Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · 1d

Sad little trees. 🌲 🌲🌲
www.pbs.org/newshour/art...

Bob Ross paintings to be auctioned to support public TV stations after federal funding cuts

All profits will help public TV stations with licensing fees for popular programs that include "The Best of Joy of Painting" and "America's Test Kitchen."

www.pbs.org

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Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · 14d

A glimmer of good science news for a devastating genetic disease: gene therapy (using microRNAs ❤️) may become a way to help slow disease progression. 🧪

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Huntington's disease successfully treated for first time

One of the most devastating diseases finally has a treatment that can slow its progression and transform lives, tearful doctors tell BBC.

www.bbc.com

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Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · 20d

I’ve enjoyed learning from fresh perspectives, meeting editors from many areas of work, and feeling inspired by the power of words this week at #ACESVCON25. Thanks for a great virtual conference with so many resources to explore! ✏️ #editing

ACES: The Society for Editing @acesediting.bsky.social · 20d

Day 2 of #ACESVCON25 brought the energy, insight, and inspiration!🔥 From engaging speakers to practical wisdom shared across sessions, today was a masterclass in excellence and connection.

ACES VCON25 Day 2 conference recap. A collage of photos and words from virtual sessions.

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Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · Aug 27

Fun at Victory Field yesterday for STEAM night—making lava lamp models with @inacademyofscience.bsky.social!

Bottle with yellow lava lamp ingredients

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Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · Aug 14

I was thinking about Paramecium last night—how cool & mysterious these single-celled microbes are. All the scientists I know are depressed about the politics of science funding. Maybe it’s time for everyone to go back to school, stare at Paramecium under the microscope, & wonder at the world again.

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Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · Aug 12

I’m apparently too worn out by the news plus trying to live my life that I’m just not using this site the way I wanted to. But I appreciate the posts I read when I remember to check in on the people I follow. Thank you for your content! Here’s a beautiful neighborhood hibiscus for your efforts.

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Reposted by Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS

Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · Aug 5

Every reputable expert I know considers mRNA vaccine technology to be one of the most revolutionary advances in medicine in our lifetimes. Its inventors won the Nobel Prize in 2023. Shutting it down now is pointless self-harm to humanity.

Eric Michael Garcia @ericmgarcia.bsky.social · Aug 5

Release from HHS: HHS will wind down its development of the mRNA vaccine development activities under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).

HHS Winds Down mRNA Vaccine Development Under BARDA

WASHINGTON, DC—AUGUST 5, 2025—The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the beginning of a coordinated wind-down of its mRNA vaccine development activities under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), including the cancellation and de-scoping of various contracts and solicitations. The decision follows a comprehensive review of mRNA-related investments initiated during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

“We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. We’re shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate.”

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Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · Jul 29

I’m a scientist thanks to past support from the NIH. But we all have benefited from the support of federally funded science in some way. Join us in supporting science for the future!

Author Bill Sullivan @authorbillsullivan.com · Jul 29

Science in America is Dying. We Need Your Help to Keep it Alive.

America can’t be great without support for the sciences.

medium.com/p/99f78ab122ee

Science in America is Dying. We Need Your Help to Keep it Alive.

America can’t be great without support for the sciences.

medium.com

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Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · Jul 21

The em dash has its say.
(I will support them—and en dashes—to the end.) #editing

www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/the...

The Em Dash Responds to the AI Allegations

“In recent months, a curious fixation has emerged in corners of academia: the em dash. More specifically, the apparent moral panic around how it is...

www.mcsweeneys.net

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Reposted by Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS

Molly Jong-Fast @mollyjongfast.bsky.social · Jul 1

Before states banned abortion, one of the gravest outcomes of early miscarriage could easily be avoided: Doctors could offer a dilation and curettage procedure, which quickly empties the uterus and allows it to close, protecting against a life-threatening hemorrhage.

ProPublica @propublica.org · Jul 1

NEW: More women have nearly bled to death during miscarriage under Texas’ abortion ban.

Experts say the trend paints a troubling picture of the harms of unnecessary delays in care. “This is striking,” one doctor said. “The trend is very clear.”

A “Striking” Trend: After Texas Banned Abortion, More Women Nearly Bled to Death During Miscarriage

A new ProPublica data analysis adds to the mounting evidence that abortion bans have made the common experience of first-trimester miscarriage far more dangerous.

www.propublica.org

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Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · Jun 28

www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/c...

Critical Hurricane Monitoring Data Is Going Offline

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS

Jennifer Ouellette @jenlucpiquant.bsky.social · Jun 26

All childhood vaccines in question after first meeting of RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel arstechnica.com/health/2025/...

All childhood vaccines in question after first meeting of RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel

Overall, the meeting was packed with anti-vaccine talking points and arguments.

arstechnica.com

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Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · Jun 24

🌲🌲🌲 www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/c...

Trump Administration to End Protections for 58 Million Acres of National Forests

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS

David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · Jun 18

For those who asked: this article is now temporarily open access for everyone.

David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · Jun 17

My latest for American Scientist Magazine helps give scientists the tools to fight back against politicized charges that our research is silly or pointless- tools that will work whether you’re asked “why are we funding this” from your asshole uncle at Thanksgiving or an asshole US Senator.
🧪🌎

“Why Are We Funding This?”

Long-standing myths about “silly science” have contributed to the reckless slashing of government-supported research.

www.americanscientist.org

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Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · Jun 19

Great science news: This sounds like it could be a game changer in the global fight against new HIV infections. A twice a year injection instead of PrEP’s daily pill. Now to figure out how to get it to the people who need it most. www.npr.org/sections/goa... 🧪

HIV prevention drug hailed as a 'breakthrough' gets FDA approval

A drug called lenacapavir, administered in two injections a year, offers protection from HIV comparable to daily pills. One looming question: Will it be affordable for lower resource countries?

www.npr.org

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Reposted by Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS

NPR @npr.org · Jun 12

Climate.gov is the main source of timely climate-related information for the public. It will stop publishing new information because the Trump administration laid off everyone who worked on it.

n.pr

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Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · May 28

“The science hasn’t changed.” OB-GYNs speak out against changes in Covid-19 vaccine policy. www.acog.org/news/news-re...

ACOG Statement on HHS Recommendations Regarding the COVID Vaccine During Pregnancy

ACOG strongly opposes the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' decision to stop recommending the COVID vaccination during pregnancy, citing clear evidence of its safety and effectiveness in p...

www.acog.org

Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · May 27

CBS Sunday Morning: Medical journalist Dr. Timothy Johnson, on the collapse to medical research funding.

www.cbsnews.com/video/health...

Health expert calls Trump's medical research cuts "reckless destruction"

Dr. Timothy Johnson, longtime network TV medical reporter and founding editor of the Harvard Medical School Health Letter, says that by cutting more than $1.8 billion in grants from the National Insti...

www.cbsnews.com

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Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · May 24

Cool science. (Support science!) 🧪

www.npr.org/2025/05/23/n...

Backyard feeders changed the shape of hummingbird beaks, scientists say

A new study details the evolutionary change of Anna's Hummingbirds, finding their beaks have grown longer and more tapered to get the most from common feeders.

www.npr.org

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Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · May 23

www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

Trump Has Cut Science Funding to Its Lowest Level in Decades (Gift Article)

The lag in funding extends far beyond D.E.I. initiatives, affecting almost every area of science: chemistry, computing, engineering, materials and more.

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS

Gabriel Bosslet @gbosslet.bsky.social · May 21

I found this post by @kkjetelina.bsky.social to be a really good discussion of the recent FDA COVID vaccine announcement

yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/covid-19-v...

Covid-19 vaccines, what just happened at the FDA, and why it matters

This is not how vaccine policy should be made.

yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com

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Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · May 6

Science is being drastically defunded, despite the practical value it brings to everyone and its economic return on investment.

www.npr.org/2025/05/06/n...

Most Americans use federal science information on a weekly basis, a new poll finds

Most Americans frequently use federal science information. But few are concerned that cuts to federal science spending could affect their access to such information, a new poll finds.

www.npr.org

Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · May 2

People don’t have to get sick and spread a highly contagious and sometimes lethal virus around. There’s a vaccine that all but prevents measles. Grr.

www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/h...

RFK Jr. Orders Search for New Measles Treatments Instead of Urging Vaccination (Gift Article)

Decades of research have turned up no miracle treatment for measles, but studies show the M.M.R. shot is 97 percent effective in preventing the disease.

www.nytimes.com

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Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · Apr 28

“60 Minutes” takes on the gutting of the NIH and what it means for all of us. Fun fact: 75% of scientists in a poll menitoned in the story are thinking of leaving the U.S. to be able to continue to do science.
www.cbsnews.com/news/scienti...

Scientists fear Trump administration cuts to NIH could impact the health of Americans for generations

Former National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins, who abruptly left his NIH research lab in February, fears aggressive downsizing could impact Americans' health.

www.cbsnews.com

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Erin Gerecke, PhD, ELS @mulledscience.bsky.social · Apr 25

Some good news.

www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/h...

Federal Officials Promise to Restore Funding to Women’s Health Initiative (Gift Article)

The decades-long research effort has contributed to thousands of research papers, altering medical care for women around the world.

www.nytimes.com

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