Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

LightNews

James Wood

@jw132.bsky.social

470 followers 530 following 23 posts

Infectious Disease Epidemiologist Working at Cambridge University

Political science 60%

Sociology 21%

more

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Reposted by Mark Rubin, Lesley A. Hall, Rebecca Sear , and 3 more Mark Rubin, Lesley A. Hall, Rebecca Sear, Ingo Rohlfing, Erin O’Donnell, James E. Wood

Dr Madeleine Pownall @maddipow.bsky.social · Sep 9

Wrote this on the train home from Metascience. Can’t quite believe this one needed saying, but I really think that if conversations about research integrity and open science don’t take academic bullying seriously, we’ll keep perpetuating the same system that science reform was trying to change.

Mark Rubin @markrubin.bsky.social · Sep 9

"Hostility, exclusion and academic bullying should be formally recognised as research integrity issues because they directly impact who gets to succeed and whose voices are silenced."

By @maddipow.bsky.social

Research integrity needs a kindness agenda or we will lose ECRs

Responding to early-career researchers’ honest questions with accusations of misconduct is a travesty of open science, says Madeleine Pownall

www.timeshighereducation.com

Reposted by James E. Wood

Aberystwyth University @aberuni.bsky.social · Sep 4

Professor Sir Charles Godfray CBE FRS, Chair of the 2025 Review of the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Strategy for England, will deliver the keynote address at a conference at the University later this month.

🖱️ tinyurl.com/4em9n73j

@aberdlsagb.bsky.social #AberTB #bovineTB #bTB #TB

Reposted by James E. Wood

Alick Simmons @parliamentarygoose.bsky.social · Sep 4

It’s 100 years since efforts to control bovine TB began & 50 since badgers got the blame. Review after review after review & still the #WarOnWildlife continues. We need a new approach - one which manages risk rather than one which seeks to eliminate the hazard. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Labour could end badger cull but only with Covid-style testing and vaccines – report

Review says ministers have only ‘small chance’ of wiping out bovine tuberculosis by 2038 without more investment

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by James E. Wood

uk-news.bsky.social @uk-news.bsky.social · Sep 4

UK warned it’s on course to fail in efforts to wipe out bovine TB | Science, Climate & Tech News

https://www.europesays.com/uk/396299/

Controversial efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) in cattle are likely to fail unless there’s greater urgency and funding…#uk #news #uknews

UK warned it's on course to fail in efforts to wipe out bovine TB | Science, Climate & Tech News - United Kingdom

Controversial efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) in cattle are likely to fail unless there's greater urgency and funding from the government, scientists

www.europesays.com

Reposted by James E. Wood

Sky News @news.sky.com · Sep 4

UK warned it's on course to fail in efforts to wipe out bovine TB

UK warned it's on course to fail in efforts to wipe out bovine TB

Controversial efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) in cattle are likely to fail unless there's greater urgency and funding from the government, scientists have warned.

James Wood @jw132.bsky.social · Aug 15

I think we need action and regulation, not research on this. It is clear what is needed re live mixed animal trade.

Reposted by James E. Wood

Erik Karlsson @eakarlsson.bsky.social · Jun 29

Cambodia has confirmed its 9th and 10th human cases of H5N1 bird flu this year. 6 of these cases occurred in June alone. Sadly, 6 people have died in 2025. 🧪🧬🦠🔬🥼😷🐓💉

Reposted by James E. Wood

Alex Crits-Christoph @acritschristoph.bsky.social · Jun 28

Quick thread on the WHO's SAGO report on the origins of COVID-19, highlighting key points and even *new* data.

Their summary is that a zoonotic origin of COVID-19 is best supported by available data. This is consistent with most scientific reviews and statements in the rest of the literature.

James Wood @jw132.bsky.social · Jun 25

The Guardian view on China, Africa and disappearing donkeys: an unexpected crisis offers a clue to perils ahead

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The Guardian view on China, Africa and disappearing donkeys: an unexpected crisis offers a clue to perils ahead | Editorial

Editorial: The surging export of hides created domestic tensions – and shows how globalisation plays out in unexpected ways

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by James E. Wood

Jane Qiu, PhD @janeqiu.bsky.social · Jun 11

Traded wild animals are often sick & teeming with potential pathogens

Several Chinese teams found coronaviruses in confiscated pangolins, including those that share 92% of their genome with SARS-CoV-2

The viruses caused covid-like symptoms in pangolins, and have the potential to infect humans

4/

Reposted by James E. Wood

Jane Qiu, PhD @janeqiu.bsky.social · Jun 11

Some scientists like @jw132.bsky.social recognise the “small possibility” that research-associated activities could have triggered the pandemic.

But that “should not prevent us for focusing on the bigger picture”: the wildlife trade poses a much greater zoonotic risk than do lab accidents.

3/

Reposted by James E. Wood

Jane Qiu, PhD @janeqiu.bsky.social · Jun 11

Like it or not,such human-wildlife interfaces are here to stay

Without understanding how viruses jump species & why some jumps cause outbreaks & others don’t,you’re really flying blind,says @mvankerkhove.bsky.social @who.int

“You’re making recommendations that may not be the most appropriate”

2/

Reposted by James E. Wood

Jane Qiu, PhD @janeqiu.bsky.social · Jun 11

Wildlife trade acts as a vast global network of unregulated natural laboratories,with ample opportunities for viruses to circulate & evolve to become more dangerous

We can either turn a blind eye or try to understand & mitigate the risks

My latest in @nature.com

1/

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Exclusive: Inside the thriving wild-animal markets that could start the next pandemic

Live-animal markets are a natural laboratory for viruses to evolve and spark deadly outbreaks, yet scientists lack support to study the risks they pose.

Reposted by James E. Wood

Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · Jun 6

The number of confirmed #measles cases in the US this year had risen to 1168 as of 6/5.
Given we're not yet half way through 2025, seems likely this year's tally will exceed that of 2019, currently the highest single year tally since measles elimination in 2000. www.cdc.gov/measles/data...

James Wood @jw132.bsky.social · Jun 5

Important new piece by @janeqiu.bsky.social in @nature.com describing the live animal markets that we continue to allow to put us all at risk

Thelonevirologist @thelonevirologist.bsky.social · Jun 3

Exclusive: Inside the thriving wild-animal markets that could start the next pandemic www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Exclusive: Inside the thriving wild-animal markets that could start the next pandemic

Live-animal markets are a natural laboratory for viruses to evolve and spark deadly outbreaks, yet scientists lack support to study the risks they pose.

Reposted by James E. Wood

Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · Jun 5

#H5N1 #birdflu found its way into 1 of California's few remaining herds that hadn't been infected. CA's total is now 767, of which 630 have recovered & cleared quarantine.
Cumulative national total: 1073 herds in 17 states.
Wisconsin soon to join the milk testing program. Watching with interest.

Reposted by James E. Wood

Thelonevirologist @thelonevirologist.bsky.social · Jun 3

Exclusive: Inside the thriving wild-animal markets that could start the next pandemic www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Exclusive: Inside the thriving wild-animal markets that could start the next pandemic

Live-animal markets are a natural laboratory for viruses to evolve and spark deadly outbreaks, yet scientists lack support to study the risks they pose.

Reposted by James E. Wood

Danny Deraney @dannyderaney.bsky.social · May 31

I don't know if there is a more appropriate goodbye to Loretta Swit, than her last scene in MASH in the series finale.

Loretta won two Emmy's for her role as Major Houlihan.

Reposted by Michael Wagner, James E. Wood

Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · May 28

BREAKING: In a serious blow to US pandemic flu preparedness, HHS has cancelled a contract with Moderna to test and license prototype vaccines for #H5N1 #birdflu and other potential pandemic viruses.
In a pandemic, mRNA is the fastest way to vaccine doses. www.statnews.com/2025/05/28/m...

HHS cancels nearly $600 million Moderna contract on vaccines for flu pandemics

HHS has notified Moderna that it is canceling a nearly $600 million contract for vaccines for flu strains that could trigger future pandemics.

www.statnews.com

Reposted by James E. Wood

Thijs Kuiken @thijskuiken.bsky.social · May 26

The Razor Science Show provides cutting-edge science and technology stories, including the documentary "Bird flu - the next pandemic?". Neil Cairns interviews @drtomfrieden.bsky.social , @jw132.bsky.social, @linekebegeman.bsky.social, and @debbyvanriel.bsky.social.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5XK...

Bird flu - the next pandemic?

YouTube video by RAZOR Science Show

www.youtube.com

Reposted by James E. Wood

Debby van Riel @debbyvanriel.bsky.social · May 26

This documentary covers the current bird flu situation. Clearly presented, realistic and where necessary with nuance. Interviews by Neil Cairns & team with @linekebegeman.bsky.social, Tom Frieden, @jw132.bsky.social, Jim Paulson and myself.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5XK...

Bird flu - the next pandemic?

YouTube video by RAZOR Science Show

www.youtube.com

James Wood @jw132.bsky.social · May 25

As Gaza’s children are bombed and starved, we watch – powerless. What is it doing to us as a society?
Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

As Gaza's children are bombed and starved, we watch - powerless. What is it doing to us as a society? | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett

I thought we all believed in a collective responsibility towards children. This terrible conflict has made me question that, says Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett

www.theguardian.com

James Wood @jw132.bsky.social · Apr 18

The life and death of a ‘laundered’ cow in the Amazon rainforest
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The life and death of a ‘laundered’ cow in the Amazon rainforest

Cattle moved between ranches, allowing meat from farms linked to deforestation to end up on supermarket shelves

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by James E. Wood

Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · Mar 25

#USDA confirmed another California dairy herd has been infected with #H5N1 #birdflu. That brings CA's total to 756. The CA Dept of Ag. says 422 of those herds have recovered & cleared quarantine.
Cumulative national total = 990 herds in 17 states. This doesn't include the herd MN reported y'day.

Reposted by James E. Wood

The Global Vector Hub @globalvectorhub.bsky.social · Mar 23

🕷️"Spatial analysis and risk mapping of #Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever ( #CCHF) in Sub-saharan #Africa" by Abdoul Kader Ilboudo et al. @ilri.org
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Reposted by James E. Wood

Alex Crits-Christoph @acritschristoph.bsky.social · Mar 23

Climate change deniers used grok to generate a fake paper that they promptly published in a fake journal. It'll have >1 million views on X in under 24 hours.

It's not just an example of bad things on X. There are a lot of those. But it also shows that sci comm there is meaningless and futile

Reposted by James E. Wood

Michelle Wille @duckswabber.bsky.social · Mar 13

Expanding testing for H5 beyond human patients who meet strict case definitions may be important in detecting further human cases in the US.
👉 www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

Reposted by James E. Wood

BBC Newsnight @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social · Mar 8

"I think Putin clearly felt, after the cut-off of military intelligence to Ukraine, that he had impunity"

Former Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, Lord Ricketts, responds to Russian strikes on Ukraine.

#Newsnight

Reposted by James E. Wood

Nicholas Wu @nicholaswu.bsky.social · Mar 5

🦇 Registrations are now open for the 20th International Bat Research Conference (Cairns, Australia, 3-8 Aug 2025)!
Abstract submissions for presentations are also open. More info: ibrc.org
#ibrc2025 #ausbats #bats

Reposted by James E. Wood

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Mar 5

Elon Musk is a proven danger to good science, but the Royal Society won’t say so. That’s why I resigned | Kit Yates

Elon Musk is a proven danger to good science, but the Royal Society won’t say so. That’s why I resigned | Kit Yates

It is vital to act, and I urge colleagues to do so. How can we stand by and laud this man while he undermines scientific integrity? asks academic and author Kit Yates

www.theguardian.com