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Joshua Weitz

@joshuasweitz.bsky.social

Professor of Biology & Institute for Health Computing, U of Maryland; explores how viruses impact human & environmental health; 'Asymptomatic' (JHU Press - https://bit.ly/asymptomatic_book) & 'Science Matters' (https://substack.com/@joshuasweitz)

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Joshua Weitz@joshuasweitz.bsky.social · 2d ago

There are long-form, science-driven and forward-looking policy-relevant analyses that explain what made Covid so difficult to confront, assess institutional failures (& successes), and dive in to intentional efforts to undermine pandemic response for short-term political gain. Airtime is a choice.

Joshua Weitz@joshuasweitz.bsky.social · 2y ago

It's publication day for "Asymptomatic" via Johns Hopkins U Press. The book explores the paradox of asymptomatic transmission and rationale for proactive steps to confront future pandemics: bit.ly/asymptomatic...

Joshua Weitz@joshuasweitz.bsky.social · 2w ago

As long as they don't follow similar routes. Given global connectivity of science and convergent forces operating in domestic politics, the damage will not be confined.

Alexander Clarkson@aphclarkson.bsky.social · 2w ago

If the American system after 2026 and 2028 elections finds itself unable to repair the damage to research that the Trump administration has inflicted then, however much academics might feel sympathy for US colleagues, the rest of the world will ruthlessly view this as a competitive opportunity

Noam Ross@noamross.net · 2w ago

Last week's terminations at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) total at least 150 grants worth $230M. That is over half of the agency's portfolio. It's the latest assault on healthcare, health equity, and the rule of law. grant-witness.us/posts/2026-0... #AHRQ 🧪

Termination of AHRQ grants is the latest assault on health equity and the rule of law. – Grant Witness

The agency charged with finding ways to make American health care more effective has been gutted. Last week’s terminations are just the latest blow.

grant-witness.us

Joshua Weitz@joshuasweitz.bsky.social · 3w ago

Bacteriophage continue to have so much to teach us. It's in our interest to understand how they work and impact human & environmental health. New joint work led by @mariandm.bsky.social & @rantahan.bsky.social inferring single-cell latent period & burst size heterogeneity from population dynamics.

Inferring single-cell heterogeneity of bacteriophage lysis-associated life-history traits from population-scale dynamics

Theory-guided experiments reveal single-cell heterogeneity of lysis-associated bacteriophage traits from population scale data.

science.org

Colette Delawalla, PhD@cdelawalla.bsky.social · 3w ago

PHASE ONE of our fight against the OMB rule is complete and YOU ALL SHOWED UP!!! HALF A MILLION COMMENTS is WILD. We absolutely exceeded our goal of 100,000! So, what happens next??? Welcome to PHASE TWO: Pressure and Preparation! 1/x

Joshua Weitz@joshuasweitz.bsky.social · 3w ago

Essential & timely analysis via @techpolicypress.bsky.social on the massive public response to the White House's proposed OMB rule that would politicize grants, science, and federally funded research, including comment analysis dashboard. www.techpolicy.press/the-public-r...

The Public Rejects OMB's Federal Financial Assistance Rule

Tens of thousands of scientists, clinicians, and ordinary citizens warned OMB about putting political appointees in charge of which research gets funded.

techpolicy.press

Mark Histed@markhisted.org · 3w ago

My comment with @nataliebaviles.bsky.social on the proposed OMB rule. Covers the shift to presidential control over funding decisions, and how this draws from the logic of unitary executive theory—which is flawed historically, Constitutionally, and in its assertion of democratic accountability. 1/

Presidential control of funding is less, not more, accountable to the public

A comment on the OMB funding proposed rule from Mark Histed and Natalie Aviles

scienceandfreedomalliance.substack.com

Joshua Weitz@joshuasweitz.bsky.social · last mo.

Summary: Ongoing framing from anti-science, organized interests and all-too-willing administration partners ask scientists to, in effect, 'shut up and pipette' and eventually not even do that or anything else in the lab/university if the private capture of public science is successful. 👇

Joshua Weitz@joshuasweitz.bsky.social · last mo.

When you tell colleagues that the public still maintains deep trust in our work (imperfectly & with growing fractures) they are often *very* surprised, in part because of the organized investment in "a rhetoric of science in crisis” to foster an actual crisis. www.nature.com/articles/d41... a 🧵

Joshua Weitz@joshuasweitz.bsky.social · last mo.

When you tell colleagues that the public still maintains deep trust in our work (imperfectly & with growing fractures) they are often *very* surprised, in part because of the organized investment in "a rhetoric of science in crisis” to foster an actual crisis. www.nature.com/articles/d41... a 🧵

Have people stopped trusting science? The data tell a surprising story

Some say there’s a global crisis of trust — but research reveals where the real problems lie.

nature.com

Kate Starbird@katestarbird.bsky.social · last mo.

Two years ago, my colleagues and I were sued by Stephen Miller's America First Legal. The Hines v Stamos case — built atop a number of false allegations — was a central element of the "censorship industrial complex" myth. Today, that case was dismissed (by a Trump judge in LA). We won.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA MONROE DIVISION JILL HINES ET AL — CASE NO. 3:23-CV-00571 VERSUS — JUDGE TERRY A. DOUGHTY ALEX STAMOS ET AL — MAG. JUDGE KAYLA D. MCCLUSKY MEMORANDUM RULING Before the Court is a Renewed Joint Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Subject Matter and Personal Jurisdiction [Doc. No. 191] filed by Defendants, Alex Stamos, Renée DiResta, the Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, the Leland Stanford Junior University, Kate Starbird, Graphika, Camille François, the Atlantic Council, and Graham Brookie (collectively, "Defendants"). Plaintiffs, Jill Hines ("Hines") and Jim Hoft ("Hoft") (collectively, "Plaintiffs"), filed an Opposition [Doc. No. 207]. Defendants then filed a Reply [Doc. No. 209]. For the reasons set forth, Defendants' Motion is GRANTED.
Josh Marshall@joshtpm.bsky.social · last mo.

In a sane world (an alt reality) today's dissents would sufficient to warrant Thomas, Gorsuch and Alito's impeachment and removal from office. If you defy the plain words, meaning, intent, history, precedent of a black letter constitutional injunction u are abusing your power and should be removed.

Joshua Weitz@joshuasweitz.bsky.social · last mo.

For those in the DMV and want to find a different way to celebrate the 4th and support the DC arts scene, go here before it closes on Sunday: www.folger.edu/whats-on/how... Deeply moving, hopeful, and lyrical autobiographical one-man performance on identity, purpose, and art.

Folger Theatre: How Shakespeare Saved My Life

"How Shakespeare Saved My Life" is an autobiographical-inspired theatrical work by playwright and Broadway performer Jacob Ming-Trent and directed by Tony Taccone, onstage at Folger Theatre starting J...

folger.edu