I spent the last week in Abu Dhabi, talking to scientists, conservationists, and public health researchers about what it means to release genetically modified organisms into the wild. And I’ve never seen a scientific debate this contentious before. Read my latest @cenmag.bsky.social to learn more.

My coworker @maxhenrybarnhart.bsky.social got infected with dengue *on purpose* for science! Read his brilliant blend of reporting and first-person narrative about what he learned from his experience as a clinical trial participant:

Once you get dengue fever, you're at a much greater risk of severe disease if you ever get it again due to something called antibody dependent enhancement. So why did I choose to purposely be infected with dengue? Read my latest for @cenmag.bsky.social to find out. I'm quite proud of this one.

Critics of scientific publishing suggest reform is needed to resolve the #PeerReviewCrisis. We want to know—What do you think could improve peer review? Are the comments you receive useful? Have you been retaliated against? Share your experience here: cen.acs.org/policy/publi... #chemsky 🧪

@maxhenrybarnhart.bsky.social has written a really nice piece on BioEmu for Chemical & Engineering news. cen.acs.org/biological-c...

Colossal has now released a scientific preprint originally meant to accompany their dire wolf announcement. It features George R. R. Martin as a co-author, but doesn't use the term de-extinction. Does Colossal know their claims don't hold up to scientific scrutiny? Check out my story to learn more.

This is the best-sourced reporting on what we should all call the Colossal Dire Wolf Debacle™️ from now on. Chapeau to @maxhenrybarnhart.bsky.social over at @cenmag.bsky.social for shedding some light on what went down... #ExtinctionIsForever cen.acs.org/biological-c...

"Scientists estimate that COVID-19 vaccines saved 14 million–20 million lives in their first year of use. But the vaccines were, and still are, far from perfect." In my latest for C&EN, I take a look at the next-generation of COVID-19 vaccines, and how they might improve upon vaccines of the past.