Lauren J. Young
@laurenjyoung.bsky.social
Health Editor at Scientific American @sciam.bsky.social. Professional library book detective by night 📚 she/her laurenjyoung.com
Pinned
Lauren J. Young
@laurenjyoung.bsky.social
· Jul 15
There Is a Beach That Contains Clues of How a Bird Flu Pandemic Could Take Off
The first hints that a new strain of avian illness is emerging could be found on this beach on Delaware Bay, where migrating birds flock. Here’s what virus detectives who return there every year know ...
www.scientificamerican.com
For 40 years, virus detectives have flocked to NJ beaches to track avian influenza. Their clues? Bird poop 💩 I followed that team to explain H5N1's history in a special Science Quickly podcast series. Featured today in @sciam.bsky.social's bird flu issue: www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/epis...
"Influenza is no joke."
Here's what we know so far about this coming flu season. It's not too late to vaccinate 💉 @sciam.bsky.social
www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
Here's what we know so far about this coming flu season. It's not too late to vaccinate 💉 @sciam.bsky.social
www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
A New Flu Variant May Make Cold Season Brutal This Year
U.S. flu rates remain low, but experts are keeping an eye on a new strain that’s been linked to unexpectedly early and severe seasons in several other countries
www.scientificamerican.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:29 PM
"Influenza is no joke."
Here's what we know so far about this coming flu season. It's not too late to vaccinate 💉 @sciam.bsky.social
www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
Here's what we know so far about this coming flu season. It's not too late to vaccinate 💉 @sciam.bsky.social
www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
Reposted by Lauren J. Young
I, for one, welcome our new trash panda overlords.
But for real, fascinating science on how we might be seeing the very early stages of domestication in action in wild animals. 🧪
By @marinacoladas.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social
But for real, fascinating science on how we might be seeing the very early stages of domestication in action in wild animals. 🧪
By @marinacoladas.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social
City Raccoons Are Evolving to Look More Like Pets
City-dwelling raccoons seem to be evolving a shorter snout—a telltale feature of our pets and other domesticated animals
www.scientificamerican.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:27 PM
I, for one, welcome our new trash panda overlords.
But for real, fascinating science on how we might be seeing the very early stages of domestication in action in wild animals. 🧪
By @marinacoladas.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social
But for real, fascinating science on how we might be seeing the very early stages of domestication in action in wild animals. 🧪
By @marinacoladas.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social
Reposted by Lauren J. Young
Today the FDA removed the "black box" warning labels from hormone therapy for menopause. Here's what that means, and why the risks—and benefits—of HRT might be overstated. By me and @laurenjyoung.bsky.social @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/fda-...
FDA Strips Health Risk Warnings from Menopause Hormone Therapy
In a reversal, the Food and Drug Administration has removed black box warnings on hormone replacement therapies for menopause
www.scientificamerican.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Today the FDA removed the "black box" warning labels from hormone therapy for menopause. Here's what that means, and why the risks—and benefits—of HRT might be overstated. By me and @laurenjyoung.bsky.social @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/fda-...
Reposted by Lauren J. Young
🚨 BREAKING: Canada has lost its measles-free status after a year of continuous transmission — meaning the Americas region is no longer measles-free.
What does this mean?
My story for @sciam.bsky.social 🧪
What does this mean?
My story for @sciam.bsky.social 🧪
The Americas Are No Longer Officially Measles-Free
Canada lost its official measles elimination status after a year of continuous transmission
www.scientificamerican.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:02 PM
🚨 BREAKING: Canada has lost its measles-free status after a year of continuous transmission — meaning the Americas region is no longer measles-free.
What does this mean?
My story for @sciam.bsky.social 🧪
What does this mean?
My story for @sciam.bsky.social 🧪
Clinicians are noticing a steady climb in diagnoses of ARFID, a type of eating disorder that presents as a food avoidance so persistent and pervasive it can cause severe malnutrition in kids and adults. More @sciam.bsky.social: www.scientificamerican.com/article/what...
ARFID Is More Than Picky Eating—And the Condition Is on the Rise
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, or ARFID, can cause malnutrition and weight loss in children and adults even when body image is not a factor
www.scientificamerican.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Clinicians are noticing a steady climb in diagnoses of ARFID, a type of eating disorder that presents as a food avoidance so persistent and pervasive it can cause severe malnutrition in kids and adults. More @sciam.bsky.social: www.scientificamerican.com/article/what...
Reposted by Lauren J. Young
With all the fuss over tylenol, we're missing a bigger issue: we don't know enough about medication safety in pregnancy because so few drug studies include pregnant people. And that harms both women and their fetuses. My latest @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/what...
There's a Dangerous Gap in Drug Research in Pregnancy
Less than 1 percent of clinical trials include pregnant or breastfeeding people. Experts say that needs to change
www.scientificamerican.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM
With all the fuss over tylenol, we're missing a bigger issue: we don't know enough about medication safety in pregnancy because so few drug studies include pregnant people. And that harms both women and their fetuses. My latest @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/what...
Reposted by Lauren J. Young
Here's how to keep yourself safe from salmonella in eggs (by @mfischetti.bsky.social) www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
October 23, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Here's how to keep yourself safe from salmonella in eggs (by @mfischetti.bsky.social) www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
I spoke with 2025 Nobel winner Shimon Sakaguchi about chasing regulatory T cells since the 1980s. His advice to early-career scientists: "Nowadays you are expected to do something very, very soon and have a result. But it always takes time to arrive at something important." @sciam.bsky.social
Shimon Sakaguchi Hunted for an Immune Cell Others Dismissed. It Earned Him a Nobel Prize
Nobel laureate Shimon Sakaguchi reflects on the role of regulatory T cells in peripheral immune tolerance and how the cells could transform treatment for cancer, autoimmune disease and organ transplan...
www.scientificamerican.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:29 PM
I spoke with 2025 Nobel winner Shimon Sakaguchi about chasing regulatory T cells since the 1980s. His advice to early-career scientists: "Nowadays you are expected to do something very, very soon and have a result. But it always takes time to arrive at something important." @sciam.bsky.social
On today's Science Quickly, I interviewed a former White House doctor about the president's care, aging and more: "It is a fact of science, it's not a political attack, that humans past the age of 60... start to have cognitive decline."
"We have a gerontocracy."
Listen on @sciam.bsky.social 🎧
"We have a gerontocracy."
Listen on @sciam.bsky.social 🎧
Transforming Presidential Health Care: Insights from a Former White House Doctor
A former White House physician reveals the medical realities of caring for the president of the U.S.
www.scientificamerican.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:28 PM
On today's Science Quickly, I interviewed a former White House doctor about the president's care, aging and more: "It is a fact of science, it's not a political attack, that humans past the age of 60... start to have cognitive decline."
"We have a gerontocracy."
Listen on @sciam.bsky.social 🎧
"We have a gerontocracy."
Listen on @sciam.bsky.social 🎧
Updated COVID vaccines are still the best tools we have to reduce severe disease and death from the virus. @sarafnovak.bsky.social explains the latest research for @sciam.bsky.social. www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-...
Annual COVID Vaccines Save Lives, New Study Shows
A new study shows that receiving an updated COVID vaccine reduced people’s risk of severe disease and death in all age groups, regardless of immunity from prior infection or vaccination
www.scientificamerican.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Updated COVID vaccines are still the best tools we have to reduce severe disease and death from the virus. @sarafnovak.bsky.social explains the latest research for @sciam.bsky.social. www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-...
Reposted by Lauren J. Young
Six of the nine Nobel Prize winners this year work in the U.S.
Three of the six were born outside the U.S., which is the pattern most years. No country has benefited more from welcoming immigrants from around the world.
www.nobelprize.org
Three of the six were born outside the U.S., which is the pattern most years. No country has benefited more from welcoming immigrants from around the world.
www.nobelprize.org
The official website of the Nobel Prize - NobelPrize.org
The Nobel Prize rewards science, humanism and peace efforts. This is one of the central concepts in the will of Alfred Nobel, and it also permeates the outreach activities that have been developed for...
www.nobelprize.org
October 8, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Six of the nine Nobel Prize winners this year work in the U.S.
Three of the six were born outside the U.S., which is the pattern most years. No country has benefited more from welcoming immigrants from around the world.
www.nobelprize.org
Three of the six were born outside the U.S., which is the pattern most years. No country has benefited more from welcoming immigrants from around the world.
www.nobelprize.org
Reposted by Lauren J. Young
welp, you get what you ask for. joking with coworkers that it's going to be mofs, and i'm really a med chem type so will i be able to do this and lol here it is. the Nobel Prize for chemistry for 2025 goes to the development of metal-organic frameworks.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/2025...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/2025...
2025 Chemistry Nobel Goes to Molecular Sponges That Purify Water, Store Energy, and Clean Up the Environment
Three scientists, including one from the U.S., share the 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry for developing “metal-organic frameworks,” versatile molecular cages that can trap contaminants, store energy and...
www.scientificamerican.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:05 PM
welp, you get what you ask for. joking with coworkers that it's going to be mofs, and i'm really a med chem type so will i be able to do this and lol here it is. the Nobel Prize for chemistry for 2025 goes to the development of metal-organic frameworks.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/2025...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Lauren J. Young
Now on @sciam.bsky.social: This year’s physics Nobel goes to 3 researchers who demonstrated quantum tunneling on a superconducting chip. By bringing this microscopic effect into the macroscale world, they laid important foundations for quantum computing.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/2025...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/2025...
This Year’s Nobel Prize in Physics Is Awarded to Three Scientists for Work in Quantum Mechanics
John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis shared the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for their work showing how bizarre microscopic quantum effects can infiltrate our large-scale, everyday world
www.scientificamerican.com
October 7, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Now on @sciam.bsky.social: This year’s physics Nobel goes to 3 researchers who demonstrated quantum tunneling on a superconducting chip. By bringing this microscopic effect into the macroscale world, they laid important foundations for quantum computing.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/2025...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Lauren J. Young
It's Nobel week! Here's @laurenjyoung.bsky.social with a great explainer on the science of today's winners, who developed our understanding of how the immune system avoids attacking the body: 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/2025...
This Year’s Medicine Nobel Goes to Discovery of Why the Body Doesn’t Attack Itself
Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi shared the Nobel prize for their work on peripheral immune tolerance, a process that is key to organ transplants and treatment of autoimmune disease...
www.scientificamerican.com
October 6, 2025 at 8:50 PM
It's Nobel week! Here's @laurenjyoung.bsky.social with a great explainer on the science of today's winners, who developed our understanding of how the immune system avoids attacking the body: 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Lauren J. Young
This year's #medicineNobel was awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell & Shimon Sakaguchi for discovering why the body doesn't attack itself—key for organ transplants and autoimmune disease therapies. By @laurenjyoung.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social: www.scientificamerican.com/article/2025...
This Year’s Medicine Nobel Goes to Discovery of Why the Body Doesn’t Attack Itself
Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi shared the Nobel prize for their work on peripheral immune tolerance, a process that is key to organ transplants and treatment of autoimmune disease...
www.scientificamerican.com
October 6, 2025 at 10:56 AM
This year's #medicineNobel was awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell & Shimon Sakaguchi for discovering why the body doesn't attack itself—key for organ transplants and autoimmune disease therapies. By @laurenjyoung.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social: www.scientificamerican.com/article/2025...
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Medicine goes to some neat fundamental research on the immune system: peripheral immune tolerance. It's what keeps the body's defense mechanism in check—and could be key to new therapies for autoimmune disorders. @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/2025...
This Year’s Medicine Nobel Goes to Discovery of Why the Body Doesn’t Attack Itself
Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi shared the Nobel prize for their work on peripheral immune tolerance, a process that is key to organ transplants and treatment of autoimmune disease...
www.scientificamerican.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:03 AM
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Medicine goes to some neat fundamental research on the immune system: peripheral immune tolerance. It's what keeps the body's defense mechanism in check—and could be key to new therapies for autoimmune disorders. @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/2025...
“I think chimpanzees have helped people understand that we are part of and not separated from the animal kingdom, and that has opened the way to having respect for the other amazing beings with whom we share the planet.” —Jane Goodall, @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/jane...
Jane Goodall, Trailblazing Primatologist and Chimpanzee Conservationist, Has Died
The anthropologist was famous for her pioneering research with chimpanzees and her influence on conservation
www.scientificamerican.com
October 1, 2025 at 8:35 PM
“I think chimpanzees have helped people understand that we are part of and not separated from the animal kingdom, and that has opened the way to having respect for the other amazing beings with whom we share the planet.” —Jane Goodall, @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/jane...
Jane Goodall is an inspiration to so many in science, myself included. I once combed through @scifri.bsky.social's archives listening to her interviews. I'll never forget her on-air imitation of a chimp pant-hoot. A true legend 💙🐒 www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t8_... www.sciencefriday.com/articles/arc...
Reflecting On The Wild With Jane Goodall, Winner Of The 2021 Templeton Prize
A look back on the groundbreaking chimpanzee research and humanitarian career of Jane Goodall.
www.sciencefriday.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Jane Goodall is an inspiration to so many in science, myself included. I once combed through @scifri.bsky.social's archives listening to her interviews. I'll never forget her on-air imitation of a chimp pant-hoot. A true legend 💙🐒 www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t8_... www.sciencefriday.com/articles/arc...
"You see CDC being torn apart, 2,000 people who are no longer there, years of experience, centers that are being demolished." @drdemetre.bsky.social discusses the dire state of US public health w/ @feltman.bsky.social on @sciam.bsky.social Science Quickly: www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/epis...
Demetre Daskalakis Saw the CDC Change from the Inside—And He’s Sounding the Alarm
The former director of a CDC center reveals how political ideology is undermining science, threatening vaccine policy and endangering public health across the U.S.
www.scientificamerican.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:31 PM
"You see CDC being torn apart, 2,000 people who are no longer there, years of experience, centers that are being demolished." @drdemetre.bsky.social discusses the dire state of US public health w/ @feltman.bsky.social on @sciam.bsky.social Science Quickly: www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/epis...
Reposted by Lauren J. Young
Well not only is TS Imelda going to move away from the U.S. (phew), it's doing so because of what is essentially a "flavor" of the Fujiwhara effect that has Imelda making a sharp right turn to follow in Hurricane Humberto's wake. 🧪
(I love hurricanes.)
www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
(I love hurricanes.)
www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
A Hurricane Is Saving the U.S. from a Tropical Storm
In a version of the Fujiwhara effect, Hurricane Humberto is pulling Tropical Storm Imelda eastward and away from the U.S.
www.scientificamerican.com
September 29, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Well not only is TS Imelda going to move away from the U.S. (phew), it's doing so because of what is essentially a "flavor" of the Fujiwhara effect that has Imelda making a sharp right turn to follow in Hurricane Humberto's wake. 🧪
(I love hurricanes.)
www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
(I love hurricanes.)
www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
Reposted by Lauren J. Young
The FDA is conducting "its own review of the evidence" on the safety & effectiveness of abortion drug mifepristone, according to news reports. Yet a wealth of evidence has shown the drug is safe and effective. SCOTUS rejected a case on this last year: www.scientificamerican.com/article/abor...
Abortion Pill Access Is Still Under Threat After SCOTUS Ruling, Legal Experts Warn
“It would be foolish to declare victory” for abortion rights, one expert says of the recent Supreme Court challenge to medication abortion access
www.scientificamerican.com
September 25, 2025 at 7:05 PM
The FDA is conducting "its own review of the evidence" on the safety & effectiveness of abortion drug mifepristone, according to news reports. Yet a wealth of evidence has shown the drug is safe and effective. SCOTUS rejected a case on this last year: www.scientificamerican.com/article/abor...
Reposted by Lauren J. Young
Check out the incredible #RSV package from @sciam.bsky.social. Articles from me, @lizszabo.bsky.social @markkreidler.bsky.social, Suzette Brewer & editing frm @emilybazar.bsky.social. All editorially independent reporting. www.scientificamerican.com/report/innov... (we didn't know who sponsors were)
Innovations In: RSV
The prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has seen incredible advancement in the past few years. In this editorially independent package, Scientific American explores breakthroughs in immuni...
www.scientificamerican.com
September 24, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Check out the incredible #RSV package from @sciam.bsky.social. Articles from me, @lizszabo.bsky.social @markkreidler.bsky.social, Suzette Brewer & editing frm @emilybazar.bsky.social. All editorially independent reporting. www.scientificamerican.com/report/innov... (we didn't know who sponsors were)
WHAT?! This is actually amazing and a VERY BIG deal for the cephalopod world! (lookin' at you my old @scifri.bsky.social colleagues and 🦑 nerds) www.sciencefriday.com/videos/giant...
September 24, 2025 at 8:55 PM
WHAT?! This is actually amazing and a VERY BIG deal for the cephalopod world! (lookin' at you my old @scifri.bsky.social colleagues and 🦑 nerds) www.sciencefriday.com/videos/giant...
Reposted by Lauren J. Young
www.scientificamerican.com/article/tyle... and--to understand WHY the autism-Tylenol connection is so flimsy: www.scientificamerican.com/article/does... 🧪 #MedSky
Tylenol Is Popular and Safe, Yet Nobody Knows How It Works
The common pain reliever is safe when used as directed, research shows. But scientists remain puzzled by one aspect: how it reduces pain and fever
www.scientificamerican.com
September 23, 2025 at 12:58 AM
www.scientificamerican.com/article/tyle... and--to understand WHY the autism-Tylenol connection is so flimsy: www.scientificamerican.com/article/does... 🧪 #MedSky
Reposted by Lauren J. Young
Does taking Tylenol during pregnancy increase risk of autism? The evidence is thin—and entirely correlational. Here's what to know. @sciam.bsky.social 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/does...
Does Tylenol Use during Pregnancy Cause Autism? What the Research Shows
Trump and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. plan to tie Tylenol use during pregnancy and folate deficiencies to rising autism rates—but the evidence is thin
www.scientificamerican.com
September 22, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Does taking Tylenol during pregnancy increase risk of autism? The evidence is thin—and entirely correlational. Here's what to know. @sciam.bsky.social 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/does...