A $600,000 federal grant awarded to Southern University for researching sustainable feminine hygiene products has been falsely misrepresented as a study on 'menstrual cycles in transgender men' by US officials, leading to its cancellation. The grant aimed to explore alternatives to synthetic menstrual products using natural fibers and included educational outreach and plans for a local fiber-processing facility. The misinformation, amplified by the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) and Elon Musk, has sparked safety concerns for the lead researcher and backlash from the scientific and farming communities.