Marieke van Ham
@hammarieke.bsky.social
B cell immunologist focussing on antibody formation and pandemics research, Sanquin Blood Supply and SILS, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. My texts are on personal title, but data-based.
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
You can view all these #CoolScience stories in our "In the news" collection here:: www.cell.com/cp/collectio...
In the news collection: Cell Press
Read about recent Cell Press papers covered in the news.
www.cell.com
December 29, 2025 at 9:45 PM
You can view all these #CoolScience stories in our "In the news" collection here:: www.cell.com/cp/collectio...
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
It looks like Typhus was not partially responsible for the mass death in Napoleon's 1812 army during their Russian invasion. Instead, microbial paleogenomicists identified two different fever causing bacteria from the soldier's remains. www.cell.com/news-do/pr-d...
@currentbiology.bsky.social
@currentbiology.bsky.social
December 29, 2025 at 9:45 PM
It looks like Typhus was not partially responsible for the mass death in Napoleon's 1812 army during their Russian invasion. Instead, microbial paleogenomicists identified two different fever causing bacteria from the soldier's remains. www.cell.com/news-do/pr-d...
@currentbiology.bsky.social
@currentbiology.bsky.social
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
How to keep the heart young?
Preserve the integrity of its connection to the right vagus nerve!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
V Interesting findings, minipig model
To simplify, I made this Infographic via @notebooklm.bsky.social
Preserve the integrity of its connection to the right vagus nerve!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
V Interesting findings, minipig model
To simplify, I made this Infographic via @notebooklm.bsky.social
December 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
How to keep the heart young?
Preserve the integrity of its connection to the right vagus nerve!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
V Interesting findings, minipig model
To simplify, I made this Infographic via @notebooklm.bsky.social
Preserve the integrity of its connection to the right vagus nerve!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
V Interesting findings, minipig model
To simplify, I made this Infographic via @notebooklm.bsky.social
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
🥳 Guinea and Kenya eliminated sleeping sickness.
🥳 Niger became the first African country to eliminate river blindness.
🥳 Georgia, Suriname and Timor-Leste were certified malaria-free.
🥳 Brazil eliminated mother-to-child transmission of #HIV.
🔗 bit.ly/49wdcpl
🥳 Niger became the first African country to eliminate river blindness.
🥳 Georgia, Suriname and Timor-Leste were certified malaria-free.
🥳 Brazil eliminated mother-to-child transmission of #HIV.
🔗 bit.ly/49wdcpl
Stronger together - milestones that mattered in 2025
Each year WHO takes stock of key moments in health and science over the past 12 months. Here is our review of a 2025 marked by immense achievements and profound challenges for global health.
bit.ly
December 24, 2025 at 7:20 PM
🥳 Guinea and Kenya eliminated sleeping sickness.
🥳 Niger became the first African country to eliminate river blindness.
🥳 Georgia, Suriname and Timor-Leste were certified malaria-free.
🥳 Brazil eliminated mother-to-child transmission of #HIV.
🔗 bit.ly/49wdcpl
🥳 Niger became the first African country to eliminate river blindness.
🥳 Georgia, Suriname and Timor-Leste were certified malaria-free.
🥳 Brazil eliminated mother-to-child transmission of #HIV.
🔗 bit.ly/49wdcpl
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
🎉Happy Holidays from EFIS!
✨Wishing our immunology community a joyful holiday season and a healthy, inspiring start to the new year.
🔬Thank you for your dedication, collaboration, and contributions to advancing immunological research across Europe and beyond.
🙌 Here’s to an exciting year ahead!
✨Wishing our immunology community a joyful holiday season and a healthy, inspiring start to the new year.
🔬Thank you for your dedication, collaboration, and contributions to advancing immunological research across Europe and beyond.
🙌 Here’s to an exciting year ahead!
December 22, 2025 at 8:28 AM
🎉Happy Holidays from EFIS!
✨Wishing our immunology community a joyful holiday season and a healthy, inspiring start to the new year.
🔬Thank you for your dedication, collaboration, and contributions to advancing immunological research across Europe and beyond.
🙌 Here’s to an exciting year ahead!
✨Wishing our immunology community a joyful holiday season and a healthy, inspiring start to the new year.
🔬Thank you for your dedication, collaboration, and contributions to advancing immunological research across Europe and beyond.
🙌 Here’s to an exciting year ahead!
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
An ancient body of water known as the Paratethys Sea once held more water than all of today’s lakes combined, and was inhabited by miniature versions of today’s whales, dolphins, and seals. #ScienceMagArchives https://scim.ag/4oRFr7o
The rise and fall of the world's largest lake
The ancient Paratethys Sea once held more water than all of today’s lakes combined
www.science.org
December 21, 2025 at 6:37 PM
An ancient body of water known as the Paratethys Sea once held more water than all of today’s lakes combined, and was inhabited by miniature versions of today’s whales, dolphins, and seals. #ScienceMagArchives https://scim.ag/4oRFr7o
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
“This year, renewables surpassed coal as a source of electricity worldwide, and solar and wind energy grew fast enough to cover the entire increase in global electricity use from January to June according to energy think tank Ember“
@science.org’s Breakthrough of the Year is the growth of renewables
@science.org’s Breakthrough of the Year is the growth of renewables
Science has named the seemingly unstoppable growth of renewable energy worldwide as the 2025 Breakthrough of the Year.
Learn more about this year's #BOTY and other big advances in science: https://scim.ag/493Tpgx
Learn more about this year's #BOTY and other big advances in science: https://scim.ag/493Tpgx
December 18, 2025 at 8:30 PM
“This year, renewables surpassed coal as a source of electricity worldwide, and solar and wind energy grew fast enough to cover the entire increase in global electricity use from January to June according to energy think tank Ember“
@science.org’s Breakthrough of the Year is the growth of renewables
@science.org’s Breakthrough of the Year is the growth of renewables
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
Following the recommendation of the EFIS Gender & Diversity Task Force, #EFIS is pleased to announce that 2025 EJI Ita Askonas Prize is awarded to @obenaufa.bsky.social from the @impvienna.bsky.social!
🎉Our warm congratulations
🔗 www.efis.org/news/2025-ej...
#tumorimmunology
@eurjimmunol.bsky.social
🎉Our warm congratulations
🔗 www.efis.org/news/2025-ej...
#tumorimmunology
@eurjimmunol.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Following the recommendation of the EFIS Gender & Diversity Task Force, #EFIS is pleased to announce that 2025 EJI Ita Askonas Prize is awarded to @obenaufa.bsky.social from the @impvienna.bsky.social!
🎉Our warm congratulations
🔗 www.efis.org/news/2025-ej...
#tumorimmunology
@eurjimmunol.bsky.social
🎉Our warm congratulations
🔗 www.efis.org/news/2025-ej...
#tumorimmunology
@eurjimmunol.bsky.social
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
📢December NewsFlash is out 🙌
Check out it out, share and let us know what you think👇
🔗 european-federation-of-immunological-societies.kit.com/posts/efis-n...
Check out it out, share and let us know what you think👇
🔗 european-federation-of-immunological-societies.kit.com/posts/efis-n...
EFIS NewsFlash - December 2025
european-federation-of-immunological-societies.kit.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:45 PM
📢December NewsFlash is out 🙌
Check out it out, share and let us know what you think👇
🔗 european-federation-of-immunological-societies.kit.com/posts/efis-n...
Check out it out, share and let us know what you think👇
🔗 european-federation-of-immunological-societies.kit.com/posts/efis-n...
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
Cases of a mosquito-borne virus that causes crippling disabilities are surging worldwide. Here’s more about Chikungunya’s debilitating impact in East Africa: bit.ly/4ajFKnY via CEPI
December 17, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cases of a mosquito-borne virus that causes crippling disabilities are surging worldwide. Here’s more about Chikungunya’s debilitating impact in East Africa: bit.ly/4ajFKnY via CEPI
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
About 1 in 10 people have an autoimmune disease. There's great news here on current efforts that are achieving cures.
erictopol.substack.com/p/the-exhili...
erictopol.substack.com/p/the-exhili...
The Exhilirating Movement From Treatment to Cures for Autoimmune Diseases
Exploiting Lessons from Cancer's Mirror Biology
erictopol.substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 10:29 PM
About 1 in 10 people have an autoimmune disease. There's great news here on current efforts that are achieving cures.
erictopol.substack.com/p/the-exhili...
erictopol.substack.com/p/the-exhili...
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
And there it is: FDA has approved zoliflodacin for gonorrhea as well.
That makes two new antibiotics to treat this STI and it means a fascinating debate now about how to use these drugs in a way that will delay resistance as much as possible…
🧪 #IDsky
That makes two new antibiotics to treat this STI and it means a fascinating debate now about how to use these drugs in a way that will delay resistance as much as possible…
🧪 #IDsky
December 12, 2025 at 7:59 PM
And there it is: FDA has approved zoliflodacin for gonorrhea as well.
That makes two new antibiotics to treat this STI and it means a fascinating debate now about how to use these drugs in a way that will delay resistance as much as possible…
🧪 #IDsky
That makes two new antibiotics to treat this STI and it means a fascinating debate now about how to use these drugs in a way that will delay resistance as much as possible…
🧪 #IDsky
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
When a small study cast doubt on the measles vaccine in 1998, scientists didn’t dismiss autism concerns. They tested them. From Denmark to global meta-analyses, studies tracking millions of children all reached the same conclusion: MMR vaccines don’t cause autism: bit.ly/4m971vk
December 14, 2025 at 8:00 AM
When a small study cast doubt on the measles vaccine in 1998, scientists didn’t dismiss autism concerns. They tested them. From Denmark to global meta-analyses, studies tracking millions of children all reached the same conclusion: MMR vaccines don’t cause autism: bit.ly/4m971vk
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
A double dose of good news on the infectious disease front:
There’s not just one but two new drugs coming for gonorrhea, one of the most worrying diseases when it comes to antibiotic resistance.
🧪 #IDsky
www.science.org/content/arti...
There’s not just one but two new drugs coming for gonorrhea, one of the most worrying diseases when it comes to antibiotic resistance.
🧪 #IDsky
www.science.org/content/arti...
New antibiotic for gonorrhea could help beat back drug-resistant infections
Two treatments for the sexually transmitted disease are expected to become available soon
www.science.org
December 12, 2025 at 8:44 AM
A double dose of good news on the infectious disease front:
There’s not just one but two new drugs coming for gonorrhea, one of the most worrying diseases when it comes to antibiotic resistance.
🧪 #IDsky
www.science.org/content/arti...
There’s not just one but two new drugs coming for gonorrhea, one of the most worrying diseases when it comes to antibiotic resistance.
🧪 #IDsky
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
All I want for Christmas is books!
I asked 10 researchers about a book that galvanized them; they cooked up a poignant, serious yet joyful and ultimately uplifting collection.
"I have never read a book like this before — deeply personal, yet relevant to everyone."
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
I asked 10 researchers about a book that galvanized them; they cooked up a poignant, serious yet joyful and ultimately uplifting collection.
"I have never read a book like this before — deeply personal, yet relevant to everyone."
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
In praise of inefficiency, failure and friendship: ten galvanizing reads for this festive season
In a world that can seem lacking in optimism, researchers share their opinions on books that stimulate thoughts — and actions — for a better future.
www.nature.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:55 AM
All I want for Christmas is books!
I asked 10 researchers about a book that galvanized them; they cooked up a poignant, serious yet joyful and ultimately uplifting collection.
"I have never read a book like this before — deeply personal, yet relevant to everyone."
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
I asked 10 researchers about a book that galvanized them; they cooked up a poignant, serious yet joyful and ultimately uplifting collection.
"I have never read a book like this before — deeply personal, yet relevant to everyone."
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
Pediatricians reject CDC advisers’ guidance, plan to continue vaccinating all newborns against hepatitis B
Hospitals and health departments across the country say they're not planning to change their vaccination policy.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Hospitals and health departments across the country say they're not planning to change their vaccination policy.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
December 9, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Pediatricians reject CDC advisers’ guidance, plan to continue vaccinating all newborns against hepatitis B
Hospitals and health departments across the country say they're not planning to change their vaccination policy.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Hospitals and health departments across the country say they're not planning to change their vaccination policy.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
The @who.int’s newly-published World Malaria Report highlights major progress against malaria, driven in part by vaccines, as well as the key threats that could derail it.
Here are seven key takeaways from the report.
Here are seven key takeaways from the report.
7 things you need to know about the state of malaria today
The World Malaria Report 2024 highlights major progress against malaria driven by vaccines – and the key threats that could derail it.
bit.ly
December 9, 2025 at 7:00 AM
The @who.int’s newly-published World Malaria Report highlights major progress against malaria, driven in part by vaccines, as well as the key threats that could derail it.
Here are seven key takeaways from the report.
Here are seven key takeaways from the report.
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
#Shingles vaccine may prevent, delay, or slow dementia process
Among eligible adults, shingles vaccination reduced new mild cognitive impairment diagnoses by 1.5 percentage points.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/v...
Among eligible adults, shingles vaccination reduced new mild cognitive impairment diagnoses by 1.5 percentage points.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/v...
December 4, 2025 at 7:51 PM
#Shingles vaccine may prevent, delay, or slow dementia process
Among eligible adults, shingles vaccination reduced new mild cognitive impairment diagnoses by 1.5 percentage points.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/v...
Among eligible adults, shingles vaccination reduced new mild cognitive impairment diagnoses by 1.5 percentage points.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/v...
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
France reports MERS in 2 travelers who had been to Middle East
No secondary transmission chains have been identified in France.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/f...
Photo: NIAID
No secondary transmission chains have been identified in France.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/f...
Photo: NIAID
December 4, 2025 at 9:00 PM
France reports MERS in 2 travelers who had been to Middle East
No secondary transmission chains have been identified in France.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/f...
Photo: NIAID
No secondary transmission chains have been identified in France.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/f...
Photo: NIAID
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
On Friday, advisers to CDC are scheduled to discuss the safety of vaccines that include aluminum salts, compounds long added to vaccines to boost their effectiveness.
Here’s some background on why the agency is now scrutinizing aluminum salts. ⬇️ https://scim.ag/48IU5Ie
Here’s some background on why the agency is now scrutinizing aluminum salts. ⬇️ https://scim.ag/48IU5Ie
What’s the fuss about aluminum in vaccines?
Despite extensive safety record, U.S. health advisers are set to discuss claimed link to asthma
scim.ag
December 4, 2025 at 11:19 PM
On Friday, advisers to CDC are scheduled to discuss the safety of vaccines that include aluminum salts, compounds long added to vaccines to boost their effectiveness.
Here’s some background on why the agency is now scrutinizing aluminum salts. ⬇️ https://scim.ag/48IU5Ie
Here’s some background on why the agency is now scrutinizing aluminum salts. ⬇️ https://scim.ag/48IU5Ie
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
Online now: IL-9 as a naturally orthogonal cytokine with optimal JAK/STAT signaling for engineered T cell therapy
IL-9 as a naturally orthogonal cytokine with optimal JAK/STAT signaling for engineered T cell therapy
Cytokines optimize and fine-tune effector T cell responses. Here, Jiang et al. utilize IL-9, with scarce receptor expression in normal tissues, to boost IL-9R engineered T cells for cancer therapy. IL-9 signaling initiates a unique STAT activation pattern, including STAT4, that modulates T cell states for effective anti-tumor responses.
dlvr.it
November 21, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Online now: IL-9 as a naturally orthogonal cytokine with optimal JAK/STAT signaling for engineered T cell therapy
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
BREAKING: Man from Washington state dies after being infected with H5N5 bird flu
November 22, 2025 at 1:01 AM
BREAKING: Man from Washington state dies after being infected with H5N5 bird flu
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
To keep antibiotics effective for everyone, here’s what NOT to do:
❌ Do not use antibiotics for colds, flu or sore throats. Antibiotics do not treat viruses.
❌ Do not share your antibiotics with others.
❌ Do not save leftover antibiotics for use later.
Learn more 👉 bit.ly/4otAEcV
❌ Do not use antibiotics for colds, flu or sore throats. Antibiotics do not treat viruses.
❌ Do not share your antibiotics with others.
❌ Do not save leftover antibiotics for use later.
Learn more 👉 bit.ly/4otAEcV
November 22, 2025 at 6:45 AM
To keep antibiotics effective for everyone, here’s what NOT to do:
❌ Do not use antibiotics for colds, flu or sore throats. Antibiotics do not treat viruses.
❌ Do not share your antibiotics with others.
❌ Do not save leftover antibiotics for use later.
Learn more 👉 bit.ly/4otAEcV
❌ Do not use antibiotics for colds, flu or sore throats. Antibiotics do not treat viruses.
❌ Do not share your antibiotics with others.
❌ Do not save leftover antibiotics for use later.
Learn more 👉 bit.ly/4otAEcV
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
Experimental mRNA flu vaccine is more effective than conventional flu shot, but causes more side effects
In a phase 3 trial, participants who received the shot were 29% less likely to be diagnosed with flu than those who received a conventional flu shot.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/i...
In a phase 3 trial, participants who received the shot were 29% less likely to be diagnosed with flu than those who received a conventional flu shot.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/i...
November 19, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Experimental mRNA flu vaccine is more effective than conventional flu shot, but causes more side effects
In a phase 3 trial, participants who received the shot were 29% less likely to be diagnosed with flu than those who received a conventional flu shot.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/i...
In a phase 3 trial, participants who received the shot were 29% less likely to be diagnosed with flu than those who received a conventional flu shot.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/i...
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
Every child deserves medicines that are safe, effective, and easy to take.
On #WorldChildrensDay, WHO and partners in the Global Accelerator for Paediatric Formulations Network (GAP-f) are working to close the gap in access to child-friendly medicines worldwide.
On #WorldChildrensDay, WHO and partners in the Global Accelerator for Paediatric Formulations Network (GAP-f) are working to close the gap in access to child-friendly medicines worldwide.
November 20, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Every child deserves medicines that are safe, effective, and easy to take.
On #WorldChildrensDay, WHO and partners in the Global Accelerator for Paediatric Formulations Network (GAP-f) are working to close the gap in access to child-friendly medicines worldwide.
On #WorldChildrensDay, WHO and partners in the Global Accelerator for Paediatric Formulations Network (GAP-f) are working to close the gap in access to child-friendly medicines worldwide.