Need to boost population? En
coura
ge dads to step up at home.
In her latest research, Nobel laureate Claudia Goldin explores how rapid economic growth and traditional gender roles contribute to declining fertility rates in developed countries, particularly in nations like Korea, Italy, and Japan, which experienced sudden economic transitions. Goldin's analysis links lower birthrates to the burden of unpaid caregiving falling disproportionately on women and highlights that countries with more equitable divisions of household labor, like Sweden, tend to have higher fertility rates. To address "lowest-low" birthrates, Goldin suggests societies shift cultural emphasis to celebrate fatherhood and encourage men to take on greater domestic responsibilities.
Harvard Endowment Reinvests $150M in Company Tied to Israeli Settlements in Palestine
Harvard Management Company (HMC) reinvested $150 million in Booking Holdings Inc., making it the third-largest holding in its portfolio behind Meta and Alphabet. Booking Holdings, criticized for operating in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, was listed by the UN for its involvement in the region. The reinvestment follows years of student activism at Harvard calling for divestment from companies linked to human rights abuses in Palestine. Despite activism, Harvard has maintained its stance against divestment, citing investment growth potential as a factor in its decision.
Trump Staffs Education Department to Upend University DEI Programs
President Donald Trump has appointed a new team to the U.S. Department of Education, led by Linda McMahon (pending Senate confirmation), to challenge university diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The department has already terminated DEI training and plans to target institutions with endowments over $1 billion, such as Harvard, for alleged DEI-related civil rights violations. Several appointees, vocal critics of DEI initiatives, aim to enforce Trump's executive order mandating the removal of DEI programs in federally funded institutions. Critics argue this undermines inclusivity and academic freedom in higher education.
Harvard Settles Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Samsung
Harvard has settled its patent infringement lawsuit against Samsung, waiving its right to refile the case. Filed in August, the lawsuit accused Samsung of using microprocessor technology developed by Harvard professor Roy G. Gordon and his lab. The terms of the settlement, including any monetary compensation, remain undisclosed. Harvard previously resolved similar cases against Micron and GlobalFoundries. The case, filed in the plaintiff-friendly Eastern District of Texas, follows a pattern of universities suing Samsung for patent violations, with some cases still ongoing.
Op Eds: The Settlement Is a Start — But Only a Start — To Restoring Harvard.
By Lawrence H. Summers. Lawrence H. Summers is the Charles W. Eliot University Professor and served as the 27th president of Harvard University.
Former Harvard President Lawrence Summers argues that the University's recent settlement addressing antisemitic discrimination is a step forward but insufficient to combat campus antisemitism fully. He highlights the need for Harvard to enforce rules against disruptive protests, actively counter antisemitic rhetoric endorsed by its institutions, and demonstrate moral clarity in leadership. Summers criticizes past lapses in accountability, controversial partnerships, and weak responses to antisemitic content. While recognizing positive strides, he calls for accelerated and decisive actions to restore Harvard’s commitment to a non-discriminatory and inclusive environment.
Flyby: Overheard on Spring 2025 First Day of Classes (FDOC)
This lighthearted collection of quirky, out-of-context quotes captures the chaotic, humorous energy of Harvard's first day of the spring semester. From random musings about dorm mice and menopause to laments over chicken tenders and hoodie resolutions, the commentary offers a glimpse into campus life. Highlights include a student's minimalist backpack contents (Zyns and Adderall), a professor addressing a tiny lecture class, and Tai Chi in the Widener stacks. The playful tone encourages students to embrace the humor in everyday moments—or join the Flyby team to turn eavesdropping into storytelling.
‘A Complete Unknown’ Review: Can A Bob Dylan Biopic Work?
James Mangold's A Complete Unknown delivers a focused, compelling Bob Dylan biopic, spotlighting the artist's transformative early years in the 1960s. Timothée Chalamet's mesmerizing performance as Dylan, including live singing, captures the singer’s enigmatic charm and evolution from folk purist to electric trailblazer. While the film's tight scope keeps it engaging, it leaves the broader significance of Dylan's musical shift somewhat underexplored. Still, Mangold’s restrained direction and Chalamet’s raw authenticity make this a worthy addition to Dylan-inspired cinema, effectively introducing the legend to a new generation.
Olympian Gabby Thomas Calls Out Racist Comments Accusing Her of Faking Her Harvard Degree: ‘Is This Real Life?’
Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas, a Harvard graduate in neuroscience and public health advocate, responded to racist online comments doubting her Harvard degree. Critics on X (formerly Twitter) accused her of lying about her academic achievements, attributing their disbelief to her race. Thomas, who also earned a master’s degree in public health from the University of Texas at Austin in 2023, called out the bias in a post asking, “Is this real life?” Supporters, including Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian, defended her against the hate. Thomas won three gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
How exactly does ketamine work? New research offers insight.
A Harvard study using zebrafish has uncovered new insights into how ketamine alleviates treatment-resistant depression. Researchers found that ketamine's effects are linked to astroglia, a brain cell type previously thought to play a passive role. Ketamine overstimulates astroglia, making them less sensitive and reducing the "giving up" behavior observed in zebrafish models. This hyperactivation alters calcium signaling and resets the brain's response to stress. Unlike other antidepressants, ketamine uniquely targets these cells, revealing a previously overlooked mechanism in depression treatment research.
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