Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Philadelphia Science Action

Kelly @broadwaybabyto.bsky.social · 21h

Six former US Surgeon Generals all came together to issue a joint statement about the tremendous harm RFK Jr poses to the health of Americans.

Meanwhile who did RFK Jr pick as Surgeon General?

Casey Means. A wellness influencer who isn’t even a practicing physician.

Six former US surgeons general warn RFK Jr is ‘endangering nation’s health’

Former top doctors condemn health secretary’s vaccine, research policies, saying ideology replaced science at HHS

www.theguardian.com

5 69 200

Reposted by Philadelphia Science Action

Doctors for America @drsforamerica.bsky.social · 1d

In an extraordinary joint statement, 6 former U.S. Surgeons General warn:
RFK Jr. is "endangering the health of the nation.”

We’ve previously called for RFK Jr.’s resignation, this moment confirms why. Patient health must come before politics.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

Opinion | Six surgeons general: It’s our duty to warn the nation about RFK Jr.

We took an oath to declare dangers when we found them. We’re doing that again today.

www.washingtonpost.com

24 46

Reposted by Philadelphia Science Action

Alt-NIHscience4ALL @alt-nihscience4all.altgov.info · 1d

They want to take away pay that they said we would get in furlough emails. It’s not like we don’t want to be working right now. And excepted employees are working without pay right now. In answer to the question below, pissed.

👻🗳️Ghost of Democracy 2.0 @ominousrabbit.com · 1d

Hey, feds! How you feeling about this?

Scoop: White House memo says furloughed federal workers aren't entitled to backpay — Axios

Furloughed federal workers aren't guaranteed compensation for their forced time off during the government shutdown, according to a draft White House memo described to Axios by three sources.

apple.news

2 7 20

Reposted by Philadelphia Science Action

Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 2d

I have been trying to get this published as an op-ed, but I am going to post it here since I think it is timely in light of the "consent" extortion events.

Deafening Quiet from the Scientific Establishment

jeremymberg.github.io/jeremyberg.g...

1/14

jeremymberg.github.io

13 160 300

Reposted by Philadelphia Science Action

Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 2d

PubMed Update (no pun intended)

Publications with Pub Date

8/1//24 62209
9/1/24 64765
10/1/24 68211

8/1/25 61610
9/1/25 63719

10/1/25 35936 (as of 10/2/25)
10/1/25 38673 (as of 10/6/25, 8:00 AM)

It appears that ~40% of the expected number of publications are missing for 10/1/25

1/2

a man in a black vest says no bueno in front of mountains

ALT: a man in a black vest says no bueno in front of mountains

media.tenor.com

6 32 80

Philadelphia Science Action @philadelphiascienceaction.substack.com · 2d

This is an easy one, Jameson. JUST SAY NO.

"J. Larry Jameson said the school will evaluate a proposed compact from President Donald Trump’s administration based on the school’s values and mission...
freedom of inquiry and thought, free expression, non-discrimination" share.inquirer.com/jTf7PW

Penn ‘seeks no special consideration,’ president Jameson says in response to Trump proposal

Penn has until Oct. 20 to respond to the compact, which would give the Trump administration wide-ranging influence over core university operations including hiring, admissions and tuition setting.

share.inquirer.com

2 9

Philadelphia Science Action @philadelphiascienceaction.substack.com · 3d

Sign the AAUP petition urging Penn to JUST SAY NO to Trump's Compact for Academic Extortion

actionnetwork.org/petitions/ju...

Just Say No to Trump's Compact for Academic Extortion

Yesterday, the University of Pennsylvania was one of nine targets of the Trump Administration's "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education." Through it, Trump asks once again for universitie...

actionnetwork.org

1 2

Philadelphia Science Action @philadelphiascienceaction.substack.com · 3d

"Each concession leaves institutions more entangled with the federal government and more vulnerable to future coercion. Resistance must be strong, early, and sustained, or the space for resistance will vanish."

Read our latest blog post by @dramandar.bsky.social

open.substack.com/pub/philadel...

Why Penn Must Reject Trump’s Higher Ed Compact

By Amanda Rabinowitz Ph.D.

open.substack.com

1 4 13

Reposted by Philadelphia Science Action

National Council of Jewish Women @ncjw.bsky.social · 5d

This week we lost Dame Jane Goodall, animal rights champion and friend of the chimpanzees.

Her work — including books, scientific breakthroughs, and establishing sanctuaries — made our world a better place for all living beings.

May her memory be for a blessing. Shabbat Shalom.

3 31

Reposted by Philadelphia Science Action

Erin J. Wamsley 🧠📈😴 @wamsleylab.bsky.social · 4d

Would you agree to FORMALLY SURVEY THE IDEOLOGIES OF FACULTY IN EVERY DEPARTMENT OF YOUR COLLEGE, and to "transform or abolish" any that "belittle" "conservative ideas"?

That's what Trump's "Compact for Academic Excellence." demands.

#edusky #academicsky

www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/u...

" Signatories commit themselves to revising governance structures as necessary to create such an environment, including but not limited to transforming or abolishing institutional units that purposefully punish, belittle, and even spark violence against conservative ideas. Given the importance of academic freedom to the marketplace of ideas, signatories shall adopt a policy protecting academic freedom in classrooms, teaching, research, and scholarship. Such policies also shall recognize that academic freedom is not absolute, and universities shall adopt policies that prevent discriminatory, threatening, harassing, or other behaviors that abridge the rights of other members of the university community. Signatories commit to rigorous, good faith, empirical assessment of a broad spectrum of viewpoints among faculty, students, and staff at all levels and to sharing the results of such assessments with the public; and to seek such a broad spectrum of viewpoints not just in the university as a whole, but within every field, department, school, and teaching unit. "

1 10 10

Reposted by Philadelphia Science Action

Liz Neeley @lizneeley.bsky.social · 4d

Each Friday, I summarize what is happening to American science & higher ed. 🧪
This was Week 37:
- 9 universities face loyalty oath (“compact”)
- government shutdown - impact on services & fear of further RIFs
- four NIH directors officially fired

& so much more buttondown.com/liminalcreat...

Week 37

Sept 27-Oct 2, 2025 - hold the door

buttondown.com

27 69

Reposted by Philadelphia Science Action

ERISAnerd @erisanerd.bsky.social · 5d

I think more state governors should follow Newsom’s lead and tell the universities that if the uni signs on to the felon’s curriculum agenda then state funding will be terminated. Fight fire with fire.

9 73 230

Reposted by Philadelphia Science Action

Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 5d

A new banner on PubMed about the (potential lack of) updating.

Some recent papers have been posted but it is not clear if some are missing.

I will be tracking this going forward.

New Banner on PubMed

Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted. The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov. Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at opm.gov.

2 8 29

Philadelphia Science Action @philadelphiascienceaction.substack.com · 4d

Are you an alum from one of the 9 schools Trump just attacked? Defend your school now by signing this alumni petition to support your alma mater and campus communities across America. The future of higher education and our democracy is at stake. alumni.controlshift.app/petitions/tr...

Trump attacks 9 universities: Sign the alumni petition to defend your school now

Are you an alum from one of the 9 schools Trump just attacked? Defend your school now by signing this alumni petition to support your alma mater and campus communities across America. The future of hi...

alumni.controlshift.app

1 5

Philadelphia Science Action @philadelphiascienceaction.substack.com · 5d

Starting soon!

Philadelphia Science Action @philadelphiascienceaction.substack.com · 5d

We'll see you this evening at the PSA Social 🧪🍺!

📍 National Mechanics, 22 S 3rd St, 19106
⏰ 4:30–6:00 PM
🎉 10% off drinks

A flyer advertising Philly Science Action Social. Happy Hour for Philly's Science Community. Friday, Oct 3. 4:30-6PM National Mechanics. 22 S 3rd St #24, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Connect. Share. Build Community.

1

Philadelphia Science Action @philadelphiascienceaction.substack.com · 5d

🚨 Penn is being pressured by the Trump Admin to sign the “Compact for Academic Excellence,” risking academic freedom & student rights. Tell leadership to say NO. Read the AAUP-Penn statement & sign the petition ✍️: actionnetwork.org/petitions/ju...

Just Say No to Trump's Compact for Academic Extortion

Yesterday, the University of Pennsylvania was one of nine targets of the Trump Administration's "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education." Through it, Trump asks once again for universitie...

actionnetwork.org

5 7

Philadelphia Science Action @philadelphiascienceaction.substack.com · 5d

We'll see you this evening at the PSA Social 🧪🍺!

📍 National Mechanics, 22 S 3rd St, 19106
⏰ 4:30–6:00 PM
🎉 10% off drinks

3

Reposted by Philadelphia Science Action

Madhu Pai, MD, PhD @madhupai.bsky.social · 5d

PubMed is in trouble

This is beyond bad for medical research

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

22 170 380

Reposted by Philadelphia Science Action

Alt CDC (they/them) @altcdc.altgov.info · 6d

Taking a break from the doom and gloom to highlight some awesome public health work. 💚

Philadelphia Department of Public Health @phlpublichealth.bsky.social · 6d

“Toilet paper is offered for free in public bathrooms. Tampons and pads should be too."

Phlow Philly is a citywide initiative addressing period poverty by installing free-vend dispensers in public spaces and distributing 4,500 period kits.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/rsBn50X4kmB

3 64 410

Philadelphia Science Action @philadelphiascienceaction.substack.com · 6d

“Penn’s Latin motto, Leges Sine Moribus Vanae, is usually translated to “Laws Without Morals are Useless.” It is time to put that principle into practice.””

aaup-penn.org/statement-by...

Statement by the AAUP-Penn Executive Committee on the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education | AAUP–Penn

October 2, 2025 We have received reports that Penn has been “invited” to sign a so-called “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” by the federal government, and that failing to do so wou...

aaup-penn.org

3 14

Reposted by Philadelphia Science Action

Philadelphia Science Action @philadelphiascienceaction.substack.com · 7d

This Friday! 🍻🔬

Join us at National Mechanics for a science happy hour!
📅 Friday, Oct 3
⏰ 4:30–6:00 PM
🎉 10% off drinks
🤝 Connect with Philly’s science community

Then head to the FREE First Friday poster session at the Science History Institute!
🔗 tinyurl.com/3z8sh4ax

1 4 3

Reposted by Philadelphia Science Action

Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · 6d

These just brush the surface of the destruction we have been seeing at NIH, FTC, DOL, CFPB, and HHS. They are consistent with harms happening across agencies.

The government shut down didn't happen today.

It's been happening since January.

Science and Freedom Alliance - SAFA @safa-science.bsky.social · 6d

Federal workers are speaking out on how the Trump regime is harming Americans:

"We stand here today at a moment of the greatest assault of our lifetimes on our freedoms. The US Constitution is being shredded... We are here to call on Congress to stand up and stop it."

youtu.be/uw1KwIBgrCw?...

Mark Histed, NIH Scientist *speaking in personal capacity

YouTube video by Civil Servants Coalition

youtu.be

4 12

Philadelphia Science Action @philadelphiascienceaction.substack.com · 6d

“The memo laid forth guidelines that would govern Penn’s admissions, pricing, and hiring practices. In exchange, higher education institutions that sign the agreement will receive “multiple positive benefits,” including “substantial and meaningful federal grants.””

share.google/O7WafFs2RbxW...

White House asks Penn to sign ‘compact’ of operational principles in exchange for funding advantages

Universities are “free to develop models and values other than those” offered in the memo, but only if the institution chooses to forgo federal benefits, the document stated.

share.google

2

Philadelphia Science Action @philadelphiascienceaction.substack.com · 7d

We mourn the loss of Dr. Jane Goodall — scientist, advocate, and moral force. Her life showed us that deep inquiry must be paired with deep care. A guiding light for ethical science and action. 🕊️

abcnews.go.com/Internationa...

Jane Goodall, famed primatologist and conservationist, dies at 91

Jane Goodall, the most prolific primatologist of a generation, has died. She was 91 years old.

abcnews.go.com

5

Reposted by Philadelphia Science Action

AAUP @aaup.org · 8d

“I don’t think in the long term, maintaining a low profile would eventually bear fruit because sooner or later, they will pass certain restrictions or laws…that will affect us, and we better be prepared by that point with faculty organization.”

—Alessandro Gomez, AAUP Yale

Faculty group hosts panel on preparing for possible Trump intervention

On Monday afternoon, Yale’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors hosted faculty leaders from across the nation to discuss faculty organizing and negotiations with the federal g...

yaledailynews.com

11 31