Free Republic

A wave of school protests sweeping the US in response to the fatal shooting of two anti-ICE protesters in Minnesota has revealed how teachers unions have weaponized classrooms for their own left-wing agenda. The unions have revealed themselves as political operatives more concerned with indoctrinating kids than teaching them reading, writing and arithmetic. These disruptions didn’t materialize out of thin air. The teachers’ unions fired the starting gun by blasting out anti-ICE propaganda to teachers, urging them to rally against immigration enforcement and turn schools into battlegrounds for their partisan fights. The National Education Association is also pushing teachers to...

A pilot study has found evidence of Bartonella and Babesia infection in almost half of 50 blood samples from patients suffering chronic fatigue syndrome, also called myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Bartonella species comprise a group of vector-borne bacteria transmitted primarily via arthropods like fleas, lice and potentially ticks, but also by the animals that harbor the bacteria in their blood. For example, Bartonella henselae is associated with cat scratch disease, which until recently was thought to be a short-lived (or self-limiting) infection. There are at least 45 different known Bartonella species, of which 18 have been found to infect humans. Improved...

A collaborative team of researchers and students have studied the impact of a backward walking program on individuals with multiple sclerosis. The team led by Dr. Nora Fritz, conducted the study to determine whether backward walking training could improve mobility, balance and brain structure, and reduce the risk of falling. Participants were involved in eight weeks of treadmill and overground backward walking therapies. "The results of this pilot trial indicated that backward walking training led to measurable improvements in postural stability and gait speed in a majority of those participating in the study," said Fritz. "This suggests that backward walking...

Top California Republican Steve Hilton blasted GOP rival Sheriff Chad Bianco for skipping Tuesday’s gubernatorial debate — and for taking a knee with George Floyd protesters in 2020. Before answering questions from moderators, Hilton wanted to address the “RINO who is not in the room.” “In 2020, during the Black Lives Matter riots, he took a knee when told to by BLM,” Hilton said. “Now, he says he was praying.” Hilton urged voters not to take his word for it, but see the video of the “shifty sheriff” online for themselves. ... Hilton is considered the leading Republican in the...

The team carefully examined the liquid’s appearance and color before opening it up. Finding that the cork had a slight vinegary smell, they began extracting the liquid to determine the type of alcohol. “We weren’t sure if it was clear spirit, if it was aged spirit, if it was beer, if it was wine, if it was champagne,” Winter said. To minimize disturbance, the group used a Coravin device, which allows liquid to be extracted without fully removing the cork. When the bottle was opened, the team took careful note of its smell. Tara Lindley, director of sensory and product...

A research collaboration has led to a major leap forward in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Recently published clinical trial results have shown evidence that switching part of the standard chemotherapy protocol for a targeted immunotherapy, can significantly improve outcomes for young people living with the disease. The study enrolled 55 patients with ALL aged 15 to 39 who underwent treatment between 2019 and 2022. During the study, the typical treatment regimen was altered so that one of the most intensive chemotherapy stages was replaced with blinatumomab, a drug that directs the immune system to hunt and destroy...

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A chemical used in some over-the-counter eye drops may affect liver cells and be transformed to a PFAS-like substance. This is according to a new study. "We initiated the study last year to follow up on questions from a journalist about the safety of eye drops," says Tuulia Hyötyläinen. The Örebro researchers have studied a fluorinated compound, perfluorohexyloctane, which has properties and a structure that resembles PFAS. One difference is that it has previously been assumed to be biologically inactive. Meaning that it should not affect biological processes in the body. "Our study shows that this assumption may not always...

Many biological processes exhibit daytime differences governed by rhythmic exposure to sunlight, termed circadian rhythms. Researchers recently found, in mice, that a protein critical to intestinal barrier function—helping the gut absorb nutrients while blocking harmful pathogens—is rhythmically controlled by nighttime liver metabolism of the molecule tryptophan. In this study, researchers found that when tryptophan—an amino acid needed to synthesize vital proteins—is ingested, it travels to the liver. There, tryptophan produces metabolites—molecular byproducts of metabolism—that activate a protein called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ah receptor), which then works to improve barrier function in the gut. Gary Perdew, said that the findings...

Intravenous tenecteplase administered within 4.5 hours after onset of central retinal artery occlusion does not improve vision recovery at 30 days compared with oral aspirin, according to a study. Stephen J. Ryan, M.D. and colleagues conducted a phase 3, randomized, controlled trial involving adults with acute, nonarteritic central retinal artery occlusion who had symptom onset within 4.5 hours before treatment. Patients at 16 sites in six countries were randomly assigned to receive intravenous tenecteplase and oral placebo or intravenous placebo and oral aspirin (40 and 38 individuals, respectively). Vision recovery was assessed as the primary end point, defined as a...

Chlamydia pneumoniae—a common bacterium that causes pneumonia and sinus infections—can linger in the eye and brain for years and may aggravate Alzheimer's disease, according to a study. The discovery suggests this bacterium can amplify Alzheimer's disease and points to potential interventions including inflammation-limiting therapies and early antibiotic treatment. The study shows for the first time that Chlamydia pneumoniae can reach the retina—the tissue lining the back of the eye—where it triggers immune responses linked to inflammation, nerve cell death and cognitive decline. "Seeing Chlamydia pneumoniae consistently across human tissues, cell cultures and animal models allowed us to identify a previously...

Patients with advanced lung cancer who received immunochemotherapy before 15:00 (3 p.m.) had a more delayed disease progression than patients receiving treatment later in the day. The findings, published as part of a randomized phase 3 trial of 210 participants, suggest that scheduling therapy early in the day may offer a simple, cost-neutral way to enhance standard care. Circadian rhythms, the internal 24-hour clock, are known to affect immune cell behavior and responses to treatment. Previous retrospective studies across cancers, such as kidney cancer and malignant melanoma, have hinted that administering immune checkpoint inhibitors earlier in the day might be...

The video highlights a batch of fresh polls (mostly from the past day or two) to argue the opposite is true. Key points covered in the video: Trump's approval rating sitting at around 50% (e.g., 50-49 in Insider Advantage and Harvard Harris polls among likely voters), roughly matching his 2024 election performance levels. Massive Republican fundraising edge: $694 million cash on hand vs. Democrats' $167 million. The host notes historical data showing that the better-funded side wins the large majority of House and Senate races. Voter registration trends in key swing states: Pennsylvania GOP closing in on (or nearly surpassing)...

Investigators report that a once-daily intranasal saline spray resolved obstructive sleep-disordered breathing symptoms in nearly one-third of children over six weeks. No added benefit was observed from adding an intranasal steroid for children whose symptoms persisted. Obstructive breathing during sleep, also called obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (OSDB), is common in childhood and is associated with significant comorbidity. Prevalence in children can reach up to 12%. Adenotonsillectomy is first-line therapy for pediatric OSDB and a leading reason children undergo surgery, with reported improvements in sleep. Surgery comes at a cost with risk of adverse effects. In the study, researchers conducted a double-blind,...

Doctors have found that metformin, an everyday medicine for diabetes, is associated with less progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of blindness in western countries. In a recent study, people with diabetes over the age of 55 years taking metformin were 37% less likely to develop the intermediate stage of AMD over a five-year period compared to those not taking metformin. AMD is a disease that affects the central retina or macular at the back of the eye. It eventually causes the light-sensitive tissue to die off (geographic atrophy, a form of dry AMD) or be...

It's easy to spot a Mazda long before you've gotten close enough to check out the logo or detailing. That is, it's easy if it's finished in the company's signature Soul Red Crystal: a reflective, multi-layered coating crafted with bright pigments, tiny aluminum fragments, and light-absorbing flakes. Although the color is eye-catching courtesy of its reflective shimmer and depth, that's not the main reason why it's so well known. It's actually mostly because of the specialist and exclusive way the paint is applied and designed.

12:59 PM PT -- The Pima County Sheriff's Department posted on X they are "aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie."

A January survey from Harvard University and The Harris Poll found that a slight majority of respondents believe that former President Biden was more effective than President Trump. The poll, released Monday, found that 51 percent of respondents said Trump is doing a worse job than Biden, while 49 percent said the president is doing a better job than his predecessor. The same survey conducted in December found that 53 percent of respondents said Trump is faring better than Biden did. The latest results also mark a stark reversal from February 2025, when 58 percent of respondents to the Harvard-Harris...

Lots of videos. Most with people blacked-out. Epstein Videos

There are three advertisements displayed in a cycle on the digital billboard at Jefferson and Mason streets. One reads, “Defensive player of the year: ICE,” and shows an ICE agent holding a trophy. Another reads, “Cheering because the home team finally started investing in defense,” with ICE agents shown in riot gear lined up along the border wall.