Jason D. Whittington
@jdwhittington.bsky.social
Ecological scientist
Coordinator of the Center for Pandemics and One-Health Research at UiO
Coordinator of the Center for Pandemics and One-Health Research at UiO
When did we shift from viewing "tech" as fun to something we have to protect ourselves from?
ratfactor.com/tech-nope
ratfactor.com/tech-nope
I'm an American software developer and the "broligarchs" don't speak for me - ratfactor
ratfactor.com
March 27, 2025 at 7:57 PM
When did we shift from viewing "tech" as fun to something we have to protect ourselves from?
ratfactor.com/tech-nope
ratfactor.com/tech-nope
A dis-credited anti-vaccine advocate with no medical background will lead a federal study on vaccines and autism.
arstechnica.com/health/2025/...
arstechnica.com/health/2025/...
RFK Jr. hires anti-vaccine advocate to study debunked vaccine, autism link
David Geier has been disciplined for practicing medicine without a license.
arstechnica.com
March 27, 2025 at 7:56 PM
A dis-credited anti-vaccine advocate with no medical background will lead a federal study on vaccines and autism.
arstechnica.com/health/2025/...
arstechnica.com/health/2025/...
Reposted by Jason D. Whittington
The freeze on @NIH study sections and grant reviews doesn’t just stall U.S. research—it impacts global science. Collaborators abroad, often reliant on grant funds, face disruptions in salaries, experiments, and progress. Science is a team effort; the freeze ripples worldwide.
If you are ready to advocate to your representatives (or friends and families) about the economic value of NIH funded research, you can check your state at www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/nih-in-your-...
January 23, 2025 at 6:28 AM
The freeze on @NIH study sections and grant reviews doesn’t just stall U.S. research—it impacts global science. Collaborators abroad, often reliant on grant funds, face disruptions in salaries, experiments, and progress. Science is a team effort; the freeze ripples worldwide.
Reposted by Jason D. Whittington
No study section...no grant reviews
No grant reviews...no grants awarded
No grants awarded...no research
No research...no functional NIH
No grant reviews...no grants awarded
No grants awarded...no research
No research...no functional NIH
All NIH study sections canceled indefinitely. This will halt science and devastate research budgets in universities.
January 22, 2025 at 9:21 PM
No study section...no grant reviews
No grant reviews...no grants awarded
No grants awarded...no research
No research...no functional NIH
No grant reviews...no grants awarded
No grants awarded...no research
No research...no functional NIH
Reposted by Jason D. Whittington
“The impact of the collective executive orders and directives appears devastating.” scim.ag/40ureTO
Trump hits NIH with ‘devastating’ freezes on meetings, travel, communications, and hiring
Researchers facing
scim.ag
January 22, 2025 at 11:28 PM
“The impact of the collective executive orders and directives appears devastating.” scim.ag/40ureTO
Reposted by Jason D. Whittington
We are now finding bird flu in deer mice and house mice in Washington.
H5N1 is advancing along the evolutionary ladder—affecting birds, mammals, and humans. This is not speculation; it’s a timeline.
H5N1 is advancing along the evolutionary ladder—affecting birds, mammals, and humans. This is not speculation; it’s a timeline.
January 22, 2025 at 2:41 PM
We are now finding bird flu in deer mice and house mice in Washington.
H5N1 is advancing along the evolutionary ladder—affecting birds, mammals, and humans. This is not speculation; it’s a timeline.
H5N1 is advancing along the evolutionary ladder—affecting birds, mammals, and humans. This is not speculation; it’s a timeline.
Reposted by Jason D. Whittington
Reposted by Jason D. Whittington
JUST IN: The Trump administration has directed federal health agencies to suspend all external communications, including health advisories, weekly scientific reports, and updates to websites and social media.
-WASHINGTON POST
-WASHINGTON POST
January 22, 2025 at 3:27 AM
JUST IN: The Trump administration has directed federal health agencies to suspend all external communications, including health advisories, weekly scientific reports, and updates to websites and social media.
-WASHINGTON POST
-WASHINGTON POST
Reposted by Jason D. Whittington
While this is about lab leak vs zoonosis, it’s worth noting the ethical guidelines: “When researchers are to participate in the public debate, they must be inquisitive, honest and objective, and they must argue with scientific justifications and clarity.”
Grateful to scientists in Norway pointing out the massive asymmetry in the lab leak discourse that has been much-too prevalent in Norwegian (and much more extremely, U.S) media.
It's time to focus on the science and leave the nonsense.
[Part 1 translation in ALT - see next post for Part 2]
It's time to focus on the science and leave the nonsense.
[Part 1 translation in ALT - see next post for Part 2]
January 21, 2025 at 9:57 AM
While this is about lab leak vs zoonosis, it’s worth noting the ethical guidelines: “When researchers are to participate in the public debate, they must be inquisitive, honest and objective, and they must argue with scientific justifications and clarity.”
Reposted by Jason D. Whittington
New podcast!
Meet Heredity editor Bastiaan Star (University of Oslo), we talk about his work with ancient fish DNA and why he enjoys working with the journal
@gensocuk.bsky.social @biovitenskap.bsky.social
Meet Heredity editor Bastiaan Star (University of Oslo), we talk about his work with ancient fish DNA and why he enjoys working with the journal
@gensocuk.bsky.social @biovitenskap.bsky.social
January 4, 2025 at 12:22 PM
New podcast!
Meet Heredity editor Bastiaan Star (University of Oslo), we talk about his work with ancient fish DNA and why he enjoys working with the journal
@gensocuk.bsky.social @biovitenskap.bsky.social
Meet Heredity editor Bastiaan Star (University of Oslo), we talk about his work with ancient fish DNA and why he enjoys working with the journal
@gensocuk.bsky.social @biovitenskap.bsky.social
Fugleinfluensa får mer oppmerksomhet i Norge.
www.tv2.no/nyheter/inne...
www.tv2.no/nyheter/inne...
Urovekkende utvikling: - Er nok bare et tidsspørsmål
Forskerne er bekymret for at viruset skal lære seg å smitte mellom mennesker. Det kan skje på to måter.
www.tv2.no
January 14, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Fugleinfluensa får mer oppmerksomhet i Norge.
www.tv2.no/nyheter/inne...
www.tv2.no/nyheter/inne...
Reposted by Jason D. Whittington
China reports two human new cases of H9N2 bird flu and one new case of H10N3 bird flu, according to the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection.
This is the 4th human H10N3 bird flu case ever reported.
This is the 4th human H10N3 bird flu case ever reported.
January 14, 2025 at 11:54 AM
China reports two human new cases of H9N2 bird flu and one new case of H10N3 bird flu, according to the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection.
This is the 4th human H10N3 bird flu case ever reported.
This is the 4th human H10N3 bird flu case ever reported.
Reposted by Jason D. Whittington
The H5N1 bird flu virus from the seriously ill case in Louisiana shows it was developing mutations that could help it spread more easily in humans, according to the CDC.
December 27, 2024 at 5:17 AM
The H5N1 bird flu virus from the seriously ill case in Louisiana shows it was developing mutations that could help it spread more easily in humans, according to the CDC.
I worry about the politicization of infectious disease treatment and prevention during and after COVID-19: arstechnica.com/health/2024/...
Louisiana bars health dept. from promoting flu, COVID, mpox vaccines: Report
Staff worried they were no longer helping people and the ban would lead to deaths.
arstechnica.com
December 22, 2024 at 10:55 AM
I worry about the politicization of infectious disease treatment and prevention during and after COVID-19: arstechnica.com/health/2024/...
Reposted by Jason D. Whittington
I think studies like this are particularly harmful because non-scientists have little reason to distrust them at face value - after all, it’s led by a professor with long track record in the field, peer-reviewed etc.
Infamous paper that popularized unproven COVID-19 treatment finally retracted
Study on hydroxychloroquine by Didier Raoult and colleagues gets pulled on ethical and scientific grounds
@cathleenogrady.bsky.social reports.
www.science.org/content/arti...
Study on hydroxychloroquine by Didier Raoult and colleagues gets pulled on ethical and scientific grounds
@cathleenogrady.bsky.social reports.
www.science.org/content/arti...
Infamous paper that popularized unproven COVID-19 treatment finally retracted
Study on hydroxychloroquine by Didier Raoult and colleagues gets pulled on ethical and scientific grounds
www.science.org
December 18, 2024 at 8:29 AM
I think studies like this are particularly harmful because non-scientists have little reason to distrust them at face value - after all, it’s led by a professor with long track record in the field, peer-reviewed etc.
Reposted by Jason D. Whittington
A year ago, the idea of a human case of #H5N1 seemed almost unimaginable in the United States.
Today, we are witnessing a widespread outbreak in dairy herds, multiple human infections, and the virus’s presence in the food supply.
This situation is deeply concerning and requires urgent attention.
Today, we are witnessing a widespread outbreak in dairy herds, multiple human infections, and the virus’s presence in the food supply.
This situation is deeply concerning and requires urgent attention.
December 16, 2024 at 5:07 AM
A year ago, the idea of a human case of #H5N1 seemed almost unimaginable in the United States.
Today, we are witnessing a widespread outbreak in dairy herds, multiple human infections, and the virus’s presence in the food supply.
This situation is deeply concerning and requires urgent attention.
Today, we are witnessing a widespread outbreak in dairy herds, multiple human infections, and the virus’s presence in the food supply.
This situation is deeply concerning and requires urgent attention.
Reposted by Jason D. Whittington
DR Congo health authorities still scramble to identify mystery illness.
- Patient in Italy had symptoms after traveling to DRC
- Hundreds of cases (300-400) reported
- ~150 deaths
- Majority cases in malnutritioned children
- Flu-like
- WHO team dispatched
🧪🦠🛟💉🔬
www.dw.com/en/dr-congo-...
- Patient in Italy had symptoms after traveling to DRC
- Hundreds of cases (300-400) reported
- ~150 deaths
- Majority cases in malnutritioned children
- Flu-like
- WHO team dispatched
🧪🦠🛟💉🔬
www.dw.com/en/dr-congo-...
Deadly mystery illness has DR Congo on alert – DW – 12/08/2024
An unidentified illness has caused dozens of deaths since October in a remote region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. With no precise diagnosis, officials are scrambling to find out whether it is ...
www.dw.com
December 8, 2024 at 7:25 PM
DR Congo health authorities still scramble to identify mystery illness.
- Patient in Italy had symptoms after traveling to DRC
- Hundreds of cases (300-400) reported
- ~150 deaths
- Majority cases in malnutritioned children
- Flu-like
- WHO team dispatched
🧪🦠🛟💉🔬
www.dw.com/en/dr-congo-...
- Patient in Italy had symptoms after traveling to DRC
- Hundreds of cases (300-400) reported
- ~150 deaths
- Majority cases in malnutritioned children
- Flu-like
- WHO team dispatched
🧪🦠🛟💉🔬
www.dw.com/en/dr-congo-...
The courage to stop the climate crisis:
www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
Sally Rooney: When are we going to have the courage to stop the climate crisis?
Capitalism is driving the destruction of our planet. We have to think outside – and against – the framework of our current political system
www.irishtimes.com
December 10, 2024 at 1:41 PM
The courage to stop the climate crisis:
www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
United Healthcare as Medicare for all:
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/uni...
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/uni...
UnitedHealthcare Is Now Medicare For All
Here at UnitedHealthcare, we understand just how valuable your health is. It’s why we’re in the business of health care. Why nearly 49.5 million Am...
www.mcsweeneys.net
December 10, 2024 at 1:40 PM
United Healthcare as Medicare for all:
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/uni...
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/uni...
Mer og mer om fugleinfluenza:
www.tv2.no/nyheter/uten...
www.tv2.no/nyheter/uten...
Barn smitta - dette bekymrar ekspertane
For første gong er eit barn smitta med fugleinfluensa i USA. Og i Canada er ein tenåring kritisk sjuk. Ekspertar forklarer kvifor dette vekker uro.
www.tv2.no
December 6, 2024 at 4:37 PM
Mer og mer om fugleinfluenza:
www.tv2.no/nyheter/uten...
www.tv2.no/nyheter/uten...
Reposted by Jason D. Whittington
Riding bikes is 10X more important than electric cars for reaching net-zero cities.
And that’s just the climate emissions part. #ClimateCrisis
theconversation.com/cycling-is-t...
And that’s just the climate emissions part. #ClimateCrisis
theconversation.com/cycling-is-t...
Cycling is ten times more important than electric cars for reaching net-zero cities
Active travel can help tackle the climate crisis earlier than electric vehicles – even if you swap the car for a bike for just one trip a day.
theconversation.com
November 26, 2024 at 2:28 AM
Riding bikes is 10X more important than electric cars for reaching net-zero cities.
And that’s just the climate emissions part. #ClimateCrisis
theconversation.com/cycling-is-t...
And that’s just the climate emissions part. #ClimateCrisis
theconversation.com/cycling-is-t...
Some context on the United Healthcare news:
mosertone.tumblr.com/post/7690462...
mosertone.tumblr.com/post/7690462...
The Hangnailian
UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting (4 December 2024) Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
mosertone.tumblr.com
December 6, 2024 at 2:06 PM
Some context on the United Healthcare news:
mosertone.tumblr.com/post/7690462...
mosertone.tumblr.com/post/7690462...
Bluesky and enshittification, or why I'm wary:
pluralistic.net/2024/11/02/u...
pluralistic.net/2024/11/02/u...
Pluralistic: Bluesky and enshittification (02 Nov 2024) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
pluralistic.net
December 2, 2024 at 9:31 AM
Bluesky and enshittification, or why I'm wary:
pluralistic.net/2024/11/02/u...
pluralistic.net/2024/11/02/u...
Reposted by Jason D. Whittington
Webinar on Dec 6th @ 12PM ET: Regulatory Barriers to & Enablers of End-to-End Vaccine Manufacturing in Southern Africa.
Moderated by @Wilmotjames, our panel includes @DrPatSoonShiong, Stavros Nicolaou (@aspenpharma), and Helen Rees (@SAHPRA1).
Register⤵️
brown.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Moderated by @Wilmotjames, our panel includes @DrPatSoonShiong, Stavros Nicolaou (@aspenpharma), and Helen Rees (@SAHPRA1).
Register⤵️
brown.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 26, 2024 at 4:30 PM
Webinar on Dec 6th @ 12PM ET: Regulatory Barriers to & Enablers of End-to-End Vaccine Manufacturing in Southern Africa.
Moderated by @Wilmotjames, our panel includes @DrPatSoonShiong, Stavros Nicolaou (@aspenpharma), and Helen Rees (@SAHPRA1).
Register⤵️
brown.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Moderated by @Wilmotjames, our panel includes @DrPatSoonShiong, Stavros Nicolaou (@aspenpharma), and Helen Rees (@SAHPRA1).
Register⤵️
brown.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reposted by Jason D. Whittington
Anyone looking for an assistant professor position in biodiversity research? Not one but three positions available at Stockholm U:
www.su.se/department-o...
www.su.se/department-o...
Faculty of Science is recruiting Assistant Professors in Biodiversity - Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences
Faculty of Science is recruiting Assistant Professors in Biodiversity - Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences
www.su.se
November 22, 2024 at 2:46 PM
Anyone looking for an assistant professor position in biodiversity research? Not one but three positions available at Stockholm U:
www.su.se/department-o...
www.su.se/department-o...