Cormac Sheridan
@cormacsheridan.bsky.social
Freelance science journalist - I write about what works in biotech - and what doesn't.
Pinned
FDA approves new mechanism to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, expanding limited arsenal - Nature Biotechnology
The first-in-class small molecule Jascayd targets a fibrotic signaling cascade, offering new hope in a stagnant therapeutic field, as several other programs near maturity.
www.nature.com
Just out in @natbiotech.nature.com - a deep dive into what's next in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis after the approval of @boehringerglobal.bsky.social's Jascayd (nerandomilast). There's still huge scope for innovation here - & many good ideas being pursued. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#Measles deaths down 88% since 2000, says
@who.int . Vaccines have saved almost 59m lives in this time - but cases are on the rise again - vigilance against the world's most contagious vaccine is essential. #vaccineswork www.who.int/news/item/28...
@who.int . Vaccines have saved almost 59m lives in this time - but cases are on the rise again - vigilance against the world's most contagious vaccine is essential. #vaccineswork www.who.int/news/item/28...
Measles deaths down 88% since 2000, but cases surge
Global immunization efforts have led to an 88% drop in measles deaths between 2000 and 2024, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO). Nearly 59 million lives have been saved...
www.who.int
November 28, 2025 at 11:06 AM
#Measles deaths down 88% since 2000, says
@who.int . Vaccines have saved almost 59m lives in this time - but cases are on the rise again - vigilance against the world's most contagious vaccine is essential. #vaccineswork www.who.int/news/item/28...
@who.int . Vaccines have saved almost 59m lives in this time - but cases are on the rise again - vigilance against the world's most contagious vaccine is essential. #vaccineswork www.who.int/news/item/28...
Reposted by Cormac Sheridan
Great to hear a scientist and environmentalist - @elainemcgoff.bsky.social - and a farmer in nitrates derogation separately say the same thing here: that the government-led drive for maximum productivity was a MASSIVE mistake, with our rivers and (now, potentially) farmers paying the price.
I had the a welcome opportunity to move beyond the standard Punch & Judy media setup to properly look under the derogation hood, & explore why the Government measures are failing our waters & failing our farmers.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Nitrates derogation
Back in the early nineties all across the EU a rule was introduced to protect rivers and streams from agricultural run off. At the last count 7,000 out of 137,000 farms in Ireland had received a derog...
www.rte.ie
November 23, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Great to hear a scientist and environmentalist - @elainemcgoff.bsky.social - and a farmer in nitrates derogation separately say the same thing here: that the government-led drive for maximum productivity was a MASSIVE mistake, with our rivers and (now, potentially) farmers paying the price.
Just out in @natbiotech.nature.com - a deep dive into what's next in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis after the approval of @boehringerglobal.bsky.social's Jascayd (nerandomilast). There's still huge scope for innovation here - & many good ideas being pursued. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
FDA approves new mechanism to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, expanding limited arsenal - Nature Biotechnology
The first-in-class small molecule Jascayd targets a fibrotic signaling cascade, offering new hope in a stagnant therapeutic field, as several other programs near maturity.
www.nature.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Just out in @natbiotech.nature.com - a deep dive into what's next in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis after the approval of @boehringerglobal.bsky.social's Jascayd (nerandomilast). There's still huge scope for innovation here - & many good ideas being pursued. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Good piece by Eric Stokstad on an unusual and very damaging toxic algal bloom - we can expect more of these as #climatechange creates #ecosystems havoc www.science.org/content/arti...
Australia’s unprecedented toxic algal bloom has a surprise culprit
A relatively unknown species is producing a notorious neurotoxin, devastating sea life
www.science.org
November 12, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Good piece by Eric Stokstad on an unusual and very damaging toxic algal bloom - we can expect more of these as #climatechange creates #ecosystems havoc www.science.org/content/arti...
You could equally argue that humans are the only irrational species. I have a lot of respect for the decision-making processes of other species.
Are humans really the only rational animals? Our NEW PAPER 🎉 out in @science.org suggests otherwise! In a large collaboration led with my joint first author @hanna-schleihauf.bsky.social, we show that “Chimpanzees rationally revise their beliefs” 🧵
Chimpanzees rationally revise their beliefs
The selective revision of beliefs in light of new evidence has been considered one of the hallmarks of human-level rationality. However, tests of this ability in other species are lacking. We examined...
www.science.org
October 30, 2025 at 9:05 PM
You could equally argue that humans are the only irrational species. I have a lot of respect for the decision-making processes of other species.
Reposted by Cormac Sheridan
Over the weekend our letter, in response to John FitzGerald's article earlier last week, was published in the @irishtimes.com
We corrected several incorrect claims that were made in the article.
with @hannahdaly.ie @colmduff.bsky.social David Styles
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/lett...
We corrected several incorrect claims that were made in the article.
with @hannahdaly.ie @colmduff.bsky.social David Styles
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/lett...
October 29, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Over the weekend our letter, in response to John FitzGerald's article earlier last week, was published in the @irishtimes.com
We corrected several incorrect claims that were made in the article.
with @hannahdaly.ie @colmduff.bsky.social David Styles
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/lett...
We corrected several incorrect claims that were made in the article.
with @hannahdaly.ie @colmduff.bsky.social David Styles
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/lett...
Reposted by Cormac Sheridan
"The argument that paying more for medicines leads to more innovation is unfounded." Good editorial in @thelancet.com
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Drug pricing and pharmaceutical innovation: a false promise
The UK is facing a pharma exodus. Major pharmaceutical companies have withdrawn about
£2 billion in proposed investment from the country, blaming insufficient government
investment. Central to the dis...
www.thelancet.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:03 PM
"The argument that paying more for medicines leads to more innovation is unfounded." Good editorial in @thelancet.com
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Reposted by Cormac Sheridan
A paper in Nature reports that mRNA vaccines targeting SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, also sensitize tumours to immune checkpoint inhibitors. #medsky 🧪
SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines sensitize tumours to immune checkpoint blockade - Nature
mRNA vaccines targeting SARS-CoV-2 also sensitize tumours to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
go.nature.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:03 PM
A paper in Nature reports that mRNA vaccines targeting SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, also sensitize tumours to immune checkpoint inhibitors. #medsky 🧪
@tcddublin.bsky.social clinical trial shows repeated infusions of #ketamine of no benefit to patients hospitalised with #depression jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Serial Ketamine Infusions for Depression
This randomized clinical trial evaluates outcomes following adjunctive ketamine infusions vs midazolam for depression.
jamanetwork.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:11 AM
@tcddublin.bsky.social clinical trial shows repeated infusions of #ketamine of no benefit to patients hospitalised with #depression jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
@johncreedon.bsky.social John, it's actually a murder of crows - but if there are only two or three it can be downgraded to an attempted murder ;)
October 22, 2025 at 7:24 PM
@johncreedon.bsky.social John, it's actually a murder of crows - but if there are only two or three it can be downgraded to an attempted murder ;)
Reposted by Cormac Sheridan
The upcoming release of the 1926 census records of Ireland will be celebrated across a major public programme of events next year
Centenary celebrations for release of 1926 census
The upcoming release of the 1926 census records of Ireland will be celebrated across a major public programme of events next year.
www.rte.ie
October 22, 2025 at 7:19 PM
The upcoming release of the 1926 census records of Ireland will be celebrated across a major public programme of events next year
Reposted by Cormac Sheridan
Most transcription factors were historically considered undruggable. But some innovative biotechs are changing all that - & big pharma is starting to pay attention (and big bucks). Out now in @natbiotech.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Big pharma seduced by transcription factors again. What has changed? - Nature Biotechnology
Long considered undruggable, transcription factors have finally become fair game for a clutch of innovative biotechs who are combining biological insights with innovative chemistry to bring into play ...
www.nature.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Most transcription factors were historically considered undruggable. But some innovative biotechs are changing all that - & big pharma is starting to pay attention (and big bucks). Out now in @natbiotech.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Cormac Sheridan
MSF strongly condemns the killing of Omar Hayek by Israeli forces this morning in #Gaza. Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues.
Omar is our fourteenth colleague to be killed in Gaza since the war started. We call yet again for an end to the genocide.
Omar is our fourteenth colleague to be killed in Gaza since the war started. We call yet again for an end to the genocide.
October 2, 2025 at 5:35 PM
MSF strongly condemns the killing of Omar Hayek by Israeli forces this morning in #Gaza. Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues.
Omar is our fourteenth colleague to be killed in Gaza since the war started. We call yet again for an end to the genocide.
Omar is our fourteenth colleague to be killed in Gaza since the war started. We call yet again for an end to the genocide.
Reposted by Cormac Sheridan
Today in @nature.com , we highlight how a cousin of CRISPR-Cas10, mCpol, establishes an evolutionary trap in anti-phage immune systems.
Check out @erinedoherty.bsky.social and my work from @doudna-lab.bsky.social lab here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Check out @erinedoherty.bsky.social and my work from @doudna-lab.bsky.social lab here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A miniature CRISPR–Cas10 enzyme confers immunity by inhibitory signalling - Nature
Panoptes, an anti-phage defence system against virus-mediated immune suppression, is revealed.
www.nature.com
October 1, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Today in @nature.com , we highlight how a cousin of CRISPR-Cas10, mCpol, establishes an evolutionary trap in anti-phage immune systems.
Check out @erinedoherty.bsky.social and my work from @doudna-lab.bsky.social lab here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Check out @erinedoherty.bsky.social and my work from @doudna-lab.bsky.social lab here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Cormac Sheridan
Impressive degree of mendacity to try insist on a Tylenol autism link, given its flatly contradicted by better data, like this study of >2 million Danish kids. There's a grim history of false "causes" for autism, a dogwhistle RFK Jr & Trump blowing..
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
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 22, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Impressive degree of mendacity to try insist on a Tylenol autism link, given its flatly contradicted by better data, like this study of >2 million Danish kids. There's a grim history of false "causes" for autism, a dogwhistle RFK Jr & Trump blowing..
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
@johncreedon.bsky.social Delighted to hear Gavin Friday's Angel John An old favourite & arguably the funkiest tune that ever came out of Ireland
September 18, 2025 at 7:40 PM
@johncreedon.bsky.social Delighted to hear Gavin Friday's Angel John An old favourite & arguably the funkiest tune that ever came out of Ireland
Reposted by Cormac Sheridan
The Gaza Famine is the world’s famine. A preventable, predictable famine.
Enough. Ceasefire. Open all crossings, north and south. Let us get food in, unimpeded and at massive scale.
Enough. Ceasefire. Open all crossings, north and south. Let us get food in, unimpeded and at massive scale.
August 22, 2025 at 12:52 PM
The Gaza Famine is the world’s famine. A preventable, predictable famine.
Enough. Ceasefire. Open all crossings, north and south. Let us get food in, unimpeded and at massive scale.
Enough. Ceasefire. Open all crossings, north and south. Let us get food in, unimpeded and at massive scale.
Reposted by Cormac Sheridan
The main thing - is it not already clear - RFKr Jr is uniquely unqualified to lead the HHS.
All main agencies under his watch - NIH, FDA, CMS - are also headed by incompetent contrarian peddlers of disinformation, conspiracy theories, and pseudoscience.
This will, and already does, cost lives.
All main agencies under his watch - NIH, FDA, CMS - are also headed by incompetent contrarian peddlers of disinformation, conspiracy theories, and pseudoscience.
This will, and already does, cost lives.
New: I spent the week looking into the cancelled mRNA contracts. Interviews with HHS officials and MAGA and MAHA influencers reveal an HHS agency plagued by dysfunction as Kennedy chips away at the nation’s public health.
www.msnbc.com/news/news-an...
www.msnbc.com/news/news-an...
How RFK Jr. alienated MAGA, MAHA and the White House in a single week
The botched announcement about mRNA vaccines reveals a health department full of dysfunction and infighting.
www.msnbc.com
August 15, 2025 at 4:07 AM
The main thing - is it not already clear - RFKr Jr is uniquely unqualified to lead the HHS.
All main agencies under his watch - NIH, FDA, CMS - are also headed by incompetent contrarian peddlers of disinformation, conspiracy theories, and pseudoscience.
This will, and already does, cost lives.
All main agencies under his watch - NIH, FDA, CMS - are also headed by incompetent contrarian peddlers of disinformation, conspiracy theories, and pseudoscience.
This will, and already does, cost lives.
Reposted by Cormac Sheridan
August 14, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Reposted by Cormac Sheridan
Grant our little ones a death as beautiful as they are.
“I Grant You Refuge” - Hiba Abu Nada
proteanmag.com/2023/11/03/i...
“I Grant You Refuge” - Hiba Abu Nada
proteanmag.com/2023/11/03/i...
November 5, 2023 at 8:19 PM
Grant our little ones a death as beautiful as they are.
“I Grant You Refuge” - Hiba Abu Nada
proteanmag.com/2023/11/03/i...
“I Grant You Refuge” - Hiba Abu Nada
proteanmag.com/2023/11/03/i...
Reposted by Cormac Sheridan
new out in Nature www.nature.com/articles/s41...
NNMT inhibition in cancer-associated fibroblasts restores antitumour immunity - Nature
An NNMT inhibitor reduces tumour burden and metastasis in multiple mouse cancer models and restores immune checkpoint blockade efficacy by decreasing cancer-associated-fibroblast-mediated recruitment ...
www.nature.com
July 23, 2025 at 5:09 PM
new out in Nature www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Cormac Sheridan
Ivan Sugrue @ucc.ie shares insights in new APC @nature.com - NJP Antimicrobials and Resistance paper: Trans-kingdom conservation of mechanism between bacterial actifensin and eukaryotic defensins. This is an output of the @erc.europa.eu project BACtheWINNER.
#ERC #AMR #microbiome
➡️ bit.ly/3H34mox
#ERC #AMR #microbiome
➡️ bit.ly/3H34mox
July 23, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Ivan Sugrue @ucc.ie shares insights in new APC @nature.com - NJP Antimicrobials and Resistance paper: Trans-kingdom conservation of mechanism between bacterial actifensin and eukaryotic defensins. This is an output of the @erc.europa.eu project BACtheWINNER.
#ERC #AMR #microbiome
➡️ bit.ly/3H34mox
#ERC #AMR #microbiome
➡️ bit.ly/3H34mox
Reposted by Cormac Sheridan
Researchers have been sneaking secret messages into their papers in an effort to trick AI tools into giving them a positive peer-review report
Read the full story: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Read the full story: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
July 15, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Researchers have been sneaking secret messages into their papers in an effort to trick AI tools into giving them a positive peer-review report
Read the full story: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Read the full story: www.nature.com/articles/d41...