Meghan Bartels
@meghanbartels.bsky.social
Reporter at @sciam.bsky.social (posts are my fault). Book person, cat person, etc. Georgetown alumna, SHERP34. In NYC. Signal: mbartels.07. she/her http://meghanbartels.github.io/portfolio/
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Meghan Bartels
@meghanbartels.bsky.social
· Jul 15
The Bird Flu Story No One Is Telling
Bird flu fears have focused on the poultry and dairy industries and human health. But wild animals are threatened, too—at scales no one fully understands
www.scientificamerican.com
Amid bird flu fears about egg prices, viral milk and human pandemic risks, there's a piece missing--the impact on wildlife, which I covered for @sciam.bsky.social : 🧪 🪶 www.scientificamerican.com/article/bird...
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
There is no evidence linking COVID-19 vaccines to deaths in children. There is evidence that COVID causes serious harm — including long COVID, MIS-C, cardiac complications & diabetes.
This administration’s actions are dangerous, and the damage to the public and children may be irreversible
This administration’s actions are dangerous, and the damage to the public and children may be irreversible
Big change: FDA to impose strict new vaccine requirements under RFK Jr ally
Vinay Prasad signaled changes to annual flu shots, concurrent vaccines + more
Prasad said his team found link between covid-19 shots and kids' deaths, necessitating a new approach overall
with @rachelroubein.bsky.social
Vinay Prasad signaled changes to annual flu shots, concurrent vaccines + more
Prasad said his team found link between covid-19 shots and kids' deaths, necessitating a new approach overall
with @rachelroubein.bsky.social
FDA to impose strict new vaccine requirements, claiming child covid shot deaths
Vinay Prasad, the nation’s top vaccine regulator, said his team concluded that coronavirus shots were linked to children’s deaths, necessitating a new approach.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:47 PM
There is no evidence linking COVID-19 vaccines to deaths in children. There is evidence that COVID causes serious harm — including long COVID, MIS-C, cardiac complications & diabetes.
This administration’s actions are dangerous, and the damage to the public and children may be irreversible
This administration’s actions are dangerous, and the damage to the public and children may be irreversible
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
Australia just recorded zero cervical cancer cases in women under 25 for the first time since records began in 1982. The amazing result of HPV vaccination.
November 28, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Australia just recorded zero cervical cancer cases in women under 25 for the first time since records began in 1982. The amazing result of HPV vaccination.
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
So, bad news and good news then?
![Extract from FT article.
According to the Al agency Graphite, at least 52 per cent of internet content was machine-generated by May this year. Not only does this Al-generated content threaten the integrity of the web, it could also endanger the resilience of future AI models.
[Graphic showing that AI-generated content has surpassed human-written articles since early 2025]
If Al models ingest too much synthetic data then there is a danger they might go "mad" - or suffer from model autophagy disorder. When the input for new models increasingly becomes the output of older models then it risks model collapse, says Ethan Smith, Graphite's chief executive.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2cadvbwpkxtuvmv2gpy5laml/bafkreigof2qnhtn5dlbo7igg56kbmmktjddpy4atiuexl2dkhocvlrzq7i@jpeg)
November 28, 2025 at 4:41 PM
So, bad news and good news then?
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
As I always do with boycotts, I urge: be tough with corporations, gentle with individual buyers. For some people, Black Friday sales are the way they get their kids jackets that fit, shoes that hold up to the weather. Yelling at them doesn’t help the cause.
November 28, 2025 at 3:11 PM
As I always do with boycotts, I urge: be tough with corporations, gentle with individual buyers. For some people, Black Friday sales are the way they get their kids jackets that fit, shoes that hold up to the weather. Yelling at them doesn’t help the cause.
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
seasonal reminder that if someone says they don't drink:
-it's none of your business why
-hosts should have several non-alcoholic beverage options
-the holidays can be a tough period for non-drinkers
-many jokes about not drinking are bad
-people are burned out and might just be tired
-it's none of your business why
-hosts should have several non-alcoholic beverage options
-the holidays can be a tough period for non-drinkers
-many jokes about not drinking are bad
-people are burned out and might just be tired
November 28, 2025 at 3:50 PM
seasonal reminder that if someone says they don't drink:
-it's none of your business why
-hosts should have several non-alcoholic beverage options
-the holidays can be a tough period for non-drinkers
-many jokes about not drinking are bad
-people are burned out and might just be tired
-it's none of your business why
-hosts should have several non-alcoholic beverage options
-the holidays can be a tough period for non-drinkers
-many jokes about not drinking are bad
-people are burned out and might just be tired
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
As you’re preparing for your Thanksgiving meal, remember the skilled work it took to get that food to your grocery store.
Tell us your favorite Thanksgiving dish, and we can share some of what we know about the work behind the ingredients.
Tell us your favorite Thanksgiving dish, and we can share some of what we know about the work behind the ingredients.
November 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
As you’re preparing for your Thanksgiving meal, remember the skilled work it took to get that food to your grocery store.
Tell us your favorite Thanksgiving dish, and we can share some of what we know about the work behind the ingredients.
Tell us your favorite Thanksgiving dish, and we can share some of what we know about the work behind the ingredients.
Oh no I just realized I have entered one of the most dangerous seasons of the year for me personally: what if I got a planner? season.
November 26, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Oh no I just realized I have entered one of the most dangerous seasons of the year for me personally: what if I got a planner? season.
We nearly lost wild turkeys--but now they're thriving. Here's their story: 🧪 🌎 www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/epis...
Wild Turkeys Went from Almost Gone to Millions Strong
Wild turkeys once nearly disappeared, but today they’re thriving.
www.scientificamerican.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:31 PM
We nearly lost wild turkeys--but now they're thriving. Here's their story: 🧪 🌎 www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/epis...
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
H5N1 bird flu has been circulating in U.S. wildlife since late 2021 but has caused only one human fatality. Now a different type of bird flu has also caused a death. @meghanbartels.bsky.social reports for @sciam.bsky.social:
First Human Dies of Rare H5N5 Bird Flu Strain. Here’s What You Need to Know
H5N1 bird flu has been circulating in U.S. wildlife since late 2021 but has caused only one human fatality. Now a different type of bird flu has also caused a death
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 11:00 PM
H5N1 bird flu has been circulating in U.S. wildlife since late 2021 but has caused only one human fatality. Now a different type of bird flu has also caused a death. @meghanbartels.bsky.social reports for @sciam.bsky.social:
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
I really wish we'd stop calling them climate "skeptics" or "vaccine skeptics", if you jump off a cliff we don't call you a "gravity skeptic"
November 25, 2025 at 8:18 PM
I really wish we'd stop calling them climate "skeptics" or "vaccine skeptics", if you jump off a cliff we don't call you a "gravity skeptic"
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
yes people call the friday after thanksgiving Brown Friday.
yes plumbers get lots of holiday calls.
yes it's because you overwork your disposals, pour fat/gravy/grease in your sink, and clog hosts' toilets.
holidays are hard enough as it is.
don't make them harder.
yes plumbers get lots of holiday calls.
yes it's because you overwork your disposals, pour fat/gravy/grease in your sink, and clog hosts' toilets.
holidays are hard enough as it is.
don't make them harder.
November 25, 2025 at 3:55 PM
yes people call the friday after thanksgiving Brown Friday.
yes plumbers get lots of holiday calls.
yes it's because you overwork your disposals, pour fat/gravy/grease in your sink, and clog hosts' toilets.
holidays are hard enough as it is.
don't make them harder.
yes plumbers get lots of holiday calls.
yes it's because you overwork your disposals, pour fat/gravy/grease in your sink, and clog hosts' toilets.
holidays are hard enough as it is.
don't make them harder.
Science says eat more pie: 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/whic...
Which Thanksgiving Pie Gives You the Biggest Sugar Rush?
Scientific American asked experts which type of Thanksgiving pie spikes blood sugar the most—and how to eat healthier while still enjoying the holidays
www.scientificamerican.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Science says eat more pie: 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/whic...
Scientists have a whole new understanding of how the overlooked lichen helped plants turn Earth's land green. Which means, ahem! Please lichen subscribe to our excellent news stories!!! 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/this...
This Fossil Is Rewriting the Story of How Plants Spread across the Planet
An enigmatic group of fossil organisms has finally been identified—and is changing the story of how plants took root on land
www.scientificamerican.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Scientists have a whole new understanding of how the overlooked lichen helped plants turn Earth's land green. Which means, ahem! Please lichen subscribe to our excellent news stories!!! 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/this...
What you need to know about the first bird flu death in humans since January and the virus subtype behind it: 🧪 🛟 www.scientificamerican.com/article/firs...
First Human Dies of Rare H5N5 Bird Flu Strain. Here’s What You Need to Know
H5N1 bird flu has been circulating in U.S. wildlife since late 2021 but has caused only one human fatality. Now a different type of bird flu has also caused a death
www.scientificamerican.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:20 PM
What you need to know about the first bird flu death in humans since January and the virus subtype behind it: 🧪 🛟 www.scientificamerican.com/article/firs...
What you need to know about this year's flu season: 🧪 🛟 www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
A New Flu Variant May Make Cold Season Brutal This Year
U.S. flu rates remain low, but experts are keeping an eye on a new strain that’s been linked to unexpectedly early and severe seasons in several other countries
www.scientificamerican.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:58 PM
What you need to know about this year's flu season: 🧪 🛟 www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
People on here are constantly sharing screenshots of stories they think are important without linking to the original work, and then wondering why the media ecosystem is so broken. If you can't be bothered to even link to the work you're sharing, you're part of the problem!
November 23, 2025 at 9:30 PM
People on here are constantly sharing screenshots of stories they think are important without linking to the original work, and then wondering why the media ecosystem is so broken. If you can't be bothered to even link to the work you're sharing, you're part of the problem!
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
CORRECTION: A *third* potato has been named after Prince.
November 22, 2025 at 6:29 PM
CORRECTION: A *third* potato has been named after Prince.
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
every year someone does a study that’s like “we gave 100 homeless ppl money and their lives improved” and every year the government kills that guy
November 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
every year someone does a study that’s like “we gave 100 homeless ppl money and their lives improved” and every year the government kills that guy
COP30 just wrapped and the Paris Agreement turns 10 this year. Here's where we are on climate: 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
5 Charts Show Climate Progress as Paris Agreement Turns 10
The 2015 Paris Agreement forged a path for the world to stave off the worst climate change scenarios. Here’s where we stand 10 years later
www.scientificamerican.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:02 PM
COP30 just wrapped and the Paris Agreement turns 10 this year. Here's where we are on climate: 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
That's just ... so fast. Hurricane Melissa really was an incredible storm. 🧪
(by @meghanbartels.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social)
(by @meghanbartels.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social)
Hurricane Melissa’s 252-mph Gust Sets New Wind Record
Hurricane Melissa raged as a Category 5 storm in the Caribbean last month—and now scientists have confirmed that its strongest gusts neared record speeds
www.scientificamerican.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:49 PM
That's just ... so fast. Hurricane Melissa really was an incredible storm. 🧪
(by @meghanbartels.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social)
(by @meghanbartels.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social)
Is photosynthesis 800 million years older than scientists thought? 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/ai-u...
AI Uncovers Oldest-Ever Molecular Evidence of Photosynthesis
A machine-learning breakthrough could lift the veil on Earth’s early history—and supercharge the search for alien life
www.scientificamerican.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Is photosynthesis 800 million years older than scientists thought? 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/ai-u...
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
It seems to have gotten lost in the MeToo backlash but sexual harassment is in fact illegal
November 20, 2025 at 2:11 PM
It seems to have gotten lost in the MeToo backlash but sexual harassment is in fact illegal
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
Come hangout with me this Thursday at Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn to talk about gay animals, huge trees, what Greek literature tells us about climate change and being pissed off about stuff!!
RSVP link below 😇 get there early for a seat 😘
RSVP link below 😇 get there early for a seat 😘
Get a sneak peek at some of @sciam.bsky.social favorite books of the year on November 20th 7:30pm ET at @greenlightpod.bsky.social 📚
🆓 🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/the-scient...
🆓 🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/the-scient...
The Scientific American 2025 Nonfiction Panel
Scientific American partners with Greenlight to highlight some of the year's best nonfiction!
www.eventbrite.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Come hangout with me this Thursday at Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn to talk about gay animals, huge trees, what Greek literature tells us about climate change and being pissed off about stuff!!
RSVP link below 😇 get there early for a seat 😘
RSVP link below 😇 get there early for a seat 😘
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
🚨NEW: A massive new study found no link between exposure to recommended levels of fluoride and IQ decline in children. Over the past year, Health Secretary RFK Junior has claimed that fluoride causes IQ loss, neuro disorders and bone cancer, among other issues.
My story for @sciam.bsky.social 🧪
My story for @sciam.bsky.social 🧪
Massive Study Finds No Link Between Fluoride in Tap Water and Lower Child IQ
Researchers tracked thousands of Americans for decades, finding no links between ingesting recommended levels of fluoride and lower cognitive skills
www.scientificamerican.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:16 PM
🚨NEW: A massive new study found no link between exposure to recommended levels of fluoride and IQ decline in children. Over the past year, Health Secretary RFK Junior has claimed that fluoride causes IQ loss, neuro disorders and bone cancer, among other issues.
My story for @sciam.bsky.social 🧪
My story for @sciam.bsky.social 🧪