H5N1 in dairy cows largely has disappeared from the news--a reflection of steeply declining detections. But it continues to circulate on dairies, and researchers continue to debate critical questions about how the virus moves between farms and within herds. www.science.org/content/arti...

A ludicrous theory posted on WeChat by "Kunlun Sword" in 2021 asserted that Maine lobsters sparked the COVID pandemic. Evobiologist Flo Débarre now has found clues in the post that suggest China has withheld evidence about early infected humans and animals. www.science.org/content/arti...

An obstacle to an HIV cure is that the viral protease enzyme is like a jewel thief that dodges laser sensors, which, when tripped, cause death of infected cells. Drugs can force protease to stand up, potentially reducing reservoirs of latently infected cells. www.science.org/content/arti...

@helenbranswell.bsky.social celebrates the one-and-only Stanley Plotkin, godfather of vaccines, wise elder, spark plug that's still firing. www.statnews.com/2026/03/02/s...

Study in 80,000 people in Uganda and Kenya shows 70% reduction in risk of HIV infection. The secret? Community health workers offering testing at home, simplified access to PrEP and PEP, follow up with smart phone app that connects people to clinics. Remarkable. www.science.org/content/arti...

Ever heard of flu D? Hardly anyone else has either. But it deserves your attention. www.science.org/content/arti...

Thanks to @undark.org for reviewing my new book! undark.org/2025/11/21/b...

"It's as if it stopped raining, so why fix the roof?https://www.science.org/content/article/trump-administration-dismantling-efforts-fight-next-pandemic

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is poised to become one of the largest philanthropies supporting science, and it now is going "all in" on AI and biology to create a virtual immune system. I spoke with Chan and many of its scientists last week. www.science.org/content/arti...

The Vaccine Integrity Project @CIDRAP is conducting an independent review of the evidence supporting the long-standing recommendation for universal #HepatitisB vaccination at birth. In Sept, CDC’s vaccine advisers tabled a vote on the birth dose and asked for more data. 🔗 tinyurl.com/4sy3wwa7

@kgandersen.bsky.social @cohenjon.bsky.social

Genetically engineered pig kidney in Tim Andrews unfortunately failed after nearly 9 months, but he fortunately returned to dialysis and is doing well. www.science.org/content/arti...

I'll be speaking today at Lewes Library Science and Society webcast talk at 4:45 EDT about my just released book, Planning Miracles: How to Prevent Future Pandemics. Registration required. delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/14650002

I'll be speaking about my book on Oct. 7 at Lewes Public Library's Science and Society Lecture, which is webcast: www.capegazette.com/article/scie...

My book, Planning Miracles: How to Prevent Future Pandemics, comes out next week. It's not about flawed COVID responses. It's about scientific efforts to develop better vaccines, treatments, masks, surveillance--and to move more quickly...as one world. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690752...

An ostrich flock, H5N1, culling policy, Canada’s Supreme Court, farmers, biotechs, hair growth and weight loss products, opponents of government overreach, animal rights activists, RFK Jr., Dr. Oz, the Royal Mounted Canadian Police. Read all about it. www.science.org/content/arti...

To get full flavor of this remarkable collection and its remarkable backstory, read the links. www.science.org/content/arti...

I took a close look at vaccine mandates in the wake of Florida's push to do away with them. www.science.org/content/arti...

David Baltimore, for much of the past three decades, has been one of my most helpful, thoughtful sources. I wrote an obit about his remarkable career, and I included a few of my interactions with him. www.science.org/content/arti...

I started research for this story, which came out today, more than a year ago. Thanks to all who stuck with me, and shared their thoughts. www.science.org/content/arti...

OK, I was wrong. I thought the call for China to share more data was spotlighting the central problem--and common ground-- and that the other arguments were debatable but far less relevant. I, too, think intelligence communities should produce evidence and not simply reveal how they lean.

The rare opinion piece about the contentious origin of COVID pandemic that will find most everyone interested in this question nodding in agreement--everyone, that is, outside of government officials and compliant scientists in China. thebulletin.org/2025/08/why-...

Xenotransplantation of pig-to-human organs takes a small step forward with the first ever lung transplant. It's not a giant leap for mankind, but it adds to momentum the field has seen over the past year. www.science.org/content/arti...

Proposal calls for quintupling implementation science budget at NIH to make it 30% of portfolio, potentially cutting basic research driving treatment, vaccine, and cure studies. Lenacapavir PrEP triggered push for funding shift. www.science.org/content/arti...

@martinenserink.bsky.social delves into dilemmas Guinea is facing in malaria prevention/treatment of children because of U.S. government cuts in aid. Powerful story, photos, and graphics. This is the third in our series, generously supported by @pulitzercenter.org www.science.org/content/arti...

A key spending panel in the U.S. House of Representatives has signaled it sharply disagrees with President Donald Trump’s proposals to cut or totally eliminate funding for prominent global health programs. www.science.org/content/arti...

Barbie's New Pink Pumps (The headline that didn't make it through the editing machine.) www.science.org/content/arti...

"Just remember this: If my purpose is to shine that beacon of hope, then by God, I'm happy to do that," says Loreen Willenberg. Strong evidence suggests she naturally cured HIV infection--and she's now beating lung and brain cancer. www.science.org/content/arti...

Updated with a few new details. www.science.org/content/arti...

“I just can’t see how they’re going to make it up,” says Jennifer Kates, director of the Global Health & HIV Policy Program at the nonprofit KFF. @kffhealthnews.org www.science.org/content/arti...

“NIH has identified 40 projects that may meet the definition of dangerous gain-of-function research.… Erring on the side of caution, all projects potentially meeting the definition are being suspended,” NIH deputy director Matt Memoli wrote to White House. www.science.org/content/arti...

“I call it the confetti strategy: You distribute a little bit everywhere,” says Ana Maria Henao-Restrepo, a WHO vaccine specialist who led the analysis. www.science.org/content/arti...

The report faults the governments of the United States and Germany for not sharing more information from their intelligence communities but reserves its strongest criticism for China. www.science.org/content/arti...

Catherine Offord's powerful, must-read cover story about the impact of Trump cuts on nutrition programs for children in Nepal. Part 2 in series we're doing with support from the wonderful @pulitzercenter.bsky.social. www.science.org/content/arti...

Gates Foundation asked me to underscore that its commitment remains steadfast to collaborative effort to make lenacapavir PrEP available to 2 million people in next three years. Question is: Can the collaboration do this without PEPFAR support? www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...

Jaws' release in 1975 haunted the reputation of sharks worldwide. But a generation of scientists helped turn the tide. My story for @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2025/06/21/s...

“This is one of the most exciting recent advances for influenza prevention." www.science.org/content/arti...

“I don’t think there was a lot of confidence we were going to succeed.” Gilead's making of lenacapavir PrEP that last six months with a single shot, approved by FDA June 18. www.science.org/content/arti...