Ferric Fang, MD
@fangferric.bsky.social
Physician-scientist, microbiologist, infectious diseases specialist, medical school professor. Opinions expressed are my own.
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
"… in the final stretch of the year, let’s recognize everyone who continues to do the important work of great teaching, despite the discouraging climate." writes H. Holden Thorp in a new #ScienceEditorial. https://scim.ag/3XeEqei
November 27, 2025 at 8:10 PM
"… in the final stretch of the year, let’s recognize everyone who continues to do the important work of great teaching, despite the discouraging climate." writes H. Holden Thorp in a new #ScienceEditorial. https://scim.ag/3XeEqei
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
He is keeping poorer families out of these professions. It’s modern day red-lining.
November 27, 2025 at 7:51 PM
He is keeping poorer families out of these professions. It’s modern day red-lining.
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
Thats 216 biomedical PhD students for their whole degree, or 140 2 year R21 grants, or 30 5 year R01 grants, or one fired football coach...
FIFTY FOUR MILLION DOLLARS, to fire a football coach at a state university
SOURCE: LSU has given Brian Kelly formal written notice that he has been terminated without cause and that it will fulfill the obligation of his nearly $54 million buyout.
November 27, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Thats 216 biomedical PhD students for their whole degree, or 140 2 year R21 grants, or 30 5 year R01 grants, or one fired football coach...
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
Happy Thanksgiving! Today, I’m grateful to all the scientists, public health professionals, health care workers, and others who work so tirelessly and brilliantly to advance our scientific understanding and to save lives. Here is just one beautiful example of helping vulnerable kids flourish.
“Since SCID is caused by a faulty gene, scientists collect babies’ stem cells and, in the lab, introduce a healthy copy, using a harmless, disabled form of H.I.V. as the courier. (While the virus can’t replicate, it is still excellent at integrating its genetic cargo into cells’ D.N.A.)”
She Was Born Without an Immune System. Gene Therapy Saved Her Life.
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Happy Thanksgiving! Today, I’m grateful to all the scientists, public health professionals, health care workers, and others who work so tirelessly and brilliantly to advance our scientific understanding and to save lives. Here is just one beautiful example of helping vulnerable kids flourish.
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
Machedo and Lee deserve all the opprobrium in the world for their fatuous, dishonest book. So does David Zweig. Their reimagining of the Covid response has spread a complete misreading and misunderstanding of the pandemic into the historical record.
November 27, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Machedo and Lee deserve all the opprobrium in the world for their fatuous, dishonest book. So does David Zweig. Their reimagining of the Covid response has spread a complete misreading and misunderstanding of the pandemic into the historical record.
They only talk to themselves because they are not fooling anyone.
MAHA is making a big show about how they oppose groupthink and promote outside-the box thinking. This is all spectacle, no substance. They are completely missing the fact that the biggest threat to health in the US is the narcissism of politicians and rich people. #medsky
cen.acs.org/policy/MAHA-...
cen.acs.org/policy/MAHA-...
At MAHA Summit, the NIH head pushes for research that risks failure
And 4 other takeaways for life scientists from the ‘off-the-record’ Make America Healthy Again conference
cen.acs.org
November 27, 2025 at 3:16 PM
They only talk to themselves because they are not fooling anyone.
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
Why is the head of the world’s preeminent medical science research institute relying on an anonymous, anti-vax, software engineer known only as “Ben” for his COVID epidemiology?
The answer does not bode well for the future of science based medicine.
open.substack.com/pub/drbobmor...
🧪 #episky #NIH
The answer does not bode well for the future of science based medicine.
open.substack.com/pub/drbobmor...
🧪 #episky #NIH
HHS Science Is Rotting From the Head
How RFK Jr and Jay Bhattacharya Are Undermining Science at HHS
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Why is the head of the world’s preeminent medical science research institute relying on an anonymous, anti-vax, software engineer known only as “Ben” for his COVID epidemiology?
The answer does not bode well for the future of science based medicine.
open.substack.com/pub/drbobmor...
🧪 #episky #NIH
The answer does not bode well for the future of science based medicine.
open.substack.com/pub/drbobmor...
🧪 #episky #NIH
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
NEW: A Harvard study found that the children of women who contracted COVID-19 while pregnant may be at an increased risk for autism and other neurodevelopmental diagnoses, raising new concerns about the CDC’s decision to stop recommending the vaccine to pregnant women.
Amid Confusing CDC Guidance About Vaccines, Study Highlights New Risk of COVID-19 During Pregnancy
A Harvard study found that the children of women who contracted COVID-19 while pregnant may be at an increased risk for autism and other diagnoses, raising new concerns about the CDC’s decision to stop recommending the vaccine to pregnant women.
www.propublica.org
November 26, 2025 at 1:06 PM
NEW: A Harvard study found that the children of women who contracted COVID-19 while pregnant may be at an increased risk for autism and other neurodevelopmental diagnoses, raising new concerns about the CDC’s decision to stop recommending the vaccine to pregnant women.
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
SCOOP: The Trump administration has instructed employees and grantees not to use U.S. funds to commemorate World AIDS Day — because the observance was started by the World Health Organization.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
Trump Administration Cancels U.S. Observance of World AIDS Day
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:41 PM
SCOOP: The Trump administration has instructed employees and grantees not to use U.S. funds to commemorate World AIDS Day — because the observance was started by the World Health Organization.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
CDC Quietly Turned Off Its Vaccine Search Tool. It’s Not Clear When It’s Coming Back. @notus.com
CDC Quietly Turned Off Its Vaccine Search Tool. It’s Not Clear When It’s Coming Back.
“I have heard that they are planning to ‘update it’ and shudder to think what that will mean,” Demetre Daskalakis, a former member of CDC leadership, told NOTUS.
www.notus.org
November 26, 2025 at 12:33 AM
CDC Quietly Turned Off Its Vaccine Search Tool. It’s Not Clear When It’s Coming Back. @notus.com
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
What could possibly go wrong if you buy #botox on the internet & inject it at home yourself? PLENTY, it turns out. Three people from NY, WI & TX were hospitalized for 3-6 days. One required mechanical ventilation. Don't try this at home!
Reported in #CDC's #MMWR.
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
Reported in #CDC's #MMWR.
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
Notes from the Field: Severe Illnesses After ...
This report describes the public health response to three patients from different states who developed severe illness after self-injecting botulinum toxin.
www.cdc.gov
November 26, 2025 at 6:28 PM
What could possibly go wrong if you buy #botox on the internet & inject it at home yourself? PLENTY, it turns out. Three people from NY, WI & TX were hospitalized for 3-6 days. One required mechanical ventilation. Don't try this at home!
Reported in #CDC's #MMWR.
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
Reported in #CDC's #MMWR.
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
Trump told reporters he would rather shift the cost of the subsidized health care marketplace onto Americans who depend on it.
He then went on to blame Democrats for skyrocketing ACA premiums, although it was Republicans who voted against extending the enhanced premium tax credits. trib.al/Y4KTc1H
He then went on to blame Democrats for skyrocketing ACA premiums, although it was Republicans who voted against extending the enhanced premium tax credits. trib.al/Y4KTc1H
November 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Trump told reporters he would rather shift the cost of the subsidized health care marketplace onto Americans who depend on it.
He then went on to blame Democrats for skyrocketing ACA premiums, although it was Republicans who voted against extending the enhanced premium tax credits. trib.al/Y4KTc1H
He then went on to blame Democrats for skyrocketing ACA premiums, although it was Republicans who voted against extending the enhanced premium tax credits. trib.al/Y4KTc1H
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
“The move is shortsighted, with little appreciation of its negative downstream effects: It will make it more difficult for nurses with bachelor’s-level training to seek further specialized training in critical areas, such as primary and acute care, oncology, pediatrics, gerontology, and anesthesia”
Proposal to remove advanced nursing from list of ‘professional’ degrees is short-sighted and dangerous
At a time of major workforce shortages, why would the Department of Education make it harder for nurses to obtain advanced training?
www.statnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:55 PM
“The move is shortsighted, with little appreciation of its negative downstream effects: It will make it more difficult for nurses with bachelor’s-level training to seek further specialized training in critical areas, such as primary and acute care, oncology, pediatrics, gerontology, and anesthesia”
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
Statistically speaking, that experiment you want to repeat because you’ve hit a wall will probably fail, and then you’ll wonder why you wasted your Thanksgiving on something that could have waited until Monday. Sometimes the best thing you can do is recharge and rethink. Go see your mom.
During the Plague Year, I wasn’t able to travel home for the holidays, so I spent some time in lab catching up on extra work. I did not graduate any faster, but I did run into a PI who was all “WTH are you doing here? Go enjoy your staycation.” And honestly, that’s the attitude we need.
November 26, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Statistically speaking, that experiment you want to repeat because you’ve hit a wall will probably fail, and then you’ll wonder why you wasted your Thanksgiving on something that could have waited until Monday. Sometimes the best thing you can do is recharge and rethink. Go see your mom.
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
No Republicans voted for the Inflation Reduction Act, giving Medicare authority to negotiation drug prices. But, the Trump administration seems to be all in, touting big discounts in the latest round of negotiation.
November 26, 2025 at 12:08 AM
No Republicans voted for the Inflation Reduction Act, giving Medicare authority to negotiation drug prices. But, the Trump administration seems to be all in, touting big discounts in the latest round of negotiation.
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
“Dr. Ralph Abraham, who as Louisiana’s surgeon general ordered the state health department to stop promoting vaccinations and who has called Covid vaccines “dangerous,” has been named the second in command at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” @jackiantonovich.bsky.social
Doctor Critical of Vaccines Quietly Appointed as C.D.C.’s Second in Command
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:28 PM
“Dr. Ralph Abraham, who as Louisiana’s surgeon general ordered the state health department to stop promoting vaccinations and who has called Covid vaccines “dangerous,” has been named the second in command at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” @jackiantonovich.bsky.social
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
The latest phase of the MADA movement
Make Americans Dead Again
[Gift link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/h...
1/4
Make Americans Dead Again
[Gift link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/h...
1/4
Doctor Critical of Vaccines Quietly Appointed as C.DC.’s Second in Command
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:11 PM
The latest phase of the MADA movement
Make Americans Dead Again
[Gift link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/h...
1/4
Make Americans Dead Again
[Gift link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/h...
1/4
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
3 infant #pertussis deaths this year in Kentucky. "Of the three infant deaths reported over the past 12 months, all three were not vaccinated, nor were their mothers."
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
www.wowktv.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:27 AM
3 infant #pertussis deaths this year in Kentucky. "Of the three infant deaths reported over the past 12 months, all three were not vaccinated, nor were their mothers."
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
To try to avoid the Trump administration’s ire, Duke has instructed faculty not to speak to reporters dukechronicle.com/article/duke...
Duke has sought to tighten faculty media engagement to minimize federal scrutiny
The messages reflect a broader University strategy: keeping Duke out of the national spotlight by exercising caution at the faculty level when it comes to politically sensitive topics.
dukechronicle.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:35 PM
To try to avoid the Trump administration’s ire, Duke has instructed faculty not to speak to reporters dukechronicle.com/article/duke...
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
🧪 The NIH is dropping public "paylines," ending funding based strictly on peer review. While aimed at portfolio balance, the move raises concerns about transparency and the potential for political meddling in science. #AcademicSky
NIH shake-up to grant decision-making draws concerns of political meddling
Policy drops “paylines” based on peer-review scores and requires geography and other factors to guide approvals
www.science.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:49 PM
🧪 The NIH is dropping public "paylines," ending funding based strictly on peer review. While aimed at portfolio balance, the move raises concerns about transparency and the potential for political meddling in science. #AcademicSky
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
So, let me share the NIGMS processes from my time.
1/8
1/8
I will share how things worked when I was at NIGMS back in the day.
I am confident in varies across institutes (as almost everything does).
I am confident in varies across institutes (as almost everything does).
November 25, 2025 at 3:58 PM
So, let me share the NIGMS processes from my time.
1/8
1/8
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
The euphemism “shooting yourself in the foot” doesn’t fully capture the essence of the DOGE era. People won’t fully comprehend the damage done for years to come, and I doubt they’ll fully comprehend its entire cost. May be we'll say it was performing open-heart surgery with a weed whacker.
DOGE “cut muscle, not fat”; 26K experts rehired after brutal cuts
Government brain drain will haunt US after DOGE abruptly terminated.
arstechnica.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:08 PM
The euphemism “shooting yourself in the foot” doesn’t fully capture the essence of the DOGE era. People won’t fully comprehend the damage done for years to come, and I doubt they’ll fully comprehend its entire cost. May be we'll say it was performing open-heart surgery with a weed whacker.
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
H3N2 preprint: there are concerns of a severe incoming influenza season due to the drifted H3N2 K clade. We at @psioxford.bsky.social analysed epi data and ran scenario models to see what we could discern about K clade transmission dynamics: zenodo.org/records/1770....
(1/18)
(1/18)
Evaluation of the epidemiological outlook of the influenza A/H3N2 clade K in England during the 2025-26 season
Key findings England is currently experiencing a high growth rate of infections caused by the influenza A/H3N2 K clade. Antigenic change from the previously dominant clade, a rapid selective sweep evi...
zenodo.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:51 PM
H3N2 preprint: there are concerns of a severe incoming influenza season due to the drifted H3N2 K clade. We at @psioxford.bsky.social analysed epi data and ran scenario models to see what we could discern about K clade transmission dynamics: zenodo.org/records/1770....
(1/18)
(1/18)
Reposted by Ferric Fang, MD
For those not up on vaccine schedules - the reason it is significant that the mothers weren't is because infants don't get their pertussis vaccine until 2 mo of age, making it important for pregnant people to get their booster before giving birth (and for all people around the newborn to do so too)
3 infant #pertussis deaths this year in Kentucky. "Of the three infant deaths reported over the past 12 months, all three were not vaccinated, nor were their mothers."
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
We first tested maternal vaccination for whooping cough over 80 years ago. It's safe & effective & might have saved these babies.
www.wowktv.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:56 PM
For those not up on vaccine schedules - the reason it is significant that the mothers weren't is because infants don't get their pertussis vaccine until 2 mo of age, making it important for pregnant people to get their booster before giving birth (and for all people around the newborn to do so too)