Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

anil oza

@aniloza.bsky.social

4.4K followers 1.4K following 320 posts

science journalist @stat covering health equity, the nih, and interaction btwn science & society | also: npr, nature, sciam, science, science news (he/him) (signal: aniloza.16)

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

anil oza @aniloza.bsky.social · Mar 21

I got to interview Bill Nye yesterday for @statnews.com's Breakthrough Summit!!

What started as a conversation about Ataxia, a genetic disorder that runs in Bill's family, quickly became about the state of American science under the latest administration

Reposted by anil oza

Mallory Harris, PhD @malar0ne.bsky.social · 6h

Amidst the shutdown, it looks like the next meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which was scheduled for October 22-23, is being rescheduled.

Screenshot of 2025 schedule, which gives Sep 18 - 19 and then "2025 meeting, TBD"

Reposted by anil oza

Megan Molteni @mmolteni.bsky.social · 1d

Last week, NExTRAC met for the last time. The group advised NIH on emerging biotechnologies of concern. Without it, the US govt is "closing its eyes to the future," one member told @aniloza.bsky.social and me.

It's just one of 47 HHS ad comms terminated this year:

www.statnews.com/2025/10/07/h...

They advised federal health agencies on the ethics and impact of scientific research. They’re no longer wanted

The Trump administration has been shedding scientific expertise and patient perspectives in the name of slimming down the federal government.

www.statnews.com

Reposted by anil oza

Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 1d

Her grandmother moved from Ireland to America for a better life, now @billiejsweeney.bsky.social is going back.

America Was Once a Place For Brighter Futures — Assigned

Billie Jean Sweeney’s grandmother left Ireland in search of a better life. Now Sweeney’s pinning her hopes for safety on a reverse trip.

www.assignedmedia.org

anil oza @aniloza.bsky.social · 1d

Looking forward to unpacking These Times with such a great panel on Thursday 🫡

If you 🫵 are in Boston, please come hang out and be part of the conversation!

Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 1d

My first post as head of KSJ! Our first public event. This Thursday. Cambridge. Science journalism in a time of crisis. It's going to be 🔥. Join me and @katherinejwu.com @aniloza.bsky.social @sarareardon.bsky.social @akuchment.bsky.social @jeremyfaust.bsky.social and @edenmedina.bsky.social

A flyer showing speakers and describing a panel discussion "Confronting Crisis" to be held 10.9.25 from 4:15-6:15 at 101 Rogers Street in Cambridge.

Reposted by anil oza

Sarah Todd @sarah-todd.bsky.social · 1d

I wrote about how the rise of "clean medicine" and over-the-counter homeopathic products aimed at kids has created a climate where unfounded claims about Tylenol can flourish:

www.statnews.com/2025/10/07/t...

Parents are flocking to natural and ‘clean medicine’ brands. Medical experts are worried

Parents are flocking to natural and "clean medicine" brands for Tylenol alternatives and more, leaving medical experts worried.

www.statnews.com

Reposted by anil oza

Jake Scott, MD @jakescottmd.bsky.social · 1d

“We have 1,544 measles cases this year, 92% in unvaccinated people, and 3 deaths. The problem isn’t the vaccine — it’s that people aren’t getting it. O’Neill hasn’t offered a single scientific rationale for breaking up MMR.”

@aniloza.bsky.social
@statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/t...

Acting CDC director calls for MMR vaccine to be broken up into three shots

There's no evidence that breaking up the MMR shot would make the immunization safer or more effective.

www.statnews.com

anil oza @aniloza.bsky.social · 1d

some background on the MMR comments from Trump

www.statnews.com/2025/09/26/t...

3 burning questions about the MMR vaccine, answered

President Trump has said the MMR vaccine should be broken up. But experts see no medical benefit in separating one shot into three.

www.statnews.com

anil oza @aniloza.bsky.social · 1d

On top of that, O'Neill echoed Trump's call to split MMR into three separate shots

There is no evidence to suggest such a move would improve safety or efficacy

www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/t...

Acting CDC director calls for MMR vaccine to be broken up into three shots

There's no evidence that breaking up the MMR shot would make the immunization safer or more effective.

www.statnews.com

anil oza @aniloza.bsky.social · 1d

Importantly, this should allow physicians to order covid shots through the Vaccines for Children program

more on that, here:

www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/c...

Low-income children lack access to Covid vaccines because of approval delay

Two weeks after vaccine advisers approved new Covid recs, Kennedy still hasn’t given his approval, leaving states unable to order updated shots for low-income kids.

www.statnews.com

anil oza @aniloza.bsky.social · 1d

LOTS of news in the vaccine space today

first — CDC director signs off on ACIP's recommendations from over two weeks ago, from @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social & I

www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/c...

CDC approves updated Covid-19, chickenpox vaccine recommendations

The CDC has accepted advisers' recommendations on Covid vaccinations, though there may still be uncertainty in some states about whether a prescription is needed to access them.

www.statnews.com

Reposted by anil oza

Jason Ukman @jasonukman.bsky.social · 2d

How telehealth got hooked on drug-first thinking.

Very sharp work by @katiepalmer.bsky.social in @statnews.com.

www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/t...

From erectile dysfunction to weight loss, how telehealth got hooked on drug-first thinking

Marketing of on-demand telehealth prescriptions has rapidly become a constant presence for American consumers

www.statnews.com

Reposted by anil oza

Mallory Harris, PhD @malar0ne.bsky.social · 4d

Thursday 10/9 at 1 PM Central, @sciencewriting.bsky.social is hosting a webinar on covering scientific funding chaoes with @stephaniemlee.bsky.social @katherinejwu.com and @scott-delaney.bsky.social.

Sign up: connector.casw.org/event/casw-c...

CASW Connector Chat: How To Cover Ongoing Chaos in Science Funding - CASW Connector

CASW Connector's next Chat comprises top reporters discussing funding cuts and reinstatements, related lawsuits plus database Grant Witness.

connector.casw.org

Reposted by anil oza

Dorit Reiss @doritreiss.bsky.social · 6d

Vaccines for Children Program beneficiaries lack access to Covid vaccines because of approval delay: Acting Director Jim O'Neill has not signed ACIP recommendations, preventing access. www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/c... via @statnews.com @aniloza.bsky.social @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social

Low-income children lack access to Covid vaccines because of approval delay

Two weeks after vaccine advisers approved new Covid recs, Kennedy still hasn’t given his approval, leaving states unable to order updated shots for low-income kids.

www.statnews.com

Reposted by anil oza

Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 7d

The fiscal year is over.

So how was the NIH appropriation committed?

A long thread with institute by institute results about where the money went.

a white cat is sitting on a box with the words where written on it .

ALT: a white cat is sitting on a box with the words where written on it .

media.tenor.com

Reposted by anil oza

Theresa Kim, PhD, MS @tyk314.net · 7d

Please read. #NIH #shutdown

NOT-OD-26-004: Information for the NIH Extramural Community During the Lapse of Federal Government Funding

NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Information for the NIH Extramural Community During the Lapse of Federal Government Funding NOT-OD-26-004. NIH

Reposted by anil oza

Jason Ukman @jasonukman.bsky.social · 7d

Without high-level administration sign-off, states have so far been unable to order updated Covid shots for children from low-income families who depend on the Vaccines for Children program.

Via @aniloza.bsky.social @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/c...

Low-income children lack access to Covid vaccines because of approval delay

Two weeks after vaccine advisers approved new Covid recs, Kennedy still hasn’t given his approval, leaving states unable to order updated shots for low-income kids.

www.statnews.com

Reposted by anil oza

Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · 7d

Low income children lack access to Covid vaccines because of approval delay, @aniloza.bsky.social and @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social report

www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/c...

Low-income children lack access to Covid vaccines because of approval delay

Two weeks after vaccine advisers approved new Covid recs, Kennedy still hasn’t given his approval, leaving states unable to order updated shots for low-income kids.

www.statnews.com

anil oza @aniloza.bsky.social · 7d

2 weeks ago RFK's ACIP voted to change recommendations for Covid vaccines

The CDC director has yet to sign off on them, so states aren't able to order vaccines through the vaccines for children program (which covers ~50% of kids)

w/ @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/c...

Low-income children lack access to Covid vaccines because of approval delay

Two weeks after vaccine advisers approved new Covid recs, Kennedy still hasn’t given his approval, leaving states unable to order updated shots for low-income kids.

www.statnews.com

Reposted by anil oza

Jonathan Wosen @jonathanwosen.bsky.social · 8d

I had a chance to catch up with Daniel Skovronsky, Eli Lilly’s head scientist, about the company's experimental GLP-1 pill, its Alzheimer’s strategy, and finding promising ideas and startups. A Q&A for @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/e...

Lilly’s head scientist discusses its GLP-1 pill, Alzheimer’s strategy, and finding promising ideas and startups

In San Diego for the opening of Lilly's latest Gateway Labs biotech incubator, CSO Daniel Skovronsky spoke broadly about the company’s R&D plans

www.statnews.com

Reposted by anil oza

Jake Scott, MD @jakescottmd.bsky.social · 11d

There’s no scientific evidence that separating the MMR vaccines provides any medical benefit.

And there are no separate vaccines available in the US.

Great work by @aniloza.bsky.social

3 burning questions about the MMR vaccine, answered www.statnews.com/2025/09/26/t... via @statnews.com

3 burning questions about the MMR vaccine, answered

President Trump has said the MMR vaccine should be broken up. But experts see no medical benefit in separating one shot into three.

www.statnews.com

Reposted by anil oza

Megan Molteni @mmolteni.bsky.social · 10d

“There’s no scientific evidence that separating the vaccines provides any medical benefit. I can say that unequivocally,” Jake Scott, a Stanford infectious disease doc, told STAT's @aniloza.bsky.social

“In fact, all of the evidence points in the opposite direction”

www.statnews.com/2025/09/26/t...

3 burning questions about the MMR vaccine, answered

President Trump has said the MMR vaccine should be broken up. But experts see no medical benefit in separating one shot into three.

www.statnews.com

Reposted by anil oza

STAT @statnews.com · 12d

This week, like so many others, has demonstrated why I think STAT is so essential," STAT executive editor Rick Berke writes in a new letter to readers.
www.statnews.com/2025/09/25/t...

Why this week underscores the value of STAT’s journalism

"This week, like so many others, has demonstrated why I think STAT is so essential," STAT executive editor Rick Berke writes in a new letter to readers.

www.statnews.com

Reposted by anil oza

STAT @statnews.com · 13d

Exclusive: Anthony Letai, a cancer researcher and oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard University, has emerged as a leading candidate to be the next director of the National Cancer Institute. www.statnews.com/2025/09/24/n...

Anthony Letai of Dana-Farber is front-runner to lead National Cancer Institute

A popular and respected scientist is reported to be in line to lead the nation's most important cancer research office.

www.statnews.com

Reposted by anil oza

Arrianna Marie Planey, PhD MA @arrianna-planey.bsky.social · 14d

Relevant for #MedEd #MedSky:

Rural hospitals & the communities they serve are heavily reliant on H-1B workers (esp in the Midwest, Northeast, & the South), & this new rule would likely make it harder for recent grads to get H-1B visas & qualify for residency slots

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40696225/