Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
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mackayim.bsky.social
Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
@mackayim.bsky.social
forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. australian.
#MasksWork
https://virologydownunder.com/
Pinned
Pathology lab PCR is not research lab PCR

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) use in the pathology lab differs from research-based PCR in two fundamental ways, namely quality and clinical expertise. These are essential to producing a clinical diagnosis supported by results from a range of tests…
Pathology lab PCR is not research lab PCR
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) use in the pathology lab differs from research-based PCR in two fundamental ways, namely quality and clinical expertise. These are essential to producing a clinical diagnosis supported by results from a range of tests performed by different branches of 'the pathology laboratory'. In a research lab, PCR results are often relied on to confirm experimental outcomes. Recognising these differences requires experience in a high-quality pathology lab setting to fully appreciate the absolute need for quality and its ubiquity. My experience The many words below are based on 32 years of experience in both research and routine labs, using PCR as a tool to answer a range of questions.
virologydownunder.com
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Only hours after blowing up a maternity hospital, Russians have just murdered 15 miners that were returning home from their shift in Dnipropetrovsk.
February 2, 2026 at 8:07 AM
A good one.
(from the account of billybiggles on Threads)
February 2, 2026 at 5:41 AM
This is utterly horrific as it stands.
As an additional aside, I see this evil sinking into my adult kid's psyches. I detest all who made this, and the many other horrors being visited upon the world, a reality. I wish nothing good for them. Ever.
A Lancet preprint estimates that if US funding is cut and not replaced, from 2025-2040 there will be 15.2 mil add'l AIDS deaths, 2.2 mil add'l TB deaths, 7.9 mil add'l child deaths from other causes, and 40-55 mil add'l unplanned pregnancies.

@altusaid.altgov.info

papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
February 2, 2026 at 3:54 AM
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
While the top 1% control $54 TRILLION

(not a typo)
October 28, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Quite a read. Thx for always bringing really interesting and educational stuff to the table @warinthefuture.bsky.social
"For PLA planners, the overarching lesson is an uncomfortable one. It is the realization that space support can no longer be treated as a specialized rear-area function, but must be viewed as a frontline contest." Chinese learning about space ops from the #Ukraine War.
jamestown.org/pla-assessme...
PLA Assessments on the Centrality of Space Power in Ukraine - Jamestown
Executive Summary: Editor’s note: This is the final installment in a four-part series on the lessons that the People’s Republic of China has learned from observing Russia’s war in Ukraine. The first t...
jamestown.org
February 2, 2026 at 3:36 AM
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
A system that selects out expertise in favour of those who have no knowledge plus a desire against learning, will only ever be corrupt and incapable of brokering lasting or truly beneficial deals.
February 1, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Bloody hell.
I totally forgot - it's Happy Feb 1 Secret Teleconference Day!!!

Luckily - and even now, six years later - the A Team over on The Other Site is already celebrating 🙇🙏🥳.
February 1, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Measles cases are rising in the U.S., and for many parents, it’s a never-before-seen disease. Here's how to spot the rash, and protect your family against this dangerous infection. (via @politifact.bsky.social) https://to.pbs.org/4qUAHQh
A parent’s guide to preventing measles infection and what to look for
Measles cases are rising in the U.S., and for many parents, it’s a never-before-seen disease. Here's how to spot the rash, and protect your family against this dangerous infection.
www.pbs.org
February 1, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Being a night owl can be bad for your heart. That may sound surprising but a large study found people who are more active late at night have poorer overall heart health than the average person. Here's what to do to improve your health.
bit.ly/4kf4l03
February 1, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Minnesota's response is among the most beautiful examples of real-life antifascism I have ever seen. And it’s why, as deeply horrifying as these last few weeks have been, I am actually optimistic about the survival of American democracy. — TNR's Aaron Regunberg.
trib.al/znj8D87
Here’s Your Damn Playbook, Democrats
Party leaders can’t seem to process that Trump’s policies are in fact staggeringly unpopular. Minneapolis is showing politicians how it’s done.
trib.al
February 1, 2026 at 2:33 AM
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
In 2025, as Bluesky grew from 25M to 42M users, we took actions to keep it welcoming, using proactive design to reduce toxic content by 79%.  Our 2025 Transparency Report shares how we're building a safer platform while keeping a transparent and human-centered approach: bsky.social/about/blog/0...
2025 Transparency Report Overview - Bluesky
In 2025, as Bluesky grew from 25 million to 41 million users, we improved the trust and safety infrastructure to better enable our mission. Here's what that looks like in plain language.
bsky.social
January 30, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
"House burping" is trending. Open your windows for a few minutes each day to ventilate the house, like a full-body cleanse for your indoor air. Pollutants from cooking and product use build up indoors, so it's good to flush if outdoor air quality is good.

www.outsideonline.com/health/welln...
House Burping Sounds Gross But It May Boost Your Wellbeing
The centuries-old German practice is trending on TikTok, and for good reason.
www.outsideonline.com
January 31, 2026 at 8:06 PM
I hope your Saturday has gone\is going, well.
January 31, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
@SimonKuperFT: "Any politician still invoking “the international community” or calling the US an “ally” is either a liar or hasn’t been paying attention."
www.ft.com/content/fcb5...
The ‘Little West’ takes on the new world order
Terrified into co-operation by outside threats, a surprisingly solid bloc is emerging
www.ft.com
January 31, 2026 at 1:05 AM
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
FFS...
Vote very carefully #auspol
This is what electing more 'One Nation' candidates will bring to Australia...anti-vaccination and anti-science, belief-driven misinformation.
Look how well that's going for the infectious disease hellscape that the US is rapidly becoming .
#auspol
January 30, 2026 at 11:34 AM
"Disease Outbreak News
Nipah virus infection - India"
-the source for this particular outbreak is still being sought.
www.who.int/emergencies/...
Nipah virus disease - India
On 26 January 2026, the National IHR Focal Point for India notified WHO of two laboratory‑confirmed cases of Nipah virus (NiV) infection in West Bengal State. Both are healthcare workers at the same p...
www.who.int
January 30, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Voting in Victoria later this year…

#UseYourVoteWisely

#VoteWisely

#auspol #springst
This is what electing more 'One Nation' candidates will bring to Australia...anti-vaccination and anti-science, belief-driven misinformation.
Look how well that's going for the infectious disease hellscape that the US is rapidly becoming .
#auspol
January 30, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
This is not a good record to have - the US will continue to destroy the environment.

US leads record global surge in gas-fired power driven by AI demands, with big costs for the climate

www.theguardian.com/environment/...
US leads record global surge in gas-fired power driven by AI demands, with big costs for the climate
Projects in development expected to grow global capacity by nearly 50% amid growing concern over impact on planet
www.theguardian.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Because he knows how ineffectual congress is.
Border czar Tom Homan said the "hostile rhetoric" against immigration agents "must stop" and suggested that people take their protests to Congress instead of against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
January 29, 2026 at 9:47 PM
One. Week.
January 29, 2026 at 9:42 PM
"No vaccines, no cure, and 'very dangerous'. Should we be worried about Nipah virus?"

In Australia? Or most of the population of the world?
No.
Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
No vaccines, no cure, and 'very dangerous'. Should we be worried about Nipah virus?
Airports across Asia are on alert for the deadly virus.
www.sbs.com.au
January 29, 2026 at 11:00 AM