Natasha Loder
@natashaloder.bsky.social
Health Editor, The Economist.
#Science #medicine #health, aspiring optimist, omnivorous information eater, mother of dragons.
Free words at: Overmatter.substack.com
#Science #medicine #health, aspiring optimist, omnivorous information eater, mother of dragons.
Free words at: Overmatter.substack.com
Pinned
Natasha Loder
@natashaloder.bsky.social
· Mar 20
The dream of enhancing humanity is becoming a reality, with investments pouring into the human enhancement industry, aiming to make us stronger, smarter, and longer-lived. Notable investors like Christian Angermayer, Peter Thiel, Elon Musk are at the forefront #HumanEnhancement #TechRevolution
Bespoke medicines are making progress.
Read my new post on Substack--which is completely free.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Read my new post on Substack--which is completely free.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Bespoke Medicines
Millions of children are dying from genetic diseases we already know how to treat. The obstacle isn’t cost. It’s courage.
open.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Bespoke medicines are making progress.
Read my new post on Substack--which is completely free.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Read my new post on Substack--which is completely free.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Reposted by Natasha Loder
This is a section from my interview where I basically say that I don't see this as a super bad flu season - or at least, that there is no evidence to say now that it will be.
full interview is here
youtu.be/_PZiU3R7jac
full interview is here
youtu.be/_PZiU3R7jac
December 15, 2025 at 1:04 PM
This is a section from my interview where I basically say that I don't see this as a super bad flu season - or at least, that there is no evidence to say now that it will be.
full interview is here
youtu.be/_PZiU3R7jac
full interview is here
youtu.be/_PZiU3R7jac
New on Overmatter. A story about the fight to be able to make bespoke medicines more easily—something that could one day help millions of children with genetic diseases. Overmatter is free to readers.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Bespoke Medicines
Millions of children are dying from genetic diseases we already know how to treat. The obstacle isn’t cost. It’s courage.
open.substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 9:01 PM
New on Overmatter. A story about the fight to be able to make bespoke medicines more easily—something that could one day help millions of children with genetic diseases. Overmatter is free to readers.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Interesting.
This is a year-by-year comparison of hospital admissions with flu using the latest data up to 30 Nov.
Yes, this year’s flu season started a few weeks earlier than normal. But otherwise, its pattern looks very similar to 2022/23 and 2024/25. 3/10
Yes, this year’s flu season started a few weeks earlier than normal. But otherwise, its pattern looks very similar to 2022/23 and 2024/25. 3/10
December 12, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Interesting.
So this new MAHA Elevate program, two predictions about what it will discover about longevity. 1. that national health sytem style preventative, lifestyle based, public health interventions really work to extend life and 2. that includes vaccines.
cms.gov/priorities/i...
cms.gov/priorities/i...
MAHA ELEVATE (Make America Healthy Again: Enhancing Lifestyle and Evaluating Value-based Approaches Through Evidence) Model | CMS
The Make America Healthy Again: Enhancing Lifestyle and Evaluating Value-based Approaches Through Evidence (MAHA ELEVATE) Model is part of the Administration’s bold plan to reform America’s health sys...
cms.gov
December 11, 2025 at 10:47 PM
So this new MAHA Elevate program, two predictions about what it will discover about longevity. 1. that national health sytem style preventative, lifestyle based, public health interventions really work to extend life and 2. that includes vaccines.
cms.gov/priorities/i...
cms.gov/priorities/i...
I would like to “like” a post like this but my last five years of social media may be needed to gain entry to the US so who knows if I should?
My end-of-year leader for 2025 is about the need to defend science against the encroaching darkness, not just because it is the best way to make sense of the world, but also because it is an endless source of wonder and whimsy www.newscientist.com/article/mg26...
Science still produced many wonders in 2025 despite being under siege
Though there were setbacks on climate change and funding for science this year, there was still plenty of amazing discoveries to marvel at
www.newscientist.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:39 AM
I would like to “like” a post like this but my last five years of social media may be needed to gain entry to the US so who knows if I should?
Reposted by Natasha Loder
Well parents generally remove their kids when they start having mental health crises. Then the kids are either found a new school by the LA, special school (££££) or homeschooled. Mostly parent focus is on the child. Love to see lawyers get a class action on this.
December 11, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Well parents generally remove their kids when they start having mental health crises. Then the kids are either found a new school by the LA, special school (££££) or homeschooled. Mostly parent focus is on the child. Love to see lawyers get a class action on this.
The clue for strict schools with strict policies is in the term “special needs”. But who knew so many teachers couldn’t read English 🤷🏻♀️
In news that will shock few parents, a review finds that special needs kids do not thrive in strict schools.
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Mossbourne's Hackney school 'harmful' to some pupils, review finds
Review finds Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy's policies are "harmful" to some vulnerable pupils.
www.bbc.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:26 AM
The clue for strict schools with strict policies is in the term “special needs”. But who knew so many teachers couldn’t read English 🤷🏻♀️
Reposted by Natasha Loder
In news that will shock few parents, a review finds that special needs kids do not thrive in strict schools.
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Mossbourne's Hackney school 'harmful' to some pupils, review finds
Review finds Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy's policies are "harmful" to some vulnerable pupils.
www.bbc.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:04 AM
In news that will shock few parents, a review finds that special needs kids do not thrive in strict schools.
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
In news that will shock few parents, a review finds that special needs kids do not thrive in strict schools.
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Mossbourne's Hackney school 'harmful' to some pupils, review finds
Review finds Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy's policies are "harmful" to some vulnerable pupils.
www.bbc.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:04 AM
In news that will shock few parents, a review finds that special needs kids do not thrive in strict schools.
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Strict school 'harmful' to some pupils, review says www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Natasha Loder
Welcome to slot-machine Britain! Our cover this week is on First Past the Post, the voting system that turns multi-party politics into a lottery.
Featuring our new modelling of British elections: www.economist.com/interactive/...
Featuring our new modelling of British elections: www.economist.com/interactive/...
December 4, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Welcome to slot-machine Britain! Our cover this week is on First Past the Post, the voting system that turns multi-party politics into a lottery.
Featuring our new modelling of British elections: www.economist.com/interactive/...
Featuring our new modelling of British elections: www.economist.com/interactive/...
Yes, this is exactly how messed up things are at the FDA. Pazdur has lasted a few weeks and now he is leaving.
www.statnews.com/2025/12/02/r...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/02/r...
Top drug regulator Richard Pazdur set to leave FDA
Top drug regulator Richard Pazdur filed papers to retire from the Food and Drug Administration at the end of this month, but could withdraw them.
www.statnews.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Yes, this is exactly how messed up things are at the FDA. Pazdur has lasted a few weeks and now he is leaving.
www.statnews.com/2025/12/02/r...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/02/r...
Reposted by Natasha Loder
Look what just arrived. A new book by Deb Cohen out January. Has the internet hijacked your health? Read her book.
November 28, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Look what just arrived. A new book by Deb Cohen out January. Has the internet hijacked your health? Read her book.
Reposted by Natasha Loder
Today @who.int recommended GLP-1 drugs for obesity. That’s good! What was downplayed though was that these drugs are life-saving for people with obesity & coronary disease and the number of lives saved could be huge. @natashaloder.bsky.social and I got ya covered open.substack.com/pub/singerp/...
The $6 revolution. How generic weight loss drugs could save millions of lives.
The arrival of generic semaglutide is an unheard of opportunity for global public health
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Today @who.int recommended GLP-1 drugs for obesity. That’s good! What was downplayed though was that these drugs are life-saving for people with obesity & coronary disease and the number of lives saved could be huge. @natashaloder.bsky.social and I got ya covered open.substack.com/pub/singerp/...
Look what just arrived. A new book by Deb Cohen out January. Has the internet hijacked your health? Read her book.
November 28, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Look what just arrived. A new book by Deb Cohen out January. Has the internet hijacked your health? Read her book.
Reposted by Natasha Loder
This week on my Substack I write about what goes wrong when chatbots engage with people with poor mental health and how we should think about the problem. Please read it and share it if you like it.
My newsletter Overmatter is completely free and always has been.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
My newsletter Overmatter is completely free and always has been.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Chatbots behaving badly
The world needs better insight on how LLMs are handling mental health crises
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:52 PM
This week on my Substack I write about what goes wrong when chatbots engage with people with poor mental health and how we should think about the problem. Please read it and share it if you like it.
My newsletter Overmatter is completely free and always has been.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
My newsletter Overmatter is completely free and always has been.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
This week on my Substack I write about what goes wrong when chatbots engage with people with poor mental health and how we should think about the problem. Please read it and share it if you like it.
My newsletter Overmatter is completely free and always has been.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
My newsletter Overmatter is completely free and always has been.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Chatbots behaving badly
The world needs better insight on how LLMs are handling mental health crises
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:52 PM
This week on my Substack I write about what goes wrong when chatbots engage with people with poor mental health and how we should think about the problem. Please read it and share it if you like it.
My newsletter Overmatter is completely free and always has been.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
My newsletter Overmatter is completely free and always has been.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Interested in getting a multi-cancer blood test? This radio programme by Deborah Cohen takes an honest look at the realities of what they can and cannot do.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - File on 4 Investigates, Multi-Cancer Testing - Hype or Hope?
Could multi-cancer detection tests help improve earlier diagnosis for NHS patients?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Interested in getting a multi-cancer blood test? This radio programme by Deborah Cohen takes an honest look at the realities of what they can and cannot do.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Natasha Loder
The third runway will be disastrous for parts of west london. At the moment there are periods of respite from the health-damaging effects of noise—which is far above what it needs to be.
on.ft.com/49EcW9s UK ministers back Heathrow airport’s £49bn plan for third runway
on.ft.com/49EcW9s UK ministers back Heathrow airport’s £49bn plan for third runway
UK ministers back Heathrow airport’s £49bn plan for third runway
Proposal to expand London hub will require moving part of the M25 motorway
on.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The third runway will be disastrous for parts of west london. At the moment there are periods of respite from the health-damaging effects of noise—which is far above what it needs to be.
on.ft.com/49EcW9s UK ministers back Heathrow airport’s £49bn plan for third runway
on.ft.com/49EcW9s UK ministers back Heathrow airport’s £49bn plan for third runway
Reposted by Natasha Loder
"An index that leaves out the seven high-flying tech firms — call it the S&P 493 — reveals a far weaker picture, as smaller and lower-tech companies report lackluster sales and declining investment"
Its becoming more difficult to pick the good growth opportunities amongst the smaller companies.
Its becoming more difficult to pick the good growth opportunities amongst the smaller companies.
The ‘S&P 493’ reveals a very different U.S. economy
A few trillion-dollar companies are powering the market’s gains. Here’s what’s happening to most other businesses in the United States.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:12 PM
"An index that leaves out the seven high-flying tech firms — call it the S&P 493 — reveals a far weaker picture, as smaller and lower-tech companies report lackluster sales and declining investment"
Its becoming more difficult to pick the good growth opportunities amongst the smaller companies.
Its becoming more difficult to pick the good growth opportunities amongst the smaller companies.
And for me personally, I’m sad that a third runway will spoil the moments of peace that can still be enjoyed in places like Kew Gardens or Richmond Park. Or on a walk along the Thames pathway. All so we can be a hub for transit passengers. Very disappointing.
November 24, 2025 at 7:35 PM
And for me personally, I’m sad that a third runway will spoil the moments of peace that can still be enjoyed in places like Kew Gardens or Richmond Park. Or on a walk along the Thames pathway. All so we can be a hub for transit passengers. Very disappointing.
The third runway will be disastrous for parts of west london. At the moment there are periods of respite from the health-damaging effects of noise—which is far above what it needs to be.
on.ft.com/49EcW9s UK ministers back Heathrow airport’s £49bn plan for third runway
on.ft.com/49EcW9s UK ministers back Heathrow airport’s £49bn plan for third runway
UK ministers back Heathrow airport’s £49bn plan for third runway
Proposal to expand London hub will require moving part of the M25 motorway
on.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The third runway will be disastrous for parts of west london. At the moment there are periods of respite from the health-damaging effects of noise—which is far above what it needs to be.
on.ft.com/49EcW9s UK ministers back Heathrow airport’s £49bn plan for third runway
on.ft.com/49EcW9s UK ministers back Heathrow airport’s £49bn plan for third runway
Trials of oral semaglutide (GLP-1) fail in Alzheimer's unfortunately.
www.globenewswire.com/news-release...
www.globenewswire.com/news-release...
Novo Nordisk A/S: Evoke phase 3 trials did not demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in Alzheimer's disease progression
Bagsværd, Denmark, 24 November 2025 – Novo Nordisk today announced the top-line results from the 2-year primary analysis of evoke and evoke+ phase 3 trials...
www.globenewswire.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Trials of oral semaglutide (GLP-1) fail in Alzheimer's unfortunately.
www.globenewswire.com/news-release...
www.globenewswire.com/news-release...
My newsletter Overmatter has always been free.
So if you are interested in what to do when chatbots go awry in mental health, then head on over....
So if you are interested in what to do when chatbots go awry in mental health, then head on over....
This week I have written about what goes wrong when chatbots engage with people with poor mental health and how we should think about the problem.
Chatbots behaving badly, by @natashaloder open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Chatbots behaving badly, by @natashaloder open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Chatbots behaving badly
The world needs better insight on how LLMs are handling mental health crises
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:15 PM
My newsletter Overmatter has always been free.
So if you are interested in what to do when chatbots go awry in mental health, then head on over....
So if you are interested in what to do when chatbots go awry in mental health, then head on over....