Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social · 12h

Breaking up the combination MMR vaccine would mean that children would receive six injections instead of two. But that's not all.

Swipe to learn more about the MMR vaccine and the other issues that would arise from separating it.

publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/what-to...

text on slide reads: the MMR vaccine has been combined for decades...and for good reason.

text on slide reads: What is the MMR vaccine? The MMR vaccine is a combination vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella. The vaccine contains weakened versions of the viruses they protect against—inducing an immune response without causing disease. Children in the U.S. receive the vaccination twice—first at 12–15 months old, and then at 4–6 years old.

text on slide reads: Why is the MMR vaccine better bundled? Instead of getting vaccinated for the measles, mumps, and rubella separately, the MMR vaccine protects children with fewer shots. Vaccinating for each virus separately would require more doctors' visits, meaning: More injections and stress on the child. Additional copays for more vaccine visits. More time taken off work. Higher likelihood of missing a vaccination.

text on slide reads: There is no published scientific evidence showing any benefit in separating the combination MMR vaccine.

3 3 8

Alix Seif, MD @alixseif.bsky.social · 10h

Yep, and of course those extra visits, copays, and time away from work will disproportionately affect rural folks and those with household material hardship, resulting in more financial toxicity, delays in or missed care, and more breakthrough infections among people with the least access to care.

1

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

Tim Steller @timsteller.bsky.social · 1d

The University of Arizona's faculty senate has voted to ask the UA president to reject the Trump administration's proposed compact. It's among an accumulation of voices who say not to be tempted by the good things in the compact due to its more fundamental threats.
tucson.com/news/local/e...

U of A Faculty Senate opposes Trump compact; provost says no decision yet

The University of Arizona Faculty Senate approved a resolution calling on the UA to reject the White House’s compact requiring ideological, political and financial commitments in return for federal fu...

tucson.com

2 27 91

Alix Seif, MD @alixseif.bsky.social · 1d

This is an amazing way to get @nejm.org highlights. Please inject directly into my brain!

1

Alix Seif, MD @alixseif.bsky.social · 1d

Except everyone knows Ortho doesn't *really* care that much about the marrow 😂

NEJM.org @nejm.org · 1d

Plague is a high-consequence infectious disease with epidemic potential.

The latest video in our partnership with @glaucomflecken.bsky.social summarizes new research evaluating ciprofloxacin versus aminoglycoside–ciprofloxacin for bubonic plague in Madagascar. 👉 nej.md/DrG27

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.bsky.social · 1d

Learn to tell your story with urgency and hope at our PUBLIC NARRATIVE TRAINING on 10/14!

We're preparing to share why we're standing up for science & democracy at No Kings Day Rally, and you can too!

Sign up, tell your story, and bring it to your No Kings Rally on 10/18! zurl.co/LM0QK

26 52

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

Philadelphia Inquirer @inquirer.com · 1d

OPINION: "Signing on to the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education offered by the Trump administration would end the school's ability to determine its own future." — The Inquirer Editorial Board

Federal funding is not worth Penn’s independence | Editorial

Signing on to the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education offered by the Trump administration would end the school's ability to determine its own future.

www.inquirer.com

31 77

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

Philadelphia Inquirer @inquirer.com · 5d

"The university needs to reject an offer from the Trump administration that would guarantee it preferential access to federal funding. The cost? All Penn would need to do in exchange is sell its soul," writes Jonathan Zimmerman.

Please, Penn — stand up to the Trump administration this time | Opinion

The university needs to reject an offer from the Trump administration that would guarantee it preferential access to federal funding. The cost? All Penn would need to do in exchange is sell its soul.

www.inquirer.com

2 24 88

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

AAUP @aaup.org · 6d

We’re going live at 7PM ET on YouTube & Instagram to discuss the Trump admin’s offer to give preferential treatment to colleges & universities that pledge an oath of loyalty to Trump’s ideological agenda.

Pure corruption & a violation of core principles of US higher education & democracy.

Breaking Down Trump's New Higher Ed Loyalty Oath Compacts and Why We Must Resist

YouTube video by TheAAUP

youtube.com

20 31

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

AAUP–Penn @aaup-penn.bsky.social · 5d

“‘The compact represents a total violation of academic freedom, shared governance and an open democracy,’ [AAUP-Penn president Jessa Lingel] wrote. “So now we'll get to see what kind of university we have—one that stands up to tyranny or one that capitulates.” www.thedp.com/article/2025...

Campus, civil rights groups criticize agreement presented to Penn tying adherence to funding advantage

“When an invitation is accompanied by consequences for not accepting it, it is in fact a threat, not an invitation,” the AAUP-Penn wrote.

www.thedp.com

4 5

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

University of Pennsylvania @upenn.edu · 7d

Can reflective pavement help cities withstand extreme heat?

Third-year Penn Engineering students Nafisa Bangura and Angelica Dadda are evaluating CoolSeal, a coating that lowers asphalt temperatures and may inform future urban heat resilience strategies.

Read More: https://bit.ly/4nrnht4

1 3

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

NPR @npr.org · 7d

Today marks the first day in public media’s history without federal funding. And we’re not going anywhere.

Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.

Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj

690 9.7K 31K

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

Philadelphia Inquirer @inquirer.com · 14d

Obstetricians have long advised their pregnant patients that Tylenol is the safest option to reduce fever or pain. President Donald Trump stood before a national audience on Sept. 22 and contradicted that. (via @politifact.bsky.social)

Trump claims ‘no downside’ to avoiding Tylenol during pregnancy. He’s wrong.

Obstetricians have long advised their pregnant patients that Tylenol is the safest option to reduce fever or pain. And there are downsides to avoiding acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol.

inquirer.com

2 12 44

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

JAMA @jama.com · 14d

Clinicians can enhance patient understanding by using numerical data instead of verbal probabilities, consistent denominators, absolute risk comparisons, and clear context for unfamiliar data types.

ja.ma/4pAC3zi

JAMA Insights: How to Communicate Medical Numbers. It outlines recommendations for conveying risk, adjusting numerators, communicating probability changes, using visualizations, and providing context, with examples of problematic and preferred communication styles.

3 7 21

Alix Seif, MD @alixseif.bsky.social · 15d

Sure, I’m biased, but it’s amazing how often my Linguistics background is relevant or adds context.

Lakshmi Krishnan, MD, PhD @thelakshmik.bsky.social · 15d

Excited to share our @jama.com Viewpoint on dual-trained clinician-scholars in medicine & humanities.

jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

#medicalhumanities #healthhumanities

(1)

Dual Training in Medicine and Humanities Drives Health Research Innovation

This Viewpoint explores how training in both the medical and health humanities complements biomedical research, expanding clinician-scholars’ understanding of human health.

jamanetwork.com

1 3

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

Philadelphia Inquirer @inquirer.com · 15d

Trump on Monday claimed there is a link between Tylenol and autism. A Drexel University scientist who studied the topic found none.

Trump’s claim Tylenol and autism are linked is wrong, Drexel scientist says

Drexel University scientist Brian Lee found no link between a mother taking Tylenol and her child developing autism in a large-scale study published last year in the medical journal JAMA.

www.inquirer.com

12 15 61

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

Philadelphia Inquirer @inquirer.com · 15d

OPINION: "There is no stopping Kennedy and Trump from spreading misinformation. But the science does not support their claims." — The Inquirer Editorial Board

Follow the science, not RFK Jr., when it comes to lifesaving vaccine use | Editorial

Kennedy, with no training in medicine and accustomed to peddling junk science, is rapidly dismantling America’s vaunted public health system.

www.inquirer.com

6 43 110

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

Congressman Brendan Boyle @repbrendanboyle.bsky.social · 17d

John Fetterman is wrong. Plain and simple.

The Bulwark @thebulwark.com · 17d

Fetterman on Democrats' budget negotiations: "I would love to restore a lot of those healthcare things. That's the right outcome, but that's a dangerous tactic if you are going to shut the government down."

5 14 33

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

James D Young @jamesdyoung.bsky.social · 18d

23% of all resident medical doctors are on H1B, many working in rural and underserved hospitals because those hospitals have trouble getting doctors to move to Danville, VA or Salina, KS.

www.business-standard.com/amp/immigrat...

www.business-standard.com

1 7 21

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology @aspho-hq.bsky.social · 18d

Today is World Marrow Donor Day! We hope you will join us today in thanking the selfless individuals who register and donate stem cells to save the lives of patients in need. #WMDD25 #PedsHemeOnc #PHODocs #hematology

3 4

Alix Seif, MD @alixseif.bsky.social · 19d

🚨GOOD NEWS🚨: some kids with leukemia can safely recover from intensive chemo at home instead of spending up to 6 months in the hospital over the course of their treatment!

@chopresearch.bsky.social @ascocancer.bsky.social @pc3innovation.bsky.social @childrensphila.bsky.social

AML Care at Home: An Evidence-Based Toolkit to Personalize the Care Setting for Recovery From Pediatric AML Chemotherapy | JCO Oncology Practice

PURPOSECurrent care guidelines for children with AML recommend hospitalization during severe neutropenia. However, selected patients discharged before neutrophil recovery have similar chemotherapy cou...

ascopubs.org

2 4

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology @aspho-hq.bsky.social · 20d

#PBC Must Read: Peds OncoTalk: A Curriculum to Teach Communication Skills to #PedsHemeOnc Fellows by #MollyCMack, #ReneNClaxton, #RobertMArnold, and #ScottHMaurer doi.org/10.1002/pbc.... #PHODocs #peds #oncology #PHOFellows

1 1

Alix Seif, MD @alixseif.bsky.social · Aug 30

It’s not the money - ALL of pediatric cancer research accounts for just 4% of federal cancer research funding.

Trying to understand the motivation behind a decision like this. Eugenics? Do they think these children don’t deserve effective treatments?

Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · Aug 29

“A respected network of hospitals and cancer centers is halting enrollment in clinical trials for children with brain cancer after the federal government said it would no longer provide funding to the group”

Pediatric Brain Cancer Group to Lose Federal Funding

www.nytimes.com

2

Alix Seif, MD @alixseif.bsky.social · Aug 25

Happy to grab a coffee to chat about how the @nytimes.com has contributed to our current state of affairs, but this is very very good and important.

Please view and share widely:

Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · Aug 24

"This could be the difference whether your child gets cancer. Are you willing for them to die because the therapy for them is delayed?"

Powerful video with voices from top US scientists on the very real and devastating impacts of the funding cuts.

1 2

Reposted by Alix Seif, MD

Sherry Pagoto, PhD @drsherrypagoto.bsky.social · Aug 7

"Forty years ago more than 60% of children diagnosed with cancer would have died within five years of diagnosis. Today there is a 90% survival rate." - @labonnelab.bsky.social

This is why we cannot take our foot off the gas of cancer research funding.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

‘Impossible to rebuild’: NIH scientists say Trump cuts will imperil life-saving research

Researchers say scientific community is in state of whiplash and accuse president of trying to ‘destroy’ vital work

www.theguardian.com

3 14