Hilda Bastian
@hildabast.bsky.social
Scientist (PhD she/her), writer, cartoonist. 🦘 Blogging & Newsletter: Living With Evidence https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/ Mastodon enthusiast: @[email protected]
Pinned
Hilda Bastian
@hildabast.bsky.social
· Sep 21
Wikipedia Is Vital: Channeling Energy Into Micro-Edits Is a Win-Win-Win - Absolutely Maybe
Wikipedia is, “without exaggeration, the digital world’s factual foundation,” wrote Josh Dzieza recently. It’s a target because of that, squarely in the…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
Want to be able to start micro-editing on Wikipedia in a few minutes – and know why you could be very glad you did? Then my new post @plos.org is just what you need!
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/21/w...
#Wikipedia
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/21/w...
#Wikipedia
November 15, 2025 at 5:31 AM
A Bumper Month for Covid Vaccines and More
It's been an eventful few weeks for Covid vaccines – mostly good, some very bad. Let's start with the good news. Novavax has transferred marketing of its protein subunit Covid vaccine in the EU and US to a major pharmaceutical company, Sanofi. Here's…
It's been an eventful few weeks for Covid vaccines – mostly good, some very bad. Let's start with the good news. Novavax has transferred marketing of its protein subunit Covid vaccine in the EU and US to a major pharmaceutical company, Sanofi. Here's…
A Bumper Month for Covid Vaccines and More
It's been an eventful few weeks for Covid vaccines – mostly good, some very bad. Let's start with the good news. Novavax has transferred marketing of its protein subunit Covid vaccine in the EU and US to a major pharmaceutical company, Sanofi. Here's hoping that leads to wider availability and economies of scale. Sanofi will also be able to use Novavax's patented adjuvant in new vaccines.
hildabastian.wordpress.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:38 AM
A Bumper Month for Covid Vaccines and More
It's been an eventful few weeks for Covid vaccines – mostly good, some very bad. Let's start with the good news. Novavax has transferred marketing of its protein subunit Covid vaccine in the EU and US to a major pharmaceutical company, Sanofi. Here's…
It's been an eventful few weeks for Covid vaccines – mostly good, some very bad. Let's start with the good news. Novavax has transferred marketing of its protein subunit Covid vaccine in the EU and US to a major pharmaceutical company, Sanofi. Here's…
Arcturus not applying for FDA approval of self-amplifying mRNA Covid vax because of "sudden changes in regulatory requirements by the FDA for COVID-19 vaccines." ir.arcturusrx.com/news-release...
It's already approved in Japan & Europe. My explainer on samRNA absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/12/31/s...
It's already approved in Japan & Europe. My explainer on samRNA absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/12/31/s...
Arcturus Therapeutics Announces Third Quarter 2025 Financial Update and Pipeline Progress | Arcturus Therapeutics, Inc.
Encouraging CF interim Phase 2 data support continued and expanded trial design 12-week safety and preliminary efficacy study in up to 20 CF participants planned to start H1 2026 Additional cost reduc...
ir.arcturusrx.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Arcturus not applying for FDA approval of self-amplifying mRNA Covid vax because of "sudden changes in regulatory requirements by the FDA for COVID-19 vaccines." ir.arcturusrx.com/news-release...
It's already approved in Japan & Europe. My explainer on samRNA absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/12/31/s...
It's already approved in Japan & Europe. My explainer on samRNA absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/12/31/s...
Reposted by Hilda Bastian
My latest update on nextgen Covid vaccines is a whopper, in part thanks to catching up with a new vax tracker:
- Trial results for 2 vaxes
- 3 new clinical trials
- 26 preclinical reports
Highlights follow....1/2
Now @plos.org: absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/06/a...
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
- Trial results for 2 vaxes
- 3 new clinical trials
- 26 preclinical reports
Highlights follow....1/2
Now @plos.org: absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/06/a...
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
A Bumper Update on Next Generation Covid Vaccines (No 34) - Absolutely Maybe
This was always going to be a big month, with results from clinical trials of 2 vaccines, as well as 3 new…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
November 6, 2025 at 10:52 PM
My latest update on nextgen Covid vaccines is a whopper, in part thanks to catching up with a new vax tracker:
- Trial results for 2 vaxes
- 3 new clinical trials
- 26 preclinical reports
Highlights follow....1/2
Now @plos.org: absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/06/a...
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
- Trial results for 2 vaxes
- 3 new clinical trials
- 26 preclinical reports
Highlights follow....1/2
Now @plos.org: absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/06/a...
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
My latest update on nextgen Covid vaccines is a whopper, in part thanks to catching up with a new vax tracker:
- Trial results for 2 vaxes
- 3 new clinical trials
- 26 preclinical reports
Highlights follow....1/2
Now @plos.org: absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/06/a...
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
- Trial results for 2 vaxes
- 3 new clinical trials
- 26 preclinical reports
Highlights follow....1/2
Now @plos.org: absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/06/a...
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
A Bumper Update on Next Generation Covid Vaccines (No 34) - Absolutely Maybe
This was always going to be a big month, with results from clinical trials of 2 vaccines, as well as 3 new…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
November 6, 2025 at 10:52 PM
My latest update on nextgen Covid vaccines is a whopper, in part thanks to catching up with a new vax tracker:
- Trial results for 2 vaxes
- 3 new clinical trials
- 26 preclinical reports
Highlights follow....1/2
Now @plos.org: absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/06/a...
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
- Trial results for 2 vaxes
- 3 new clinical trials
- 26 preclinical reports
Highlights follow....1/2
Now @plos.org: absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/06/a...
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
Oh my! I didn't realize the Australian CDC already has a website: cdc.gov.au 🎉
It's technically the interim CDC, as it's only due in January 2026 (if all goes to plan).
www.cdc.gov.au/about/about-...
It's technically the interim CDC, as it's only due in January 2026 (if all goes to plan).
www.cdc.gov.au/about/about-...
November 5, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Oh my! I didn't realize the Australian CDC already has a website: cdc.gov.au 🎉
It's technically the interim CDC, as it's only due in January 2026 (if all goes to plan).
www.cdc.gov.au/about/about-...
It's technically the interim CDC, as it's only due in January 2026 (if all goes to plan).
www.cdc.gov.au/about/about-...
PubMed had some disruption in adding records this week, apparently recovering on Wednesday with over 9,800 records in one day. But if you have a Plan B for critical searches, maybe start using it... 1/2
Chart data: New daily records 2024/25. Some dip on weekends is normal. bit.ly/42MfAFM
#MedLibs
Chart data: New daily records 2024/25. Some dip on weekends is normal. bit.ly/42MfAFM
#MedLibs
October 31, 2025 at 4:24 AM
PubMed had some disruption in adding records this week, apparently recovering on Wednesday with over 9,800 records in one day. But if you have a Plan B for critical searches, maybe start using it... 1/2
Chart data: New daily records 2024/25. Some dip on weekends is normal. bit.ly/42MfAFM
#MedLibs
Chart data: New daily records 2024/25. Some dip on weekends is normal. bit.ly/42MfAFM
#MedLibs
Reposted by Hilda Bastian
Always worth reading @hildabast.bsky.social
This time on a possible @bsky.app to Mastodon migration
Network effects
Fediverse
The Academic addiction to @altmetric.bsky.social
Much more thoughtful discussion
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/10/30/a...
#AcademicSky
This time on a possible @bsky.app to Mastodon migration
Network effects
Fediverse
The Academic addiction to @altmetric.bsky.social
Much more thoughtful discussion
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/10/30/a...
#AcademicSky
A Mastodon Migration From Bluesky Would Be Different - Absolutely Maybe
The Mastodon migration from Twitter in 2022 was massive for the non-commercial community network: The number of accounts swelled with more than…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
October 30, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Always worth reading @hildabast.bsky.social
This time on a possible @bsky.app to Mastodon migration
Network effects
Fediverse
The Academic addiction to @altmetric.bsky.social
Much more thoughtful discussion
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/10/30/a...
#AcademicSky
This time on a possible @bsky.app to Mastodon migration
Network effects
Fediverse
The Academic addiction to @altmetric.bsky.social
Much more thoughtful discussion
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/10/30/a...
#AcademicSky
Following the recent ominous Bluesky controversies got me thinking about how a Bluesky exodus would play out. So I dug into the studies of the 2022 Mastodon migration from Twitter: I found 14 studies.
Here's my new post @plos.org
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/10/30/a...
#Mastodon #Fediverse
Here's my new post @plos.org
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/10/30/a...
#Mastodon #Fediverse
A Mastodon Migration From Bluesky Would Be Different - Absolutely Maybe
The Mastodon migration from Twitter in 2022 was massive for the non-commercial community network: The number of accounts swelled with more than…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
October 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Following the recent ominous Bluesky controversies got me thinking about how a Bluesky exodus would play out. So I dug into the studies of the 2022 Mastodon migration from Twitter: I found 14 studies.
Here's my new post @plos.org
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/10/30/a...
#Mastodon #Fediverse
Here's my new post @plos.org
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/10/30/a...
#Mastodon #Fediverse
LinkedIn's default permission for using your data for AI kicks in on November 3. Here's where to switch it off on your account:
> Settings & Privacy → Data privacy → Data for Generative AI Improvement
tuta.com/blog/linkedi...
> Settings & Privacy → Data privacy → Data for Generative AI Improvement
tuta.com/blog/linkedi...
Act until Nov 3rd to stop LinkedIn from abusing your data to train AI! | Tuta
Soon your data like your resumes and profile information will be used to train LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Co.'s artificial intelligence. And no, you didn’t opt-in. Take action and stop this now.
tuta.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:21 PM
LinkedIn's default permission for using your data for AI kicks in on November 3. Here's where to switch it off on your account:
> Settings & Privacy → Data privacy → Data for Generative AI Improvement
tuta.com/blog/linkedi...
> Settings & Privacy → Data privacy → Data for Generative AI Improvement
tuta.com/blog/linkedi...
First rose of the season! 😍
It's a deeply perfumed hybrid tea rose. Bliss!
(It's the Elle rose from Meilland.)
#BloomScrolling
It's a deeply perfumed hybrid tea rose. Bliss!
(It's the Elle rose from Meilland.)
#BloomScrolling
October 20, 2025 at 10:35 PM
First rose of the season! 😍
It's a deeply perfumed hybrid tea rose. Bliss!
(It's the Elle rose from Meilland.)
#BloomScrolling
It's a deeply perfumed hybrid tea rose. Bliss!
(It's the Elle rose from Meilland.)
#BloomScrolling
Well, that's one good thing! PubMed still tracking as usual.
New records each day this year during shutdown compared to last year. (Dips for weekends.)
Data for chart: bit.ly/42MfAFM
Background including data source: hildabastian.wordpress.com/2025/10/10/t...
New records each day this year during shutdown compared to last year. (Dips for weekends.)
Data for chart: bit.ly/42MfAFM
Background including data source: hildabastian.wordpress.com/2025/10/10/t...
October 17, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Well, that's one good thing! PubMed still tracking as usual.
New records each day this year during shutdown compared to last year. (Dips for weekends.)
Data for chart: bit.ly/42MfAFM
Background including data source: hildabastian.wordpress.com/2025/10/10/t...
New records each day this year during shutdown compared to last year. (Dips for weekends.)
Data for chart: bit.ly/42MfAFM
Background including data source: hildabastian.wordpress.com/2025/10/10/t...
"I'm NOT cynical."
Stella Marrs, Riot Grrl.
Stella Marrs, Riot Grrl.
October 16, 2025 at 12:14 AM
"I'm NOT cynical."
Stella Marrs, Riot Grrl.
Stella Marrs, Riot Grrl.
Just back from ...um... Hammerbarn, I guess. 🤣
Australia is Bluey's world now, we're just living in it. 💙
Australia is Bluey's world now, we're just living in it. 💙
October 13, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Just back from ...um... Hammerbarn, I guess. 🤣
Australia is Bluey's world now, we're just living in it. 💙
Australia is Bluey's world now, we're just living in it. 💙
Tracking Shutdown Impact and Changes at PubMed
There's been some panic about PubMed again, since a notice on the website warned it could be out of date because of the US government shutdown. Shutdown is dreadful, in so many ways. But that notice doesn't mean PubMed has been de-funded, or that it's…
There's been some panic about PubMed again, since a notice on the website warned it could be out of date because of the US government shutdown. Shutdown is dreadful, in so many ways. But that notice doesn't mean PubMed has been de-funded, or that it's…
Tracking Shutdown Impact and Changes at PubMed
There's been some panic about PubMed again, since a notice on the website warned it could be out of date because of the US government shutdown. Shutdown is dreadful, in so many ways. But that notice doesn't mean PubMed has been de-funded, or that it's not being maintained. The notice is the same as the one displayed during a shutdown in 2018.
hildabastian.wordpress.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Tracking Shutdown Impact and Changes at PubMed
There's been some panic about PubMed again, since a notice on the website warned it could be out of date because of the US government shutdown. Shutdown is dreadful, in so many ways. But that notice doesn't mean PubMed has been de-funded, or that it's…
There's been some panic about PubMed again, since a notice on the website warned it could be out of date because of the US government shutdown. Shutdown is dreadful, in so many ways. But that notice doesn't mean PubMed has been de-funded, or that it's…
October 8, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Reposted by Hilda Bastian
Thread of things I'm learning as I read The Discovery of Insulin by Michael Bliss
October 5, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Thread of things I'm learning as I read The Discovery of Insulin by Michael Bliss
October 3, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Reposted by Hilda Bastian
A big month for progress on mucosal Covid vaccines!
- A 35th mucosal vax in clinical trial
- Encouraging preclinical results for intranasal self-amplifying mRNA vax from Spain
Nextgen Covid vax update @plos.org absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/30/t...
....1/2
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
- A 35th mucosal vax in clinical trial
- Encouraging preclinical results for intranasal self-amplifying mRNA vax from Spain
Nextgen Covid vax update @plos.org absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/30/t...
....1/2
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
A Big Month for Progress on Mucosal Covid Vaccination (NextGen Vax Update 33) - Absolutely Maybe
It was a bumper month for mucosal Covid vaccines. There were some phase 1 results for an intranasal vaccine from China: It’s…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
October 1, 2025 at 7:20 AM
A big month for progress on mucosal Covid vaccines!
- A 35th mucosal vax in clinical trial
- Encouraging preclinical results for intranasal self-amplifying mRNA vax from Spain
Nextgen Covid vax update @plos.org absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/30/t...
....1/2
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
- A 35th mucosal vax in clinical trial
- Encouraging preclinical results for intranasal self-amplifying mRNA vax from Spain
Nextgen Covid vax update @plos.org absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/30/t...
....1/2
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
A big month for progress on mucosal Covid vaccines!
- A 35th mucosal vax in clinical trial
- Encouraging preclinical results for intranasal self-amplifying mRNA vax from Spain
Nextgen Covid vax update @plos.org absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/30/t...
....1/2
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
- A 35th mucosal vax in clinical trial
- Encouraging preclinical results for intranasal self-amplifying mRNA vax from Spain
Nextgen Covid vax update @plos.org absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/30/t...
....1/2
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
A Big Month for Progress on Mucosal Covid Vaccination (NextGen Vax Update 33) - Absolutely Maybe
It was a bumper month for mucosal Covid vaccines. There were some phase 1 results for an intranasal vaccine from China: It’s…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
October 1, 2025 at 7:20 AM
A big month for progress on mucosal Covid vaccines!
- A 35th mucosal vax in clinical trial
- Encouraging preclinical results for intranasal self-amplifying mRNA vax from Spain
Nextgen Covid vax update @plos.org absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/30/t...
....1/2
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
- A 35th mucosal vax in clinical trial
- Encouraging preclinical results for intranasal self-amplifying mRNA vax from Spain
Nextgen Covid vax update @plos.org absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/30/t...
....1/2
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
Hard to compete with the glorious elegance of tulips in spring, but hoo boy, the fragrance and lasting power of freesias are overtaking them now! 😍
#BloomScrolling
#BloomScrolling
September 25, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Hard to compete with the glorious elegance of tulips in spring, but hoo boy, the fragrance and lasting power of freesias are overtaking them now! 😍
#BloomScrolling
#BloomScrolling
Reposted by Hilda Bastian
Time spent scritching animals is not deducted from your lifespan
September 24, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Time spent scritching animals is not deducted from your lifespan
Reposted by Hilda Bastian
Editing Wikipedia can be as simple as correcting a comma — these little edits all add up and contribute to openly accessible information.
Check out this great intro to 'micro-editing' ⬇️
Check out this great intro to 'micro-editing' ⬇️
Want to be able to start micro-editing on Wikipedia in a few minutes – and know why you could be very glad you did? Then my new post @plos.org is just what you need!
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/21/w...
#Wikipedia
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/21/w...
#Wikipedia
Wikipedia Is Vital: Channeling Energy Into Micro-Edits Is a Win-Win-Win - Absolutely Maybe
Wikipedia is, “without exaggeration, the digital world’s factual foundation,” wrote Josh Dzieza recently. It’s a target because of that, squarely in the…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
September 21, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Editing Wikipedia can be as simple as correcting a comma — these little edits all add up and contribute to openly accessible information.
Check out this great intro to 'micro-editing' ⬇️
Check out this great intro to 'micro-editing' ⬇️
Reposted by Hilda Bastian
Want to be able to start micro-editing on Wikipedia in a few minutes – and know why you could be very glad you did? Then my new post @plos.org is just what you need!
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/21/w...
#Wikipedia
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/21/w...
#Wikipedia
Wikipedia Is Vital: Channeling Energy Into Micro-Edits Is a Win-Win-Win - Absolutely Maybe
Wikipedia is, “without exaggeration, the digital world’s factual foundation,” wrote Josh Dzieza recently. It’s a target because of that, squarely in the…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
September 21, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Want to be able to start micro-editing on Wikipedia in a few minutes – and know why you could be very glad you did? Then my new post @plos.org is just what you need!
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/21/w...
#Wikipedia
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/21/w...
#Wikipedia
Want to be able to start micro-editing on Wikipedia in a few minutes – and know why you could be very glad you did? Then my new post @plos.org is just what you need!
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/21/w...
#Wikipedia
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/21/w...
#Wikipedia
Wikipedia Is Vital: Channeling Energy Into Micro-Edits Is a Win-Win-Win - Absolutely Maybe
Wikipedia is, “without exaggeration, the digital world’s factual foundation,” wrote Josh Dzieza recently. It’s a target because of that, squarely in the…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
September 21, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Want to be able to start micro-editing on Wikipedia in a few minutes – and know why you could be very glad you did? Then my new post @plos.org is just what you need!
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/21/w...
#Wikipedia
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/21/w...
#Wikipedia