A federal judge blocked the Trump administration Wednesday from drastically cutting medical research funding that many scientists say will endanger patients and cost jobs.
The new National Institutes of Health policy would strip research groups of hundreds of millions of dollars to cover so-called indirect expenses of studying Alzheimer's, cancer, heart disease and a host of other illnesses — anything from clinical trials of new treatments to basic lab research that is the foundation for discoveries.
Separate lawsuits filed by a group of 22 states plus organizations representing universities, hospitals and research institutions nationwide sued to stop the cuts, saying they would cause "irreparable harm."
This 2015 photo shows the James H. Shannon Building on the National Institutes of Health campus in Bethesda, Md.
U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley in Boston temporarily blocked the cuts last month. She filed a preliminary injunction Wednesday to put the cuts on hold longer while the suits proceed.
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The NIH, the main funder of biomedical research, awarded about $35 billion in grants to research groups last year. The total is divided into "direct" costs — covering researchers' salaries and laboratory supplies — and "indirect" costs, the administrative and facility costs needed to support that work.
The Trump administration dismissed those expenses as "overhead," but universities and hospitals argue they're far more critical. They can include such things as electricity to operate sophisticated machinery, hazardous waste disposal, staff who ensure researchers follow safety rules and janitorial workers.
Under prior policy, the government negotiated those rates with institutions. As an example, an institution with a 50% indirect cost rate would get another $50,000 to cover indirect expenses for a $100,000 project. The NIH's new policy would cap indirect costs at a flat rate of 15% instead, calculated to cut about $4 billion a year.
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, President Donald Trump's choice to be Director of the National Institutes of Health, appears before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee for his confirmation hearing Wednesday at Capitol Hill in Washington.
Nominee questioned on funding, vaccines
Meanwhile, a health economist who once famously clashed with officials at the NIH and now is the nominee to lead the agency faced questions from senators from both parties Wednesday about drastic funding cuts and research priorities.
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford University professor, was an outspoken critic of the government's COVID-19 shutdowns and vaccine policies. Now he's poised to become director of the NIH, long called the government's crown jewel, as it faces mass firings and drastic funding cutbacks.
"I love the NIH but post-pandemic, America's biomedical sciences are at a crossroads," Bhattacharya told senators.
He laid out priorities including a bigger focus on chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. But he also said the agency needs to be more open to scientific dissent, saying influential NIH leaders early in the pandemic shut down his own criticisms about responses to COVID-19.
While Republicans warmly welcomed Bhattacharya, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., who chairs the Senate health committee, pressed him about vaccine skepticism that is fueling a large measles outbreak that already killed a child in Texas.
Cassidy strenuously urged Bhattacharya not to waste NIH dollars reexamining whether there's a link between standard childhood vaccines and autism. There's no link — something that's already been proven in studies involving thousands of children, the senator stressed.
Chairman Bill Cassidy, R-La., speaks to Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, President Donald Trump's choice to be Director of the National Institutes of Health, at his confirmation hearing Wednesday before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee at Capitol Hill in Washington.
Bhattacharya called the measles death a tragedy and said he "fully supported" children being vaccinated but added that additional research might convince skeptical parents.
"People still think Elvis is alive," a frustrated Cassidy responded. He told Bhattacharya any attempt to revisit the debunked issue would deprive funds to study autism's real cause.
Some Senators, including Sen. Susan Collins, R.-Maine, and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., expressed deep frustration that turmoil at the nation's largest funder of medical research — mass firings and funding cuts and freezes — threatens the development of cures and new treatments for cancer, Alzheimer's disease and host of other disorders.
They pushed Bhattacharya about how he'd reverse those losses, including one set of funding cuts — paused Wednesday by Kelley — that they said is forbidden by a congressional spending law.
Bhattacharya said he had no part in those cuts and if confirmed as NIH's director, he'd look carefully at the concerns to make sure researchers "have the resources they need." He also said some of the Trump administration's cuts are a signal of distrust of science.
Until recently, the $48 billion NIH had strong bipartisan support. NIH scientists conduct cutting-edge research at its 27 institutes specializing in diseases including cancer, chronic illnesses such as heart, lung and kidney disease, aging and Alzheimer's.
Most of the agency's budget is dispersed to universities, hospitals and other research groups through highly competitive grants to conduct everything from basic research to clinical trials.
NIH-funded research played a part in the development of most treatments approved in the U.S. in recent years.
5 common nutritional deficiencies that could be affecting your day-to-day life
5 common nutritional deficiencies that could be affecting your day-to-day life
Although food is abundant in the United States, many people still don't get enough of the right nutrients. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only met the recommended fruit and vegetable intake in 2019, leading to a lack of nutrients that can help boost their immunity and prevent severe illnesses.
Apart from having a healthy diet of at least a day, as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, consumers also have access to an array of dietary options, supplements, and nutrient-rich drinks that can boost nutrient levels that could help them meet their daily nutritional goals. Even then, it's difficult to know where the root of the problem begins and what to consume more of.
dove into the science and research, primarily from the and , to find five common nutritional deficiencies and how to spot them.
One potential reason for present-day deficiencies is malabsorption, which happens when the body doesn't properly process nutrients. Malabsorption issues could occur in any part of the digestion process, from the breaking down of food to elimination from the body. People with this issue often experience diarrhea.
Another culprit could also be too much sugar. In a study published by Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, researchers found that individuals with diets where experience deficiencies in vitamins A, C, and E, plus magnesium.
Even for those focused on eating healthy food and avoiding sugar, avoiding nutrient deficiencies can seem like a part-time job. Trusted doctors may not have enough training to give guidance. In by medical schools in the U.S. and the U.K. from 2015 and 2020 published by the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics in 2022, researchers found that students only received an average of 11 hours of training in nutrition throughout the program compared with the 25 nutrition training hours recommended by the National Academy of Sciences in 1985.
For those who may want additional guidance, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has to search for credentialed experts who can help develop a game plan for getting enough nutrients. In the meantime, here are five common nutritional deficiencies to watch out for and how to address them. The  noted the recommended dietary allowances.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that affects systems throughout the body. When the body isn't getting enough of this nutrient, people experience such symptoms as fatigue, depression, anemia, pale skin, and tingling hands or feet.
Those at risk include older adults, especially those with gastritis; people who experience gastrointestinal disorders like celiac disease or Crohn's disease; and infants born to vegans. Because animal products almost exclusively contain B12, vegans, and even omnivores choosing to consume more of their protein from plant sources, are also at risk for deficiency.
The good news is there are other ways to reach the recommended daily allowance of 2.4 micrograms per day for adults. Taking supplements is one option, but B12-fortified foods such as clams, tuna, and tempeh are another possibility: One of them, nutritional yeast, is the for vegan mac and "cheese."
However, note that B12 interacts with some prescriptions, such as anti-inflammatory drugs or vitamin C supplements, so ask your doctor or pharmacist and read labels.
Vitamin D
One thing that sets vitamin D apart from other nutrients is one doesn't need to rely solely on diet or supplements: Exposure to sunlight is one source. Fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified milk (both dairy and plant-based) are also , according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient that helps the body absorb calcium, promote bone health, avoid osteoporosis, and manage inflammation. Without enough vitamin D, you may experience muscle spasms, bone deformities, and muscle weakness. A target amount of vitamin D for optimal health is . However, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine notes that guidelines vary for different countries, citing "an incomplete understanding of the biology and clinical implications of vitamin D."
People who don't get too much sun, those with darker skin, and those who have undergone gastric bypass surgery are at risk of Vitamin D deficiency.
Calcium
Calcium is a crucial mineral for many structures and processes throughout the body, including healthy bones and teeth, blood circulation, and clotting. Muscle spasms and bone diseases, including osteoporosis, often result without enough calcium.
Postmenopausal women also tend to lack calcium since menopause leads to bone loss due to decreased estrogen production. Because the nutrient is present in dairy, those with allergies or who choose to avoid that food group for other reasons also risk deficiency.
Getting enough calcium on a nondairy diet is doable but takes more work. Beans, seeds, nuts, and soy are good choices. Darky leafy greens, like kale, spinach, and arugula, contribute significant amounts of the nutrient.
Most adults need about 1,000 milligrams per day, though the ideal amount for adults over 70 is 1,200 milligrams.
One thing to remember is that calcium needs vitamin D for absorption. While consuming calcium-rich foods, one should also ensure enough vitamin D intake.
Magnesium
Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis are major health concerns today, and magnesium helps to avoid and combat those conditions. Consuming this mineral also helps optimize blood sugar and pressure, as well as make protein, bone, and DNA.
Some people who often exhibit magnesium deficiency include those with Type 2 diabetes, people with chronic alcoholism, or older adults. Those with deficiencies also often exhibit , including vomiting, loss of appetite, tremors, and more.
Fortunately, magnesium is readily accessible in foods available via most diets: beans, grains, nuts, and leafy greens. Most adults need between 310 and 400 milligrams daily, but pregnancy and breastfeeding can boost the required level.
Protein
Protein is necessary for muscle formation. It's also an important nutrient for many other physiological processes, including repairing muscles and shortening recovery periods after exercise—but not all proteins are created equal.
Plant proteins also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, while consuming more red meat (another good source of protein) , according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Other sources of dietary protein include fish, poultry, and dairy products.
Different sources suggest recommended daily amounts of protein, but the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends daily. Deficiencies of this macronutrient can cause health problems, including stunted growth, loss of muscle, decreased immunity, and weakening of the heart.
Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
This story originally appeared on Live It Up and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
5 common nutritional deficiencies that could be affecting your day-to-day life
