Scientists May Have Actually Found One Of The Causes Of Autism-l
In recent years, an increasing body of research has emphasized the crucial role our gut microbiome plays in maintaining our health. From influencing our response to fear and negative stimuli to affecting our weight, mental health, and even the likelihood of developing autoimmune diseases such as lupus and type 1 diabetes, the microbiome has been shown to have a profound impact on various aspects of our well-being.
A new study, published in The Journal of Immunology, has uncovered a fascinating connection between the gut microbiome and autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder, using animal models. However, it turns out that it’s not our own microbiome that affects the development of autism, but rather the microbiome of our mothers, the researchers found.
John Lukens, the lead researcher and a PhD student from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, explained, “The microbiome can shape the developing brain in multiple ways. It is really important to the calibration of how the offspring’s immune system is going to respond to infection, injury, or stress.”
A key player in this process appears to be a molecule called interleukin-17a (IL-17a), which is produced by the immune system. IL-17a has already been linked to various autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis. It plays a significant role in preventing infections, especially fungal infections, and has been shown to impact brain development during pregnancy.
In this study, the researchers tested whether IL-17a could be a trigger for autism. They experimented by blocking IL-17a in lab mice. The mice used for the study were from two different laboratory groups. One group had a gut microbiome that made them susceptible to an IL-17a-induced inflammatory response, while the second group (the control group) did not.
When IL-17a was blocked in the first group of mice, preventing any IL-17a-induced inflammation, their pups were born exhibiting typical behaviors. However, in the unaltered environment, the pups born to mothers in the first group went on to develop autism-like neurodevelopmental symptoms, including social difficulties and repetitive behaviors.
To further investigate the link, the researchers performed a fecal transplant on the control group mice, transferring fecal matter from the first group to alter the gut microbiome of the control group. As expected, the pups in the second group began to develop autism-like neurodevelopmental conditions, confirming that the microbiome plays a significant role in the development of these conditions.
While this study provides strong evidence of a connection between maternal gut health and the onset of neurodevelopmental disorders, it is still in its early stages. Researchers caution that these findings are preliminary and may not necessarily apply directly to human pregnancies. Nonetheless, it opens an intriguing new avenue for autism research and highlights the importance of the mother’s microbiome in shaping the child’s neurodevelopment.
The next step in this line of investigation, Lukens mentioned, is to determine if similar patterns can be found in humans. Researchers will need to explore the specific factors within the mother’s microbiome that may contribute to the development of autism. There may also be other molecules at play. As Lukens pointed out, IL-17a could be just one piece of a much larger, more complex puzzle.
This study underscores the intricate relationship between our microbiomes and our health, suggesting that the microbial environment within the mother’s gut could be a critical factor in neurodevelopmental conditions, potentially guiding future therapeutic strategies for autism and similar disorders.
Rep. Ilhan Omar Intensifies Criticism of Federal Immigration Enforcement
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota sharply escalated her criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations on Monday, accusing federal agents of treating Minneapolis as an occupying force and again calling for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s resignation or impeachment.
In remarks to constituents in Minneapolis, Omar repeatedly described the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal officers in the city as an inappropriate use of government authority, saying the situation has created fear among local residents. Omar said Minneapolis is “currently under occupation” and cited concerns about schools, hospitals and daily life as evidence of what she called harmful federal intervention.
“We do not exaggerate when we say we have schools where two-thirds of the students are afraid to go to school,” Omar said. “We do not exaggerate when we say we have people who are afraid to go to the hospital because our hospitals have occupying paramilitary forces.”
Omar referenced two recent fatalities during federal immigration operations in Minneapolis — the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good — and argued those incidents underscored the need for new leadership at DHS. In her remarks, she blamed senior White House advisers for shaping the administration’s immigration policies.
“When we say it is time for Kristi Noem to go, we mean it now,” Omar added. “And there needs to be accountability for the architect of the terror we are facing in Minneapolis and so many other cities, which is Stephen Miller.”
Omar’s comments follow an appearance on MSNBC’s All In with Chris Hayes, where she reiterated those positions and broadened her critique to include senior administration officials. In that interview, she said Noem should resign or face impeachment, echoing earlier statements from House Democratic leadership. Omar also repeated criticism of Miller, a senior White House adviser on immigration policy, calling him a “copycat of the Nazis” and suggesting he should be prosecuted.
Her remarks also tied national Republican rhetoric on immigration to broader social tensions, asserting that aggressive enforcement language has “created anger” that can lead to confrontations with Somali immigrants and other community members in Minnesota.
Omar’s public criticism comes amid the ongoing federal immigration operation known as Operation Metro Surge. Federal agents have been deployed to Minneapolis to apprehend illegal immigrants with criminal convictions, drawing protests and heightened scrutiny from local officials and advocacy groups.
Democratic lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), have called for increased oversight of DHS and ICE policies as part of broader negotiations over long-term funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Jeffries has publicly stated that Noem should be impeached if she does not resign, and Schumer has called for additional conditions on immigration enforcement in appropriations legislation.
In response to increased political pressure, DHS has taken steps to increase transparency in its operations. Earlier this week, Secretary Kristi Noem announced that body-worn cameras will be issued to all federal immigration enforcement officers deployed in Minneapolis as an immediate measure, with plans to expand the program nationwide as funding becomes available. “Effective immediately we are deploying body cameras to every officer in the field in Minneapolis,” Noem wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Federal officials have said that some Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers present during the Jan. 24 shooting of Pretti were already equipped with body cameras, though full footage has not been released. Officials have not yet clarified whether ICE officers were wearing cameras during the earlier fatal encounter involving Good.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz responded to Noem’s announcement by saying body cameras should have been in place prior to the deaths of Pretti and Good, who were tragically killed while interfering with ICE law enforcement operations.
20 Minutes ago in Arizona, Savannah Guthrie was confirmed as… See more
Just 20 minutes ago in Arizona, Savannah Guthrie was confirmed as the focus of a rapidly developing update that has already begun to ripple across newsrooms and social media.
While early headlines sparked confusion and speculation, sources close to the situation emphasized that the confirmation centers on a professional development rather than the alarming rumors that briefly circulated online.
The speed at which the news broke—paired with Guthrie’s high public profile—helped fuel the immediate surge of attention, with viewers eager for clarity and context.
According to initial reports, the confirmation came during a tightly scheduled appearance in Arizona, where Guthrie has been involved in ongoing media commitments.
Attendees described a composed and focused presence, noting that the announcement was handled with care and precision. Industry insiders say the timing underscores how quickly information now travels, especially when it involves trusted faces in broadcast journalism.
Within minutes, clips, quotes, and partial summaries began trending, amplifying both interest and misunderstanding.
What stands out most is the response from colleagues and longtime viewers. Messages of support and curiosity poured in, reflecting the connection Guthrie has built over years of consistent reporting and calm authority during major national moments.
Analysts suggest that the public reaction speaks less to the announcement itself and more to the trust audiences place in familiar voices—when news breaks about them, it feels personal. That trust has kept the conversation largely measured, even as speculation continues.
As details continue to emerge, media observers caution against jumping to conclusions based on incomplete information. Full context is expected to be clarified through official channels shortly, and until then, reputable sources urge patience.
One thing is clear: when news involves a figure as recognizable as Savannah Guthrie, even a brief confirmation can command national attention in minutes. Stay tuned as this story develops and the full picture comes into focus.
DOJ Indicts 14 Members Of ‘Extensive’ Migrant Smuggling Operation
The Justice Department announced that it has charged 14 members of an “extensive alien smuggling organization,” while eight other people were also arrested for smuggling hundreds of illegal migrants into the U.S.
A grand jury in Las Cruces, New Mexico, returned an indictment against 14 individuals for conspiracy to transport, harbor, and bring illegal aliens into the United States. According to a DOJ press release, eight of those charged were arrested.
The Justice Department announced that it has charged 14 members of an “extensive alien smuggling organization,” while eight other people were also arrested for smuggling hundreds of illegal migrants into the U.S.
A grand jury in Las Cruces, New Mexico, returned an indictment against 14 individuals for conspiracy to transport, harbor, and bring illegal aliens into the United States. According to a DOJ press release, eight of those charged were arrested.
“Today’s indictment alleges that the defendants engaged in a sophisticated conspiracy to smuggle aliens into and throughout the United States at great danger to the aliens, resulting in the death of one person,” said Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
“The Justice Department worked with our partners at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to dismantle an alien smuggling organization based in Mexico that has allegedly smuggled hundreds of illegal aliens, including unaccompanied children, through New Mexico and South Texas,” Bacon continued.
“We are committed to eliminating transnational alien smuggling organizations that exploit migrants purely for profit and undermine our national security.”
According to the indictment, the defendants were involved in a conspiracy to unlawfully bring undocumented individuals from Mexico into the United States via the southern border. The indictment claims that the defendants also facilitated the transportation of these individuals within the U.S. and concealed them in “stash houses” along the route, said the press release.
In some instances, the defendants allegedly evaded law enforcement by driving at high speeds and advising the undocumented individuals on how to flee from U.S. Border Patrol and bypass checkpoints. The indictment further alleges that one undocumented individual died from heat exposure during a smuggling attempt and was abandoned in the desert, the DOJ added.
“Human smuggling organizations threaten our national security and exploit vulnerable individuals for profit, putting their lives at risk and undermining public safety,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin for the District of New Mexico.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of New Mexico is committed to continuing to work with our federal, state and local partners to dismantle transnational human smuggling organizations, hold their leaders accountable, and seize the illicit proceeds generated by these exploitative enterprises,” Kastrin continued.
The arrests come following a series of executive orders signed by President Donald Trump ordering reversals of nearly all of the Biden-Harris immigration and border policies that essentially created an “open border” situation for most of their four-year term.
During the last administration, it is estimated that nearly 8 million people were detected crossing illegally into the U.S. under Biden-Harris.
“We are appreciative of our brave law enforcement partners for their continued vigilance in investigating and apprehending members of transnational criminal organizations who conspire to undermine our nation’s immigration laws for their profit, with a callous and reckless disregard for the sanctity of life,” said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) El Paso Special Agent in Charge Jason T. Stevens.
“As this case sadly demonstrates, human smuggling is a crime that takes lives and puts the public at risk. ICE HSI is passionately devoted to using its abundant authority to identify, investigate, and arrest criminals who prey on the vulnerabilities of people they treat as human cargo,” Stevens noted further, per the DOJ press release.
Each defendant is charged with conspiracy to bring, transport, and harbor illegal aliens in the United States. If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
A federal district court judge will determine the final sentence, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors, the DOJ added in its press release.
“Today’s indictment alleges that the defendants engaged in a sophisticated conspiracy to smuggle aliens into and throughout the United States at great danger to the aliens, resulting in the death of one person,” said Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
“The Justice Department worked with our partners at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to dismantle an alien smuggling organization based in Mexico that has allegedly smuggled hundreds of illegal aliens, including unaccompanied children, through New Mexico and South Texas,” Bacon continued.
“We are committed to eliminating transnational alien smuggling organizations that exploit migrants purely for profit and undermine our national security.”
According to the indictment, the defendants were involved in a conspiracy to unlawfully bring undocumented individuals from Mexico into the United States via the southern border. The indictment claims that the defendants also facilitated the transportation of these individuals within the U.S. and concealed them in “stash houses” along the route, said the press release.
In some instances, the defendants allegedly evaded law enforcement by driving at high speeds and advising the undocumented individuals on how to flee from U.S. Border Patrol and bypass checkpoints. The indictment further alleges that one undocumented individual died from heat exposure during a smuggling attempt and was abandoned in the desert, the DOJ added.
“Human smuggling organizations threaten our national security and exploit vulnerable individuals for profit, putting their lives at risk and undermining public safety,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin for the District of New Mexico.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of New Mexico is committed to continuing to work with our federal, state and local partners to dismantle transnational human smuggling organizations, hold their leaders accountable, and seize the illicit proceeds generated by these exploitative enterprises,” Kastrin continued.
The arrests come following a series of executive orders signed by President Donald Trump ordering reversals of nearly all of the Biden-Harris immigration and border policies that essentially created an “open border” situation for most of their four-year term.
During the last administration, it is estimated that nearly 8 million people were detected crossing illegally into the U.S. under Biden-Harris.
“We are appreciative of our brave law enforcement partners for their continued vigilance in investigating and apprehending members of transnational criminal organizations who conspire to undermine our nation’s immigration laws for their profit, with a callous and reckless disregard for the sanctity of life,” said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) El Paso Special Agent in Charge Jason T. Stevens.
“As this case sadly demonstrates, human smuggling is a crime that takes lives and puts the public at risk. ICE HSI is passionately devoted to using its abundant authority to identify, investigate, and arrest criminals who prey on the vulnerabilities of people they treat as human cargo,” Stevens noted further, per the DOJ press release.
Each defendant is charged with conspiracy to bring, transport, and harbor illegal aliens in the United States. If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
A federal district court judge will determine the final sentence, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors, the DOJ added in its press release.
