my latest investigation for @consumerreports.org is based on months of reporting and 60+ lab tests of leading protein supplements

we found that most protein powders and shakes have more lead in one serving than our experts say is safe to have in a day (🧵)

www.consumerreports.org/lead/protein...

NEW: Following public outcry, the Department of Education has reversed its decision to cut funding for students who have both hearing and vision loss, opting instead to reroute grants to an organization that will provide funding to these students.

Jay Shetty built his brand as a health influencer. But his relationship to science is murky.

Great story from STAT's Alexa Lee!

www.statnews.com/2025/10/10/j...

after the 10th radioactive shrimp recall in 7 weeks, i decided to do some digging

little did i know it would lead me to an underreported industrial accident that may have released an airborne plume of radioactive debris over swaths of indonesia
www.consumerreports.org/health/food-...

alas

there's like one study and it's bad

To be clear, none of the 13 studies just funded by the NIH will be looking at this.

Here's what they will be studying: www.statnews.com/2025/10/03/n...

sigh

*goes to Google scholar and types: "circumcision" AND "autism"*

NEW EP ALERT🎉🧪

We are tackling SUGAR.

RFK Jr. has said it's "poison" — but we're also told that not all kinds are created equal.

So, what's the science? Does high-fructose corn syrup deserve its bad rap? Should you switch to agave ... honey ... maple syrup??👂👇

open.spotify.com/episode/6AXH...

Weed is stronger and more accessible than ever. Doctors worry that this trend could spell trouble for people with psychosis, whose cannabis use can increase their risk of developing psychosis at an earlier age and with more severe delusions and hallucinations.

www.statnews.com/2025/10/08/m...

I'm writing the newsletter this week on a question I think a lot of us have been pondering: When is it really time to leave the country?

The newsletter is our primary perk for Assigned Members, free to them but not available otherwise. It's the single best way for readers to support our reporting.

First take out of arguments: Despite efforts by Sotomayor to put off a decision, it appeared the Supreme Court will subject Colorado’s conversion therapy ban to strict scrutiny under the First Amendment, with a majority likely to strike it down outright.

More to come at Law Dork:

Last week, NExTRAC met for the last time. The group advised NIH on emerging biotechnologies of concern. Without it, the US govt is "closing its eyes to the future," one member told @aniloza.bsky.social and me.

It's just one of 47 HHS ad comms terminated this year:

www.statnews.com/2025/10/07/h...

She’s left us no choice. It’s time for Isaac Chotiner to interview Bari Weiss.

And if you're a reporter without much experience covering conversion therapy/trans people/trans health care more broadly, I highly recommend checking out the resource list that @transjournalists.org and
@theopennotebook.bsky.social put together.

www.theopennotebook.com/resources-fo...

The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments for Chiles v Salazar today.

If you want to get caught up on what this Supreme Court case means for conversion therapy), STAT's very own @theresagaff.bsky.social has you covered.

www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/s...

LOTS of news in the vaccine space today

first — CDC director signs off on ACIP's recommendations from over two weeks ago, from @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social & I

www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/c...

Tremendous reporting from @katiepalmer.bsky.social about how telehealth companies transformed from helping patients access doctors to helping companies sell drugs.

www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/t...

The NIH is making a $50 million bet: environmental "exposures" are critical for understanding why some people have autism

www.statnews.com/2025/10/03/n...

For the November/December issue of @motherjones.com, I dove into the history of the word "able-bodied"—including how it's been harmful to disabled Americans since the 1930s and it most certainly will be when Medicaid work reqs come into play again. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

THE MEME IS REAL

One of the full-circle moments? In high school, I was friends with Rebecca Smith. I was diagnosed as autistic. Now, she learned she's autistic and is a teacher down in Texas and I interviewed her about how she helps students accept others. @the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...

ty!! learned from the best (you)