Michael Peel
@mikepeeljourno.bsky.social
@FinancialTimes.com science editor. Ex-Nigeria, UAE, Thailand, Belgium & Japan. Latest book: What Everyone Knows About Britain* (*Except the British) - https://linktr.ee/whateveryoneknowsaboutbritain. Author of The Fabulists and A Swamp Full of Dollars.
NEW: More questions about the long-term effects of GLP-1 weight loss drugs as new research finds people with higher muscle mass showed less brain ageing.
Many users of GLP-1s such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro shed muscle mass at the same time as they lose fat.
www.ft.com/content/b735...
Many users of GLP-1s such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro shed muscle mass at the same time as they lose fat.
www.ft.com/content/b735...
Muscly people show slower brain ageing, study finds
Research highlights possible drawback of muscle mass loss through use of GLP-1 anti-obesity drugs
www.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:52 PM
NEW: More questions about the long-term effects of GLP-1 weight loss drugs as new research finds people with higher muscle mass showed less brain ageing.
Many users of GLP-1s such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro shed muscle mass at the same time as they lose fat.
www.ft.com/content/b735...
Many users of GLP-1s such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro shed muscle mass at the same time as they lose fat.
www.ft.com/content/b735...
NEW: Scientists have built an AI genetics analysis model to boost the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases that are estimated to affect hundreds of millions of people worlwide.
It has already been used to help a muscular atrophy sufferer in Senegal.
www.ft.com/content/bc49...
It has already been used to help a muscular atrophy sufferer in Senegal.
www.ft.com/content/bc49...
New AI model enhances diagnosis of rare diseases
PopEVE system outperformed rivals such as Google DeepMind’s AlphaMissense
www.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:38 AM
NEW: Scientists have built an AI genetics analysis model to boost the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases that are estimated to affect hundreds of millions of people worlwide.
It has already been used to help a muscular atrophy sufferer in Senegal.
www.ft.com/content/bc49...
It has already been used to help a muscular atrophy sufferer in Senegal.
www.ft.com/content/bc49...
NEW: It's supercomputers versus superbugs in a new venture backed by pharma company GSK to combat the growing threat of drug-resistant microbes.
These range from the MRSA bacteria that have plagued hospitals to deadly fungi flourishing because of climate change.
www.ft.com/content/8525...
These range from the MRSA bacteria that have plagued hospitals to deadly fungi flourishing because of climate change.
www.ft.com/content/8525...
New GSK-backed venture targets drug-resistant superbugs with AI
Pharmaceutical group and Fleming Initiative launch project to combat antimicrobial resistance
www.ft.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:13 PM
NEW: It's supercomputers versus superbugs in a new venture backed by pharma company GSK to combat the growing threat of drug-resistant microbes.
These range from the MRSA bacteria that have plagued hospitals to deadly fungi flourishing because of climate change.
www.ft.com/content/8525...
These range from the MRSA bacteria that have plagued hospitals to deadly fungi flourishing because of climate change.
www.ft.com/content/8525...
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison's new Oxford science institute forecasts it will spend £10bn+ over the next decade. But it's been shaken by its first president's departure and big strategic changes.
Great to work with @rafeuddin.ft.com & @hannahkuchler.bsky.social.
www.ft.com/content/ae2c...
Great to work with @rafeuddin.ft.com & @hannahkuchler.bsky.social.
www.ft.com/content/ae2c...
Larry Ellison scales back £10bn Oxford science institute in leadership rift
Trump-supporting billionaire narrows EIT’s ambitions by cutting initiatives and tightening control
www.ft.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison's new Oxford science institute forecasts it will spend £10bn+ over the next decade. But it's been shaken by its first president's departure and big strategic changes.
Great to work with @rafeuddin.ft.com & @hannahkuchler.bsky.social.
www.ft.com/content/ae2c...
Great to work with @rafeuddin.ft.com & @hannahkuchler.bsky.social.
www.ft.com/content/ae2c...
Reposted by Michael Peel
NEW: The first big new malaria treatment in a generation is close, offering hope at a time of rising resistance to existing drugs and steep cuts to global health funding.
www.ft.com/content/9070...
Read more here about fears of a malaria resurgence due to slashed aid.
www.ft.com/content/6d5e...
www.ft.com/content/9070...
Read more here about fears of a malaria resurgence due to slashed aid.
www.ft.com/content/6d5e...
New malaria drug promises to beat resistant strains
Novartis-led project should help curb spread of deadly disease in Africa and Asia
www.ft.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:51 AM
NEW: The first big new malaria treatment in a generation is close, offering hope at a time of rising resistance to existing drugs and steep cuts to global health funding.
www.ft.com/content/9070...
Read more here about fears of a malaria resurgence due to slashed aid.
www.ft.com/content/6d5e...
www.ft.com/content/9070...
Read more here about fears of a malaria resurgence due to slashed aid.
www.ft.com/content/6d5e...
Reposted by Michael Peel
NEW: Malaria cases surged in Myanmar after the 2021 military coup and the subsequent civil war. Experts fear the rise could be the shape of things to come elsewhere, after big international health funding cuts.
Register here for some free FT articles:
www.ft.com/register
www.ft.com/content/6d5e...
Register here for some free FT articles:
www.ft.com/register
www.ft.com/content/6d5e...
Myanmar malaria surge rings global alarm bells
The deadly disease is threatening to return as international funding cuts undermine eradication efforts
www.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:43 AM
NEW: Malaria cases surged in Myanmar after the 2021 military coup and the subsequent civil war. Experts fear the rise could be the shape of things to come elsewhere, after big international health funding cuts.
Register here for some free FT articles:
www.ft.com/register
www.ft.com/content/6d5e...
Register here for some free FT articles:
www.ft.com/register
www.ft.com/content/6d5e...
NEW: The first big new malaria treatment in a generation is close, offering hope at a time of rising resistance to existing drugs and steep cuts to global health funding.
www.ft.com/content/9070...
Read more here about fears of a malaria resurgence due to slashed aid.
www.ft.com/content/6d5e...
www.ft.com/content/9070...
Read more here about fears of a malaria resurgence due to slashed aid.
www.ft.com/content/6d5e...
New malaria drug promises to beat resistant strains
Novartis-led project should help curb spread of deadly disease in Africa and Asia
www.ft.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:51 AM
NEW: The first big new malaria treatment in a generation is close, offering hope at a time of rising resistance to existing drugs and steep cuts to global health funding.
www.ft.com/content/9070...
Read more here about fears of a malaria resurgence due to slashed aid.
www.ft.com/content/6d5e...
www.ft.com/content/9070...
Read more here about fears of a malaria resurgence due to slashed aid.
www.ft.com/content/6d5e...
NEW: A sign of the scientific times as the UK scales back collaboration with China.
Science minister Lord Vallance says the two countries have agreed to work together in the “uncontroversial” areas of health, climate, planetary sciences and agriculture.
www.ft.com/content/edc0...
Science minister Lord Vallance says the two countries have agreed to work together in the “uncontroversial” areas of health, climate, planetary sciences and agriculture.
www.ft.com/content/edc0...
UK scales back scientific collaboration with China
Science minister says countries have agreed to work together in ‘uncontroversial’ areas such as health and climate
www.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:39 PM
NEW: A sign of the scientific times as the UK scales back collaboration with China.
Science minister Lord Vallance says the two countries have agreed to work together in the “uncontroversial” areas of health, climate, planetary sciences and agriculture.
www.ft.com/content/edc0...
Science minister Lord Vallance says the two countries have agreed to work together in the “uncontroversial” areas of health, climate, planetary sciences and agriculture.
www.ft.com/content/edc0...
NEW: Malaria cases surged in Myanmar after the 2021 military coup and the subsequent civil war. Experts fear the rise could be the shape of things to come elsewhere, after big international health funding cuts.
Register here for some free FT articles:
www.ft.com/register
www.ft.com/content/6d5e...
Register here for some free FT articles:
www.ft.com/register
www.ft.com/content/6d5e...
Myanmar malaria surge rings global alarm bells
The deadly disease is threatening to return as international funding cuts undermine eradication efforts
www.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:43 AM
NEW: Malaria cases surged in Myanmar after the 2021 military coup and the subsequent civil war. Experts fear the rise could be the shape of things to come elsewhere, after big international health funding cuts.
Register here for some free FT articles:
www.ft.com/register
www.ft.com/content/6d5e...
Register here for some free FT articles:
www.ft.com/register
www.ft.com/content/6d5e...
Look forward to moderating at the @financialtimes.com Live Global Pharma & Biotech Summit in London. We'll explore breakthroughs reshaping healthcare from AI in drug discovery to the future of biotech investment.
Speakers include CEOs from Roche, Eli Lily, Takeda and more. Register: bit.ly/4nF9eja
Speakers include CEOs from Roche, Eli Lily, Takeda and more. Register: bit.ly/4nF9eja
November 6, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Look forward to moderating at the @financialtimes.com Live Global Pharma & Biotech Summit in London. We'll explore breakthroughs reshaping healthcare from AI in drug discovery to the future of biotech investment.
Speakers include CEOs from Roche, Eli Lily, Takeda and more. Register: bit.ly/4nF9eja
Speakers include CEOs from Roche, Eli Lily, Takeda and more. Register: bit.ly/4nF9eja
NEW: Children faced more risk of rare heart problems after Covid-19 infection than they did after taking the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine, a big three-year study of under-18s in England has found.
Important evidence for debates over vaccine safety, particularly in the US.
www.ft.com/content/231d...
Important evidence for debates over vaccine safety, particularly in the US.
www.ft.com/content/231d...
Covid jab less likely than virus to cause rare heart issue in children
Largest study of its kind shows health risks of refusing vaccination
www.ft.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:16 AM
NEW: Children faced more risk of rare heart problems after Covid-19 infection than they did after taking the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine, a big three-year study of under-18s in England has found.
Important evidence for debates over vaccine safety, particularly in the US.
www.ft.com/content/231d...
Important evidence for debates over vaccine safety, particularly in the US.
www.ft.com/content/231d...
NEW: Walking 5,000 steps a day may help slow the onset of early-stage Alzheimer's disease, according to research that blends brain scans, activity records and cognitive tests.
Even as few as 3,001 steps - less than 3km - could have a big benefit in slowing decline.
www.ft.com/content/91fc...
Even as few as 3,001 steps - less than 3km - could have a big benefit in slowing decline.
www.ft.com/content/91fc...
5,000 steps a day may help slow Alzheimer’s-linked decline, study shows
Research using data from Harvard Aging Brain Study showed more active patients saw slower cognitive deterioration
www.ft.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:14 PM
NEW: Walking 5,000 steps a day may help slow the onset of early-stage Alzheimer's disease, according to research that blends brain scans, activity records and cognitive tests.
Even as few as 3,001 steps - less than 3km - could have a big benefit in slowing decline.
www.ft.com/content/91fc...
Even as few as 3,001 steps - less than 3km - could have a big benefit in slowing decline.
www.ft.com/content/91fc...
The smartwatch on your wrist can help detect several structural heart problems when combined with artificial intelligence, according to preliminary research just out.
If confirmed this could widen the use of wearables as a health early warning system, researchers say.
www.ft.com/content/4766...
If confirmed this could widen the use of wearables as a health early warning system, researchers say.
www.ft.com/content/4766...
Scientists use smartwatch data and AI to detect heart damage
Researchers say advance could make early screening for structural heart disease possible on a large scale
www.ft.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:52 AM
The smartwatch on your wrist can help detect several structural heart problems when combined with artificial intelligence, according to preliminary research just out.
If confirmed this could widen the use of wearables as a health early warning system, researchers say.
www.ft.com/content/4766...
If confirmed this could widen the use of wearables as a health early warning system, researchers say.
www.ft.com/content/4766...
It is encouraging but still missing is a keystone speech about how the world and the UK’s place in it have changed politically, economically and demographically, meaning that many assumptions middle-aged and older voters grew up with no longer apply.
More on this here!
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
October 31, 2025 at 8:12 AM
It is encouraging but still missing is a keystone speech about how the world and the UK’s place in it have changed politically, economically and demographically, meaning that many assumptions middle-aged and older voters grew up with no longer apply.
More on this here!
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
Two days left on this bargain to pick up a digital copy of What Everyone Knows About Britain* (*Except the British)!
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
“Honest, persuasive & good-humoured”–Jonathan Coe
"Incisive, informative & deeply enjoyable"–Rosie Holt
"Extremely entertaining"–Simon Kuper
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
“Honest, persuasive & good-humoured”–Jonathan Coe
"Incisive, informative & deeply enjoyable"–Rosie Holt
"Extremely entertaining"–Simon Kuper
October 29, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Two days left on this bargain to pick up a digital copy of What Everyone Knows About Britain* (*Except the British)!
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
“Honest, persuasive & good-humoured”–Jonathan Coe
"Incisive, informative & deeply enjoyable"–Rosie Holt
"Extremely entertaining"–Simon Kuper
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
“Honest, persuasive & good-humoured”–Jonathan Coe
"Incisive, informative & deeply enjoyable"–Rosie Holt
"Extremely entertaining"–Simon Kuper
NEW: The US plan to exit the World Health Organization next year would leave the Gates Foundation as the UN body's top donor.
New research says that skews the WHO's agenda. The WHO says not - but the situation reveals a funding crisis in the global fight against disease.
www.ft.com/content/d2c6...
New research says that skews the WHO's agenda. The WHO says not - but the situation reveals a funding crisis in the global fight against disease.
www.ft.com/content/d2c6...
Gates Foundation skews global health agenda after US retreat, study says
World Health Organization’s priorities tilted by reliance on charitable foundation, according to research
www.ft.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:58 AM
NEW: The US plan to exit the World Health Organization next year would leave the Gates Foundation as the UN body's top donor.
New research says that skews the WHO's agenda. The WHO says not - but the situation reveals a funding crisis in the global fight against disease.
www.ft.com/content/d2c6...
New research says that skews the WHO's agenda. The WHO says not - but the situation reveals a funding crisis in the global fight against disease.
www.ft.com/content/d2c6...
My superb colleague @stephenkb.bsky.social shows how UK governments have for years failed to explain how the world has changed.
ft.com/content/f1b5...
I explore this in What Everyone Knows About Britain* (*Except the British) - available digitally for 99p until Oct 30.
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
ft.com/content/f1b5...
I explore this in What Everyone Knows About Britain* (*Except the British) - available digitally for 99p until Oct 30.
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
October 28, 2025 at 10:33 AM
My superb colleague @stephenkb.bsky.social shows how UK governments have for years failed to explain how the world has changed.
ft.com/content/f1b5...
I explore this in What Everyone Knows About Britain* (*Except the British) - available digitally for 99p until Oct 30.
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
ft.com/content/f1b5...
I explore this in What Everyone Knows About Britain* (*Except the British) - available digitally for 99p until Oct 30.
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
Buy the digital version of my book What Everyone Knows About Britain* (*Except the British) for just 99p until October 30!
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
“Honest, persuasive & good-humoured”–Jonathan Coe
"Incisive, informative & deeply enjoyable"–Rosie Holt
"Extremely entertaining"–Simon Kuper
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
“Honest, persuasive & good-humoured”–Jonathan Coe
"Incisive, informative & deeply enjoyable"–Rosie Holt
"Extremely entertaining"–Simon Kuper
October 27, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Buy the digital version of my book What Everyone Knows About Britain* (*Except the British) for just 99p until October 30!
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
“Honest, persuasive & good-humoured”–Jonathan Coe
"Incisive, informative & deeply enjoyable"–Rosie Holt
"Extremely entertaining"–Simon Kuper
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
“Honest, persuasive & good-humoured”–Jonathan Coe
"Incisive, informative & deeply enjoyable"–Rosie Holt
"Extremely entertaining"–Simon Kuper
Reposted by Michael Peel
NEW: Companies selling products that claim to boost health and longevity see a historic opportunity under the Trump administration.
Senior officials have ties to those industries - and health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr is a fan of “wellness” supplements and therapies.
www.ft.com/content/ed42...
Senior officials have ties to those industries - and health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr is a fan of “wellness” supplements and therapies.
www.ft.com/content/ed42...
US ‘wellness’ industry scents opportunity to go mainstream
Supplement manufacturers position themselves to exploit the Trump administration’s openness to fringe science
www.ft.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:24 AM
NEW: Companies selling products that claim to boost health and longevity see a historic opportunity under the Trump administration.
Senior officials have ties to those industries - and health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr is a fan of “wellness” supplements and therapies.
www.ft.com/content/ed42...
Senior officials have ties to those industries - and health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr is a fan of “wellness” supplements and therapies.
www.ft.com/content/ed42...
NEW: Companies selling products that claim to boost health and longevity see a historic opportunity under the Trump administration.
Senior officials have ties to those industries - and health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr is a fan of “wellness” supplements and therapies.
www.ft.com/content/ed42...
Senior officials have ties to those industries - and health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr is a fan of “wellness” supplements and therapies.
www.ft.com/content/ed42...
US ‘wellness’ industry scents opportunity to go mainstream
Supplement manufacturers position themselves to exploit the Trump administration’s openness to fringe science
www.ft.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:24 AM
NEW: Companies selling products that claim to boost health and longevity see a historic opportunity under the Trump administration.
Senior officials have ties to those industries - and health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr is a fan of “wellness” supplements and therapies.
www.ft.com/content/ed42...
Senior officials have ties to those industries - and health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr is a fan of “wellness” supplements and therapies.
www.ft.com/content/ed42...
NEW: Pigs genetically engineered to resist classical swine fever, by the Edinburgh institute that unveiled Dolly the cloned sheep almost 30 years ago.
It’s part of push for gene editing to guard livestock health (and of course there’s a bigger debate about farmed meat).
www.ft.com/content/dd38...
It’s part of push for gene editing to guard livestock health (and of course there’s a bigger debate about farmed meat).
www.ft.com/content/dd38...
Scientists unveil pigs gene-edited to resist swine fever
‘Genetic scissors’ technology could boost efforts to protect millions of animals from disease
www.ft.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:56 AM
NEW: Pigs genetically engineered to resist classical swine fever, by the Edinburgh institute that unveiled Dolly the cloned sheep almost 30 years ago.
It’s part of push for gene editing to guard livestock health (and of course there’s a bigger debate about farmed meat).
www.ft.com/content/dd38...
It’s part of push for gene editing to guard livestock health (and of course there’s a bigger debate about farmed meat).
www.ft.com/content/dd38...
NEW: Upfront costs for top overseas scientists to come to work in the UK can be more than 20 times those charged by other countries, Royal Society says.
Government insists this doesn’t contradicts its ambition to lure top researchers, at a time of turmoil in US science.
www.ft.com/content/7144...
Government insists this doesn’t contradicts its ambition to lure top researchers, at a time of turmoil in US science.
www.ft.com/content/7144...
Scientists charged too much to come to work in UK, says Royal Society
Combined upfront cost of the five-year Global Talent Visa and the Immigration Health Surcharge stands at £5,941
www.ft.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:24 AM
NEW: Upfront costs for top overseas scientists to come to work in the UK can be more than 20 times those charged by other countries, Royal Society says.
Government insists this doesn’t contradicts its ambition to lure top researchers, at a time of turmoil in US science.
www.ft.com/content/7144...
Government insists this doesn’t contradicts its ambition to lure top researchers, at a time of turmoil in US science.
www.ft.com/content/7144...
NEW: The extraordinary story of an eye implant to help people blinded by age-related retinal damage read again.
One person improved by almost 12 lines of a standard eye test chart.
Register here to read some FT articles free:
www.ft.com/register
www.ft.com/content/c2e8...
One person improved by almost 12 lines of a standard eye test chart.
Register here to read some FT articles free:
www.ft.com/register
www.ft.com/content/c2e8...
Scientists invent eye implant to help blind patients see again
Device improves vision of people suffering from advanced macular degeneration
www.ft.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:55 PM
NEW: The extraordinary story of an eye implant to help people blinded by age-related retinal damage read again.
One person improved by almost 12 lines of a standard eye test chart.
Register here to read some FT articles free:
www.ft.com/register
www.ft.com/content/c2e8...
One person improved by almost 12 lines of a standard eye test chart.
Register here to read some FT articles free:
www.ft.com/register
www.ft.com/content/c2e8...
NEW: Striking research on the first big evidence of a life-saving revolution in how we deal with food allergies.
Exposing infants to peanut early helps cut the risks of them developing potentially deadly adverse reactions to many foods, US scientists found.
www.ft.com/content/bf0c...
Exposing infants to peanut early helps cut the risks of them developing potentially deadly adverse reactions to many foods, US scientists found.
www.ft.com/content/bf0c...
www.ft.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:36 AM
NEW: Striking research on the first big evidence of a life-saving revolution in how we deal with food allergies.
Exposing infants to peanut early helps cut the risks of them developing potentially deadly adverse reactions to many foods, US scientists found.
www.ft.com/content/bf0c...
Exposing infants to peanut early helps cut the risks of them developing potentially deadly adverse reactions to many foods, US scientists found.
www.ft.com/content/bf0c...
The nutrient spermidine is at the heart of a growing battle about health products touted as having anti-ageing effects.
Its promoters cite evidence that it helps extend lifespan in animals - but sceptics point to the lack of research in humans.
Read more in the story below from this week.
Its promoters cite evidence that it helps extend lifespan in animals - but sceptics point to the lack of research in humans.
Read more in the story below from this week.
NEW: How one supplement sums up the uneasy science of selling youth
The potential anti-ageing effects of molecule spermidine have attracted longevity researchers and the wellness industry
Register here to read some FT articles free:
www.ft.com/register
www.ft.com/content/7282...
The potential anti-ageing effects of molecule spermidine have attracted longevity researchers and the wellness industry
Register here to read some FT articles free:
www.ft.com/register
www.ft.com/content/7282...
How one supplement sums up the uneasy science of selling youth
The potential anti-ageing effects of molecule spermidine have attracted longevity researchers and the wellness industry
www.ft.com
October 18, 2025 at 1:10 PM
The nutrient spermidine is at the heart of a growing battle about health products touted as having anti-ageing effects.
Its promoters cite evidence that it helps extend lifespan in animals - but sceptics point to the lack of research in humans.
Read more in the story below from this week.
Its promoters cite evidence that it helps extend lifespan in animals - but sceptics point to the lack of research in humans.
Read more in the story below from this week.