Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Sarah Cowley

Politics Phil @politicsphil.bsky.social · 11h

It has always been imperative that Science and the Judiciary are independent of both the executive and the state.

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Peter Sheridan @petersheridan.bsky.social · 11h

HPA was arms length body, PHE was executive agency of DH and UKHSA is part of DH; Public Health Wales, Public Health Scotland and PHA in NI more independent.

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Melissa Jo Peltier @melissjpeltier.bsky.social · 10h

As an American watching our best & most crucial institutions crumble in less than a year under Trump, I suggest you make as many of these changes now, while you can.
We didn’t, obviously.

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Meaghan Kall @kallmemeg.bsky.social · 11h

I really miss the days of Health Protection Agency when we were able to provide independent public health advice. Bringing the organisation ever closer to central government control has only had a net negative effect on so many aspects of the organisation.

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Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 12h

We also carried out polling with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social .

The public strongly favours independence for our scientific bodies. 71% say it is more important for them to be independent of the Government than controlled by it, regardless of their political party affiliation. 9/11

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Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 12h

E.g. The Met Office is the nation’s weather service AND a global climate change research centre. It is highly vulnerable.

Ministers fund its research, influence its priorities, and appoint its leaders. With no statutory basis, its priorities and funding could be changed with little oversight. 5/11

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Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 12h

🧵🚨

The UK’s independent scientific bodies are highly vulnerable to politicisation - over the past 5 months I've been working with @martinmckee.bsky.social to map out their vulnerabilities and it's not good news.

Today our report is published!
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

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UK’s arm’s length public bodies are highly vulnerable to politicisation

Seven in ten Britons say it is important for top scientific institutions to be independent in exclusive new polling.

www.ucl.ac.uk

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Trish Greenhalgh @trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social · 12h

It means the other 50 should now drop the idea of appealing

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Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 10h

Exactly this 👇👇

Melissa Jo Peltier @melissjpeltier.bsky.social · 10h

As an American watching our best & most crucial institutions crumble in less than a year under Trump, I suggest you make as many of these changes now, while you can.
We didn’t, obviously.

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Reposted by Sarah Cowley

Trish Greenhalgh @trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social · 9h

Head hits desk.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 11h

RFK Jr on Tylenol and autism: "It is not proof. We're doing the studies to make the proof."

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Sarah Cowley @profsarahcowley.bsky.social · 11h

What a tour de force you are, @alison-morton.bsky.social!

Thank you for your clarity and advocacy - for babies, children and families, and the health visitors working to support them.

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Institute of Health Visiting @ihealthvisiting.bsky.social · 1d

📣 Calling all iHV Members - our next #iHVInsights webinar 'The power of asking: Supporting families around alcohol use' is on 16 October. Find out more and book your place: buff.ly/xs2Npwq
#HealthVisiting

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Sarah Cowley @profsarahcowley.bsky.social · 12h

Appreciate your time, Christina. Thanks fior sharing your knowledge.

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Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 13h

Reposting the top 10 authoritarian things Trump has done since Sunday with *proper video trimming*.

Disappointed in my video editing failure yesterday! sigh.

youtu.be/P-KK6QLWLJE

youtu.be

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Reposted by Sarah Cowley

NPR @npr.org · 14h

A Cornell University researcher has been developing an artificial heart for children for more than 20 years. Now, his research is on hold and his lab is shut down. n.pr/3KIfcSn

This 4-year-old's heart is failing. A federal grant that might help him was canceled

A Cornell University researcher has been developing an artificial heart for children for more than 20 years. Now, his research is on hold and his lab is shut down.

n.pr

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Indivisible North Coast Oregon @indivisible-inco.bsky.social · 1d

#nokings #indivisible #indivisibleteam #inco #northcoastaction

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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 18h

The ECHR has protected British people from abuses of power by its own government

We must protect it, not leave it

youtu.be/ceukUFLBrFo?...

🚨UK will leave the ECHR if Tories win next election Kemi Badenoch has announced

YouTube video by Peter Stefanovic

youtu.be

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The University of Manchester @manchester.ac.uk · 19h

We’re pleased to share that The University of Manchester has been ranked 56th in the world and 8th in the UK in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.

#THEUniRankings @timeshighered.bsky.social

🔗 manchester.ac.uk/about/news/t...

The University of Manchester
56th in the world

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The Associated Press @apnews.com · 16h

Pope Leo XIV has blasted how wealthy people live in a “bubble of comfort and luxury” while the poor suffer. In his first teaching document Thursday, Leo confirms that he is in perfect lockstep with Pope Francis on matters of social injustice.

Pope Leo blasts economy that marginalizes poor while wealthy live in bubble of luxury

Pope Leo XIV has blasted how wealthy people live in a “bubble of comfort and luxury” while the poor suffer.

bit.ly

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Institute of Health Visiting @ihealthvisiting.bsky.social · 1d

iHV CEO, Alison Morton, provided evidence on the impact of the pandemic on children, young people and their health services at today’s COVID-19 Inquiry Module 8 Public Hearings
ihv.org.uk/news-and-vie...
#HealthVisiting

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Mrs M @mrsmhere.bsky.social · 2d

A short amble by the river Wear in lunch hour. Saw what I think might’ve been a cormorant fishing in the river, and a couple of waxwings foraging for berries. 😊

The river with willows on the banks starting to turn yellow.

White yarrow and pink Himalayan balsam flowers.

Tall plant with yellow flowers, possibly goldenrod but not sure.

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Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 3d

Sunday's actions were all about trying - and failing - and trying - and failing to deploy the National Guard to Portland and Oregon. It's really confusing, so I break it down in this video...

youtu.be/v4ZP_DJKkvE

Trump's authoritarian actions Sunday 5th October 2025 - all about the National Guard

YouTube video by Professor Christina Pagel

youtu.be

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Institute of Health Visiting @ihealthvisiting.bsky.social · 2d

We are delighted to welcome all iHV student members to the next SCPHN Student Health Visitor Network Event on 21 October at 3:30pm, particularly those who have recently begun their studies. Find out more and book your place here:
buff.ly/akl9J2M
#HealthVisiting

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Reposted by Sarah Cowley

Institute of Health Visiting @ihealthvisiting.bsky.social · 2d

📢 Calling all frontline health visitors and #HealthVisiting team members!!

Don’t miss your opportunity to have your say in our health review contacts survey to better understand how universal health review contacts are being delivered.
ihv.org.uk/news-and-vie...

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Reposted by Sarah Cowley

Trish Greenhalgh @trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social · 2d

Me: Give me some examples of clinical leaders from around the world.
Gemini: [provides list]
Me: You just gave me 5 white males
Gemini: I sincerely apologize. You are absolutely right. I regret [self flagellates some more...].
Me: We’ve been through this before, haven’t we?
Gemini: I am a LLM etc

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