Alicia Ault
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aliciaault.bsky.social
Alicia Ault
@aliciaault.bsky.social
710 followers 510 following 710 posts
Independent journalist for Medscape, Smithsonian, covering all things health and science. Consumer and chronicler of food, music, art and culture. More-than-mediocre tennis player. Beach yogi.
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aliciaault.bsky.social
New from CDC MMWR: During May–June 2025, three people experienced severe illness requiring hospitalization after self-injecting Botox purchased online.

#Medsky #Dermsky #fillers #wrinkles #dermatology #plasticsurgery #fakeBotox
Notes from the Field: Severe Illnesses After ...
This report describes the public health response to three patients from different states who developed severe illness after self-injecting botulinum toxin.
www.cdc.gov
November 26, 2025 at 7:19 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
The families of 300 US citizens hurt or killed in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel sued Binance, claiming the cryptocurrency exchange aided Hamas.
Hamas Victims’ Families Sue Binance, Accusing It of Aiding Terrorism
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:07 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
The SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act got slipped into the budget bill; is now law. It directs FDA to accept non-animal data, which removes what had been a major hurdle to sunscreen approvals in the US. My story for @medscape.com

#Medsky #Dermsky #tanning #dermatology #sunsafety #skincancer #melanoma
Just-Signed Law Expected to Speed New Sunscreens to Market
Consumers in the US may finally have access to formulations and ingredients that have long been available in other countries.
www.medscape.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:46 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
Last night, HHS announced the drugs that will be subject to Medicare discounts in 2027. Included are semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic), Vraylar, Otezla, and Ibrance.

#Medsky #cancer #obesity #T2D #diabetes #COPD #oncology #schizophrenia #bipolar #psoriasis
www.cms.gov
November 26, 2025 at 2:32 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
Novo Nordisk files for approval of higher-dose 7.2mg Wegovy (semglutide) injection for obesity, under FDA's Commissioner's National Priority voucher (CNPV) pilot program. Expects decision within 1-2 months of acceptance.

#Medsky #Endosky #Gastrosky #GLP1 #weightloss #Ozempic #Lilly #Zepbound
News details
News details
www.novonordisk-us.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
FDA's Tobacco Products adcom will be evaluating 20 different Zyn flavors and strengths at a one-day meeting on Jan 22.

#Medsky #nicotine #vape #addiction #publichealth #science
Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting; Establishment of a Public Docket; Request for Comments
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announces a forthcoming public advisory committee meeting of the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC or the Committee). The general function of...
www.federalregister.gov
November 24, 2025 at 6:03 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
I was surprised that Pazdur took the job (after apparently declining it). I will be even more surprised if he survives.

#Medsky #pharma #FDA #regulation #science #cancer #politics #biotech
Top FDA drug regulator raises alarms about expediting approvals
Richard Pazdur, who assumed his new role this month, has warned that new Trump administration initiatives could be illegal and pose a risk to public health.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:59 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
From @sherylnyt.bsky.social on RFK changing CDC website: "He said he is not saying vaccines cause autism; he is simply saying there is no proof that they don’t."

How do you prove a negative?

#Medsky #science #publichealth #IDsky #vaccines #autism #publichealth #pediatrics #HHS
Kennedy Says He Told C.D.C. to Change Website’s Language on Autism and Vaccines
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:41 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art returned a 227-year-old Buddhist painting to a temple in South Korea, where it was believed to have been taken while under control of the US Army during the Korean War.

#museums #provenance #theft #culture #art #fineart #painting
Met Returns Buddhist Painting Thought Taken During the Korean War
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:48 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
New @pewresearch.org survey: two-thirds of people not interested in a COVID shot. Same as a year ago, prior to the Trump admin and the changing of guidance at CDC.
via @axios.com

#Medsky #IDsky #infectiousdisease #vaccines #publichealth
Changes to COVID shot guidance didn't sway public: survey
A new survey found the Trump administration guidance hasn't significantly changed Americans' willingness to get the shots.
www.axios.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Reposted by Alicia Ault
lymescience.org
"deeply troubling"
X post by Bill Cassidy: I’m a doctor who has seen people die from vaccine-preventable diseases. What parents need to hear right now is vaccines for measles, polio, hepatitis B and other childhood diseases are safe and effective and will not cause autism. Any statement to the contrary is wrong, irresponsible, and actively makes Americans sicker. We need to understand the real causes of autism. Studies show there’s a genetic predisposition when a mom who’s pregnant is exposed to environmental toxins which can increase a child’s risk of autism. It’s deeply troubling that, according to HHS officials, they appeared to have canceled hundreds of millions in research on autism genetics. Redirecting attention to factors we definitely know DO NOT cause autism denies families the answers they deserve. We had two children die and many more hospitalized nationally from measles this year. Louisiana is experiencing its worst whooping cough outbreak in 35 years. Families are getting sick and people are dying from vaccine-preventable deaths, and that tragedy needs to stop.
November 20, 2025 at 10:46 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
Junk science.
Without radical transparency.

#Medsky #IDsky #vaccines #publichealth #pediatrics
C.D.C. Changes Website to Reflect Kennedy’s Vaccine Skepticism
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:27 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
ICYMI: Calley Means, founder of Truemed, is now joining HHS as a political appointee. Is he giving up his company ownership?

#Medsky #politics #science #medicine #health
POLITICO Pro: RFK Jr. ally Calley Means joins the health department
Means advised the health secretary during a temporary stint earlier this year and will do the same as a top political appointee.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:40 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
@politico.com reporting that RFK and FDA chief Marty Makary are at odds over how to handle vaccine policy.

#Medsky #IDsky #infectiousdisease #vaccines #pediatrics #HHS #publichealth #familymedicine
RFK Jr. is in a power struggle
The health secretary and his FDA chief, Marty Makary, can’t agree on how to proceed with vaccine safety studies.
www.politico.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:35 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
Robert Malone appointed as adjunct prof to LSU's Pennington Biomed Research Center. Story via @lailluminator.com, which found that Malone’s appointment came as a shock to faculty.

#Medsky #IDsky #infectiousdisease #COVID #publichealth #misinformation
LSU biomedical research center adds outspoken anti-vaccine advocate to faculty • Louisiana Illuminator
LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center has appointed Dr. Robert Malone who gained fame by spreading vaccine misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic as an adjunct professor
lailluminator.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Reposted by Alicia Ault
edgeofsports.bsky.social
Reposting this. I'm just so disgusted by what used to be sports media. More interested in betting lines than player suicides. That's not a hot-take opinion. We have the data here. It's a fact.
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Sports Media Has Forgotten About CTE Even After Player Deaths
The NFL season has been rife with tragedy—not that the league or its media partners have noticed.
www.thenation.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Reposted by Alicia Ault
kffhealthnews.org
Fueled by covid backlash, a libertarian author created the Brownstone Institute in 2021. People with ties to the group have catapulted to the highest levels of U.S. government, exercising significant authority over access to vaccines and scientific research. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
A Small Texas Think Tank Cultivated Covid Dissidents. Now They’re Running US Health Policy. - KFF Health News
Fueled by covid backlash, a libertarian author created the Brownstone Institute in 2021. In recent months, people with ties to the group have catapulted to the highest levels of U.S. government, exerc...
kffhealthnews.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:06 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
Here's some good cancer news. Cancer drug repositories repurpose and give away unused medications to people in need. Michigan's program has excelled.

My story for @medscape.com

#Medsky #Oncosky #drugcosts #oncology #cancer #cancersucks #pharma #YesRx
YesRx: Michigan Program Turns Cancer Drug Waste Into Hope
The program, called YesRx, takes in donations and dispenses oral cancer and supportive drugs to those in need, giving away millions in medications over the past 2 years.
www.medscape.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Reposted by Alicia Ault
audacityofdespair.bsky.social
Even the murderer, the guy who ordered the journalist to be executed and dismembered with a bone saw, looks a bit embarassed for our American president.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 10d
Trump suggests Khashoggi had it coming: "You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. You don't have to embarrass our guest."
November 18, 2025 at 9:45 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
ICMYI: FDA issues new warning for Elevidys for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

via @medscape.com

#Medsky #Neurosky #raredisease #Sarepta
Liver Deaths Prompt FDA Boxed Warning for Elevidys for DMD
The FDA is adding a Boxed Warning label to delandistrogene moxeparvovec-rokl, a gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, after reports of fatal liver injuries.
www.medscape.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:16 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
Mmmmmmm Ledo's--if it was the original one, I would be there @joshuasweitz.bsky.social
joshuasweitz.bsky.social Joshua Weitz @joshuasweitz.bsky.social · 17d
For those in/around College Park, MD come on over to Ledo Pizza, 4509 Knox Rd, next Tuesday 11/18, 6pm+ for Science on Tap, where I will share a talk and dialogue on:

"Science Matters: Confronting the Impacts of Federal Cuts to Research on Communities Nationwide"

science.umd.edu/events/scien...
A monthly lecture series at UMD that explores the latest discoveries in science and technology in a relaxed atmosphere with food and drink "Science Matters: Confronting the Impacts of Federal Cuts to Research on Communities Nationwide" with image from scienceimpacts.org
November 18, 2025 at 9:00 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
Great quote from Dan Jernigan: HHS has moved “from evidence-based decision-making to decision-based evidence making.”

I wish the @statnews.com reporters had gotten to the bottom of RFK's tanning situation. Fake rays or sprays?

#Medsky #dermatology #HHS #cancer
How RFK Jr., America's celebrity health secretary, is steamrolling science
RFK Jr. is plowing ahead with sweeping changes to U.S. health care that have thrilled supporters, purged opponents, and horrified critics.
www.statnews.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:22 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
Hims & Hers getting into offering at-home diagnostics, offering tests for "heart health, metabolism, hormones, inflammation, and stress" and says it will eventually expand to "bone and brain health".

#Medsky #Cardiosky #Endosky #publichealth
Hims & Hers Introduces Labs, a Holistic, In-Depth Testing Experience That Puts Customers in Control of Their Health and Wellness Journeys
With Labs, Hims Hers is creating an accessible, affordable, data-driven future for healthcare Hims Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE: HIMS), the leading health and wellness platform, today announced the launc...
investors.hims.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:07 PM
aliciaault.bsky.social
A mistake? A whoops? Disgusting.
November 18, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Reposted by Alicia Ault
atrupar.com
MBS claims the murder of Khashoggi was "a huge mistake and we're our doing our best that this doesn't happen again."
November 18, 2025 at 5:48 PM