thetranscendedman
@atranscendedman.bsky.social
Transparent to the transcendent.
Wrote a book on Long Covid. - https://jondouglas.dev/longhaul/
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. - Sagan
Wrote a book on Long Covid. - https://jondouglas.dev/longhaul/
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. - Sagan
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Donate to Patients Deserve Faster Answers - Help Build TrialPilot, organized by Jon Douglas
Hi, I’m Jon Douglas (@atranscendedman ).
I’ve lived with long … Jon Douglas needs your support for Patients Deserve Faster Answers - Help Build TrialPilot
gofund.me
For five years I've lived with long COVID and watched people push for answers without the tools they deserved.
So I'm building TrialPilot, a way to take part in real studies from home.
Any support or sharing would be deeply appreciated. ❤️
gofund.me/3f6830e8f
So I'm building TrialPilot, a way to take part in real studies from home.
Any support or sharing would be deeply appreciated. ❤️
gofund.me/3f6830e8f
Happy Valentine's Day!
February 14, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Happy Valentine's Day!
Emory University researchers studied 114 adults and used AI to uncover 3 biologically distinct autism subtypes.
One group with high anxiety and social withdrawal showed brain changes that improved after oxytocin, hinting at more personalized treatments.
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6...
One group with high anxiety and social withdrawal showed brain changes that improved after oxytocin, hinting at more personalized treatments.
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6...
Generating Biologically Relevant Subtypes of Autism Spectrum Disorder with differential responses to Acute Oxytocin Administration in a Randomized Trial using Random Forest Models and K-means Clusteri...
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a heterogenous condition that has no biologically relevant subtypes yet. Here, we utilized a multidimensional approach considering social deficits in ASD alongside ne...
www.medrxiv.org
February 14, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Emory University researchers studied 114 adults and used AI to uncover 3 biologically distinct autism subtypes.
One group with high anxiety and social withdrawal showed brain changes that improved after oxytocin, hinting at more personalized treatments.
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6...
One group with high anxiety and social withdrawal showed brain changes that improved after oxytocin, hinting at more personalized treatments.
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6...
University of Pennsylvania scientists studying mice found that chronic infection creates a distinct tissue resident exhausted CD8 T cell state that cannot revert to true memory cells.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Tissue-resident exhausted and memory CD8+ T cells have distinct ontogeny, function and roles in disease - Nature Immunology
Here the authors show that persistent antigen stimulation drives the generation of CD8+ tissue-resident exhausted T cells with distinct developmental origins, function and therapeutic responsiveness w...
www.nature.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:06 PM
University of Pennsylvania scientists studying mice found that chronic infection creates a distinct tissue resident exhausted CD8 T cell state that cannot revert to true memory cells.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
UCSF study of 13 people with MS found that certain killer T cells that attack Epstein-Barr virus are far more abundant in spinal fluid than blood, suggesting EBV-linked immune cells may help trigger the nerve-damaging response in multiple sclerosis.
www.ucsf.edu/news/2026/02...
www.ucsf.edu/news/2026/02...
Immune Cells Linked to Epstein-Barr Virus May Play a Role in MS
A study from UCSF shows a previously unknown connection between the Epstein-Barr virus, known to play a role in MS, and an understudied type of immune cell.
www.ucsf.edu
February 14, 2026 at 2:41 PM
UCSF study of 13 people with MS found that certain killer T cells that attack Epstein-Barr virus are far more abundant in spinal fluid than blood, suggesting EBV-linked immune cells may help trigger the nerve-damaging response in multiple sclerosis.
www.ucsf.edu/news/2026/02...
www.ucsf.edu/news/2026/02...
University of Pennsylvania, 139,320 children and young adults with COVID 19 found that severe obesity before infection more than doubled the risk of later heart problems and raised GI issues, while mental health links were mixed.
www.journalofinfection.com/article/S016...
www.journalofinfection.com/article/S016...
Pre-COVID-19 Body Mass Index and Postacute Cardiovascular, Gastrointestinal, and Neuropsychiatric Outcomes Among Children and Young Adults With SARS-CoV-2 Infection: An EHR-based Cohort Study from the...
In this cohort study, pre-COVID-19 BMI status was associated with the risk and pattern
of postacute cardiovascular and gastrointestinal outcomes among children and young
adults. Association between pr...
www.journalofinfection.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:33 PM
University of Pennsylvania, 139,320 children and young adults with COVID 19 found that severe obesity before infection more than doubled the risk of later heart problems and raised GI issues, while mental health links were mixed.
www.journalofinfection.com/article/S016...
www.journalofinfection.com/article/S016...
Montreal researchers at IRCM studied mice and human T cells and found that SLAMF6 acts as a brake on anti tumour immunity.
Blocking it with new antibodies boosted T cell activity, reduced exhaustion, and slowed tumour growth.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Blocking it with new antibodies boosted T cell activity, reduced exhaustion, and slowed tumour growth.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
SLAMF6 as a drug-targetable suppressor of T cell immunity against cancer - Nature
SLAMF6 functions exclusively as a T cell inhibitory receptor, which is triggered by cis homotypic interactions.
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Montreal researchers at IRCM studied mice and human T cells and found that SLAMF6 acts as a brake on anti tumour immunity.
Blocking it with new antibodies boosted T cell activity, reduced exhaustion, and slowed tumour growth.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Blocking it with new antibodies boosted T cell activity, reduced exhaustion, and slowed tumour growth.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Aethlon Medical in San Diego reported new preclinical Long COVID data showing its Hemopurifier binds extracellular vesicles from patient samples and reduces microRNAs tied to immune dysregulation, supporting its potential as a multi disease therapy.
www.aethlonmedical.com/news-media/p...
www.aethlonmedical.com/news-media/p...
Aethlon Medical Announces Fiscal Q3 2026 Financial Results and Corporate Update
Clinical and research programs continue to advance, supported by year-to-date cost efficiencies
Conference Call Today at 4:30 p.m. ET
SAN DIEGO,…...
www.aethlonmedical.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Aethlon Medical in San Diego reported new preclinical Long COVID data showing its Hemopurifier binds extracellular vesicles from patient samples and reduces microRNAs tied to immune dysregulation, supporting its potential as a multi disease therapy.
www.aethlonmedical.com/news-media/p...
www.aethlonmedical.com/news-media/p...
ME/CFS is one thing Chris Williamson wants to tackle when he's on the other side of it.
February 13, 2026 at 5:29 PM
ME/CFS is one thing Chris Williamson wants to tackle when he's on the other side of it.
Chris Williamson on the wild things people suggested to "cure" his chronic condition and why he won't stop talking about it, because it's his real, lived experience.
February 13, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Chris Williamson on the wild things people suggested to "cure" his chronic condition and why he won't stop talking about it, because it's his real, lived experience.
Researchers show certain COVID 19 spike antibodies can fuse infected lung cells with monocytes, forming giant cells that release intense inflammation.
In mice, low antibody doses worsened disease without raising viral load.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
In mice, low antibody doses worsened disease without raising viral load.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org
February 13, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Researchers show certain COVID 19 spike antibodies can fuse infected lung cells with monocytes, forming giant cells that release intense inflammation.
In mice, low antibody doses worsened disease without raising viral load.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
In mice, low antibody doses worsened disease without raising viral load.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Virginia Tech scientists studied milk from 7 white tailed deer and found it contains SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and rapidly destroys viral RNA within 30 minutes, suggesting deer milk may block transmission rather than spread the virus.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org
February 13, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Virginia Tech scientists studied milk from 7 white tailed deer and found it contains SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and rapidly destroys viral RNA within 30 minutes, suggesting deer milk may block transmission rather than spread the virus.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Researchers tracking thousands of adults found long COVID is not one condition but 8 distinct symptom paths.
While some steadily recover, others worsen as late as 15 months after infection, and reinfection does not explain most of this.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H5x...
While some steadily recover, others worsen as late as 15 months after infection, and reinfection does not explain most of this.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H5x...
Long COVID trajectories in adults
YouTube video by RECOVER: Researching Covid to Enhance Recovery
www.youtube.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Researchers tracking thousands of adults found long COVID is not one condition but 8 distinct symptom paths.
While some steadily recover, others worsen as late as 15 months after infection, and reinfection does not explain most of this.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H5x...
While some steadily recover, others worsen as late as 15 months after infection, and reinfection does not explain most of this.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H5x...
Hyogo Japan, 91 adults with ME/CFS after COVID infection or vaccination and low vitamin D saw real change.
Adding daily vitamin D, diet, sun, and exercise cut symptoms by 6.7 vs 1.2 in controls, and 16 no longer met ME/CFS criteria.
www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18...
Adding daily vitamin D, diet, sun, and exercise cut symptoms by 6.7 vs 1.2 in controls, and 16 no longer met ME/CFS criteria.
www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18...
www.mdpi.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Hyogo Japan, 91 adults with ME/CFS after COVID infection or vaccination and low vitamin D saw real change.
Adding daily vitamin D, diet, sun, and exercise cut symptoms by 6.7 vs 1.2 in controls, and 16 no longer met ME/CFS criteria.
www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18...
Adding daily vitamin D, diet, sun, and exercise cut symptoms by 6.7 vs 1.2 in controls, and 16 no longer met ME/CFS criteria.
www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18...
Taiwan, 39 studies reviewed. Researchers report that long COVID can disrupt hearing and balance months after infection, with at least 1.99% having persistent hearing symptoms and 3.99% balance issues at 6 months.
www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27...
www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27...
www.mdpi.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Taiwan, 39 studies reviewed. Researchers report that long COVID can disrupt hearing and balance months after infection, with at least 1.99% having persistent hearing symptoms and 3.99% balance issues at 6 months.
www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27...
www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27...
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 female Syrian hamsters, found a new fusion spike protein combining RBD and a conserved region cut lung viral load and eased lung damage after Omicron infection, suggesting a path toward broader coronavirus vaccines.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
A novel fusion protein of COVID-19 virus enhancing protection of Syrian hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19 and its variants have spread around the world, triggering a range of long-term sequelae and leading to the need for broadly effective vaccine…
www.sciencedirect.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 female Syrian hamsters, found a new fusion spike protein combining RBD and a conserved region cut lung viral load and eased lung damage after Omicron infection, suggesting a path toward broader coronavirus vaccines.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
South Africa 71 participants Researchers at the Africa Health Research Institute found that early blood proteins during first SARS CoV 2 infection predicted who would later make strong neutralizing antibodies with HSPA8 emerging as the strongest signal.
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
Host proteins associated with strong neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in a South African cohort - Communications Medicine
Khairallah et al., investigate the host proteins associated with a strong neutralizing antibody response to SARS-CoV-2. High neutralizing antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 are associated with specific ...
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:38 PM
South Africa 71 participants Researchers at the Africa Health Research Institute found that early blood proteins during first SARS CoV 2 infection predicted who would later make strong neutralizing antibodies with HSPA8 emerging as the strongest signal.
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
West China Hospital Sichuan University researchers report a new DNA aptamer that binds a conserved coronavirus N protein and blocks NLRP3 driven inflammation.
In mice it reduced lung viral load to undetectable levels and lowered IL 6 and TNF α.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
In mice it reduced lung viral load to undetectable levels and lowered IL 6 and TNF α.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Targeting coronaviral inflammation: aptamer-based strategies for emerging threats - Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy - Targeting coronaviral inflammation: aptamer-based strategies for emerging threats
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:37 PM
West China Hospital Sichuan University researchers report a new DNA aptamer that binds a conserved coronavirus N protein and blocks NLRP3 driven inflammation.
In mice it reduced lung viral load to undetectable levels and lowered IL 6 and TNF α.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
In mice it reduced lung viral load to undetectable levels and lowered IL 6 and TNF α.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Madrid’s Gregorio Marañón Hospital, 15 immunocompromised COVID 19 patients, dual therapy with remdesivir plus nirmatrelvir ritonavir and triple therapy adding sotrovimab cleared persistent infection in 13 cases, while early monotherapy often failed.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Evaluation of the efficiency of combined antiviral therapy in COVID-19 challenging immunocompromised patients - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - Evaluation of the efficiency of combined antiviral therapy in COVID-19 challenging immunocompromised patients
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Madrid’s Gregorio Marañón Hospital, 15 immunocompromised COVID 19 patients, dual therapy with remdesivir plus nirmatrelvir ritonavir and triple therapy adding sotrovimab cleared persistent infection in 13 cases, while early monotherapy often failed.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Japanese researchers studied 28 macaques and found Omicron caused milder lung disease but weaker immune responses.
Reinfection still occurred, and antibodies kept targeting the original Wuhan strain, revealing immune imprinting.
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Reinfection still occurred, and antibodies kept targeting the original Wuhan strain, revealing immune imprinting.
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Pathological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 variants and immune responses induced in a COVID-19 macaque model - Communications Biology
Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 variants using a COVID-19 monkey model reveals heterogeneous immune responses to viral infection, which may inform future vaccine strategies and public health control.
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Japanese researchers studied 28 macaques and found Omicron caused milder lung disease but weaker immune responses.
Reinfection still occurred, and antibodies kept targeting the original Wuhan strain, revealing immune imprinting.
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Reinfection still occurred, and antibodies kept targeting the original Wuhan strain, revealing immune imprinting.
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Vanderbilt University, 1 patient, reports the first case of central nervous system demyelination possibly triggered by baricitinib.
After 18 months on the drug, vision loss and 25 brain and spine lesions emerged, then improved when treatment stopped.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
After 18 months on the drug, vision loss and 25 brain and spine lesions emerged, then improved when treatment stopped.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Baricitinib triggering a central nervous system inflammatory-demyelinating disease: A case report - Rozita Khalili, Ahmad A. Toubasi, Meryim Poursheykhi, Francesca Bagnato, 2026
Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis), such as baricitinib, target the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription pathway to regulate proinflamma...
journals.sagepub.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:46 AM
Vanderbilt University, 1 patient, reports the first case of central nervous system demyelination possibly triggered by baricitinib.
After 18 months on the drug, vision loss and 25 brain and spine lesions emerged, then improved when treatment stopped.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
After 18 months on the drug, vision loss and 25 brain and spine lesions emerged, then improved when treatment stopped.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Epstein Barr virus is likely a necessary trigger for multiple sclerosis, infecting rare B cells that drive brain inflammation.
Targeting the viral protein EBNA1 could offer more precise treatment than broad immune suppression.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Targeting the viral protein EBNA1 could offer more precise treatment than broad immune suppression.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Targeting Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) for Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a heterogeneous autoimmune-mediated demyelinating disease with complex multifactorial risk factors. It is now well-establis…
www.sciencedirect.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Epstein Barr virus is likely a necessary trigger for multiple sclerosis, infecting rare B cells that drive brain inflammation.
Targeting the viral protein EBNA1 could offer more precise treatment than broad immune suppression.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Targeting the viral protein EBNA1 could offer more precise treatment than broad immune suppression.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Researchers in mice found that DNA can be folded into tiny shapes that neatly display HIV proteins.
These DNA origami particles triggered focused antibody responses, offering a promising new path toward a more effective HIV vaccine.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
These DNA origami particles triggered focused antibody responses, offering a promising new path toward a more effective HIV vaccine.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
A double helix twist in HIV vaccine design
DNA origami scaffolds displaying HIV antigens stimulate focused antibody responses in mice
www.science.org
February 12, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Researchers in mice found that DNA can be folded into tiny shapes that neatly display HIV proteins.
These DNA origami particles triggered focused antibody responses, offering a promising new path toward a more effective HIV vaccine.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
These DNA origami particles triggered focused antibody responses, offering a promising new path toward a more effective HIV vaccine.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Vanderbilt Health researchers will enroll ~550 adults in an expanded multisite U.S. trial to test whether the immunomodulator baricitinib can ease long COVID’s lasting brain, heart, and lung symptoms through 12-month follow-up.
www.newswise.com/articles/van...
www.newswise.com/articles/van...
Vanderbilt Health to Lead Expanded Multisite Study of Immunomodulation in Long COVID | Newswise
Since the virus that causes COVID-19 emerged in late 2019, there have been over 780 million cases worldwide and over 7 million deaths. Despite the development of vaccines and effective therapeutics, m...
www.newswise.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:42 AM
Vanderbilt Health researchers will enroll ~550 adults in an expanded multisite U.S. trial to test whether the immunomodulator baricitinib can ease long COVID’s lasting brain, heart, and lung symptoms through 12-month follow-up.
www.newswise.com/articles/van...
www.newswise.com/articles/van...
Researchers report two rare immune misfires behind some COVID 19 vaccine side effects.
Adenovirus shots can trigger antibodies that activate platelets and cause unusual clots.
mRNA shots can spark short lived heart inflammation in a few young people.
www.science.org/content/arti...
Adenovirus shots can trigger antibodies that activate platelets and cause unusual clots.
mRNA shots can spark short lived heart inflammation in a few young people.
www.science.org/content/arti...
Rare, dangerous side effects of some COVID-19 vaccines explained
“Groundbreaking” study uncovers why adenovirus-based shots caused life-threatening blood clots and bleeding in some people
www.science.org
February 12, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Researchers report two rare immune misfires behind some COVID 19 vaccine side effects.
Adenovirus shots can trigger antibodies that activate platelets and cause unusual clots.
mRNA shots can spark short lived heart inflammation in a few young people.
www.science.org/content/arti...
Adenovirus shots can trigger antibodies that activate platelets and cause unusual clots.
mRNA shots can spark short lived heart inflammation in a few young people.
www.science.org/content/arti...
In a study by Peaches Biotech using SARS-CoV-2 infected mice, the cell-free biologic PRS CK STORM reduced lung inflammation and promoted tissue repair as effectively as corticosteroids, without impairing viral clearance.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org
February 11, 2026 at 2:48 PM
In a study by Peaches Biotech using SARS-CoV-2 infected mice, the cell-free biologic PRS CK STORM reduced lung inflammation and promoted tissue repair as effectively as corticosteroids, without impairing viral clearance.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...