Delthia Ricks
@dricks.bsky.social
📤 4439
📥 1982
📝 2660
Science writer, author, essayist & avid gardener.
pinned post!
The stark contrast between Rwanda’s handling of a deadly Marburg virus outbreak this year & the rest of the world’s chaotic response to
#Covid
provides textbook lessons in how to properly respond to a threat and how to make a threat worse
www.telegraph.co.uk/global-healt...
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The contrast between Rwanda’s handling of Marburg and the chaotic response to Covid-19 is stark
The country’s response prevented a crisis – and provided the world with a valuable blueprint for effective outbreak control
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/supporting-resilient-health-systems-abroad-protects-us-all/
11 months ago
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The wild form of the poliovirus has been found in wastewater samples in Germany. The discovery comes more than 30 years after the last cases of wild-type poliovirus was reported in the country.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
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https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/wild-form-polio-found-german-sewage-sample-health-institute-tells-reuters-2025-11-12/
about 23 hours ago
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Delthia Ricks
Every single case of systemic lupus erythematosus may be caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, according to a new study in Science Translational Medicine. It's estimated that 95% of people worldwide have been exposed to Epstein-Barr
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
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Epstein-Barr virus reprograms autoreactive B cells as antigen-presenting cells in systemic lupus erythematosus
Epstein-Barr virus reprograms autoreactive B cells as antigen-presenting cells to promote pathogenic antinuclear T and B cell responses in lupus.
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.ady0210
1 day ago
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Delthia Ricks
#Birdflu
: Washington state health officials have identified the nation's 1st human case of bird flu in 9 months, pending confirmatory testing. Patient is an older adult w/ underlying health conditions. Source of the potential infection is still under investigation
apnews.com/article/bird...
1 day ago
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Delthia Ricks
The World Health Organization is reporting 8 potential cases of a suspected viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Ethiopia. Health officials in Ethiopia are conducting further investigations & ramping up response. Cases were reported in the country’s southern region
www.afro.who.int/news/ethiopi...
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Ethiopia reports suspected viral haemorrhagic fever outbreak
Health authorities in Ethiopia are carrying out further investigations and ramping up response after suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever were reported in the country’s South Ethiopia Region.
https://www.afro.who.int/news/ethiopia-suspected-viral-haemorrhagic-fever-outbreak
1 day ago
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Delthia Ricks
Antiretroviral drugs can suppress HIV to an undetectable level, but some people living w/ the human immunodeficiency virus can't reach the goal of viral imperceptibility even w/ daily doses of the potent meds. New evidence explains why successful therapy eludes some who faithfully take their pills👇
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Self-reactive T cells may explain why some patients can't reach undetectable HIV levels
Despite the capability of antiretroviral drugs to suppress HIV to undetectable levels, some people living with the human immunodeficiency virus can't reach the goal of viral imperceptibility even with...
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-reactive-cells-patients-undetectable-hiv.html
2 days ago
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Delthia Ricks
Rebecca Brückmann
2 days ago
Sixty-five years ago today, four first-graders desegregated New Orleans's public schools: Ruby Bridges at William Frantz Elementary School, and Leona Tate, Tessie Provost, and Gail Etienne at McDonogh 19 Elementary School. They faced violent mobs and threats to their lives. They were 6 years old. 🗃
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Jameel Jaffer
2 days ago
MAGA’s ongoing war on academic freedom, reflected in headlines from the last 24 hours.
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Madhu Pai, MD, PhD
2 days ago
A really inspiring story captured in this new book by Dixon Chibanda We screen the film version of this in our global health class
www.friendshipbench.org
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Delthia Ricks
Uché Blackstock, MD
2 days ago
My new OpEd in MSNBC Daily is up today. ✍🏾This issue is personal to me because I spent years caring for patients who would have been left without options if ACA subsidies fell through. I hope this piece helps make the stakes clear.
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
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Opinion | Congress needs to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies now
As an emergency physician, I have cared for marginalized patients who came into public hospitals after delaying care because they had nowhere else to turn.
https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/shutdown-health-care-aca-obamacare-subsidies-rcna243483
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Delthia Ricks
Eric Topol
2 days ago
We recently saw a randomized trial of exercise markedly improve cancer disease-free survival
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
. How can this be explained?
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
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Andrew Wright MD
2 days ago
I’m seeing more patients recently taking peptides off label. This is an exceptionally well written review, I found it very helpful in understanding the trend and the (lack of) data around these new and unproven meds
add a skeleton here at some point
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The World Health Organization is reporting 8 potential cases of a suspected viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Ethiopia. Health officials in Ethiopia are conducting further investigations & ramping up response. Cases were reported in the country’s southern region
www.afro.who.int/news/ethiopi...
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Ethiopia reports suspected viral haemorrhagic fever outbreak
Health authorities in Ethiopia are carrying out further investigations and ramping up response after suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever were reported in the country’s South Ethiopia Region.
https://www.afro.who.int/news/ethiopia-suspected-viral-haemorrhagic-fever-outbreak
1 day ago
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#Birdflu
: Washington state health officials have identified the nation's 1st human case of bird flu in 9 months, pending confirmatory testing. Patient is an older adult w/ underlying health conditions. Source of the potential infection is still under investigation
apnews.com/article/bird...
1 day ago
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Every single case of systemic lupus erythematosus may be caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, according to a new study in Science Translational Medicine. It's estimated that 95% of people worldwide have been exposed to Epstein-Barr
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
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Epstein-Barr virus reprograms autoreactive B cells as antigen-presenting cells in systemic lupus erythematosus
Epstein-Barr virus reprograms autoreactive B cells as antigen-presenting cells to promote pathogenic antinuclear T and B cell responses in lupus.
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.ady0210
1 day ago
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Delthia Ricks
Seth Trueger
3 days ago
as a physician, patient, and human, I can say that relieving pain is not “useless”
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Antiretroviral drugs can suppress HIV to an undetectable level, but some people living w/ the human immunodeficiency virus can't reach the goal of viral imperceptibility even w/ daily doses of the potent meds. New evidence explains why successful therapy eludes some who faithfully take their pills👇
loading . . .
Self-reactive T cells may explain why some patients can't reach undetectable HIV levels
Despite the capability of antiretroviral drugs to suppress HIV to undetectable levels, some people living with the human immunodeficiency virus can't reach the goal of viral imperceptibility even with...
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-reactive-cells-patients-undetectable-hiv.html
2 days ago
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Delthia Ricks
A ‘know-it-all’ who in reality doesn’t have the faintest idea of what he’s talking about 👇
add a skeleton here at some point
3 days ago
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At the 'hush-hush' MAHA summit, Vance praised RFKjr for "defying convention." The Vance-Kennedy event was livestreamed but was off limits to the press & the public. In a fireside chat w/ RFK, Vance praised the MAHA movement, saying it's "a critical part of our success in Washington." Yuck👇
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At Hush-Hush MAHA Summit, Vance Praises RFK Jr. for Defying Convention
Vance-Kennedy event was livestreamed, but summit was otherwise off limits to the press
https://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/washington-watch/118487
3 days ago
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Delthia Ricks
Michael Le Page
3 days ago
"If you resort to mentioning Hitler, some say, you have lost the argument. If you resort to sequencing Hitler’s DNA to try to get more eyeballs for your TV channel, I would say you have just plain lost it" 🧪 My view of the TV documentary on Hitler's DNA:
www.newscientist.com/article/2504...
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Sequencing Hitler's genome teaches us nothing useful about his crimes
To understand Adolf Hitler, we need to look at his personal life and the wider societal and historical context - analysing his DNA for a TV gimmick tells us nothing, says Michael Le Page
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2504220-sequencing-hitlers-genome-teaches-us-nothing-useful-about-his-crimes/
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Delthia Ricks
Saori Abe
3 days ago
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
“These EBV-infected B cells with antigen-presenting abilities had the capacity to activate autoreactive helper T cells, setting off a chain reaction where those T cells could activate other autoreactive B cells, including uninfected ones.”
#SLE
#Bcell
#EBV
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Epstein-Barr virus reprograms autoreactive B cells as antigen-presenting cells in systemic lupus erythematosus
Epstein-Barr virus reprograms autoreactive B cells as antigen-presenting cells to promote pathogenic antinuclear T and B cell responses in lupus.
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.ady0210
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Delthia Ricks
Dr. Rabbithole
3 days ago
While the government was shut down, 379 NIH study section meetings (containing 24,380 grant applications) were postponed. NIH is committed to getting these reviewed, but please be patient and understanding with staff, as this is a complex and heavy lift.
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Delthia Ricks
John Ross
3 days ago
Wild-type polio detected in German sewage—this is *actual* polio, not vaccine-derived virus. This will probably be a one-off event, but it shows the real potential for polio reintroduction into under-vaccinated communities.
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https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/wild-form-polio-found-german-sewage-sample-health-institute-tells-reuters-2025-11-12/
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Delthia Ricks
Infectious Diseases
3 days ago
Reports of a suspected viral hemorrhagic fever in Ethiopia: 8 suspected cases, including 2 healthcare workers, and 6 deaths. HCW infections raise concern for direct person-to-person spread or a shared exposure source.
www.afro.who.int/news/ethiopi...
www.addisinsight.net/2025/11/13/s...
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Ethiopia reports suspected viral haemorrhagic fever outbreak
Health authorities in Ethiopia are carrying out further investigations and ramping up response after suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever were reported in the country’s South Ethiopia Region.
https://www.afro.who.int/news/ethiopia-suspected-viral-haemorrhagic-fever-outbreak
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Delthia Ricks
Eric Topol
3 days ago
Dismantling pandemic preparedness
@science.org
www.science.org/content/arti...
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A ‘know-it-all’ who in reality doesn’t have the faintest idea of what he’s talking about 👇
add a skeleton here at some point
3 days ago
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This👇
add a skeleton here at some point
3 days ago
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Delthia Ricks
Silent pandemic: The World health Organization's new tuberculosis report is out. TB is currently on the rise, both globally and in the US. Global case counts & deaths have increased
www.who.int/publications...
4 days ago
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Delthia Ricks
At least 27 people sickened & 6 are dead in the latest US listeria outbreak. Illnesses & deaths are due to a multistate outbreak of listeria linked to pasta meals sold at major grocery chains. On the list of food-borne bacteria that are no longer monitored by the feds listeria is on the list👇
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At least 27 people sickened and 6 dead in latest US listeria outbreak. What you should know | CNN
Six people have died due to an outbreak of listeria linked to prepared pasta meals sold at major US grocery chains. A doctor explains how to reduce your risk of illness.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/health/listeria-food-safety-wellness
4 days ago
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Delthia Ricks
CDC's vaccine panel may change recommendations on the Hep B shot next month. Other agenda items for December meeting include the childhood immunization schedule. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—ACIP—is slated to meet Dec. 4 & 5. The panel is made up of antivaxxers👇
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CDC's Vaccine Panel May Change Recommendations on Hep B Shot Next Month
Other agenda items for December meeting include the childhood immunization schedule
https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/hepatitis/118479
4 days ago
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Delthia Ricks
Biotech leaders, social media influencers & Trump regime officials including JD Vance & RFKjr are scheduled to speak at an all-day "Make America Healthy Again" summit that is CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC AND MEDIA. Sounds fishy
thehill.com/homenews/adm...
4 days ago
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Delthia Ricks
TRAstonDrs
4 days ago
-
#longCOVID
individual experiencing persistent smell loss have a reduced number of olfactory sensory neurons (smell receptors) in their nasal epithelium vs to healthy individuals.
@thelancet.com
bmjmedicine.bmj.com/content/2/1/...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
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Post-viral olfactory loss and parosmia
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has brought olfactory dysfunction to the forefront of public awareness, because up to half of infected individuals could develop olfactory dysfunction. Loss of smell—which ...
https://bmjmedicine.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000382
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Delthia Ricks
Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD
4 days ago
A new study provides evidence of a biological mechanism for how Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) may trigger lupus. EBV seems to reprogram B-cells at the beginning of a cascade that ultimately results in autoimmunity. The authors mention that EBV is a cause of MS, and may be related to LongCOVID.
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Epstein-Barr virus reprograms autoreactive B cells as antigen-presenting cells in systemic lupus erythematosus
Epstein-Barr virus reprograms autoreactive B cells as antigen-presenting cells to promote pathogenic antinuclear T and B cell responses in lupus.
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.ady0210
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Delthia Ricks
TRAstonDrs
3 days ago
@bmc.springernature.com
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/content/pdf/...
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Similarity of immune-associated markers in COVID-19 and Kawasaki disease: analyses from bioinformatics and machine learning - BMC Pediatrics
Background Infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus can cause coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and can also exacerbate the symptoms of Kawasaki disease (KD), an acute vasculitis that mostly affects childr...
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12887-025-05752-z
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Delthia Ricks
The Virologist 🇳🇱🤙 (@Pen_Is_Mighty on Twitter)
7 days ago
My version.
add a skeleton here at some point
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Delthia Ricks
Current Research in Microbial Sciences
4 days ago
Transcriptome analysis of different developmental stages of
#Tilletia
controversa revealed Chitin synthases genes for growth
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#OpenAccess
#MicroSky
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Delthia Ricks
David Rothschild
4 days ago
NYT had details of Trump's engagement with Jeffrey Epstein's child sex trafficking and *hid it for him*, at the same time it was crucifying Clinton as untrustworthy due to her document retention & security.
add a skeleton here at some point
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Silent pandemic: The World health Organization's new tuberculosis report is out. TB is currently on the rise, both globally and in the US. Global case counts & deaths have increased
www.who.int/publications...
4 days ago
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10
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Biotech leaders, social media influencers & Trump regime officials including JD Vance & RFKjr are scheduled to speak at an all-day "Make America Healthy Again" summit that is CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC AND MEDIA. Sounds fishy
thehill.com/homenews/adm...
4 days ago
0
8
5
At least 27 people sickened & 6 are dead in the latest US listeria outbreak. Illnesses & deaths are due to a multistate outbreak of listeria linked to pasta meals sold at major grocery chains. On the list of food-borne bacteria that are no longer monitored by the feds listeria is on the list👇
loading . . .
At least 27 people sickened and 6 dead in latest US listeria outbreak. What you should know | CNN
Six people have died due to an outbreak of listeria linked to prepared pasta meals sold at major US grocery chains. A doctor explains how to reduce your risk of illness.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/health/listeria-food-safety-wellness
4 days ago
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Delthia Ricks
Karenmia🫣
4 days ago
This pedophilic regime has got to go. Elected officials, media, corporations, judges, universities … need to see this administration for what it is—a sinking ship full of rats. We have the power to pressure the people in power.
refusefascism.org
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Scott Horton
4 days ago
The Kremlin disguised a nearly $100 mn payment to Trump in the form of a brokered real estate deal... and both Jeffrey Epstein and William Pulte were involved in the deal. That's very interesting.
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Delthia Ricks
ProPublica
4 days ago
In the remote village of Kipnuk, Alaska, hundreds of residents were forced to evacuate to the local public school after ex-Typhoon Halong ravaged their community. Then the main generator struggled — and the backup generator sputtered out, too. By
@emilyschwing.bsky.social
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Alaska’s Public Schools Serve as Emergency Shelters. Those Buildings Are Also in Crisis.
Across hundreds of Alaskan communities, public schools are often the safest buildings where people can take shelter during disasters. After decades of state neglect, however, some have become…
https://www.propublica.org/article/alaska-public-schools-emergency-shelter-neglect-typhoon-halong?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=propublica-bsky
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CDC's vaccine panel may change recommendations on the Hep B shot next month. Other agenda items for December meeting include the childhood immunization schedule. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—ACIP—is slated to meet Dec. 4 & 5. The panel is made up of antivaxxers👇
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CDC's Vaccine Panel May Change Recommendations on Hep B Shot Next Month
Other agenda items for December meeting include the childhood immunization schedule
https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/hepatitis/118479
4 days ago
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Delthia Ricks
Dr. Sven-Eric Jordt #TobRegSky
4 days ago
🧪 Supernova observed in real time by European / Chilean Very Large Telescope. Wow!
add a skeleton here at some point
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Delthia Ricks
Outbreak investigation of infant botulism: Now 15 babies have been hospitalized because of botulism after consuming ByHeart Whole Nutrition Formula. Botulism triggers severe illness in babies & can be deadly. It's caused by a toxin from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum
www.fda.gov/food/outbrea...
5 days ago
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Delthia Ricks
The FDA plans to eliminate "black box warning" labeling on hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women. The labeling warns of risks for stroke, heart attack & dementia. But RFKjr & his minions say HRT—hormone replacement therapy—is A-okay
www.medpagetoday.com/washington-w...
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FDA to Pull Boxed Warning on Menopausal Hormone Therapy
Labeling warns of risks for stroke, heart attack, and dementia
https://www.medpagetoday.com/washington-watch/washington-watch/118416?xid=NL_breakingnewsalert_2025-11-10&mh=91dcf32e4aa4d968f956e20f4d8e45c0&zdee=gAAAAABm4uZtQMjZGcj7iOsqTaYMTd7e8bp1FARxdJIbEdHWqleYiNvHsPR-bupge6pXQR6nxzQzH_BBJcoRI-8VF_m4ErTtg8Pq8gNlzT82XZX1kmFv52A%3D&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HHSeventAlert_111025&utm_term=NL_Daily_Breaking_News_Active
5 days ago
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Delthia Ricks
Billy Hanlon
6 days ago
KPBS: 'Scientists launch new trial for long COVID treatment' Eric Topol: "They can't work..function..have a hard time just getting out of bed...the first of trials we hope to move forward with..there are so many other potential candidate drugs interventions to help..."
www.kpbs.org/podcasts/kpb...
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Scientists launch new trial for long COVID treatment
Launched by the Scripps Research Translational Institute, the trial will test a repurposed GLP-1 drug, tirzepatide, and if it can provide relief for long COVID symptoms.
https://www.kpbs.org/podcasts/kpbs-midday-edition/scientists-launch-new-trial-for-long-covid-treatment
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Delthia Ricks
Eric Topol
5 days ago
The APOE4 allele, present in >20% of the population, is a significant risk marker for
#Alzheimers
. What if we could flip it to the protective APOE2 allele? Encouraging results in the experimental model
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
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Delthia Ricks
John Moe
5 days ago
Every element of this is comedic perfection.
add a skeleton here at some point
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Delthia Ricks
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
5 days ago
Childhood tuberculosis and risk of frailty in later life: evidence from a nationally representative study in Brazil ✅ Just Accepted 🔗
https://bit.ly/4qVAOv9
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