Rachel Fairbank
@sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
Science journalist, with bylines in Nature, National Geographic, the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Houston Chronicle. I cover a mixture of health topics, with a focus on conditions such as autism, ADHD, ME/CFS, POTS and Long COVID.
‘Tis the season to get emails and texts from every company you have even briefly interacted with in the past ten years.
November 28, 2025 at 8:09 PM
‘Tis the season to get emails and texts from every company you have even briefly interacted with in the past ten years.
My son is currently obsessed with snakes, which I am perfectly happy to be a father-son bonding activity.
My son gets to hold snakes; I get to stay home. It works for everyone involved.
My son gets to hold snakes; I get to stay home. It works for everyone involved.
November 26, 2025 at 11:04 PM
My son is currently obsessed with snakes, which I am perfectly happy to be a father-son bonding activity.
My son gets to hold snakes; I get to stay home. It works for everyone involved.
My son gets to hold snakes; I get to stay home. It works for everyone involved.
I love the pettiness, and the willingness to hold a grudge for eleven years.
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I love the pettiness, and the willingness to hold a grudge for eleven years.
I had a root canal this morning, and all I can think about is how much of a privilege it is to be able to afford dental care.
Teeth should not be considered luxury bones. Teeth issues can cause a huge amount of health problems down the road.
Teeth should not be considered luxury bones. Teeth issues can cause a huge amount of health problems down the road.
November 21, 2025 at 4:57 PM
I had a root canal this morning, and all I can think about is how much of a privilege it is to be able to afford dental care.
Teeth should not be considered luxury bones. Teeth issues can cause a huge amount of health problems down the road.
Teeth should not be considered luxury bones. Teeth issues can cause a huge amount of health problems down the road.
At this point, I’m expecting to see a heavily redacted set of files, with DEMOCRATS written on it in Sharpie pen.
thehill.com/homenews/sen...
thehill.com/homenews/sen...
thehill.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:50 AM
At this point, I’m expecting to see a heavily redacted set of files, with DEMOCRATS written on it in Sharpie pen.
thehill.com/homenews/sen...
thehill.com/homenews/sen...
“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” takes the spectrum, bends it and hog-ties it into a bow. These are modest women who behave badly and dress skimpily but also submit to traditional gender roles and repeatedly announce their devotion to their faith.
This article nails it.
This article nails it.
Column | ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ is essential viewing. Seriously.
The Hulu reality show about the Mormon wives of TikTok is a perfect distillation of America’s political and cultural moment.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:35 PM
“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” takes the spectrum, bends it and hog-ties it into a bow. These are modest women who behave badly and dress skimpily but also submit to traditional gender roles and repeatedly announce their devotion to their faith.
This article nails it.
This article nails it.
I’ve been feeling better these past few months, and the surest sign that I’m feeling better is I can feel my creativity and motivation starting to come back.
It feels like waking up after years of sleep-walking.
It feels like waking up after years of sleep-walking.
November 17, 2025 at 12:57 AM
I’ve been feeling better these past few months, and the surest sign that I’m feeling better is I can feel my creativity and motivation starting to come back.
It feels like waking up after years of sleep-walking.
It feels like waking up after years of sleep-walking.
I recently read a book about an Inuit woman who was the only survivor of an Arctic expedition, and now I’m obsessed with scurvy, which one of the expedition members died of.
The descriptions of what scurvy is like have me squeezing lemon into my iced tea like I’m about to head off to the Arctic.
The descriptions of what scurvy is like have me squeezing lemon into my iced tea like I’m about to head off to the Arctic.
Ada Blackjack
From the author of The Ice Master comes the remarkable true story of a young Inuit woman who survived six months alone on a desolate, uninhabited Arctic isla...
www.hachettebookgroup.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:19 PM
I recently read a book about an Inuit woman who was the only survivor of an Arctic expedition, and now I’m obsessed with scurvy, which one of the expedition members died of.
The descriptions of what scurvy is like have me squeezing lemon into my iced tea like I’m about to head off to the Arctic.
The descriptions of what scurvy is like have me squeezing lemon into my iced tea like I’m about to head off to the Arctic.
There’s a woman on Instagram doing a series on “things I say to my cat that make sound like a creepy old man,” and yup, guilty as charged.
November 15, 2025 at 5:57 PM
There’s a woman on Instagram doing a series on “things I say to my cat that make sound like a creepy old man,” and yup, guilty as charged.
I keep wearing a sweatshirt, in the hopes that it will manifest fall weather, but so far, Houston is continuing to Houston.
November 15, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I keep wearing a sweatshirt, in the hopes that it will manifest fall weather, but so far, Houston is continuing to Houston.
Hearing about Nuzzi succeeding in spite of some huge ethical violations is really fun when you are a journalist who is barely scraping by.
November 14, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Hearing about Nuzzi succeeding in spite of some huge ethical violations is really fun when you are a journalist who is barely scraping by.
Reposted by Rachel Fairbank
I will no doubt read and enjoy all your very good Nuzzi jokes, but I also want to say earnestly, so many of us (myself included) are on the verge of being pushed out of this industry and it's genuinely so dispiriting to see the worst among us, ethics-wise, get such preferential treatment.
November 14, 2025 at 5:54 PM
I will no doubt read and enjoy all your very good Nuzzi jokes, but I also want to say earnestly, so many of us (myself included) are on the verge of being pushed out of this industry and it's genuinely so dispiriting to see the worst among us, ethics-wise, get such preferential treatment.
Reposted by Rachel Fairbank
GLP-1s are being studied for a wide range of conditions. Now, scientists will test whether their anti-inflammatory properties can help alleviate symptoms of #LongCovid. @wired.com @emilymullin.bsky.social
www.wired.com/story/weight...
www.wired.com/story/weight...
Weight-Loss Drug Zepbound Is Being Tested as a Treatment for Long Covid
GLP-1s are being studied for a wide range of conditions. Now, scientists will test whether their anti-inflammatory properties can help alleviate symptoms of long Covid.
www.wired.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:22 PM
GLP-1s are being studied for a wide range of conditions. Now, scientists will test whether their anti-inflammatory properties can help alleviate symptoms of #LongCovid. @wired.com @emilymullin.bsky.social
www.wired.com/story/weight...
www.wired.com/story/weight...
My most woke opinion is that not only does everyone deserves a comfortable place to live, good nutritious food to eat, quality healthcare, and a good education, but that we can afford to give everyone this. I will die on this hill.
And I do mean everyone, not just the people who "deserve" it.
And I do mean everyone, not just the people who "deserve" it.
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 4:50 PM
My most woke opinion is that not only does everyone deserves a comfortable place to live, good nutritious food to eat, quality healthcare, and a good education, but that we can afford to give everyone this. I will die on this hill.
And I do mean everyone, not just the people who "deserve" it.
And I do mean everyone, not just the people who "deserve" it.
Can we have an actual opposition party, rather than just three spineless Schumers in a trenchcoat?
November 9, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Can we have an actual opposition party, rather than just three spineless Schumers in a trenchcoat?
Reposted by Rachel Fairbank
Great work from Rachel Fairbank on the winding story of metformin for #LongCOVID at @thesicktimes.org.
Quotes from @jencurtinmd.bsky.social, Rachel Hall Clifford, @chromatowski.bsky.social, Carolyn Bramante, Ed Mills, Melissa Mazur & myself.
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
#MedSky
Quotes from @jencurtinmd.bsky.social, Rachel Hall Clifford, @chromatowski.bsky.social, Carolyn Bramante, Ed Mills, Melissa Mazur & myself.
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
#MedSky
Metformin has been shown to reduce the risk of Long COVID. Why isn’t it more widely used? - The Sick Times
Recent studies add evidence to a prior phase 3 clinical trial, suggesting that taking the diabetes drug during acute COVID-19 reduces the risk of long-term symptoms.
thesicktimes.org
October 28, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Great work from Rachel Fairbank on the winding story of metformin for #LongCOVID at @thesicktimes.org.
Quotes from @jencurtinmd.bsky.social, Rachel Hall Clifford, @chromatowski.bsky.social, Carolyn Bramante, Ed Mills, Melissa Mazur & myself.
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
#MedSky
Quotes from @jencurtinmd.bsky.social, Rachel Hall Clifford, @chromatowski.bsky.social, Carolyn Bramante, Ed Mills, Melissa Mazur & myself.
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
#MedSky
There are a lot of cultures where it’s common to call relatives ‘aunt’ or ‘uncle.’
Why are we being so weird about this?
Why are we being so weird about this?
In the final days of New York City’s mayoral race, Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani has faced pushback over a story he told about his aunt being afraid to wear her hijab while riding the subway after the September 11, 2001, attacks. https://cnn.it/432IAcr
October 28, 2025 at 10:41 PM
There are a lot of cultures where it’s common to call relatives ‘aunt’ or ‘uncle.’
Why are we being so weird about this?
Why are we being so weird about this?
Reposted by Rachel Fairbank
Happy to be featured on my thoughts on metformin for (long) covid in this great new piece by @sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
Metformin has been shown to reduce the risk of Long COVID. Why isn’t it more widely used? - The Sick Times
Recent studies add evidence to a prior phase 3 clinical trial, suggesting that taking the diabetes drug during acute COVID-19 reduces the risk of long-term symptoms.
thesicktimes.org
October 28, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Happy to be featured on my thoughts on metformin for (long) covid in this great new piece by @sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
Reposted by Rachel Fairbank
Thank you so much Rachel Fairbank @sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social for this important piece on the evidence behind metformin for preventing Long Covid. Really hope it helps improve access to this med.
Great work from Rachel Fairbank on the winding story of metformin for #LongCOVID at @thesicktimes.org.
Quotes from @jencurtinmd.bsky.social, Rachel Hall Clifford, @chromatowski.bsky.social, Carolyn Bramante, Ed Mills, Melissa Mazur & myself.
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
#MedSky
Quotes from @jencurtinmd.bsky.social, Rachel Hall Clifford, @chromatowski.bsky.social, Carolyn Bramante, Ed Mills, Melissa Mazur & myself.
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
#MedSky
Metformin has been shown to reduce the risk of Long COVID. Why isn’t it more widely used? - The Sick Times
Recent studies add evidence to a prior phase 3 clinical trial, suggesting that taking the diabetes drug during acute COVID-19 reduces the risk of long-term symptoms.
thesicktimes.org
October 28, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Thank you so much Rachel Fairbank @sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social for this important piece on the evidence behind metformin for preventing Long Covid. Really hope it helps improve access to this med.
Reposted by Rachel Fairbank
NEW: A series of studies have shown that the diabetes drug metformin may help reduce the risk of #LongCOVID. So why isn't the information being translated into guidelines for providers?
@sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social reports for @thesicktimes.org!
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
@sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social reports for @thesicktimes.org!
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
Metformin has been shown to reduce the risk of Long COVID. Why isn’t it more widely used? - The Sick Times
Recent studies add evidence to a prior phase 3 clinical trial, suggesting that taking the diabetes drug during acute COVID-19 reduces the risk of long-term symptoms.
thesicktimes.org
October 28, 2025 at 10:00 PM
NEW: A series of studies have shown that the diabetes drug metformin may help reduce the risk of #LongCOVID. So why isn't the information being translated into guidelines for providers?
@sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social reports for @thesicktimes.org!
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
@sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social reports for @thesicktimes.org!
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
Reposted by Rachel Fairbank
Today @thesicktimes.org: Multiple studies suggest taking metformin during acute COVID-19 can help reduce the risk of Long COVID. So why aren't more clinicians prescribing it for that purpose?
Great reporting by @sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social: thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
Great reporting by @sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social: thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
Metformin has been shown to reduce the risk of Long COVID. Why isn’t it more widely used? - The Sick Times
Recent studies add evidence to a prior phase 3 clinical trial, suggesting that taking the diabetes drug during acute COVID-19 reduces the risk of long-term symptoms.
thesicktimes.org
October 28, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Today @thesicktimes.org: Multiple studies suggest taking metformin during acute COVID-19 can help reduce the risk of Long COVID. So why aren't more clinicians prescribing it for that purpose?
Great reporting by @sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social: thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
Great reporting by @sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social: thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
Reposted by Rachel Fairbank
I’ve taken metformin for LC for 2 yrs; it was the only thing my GP would prescribe from a list of possible research-backed treatments. I also took an increased dose for a recent reinfection; no baseline decrease. Thanks to @sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social @thesicktimes.org for a great piece! 👏👏👏
The Sick Times: 'Metformin has been shown to reduce the risk of Long COVID. Why isn’t it more widely used?'
Written by Rachel Fairbank
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
Written by Rachel Fairbank
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
Metformin has been shown to reduce the risk of Long COVID. Why isn’t it more widely used? - The Sick Times
Recent studies add evidence to a prior phase 3 clinical trial, suggesting that taking the diabetes drug during acute COVID-19 reduces the risk of long-term symptoms.
thesicktimes.org
October 28, 2025 at 5:34 PM
I’ve taken metformin for LC for 2 yrs; it was the only thing my GP would prescribe from a list of possible research-backed treatments. I also took an increased dose for a recent reinfection; no baseline decrease. Thanks to @sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social @thesicktimes.org for a great piece! 👏👏👏
Bezos thinks The Expanse is aspirational, rather than a cautionary tale of what happens when billionaires colonize space.
tech.yahoo.com/science/arti...
tech.yahoo.com/science/arti...
Jeff Bezos Says He Doesn't Understand Why Anybody Alive Now Would Be 'Discouraged'—Because Soon, 'Millions Of People Will Be Living In Space'
Jeff Bezos says the future is so bright, he "doesn't see how anybody can be discouraged who is alive right now." Speaking at Italian Tech Week 2025 earlier this month with Ferrari and Stellantis chair...
tech.yahoo.com
October 25, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Bezos thinks The Expanse is aspirational, rather than a cautionary tale of what happens when billionaires colonize space.
tech.yahoo.com/science/arti...
tech.yahoo.com/science/arti...
I’m headed to a Halloween party at the Children’s Museum with my son, and my costume is quite on the nose.
October 24, 2025 at 10:09 PM
I’m headed to a Halloween party at the Children’s Museum with my son, and my costume is quite on the nose.