Seeing more PR emails that clearly use AI to "personalize" pitches. Fills me with a deep loathing.

The America First Global Health strategy is very focused on American-made, tech-forward solutions like drones. Drones can deliver lifesaving supplies in hard-to-reach places, but they can't replace the people and systems sapped by aid cuts. By Fatma Tanis: www.npr.org/2026/08/04/g...

They're a world leader in using drones for healthcare. But drones can't do it all

Drones carrying medical supplies constantly crisscross the skies of Rwanda. The Trump administration is giving a major grant to the effort — and at the same time cutting aid to the country.

npr.org

Ebola may have been spreading for months in the DRC before anyone recognized it. A new reconstruction suggests the outbreak was already widespread in the gold-mining town of Mongbwalu by January. It wasn’t officially declared until 15 May. Why did no-one raise the alarm? My story for @science.org 🧪

EXCLUSIVE: Congo’s Ebola epidemic started at least 4 months before it was detected

A remote mining town gripped by fear saw hundreds of suspected cases before the government declared an outbreak, report says

science.org

Ebola outbreak in DRC is now the second largest ever, according to Africa CDC head Jean Kaseya. Over 3,400 cases have been confirmed, and deaths rose by nearly 50% over the past week. More than 80% of new cases are still coming outside of known contact lists, the spread is out of control.

Fauci is declining to answer any questions from Senator Paul at the hearing, invoking his 5th amendment rights. He says he's answered all these questions repeatedly in previous hearings. Paul keeps asking questions, Fauci keeps invoking his 5th amendment rights.

This is such a devastating and infuriating story.

John Travis@john-travis.bsky.social · 2w ago

@science.org and @retractionwatch.com partner on a feature today on a clinical trial death that's the saddest, and longest, science story I've edited. But it's also one of the best IMO. Beautifully written and reported by @bborrell.bsky.social We’re grateful to the parents of "Mei" 1/

To get slightly ahead of the virus, health officials need to quickly identify people at risk of infection, a practice known as contact tracing. That's a challenge in the Democratic Republic of Congo. n.pr/4x3HuKd

Why health officials do not have a good handle on the current Ebola outbreak

To get slightly ahead of the virus, health officials need to quickly identify people at risk of infection, a practice known as contact tracing. That's a challenge in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

n.pr

The Ebola outbreak in DRC just passed a grim milestone — 1,000 deaths. More than two months into the epidemic, health officials are struggling to keep up. Too much transmission is happening outside the view of contact tracers, and too many patients aren't getting care. www.npr.org/2026/07/23/g...

Why health officials do not have a good handle on the current Ebola outbreak

To get slightly ahead of the virus, health officials need to quickly identify people at risk of infection, a practice known as contact tracing. That's a challenge in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

npr.org

Both Marco Rubio and Elon Musk, who led the effort to sunset the foreign aid agency, have said that no deaths have been linked to the cutting of its funding. These parents tell a different story. n.pr/4fFJzG7

Trump's team says 'no children' died from USAID cuts. Consider these 3 cases

Both Marco Rubio and Elon Musk, who led the effort to sunset the foreign aid agency, have said that no deaths have been linked to the cutting of its funding. These parents tell a different story.

n.pr

i talked to several pollution + health experts about the wildfire smoke blanketing much of the northeast right now, and everyone agreed that even able-bodied adults may want to take some precautions today!!

Smoke From Canada’s Wildfires Turns Skies Sickly Orange Across the Eastern US

Roughly 100 fires are raging out of control in Ontario, sending smoke streaming 1,000 miles to the south and east.

wired.com

New: An analysis of a huge wave of public comments on a White House proposal to change federal grant-making found that about 95% were posted in opposition. Via @aniloza.bsky.social @jaspar.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2026/07/15/t...

Flood of comments on White House grantmaking overhaul is largely negative, analysis shows

An analysis of public comments on a White House proposal to change the way federal contracts and grants are doled out shows widespread opposition

statnews.com

"It changed my life." How putting fish on rice farms can prevent a debilitating disease, boost rice yields and improve livelihoods. My story from Senegal is now out in radio — take a listen! www.npr.org/2026/07/12/n...

A promising tale from Senegal of fish, rice .... and dangerous worms

Farmers in Senegal are welcoming fish into their rice paddies. The hope is they'll fertilize the crop, be a source of food ... and eat the snails that carry parasitic worms.

npr.org

“The wilderness has about 1,900 campsites that need to be checked” and it sounds like there are only eight “firefighter-qualified rangers” working in pairs to do the sweeps. Superior National Forest lost 100 of its 350 employees in the DOGE cuts. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Forest Service closing Boundary Waters amid extreme heat, wildfires

The U.S. Forest Service is temporarily closing the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness as concerns grow over the multiple wildfires burning in northeastern Minnesota and an extremely hot, dry weathe...

mprnews.org

"It changed my life." How putting fish on rice farms can prevent a debilitating disease, boost rice yields and improve livelihoods. My story from Senegal is now out in radio — take a listen! www.npr.org/2026/07/12/n...

A promising tale from Senegal of fish, rice .... and dangerous worms

Farmers in Senegal are welcoming fish into their rice paddies. The hope is they'll fertilize the crop, be a source of food ... and eat the snails that carry parasitic worms.

npr.org

President Trump reduced the size of two national monuments in Utah, teeing up a legal battle over presidential powers.

Trump Sharply Cuts the Size of Two National Monuments in Utah

Native American tribes and environmental groups are expected to challenge the move to shrink the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments.

nyti.ms

Farmers in Senegal are welcoming fish into their rice paddies. The hope is they'll fertilize the crop, be a source of food ... and eat the snails that carry parasitic worms.

A promising tale from Senegal of fish, rice .... and dangerous worms

Farmers in Senegal are welcoming fish into their rice paddies. The hope is they'll fertilize the crop, be a source of food ... and eat the snails that carry parasitic worms.

n.pr

Can putting fish on rice farms help reduce a debilitating disease, boost food security and reduce poverty? I went to Senegal earlier this year to find out. www.npr.org/2026/07/12/n...

Could fish be a secret ingredient for rice farmers to avoid disease and make more money?

Farmers in Senegal are welcoming fish into their rice paddies. The hope is they'll fertilize the crop, be a source of food ... and eat the snails that carry parasitic worms.

npr.org

Can putting fish on rice farms help reduce a debilitating disease, boost food security and reduce poverty? I went to Senegal earlier this year to find out. www.npr.org/2026/07/12/n...

Could fish be a secret ingredient for rice farmers to avoid disease and make more money?

Farmers in Senegal are welcoming fish into their rice paddies. The hope is they'll fertilize the crop, be a source of food ... and eat the snails that carry parasitic worms.

npr.org

The Office of Management and Budget is proposing to put politicians instead of scientists in charge of scientific funding. The move could stifle research that doesn't fit the President's agenda. Other countries have tried similar things. My story on one attempt: www.sciencenews.org/article/omb-...

Here’s what happens when you put politicians in charge of science

Proposed federal rules would rely on political appointees to decide how a lot of U.S. science gets done. History shows the consequences of such actions.

sciencenews.org

Trump Cuts Habitat Protections for Endangered Species "Cuts" is a massive understatement. "Under the rule, destroying an endangered species’ nest or habitat would no longer be considered illegal." www.nytimes.com/2026/07/10/c...

Trump Cuts Habitat Protections for Endangered Species

The rule change ends a safeguard that had been in place for 50 years and could hasten the demise of imperiled animals.

nytimes.com

My latest feature @thesicktimes.org: Wastewater surveillance in the U.S. urgently needs more funding. Public health organizations are calling for Congress to fund the CDC’s program in its 2027 budget, while state health departments plan ahead for potential gaps in grants.

Wastewater testing is vital for public health. It needs sustained funding to continue beyond fall 2026. - The Sick Times

Public health organizations are calling for Congress to fund the CDC’s wastewater surveillance program — which tracks COVID-19 and other diseases — in its 2027 budget, while state health departments p...

thesicktimes.org

You may have heard about the OMB rule change that will put politics over federal grants. However bad you think it is? It's probably worse. Thanks to @theverge.com for letting me report this one out. There is still time to comment. bit.ly/4v2X4nQ

The war against ‘woke’ could end US science as we know it

“Everyone will be affected, not just scientists. Every community in the country.“

bit.ly

NIH grants have been under political scrutiny since early 2025. But what does the screening process actually look like? What is being flagged? I spent a month digging into leaked docs and emails. We've published the 235-word list that are being flagged by an internal AI tool. And so much more. 🧵

Inside the new political screening that’s stalling NIH grants

Mandatory reviews by top health officials and checks for 235 disfavoured terms have left hundreds of vetted grant applications in administrative limbo.

nature.com

Well would you! defector.com/would-you-ea...

Would You Eat This Guy? What If He Were God, Or A Baby? | Defector

Imagine you are seated at a table. A guy sits across from you. He is vaguely humanoid, with a long torso and two arms raised in fist-like clubs. His full name is Edible Agent, but we will call him Edd...

defector.com

Two researchers — one in Massachusetts and one in Shanghai — hoped for the same breakthrough: a gene therapy for deaf children. New Chinese investment in science propelled the one who got there first. n.pr/4weVi49

How the U.S. is losing ground to China in university research

Two researchers — one in Massachusetts and one in Shanghai — hoped for the same breakthrough: a gene therapy for deaf children. New Chinese investment in science propelled the one who got there first.

n.pr

Scoop with @mercohn.bsky.social: Johns Hopkins University is laying off more than 100 employees in the Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Carey Business School and central administration. Hopkins is suffering "debilitating" decreases in federal research funding www.thebanner.com/education/hi...

Johns Hopkins University lays off over 100 employees due to federal research losses

The layoffs this week impact the university’s Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Carey School of Business and the university’s general administration.

thebanner.com

After nearly 10 yrs at Scientific American, I was laid off yesterday. It's been the honor of my career working w/such brilliant, caring colleagues & writers. I'm proud of all we achieved and will always love this magazine. I'm #opentowork but first I plan to spend time "cultivating [my] own garden."

I’m so sad to share that yesterday was my last day at Scientific American. It was an honor to work alongside my incredible colleagues and to speak with researchers across the sciences. If you’re looking to hire staff or freelance, please consider me and my other laid off coworkers (🧵)

📣 BIG NEWS! 📣 We're re-launching bioGraphic as a completely independent nonprofit! As we make this transition, we're taking a publishing (and social media) break in July and August. Then we'll be back with more inspiring, paywall-free journalism about the natural world. More details below 👇

Scientific American is being sold to LabX Media, publisher of Discover: group.springernature.com/gp/group/med... They've fired me and other union staff, ahead of June 26 vote ratification. My rates are suddenly more reasonable, if you need editing or reporting - Argonaut2026@gmail.com