Delthia Ricks
@dricks.bsky.social
Science writer, author, essayist & avid gardener.
Pinned
Delthia Ricks
@dricks.bsky.social
· Dec 21
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
www.telegraph.co.uk
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...
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
RFKjr is dangerous to individuals’ personal health across all age groups; he’s a danger to public health; medical education, and scientific research. He’s a cheerleader for off-the-wall snake oil quackery pushed by social media influencers 👇
February 6, 2026 at 6:01 AM
RFKjr is dangerous to individuals’ personal health across all age groups; he’s a danger to public health; medical education, and scientific research. He’s a cheerleader for off-the-wall snake oil quackery pushed by social media influencers 👇
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Donald Trump is withholding billions of dollars in New York infrastructure unless he gets Penn Station and Dulles Airport named after him.
This is not only brazenly corrupt. It is sick, twisted and egomaniacal. The time is long overdue for sane Republicans to stand up to Trump.
This is not only brazenly corrupt. It is sick, twisted and egomaniacal. The time is long overdue for sane Republicans to stand up to Trump.
February 6, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Donald Trump is withholding billions of dollars in New York infrastructure unless he gets Penn Station and Dulles Airport named after him.
This is not only brazenly corrupt. It is sick, twisted and egomaniacal. The time is long overdue for sane Republicans to stand up to Trump.
This is not only brazenly corrupt. It is sick, twisted and egomaniacal. The time is long overdue for sane Republicans to stand up to Trump.
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Trump depicting the Obamas as monkeys ain't a sign of strength. It's a sign his Obama obsession is eating what's left of his rotting brain.
February 6, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Trump depicting the Obamas as monkeys ain't a sign of strength. It's a sign his Obama obsession is eating what's left of his rotting brain.
Trump is insane. Full stop. He had to be told to remove a psychotic, photoshopped characterization of Barack & Michelle Obama as nonhuman primates. Trump's depravity knows no bounds👇
He will take it down but only because Republican senators are now calling for it, but he will never apologize because this is who he is.
February 6, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Trump is insane. Full stop. He had to be told to remove a psychotic, photoshopped characterization of Barack & Michelle Obama as nonhuman primates. Trump's depravity knows no bounds👇
A new study has shown pandemic disruptions worsened cancer survival. Findings are in line w/ documented impacts on screening, diagnosis & treatment. Reductions in survival resulted in ~17,390 additional cancer-related deaths w/in 1-yr of diagnosis in 2020 & 2021, according to the Univ of Kentucky👇
Pandemic Disruptions Worsened Cancer Survival, Study Finds
Findings are in line with documented impacts on screening, diagnosis, and treatment
www.medpagetoday.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:01 PM
A new study has shown pandemic disruptions worsened cancer survival. Findings are in line w/ documented impacts on screening, diagnosis & treatment. Reductions in survival resulted in ~17,390 additional cancer-related deaths w/in 1-yr of diagnosis in 2020 & 2021, according to the Univ of Kentucky👇
Evil knows no depth: The Trump regime is rescinding ~$1.5 billion in transportation & CDC public health funds earmarked for 'blue states.' The transportation funds were mostly for electric vehicle chargers & CDC funds were for health grants the regime felt were too “woke” thehill.com/policy/energ...
February 6, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Evil knows no depth: The Trump regime is rescinding ~$1.5 billion in transportation & CDC public health funds earmarked for 'blue states.' The transportation funds were mostly for electric vehicle chargers & CDC funds were for health grants the regime felt were too “woke” thehill.com/policy/energ...
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
A city under pressure & a community in defiance: Why Minneapolis was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nation magazine nominated the city's citizens because of their peaceful actions following the Trump regime's mass deployment of thousands of masked, violent agents of terror👇
A City Under Pressure, a Community in Defiance: Why Minneapolis Was Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize | MinneapoliMedia
Minneapolis has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for its nonviolent resistance to a federal immigration crackdown. The city's solidarity defines a global moral stage.
minneapolimedia.town.news
February 5, 2026 at 3:54 PM
A city under pressure & a community in defiance: Why Minneapolis was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nation magazine nominated the city's citizens because of their peaceful actions following the Trump regime's mass deployment of thousands of masked, violent agents of terror👇
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
A newborn's death appears to be linked to mom's consumption of raw milk in pregnancy. The baby's death comes in the wake of rising sales—and interest in—raw milk. RFKjr is vocal proponent of it.
Pasteurization exists for a reason: raw milk contains active & potentially lethal bacteria👇
Pasteurization exists for a reason: raw milk contains active & potentially lethal bacteria👇
Newborn's Death Appears Linked to Mom Drinking Raw Milk in Pregnancy
Interest in and sales of raw milk have been rising in recent years
www.medpagetoday.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:33 PM
A newborn's death appears to be linked to mom's consumption of raw milk in pregnancy. The baby's death comes in the wake of rising sales—and interest in—raw milk. RFKjr is vocal proponent of it.
Pasteurization exists for a reason: raw milk contains active & potentially lethal bacteria👇
Pasteurization exists for a reason: raw milk contains active & potentially lethal bacteria👇
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Measles is causing brain swelling in children in South Carolina.
In that state's ongoing measles outbreak, which has resulted in
>800 cases, some children have developed a rare but serious complication called encephalitis👇
#VaccinesWork
In that state's ongoing measles outbreak, which has resulted in
>800 cases, some children have developed a rare but serious complication called encephalitis👇
#VaccinesWork
Measles Is Causing Brain Swelling in Children in South Carolina
In the ongoing measles outbreak in South Carolina that has infected more than 800 people, some children have developed a rare but serious complication called encephalitis.
www.wired.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Measles is causing brain swelling in children in South Carolina.
In that state's ongoing measles outbreak, which has resulted in
>800 cases, some children have developed a rare but serious complication called encephalitis👇
#VaccinesWork
In that state's ongoing measles outbreak, which has resulted in
>800 cases, some children have developed a rare but serious complication called encephalitis👇
#VaccinesWork
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Florida: A measles outbreak has been linked to Ave Maria University near Naples, Florida and at least 12 cases have been reported. The state no longer endorses vaccination against communicable infections. This is America under the Trump regime 👇
Measles outbreak linked to a Florida university as cases keep rising in the U.S.
Ave Maria University near Naples has at least 12 cases.
www.nbcnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Florida: A measles outbreak has been linked to Ave Maria University near Naples, Florida and at least 12 cases have been reported. The state no longer endorses vaccination against communicable infections. This is America under the Trump regime 👇
RFKjr is dangerous to individuals’ personal health across all age groups; he’s a danger to public health; medical education, and scientific research. He’s a cheerleader for off-the-wall snake oil quackery pushed by social media influencers 👇
February 6, 2026 at 6:01 AM
RFKjr is dangerous to individuals’ personal health across all age groups; he’s a danger to public health; medical education, and scientific research. He’s a cheerleader for off-the-wall snake oil quackery pushed by social media influencers 👇
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Why are #scientists calling for urgent action on #amoebas? ...
| #soil | #water | #puddles | #lakes | #rivers | #pseudopodia | #Naegleria | #climatechange | Via @theconversation.com
| #soil | #water | #puddles | #lakes | #rivers | #pseudopodia | #Naegleria | #climatechange | Via @theconversation.com
Why are scientists calling for urgent action on amoebas?
These shape-shifting microbes can harbour deadly pathogens, and climate change is helping them spread.
theconversation.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Why are #scientists calling for urgent action on #amoebas? ...
| #soil | #water | #puddles | #lakes | #rivers | #pseudopodia | #Naegleria | #climatechange | Via @theconversation.com
| #soil | #water | #puddles | #lakes | #rivers | #pseudopodia | #Naegleria | #climatechange | Via @theconversation.com
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Federal testing improves detection of H5N1 avian flu in US dairy herds
Early in the outbreak, the virus was more widespread than reported.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
Early in the outbreak, the virus was more widespread than reported.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
February 5, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Federal testing improves detection of H5N1 avian flu in US dairy herds
Early in the outbreak, the virus was more widespread than reported.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
Early in the outbreak, the virus was more widespread than reported.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Learn computational biology skills to carry out identification and analysis of microbial isolate genomes using KBase. Appropriate for all career stages of students, researchers and educators. The first webinar is March 11! Learn more and register today: asm.social/2NQ
February 5, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Learn computational biology skills to carry out identification and analysis of microbial isolate genomes using KBase. Appropriate for all career stages of students, researchers and educators. The first webinar is March 11! Learn more and register today: asm.social/2NQ
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
More avian flu outbreaks in Pennsylvania, Colorado
Within the last 30 days, avian flu has been detected in 59 flocks.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
Within the last 30 days, avian flu has been detected in 59 flocks.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
February 5, 2026 at 9:47 PM
More avian flu outbreaks in Pennsylvania, Colorado
Within the last 30 days, avian flu has been detected in 59 flocks.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
Within the last 30 days, avian flu has been detected in 59 flocks.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Serious side effects dim hopes for the first chikungunya vaccine @science.org @winterapples.bsky.social
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Serious side effects dim hopes for the first chikungunya vaccine
The shots fell short during a massive outbreak on a French island. A new vaccine may be safer
www.science.org
February 5, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Serious side effects dim hopes for the first chikungunya vaccine @science.org @winterapples.bsky.social
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Science discarded,
The art of critical thinking flayed,
Fools weave their insubstantial dreams,
Brittle, and as smooth as new ICE,
Ever eager to please the Orange waste on the throne,
Demanding only the dullness of unremarkable subservience.
The art of critical thinking flayed,
Fools weave their insubstantial dreams,
Brittle, and as smooth as new ICE,
Ever eager to please the Orange waste on the throne,
Demanding only the dullness of unremarkable subservience.
February 6, 2026 at 2:25 AM
Science discarded,
The art of critical thinking flayed,
Fools weave their insubstantial dreams,
Brittle, and as smooth as new ICE,
Ever eager to please the Orange waste on the throne,
Demanding only the dullness of unremarkable subservience.
The art of critical thinking flayed,
Fools weave their insubstantial dreams,
Brittle, and as smooth as new ICE,
Ever eager to please the Orange waste on the throne,
Demanding only the dullness of unremarkable subservience.
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
AOC: We are going to have to reckon, as a country, with this time. And I hope that that reckoning includes prosecution of people who are involved with the lawbreaking and human rights violations they are knowingly engaging in right now.
February 6, 2026 at 1:04 AM
AOC: We are going to have to reckon, as a country, with this time. And I hope that that reckoning includes prosecution of people who are involved with the lawbreaking and human rights violations they are knowingly engaging in right now.
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
The number one preventable factor associated with cancer? Smoking tobacco. It was linked to 15 percent of all cancer cases that year.
The runner-up among changeable lifestyle factors was drinking alcohol. It accounted for 3.2 percent of all new cancer cases (approximately 700,000 cases).
#Cancer
The runner-up among changeable lifestyle factors was drinking alcohol. It accounted for 3.2 percent of all new cancer cases (approximately 700,000 cases).
#Cancer
Most Preventable Cancers Are Linked to Just Two Lifestyle Habits
It's easy to feel powerless against cancer, but a new study has identified several ways that we can reduce the odds of it occurring.
www.sciencealert.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:30 AM
The number one preventable factor associated with cancer? Smoking tobacco. It was linked to 15 percent of all cancer cases that year.
The runner-up among changeable lifestyle factors was drinking alcohol. It accounted for 3.2 percent of all new cancer cases (approximately 700,000 cases).
#Cancer
The runner-up among changeable lifestyle factors was drinking alcohol. It accounted for 3.2 percent of all new cancer cases (approximately 700,000 cases).
#Cancer
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
I was just denied entry to the Dilley detention facility while my constituent, seven-year-old Diana, remains inside.
What kind of sick, horrific conditions are children being forced to endure in there?
I will be back tomorrow. Accountability can’t wait.
What kind of sick, horrific conditions are children being forced to endure in there?
I will be back tomorrow. Accountability can’t wait.
February 6, 2026 at 2:35 AM
I was just denied entry to the Dilley detention facility while my constituent, seven-year-old Diana, remains inside.
What kind of sick, horrific conditions are children being forced to endure in there?
I will be back tomorrow. Accountability can’t wait.
What kind of sick, horrific conditions are children being forced to endure in there?
I will be back tomorrow. Accountability can’t wait.
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
People with #HIV with poor immune recovery show exhausted CD4+ stem cell memory cells and impaired COVID-19 vaccine response www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... (subscription req for full text)
HIV patients with poor immune recovery show exhausted CD4+ stem cell memory cells and impaired COVID-19 vaccine response
Vaccination triggers both humoral and cellular immune responses, generating memory T cells that ensure long-term protection. Among these, stem cell-li…
www.sciencedirect.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:42 PM
People with #HIV with poor immune recovery show exhausted CD4+ stem cell memory cells and impaired COVID-19 vaccine response www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... (subscription req for full text)
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
RFK is using his position to push things that have never shown any benefit in autism & have shown serious harms, including numerous dead kids thru the years. Why push for things known to harm instead of looking for things that could actually provide benefit? Because the harmful things are profitable
February 5, 2026 at 5:57 PM
RFK is using his position to push things that have never shown any benefit in autism & have shown serious harms, including numerous dead kids thru the years. Why push for things known to harm instead of looking for things that could actually provide benefit? Because the harmful things are profitable
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
BREAKING: Over 680 members of the National Academy of Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering have endorsed articles of impeachment against RFK Jr.
(1/2 🧵)
(1/2 🧵)
February 5, 2026 at 9:08 PM
BREAKING: Over 680 members of the National Academy of Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering have endorsed articles of impeachment against RFK Jr.
(1/2 🧵)
(1/2 🧵)
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
The Public Health Service Commissioned Corps contains some of the most expert, committed public servants I know. They signed up to help people live longer, better lives, not to be part of the inhumane mass deportation machine. www.npr.org/2026/02/05/n...
Some Public Health Service officers deployed in detention centers suffer 'moral distress'
A special corps of health care workers have been called in to work with detained immigrants and many feel deeply conflicted about the assignment, saying they're not able to provide good care.
www.npr.org
February 5, 2026 at 10:34 PM
The Public Health Service Commissioned Corps contains some of the most expert, committed public servants I know. They signed up to help people live longer, better lives, not to be part of the inhumane mass deportation machine. www.npr.org/2026/02/05/n...
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Divergent tumor immunity determined by bacteria-cancer cell engagement
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #MicroSky #ImmunoSky #MedSky #cancer
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #MicroSky #ImmunoSky #MedSky #cancer
February 5, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Divergent tumor immunity determined by bacteria-cancer cell engagement
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #MicroSky #ImmunoSky #MedSky #cancer
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #MicroSky #ImmunoSky #MedSky #cancer