Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Andrew Gifford @andrewgiffordphoto.bsky.social · 2h

Thanks John, for continuing to cover this shit show.

Reposted by Andrew Gifford

James Kennedy ✊️ @jameskennedy.bsky.social · 7h

I agree, Stop The Boats

Bloody oligarchs coming over 'ere on their mega yachts, stealing our public assets, influencing our government, exploiting our work force, dumping their waste into our rivers & expecting the tax payer to foot the bill for their billion pound government contracts & bail outs

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Reposted by Andrew Gifford

Adam @abrokenbattery.bsky.social · 11h

New article from the disability news service mentions Wessely’s appointment

John Pring, DNS @johnpring.bsky.social · 1d

The government’s decision to commission a review of “over-diagnosis” of mental health conditions and neurodivergence has caused alarm among many disabled people, with fears it will allow ministers to justify further sweeping cuts to disability benefits.
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/alarm-over-g...

Alarm over government’s choices to lead ‘over-diagnosis’ review that could help ministers cut benefits

The government’s decision to commission a review of alleged “over-diagnosis” of mental health conditions and neurodivergence has caused alarm among many disabled people, with fears that it will all…

www.disabilitynewsservice.com

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Reposted by Andrew Gifford

Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · 8h

My reflexologist knows how I surround myself with items from the outside world as much as possible & brought round some feathers for me. I felt inspired to have a go at drawing one of them using soft pastels - here’s the result.

#art #drawing #pastel #chronicillness #me/cfs #mecfs #nature 🪶

A drawing, using soft pastels on black paper, of a pigeon feather.

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Reposted by Andrew Gifford

Jason Hazeley @jasonhazeley.bsky.social · 10h

It’s dispiriting that this is what getting a COVID vaccination now looks like to this chronic asthmatic.

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Andrew Gifford @andrewgiffordphoto.bsky.social · 9h

I've no idea, but maybe one of you lovely lot have a hunch?

#Mitodicure. At least, the name sounds promising!

Tom Kindlon @tomkindlon.bsky.social · 18h

ME/CFS: Is there a comprehensive explanation for this long-misunderstood illness?

www.irishtimes.com/health/your-...

From the October 2025 AMMES Newsletter

#MEcfs #CFS #PwME

ME/CFS: Is there a comprehensive explanation for this long-misunderstood illness?
Wirth and Scheibenbogen’s unifying model hypothesis considers a key role for autoantibodies against blood flow-related cellular receptors in skeletal muscle and the brain.
The refinement of Wirth and Scheibenbogen’s unifying model hypothesis has led to a therapeutic concept: a drug called Mitodicure, which is “a novel molecule to treat patients with exertional intolerance and post-exertional malaise (PEM)”. Steps are under way to attract funding for clinical trials.
Read more here>>

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Reposted by Andrew Gifford

John Pring, DNS @johnpring.bsky.social · 1d

The government’s decision to commission a review of “over-diagnosis” of mental health conditions and neurodivergence has caused alarm among many disabled people, with fears it will allow ministers to justify further sweeping cuts to disability benefits.
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/alarm-over-g...

Alarm over government’s choices to lead ‘over-diagnosis’ review that could help ministers cut benefits

The government’s decision to commission a review of alleged “over-diagnosis” of mental health conditions and neurodivergence has caused alarm among many disabled people, with fears that it will all…

www.disabilitynewsservice.com

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Reposted by Andrew Gifford

Tom Kindlon @tomkindlon.bsky.social · 18h

Please Help David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social , Our Champion!

crowdfund.berkeley.edu/project/47768

From the October 2025 AMMES Newsletter

#MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #MEcfs #CFS #PwME #LongCovid

Please Help David Tuller, Our Champion!

Photo of David Tuller

Last spring, David successfully raised money through Crowdrise in order to continue investigating and blogging about the PACE trial. The funds went to the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley, which created a position for David to continue his investigative work. Now the funds have run out, and Tuller has to depend on the generosity of our community to continue his work.

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Reposted by Andrew Gifford

Hey Kids Rock'n'Roll @heykidsshop.bsky.social · 11h

NEW! from heykidsrocknroll.etsy.com
My Little PLAGUE DOCTOR!
It's Octoberrific fun!

A paper model of a plague doctor. He is dressed in black with a long-nosed white mask and a white satin ribbon on the end of a cocktail stick cane

The same model but on a red background with some atmospheric fairy lights

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Andrew Gifford @andrewgiffordphoto.bsky.social · 1d

Thanks for keeping Ukraine in our mind and hearts, @anastasiatl.bsky.social !

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch2e...

#Photography

Ukraine's frontline photographer: this is not just another assignment | Documentary

YouTube video by The Guardian

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Andrew Gifford

Marjorie James Keenan @unenthusiast.com · 1d

dash it, mane

Life of a philosopher in a nutshell
1. Birth

2. Painting of Pope Leo X (after Raphael) by Fernando Botero ( a very chubby baby pope) with text "y tho"

3. Death

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Reposted by Andrew Gifford

Jessica Ellis @baddestmamajama.bsky.social · 1d

Just saw someone angrily blustering on Facebook that if the scaremongers were right, 30% of people would have long covid by now!!! And welp…
www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/stu...

Studies across 14 nations show 25% to 30% rate of long COVID

Among the 25% of participants in 1 study who said they experienced long-COVID symptoms, 13% reported sleep disorders.

www.cidrap.umn.edu

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Andrew Gifford @andrewgiffordphoto.bsky.social · 1d

It's a bit soppy, but just about keeps it within my emotionally stunted threshold.

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Andrew Gifford @andrewgiffordphoto.bsky.social · 2d

Good telly - Film club, iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m... Currently halfway through.

BBC Three - Film Club

Two best friend watch films together. But is it only for the love of movies?

www.bbc.co.uk

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Reposted by Andrew Gifford

John Pring, DNS @johnpring.bsky.social · 2d

Alarm over government’s choices to lead ‘over-diagnosis’ review that could help ministers cut benefits
#MentalHealth #DisabilityBenefits
@ritb.bsky.social @dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/alarm-over-g...

Alarm over government’s choices to lead ‘over-diagnosis’ review that could help ministers cut benefits

The government’s decision to commission a review of alleged “over-diagnosis” of mental health conditions and neurodivergence has caused alarm among many disabled people, with fears that it will all…

www.disabilitynewsservice.com

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Reposted by Andrew Gifford

Katharine Cheston @kacheston.bsky.social · 2d

This year, I've been lucky enough to work with @actionforme.bsky.social, as part of a collaboration between Action for ME and @durhamimh.bsky.social. (More on this soon!)

For now, this reflective post explains my motivations - and what I believe a collaborative, cross-sector approach can achieve.

The Polyphony @the-polyphony.bsky.social · 2d

Katharine Cheston reflects on her own experience of ME and the need for a more caring, curious, and compassionate approach to health research.

thepolyphony.org/2025/10/09/p...

Privilege and Pain: Why the Medical Humanities Matter

Katharine Cheston reflects on her own experience of ME and the need for a more caring, curious, and compassionate approach to health research.

thepolyphony.org

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Reposted by Andrew Gifford

Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 2d

We found that the UK’s top scientific institutions, from the Met Office to the UK Health Security Agency, have inadequate institutional defences.

If an incoming government wanted to weaken the role of science and evidence in policy making, it could do so shockingly fast. 2/11

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Andrew Gifford @andrewgiffordphoto.bsky.social · 2d

Ah, sorry to hear that re sensitivity Ella. Fwiw I gather the Oxalo firm is quite responsive to questions, so may have some pointers re tapering in. Took me three ish weeks to see the first improvements in cognition and capacity, at three capsules daily. You may need to go slower, but I'm no expert.

Andrew Gifford @andrewgiffordphoto.bsky.social · 2d

I take this, plus LDN and a palmful of mitochondrial energy/function supplements daily. Breath holds also key. I'd now not want to be without any of them, but how unique this is to me I of course don't know. I'd love to hear how you/others find it, if you do give it a go.

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Andrew Gifford @andrewgiffordphoto.bsky.social · 2d

Hi Ella, I'm about three months in and it is really helping, so far. Taken me from upper to mid Moderate severity. My ME is mitochondrial in nature (it seems), so I seem a prime candidate. I take three capsules daily, more is better but then heartburn. There is a discount code, if you search online.

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Reposted by Andrew Gifford

David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social · 3d

Berkeley's crowdfunder has reached 5% of the goal after its first day, with 49 donors! This pace won't keep up, but it's a decent start. Thanks to all past, current and future supporters!
crowdfund.berkeley.edu/project/47768

David Tuller's Trial by Error Fall 2025

Help UC Berkeley raise $68,000 for the project: David Tuller's Trial by Error Fall 2025. Your gift will make a difference!

crowdfund.berkeley.edu

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Reposted by Andrew Gifford

heather @heatherfeather.bsky.social · 2d

one of the biggest names in trans healthcare discrimination is also one of the biggest names in ME/CFS healthcare discrimination (Simon Wessely) & as a trans person with ME/CFS i'm begging all of us to make this intercommunity connection

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Andrew Gifford @andrewgiffordphoto.bsky.social · 2d

I have zero respect for his 'science' or his character. His association with any initiative is for me a reliable indicator of a vulnerable group of people about to be further exploited.

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Andrew Gifford @andrewgiffordphoto.bsky.social · 3d

WLTW: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYcT...

New trailer for County Lines - on digital and in cinemas 4 December | BFI

YouTube video by BFI

www.youtube.com

Andrew Gifford @andrewgiffordphoto.bsky.social · 3d

It's endless isn't it.

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