance of probably winning the Cy Young. You see his stuff. He’s throwing 101 (mph) on pitch 100. He’s one of the best pitchers in baseball.”
Webb is one of the best pitchers in baseball in his own right, one who just recorded his third career game where he struck out at least 10 batters and walked none. But once Webb exited, the Reds capitalized on Camilo Doval’s shaky command.
A day removed from blowing a save, Doval endured another brutal outing. Manager Bob Melvin called upon Doval due to Tyler Rogers being unavailable, and Doval began his outing by gifting the Reds (4-7) two free baserunners via walk and hit by pitch. Those runners advanced a base on a sacrifice bunt and Doval was removed from the game, met with a smattering of jeers.
Erik Miller was called upon with one out and runners on second and third, but after walking the first batter he faced, Miller allowed a two-run double to Blake Dunn that gave Cincinnati a 2-0 lead. Doval opened his season with three perfect innings, but has since allowed six runs (three earned) over his last three outings with three walks to one strikeout.
“We all have faith and trust in Camilo. He’s an All-Star. He’s one of the better relievers in baseball,” Webb said. “Every time he goes out there, we have faith that he’s going to do well. Today’s just a hiccup. It’s baseball. It’s nothing we’re worried about.”
For Greene, those two runs appeared to be plenty. The Giants’ best swing of the night off Greene was from Jung Hoo Lee, whose 384-foot fly out in the bottom of the sixth would’ve been a home run in 19 of 30 ballparks. In the ninth, San Francisco finally planed the seeds of a rally.
Greene retired the first two batters he faced and flirted with a Maddux, but the Giants chased Greene from the game as Jung Hoo Lee singled and Matt Chapman drew a walk. The Reds called on Tony Santillan to shut the door, but unlike Opening Day, there wouldn’t be another dramatic three-run, game-altering homer. Heliot Ramos sent a low line drive to left field, one that clocked in at 106.7 mph, but the Reds’ Jacob Hurtubise tracked it down and awkwardly dove to corral the ball and end the game.
“More than anything, I think it was the slider today was even better today than the last time we saw it,” Melvin said of Greene. “It was more of a strike breaking ball the last time. Now, it was strike-to-ball. When you’re throwing that hard, it’s tough to lay off that pitch, too. He’s had good stuff before in the past. I think it was about as good as stuff as he’s ever had.”
Like Greene, Webb, too, was cooking with the good stuff. Webb’s often at his most effective when his changeup is dancing, and the Reds’ lack of offense attests that Webb’s signature pitch was in peak form.
Half of Webb’s 12 whiffs were with the changeup. Half of Webb’s 10 strikeouts were with the changeup too. Webb’s changeup was elite in ’23 but merely average in ’24, and after tweaking the pitch prior to the season, he’s happy with how the pitch is currently playing. He’ll take that 1.89 ERA through three games that comes with it, too.
“It’s probably the most excited I’ve been about my changeup in a long time,” Webb said.
Lee helped out Webb’s cause with a pair of slick, sliding catches in the first and fifth innings, his early defense being invaluable for a team whose center fielders finished last in defensive runs saved (-24) last year. Lee’s efforts delighted the “Hoo Lee Gans”, a group of fans in the upper level wearing caps that looked like fire. The center fielder’s deep fly ball in the sixth inning may have fallen a few feet short, but Lee’s ninth-inning single extended his hitting streak to eight games.
As for the Hoo Lee Gans? He’ll be on the lookout for them going forward.
“I can feel that the love from the fans is amazing right now,” Lee said through team interpreter Justin Han.
Celebrate Spring with a gluten-free lemon cake
By Lynda Balslev, columnist | Bay Area News Group
This olive oil cake heralds the spring season and warrants a place at your Passover or Easter table. It’s drenched with lemon, and it’s gluten-free, to boot. Elegantly simple and refreshingly versatile, this cake is, in fact, welcome at any time of day, which makes it even more irresistible.
Related Articles Recipe: Vegan lemon mousse with cherry compote Recipe: Wild Mushrooms ‘au Poivre’ Recipe: Avocado and citrus salad with chimichurri Recipe: Roasted potatoes with dill and garlic Should we cancel Peeps? Easter’s most controversial treatA key component to the recipe is a lemon simple syrup, which bathes the just-baked cake, accentuating its brightness and ensuring long-lasting moistness. You may be tempted (understandably) to dig in as soon as the cake is hot from the oven, but try to restrain yourself. Let it absorb the syrup and cool completely to develop its flavor.
Another ingredient of note is the cornmeal, which adds a unique and slightly crunchy texture to the cake, which is part of its appeal. The recipe specifies for medium-grind cornmeal, but if you prefer a softer texture, use a fine-grind cornmeal.
Serve the cake simply and unadorned, along with a cup of coffee or tea, or dress it up with a dollop of whipped cream and/or candied lemon peel. If serving with whipped cream, reserve 1 to 2 tablespoons of the cooled lemon syrup and add to the cream while whipping.
Lemon Olive Oil Cake (Gluten-free)
Active Time: 20 minutesTotal Time: 1 hour and 5 minutes, plus cooling timeYield: Makes 1 (9-inch) cake
Cake:1 1/2 cups almond meal (or almond flour)1 cup medium- or fine-grind cornmeal1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon kosher salt3 large eggs, room temperature1 cup sugar3/4 cup fruity olive oil2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice1 tablespoon lemon zest1 teaspoon almond extract
Syrup:1/4 cup fresh lemon juice1/4 cup sugar
Heat a conventional oven to 350-degree (or a convection oven to 325 degrees). Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line with parchment.
Combine the almond meal, cornmeal, baking powder and salt in a bowl and whisk to blend.
Whisk the eggs and sugar in a large bowl until light in color, about 2 minutes. Mix in the olive oil, lemon juice, zest and almond extract. Add the dry ingredients and mix to combine without overmixing.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Transfer to the oven and bake until the cake is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center is clean, about 45 minutes. (Cooking time may be a bit shorter if using a convection oven.)
While the cake is baking, prepare the syrup. Combine the lemon juice and sugar in a small saucepan over medium-low heat and whisk until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat. Set aside 1 to 2 tablespoons for the whipped cream (optional).
Transfer the cake from the oven to a wire rack. Brush the top with some of the syrup and cool 10 minutes. Remove the sides of the pan and brush the cake on the sides with more of the syrup. Cool completely.
Serve plain or with whipped cream and/or candied lemon peel for decoration. To whip the cream, add 1 cup heavy cream to a mixing bowl fitted with a whisk attachment. Whip the cream until traces of the whisk appear. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon cooled (not warm) syrup and continue to whip until soft peaks form.
To store the cake, wrap in plastic and store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
Lynda Balslev is an award-winning writer, cookbook author, and recipe developer based in northern California. Visit TasteFood at TasteFoodblog.com.
Trump administration is having early talks to hold a military parade in nation’s capital on June 14
By MICHELLE L. PRICE and LOLITA C. BALDOR
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is having early discussions about a grand military parade in the nation’s capital this summer, something that is a long-held dream of President Donald Trump.
Related Articles Supreme Court allows Trump to deport Venezuelans under wartime law, but only after judges’ review RFK Jr. says he plans to tell CDC to stop recommending fluoride in drinking water Colleges around the US say some international students’ visas are being revoked Panetta authors, introduces Reclaim Trade Powers Act Maine sues the Trump administration over funding freeze after dispute over transgender athletesD.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Monday that the administration had reached out to the city about holding a parade on June 14 that would stretch from Arlington, Virginia, where the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery are located, across the Potomac River and into Washington, D.C.
The Army is in early discussions about potentially adding a parade to the Army’s 250th birthday festival, which is being held June 14, according to a defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are ongoing and no decisions have been made.
June 14 is also Trump’s 79th birthday.
The White House in a statement said that “no military parade has been scheduled.”
The Army birthday festival, which has been in the planning stages for about two years, is to include an array of activities and displays on the National Mall, including Army Stryker armored vehicles, Humvees, helicopters and other equipment.
In a statement, Col. David Butler, an Army spokesman, said that “it’s too early to say yet whether or not we’re having a parade but we’re working with the White House as well as several government agencies to make the celebration a national level event.”
Trump in his first term proposed having a grand military parade in the U.S. after watching one in France on Bastille Day in 2017. Trump said after watching the two-hour procession along the famed Champs-Elysees that he wanted a grander one in Washington on Pennsylvania Avenue.
But the event never happened due to expected high costs, with one estimate of a $92 million price tag, and logistical hangups.
Trump in 2018 said in a post on the social media site then known as Twitter that he was canceling the event over costs and accused local politicians of price gouging.
“When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it,” he said in his post.
Bowser, speaking at a news conference Monday, said she didn’t know if the event was being “characterized as a military parade” but said military tanks rolling through the city’s streets “would not be good.”
“If military tanks were used, they should be accompanied with many millions of dollars to repair the roads,” she said.
Takis Karantonis, the chair of the Arlington County Board, said in a statement that Secret Service contacted the county on Friday “regarding the possibility of a military parade to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army, but no further details were offered.”
Karantonis said it was not clear what the scope of the parade would be but said, “I would hope the Federal Government remains sensitive to the pain and concerns of numerous active military and veteran residents, who have lost or might lose their jobs in recent federal decisions, as they reflect on how best to celebrate the Army’s anniversary.”
Though Bowser was more matter-of-fact in her remarks Monday, the District of Columbia had publicly mocked the idea of a military parade during Trump’s first term.
The D.C. Council’s official account on X said in a January 2019 post about winter weather that schools and government offices would still open on time, but then added: “The Giant Tank Parade: Still cancelled.”
Months later, in June 2019, the account posted a Defense Department memo to show that the military opposed using tanks on city streets.
The latest parade plans were first reported by Washington City Paper on Sunday.
Associated Press writer Ashraf Khalil contributed to this report.
Supreme Court allows Trump to deport Venezuelans under wartime law, but only after judges’ review
By MARK SHERMAN
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday allowed the Trump administration to use an 18th century wartime law to deport Venezuelan migrants, but said they must get a court hearing before they are taken from the United States.
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But the conservative majority said the legal challenges must take place in Texas, instead of a Washington courtroom.
In dissent, the three liberal justices said the administration has sought to avoid judicial review in this case and the court “now rewards the government for its behavior.” Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined portions of the dissent.
The justices acted on the administration’s emergency appeal after the federal appeals court in Washington left in place an order temporarily prohibiting deportations of the migrants accused of being gang members under the rarely used Alien Enemies Act.
“For all the rhetoric of the dissents,” the court wrote in an unsigned opinion, the high court order confirms “that the detainees subject to removal orders under the AEA are entitled to notice and an opportunity to challenge their removal.”
The case has become a flashpoint amid escalating tension between the White House and the federal courts.
Attorney General Pam Bondi called the court’s ruling “a landmark victory for the rule of law.”
“An activist judge in Washington, DC does not have the jurisdiction to seize control of President Trump’s authority to conduct foreign policy and keep the American people safe,” Bondi wrote in a social media post.
The original order blocking the deportations to El Salvador was issued by U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg, the chief judge at the federal courthouse in Washington.
President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act for the first time since World War II to justify the deportation of hundreds of people under a presidential proclamation calling the Tren de Aragua gang an invading force.
Attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit on behalf of five Venezuelan noncitizens who were being held in Texas, hours after the proclamation was made public and as immigration authorities were shepherding hundreds of migrants to waiting airplanes.
Boasberg imposed a temporary halt on deportations and also ordered planeloads of Venezuelan immigrants to return to the U.S. That did not happen. The judge held a hearing last week over whether the government defied his order to turn the planes around. The administration has invoked a “ state secrets privilege ” and refused to give Boasberg any additional information about the deportations.
Trump and his allies have called for impeaching Boasberg. In a rare statement, Chief Justice John Roberts said “impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.”
Associated Press writer Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this report.
RFK Jr. says he plans to tell CDC to stop recommending fluoride in drinking water
By HANNAH SCHOENBAUM and MIKE STOBBE
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Monday said he plans to tell the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention soon to stop recommending fluoridation in communities nationwide. Kennedy also said he’s assembling a task force to focus on the issue.
Related Articles Trump administration is having early talks to hold a military parade in nation’s capital on June 14 Supreme Court allows Trump to deport Venezuelans under wartime law, but only after judges’ review Colleges around the US say some international students’ visas are being revoked Panetta authors, introduces Reclaim Trade Powers Act Maine sues the Trump administration over funding freeze after dispute over transgender athletesAlso on Monday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it is reviewing “new scientific information” on potential health risks of fluoride in drinking water. The EPA has primary authority to set the maximum level of fluoridation in public water systems.
Kennedy told The Associated Press of his plans after a news conference with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin in Salt Lake City.
Kennedy can’t order communities to stop fluoridation, but he can tell the CDC to stop recommending it and work with the EPA to change the allowed amount.
Utah last month became the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, pushing past opposition from dentists and national health organizations who warned the move would lead to medical problems that disproportionately affect low-income communities.
Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation barring cities and communities from deciding whether to add the cavity-preventing mineral to their water systems. Water systems across the state must shut down their fluoridation systems by May 7.
Kennedy praised Utah for emerging as “the leader in making America healthy again.” He was flanked by Utah legislative leaders and the sponsor of the state’s fluoride law.
“I’m very, very proud of this state for being the first state to ban it, and I hope many more will,” he said.
Kennedy oversees the CDC, whose recommendations are widely followed but not mandatory. State and local governments decide whether to add fluoride to water and, if so, how much — as long as it doesn’t exceed a maximum set by the EPA, which is currently 4 milligrams per liter.
Zeldin said his agency was launching a renewed examination of scientific studies on the potential health risks of fluoride in drinking water to help inform any changes to the national standards.
“When this evaluation is completed, we will have an updated foundational scientific evaluation that will inform the agency’s future steps,” Zeldin said. “Secretary Kennedy has long been at the forefront of this issue. His advocacy was instrumental in our decision to review fluoride exposure risks, and we are committed to working alongside him, utilizing sound science as we advance our mission of protecting human health and the environment.”
Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the CDC. In 1950, federal officials endorsed water fluoridation to prevent tooth decay, and in 1962 set guidelines for how much should be added to water.
Kennedy, a former environmental lawyer, has called fluoride a “dangerous neurotoxin” and said it has been associated with arthritis, bone breaks and thyroid disease. Some studies have suggested such links might exist, usually at higher-than-recommended fluoride levels, though some reviewers have questioned the quality of available evidence and said no definitive conclusions can be drawn.
In November, just days before the presidential election, Kennedy declared that Donald Trump would push to remove fluoride from drinking water on his first day as president. That didn’t happen, but Trump later picked Kennedy to run the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where he has been expected to take some kind of action. Meanwhile, some localities have gone ahead and decisions whether to keep fluoridating water.
Related to all this: A massive round of staffing cuts last week across federal agencies included elimination of the CDC’s 20-person Division of Oral Health. That office managed grants to local agencies to improve dental health and, in come cases, encourage fluoridation.
Fluoride can come from a number of sources, but drinking water is the main one for Americans, researchers say. Nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population gets fluoridated drinking water, according to CDC data. The addition of low levels of fluoride to drinking water was long considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century.
About one-third of community water systems — 17,000 out of 51,000 across the U.S. — serving more than 60% of the population fluoridated their water, according to a 2022 CDC analysis. The agency currently recommends 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water.
But over time, studies have documented potential problems. Too much fluoride has been associated with streaking or spots on teeth. Studies also have traced a link between excess fluoride and brain development.
A report last year by the federal government’s National Toxicology Program, which summarized studies conducted in Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan and Mexico, concluded that drinking water with more than 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per liter — more than twice the recommended level in the U.S. — was associated with lower IQs in kids.
Utah Oral Health Coalition chairperson Lorna Koci said Monday that she hopes other states push back against the removal of fluoride and that Kennedy’s visit to celebrate her state’s fluoride ban underscores the political motivations of those who support it.
She predicted children will have more cavities as a result and said backers of the fluoride legislation in Utah spread false information that raised doubts about its effectiveness. Opponents of the law warned it would disproportionately affect low-income residents who may rely on public drinking water containing fluoride as their only source of preventative dental care.
“This seems to be less about fluoride and more about power,” Koci said.
Stobbe reported from New York. Associated Press writer Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana, contributed reporting,
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Colleges around the US say some international students’ visas are being revoked
By ANNIE MA
WASHINGTON (AP) — Colleges around the country are reporting some of their international students’ visas are being revoked unexpectedly, expressing alarm over what appears to be a new level of government scrutiny.
Related Articles Trump administration is having early talks to hold a military parade in nation’s capital on June 14 Supreme Court allows Trump to deport Venezuelans under wartime law, but only after judges’ review RFK Jr. says he plans to tell CDC to stop recommending fluoride in drinking water Panetta authors, introduces Reclaim Trade Powers Act Maine sues the Trump administration over funding freeze after dispute over transgender athletesVisas can be canceled for a number of reasons, but college leaders say the government has been quietly terminating students’ legal residency status with little notice to students or schools. That marks a shift from past practice and leaves students vulnerable to detention and deportation.
The list of colleges that have discovered students have had their legal status terminated includes Harvard, Stanford, Michigan, UCLA and Ohio State University.
The Trump administration has targeted students who had been involved with pro-Palestinian activism or speech, with a few high-profile detentions of students including Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder who was a leader of protests at Columbia University.
But more schools are seeing visas stripped from students with no known connection to protests. In some cases, past infractions such as traffic violations have been cited. Some colleges say the reasons remain unclear to them — and they are seeking answers.
“What you’re seeing happening with international students is really a piece of the much greater scrutiny that the Trump administration is bringing to bear on immigrants of all different categories,” said Michelle Mittelstadt, director of public affairs at the Migration Policy Institute.
Many college officials and students have only found out about the changes when they have checked a federal database and seen changes to an individual’s immigration status.
How do student visas work?Students in other countries must meet a series of requirements to obtain a student visa, usually an F-1. After gaining admission to a school in the U.S., students go through an application and interview process at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
Students on an F-1 visa must show they have enough financial support for their course of study in the U.S. They have to remain in good standing with their academic program and are generally limited in their ability to work off-campus during their academic program.
Entry visas are managed by the State Department. Once they’re in the U.S., international students’ legal status is overseen by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program under the Department of Homeland Security.
Leaders at many colleges learned the legal status of some of their international students had been terminated when they checked a database managed by Homeland Security. In the past, college officials say, visas typically were revoked after schools updated the government when students fell out of status.
After losing legal residency, students are told to leave the countryHistorically, students who had their visas revoked were allowed to keep their legal residency status and complete their studies.
The lack of a valid visa only limited their ability to leave the U.S. and return, something they could reapply for with the State Department. But if a student has lost residency status, they must leave immediately or risk detention by immigration authorities.
Higher education leaders worry the arrests and revocations could have a chilling effect on international education in the United States.
FILE – Students walk on the Stanford University campus, March 14, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)The lack of clarity of what is leading to revocations can create a sense of fear among students, said Sarah Spreitzer, vice president of government relations at the American Council on Education.
“The very public actions that are being taken by ICE and the Department of Homeland Security around some of these students, where they are removing these students from their homes or from their streets, that’s not usually done unless there is a security issue when a student visa is revoked,” she said. “The threat of this very quick removal is something that’s new.”
Colleges are trying to reassure studentsIn messages to their campuses, colleges have said they are asking the federal government for answers on what led to the terminations. Others have re-emphasized travel precautions to students, recommending they carry their passport and other immigration documents with them.
College leaders spoke of a growing sense of uncertainty and anxiety.
“These are unprecedented times, and our normal guiding principles for living in a democratic society are being challenged,” University of Massachusetts Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco wrote in an email. “With the rate and depth of changes occurring, we must be thoughtful in how we best prepare, protect, and respond.”
Suárez-Orozco said the legal residency status had been canceled for two students and “five other members of our university community including recent graduates participating in training programs.”
The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Recipe: Vegan lemon mousse with cherry compote
Making vegan mousse can be tricky. Using chocolate is a common way to help structure and flavor it, but chef Katie Reicher struggled to with developing a non-chocolate version. “I had a “eureka!” moment one day when I realized that the main ingredient in chocolate that gives it that lovely texture is cocoa butter, which is widely available online and in health food stores. We tried it out as a base for mousses, and it works like a charm!” she writes in her forthcoming cookbook, “Seasons of Greens” (Weldon Owen, $45).
Vegan Lemon Mousse with Cherry CompoteServes 4
INGREDIENTSFor the mousse:
6 ounces (170 g) food-grade cocoa butter
1 3/4 tablespoons (25 g) coconut oil
1 block (8 ounces) silken tofu
1/2 cup (150 g) agave nectar
1/4 cup (55 g) soy milk
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1/4 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
For the cherry compote:
2 cups (300 g) pitted red or black cherries, such as Bing
2/3 cup (70 g) sugar
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon cornstarch
DIRECTIONSMelt the cocoa butter and coconut oil together over simmering water in a double boiler. While the cocoa butter melts, add the remaining ingredients to a blender pitcher. You may also place everything in a bowl and use an immersion blender. Once the cocoa butter is completely melted, add the mixture to the blender pitcher or bowl and blend until smooth. The mixture should be quite loose. Split the mousse into four 1 cup (240 ml) ramekins or jars and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the mousse overnight until firm.
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The following day when the lemon mousse has set, top each ramekin with the cherry compote and serve. Optional: top with crushed graham crackers.
— Courtesy Katie Reicher, “Seasons of Greens” (Weldon Owen, $45)
