Heidi Ledford
@heidiledford.bsky.social
Reporter for Nature, mostly covering biology and medicine.
hledford.01 (Signal) and heidiledford (@proton.me)
hledford.01 (Signal) and heidiledford (@proton.me)
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
Inspired by Fred Rogers, @nature.com asked readers to help us 'find the helpers' amid the crisis in American science. What emerged were inspiring stories of researchers, legal experts, data hounds and government scientists who are fighting the dismantling of the US research enterprise. 🧪🧵1/6
September 10, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Inspired by Fred Rogers, @nature.com asked readers to help us 'find the helpers' amid the crisis in American science. What emerged were inspiring stories of researchers, legal experts, data hounds and government scientists who are fighting the dismantling of the US research enterprise. 🧪🧵1/6
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
Often the news happens so quickly that there's little time for it, so we took a step back to talk about the stories of the researchers who have been fighting back against the Trump administration's assault on science.
w/ @maxkozlov.bsky.social and @heidiledford.bsky.social
w/ @maxkozlov.bsky.social and @heidiledford.bsky.social
Scientists take on Trump: the researchers fighting back
Through lawsuits, grant tracking, whistle-blowing and more, resistance to the US war on science is growing.
www.nature.com
September 10, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Often the news happens so quickly that there's little time for it, so we took a step back to talk about the stories of the researchers who have been fighting back against the Trump administration's assault on science.
w/ @maxkozlov.bsky.social and @heidiledford.bsky.social
w/ @maxkozlov.bsky.social and @heidiledford.bsky.social
YES!!!! So happy to see @maxkozlov.bsky.social recognized for the total rockstar he is: casw.org/news/max-koz...
So many more schmancy journalism awards in this guy's future.
So many more schmancy journalism awards in this guy's future.
a group of people are dancing in a room with the words `` happy dance '' .
ALT: a group of people are dancing in a room with the words `` happy dance '' .
media.tenor.com
September 3, 2025 at 12:49 AM
YES!!!! So happy to see @maxkozlov.bsky.social recognized for the total rockstar he is: casw.org/news/max-koz...
So many more schmancy journalism awards in this guy's future.
So many more schmancy journalism awards in this guy's future.
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
Scientists are closing in on the ability to apply genome editing to a formidable new target: the human brain
go.nature.com/45uKWT1
go.nature.com/45uKWT1
Brain editing now ‘closer to reality’: the gene-altering tools tackling deadly disorders
Nature - Stunning results in mice herald gene-editing advances for neurological diseases.
go.nature.com
August 23, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Scientists are closing in on the ability to apply genome editing to a formidable new target: the human brain
go.nature.com/45uKWT1
go.nature.com/45uKWT1
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
The claim that aluminium in vaccines causes autism has been debunked “again and again”
go.nature.com/4mY7OQQ
go.nature.com/4mY7OQQ
RFK Jr demanded a vaccine study be retracted — the journal said no
In a rare move for a US public official, health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr called for a Danish paper finding no link between aluminium in vaccines and disease to be retracted.
go.nature.com
August 22, 2025 at 11:33 AM
The claim that aluminium in vaccines causes autism has been debunked “again and again”
go.nature.com/4mY7OQQ
go.nature.com/4mY7OQQ
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
In which @stephaniemlee.bsky.social reports for @theopennotebook.bsky.social on using public documents for investigative science journalism. With @laurenweberhp.bsky.social @naveenasadasivam.bsky.social @primateyell.bsky.social @dangaristo.bsky.social & more:
www.theopennotebook.com/2025/08/12/h...
www.theopennotebook.com/2025/08/12/h...
Hidden in Plain Sight: Using Public Documents to Report on Elusive Stories - The Open Notebook
People, companies, and government agencies don’t always return your phone calls. To investigate secretive subjects, reporters can make creative use of documents that are out in the open. Lawsuits, Ins...
www.theopennotebook.com
August 12, 2025 at 5:14 PM
In which @stephaniemlee.bsky.social reports for @theopennotebook.bsky.social on using public documents for investigative science journalism. With @laurenweberhp.bsky.social @naveenasadasivam.bsky.social @primateyell.bsky.social @dangaristo.bsky.social & more:
www.theopennotebook.com/2025/08/12/h...
www.theopennotebook.com/2025/08/12/h...
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
Ageing accelerates around age 50 ― some organs faster than others, suggesting that ageing does not march to a steady beat @nature.com @heidiledford.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Ageing accelerates around age 50 ― some organs faster than others
An analysis of how various tissues age is the latest to suggest that ageing does not march to a steady beat.
www.nature.com
July 26, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Ageing accelerates around age 50 ― some organs faster than others, suggesting that ageing does not march to a steady beat @nature.com @heidiledford.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
Turbocharged ‘killer’ cells show promise for autoimmune disease @nature.com
@heidiledford.bsky.social
nature.com/articles/d41...
on
@cellcellpress.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
@heidiledford.bsky.social
nature.com/articles/d41...
on
@cellcellpress.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
July 7, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Turbocharged ‘killer’ cells show promise for autoimmune disease @nature.com
@heidiledford.bsky.social
nature.com/articles/d41...
on
@cellcellpress.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
@heidiledford.bsky.social
nature.com/articles/d41...
on
@cellcellpress.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
NIH director Jay Bhattacharya posted on X: "No clinical trial has been delayed, nor has any participant been dropped from clinical trial. These are the facts."
Malaria, tuberculosis, cancer trials abroad have all been on the chopping block, leaving participants stranded, I reported in this story.
Malaria, tuberculosis, cancer trials abroad have all been on the chopping block, leaving participants stranded, I reported in this story.
NIH grant cuts will axe clinical trials abroad — and could leave thousands without care
US agency’s new policy could abruptly end studies of infectious diseases and cancer, leaving researchers scrambling for funds.
www.nature.com
June 25, 2025 at 2:41 PM
NIH director Jay Bhattacharya posted on X: "No clinical trial has been delayed, nor has any participant been dropped from clinical trial. These are the facts."
Malaria, tuberculosis, cancer trials abroad have all been on the chopping block, leaving participants stranded, I reported in this story.
Malaria, tuberculosis, cancer trials abroad have all been on the chopping block, leaving participants stranded, I reported in this story.
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
After ruling the NIH grant cuts were illegal yesterday, Judge Young, a Reagan appointee on the bench since 1985, ended the hearing with a blistering 15-minute speech.
I've cleaned up my notes — here are his remarks in full. 🧵
I've cleaned up my notes — here are his remarks in full. 🧵
Judge rules against NIH grant cuts — and calls them discriminatory
The decision means that the US biomedical agency has to restore funding to hundreds of research projects, but the government will likely appeal.
www.nature.com
June 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
After ruling the NIH grant cuts were illegal yesterday, Judge Young, a Reagan appointee on the bench since 1985, ended the hearing with a blistering 15-minute speech.
I've cleaned up my notes — here are his remarks in full. 🧵
I've cleaned up my notes — here are his remarks in full. 🧵
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
An NIH staffer reacts to today's ruling:
"I'm looking forward to the day that we are so slammed with work trying to reinstate everything that we had to terminate illegally — I'll work 24/7 to make that happen if I can."
"I'm looking forward to the day that we are so slammed with work trying to reinstate everything that we had to terminate illegally — I'll work 24/7 to make that happen if I can."
🚨 BREAKING: Nearly 4 months the NIH cut its first grants, a judge has ruled that the directives and process that led to cuts are arbitrary and capricious.
"The explanations are bereft of reasoning — virtually in their entirety... unsupported by [facts]."
Each of them are VOID and ILLEGAL, he says.
"The explanations are bereft of reasoning — virtually in their entirety... unsupported by [facts]."
Each of them are VOID and ILLEGAL, he says.
June 16, 2025 at 10:24 PM
An NIH staffer reacts to today's ruling:
"I'm looking forward to the day that we are so slammed with work trying to reinstate everything that we had to terminate illegally — I'll work 24/7 to make that happen if I can."
"I'm looking forward to the day that we are so slammed with work trying to reinstate everything that we had to terminate illegally — I'll work 24/7 to make that happen if I can."
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
Barbara McClintock was born OTD in 1902.
“I start with the seedling, and I don't want to leave it. I don't feel I really know the story if I don't watch the plant all the way along. So I know every plant in the field. I know them intimately, and I find it a real pleasure.”
🌱🐋🧪 #HistSTM #PhilSci
“I start with the seedling, and I don't want to leave it. I don't feel I really know the story if I don't watch the plant all the way along. So I know every plant in the field. I know them intimately, and I find it a real pleasure.”
🌱🐋🧪 #HistSTM #PhilSci
June 16, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
A lightning-fast, in-depth look into who RFK Jr selected for the vaccine advisory committee. One of whom was an expert witness against Merck's vaccine, despite RFK's stated reason of reducing conflicts of interest, per @reuters.com.
Well done @heidiledford.bsky.social and @rfieldmouse.bsky.social
Well done @heidiledford.bsky.social and @rfieldmouse.bsky.social
Critics fear that anti-vaccine leader’s picks for crucial committee will be a ‘disaster for public health’
https://go.nature.com/3Tn7GgO
https://go.nature.com/3Tn7GgO
Who is on RFK Jr’s new vaccine panel — and what will they do?
Critics fear that anti-vaccine leader’s picks for crucial committee will be a ‘disaster for public health’.
go.nature.com
June 12, 2025 at 5:26 PM
A lightning-fast, in-depth look into who RFK Jr selected for the vaccine advisory committee. One of whom was an expert witness against Merck's vaccine, despite RFK's stated reason of reducing conflicts of interest, per @reuters.com.
Well done @heidiledford.bsky.social and @rfieldmouse.bsky.social
Well done @heidiledford.bsky.social and @rfieldmouse.bsky.social
"US scientists who find themselves abruptly unemployed are turning desperation and defiance into fresh coping strategies and advice. But one thing is clear: whether they move abroad, pivot to other research areas or leave science altogether, their deep expertise is likely to be lost." 🧪
#OpenToWork: how laid-off US scientists are coping with shattered careers
Unemployed researchers face some tough career choices as they flood the job market after the Trump administration’s cuts to science.
www.nature.com
May 21, 2025 at 10:01 PM
"US scientists who find themselves abruptly unemployed are turning desperation and defiance into fresh coping strategies and advice. But one thing is clear: whether they move abroad, pivot to other research areas or leave science altogether, their deep expertise is likely to be lost." 🧪
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
Check out this news story that @nature.com wrote describing our recent preprint where we tested our H5 mRNA vaccine in calves.
The data look good and we are currently testing the vaccine in lactating cattle...more to come!
The data look good and we are currently testing the vaccine in lactating cattle...more to come!
As bird flu sweeps across US poultry and cattle farms, researchers are racing to find ways to contain the outbreaks before they ignite a human pandemic. Now, a team of scientists has developed a fresh approach: the first mRNA bird-flu vaccine for cattle.
https://go.nature.com/4kbOvTe
https://go.nature.com/4kbOvTe
Bird flu vaccine for cattle aces early test
Vaccines for livestock could reduce the risk of human outbreaks, but hurdles remain.
go.nature.com
May 21, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Check out this news story that @nature.com wrote describing our recent preprint where we tested our H5 mRNA vaccine in calves.
The data look good and we are currently testing the vaccine in lactating cattle...more to come!
The data look good and we are currently testing the vaccine in lactating cattle...more to come!
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
The CRISPR family’s most versatile member has made its medical debut: a cutting-edge gene-editing technique known as prime editing has been used to treat a person for the first time
https://go.nature.com/3YNta9V
https://go.nature.com/3YNta9V
World first: ultra-powerful CRISPR treatment trialled in a person
Immune-cell function improved in a teenager whose DNA was altered using prime editing.
go.nature.com
May 19, 2025 at 1:58 PM
The CRISPR family’s most versatile member has made its medical debut: a cutting-edge gene-editing technique known as prime editing has been used to treat a person for the first time
https://go.nature.com/3YNta9V
https://go.nature.com/3YNta9V
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
Today the 1st case of CRISPR 3.0 (Prime genome editing) announced for a teenager with chronic granulomatous disease
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
May 19, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Today the 1st case of CRISPR 3.0 (Prime genome editing) announced for a teenager with chronic granulomatous disease
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Plenty of cool science behind this CRISPR news, but it’s that cute baby and the personal story his parents shared that keeps me up at night 🧵🧪https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-01496-z
World’s first personalized CRISPR therapy given to baby with genetic disease
Treatment seems to have been effective, but it is not clear whether such bespoke therapies can be widely applied.
www.nature.com
May 16, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Plenty of cool science behind this CRISPR news, but it’s that cute baby and the personal story his parents shared that keeps me up at night 🧵🧪https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-01496-z
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
A US judge to govt lawyers defending the NIH's grant terminations:
"I understand the administration is against DEI. Respectfully, I just don't know what you mean. This isn't a teasing question. There has to be some working definition.
This is research to advance healthcare for all our citizens."
"I understand the administration is against DEI. Respectfully, I just don't know what you mean. This isn't a teasing question. There has to be some working definition.
This is research to advance healthcare for all our citizens."
May 8, 2025 at 4:27 PM
A US judge to govt lawyers defending the NIH's grant terminations:
"I understand the administration is against DEI. Respectfully, I just don't know what you mean. This isn't a teasing question. There has to be some working definition.
This is research to advance healthcare for all our citizens."
"I understand the administration is against DEI. Respectfully, I just don't know what you mean. This isn't a teasing question. There has to be some working definition.
This is research to advance healthcare for all our citizens."
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
A study in Nature Immunology explores soluble biomarkers, immune cell subsets, viral antibody responses and plasma proteomics to better define and understand long COVID in two independent cohorts. go.nature.com/3GVktnC #medsky 🧪
May 5, 2025 at 10:44 PM
A study in Nature Immunology explores soluble biomarkers, immune cell subsets, viral antibody responses and plasma proteomics to better define and understand long COVID in two independent cohorts. go.nature.com/3GVktnC #medsky 🧪
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
There are a lot of questions being asked about the awarding of a $500M grant to an #NIH team to develop a new (old) vaccine platform that could be used for a "universal" #flu vaccine. www.statnews.com/2025/05/03/n...
Scientists question NIH project’s use of 20th century technology to make a universal flu vaccine
$500 million NIH program to make vaccines against pathogens that can trigger pandemics uses approach pioneered in last century
www.statnews.com
May 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
There are a lot of questions being asked about the awarding of a $500M grant to an #NIH team to develop a new (old) vaccine platform that could be used for a "universal" #flu vaccine. www.statnews.com/2025/05/03/n...
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
𝐴𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑎 𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑧𝑎𝑒 shows us that some flowers shy away from those cute stories about plants and pollinators, and that they have evolved extreme techniques to ensure pollination. This plant's technique? A hairy prison. @botany.one #Scicomm #PlantScience #Botany 🧪 botany.one/2025/04/that...
That's Why This Hairy Flower is a Trap
Some flowers go to extreme lengths to ensure pollination—like trapping their pollinators inside. A study by Matallana-Puerto shows how tiny floral hairs turn Aristolochia flowers into inescapable pris...
botany.one
May 2, 2025 at 6:10 PM
𝐴𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑎 𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑧𝑎𝑒 shows us that some flowers shy away from those cute stories about plants and pollinators, and that they have evolved extreme techniques to ensure pollination. This plant's technique? A hairy prison. @botany.one #Scicomm #PlantScience #Botany 🧪 botany.one/2025/04/that...
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
🧪I used to be the assigning editor of a profiles column, and I've missed those deep dives into people's experiences. It was a treat to speak with Michael Running Wolf, his wife Caroline, and their professional colleagues about their work using AI to revitalize Indigenous languages for @nature.com.
Walking in two worlds: how an Indigenous computer scientist is using AI to preserve threatened languages
Michael Running Wolf leads artificial-intelligence initiatives to revive lost languages and empower Indigenous people.
www.nature.com
May 2, 2025 at 6:21 PM
🧪I used to be the assigning editor of a profiles column, and I've missed those deep dives into people's experiences. It was a treat to speak with Michael Running Wolf, his wife Caroline, and their professional colleagues about their work using AI to revitalize Indigenous languages for @nature.com.
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
How scientists are fighting back after Trump gutted two landmark environmental reports. 🧪
Words by me, photo selection by Nature's ace photo team: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Words by me, photo selection by Nature's ace photo team: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Trump gutted two landmark environmental reports — can researchers save them?
Scientists working on disrupted national climate and nature assessments aren’t giving up.
www.nature.com
May 2, 2025 at 6:58 PM
How scientists are fighting back after Trump gutted two landmark environmental reports. 🧪
Words by me, photo selection by Nature's ace photo team: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Words by me, photo selection by Nature's ace photo team: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Heidi Ledford
Affected by the foreign subawards policy? Help run clinical trials abroad on a project with a subaward? I want to hear how this policy impacts you.
Send me a message on Signal at mkozlov .01 or email me at maxkozlov [at] protonmail [dot] com. You can stay anonymous.
Send me a message on Signal at mkozlov .01 or email me at maxkozlov [at] protonmail [dot] com. You can stay anonymous.
May 2, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Affected by the foreign subawards policy? Help run clinical trials abroad on a project with a subaward? I want to hear how this policy impacts you.
Send me a message on Signal at mkozlov .01 or email me at maxkozlov [at] protonmail [dot] com. You can stay anonymous.
Send me a message on Signal at mkozlov .01 or email me at maxkozlov [at] protonmail [dot] com. You can stay anonymous.