Rachel Fairbank
LightNews LightNews
sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
Rachel Fairbank
@sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
830 followers 260 following 470 posts
Science journalist, with bylines in Nature, National Geographic, the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Houston Chronicle. I cover a mixture of health topics, with a focus on conditions such as autism, ADHD, ME/CFS, POTS and Long COVID.
Posts Replies Media Videos
sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
I had a root canal this morning, and all I can think about is how much of a privilege it is to be able to afford dental care.

Teeth should not be considered luxury bones. Teeth issues can cause a huge amount of health problems down the road.
November 21, 2025 at 4:57 PM
sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
At this point, I’m expecting to see a heavily redacted set of files, with DEMOCRATS written on it in Sharpie pen.

thehill.com/homenews/sen...
thehill.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:50 AM
sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” takes the spectrum, bends it and hog-ties it into a bow. These are modest women who behave badly and dress skimpily but also submit to traditional gender roles and repeatedly announce their devotion to their faith.

This article nails it.
Column | ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ is essential viewing. Seriously.
The Hulu reality show about the Mormon wives of TikTok is a perfect distillation of America’s political and cultural moment.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:35 PM
sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
I’ve been feeling better these past few months, and the surest sign that I’m feeling better is I can feel my creativity and motivation starting to come back.

It feels like waking up after years of sleep-walking.
November 17, 2025 at 12:57 AM
sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
I recently read a book about an Inuit woman who was the only survivor of an Arctic expedition, and now I’m obsessed with scurvy, which one of the expedition members died of.

The descriptions of what scurvy is like have me squeezing lemon into my iced tea like I’m about to head off to the Arctic.
Ada Blackjack
From the author of The Ice Master comes the remarkable true story of a young Inuit woman who survived six months alone on a desolate, uninhabited Arctic isla...
www.hachettebookgroup.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:19 PM
sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
There’s a woman on Instagram doing a series on “things I say to my cat that make sound like a creepy old man,” and yup, guilty as charged.
November 15, 2025 at 5:57 PM
sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
I keep wearing a sweatshirt, in the hopes that it will manifest fall weather, but so far, Houston is continuing to Houston.
November 15, 2025 at 5:53 PM
sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
Hearing about Nuzzi succeeding in spite of some huge ethical violations is really fun when you are a journalist who is barely scraping by.
November 14, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Reposted by Rachel Fairbank
evaholland.bsky.social
I will no doubt read and enjoy all your very good Nuzzi jokes, but I also want to say earnestly, so many of us (myself included) are on the verge of being pushed out of this industry and it's genuinely so dispiriting to see the worst among us, ethics-wise, get such preferential treatment.
November 14, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Reposted by Rachel Fairbank
erictopol.bsky.social
GLP-1s are being studied for a wide range of conditions. Now, scientists will test whether their anti-inflammatory properties can help alleviate symptoms of #LongCovid. @wired.com @emilymullin.bsky.social
www.wired.com/story/weight...
Weight-Loss Drug Zepbound Is Being Tested as a Treatment for Long Covid
GLP-1s are being studied for a wide range of conditions. Now, scientists will test whether their anti-inflammatory properties can help alleviate symptoms of long Covid.
www.wired.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:22 PM
sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
My most woke opinion is that not only does everyone deserves a comfortable place to live, good nutritious food to eat, quality healthcare, and a good education, but that we can afford to give everyone this. I will die on this hill.

And I do mean everyone, not just the people who "deserve" it.
taliabhatt.itch.io Talia "Estro Junkies" Bhatt ♀︎♀︎ @taliabhatt.itch.io · 11d
"my least woke opinion is---"

That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.

Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 4:50 PM
sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
Can we have an actual opposition party, rather than just three spineless Schumers in a trenchcoat?
November 9, 2025 at 9:45 PM
sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
“Those mean judges are trying to force me to feed hungry people.”

www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Trump administration tells states to ‘undo’ full SNAP benefits
New guidance from USDA on Saturday informs states to move ahead with partial food stamp payments only given the Supreme Court stay.
www.politico.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Reposted by Rachel Fairbank
exceedhergrasp1.bsky.social
Great work from Rachel Fairbank on the winding story of metformin for #LongCOVID at @thesicktimes.org.

Quotes from @jencurtinmd.bsky.social, Rachel Hall Clifford, @chromatowski.bsky.social, Carolyn Bramante, Ed Mills, Melissa Mazur & myself.

thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...

#MedSky
Metformin has been shown to reduce the risk of Long COVID. Why isn’t it more widely used? - The Sick Times
Recent studies add evidence to a prior phase 3 clinical trial, suggesting that taking the diabetes drug during acute COVID-19 reduces the risk of long-term symptoms.
thesicktimes.org
October 28, 2025 at 6:16 PM
sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
There are a lot of cultures where it’s common to call relatives ‘aunt’ or ‘uncle.’

Why are we being so weird about this?
cnn.com CNN @cnn.com · 27d
In the final days of New York City’s mayoral race, Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani has faced pushback over a story he told about his aunt being afraid to wear her hijab while riding the subway after the September 11, 2001, attacks. https://cnn.it/432IAcr
October 28, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Reposted by Rachel Fairbank
rahallclifford.bsky.social
Happy to be featured on my thoughts on metformin for (long) covid in this great new piece by @sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
Metformin has been shown to reduce the risk of Long COVID. Why isn’t it more widely used? - The Sick Times
Recent studies add evidence to a prior phase 3 clinical trial, suggesting that taking the diabetes drug during acute COVID-19 reduces the risk of long-term symptoms.
thesicktimes.org
October 28, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Reposted by Rachel Fairbank
chromatowski.bsky.social
Thank you so much Rachel Fairbank @sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social for this important piece on the evidence behind metformin for preventing Long Covid. Really hope it helps improve access to this med.
October 28, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Reposted by Rachel Fairbank
mileswgriffis.bsky.social
NEW: A series of studies have shown that the diabetes drug metformin may help reduce the risk of #LongCOVID. So why isn't the information being translated into guidelines for providers?

@sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social reports for @thesicktimes.org!

thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
Metformin has been shown to reduce the risk of Long COVID. Why isn’t it more widely used? - The Sick Times
Recent studies add evidence to a prior phase 3 clinical trial, suggesting that taking the diabetes drug during acute COVID-19 reduces the risk of long-term symptoms.
thesicktimes.org
October 28, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by Rachel Fairbank
betsyladyzhets.bsky.social
Today @thesicktimes.org: Multiple studies suggest taking metformin during acute COVID-19 can help reduce the risk of Long COVID. So why aren't more clinicians prescribing it for that purpose?

Great reporting by @sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social: thesicktimes.org/2025/10/28/m...
Metformin has been shown to reduce the risk of Long COVID. Why isn’t it more widely used? - The Sick Times
Recent studies add evidence to a prior phase 3 clinical trial, suggesting that taking the diabetes drug during acute COVID-19 reduces the risk of long-term symptoms.
thesicktimes.org
October 28, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Reposted by Rachel Fairbank
phillyphile215.bsky.social
I’ve taken metformin for LC for 2 yrs; it was the only thing my GP would prescribe from a list of possible research-backed treatments. I also took an increased dose for a recent reinfection; no baseline decrease. Thanks to @sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social @thesicktimes.org for a great piece! 👏👏👏
October 28, 2025 at 5:34 PM
sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
Bezos thinks The Expanse is aspirational, rather than a cautionary tale of what happens when billionaires colonize space.

tech.yahoo.com/science/arti...
Jeff Bezos Says He Doesn't Understand Why Anybody Alive Now Would Be 'Discouraged'—Because Soon, 'Millions Of People Will Be Living In Space'
Jeff Bezos says the future is so bright, he "doesn't see how anybody can be discouraged who is alive right now." Speaking at Italian Tech Week 2025 earlier this month with Ferrari and Stellantis chair...
tech.yahoo.com
October 25, 2025 at 1:40 AM
sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
I’m headed to a Halloween party at the Children’s Museum with my son, and my costume is quite on the nose.
A woman dressed in overalls, a pink shirt, and a pink bandana waves at the camera.
October 24, 2025 at 10:09 PM
sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
I've been doing some historical research lately, and came across this old profile of my family from 1979, which was six years before I was born.

My mother was basically the OG tradwife, except without money, and boy, did my parents make it sound a lot more idyllic than it actually was.
Article published in the Ithaca Journal on October 31, 1979. Two photos, one of a 13-year-old boy chopping wood, the other of a 6-year old boy feeding chickens. Article text reads: A family making do, and happily By HELEN MUNDELL Senior Editor When Ithaca Gun Co. closed its plant last December, Elmer Fairbank, his wife, Ellen, their four boys tightened their belts and "lived out of storage" until the gun company reopened six months later. Surviving without going into debt was possible because the Fairbanks, as Mormons, follow the church teaching of having a year's supply of emergency food on hand. They grow most of their own vegetables and can or freeze them for winter. They also have a cow, three milking goats and a flock of 100 chickens. They also have a year's supply of wood on hand for their heating stove. Stored in their attic are enough of four basic staples to feed the family for a year - approximately 1,800 pounds of wheat, 600 pounds of sugar and honey, 30 pounds of salt, and some powdered nonfat dry milk. The wheat is stored in 55-gallon sealed barrels, which are dated so the oldest gets used first. Ellen has a wheat grinder, which her father-in-law built, and grinds her own whole wheat flour, as needed. "Flour has a lot more vitamins, if you grind it fresh," she said, "but grinding is slow and noisy. She turned on the machine, which growled in protest, a mini version of the noise a flour mill makes when working. Ellen makes whole wheat bread from the fresh-ground flour, adding honey, milk, eggs, salt and yeast. "I have all the ingredients for that loaf of bread right here, always,” she said, and the bread "has everything you need in it." She bakes bread about three times a week, four loaves at a time, as needed. She also makes butter, from the excess milk and cream, a cheese "which tastes like gouda cheese," and a ricotta cheese for lasagna, which is a family favorite. In addition to buying foods for storage in bulk, Ellen also buys peanu…
October 24, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Reposted by Rachel Fairbank
shiplives.bsky.social
One out of every 8 people in the U.S. receives support from the federal hunger relief program called SNAP. (Former known as "food stamps.")

That's more than 41 million people.

SNAP funding expires in November due to the shutdown.

People you know *will* be affected.

www.cbpp.org/research/foo...
A Closer Look at Who Benefits from SNAP: State-by-State Fact Sheets
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) is the nation’s most important anti-hunger program, reaching some 41 million people nationwide in 2024. These...
www.cbpp.org
October 22, 2025 at 1:37 PM
sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social
I had to meet with my son’s teachers and apparently the key to a teacher’s heart is bringing kolaches. Instant mood-lifter for everyone in the room.
October 16, 2025 at 7:53 PM