Tamar Haspel
@tamarhaspel.bsky.social
James Beard winning WaPo columnist writing about food & science, author of TO BOLDLY GROW, gentleman oyster farmer.
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
We’re looking for a news reporter interested in writing about weather science and weather history for a social platform. This is a really great team and you should join us careers.wbd.com/global/en/jo...
News Reporter, CNN Weather in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America | Creative, Content & Editorial at CNN
Apply for News Reporter, CNN Weather job with CNN
careers.wbd.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:53 PM
We’re looking for a news reporter interested in writing about weather science and weather history for a social platform. This is a really great team and you should join us careers.wbd.com/global/en/jo...
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
U of C doctor says study shows for-profit diagnostic screening will lead to unintended problems calgaryherald.com/news/local-n... w @bradenmannsyyc.bsky.social
"Blindly increasing access to medical tests will lead to wasted resources, higher anxiety ... the creation of a two-tiered system"
"Blindly increasing access to medical tests will lead to wasted resources, higher anxiety ... the creation of a two-tiered system"
U of C doctor says study shows for-profit diagnostic screening will lead to unintended problems
"We're going to prey on people's anxieties," says doctor who studied increased cardiac imaging in Alberta in the late 1990s.
calgaryherald.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:23 PM
U of C doctor says study shows for-profit diagnostic screening will lead to unintended problems calgaryherald.com/news/local-n... w @bradenmannsyyc.bsky.social
"Blindly increasing access to medical tests will lead to wasted resources, higher anxiety ... the creation of a two-tiered system"
"Blindly increasing access to medical tests will lead to wasted resources, higher anxiety ... the creation of a two-tiered system"
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
This is a really important new project on science funding.
Applications are now open! forms.gle/jWgWc5eZJncK...
Are you science faculty or a science teacher? We’re seeking reviewers for our review process in Dec or Jan: science-foundation.org/what-ifs-202...
Are you science faculty or a science teacher? We’re seeking reviewers for our review process in Dec or Jan: science-foundation.org/what-ifs-202...
November 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM
This is a really important new project on science funding.
Health-conscious consumer suing Cape Cod Potato Chips for using ... drumroll please ... synthetic citric acid, although the label says "all natural."
Live by the sword ...
www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/...
Live by the sword ...
www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/...
Cape Cod chips falsely claim to have "no artificial" ingredients, class action lawsuit alleges
Cape Cod Potato Chips are the subject of a class action lawsuit that takes issue with a claim on the brand's packaging.
www.cbsnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Health-conscious consumer suing Cape Cod Potato Chips for using ... drumroll please ... synthetic citric acid, although the label says "all natural."
Live by the sword ...
www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/...
Live by the sword ...
www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/...
I just started TIGERS BETWEEN EMPIRES and I'm looking forward to a whole book of interesting stuff like this.
If Slaght is new to you, start with OWLS OF THE EASTERN ICE, a fascinating, page-turning book about, obviously, owls.
If Slaght is new to you, start with OWLS OF THE EASTERN ICE, a fascinating, page-turning book about, obviously, owls.
A short 🧵: one astounding thing I learned while researching TIGERS BETWEEN EMPIRES was the existence of the Willow Palisade, a 700-km wall made of interlocking trees, an extension of the Great Wall planted in NE China in the 17th century. This map shows approx. Amur tiger range in 1850. 1/9
November 14, 2025 at 3:19 PM
I just started TIGERS BETWEEN EMPIRES and I'm looking forward to a whole book of interesting stuff like this.
If Slaght is new to you, start with OWLS OF THE EASTERN ICE, a fascinating, page-turning book about, obviously, owls.
If Slaght is new to you, start with OWLS OF THE EASTERN ICE, a fascinating, page-turning book about, obviously, owls.
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
So @jamesheathers.bsky.social & I answer the burning question: does Cake cause Herpes? No, but one can torture the data to give that impression, and that's a problem. Promiscuous dichotomisation in biomedical science hugely increases spurious findings, best avoided
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
November 13, 2025 at 12:42 PM
So @jamesheathers.bsky.social & I answer the burning question: does Cake cause Herpes? No, but one can torture the data to give that impression, and that's a problem. Promiscuous dichotomisation in biomedical science hugely increases spurious findings, best avoided
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
I’ve been in Toronto at the #astmh meeting these past few days and last night some very good news was presented here: A new malaria drug has proven efficacious in a large trial and could soon be approved.🧪
My story in @science.org (and 🧵on why it's important to come):
www.science.org/content/arti...
My story in @science.org (and 🧵on why it's important to come):
www.science.org/content/arti...
‘A sigh of relief’: New malaria drug succeeds in large clinical trial
As existing drugs falter because of resistance, the world gets a backup—but hard choices loom on how to use it
www.science.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:27 PM
I’ve been in Toronto at the #astmh meeting these past few days and last night some very good news was presented here: A new malaria drug has proven efficacious in a large trial and could soon be approved.🧪
My story in @science.org (and 🧵on why it's important to come):
www.science.org/content/arti...
My story in @science.org (and 🧵on why it's important to come):
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
This is a great opportunity to work with our founder, @maxroser.bsky.social, and colleagues at Oxford — and the data produced by the project will be hosted on Our World in Data.
We’re recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher to join a new Oxford Martin programme led by renowned innovation scholars: Prof @maxroser.bsky.social, Prof @doynefarmer.bsky.social & Dr @francoislafond.bsky.social.
Help shape global insights into how technologies evolve.
Link in thread ⬇️
Help shape global insights into how technologies evolve.
Link in thread ⬇️
November 12, 2025 at 5:26 PM
This is a great opportunity to work with our founder, @maxroser.bsky.social, and colleagues at Oxford — and the data produced by the project will be hosted on Our World in Data.
When someone says "poppyseed" I automatically think "bagel," not "covert weapon to undermine heroin trafficking" but there you go.
Exclusive: The CIA conducted a classified program to manipulate Afghanistan’s lucrative poppy crop, blanketing fields with modified seeds that germinated plants containing almost none of the chemicals that are refined into heroin, The Post learned.
Inside the CIA’s secret mission to sabotage Afghanistan’s opium
In a decade-long secret operation, the CIA modified poppy seeds and dropped them by the billions from aircraft over Afghanistan in an attempt to weaken the potency of the country’s opium crop.
wapo.st
November 12, 2025 at 4:11 PM
When someone says "poppyseed" I automatically think "bagel," not "covert weapon to undermine heroin trafficking" but there you go.
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
Shameless plug:
For a year, I've been working on a series about the vast systems that underlie life in most of the world. Built up over generations, these systems are the cathedrals of our time--but all too few of us know anything about them, and they're all at risk of failing. Here's the latest:
For a year, I've been working on a series about the vast systems that underlie life in most of the world. Built up over generations, these systems are the cathedrals of our time--but all too few of us know anything about them, and they're all at risk of failing. Here's the latest:
Two Hundred Years to Flatten the Curve
How generations of meddlesome public health campaigns changed everyday life — and made life twice as long as it used to be
www.thenewatlantis.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Shameless plug:
For a year, I've been working on a series about the vast systems that underlie life in most of the world. Built up over generations, these systems are the cathedrals of our time--but all too few of us know anything about them, and they're all at risk of failing. Here's the latest:
For a year, I've been working on a series about the vast systems that underlie life in most of the world. Built up over generations, these systems are the cathedrals of our time--but all too few of us know anything about them, and they're all at risk of failing. Here's the latest:
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
The Applied Exercise Science at the Univ Michigan has launched two searches for tenure-line (open-rank) and clinical (asst/assoc prof) faculty colleagues with expertise in the Social and Behavioral Sciences of Physical Activity.
November 12, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The Applied Exercise Science at the Univ Michigan has launched two searches for tenure-line (open-rank) and clinical (asst/assoc prof) faculty colleagues with expertise in the Social and Behavioral Sciences of Physical Activity.
GLP-1 in a pill shows up to 11% weight loss in 72 weeks.
Not as good as best results from injections (some trials show over 20%), but excellent compared to other drugs and WAY better than diets.
Not as good as best results from injections (some trials show over 20%), but excellent compared to other drugs and WAY better than diets.
In the ATTAIN-1 phase 3, randomized trial, the use of orforglipron, an oral glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, led to significant mean body-weight reductions in patients with #obesity, as compared with placebo. Full trial results and Research Summary: nej.md/4n1nSl2
#MedSky #EndoSky
#MedSky #EndoSky
November 11, 2025 at 10:32 PM
GLP-1 in a pill shows up to 11% weight loss in 72 weeks.
Not as good as best results from injections (some trials show over 20%), but excellent compared to other drugs and WAY better than diets.
Not as good as best results from injections (some trials show over 20%), but excellent compared to other drugs and WAY better than diets.
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
Glad to see more test-to-treat dosing trials happening for nutrients. Single dose vs placebo paradigms with no consideration of baseline and achieved levels have resulted in largely null but nearly uninterpretable results.
newsroom.heart.org/news/heart-a...
newsroom.heart.org/news/heart-a...
Heart attack risk halved in adults with heart disease taking tailored vitamin D doses
Research Highlights: Adults with heart disease prescribed vitamin D in doses tailored to reach blood levels considered optimal for heart health (>40-80 ng/mL) had a reduced risk of heart attack by mor...
newsroom.heart.org
November 11, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Glad to see more test-to-treat dosing trials happening for nutrients. Single dose vs placebo paradigms with no consideration of baseline and achieved levels have resulted in largely null but nearly uninterpretable results.
newsroom.heart.org/news/heart-a...
newsroom.heart.org/news/heart-a...
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
The FDA warned today that the number of infants hospitalized due to botulism contamination of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Formula is up to 15. There is a complete recall on this formula. Every baby reported sick ended up in the hospital because - no surprise here - botulism is bad news. Still...1/4
Outbreak Investigation of Infant Botulism: Infant Formula
Do not use recalled ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. FDA’s Investigation is ongoing.
www.fda.gov
November 11, 2025 at 4:43 PM
The FDA warned today that the number of infants hospitalized due to botulism contamination of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Formula is up to 15. There is a complete recall on this formula. Every baby reported sick ended up in the hospital because - no surprise here - botulism is bad news. Still...1/4
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
Hi Tamar! Good point—per mile is also useful to look at and probably gives the cleanest look at "risk while traveling" (with per capita more "societal burden"). There's some data available showing deaths per km—but only for OECD, so we can't get as broad a look globally, and it shows similar trends
Road accident deaths per billion passenger kilometers
Number of deaths due to road accidents per billion passenger kilometers traveled on the road.
ourworldindata.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Hi Tamar! Good point—per mile is also useful to look at and probably gives the cleanest look at "risk while traveling" (with per capita more "societal burden"). There's some data available showing deaths per km—but only for OECD, so we can't get as broad a look globally, and it shows similar trends
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
What to Eat Now. Today is publication day!
Today marks the official publication of my new book, What to Eat Now! All 703 pages of it! Order it---ISBN 9780374608699---from Amazon Barnes & Noble Books-a-Million Bookshop Powells Target It's a thoroughly revised version of What to…
Today marks the official publication of my new book, What to Eat Now! All 703 pages of it! Order it---ISBN 9780374608699---from Amazon Barnes & Noble Books-a-Million Bookshop Powells Target It's a thoroughly revised version of What to…
What to Eat Now. Today is publication day!
Today marks the official publication of my new book, What to Eat Now! All 703 pages of it! Order it---ISBN 9780374608699---from Amazon Barnes & Noble Books-a-Million Bookshop Powells Target It's a thoroughly revised version of What to Eat, published in 2006. A lot has changed, much more than I imagined when I set out to do this. I thought it would be a six-month project, but it's now four years later.
www.foodpolitics.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
What to Eat Now. Today is publication day!
Today marks the official publication of my new book, What to Eat Now! All 703 pages of it! Order it---ISBN 9780374608699---from Amazon Barnes & Noble Books-a-Million Bookshop Powells Target It's a thoroughly revised version of What to…
Today marks the official publication of my new book, What to Eat Now! All 703 pages of it! Order it---ISBN 9780374608699---from Amazon Barnes & Noble Books-a-Million Bookshop Powells Target It's a thoroughly revised version of What to…
I love the look! It could catch on.
November 11, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I love the look! It could catch on.
This is crazy!
The data from the study show patterns that make it nearly impossible for it to be legit.
But we can learn a lot from the tone of the comments. "We have concerns about [x], please clarify."
Out in the wild, this would be THESE IDIOTS FAKED THEIR STUDY!!
The data from the study show patterns that make it nearly impossible for it to be legit.
But we can learn a lot from the tone of the comments. "We have concerns about [x], please clarify."
Out in the wild, this would be THESE IDIOTS FAKED THEIR STUDY!!
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 2:33 PM
This is crazy!
The data from the study show patterns that make it nearly impossible for it to be legit.
But we can learn a lot from the tone of the comments. "We have concerns about [x], please clarify."
Out in the wild, this would be THESE IDIOTS FAKED THEIR STUDY!!
The data from the study show patterns that make it nearly impossible for it to be legit.
But we can learn a lot from the tone of the comments. "We have concerns about [x], please clarify."
Out in the wild, this would be THESE IDIOTS FAKED THEIR STUDY!!
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
We know that ultra-processed foods are bad but we don’t know which foods are the ultra-processed ones seems like an unsound method.
The evidence that ultra-processed foods are bad for us is piling up. But efforts to reduce their role in our diets face a big hurdle: experts can't agree on what they are and which to target. n.pr/4qMrN7P
People want to avoid ultra-processed foods. But experts struggle to define them
The evidence that ultra-processed foods are bad for us is piling up. But efforts to reduce their role in our diets face a big hurdle: experts can't agree on what they are and which to target.
n.pr
November 11, 2025 at 12:53 PM
We know that ultra-processed foods are bad but we don’t know which foods are the ultra-processed ones seems like an unsound method.
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
"Schrödinger's causal inference" (n):
The practice of making causal claims or interpretations within a scientific article - typically in the title, abstract, implications, or conclusion - while simultaneously warning that the study design is unsuitable for causal inference.
The practice of making causal claims or interpretations within a scientific article - typically in the title, abstract, implications, or conclusion - while simultaneously warning that the study design is unsuitable for causal inference.
November 11, 2025 at 11:36 AM
"Schrödinger's causal inference" (n):
The practice of making causal claims or interpretations within a scientific article - typically in the title, abstract, implications, or conclusion - while simultaneously warning that the study design is unsuitable for causal inference.
The practice of making causal claims or interpretations within a scientific article - typically in the title, abstract, implications, or conclusion - while simultaneously warning that the study design is unsuitable for causal inference.
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
The Economist’s Britain section is looking for a new political correspondent. We prize independent thought, a spirit of inquiry and initiative, and for this role in particular: gutsiness. Apply by November 17th
The Economist is hiring a Britain political correspondent
Join The Economist’s Britain team
econ.st
November 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM
The Economist’s Britain section is looking for a new political correspondent. We prize independent thought, a spirit of inquiry and initiative, and for this role in particular: gutsiness. Apply by November 17th
What foods to avoid?
Yes, foods high in sat fat, sugar, and salt (for different reasons).
Also, foods that are calorie-dense (easy to overeat).
But degree of processing doesn't always correspond to badness.
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
Yes, foods high in sat fat, sugar, and salt (for different reasons).
Also, foods that are calorie-dense (easy to overeat).
But degree of processing doesn't always correspond to badness.
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
People want to avoid ultra-processed foods. But experts struggle to define them
The evidence that ultra-processed foods are bad for us is piling up. But efforts to reduce their role in our diets face a big hurdle: experts can't agree on what they are and which to target.
www.npr.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
What foods to avoid?
Yes, foods high in sat fat, sugar, and salt (for different reasons).
Also, foods that are calorie-dense (easy to overeat).
But degree of processing doesn't always correspond to badness.
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
Yes, foods high in sat fat, sugar, and salt (for different reasons).
Also, foods that are calorie-dense (easy to overeat).
But degree of processing doesn't always correspond to badness.
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- [email protected] or dm me.
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
November 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- [email protected] or dm me.
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
An engineer wanted to make a quiet high-speed train. “The question then occurred to me — is there some living thing that manages sudden changes in air resistance as a part of daily life?” The answer: the kingfisher. See my story today for more tales of bioinspiration. Gift link: nyti.ms/4otNQyl
November 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
An engineer wanted to make a quiet high-speed train. “The question then occurred to me — is there some living thing that manages sudden changes in air resistance as a part of daily life?” The answer: the kingfisher. See my story today for more tales of bioinspiration. Gift link: nyti.ms/4otNQyl
Excellent post on how to evaluate a study.
Does it really say what they say it says? Are there red flags?
As ever, the reason we believe stupid sciency stuff is that research details are boring. But we all know where the devil lives.
Does it really say what they say it says? Are there red flags?
As ever, the reason we believe stupid sciency stuff is that research details are boring. But we all know where the devil lives.
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Excellent post on how to evaluate a study.
Does it really say what they say it says? Are there red flags?
As ever, the reason we believe stupid sciency stuff is that research details are boring. But we all know where the devil lives.
Does it really say what they say it says? Are there red flags?
As ever, the reason we believe stupid sciency stuff is that research details are boring. But we all know where the devil lives.