Brandon Barba
@brandon-barba.bsky.social
PhD student at UofAZ.
Son of an immigrant (🇵🇪🇺🇸)
Academic interests: Clinical Data Science (informatics, epidemiology, etc.)
Other interests: lifting, football, and assorted nerdery
Son of an immigrant (🇵🇪🇺🇸)
Academic interests: Clinical Data Science (informatics, epidemiology, etc.)
Other interests: lifting, football, and assorted nerdery
Reposted by Brandon Barba
This is unhinged, unadulterated white nationalism that is so off-the-charts fascist not even David Duke would have said that in public.
Trump: “I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries … denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.“
November 28, 2025 at 6:02 AM
This is unhinged, unadulterated white nationalism that is so off-the-charts fascist not even David Duke would have said that in public.
Reposted by Brandon Barba
NEW data I've received: Just 5% of people detained by ICE since October 1 have had violent criminal convictions, 3/4 had no criminal convictions at all. Most "criminals" had immigration, traffic, and vice offenses. Not the "worst of the worst"...
November 24, 2025 at 11:33 PM
NEW data I've received: Just 5% of people detained by ICE since October 1 have had violent criminal convictions, 3/4 had no criminal convictions at all. Most "criminals" had immigration, traffic, and vice offenses. Not the "worst of the worst"...
Reposted by Brandon Barba
Just an absolutely gutting essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, a writer, mother of two young children, and cousin of RFK Jr who is dying of leukemia.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
November 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Just an absolutely gutting essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, a writer, mother of two young children, and cousin of RFK Jr who is dying of leukemia.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Reposted by Brandon Barba
This slide unfortunately generalizes well 🥲
November 11, 2025 at 9:25 AM
This slide unfortunately generalizes well 🥲
Reposted by Brandon Barba
This is one of the most remarkable academic debacles I've ever seen.
A large RCT got published in BMJ. There are currently 44 Pubpeer comments, mostly about the data, including...well. Read for yourself.
pubpeer.com/publications...
A large RCT got published in BMJ. There are currently 44 Pubpeer comments, mostly about the data, including...well. Read for yourself.
pubpeer.com/publications...
PubPeer - Prevention of acute myocardial infarction induced heart fail...
There are comments on PubPeer for publication: Prevention of acute myocardial infarction induced heart failure by intracoronary infusion of mesenchymal stem cells: phase 3 randomised clinical trial (P...
pubpeer.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:19 AM
This is one of the most remarkable academic debacles I've ever seen.
A large RCT got published in BMJ. There are currently 44 Pubpeer comments, mostly about the data, including...well. Read for yourself.
pubpeer.com/publications...
A large RCT got published in BMJ. There are currently 44 Pubpeer comments, mostly about the data, including...well. Read for yourself.
pubpeer.com/publications...
Reposted by Brandon Barba
“Tell your children who the cowards were.”
October 27, 2025 at 10:19 PM
“Tell your children who the cowards were.”
Reposted by Brandon Barba
OK, having heard a report on some AI bracelet which is always recording audio with the idea that you could go back and audit your day's interactions or ask it questions about what you did that day...
look if you actually want this I think you're forgetting what it means to be human.
look if you actually want this I think you're forgetting what it means to be human.
October 23, 2025 at 10:07 PM
OK, having heard a report on some AI bracelet which is always recording audio with the idea that you could go back and audit your day's interactions or ask it questions about what you did that day...
look if you actually want this I think you're forgetting what it means to be human.
look if you actually want this I think you're forgetting what it means to be human.
Reposted by Brandon Barba
The University of Arizona has given a non-answer on joining the Compact of Academic Excellence in Higher Education (as did Washington University in St. Louis) earlier today. UA President Suresh Garimella wrote that he welcomes "the opportunity to engage" in a letter to Linda McMahon.
president.arizona.edu
October 20, 2025 at 8:36 PM
The University of Arizona has given a non-answer on joining the Compact of Academic Excellence in Higher Education (as did Washington University in St. Louis) earlier today. UA President Suresh Garimella wrote that he welcomes "the opportunity to engage" in a letter to Linda McMahon.
Reposted by Brandon Barba
It feels like a huge failure on multiple levels that there's so little attempt to articulate an alternative to totally unregulated big-corporate ownership of technologies like AR and AI, which have some actually real use cases just vastly outweighed by the harms of their business models
The future I saw through the Meta Ray-Ban Display amazes and terrifies me
This very first-gen device raises several questions about where the next chapter of mobile computing is headed.
www.theverge.com
October 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM
It feels like a huge failure on multiple levels that there's so little attempt to articulate an alternative to totally unregulated big-corporate ownership of technologies like AR and AI, which have some actually real use cases just vastly outweighed by the harms of their business models
Reposted by Brandon Barba
There are basically only two positions in the debate about AI.
1. I’ve barely invested any time in learning how to use it effectively. AI sucks.
2. I’ve invested in learning how to use this tool. Holy cow, it’s transformational.
Position #1 has lower barriers to entry.
1. I’ve barely invested any time in learning how to use it effectively. AI sucks.
2. I’ve invested in learning how to use this tool. Holy cow, it’s transformational.
Position #1 has lower barriers to entry.
October 17, 2025 at 12:12 AM
There are basically only two positions in the debate about AI.
1. I’ve barely invested any time in learning how to use it effectively. AI sucks.
2. I’ve invested in learning how to use this tool. Holy cow, it’s transformational.
Position #1 has lower barriers to entry.
1. I’ve barely invested any time in learning how to use it effectively. AI sucks.
2. I’ve invested in learning how to use this tool. Holy cow, it’s transformational.
Position #1 has lower barriers to entry.
Reposted by Brandon Barba
Private equity acquisition of hospitals have led to an increase in deaths among emergency department patients receiving Medicare, according to a recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Private equity takeover of hospitals led to rise in Medicare emergency patient deaths, says study
Study found seven more deaths per 10,000 patients in private equity hospitals’ versus non-private equity hospitals
www.theguardian.com
October 14, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Private equity acquisition of hospitals have led to an increase in deaths among emergency department patients receiving Medicare, according to a recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Reposted by Brandon Barba
This moment from our latest episode with science writer @edyong209.bsky.social is 🔥
We asked Ed — how do we talk up the benefits of science in the face of government cuts? He told us that's the wrong approach. 🧪
Listen wherever, or watch on Spotify 👇
open.spotify.com/episode/7Evh...
We asked Ed — how do we talk up the benefits of science in the face of government cuts? He told us that's the wrong approach. 🧪
Listen wherever, or watch on Spotify 👇
open.spotify.com/episode/7Evh...
October 1, 2025 at 2:56 PM
This moment from our latest episode with science writer @edyong209.bsky.social is 🔥
We asked Ed — how do we talk up the benefits of science in the face of government cuts? He told us that's the wrong approach. 🧪
Listen wherever, or watch on Spotify 👇
open.spotify.com/episode/7Evh...
We asked Ed — how do we talk up the benefits of science in the face of government cuts? He told us that's the wrong approach. 🧪
Listen wherever, or watch on Spotify 👇
open.spotify.com/episode/7Evh...
Reposted by Brandon Barba
As I was saying…
Jimmy Kimmel is Back!
YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live
youtu.be
September 24, 2025 at 4:27 AM
As I was saying…
Reposted by Brandon Barba
The remarks weren’t “about Charlie Kirk,” they were about how this administration is using Kirk’s death as an excuse to shut down critics … and they responded by proving him completely correct.
New: FCC chair threatens ABC and Disney over Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks about Charlie Kirk
www.cnn.com/2025/09/17/m...
www.cnn.com/2025/09/17/m...
FCC chair threatens ABC and Disney over Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks about Charlie Kirk | CNN Business
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr warned. “These companies can find ways to change conduct and take actions on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
www.cnn.com
September 17, 2025 at 10:42 PM
The remarks weren’t “about Charlie Kirk,” they were about how this administration is using Kirk’s death as an excuse to shut down critics … and they responded by proving him completely correct.
Reposted by Brandon Barba
Just to be blunt, if you want Wired and 404 and The Verge to employ reporters who understand the memes on bullet casings and can connect them to gaming culture while having the legal and support resources to deal with waves of harassment when we do it… you have to subscribe and pay for the work
the entire media ecosystem is just not built or ready for events like this and far right billionaires like larry ellison buying news orgs will only make this worse
September 12, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Just to be blunt, if you want Wired and 404 and The Verge to employ reporters who understand the memes on bullet casings and can connect them to gaming culture while having the legal and support resources to deal with waves of harassment when we do it… you have to subscribe and pay for the work
Reposted by Brandon Barba
❗️RFK Jr. wants to link Tylenol use during pregnancy with autism, despite the best evidence saying otherwise.
Here’s why this is a dangerous claim...🧵
Here’s why this is a dangerous claim...🧵
September 6, 2025 at 7:40 PM
❗️RFK Jr. wants to link Tylenol use during pregnancy with autism, despite the best evidence saying otherwise.
Here’s why this is a dangerous claim...🧵
Here’s why this is a dangerous claim...🧵
Reposted by Brandon Barba
Acetaminophen/Tylenol use during pregnancy was not associated with children’s risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability in sibling control analysis. This suggests associations observed in other, less rigorous analyses may have been attributable to familial confounding (aka erroneous finding):
Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability
This nationwide cohort study with sibling control analysis examines the association of acetaminophen use during pregnancy with children’s risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability.
jamanetwork.com
September 5, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Acetaminophen/Tylenol use during pregnancy was not associated with children’s risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability in sibling control analysis. This suggests associations observed in other, less rigorous analyses may have been attributable to familial confounding (aka erroneous finding):
This was a really enlightening listen. I think Dr. Hall’s mixture of humility and curiosity are hallmarks of a great scientist.
I truly enjoyed this discussion with Dr. Mike covering a range of topics on food, nutrition, and metabolism. We also discuss my reasons for leaving NIH and what’s needed to really improve nutrition science.
youtu.be/WBllzAb_vAk?...
youtu.be/WBllzAb_vAk?...
“Why I Quit The NIH” | Nutrition Researcher Kevin Hall
YouTube video by Doctor Mike
youtu.be
September 5, 2025 at 4:30 AM
This was a really enlightening listen. I think Dr. Hall’s mixture of humility and curiosity are hallmarks of a great scientist.
Reposted by Brandon Barba
RFK Jr. rolled out that old chestnut again about how healthy Americans were in the 60’s, so here’s a fact check.
In 1965:
-42% of American adults smoked; it’s 11% now.
-The infant morality rate was 24.7/1000; it’s 5.6/1000 now.
-Overall life expectancy was 70 years; it's about 77 years now.
In 1965:
-42% of American adults smoked; it’s 11% now.
-The infant morality rate was 24.7/1000; it’s 5.6/1000 now.
-Overall life expectancy was 70 years; it's about 77 years now.
September 4, 2025 at 6:46 PM
RFK Jr. rolled out that old chestnut again about how healthy Americans were in the 60’s, so here’s a fact check.
In 1965:
-42% of American adults smoked; it’s 11% now.
-The infant morality rate was 24.7/1000; it’s 5.6/1000 now.
-Overall life expectancy was 70 years; it's about 77 years now.
In 1965:
-42% of American adults smoked; it’s 11% now.
-The infant morality rate was 24.7/1000; it’s 5.6/1000 now.
-Overall life expectancy was 70 years; it's about 77 years now.
Reposted by Brandon Barba
Soon Americans will be going abroad to get abortions and COVID vaccines.
Trump and RFK Jr. to Ban Covid-19 Vaccine ‘Within Months’
A close associate of the HHS secretary claims the U.S. government will soon pull COVID-19 mRNA jabs from the market.
www.thedailybeast.com
August 25, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Soon Americans will be going abroad to get abortions and COVID vaccines.
Reposted by Brandon Barba
I saw someone genuinely irritated that Taylor Swift fans are having some moments of joy these last couple of days despite the horrors of the world, I want to reassure that person that when the Taylor Swift fans are done having their joy the horrors will still be there, don't worry, they can catch up
August 13, 2025 at 9:30 PM
I saw someone genuinely irritated that Taylor Swift fans are having some moments of joy these last couple of days despite the horrors of the world, I want to reassure that person that when the Taylor Swift fans are done having their joy the horrors will still be there, don't worry, they can catch up
Reposted by Brandon Barba
Honestly I think the most important characteristic of Trumpworld figures is the willingness to just say shit that reflects the opposite of reality with a straight face, and believe it
August 12, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Honestly I think the most important characteristic of Trumpworld figures is the willingness to just say shit that reflects the opposite of reality with a straight face, and believe it
Reposted by Brandon Barba
1. "'Trusting the experts is not a feature of either a science or democracy," Kennedy said."
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
RFK Jr. in interview with Scripps News: ‘Trusting the experts is not science’
HHS Secretary RFK Jr. sat down with Scripps News for a wide-ranging interview, discussing mRNA vaccine funding policy changes and a recent shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
www.scrippsnews.com
August 12, 2025 at 4:48 AM
1. "'Trusting the experts is not a feature of either a science or democracy," Kennedy said."
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
Reposted by Brandon Barba
1. Federal funding for research promotes tech, biomedical, and scientific discovery in the US, and provides training for the sci/tech workforce that has brought immeasurable wealth to the US over the past 75 years.
Today's executive order includes a provision that will obliterate both functions.
Today's executive order includes a provision that will obliterate both functions.
Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to improve the process of Federal
www.whitehouse.gov
August 8, 2025 at 1:13 AM
1. Federal funding for research promotes tech, biomedical, and scientific discovery in the US, and provides training for the sci/tech workforce that has brought immeasurable wealth to the US over the past 75 years.
Today's executive order includes a provision that will obliterate both functions.
Today's executive order includes a provision that will obliterate both functions.
Reposted by Brandon Barba
Every reputable expert I know considers mRNA vaccine technology to be one of the most revolutionary advances in medicine in our lifetimes. Its inventors won the Nobel Prize in 2023. Shutting it down now is pointless self-harm to humanity.
Release from HHS: HHS will wind down its development of the mRNA vaccine development activities under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).
August 5, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Every reputable expert I know considers mRNA vaccine technology to be one of the most revolutionary advances in medicine in our lifetimes. Its inventors won the Nobel Prize in 2023. Shutting it down now is pointless self-harm to humanity.