Andrew Sprague PT
@aspraguept.bsky.social
PT, DPT, PhD. Assistant Professor, Univ. of Pitt PT. Overuse tendon injuries, ACL, POCUS, mechanobiology, and biomechanics.
🏠Delaware➡️JMU➡️UD➡️Pitt
Smattering of rehab research, 🦅🏀⚾️Philly sports, and accessible healthcare advocacy.
🏠Delaware➡️JMU➡️UD➡️Pitt
Smattering of rehab research, 🦅🏀⚾️Philly sports, and accessible healthcare advocacy.
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
Chatbots — LLMs — do not know facts and are not designed to be able to accurately answer factual questions. They are designed to find and mimic patterns of words, probabilistically. When they’re “right” it’s because correct things are often written down, so those patterns are frequent. That’s all.
June 19, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Chatbots — LLMs — do not know facts and are not designed to be able to accurately answer factual questions. They are designed to find and mimic patterns of words, probabilistically. When they’re “right” it’s because correct things are often written down, so those patterns are frequent. That’s all.
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
If I were running the DNC, there would be Democratic Party sponsored food relief banks across the country right now that specifically welcomed anyone regardless of party affiliation.
Along with the food, there could be voter registration and links to runforsomething.net
Along with the food, there could be voter registration and links to runforsomething.net
October 26, 2025 at 9:03 PM
If I were running the DNC, there would be Democratic Party sponsored food relief banks across the country right now that specifically welcomed anyone regardless of party affiliation.
Along with the food, there could be voter registration and links to runforsomething.net
Along with the food, there could be voter registration and links to runforsomething.net
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
Another one from @jesseduquette.bsky.social
October 24, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Another one from @jesseduquette.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
This is why we fund scientists to study things like oyster slobber even if you don’t think it sounds important
⚠️ Chinese researchers have invented bone glue that mimics how oysters stick to surfaces underwater.
The adhesive can reportedly repair orthopedic fractures in 2-3 minutes, even in blood-rich environments, and is bioabsorbable.
interestingengineering.com/science/chin...
The adhesive can reportedly repair orthopedic fractures in 2-3 minutes, even in blood-rich environments, and is bioabsorbable.
interestingengineering.com/science/chin...
China's oyster-inspired 'bone glue' bonds fractures in minutes
A new oyster-inspired Bone-02 adhesive can revolutionize bone repair without metal fasteners.
interestingengineering.com
September 30, 2025 at 10:35 PM
This is why we fund scientists to study things like oyster slobber even if you don’t think it sounds important
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
Staff members at the NIH seem to have done the impossible: spend the agency's $48 billion budget.
“Everyone has been rallying together to clean up the mess, but it’s a mess that did not need to be made,” an NIH program officer told me.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
“Everyone has been rallying together to clean up the mess, but it’s a mess that did not need to be made,” an NIH program officer told me.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
NIH races to spend its 2025 grant money — but fewer projects win funding
Despite political obstacles, officials are on track to disburse all of the research funds allocated to US biomedical behemoth.
www.nature.com
September 30, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Staff members at the NIH seem to have done the impossible: spend the agency's $48 billion budget.
“Everyone has been rallying together to clean up the mess, but it’s a mess that did not need to be made,” an NIH program officer told me.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
“Everyone has been rallying together to clean up the mess, but it’s a mess that did not need to be made,” an NIH program officer told me.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
I'm a science journalist for @statnews.com looking to talk with folks who applied to biomedical Ph.D. programs and had offers rescinded earlier this year. What have you been up to since then? You can reach me at jonathan.wosen@statnews.com or via Signal (username jwosen.27). #journorequest
August 20, 2025 at 7:43 PM
I'm a science journalist for @statnews.com looking to talk with folks who applied to biomedical Ph.D. programs and had offers rescinded earlier this year. What have you been up to since then? You can reach me at jonathan.wosen@statnews.com or via Signal (username jwosen.27). #journorequest
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
📢 Pittsburgh #orthoresearchers! Join us for a special networking event on Aug 14, 7:30–9:00 PM. Meet fellow scientists, enjoy free drinks/appetizers, and learn about ORS. Open to all! Hosted by ORS Ambassador Ke Song, PhD. www.ors.org/ambassadorev...
August 6, 2025 at 8:24 PM
📢 Pittsburgh #orthoresearchers! Join us for a special networking event on Aug 14, 7:30–9:00 PM. Meet fellow scientists, enjoy free drinks/appetizers, and learn about ORS. Open to all! Hosted by ORS Ambassador Ke Song, PhD. www.ors.org/ambassadorev...
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
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.
We just welcomed our IVF miracle and were lucky enough to have family support to afford it (insurance coverage stinks). We would have done anything to have a family. It’s disgusting that he manipulated such a vulnerable population
All those Trump surrogates who touted this, and news orgs that reported it credulously, owe Americans a big fat apology www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
White House has no plan to mandate IVF care, despite campaign pledge
President Donald Trump has said he wants a “baby boom,” but critics say his administration has yet to make significant family policy changes — and that Medicaid cuts will hurt.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 3, 2025 at 4:52 PM
We just welcomed our IVF miracle and were lucky enough to have family support to afford it (insurance coverage stinks). We would have done anything to have a family. It’s disgusting that he manipulated such a vulnerable population
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
Will you be at ISB or ASB in the coming weeks? Definitely come talk to me or someone from our group about a new Postdoc Position we are looking to fill asap in foot neuromechanics, aging, and gait. I'll post the official call for applications soon. Join us at UNC Chapel Hill! Reposts encouraged.
July 24, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Will you be at ISB or ASB in the coming weeks? Definitely come talk to me or someone from our group about a new Postdoc Position we are looking to fill asap in foot neuromechanics, aging, and gait. I'll post the official call for applications soon. Join us at UNC Chapel Hill! Reposts encouraged.
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
Peer review meltdown in one diagram.
Greater emphasis on glamour journals leads people to try their luck with mediocre papers. This drains the review pool (they often have to be re-reviewed elsewhere). That drops the accuracy of peer review, creating more incentive to submit mediocre papers…
Greater emphasis on glamour journals leads people to try their luck with mediocre papers. This drains the review pool (they often have to be re-reviewed elsewhere). That drops the accuracy of peer review, creating more incentive to submit mediocre papers…
7. We show that this setup leads to a pernicious positive feedback loop. When submissions increase, more peer reviewers are required. Either current reviewers have to spread their effort thinner, or less qualified reviewers must be recruited. Either way, review accuracy drops.
![Flow diagram. At the center is the key cycle: Authors reduce self-screening --> Reviewer pool becomes depleted --> Accuracy of review declines --> [back to] Authors reduce self-screening.
Outside arrows lead to this central cycle.
Greater emphasis on elite journals --> authors reduce self-screening
More journals create more opportunities for fresh review --> reviewer pool becomes depleted
Common pool dilemma reduces desk rejection rates --> reviewer pool becomes depleted.
There is an additional cycle:
Accuracy of review declines --> Authors learn less from reviews --> Authors reduce self-screening](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:tbqqvyv6pjjww44glrmycaxl/bafkreieslgd5btmytfr2vrqg2v2kqyv3bnwjcommpcxurp2ju4yjdbm454@jpeg)
July 16, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Peer review meltdown in one diagram.
Greater emphasis on glamour journals leads people to try their luck with mediocre papers. This drains the review pool (they often have to be re-reviewed elsewhere). That drops the accuracy of peer review, creating more incentive to submit mediocre papers…
Greater emphasis on glamour journals leads people to try their luck with mediocre papers. This drains the review pool (they often have to be re-reviewed elsewhere). That drops the accuracy of peer review, creating more incentive to submit mediocre papers…
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
The quality of #ClinicalTrials in PT and rehab has improved, but we still have work to do. Learn about the important pitfalls to avoid in rehabilitation clinical trials in our editor-in-chief's latest editorial:
academic.oup.com/ptj/article/...
academic.oup.com/ptj/article/...
The Continuing Trials of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Clinical Trials
A little over 10 years ago, I worked with several other PTJ Editorial Board Members to address recurring problems we were seeing with clinical trial submis
academic.oup.com
June 26, 2025 at 3:47 PM
The quality of #ClinicalTrials in PT and rehab has improved, but we still have work to do. Learn about the important pitfalls to avoid in rehabilitation clinical trials in our editor-in-chief's latest editorial:
academic.oup.com/ptj/article/...
academic.oup.com/ptj/article/...
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
Again, write to press@johnfetterman.com for your refund.
June 3, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Again, write to press@johnfetterman.com for your refund.
Congrats Kayla!
May 31, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Congrats Kayla!
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
*International students represent about 15% of all higher ed students.
*They subsidize US students, so expect domestic student costs to increase
*Trump complains about tariffs but he is destroying an industry where the US is a huge net exporter
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/23/u...
*They subsidize US students, so expect domestic student costs to increase
*Trump complains about tariffs but he is destroying an industry where the US is a huge net exporter
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/23/u...
May 27, 2025 at 8:30 PM
*International students represent about 15% of all higher ed students.
*They subsidize US students, so expect domestic student costs to increase
*Trump complains about tariffs but he is destroying an industry where the US is a huge net exporter
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/23/u...
*They subsidize US students, so expect domestic student costs to increase
*Trump complains about tariffs but he is destroying an industry where the US is a huge net exporter
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/23/u...
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
Senator Durbin noted that some (I believe Republican Senators) had indicated the US had been doing more than its share of biomedical research and it was time for other countries take a turn.
I felt I had to interrupt to respond...
I felt I had to interrupt to respond...
May 23, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Senator Durbin noted that some (I believe Republican Senators) had indicated the US had been doing more than its share of biomedical research and it was time for other countries take a turn.
I felt I had to interrupt to respond...
I felt I had to interrupt to respond...
This does nothing for back of house staff in restaurants
Senate unexpectedly passes the No Tax on Tips Act in a unanimous vote
Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., called up the bipartisan bill for immediate passage, and no senator objected. The measure now goes to the House.
www.nbcnews.com
May 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
This does nothing for back of house staff in restaurants
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
Folks, my course that teaches professional skills to graduate students is going to discuss professional email etiquette when emailing potential PhD advisors, committee members, colleagues, or employers.
May 20, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Folks, my course that teaches professional skills to graduate students is going to discuss professional email etiquette when emailing potential PhD advisors, committee members, colleagues, or employers.
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
My daughter’s speech therapist went out of business because Medicaid reimbursement rates were too low. We do not have Medicaid. I’m going to keep posting this until people understand that when Medicaid gets cut *everyone* loses services.
May 12, 2025 at 4:18 PM
My daughter’s speech therapist went out of business because Medicaid reimbursement rates were too low. We do not have Medicaid. I’m going to keep posting this until people understand that when Medicaid gets cut *everyone* loses services.
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
ICE opened their detention center in Newark WITHOUT permission from the city, and in violation of state law.
Mayor Ras Baraka has been fighting to close it down.
RT this to THANK Mayor Baraka!
Mayor Ras Baraka has been fighting to close it down.
RT this to THANK Mayor Baraka!
May 10, 2025 at 12:16 AM
ICE opened their detention center in Newark WITHOUT permission from the city, and in violation of state law.
Mayor Ras Baraka has been fighting to close it down.
RT this to THANK Mayor Baraka!
Mayor Ras Baraka has been fighting to close it down.
RT this to THANK Mayor Baraka!
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
We are recruiting a postdoc for an exciting multi-disciplinary project that explores the use of quantum sensors to measure muscle behaviour - looking for someone with skills in ultrasound, mocap, and EMG - funded by QLD Government's Quantum 2032 Challenge uq.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/uqcare...
Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Neuromechanics
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Full-time, fixed-term position for 3 years Base salary will range from $80,448 – $107,104 (Academic Level A) + 17% Superannuation Based at our vibrant St L...
uq.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com
May 6, 2025 at 1:40 AM
We are recruiting a postdoc for an exciting multi-disciplinary project that explores the use of quantum sensors to measure muscle behaviour - looking for someone with skills in ultrasound, mocap, and EMG - funded by QLD Government's Quantum 2032 Challenge uq.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/uqcare...
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
🚨 Now recruiting 2 PhD students @ MSU!
Join a funded study investigating early arthritis after knee surgery using:
– 🖥️ Ultrasound imaging
– 🦵 Movement biomechanics
– 🧠 Psychological & hormonal factors
📍: East Lansing, MI
📩: harkeym1@msu.edu | hartharv@msu.edu
📸 Flyer below 👇
Join a funded study investigating early arthritis after knee surgery using:
– 🖥️ Ultrasound imaging
– 🦵 Movement biomechanics
– 🧠 Psychological & hormonal factors
📍: East Lansing, MI
📩: harkeym1@msu.edu | hartharv@msu.edu
📸 Flyer below 👇
May 6, 2025 at 5:58 PM
🚨 Now recruiting 2 PhD students @ MSU!
Join a funded study investigating early arthritis after knee surgery using:
– 🖥️ Ultrasound imaging
– 🦵 Movement biomechanics
– 🧠 Psychological & hormonal factors
📍: East Lansing, MI
📩: harkeym1@msu.edu | hartharv@msu.edu
📸 Flyer below 👇
Join a funded study investigating early arthritis after knee surgery using:
– 🖥️ Ultrasound imaging
– 🦵 Movement biomechanics
– 🧠 Psychological & hormonal factors
📍: East Lansing, MI
📩: harkeym1@msu.edu | hartharv@msu.edu
📸 Flyer below 👇
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
Donald Trump spent $23M on golf (up to mid march).
Over 56 days, he spent $410k of our tax dollars each day at his own clubs.
That is one 3-year NSF grant per day.
Waste and abuse, my ass.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Over 56 days, he spent $410k of our tax dollars each day at his own clubs.
That is one 3-year NSF grant per day.
Waste and abuse, my ass.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
May 2, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Donald Trump spent $23M on golf (up to mid march).
Over 56 days, he spent $410k of our tax dollars each day at his own clubs.
That is one 3-year NSF grant per day.
Waste and abuse, my ass.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Over 56 days, he spent $410k of our tax dollars each day at his own clubs.
That is one 3-year NSF grant per day.
Waste and abuse, my ass.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
TODAY: Hundreds gathered in Oakland to protest what they called an “all-out assault” on higher education, referring to federal actions that they believe undermine the mission of universities. “It’s going to be a long fight, but we’re going to win." buff.ly/7OCnKlw
Pitt scholars urge resistance to Trump attacks on higher ed
As the Trump administration makes demands of Harvard and other universities, local scholars and their allies asked Pitt to ‘stand up.’
buff.ly
April 17, 2025 at 9:14 PM
TODAY: Hundreds gathered in Oakland to protest what they called an “all-out assault” on higher education, referring to federal actions that they believe undermine the mission of universities. “It’s going to be a long fight, but we’re going to win." buff.ly/7OCnKlw
Reposted by Andrew Sprague PT
NEW: Blue Cross authorized mastectomies & breast reconstructions at one hospital, then refused to pay the full doctors' bills.
BUT...
The insurer did make some exceptions.
On several occasions, Blue Cross execs signed deals to pay for their wives’ treatment.
By @tchristianmiller.bsky.social
BUT...
The insurer did make some exceptions.
On several occasions, Blue Cross execs signed deals to pay for their wives’ treatment.
By @tchristianmiller.bsky.social
“Slow Pay, Low Pay or No Pay”
Blue Cross authorized mastectomies and breast reconstructions for women with cancer but refused to pay the full doctors’ bills. A jury called it fraud and awarded the practice $421 million.
www.propublica.org
April 12, 2025 at 9:10 AM
NEW: Blue Cross authorized mastectomies & breast reconstructions at one hospital, then refused to pay the full doctors' bills.
BUT...
The insurer did make some exceptions.
On several occasions, Blue Cross execs signed deals to pay for their wives’ treatment.
By @tchristianmiller.bsky.social
BUT...
The insurer did make some exceptions.
On several occasions, Blue Cross execs signed deals to pay for their wives’ treatment.
By @tchristianmiller.bsky.social