Michael Pollard
@kmichaelpollard.bsky.social
Assoc. Prof Scripps Research working on how non-biological exposures lead to autoimmunity.
Reposted by Michael Pollard
The extraordinary biochemist & pharmacologist Gertrude Elion was born #OTD in 1918.
Elion won the 1988 #Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (w/2 others) for her pioneering "rational drug design." Her work saved countless lives...(👇 1/2) #WomenInSTEM
Elion won the 1988 #Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (w/2 others) for her pioneering "rational drug design." Her work saved countless lives...(👇 1/2) #WomenInSTEM
January 23, 2026 at 6:06 PM
The extraordinary biochemist & pharmacologist Gertrude Elion was born #OTD in 1918.
Elion won the 1988 #Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (w/2 others) for her pioneering "rational drug design." Her work saved countless lives...(👇 1/2) #WomenInSTEM
Elion won the 1988 #Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (w/2 others) for her pioneering "rational drug design." Her work saved countless lives...(👇 1/2) #WomenInSTEM
Reposted by Michael Pollard
In reviewing grants and papers lately, as an exp., I have been using LLMs *after* my reviews to see how they stack up.
And let me tell you - they're (all) *completely* off the mark. That makes sense if you understand the fundamentals of LLMs, but I'm worried many don't.
But, please, don't do this.
And let me tell you - they're (all) *completely* off the mark. That makes sense if you understand the fundamentals of LLMs, but I'm worried many don't.
But, please, don't do this.
January 23, 2026 at 9:13 PM
In reviewing grants and papers lately, as an exp., I have been using LLMs *after* my reviews to see how they stack up.
And let me tell you - they're (all) *completely* off the mark. That makes sense if you understand the fundamentals of LLMs, but I'm worried many don't.
But, please, don't do this.
And let me tell you - they're (all) *completely* off the mark. That makes sense if you understand the fundamentals of LLMs, but I'm worried many don't.
But, please, don't do this.
Reposted by Michael Pollard
Good news: Dr Quinhin Nantote, the minister of health of Guinea-Bissau, says the proposed trial by Danish researchers that RFK Jr funded has been cancelled
“Africans want to solve Africa’s problems, not satisfy the curiosity of the funders,” says Nigerian physician-researcher Abdulhammad Babatunde
“Africans want to solve Africa’s problems, not satisfy the curiosity of the funders,” says Nigerian physician-researcher Abdulhammad Babatunde
U.S. health officials insisted it was still on. African health leaders said it was cancelled. A hotly debated study on hepatitis B in Guinea-Bissau is indeed halted, as I reported last week. Here's my latest:
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
‘It’s the sovereignty of the country’: Guinea-Bissau says US vaccine study suspended
Despite US pushback, officials in west Africa say controversial hepatitis B study on pause amid ethics concerns
www.theguardian.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Good news: Dr Quinhin Nantote, the minister of health of Guinea-Bissau, says the proposed trial by Danish researchers that RFK Jr funded has been cancelled
“Africans want to solve Africa’s problems, not satisfy the curiosity of the funders,” says Nigerian physician-researcher Abdulhammad Babatunde
“Africans want to solve Africa’s problems, not satisfy the curiosity of the funders,” says Nigerian physician-researcher Abdulhammad Babatunde
Reposted by Michael Pollard
It’s a very strange, damaging choice that RFK Jr & the physicians in the Trump regime—Drs Makary, Oz, Bhattacharya, Høeg, Bhattacharya—are making
Instead of dedicating themselves to controlling measles—including by doing everything humanly possible to promote vaccination—they’re just sitting it out
Instead of dedicating themselves to controlling measles—including by doing everything humanly possible to promote vaccination—they’re just sitting it out
The measles outbreak in South Carolina now stands at 664 cases, basically doubling in a week, and it's spread to several other states. The outbreak first began in Texas a year ago this week - which means the U.S. is going to lose its elimination status. My latest:
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
The return of measles: how a once-vanquished disease is spreading again
A year after the Texas outbreak began, new US cases reveal gaps in vaccination and rising risk for children
www.theguardian.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:44 PM
It’s a very strange, damaging choice that RFK Jr & the physicians in the Trump regime—Drs Makary, Oz, Bhattacharya, Høeg, Bhattacharya—are making
Instead of dedicating themselves to controlling measles—including by doing everything humanly possible to promote vaccination—they’re just sitting it out
Instead of dedicating themselves to controlling measles—including by doing everything humanly possible to promote vaccination—they’re just sitting it out
Reposted by Michael Pollard
Absolutely. When I wrote about these two in the final chapter of 21st-Century Yokel, on the surface of it I was just writing about two unremarkable 20th-Century working class lives in the centre of Britain. But my research took me down soooo many social history and topographical rabbit holes…
So much fascinating hidden social history in 'ordinary' lives.
January 22, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Absolutely. When I wrote about these two in the final chapter of 21st-Century Yokel, on the surface of it I was just writing about two unremarkable 20th-Century working class lives in the centre of Britain. But my research took me down soooo many social history and topographical rabbit holes…
Reposted by Michael Pollard
In case anyone else wants to grab a (freshly republished) Villager, @blackwells.bsky.social do a quite phenomenal free worldwide delivery offer. It probably won’t last forever.
blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...
blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...
January 22, 2026 at 12:33 PM
In case anyone else wants to grab a (freshly republished) Villager, @blackwells.bsky.social do a quite phenomenal free worldwide delivery offer. It probably won’t last forever.
blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...
blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...
Reposted by Michael Pollard
A dive into how scientists are trying to understand what consciousness is and where it comes from
What even is consciousness? Scientists still don’t know
A dive into how scientists are trying to understand what consciousness is and where it comes from
www.scientificamerican.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:52 PM
A dive into how scientists are trying to understand what consciousness is and where it comes from
Reposted by Michael Pollard
The Shingles vaccine has outperformed all expectations. Why?
erictopol.substack.com/p/spotlight-...
erictopol.substack.com/p/spotlight-...
January 22, 2026 at 3:11 PM
The Shingles vaccine has outperformed all expectations. Why?
erictopol.substack.com/p/spotlight-...
erictopol.substack.com/p/spotlight-...
Reposted by Michael Pollard
There was a recent Heritage Foundation event on the origin of COVID, which was rife with disinformation.
Because our work is that specifically targeted, here's is just one example from the former CDC Director.
Listen to clip one - Mar 8, 2023 House hearing (under oath). "I was excluded".
Because our work is that specifically targeted, here's is just one example from the former CDC Director.
Listen to clip one - Mar 8, 2023 House hearing (under oath). "I was excluded".
January 21, 2026 at 10:14 PM
There was a recent Heritage Foundation event on the origin of COVID, which was rife with disinformation.
Because our work is that specifically targeted, here's is just one example from the former CDC Director.
Listen to clip one - Mar 8, 2023 House hearing (under oath). "I was excluded".
Because our work is that specifically targeted, here's is just one example from the former CDC Director.
Listen to clip one - Mar 8, 2023 House hearing (under oath). "I was excluded".
Reposted by Michael Pollard
The new cover and feature @nature.com www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
January 21, 2026 at 4:39 PM
The new cover and feature @nature.com www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
This is better news than expected especially at times in 2025. 🧪
The conference (agreement between House and Senate) appropriations bill that includes HHS and NIH was released this morning.
www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/majorit...
1/5
www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/majorit...
1/5
Committee Releases Conferenced Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bi...
United States Senate Committee on Appropriations
www.appropriations.senate.gov
January 20, 2026 at 7:46 PM
This is better news than expected especially at times in 2025. 🧪
Reposted by Michael Pollard
It’s really upsetting to watch this video, but it’s important to do so
The HHS Secretary, an AIDS denialist & extreme homophobe, says “the gay lifestyle” is the cause of AIDS, not HIV
The HHS Secretary, an AIDS denialist & extreme homophobe, says “the gay lifestyle” is the cause of AIDS, not HIV
January 19, 2026 at 6:40 PM
It’s really upsetting to watch this video, but it’s important to do so
The HHS Secretary, an AIDS denialist & extreme homophobe, says “the gay lifestyle” is the cause of AIDS, not HIV
The HHS Secretary, an AIDS denialist & extreme homophobe, says “the gay lifestyle” is the cause of AIDS, not HIV
Reposted by Michael Pollard
Really critical story on the unethical hepatitis B vaccine study in Guinea Bissau. In addition to the Danish researchers, #RFKJr & billionaire #BillAckman are key drivers of this nonsense. The combo of bad science, bad politics & bad money are putting kids at risk again. @katherineeban.bsky.social
EXCLUSIVE: In my 1st @rollingstone.com story, internal
@hhsofficial.bsky.social emails show how 2 Danish scientists accused of "questionable research practices" got a $1.6 million grant aligned w/ Sec. Kennedy's theories to study HepB vaccine in Guinea-Bissau: rollingstone.com/politics/pol... /1
@hhsofficial.bsky.social emails show how 2 Danish scientists accused of "questionable research practices" got a $1.6 million grant aligned w/ Sec. Kennedy's theories to study HepB vaccine in Guinea-Bissau: rollingstone.com/politics/pol... /1
HHS Gave a $1.6 Million Grant to a Controversial Vaccine Study. These Emails Show How That Happened
Two Danish researchers faced accusations of “questionable research practices” as RFK Jr.’s top appointees made their study a “funding priority”
rollingstone.com
January 17, 2026 at 10:34 AM
Really critical story on the unethical hepatitis B vaccine study in Guinea Bissau. In addition to the Danish researchers, #RFKJr & billionaire #BillAckman are key drivers of this nonsense. The combo of bad science, bad politics & bad money are putting kids at risk again. @katherineeban.bsky.social
Its a waste of valuable time, money and resources when studies have to be done to refute the bogus claims of politicans and lawyers.
Study debunks Trump claim that paracetamol causes autism
Taking drug in pregnancy does not raise chances of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability, ‘gold standard’ review finds
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Its a waste of valuable time, money and resources when studies have to be done to refute the bogus claims of politicans and lawyers.
Reposted by Michael Pollard
Good question👇
I continue to wonder what the hell is going on inside the Research Ethics Committee of University of Southern Denmark, and why in all this murky kerfuffle no-one has yet asked about long-term ethical oversight of Stabell Benn's research in Guinea-Bissau #ethics #sts #histmed #globalhealth
🚨 This @rollingstone.com piece about the Danish investigators is explosive & deeply alarming
The whole episode gets murkier by the day
The author of the piece got access to e-mails between Danish PI Dr Stabell Benn & 2 HHS staffers with anti-vaccine histories😳
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
The whole episode gets murkier by the day
The author of the piece got access to e-mails between Danish PI Dr Stabell Benn & 2 HHS staffers with anti-vaccine histories😳
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
January 17, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Good question👇
First Hantavirus Detection in San Diego County in 2026.
First Hantavirus Detection of 2026
The County detected hantavirus in a Western harvest mouse found near Los Penasquitos Ranch House (92129) during a routine inspection.
www.countynewscenter.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:24 PM
First Hantavirus Detection in San Diego County in 2026.
Reposted by Michael Pollard
This is hugely important information
A letter from an official in Guinea-Bissau confirms that the trial was canceled
A letter from an official in Guinea-Bissau confirms that the trial was canceled
UPDATE 2: A senior official in Guinea-Bissau said in a letter that the trial has been cancelled. Guinea-Bissau will continue its current vaccination schedule until the birth dose is implemented for all newborns, the letter said. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Controversial US study on hepatitis B vaccines in Africa is cancelled
$1.6m project drew outrage over ethical questions about withholding vaccines proven to prevent disease
www.theguardian.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:15 PM
This is hugely important information
A letter from an official in Guinea-Bissau confirms that the trial was canceled
A letter from an official in Guinea-Bissau confirms that the trial was canceled
Reposted by Michael Pollard
Breaking with the U.S., Canada will slash its 100% tariffs on Chinese electric cars, opening the doors to imports that cost less than $25,000 (or $35,000 Canadian).
insideevs.com/news/784657/...
insideevs.com/news/784657/...
Canada Just Opened The Door To Cheap Chinese EVs
Breaking with the U.S., Canada will slash 100% tariff on Chinese electric cars, opening the doors to imports that cost less than $25,000.
insideevs.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Breaking with the U.S., Canada will slash its 100% tariffs on Chinese electric cars, opening the doors to imports that cost less than $25,000 (or $35,000 Canadian).
insideevs.com/news/784657/...
insideevs.com/news/784657/...
Reposted by Michael Pollard
@newyorker.com
Hi I was wondering if you could share this dog. Her name is Melia and she's looking for a low traffic adult only home.
Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter
(516) 785-5220
3320 Beltagh Avenue , Unit
Wantagh, NY 11793
Video
👇
www.facebook.com/reel/1451850...
Hi I was wondering if you could share this dog. Her name is Melia and she's looking for a low traffic adult only home.
Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter
(516) 785-5220
3320 Beltagh Avenue , Unit
Wantagh, NY 11793
Video
👇
www.facebook.com/reel/1451850...
304 reactions · 72 comments | Melia has been here 856 days, and we are committed to making sure she never comes back through these doors a fourth time. She needs a low-traffic, adult-only home with no...
Melia has been here 856 days, and we are committed to making sure she never comes back through these doors a fourth time. She needs a low-traffic, adult-only home with no other dogs, an experienced...
www.facebook.com
January 16, 2026 at 7:27 PM
@newyorker.com
Hi I was wondering if you could share this dog. Her name is Melia and she's looking for a low traffic adult only home.
Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter
(516) 785-5220
3320 Beltagh Avenue , Unit
Wantagh, NY 11793
Video
👇
www.facebook.com/reel/1451850...
Hi I was wondering if you could share this dog. Her name is Melia and she's looking for a low traffic adult only home.
Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter
(516) 785-5220
3320 Beltagh Avenue , Unit
Wantagh, NY 11793
Video
👇
www.facebook.com/reel/1451850...
Reposted by Michael Pollard
A few updates on the deeply unethical study to probe "non-specific" effects of the birth dose HepB vaccine in Guinea-Bissau by Danish investigators.
1️⃣ The study was canceled as per AfricaCDC - HHS disputes this.
2️⃣ Full protocol was leaked and it's bad.
Quick 🧵
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
1️⃣ The study was canceled as per AfricaCDC - HHS disputes this.
2️⃣ Full protocol was leaked and it's bad.
Quick 🧵
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Controversial US study on hepatitis B vaccines in Africa is cancelled
$1.6m project drew outrage over ethical questions about withholding vaccines proven to prevent disease
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:16 PM
A few updates on the deeply unethical study to probe "non-specific" effects of the birth dose HepB vaccine in Guinea-Bissau by Danish investigators.
1️⃣ The study was canceled as per AfricaCDC - HHS disputes this.
2️⃣ Full protocol was leaked and it's bad.
Quick 🧵
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
1️⃣ The study was canceled as per AfricaCDC - HHS disputes this.
2️⃣ Full protocol was leaked and it's bad.
Quick 🧵
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Michael Pollard
Another major triumph for a refractory autoimmune disease—hemolytic anemia—through engineered T cells
@nejm.org
nejm.org/doi/full/10....
@nejm.org
nejm.org/doi/full/10....
CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapy for Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia | NEJM
In patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), the risk of relapse is high owing
to persistent autoreactive B-cell activity. Multirefractory AIHA is a more advanced
stage of disease that is d...
nejm.org
January 14, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Another major triumph for a refractory autoimmune disease—hemolytic anemia—through engineered T cells
@nejm.org
nejm.org/doi/full/10....
@nejm.org
nejm.org/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Michael Pollard
An analysis of more than one million people in the UK found that two-thirds of people who were vaccine-hesitant during the COVID-19 pandemic went on to get vaccinated
go.nature.com/4qgJE5Z
go.nature.com/4qgJE5Z
How to improve vaccine uptake: a huge study offers clues
An analysis of more than one million people in the UK found that two-thirds of people who were vaccine-hesitant during the COVID-19 pandemic went on to get vaccinated.
go.nature.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:43 PM
An analysis of more than one million people in the UK found that two-thirds of people who were vaccine-hesitant during the COVID-19 pandemic went on to get vaccinated
go.nature.com/4qgJE5Z
go.nature.com/4qgJE5Z
Reposted by Michael Pollard
I love the reuse of rural British phone boxes as tiny libraries so - after my ex-publishers collapsed & I bought the warehouse stock of my backlist from them - I decided that every time I saw one, I’d top it up with a few of my books. Not sure how many books it was in total, but definitely 300-plus.
January 13, 2026 at 4:32 PM
I love the reuse of rural British phone boxes as tiny libraries so - after my ex-publishers collapsed & I bought the warehouse stock of my backlist from them - I decided that every time I saw one, I’d top it up with a few of my books. Not sure how many books it was in total, but definitely 300-plus.
Reposted by Michael Pollard
This is going to be terrific fun
We're kicking off our 2026 season with Matthew Cobb discussing his new book CRICK, a warts and all biography of the scientist, and the man, with Brighton's own Anil Seth, on Mon 26th Jan.
@matthewcobb.bsky.social @anilseth.bsky.social @profilebooks.bsky.social @hachettelibrary.bsky.social
@matthewcobb.bsky.social @anilseth.bsky.social @profilebooks.bsky.social @hachettelibrary.bsky.social
January 13, 2026 at 5:19 PM
This is going to be terrific fun
House finch at the new bird feeder.
January 11, 2026 at 11:16 PM
House finch at the new bird feeder.