Emily Mullin
@emilymullin.bsky.social
Science writer, @Wired.com
Covering biotech, neurotech, and public health
Send tips to emily_mullin@wired.com or emullin.06 on Signal
https://www.wired.com/author/emily-mullin/
Covering biotech, neurotech, and public health
Send tips to emily_mullin@wired.com or emullin.06 on Signal
https://www.wired.com/author/emily-mullin/
Reposted by Emily Mullin
I talked w/ uniformed health workers about their deployments to prisons where ICE holds immigrants.
ICE's operation is especially secretive at Guantanamo -- the place where America flouted its own rules to torture detainees post 9/11.
@wired.com and @kffhealthnews.org (no paywall)
ICE's operation is especially secretive at Guantanamo -- the place where America flouted its own rules to torture detainees post 9/11.
@wired.com and @kffhealthnews.org (no paywall)
Public Health Workers Are Quitting Over Assignments to Guantánamo
Doctors, nurses, and other officers are increasingly being deployed to ICE detention centers. Some have resigned in protest, while others offer a rare look into bleak conditions.
www.wired.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:02 PM
I talked w/ uniformed health workers about their deployments to prisons where ICE holds immigrants.
ICE's operation is especially secretive at Guantanamo -- the place where America flouted its own rules to torture detainees post 9/11.
@wired.com and @kffhealthnews.org (no paywall)
ICE's operation is especially secretive at Guantanamo -- the place where America flouted its own rules to torture detainees post 9/11.
@wired.com and @kffhealthnews.org (no paywall)
Reposted by Emily Mullin
While reporting this, I had something happen that's never happened. A comms rep for one of the co's disputed my reporting and said what I was telling them was untrue because it was not in Grok, xAI's chatbot.
I was looking directly at the files. And this person was using AI to challenge the truth.
I was looking directly at the files. And this person was using AI to challenge the truth.
Epstein had many known connections to Silicon Valley CEOs, but less known was how he made money from those relationships.
We did a deep dive into how he got dealflow in Silicon Valley, giving him shots to invest in Coinbase, Palantir, SpaceX and other companies.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
We did a deep dive into how he got dealflow in Silicon Valley, giving him shots to invest in Coinbase, Palantir, SpaceX and other companies.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
Jeffrey Epstein’s Money Mingled With Silicon Valley Start-Ups
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:38 PM
While reporting this, I had something happen that's never happened. A comms rep for one of the co's disputed my reporting and said what I was telling them was untrue because it was not in Grok, xAI's chatbot.
I was looking directly at the files. And this person was using AI to challenge the truth.
I was looking directly at the files. And this person was using AI to challenge the truth.
One thing to keep in mind: We don't know how many hospitalizations and cases of encephalitis there are because South Carolina doesn't require those to be reported, only measles cases. The state *knows* about 19 hospitalizations (out of 876 total cases) but that could be higher.
NEW: Children are developing encephalitis as the South Carolina measles outbreak continues. @emilymullin.bsky.social has more:
Measles Is Causing Brain Swelling in Children in South Carolina
In the ongoing measles outbreak in South Carolina that has infected more than 800 people, some children have developed a rare but serious complication called encephalitis.
www.wired.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:10 PM
One thing to keep in mind: We don't know how many hospitalizations and cases of encephalitis there are because South Carolina doesn't require those to be reported, only measles cases. The state *knows* about 19 hospitalizations (out of 876 total cases) but that could be higher.
Reposted by Emily Mullin
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued an epidemiological alert about measles outbreaks, including ours.
PAHO is “calling on countries to intensify epidemiological surveillance, vaccination, and rapid outbreak response…to interrupt transmission and protect vulnerable populations”.
PAHO is “calling on countries to intensify epidemiological surveillance, vaccination, and rapid outbreak response…to interrupt transmission and protect vulnerable populations”.
PAHO issues epidemiological alert amid continued measles transmission in the Americas and urges strengthened vaccination and surveillance
Washington, D.C., February 4, 2026 (PAHO) — The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued a new epidemiological alert on measles for the Region of the Americas, calling on countries to intens...
www.paho.org
February 4, 2026 at 11:11 PM
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued an epidemiological alert about measles outbreaks, including ours.
PAHO is “calling on countries to intensify epidemiological surveillance, vaccination, and rapid outbreak response…to interrupt transmission and protect vulnerable populations”.
PAHO is “calling on countries to intensify epidemiological surveillance, vaccination, and rapid outbreak response…to interrupt transmission and protect vulnerable populations”.
NEW: South Carolina's measles outbreak has reached 876 cases, and for the first time, the state has confirmed encephalitis—brain swelling—in some children who have gotten measles.
Encephalitis can cause long-term neurological damage, including intellectual disability.
www.wired.com/story/measle...
Encephalitis can cause long-term neurological damage, including intellectual disability.
www.wired.com/story/measle...
Measles Is Causing Brain Swelling in Children in South Carolina
In the ongoing measles outbreak in South Carolina that has infected more than 800 people, some children have developed a rare but serious complication called encephalitis.
www.wired.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:26 PM
NEW: South Carolina's measles outbreak has reached 876 cases, and for the first time, the state has confirmed encephalitis—brain swelling—in some children who have gotten measles.
Encephalitis can cause long-term neurological damage, including intellectual disability.
www.wired.com/story/measle...
Encephalitis can cause long-term neurological damage, including intellectual disability.
www.wired.com/story/measle...
NEW: HHS is working on an AI tool to find patterns in VAERS—the national vaccine injury claims system that allows anyone to submit a report—and generate hypotheses.
RFK Jr. has repeatedly made calls to reform VAERS, including in his book.
My latest for @wired.com: www.wired.com/story/hhs-is...
RFK Jr. has repeatedly made calls to reform VAERS, including in his book.
My latest for @wired.com: www.wired.com/story/hhs-is...
HHS Is Making an AI Tool to Create Hypotheses About Vaccine Injury Claims
Experts worry Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Health Department will use an internal AI tool to analyze vaccine injury claims in a way that furthers his anti-vaccine agenda.
www.wired.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:33 PM
NEW: HHS is working on an AI tool to find patterns in VAERS—the national vaccine injury claims system that allows anyone to submit a report—and generate hypotheses.
RFK Jr. has repeatedly made calls to reform VAERS, including in his book.
My latest for @wired.com: www.wired.com/story/hhs-is...
RFK Jr. has repeatedly made calls to reform VAERS, including in his book.
My latest for @wired.com: www.wired.com/story/hhs-is...
Reposted by Emily Mullin
As Trump’s mass deportation program unfolds, immigration policy and enforcement is shifting fast.
That’s why we’re launching Tracker, a limited-series newsletter navigating what’s happening and what’s next. Sign up for free: www.wired.com/newsletter/I...
That’s why we’re launching Tracker, a limited-series newsletter navigating what’s happening and what’s next. Sign up for free: www.wired.com/newsletter/I...
Tracker Newsletter: ICE in Focus
As federal agents carry out Trump’s program of mass deportation, this limited-series newsletter will track what’s happening and what’s coming next.
www.wired.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:51 PM
As Trump’s mass deportation program unfolds, immigration policy and enforcement is shifting fast.
That’s why we’re launching Tracker, a limited-series newsletter navigating what’s happening and what’s next. Sign up for free: www.wired.com/newsletter/I...
That’s why we’re launching Tracker, a limited-series newsletter navigating what’s happening and what’s next. Sign up for free: www.wired.com/newsletter/I...
Reposted by Emily Mullin
SCOOP: Palantir's AI has been deployed at HHS since last March to audit grants, grant applications, & job descriptions for anything related to "DEI" or "gender ideology"
The goal was to ensure compliance with 2 of Trump's executive orders:
www.wired.com/story/hhs-is...
The goal was to ensure compliance with 2 of Trump's executive orders:
www.wired.com/story/hhs-is...
HHS Is Using AI Tools From Palantir to Target ‘DEI’ and ‘Gender Ideology’ in Grants
Since March of 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services has been using tools from Palantir and the startup Credal AI to weed out perceived alignment with “DEI” or “gender ideology.”
www.wired.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:04 PM
SCOOP: Palantir's AI has been deployed at HHS since last March to audit grants, grant applications, & job descriptions for anything related to "DEI" or "gender ideology"
The goal was to ensure compliance with 2 of Trump's executive orders:
www.wired.com/story/hhs-is...
The goal was to ensure compliance with 2 of Trump's executive orders:
www.wired.com/story/hhs-is...
In 16 weeks, the South Carolina measles outbreak has surpassed the total number of cases reached in the West Texas outbreak over the course of seven months.
FRIDAY MEASLES UPDATE: DPH Reports 58 New Measles Cases in Upstate, Bringing Outbreak total to 847, Additional School and Public Exposures | South Carolina Department of Public Health
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Jan. 30, 2026COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting 58 new cases of measles in the state since Tuesday, bringing the total number of c...
dph.sc.gov
January 30, 2026 at 10:22 PM
In 16 weeks, the South Carolina measles outbreak has surpassed the total number of cases reached in the West Texas outbreak over the course of seven months.
NEW: China's brain-computer interface industry is growing fast. For @wired.com, I got the scoop on the country's latest startup: www.wired.com/story/this-c...
This Chinese Startup Wants to Build a New Brain-Computer Interface—No Implant Required
Gestala is the latest company to emerge from China’s burgeoning brain-computer interface industry. It plans to access the brain with noninvasive ultrasound technology.
www.wired.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:06 PM
NEW: China's brain-computer interface industry is growing fast. For @wired.com, I got the scoop on the country's latest startup: www.wired.com/story/this-c...
Reposted by Emily Mullin
Palantir employees are pressing company leadership over its work for ICE in internal company Slacks obtained by @wired.com
"In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this."
Scoop from @makenakelly.bsky.social
"In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this."
Scoop from @makenakelly.bsky.social
Palantir Defends Work With ICE to Staff Following Killing of Alex Pretti
“In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this,” one worker wrote on Slack.
www.wired.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Palantir employees are pressing company leadership over its work for ICE in internal company Slacks obtained by @wired.com
"In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this."
Scoop from @makenakelly.bsky.social
"In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this."
Scoop from @makenakelly.bsky.social
Tell me about it.
January 26, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Tell me about it.
And our explainer from last year about what makes measles so dangerous: www.wired.com/story/this-i...
This Is How Measles Kills
Measles is known for its characteristic rash, but it can have serious respiratory and neurologic complications.
www.wired.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:24 PM
And our explainer from last year about what makes measles so dangerous: www.wired.com/story/this-i...
Here's our story from last week on how 2026 is likely to be another bad year for measles: www.wired.com/story/the-us...
The US Is In For Another Bad Year of Measles Cases
A growing measles outbreak in South Carolina has infected more than 600 people since October, with hundreds more being potentially exposed.
www.wired.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Here's our story from last week on how 2026 is likely to be another bad year for measles: www.wired.com/story/the-us...
The South Carolina measles outbreak is now up to 700 confirmed cases since October. Another 485 people are in quarantine: dph.sc.gov/news/friday-...
FRIDAY MEASLES UPDATE: DPH Reports 54 New Measles Cases in Upstate, Bringing Outbreak total to 700, Additional School and Public Exposure | South Carolina Department of Public Health
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Jan. 23, 2026COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting 54 new cases of measles in the state since Tuesday, bringing the total number of c...
dph.sc.gov
January 26, 2026 at 2:22 PM
The South Carolina measles outbreak is now up to 700 confirmed cases since October. Another 485 people are in quarantine: dph.sc.gov/news/friday-...
2026 is likely to be another bad year for measles.
South Carolina has already reported 400+ new cases in January, stemming from an outbreak that began in October.
For comparison, the US logged 32 cases of measles in January 2025. My latest for @wired.com:
www.wired.com/story/the-us...
South Carolina has already reported 400+ new cases in January, stemming from an outbreak that began in October.
For comparison, the US logged 32 cases of measles in January 2025. My latest for @wired.com:
www.wired.com/story/the-us...
The US Is In For Another Bad Year of Measles Cases
A growing measles outbreak in South Carolina has infected more than 600 people since October, with hundreds more being potentially exposed.
www.wired.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:52 PM
2026 is likely to be another bad year for measles.
South Carolina has already reported 400+ new cases in January, stemming from an outbreak that began in October.
For comparison, the US logged 32 cases of measles in January 2025. My latest for @wired.com:
www.wired.com/story/the-us...
South Carolina has already reported 400+ new cases in January, stemming from an outbreak that began in October.
For comparison, the US logged 32 cases of measles in January 2025. My latest for @wired.com:
www.wired.com/story/the-us...
Nobody asked for this. www.theinformation.com/articles/app...
Apple Developing AI Wearable Pin
Apple is developing an AI-powered wearable pin the size of an AirTag that is equipped with multiple cameras, a speaker, microphones and wireless charging, according to people with direct knowledge of ...
www.theinformation.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Nobody asked for this. www.theinformation.com/articles/app...
Reposted by Emily Mullin
NEW: ICE documents reviewed by @wired.com show plans to open a detention center in Appleton, MN, to detain people from five states. @dell.bsky.social reports: www.wired.com/story/ice-de...
ICE Details a New Minnesota-Based Detention Network That Spans 5 States
Internal ICE planning documents propose spending up to $50 million on a privately run network capable of shipping immigrants in custody hundreds of miles across the Upper Midwest.
www.wired.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:15 PM
NEW: ICE documents reviewed by @wired.com show plans to open a detention center in Appleton, MN, to detain people from five states. @dell.bsky.social reports: www.wired.com/story/ice-de...
In 2018, Chinese scientist He Jiankui shocked the world when he revealed that he had made the first gene-edited babies by altering their DNA at the embryo level.
Now, He wants to do more human embryo experiments. I interviewed him for @wired.com's new China issue: www.wired.com/story/china-...
Now, He wants to do more human embryo experiments. I interviewed him for @wired.com's new China issue: www.wired.com/story/china-...
He Went to Prison for Gene-Editing Babies. Now He’s Planning to Do It Again
Chinese scientist He Jiankui wants to end Alzheimer’s and thinks Silicon Valley is conducting a “Nazi eugenic experiment.”
www.wired.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM
In 2018, Chinese scientist He Jiankui shocked the world when he revealed that he had made the first gene-edited babies by altering their DNA at the embryo level.
Now, He wants to do more human embryo experiments. I interviewed him for @wired.com's new China issue: www.wired.com/story/china-...
Now, He wants to do more human embryo experiments. I interviewed him for @wired.com's new China issue: www.wired.com/story/china-...
Sam Altman's Merge Labs has launched with $252 million in funding.
Merge will use ultrasound to interpret brain signals—without sticking implants in the brain tissue. My story for @wired.com:
www.wired.com/story/openai...
Merge will use ultrasound to interpret brain signals—without sticking implants in the brain tissue. My story for @wired.com:
www.wired.com/story/openai...
OpenAI Invests in Sam Altman’s New Brain Tech Startup Merge Labs
Merge Labs has emerged from stealth with $252 million in funding from OpenAI and others. It aims to use ultrasound to read from and write to the brain.
www.wired.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Sam Altman's Merge Labs has launched with $252 million in funding.
Merge will use ultrasound to interpret brain signals—without sticking implants in the brain tissue. My story for @wired.com:
www.wired.com/story/openai...
Merge will use ultrasound to interpret brain signals—without sticking implants in the brain tissue. My story for @wired.com:
www.wired.com/story/openai...
SAME. Please apply!!
happy to answer any questions from folks in my dms or over email about the job — i love this team and this work and would LOVE for someone cool to come on board
January 14, 2026 at 4:40 PM
SAME. Please apply!!
Journalism job alert: @wired.com is hiring a US-based science editor. Come work with me and the wonderful @mollytaft.com: condenast.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/CondeCareers...
Senior Editor, Science
WIRED is where a better future is imagined. For three decades, we have been the indispensable guide to a world in constant transformation. We cover humanity’s biggest challenges, from climate change t...
condenast.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Journalism job alert: @wired.com is hiring a US-based science editor. Come work with me and the wonderful @mollytaft.com: condenast.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/CondeCareers...
Reposted by Emily Mullin
big tech companies are taking note of the backlash to data centers — and they, w/ the help of the Trump administration, are promising to be good neighbors
first up is Microsoft, which announced a series of commitments this morning - some of Microsoft’s projects have faced serious pushback
first up is Microsoft, which announced a series of commitments this morning - some of Microsoft’s projects have faced serious pushback
Microsoft Has a Plan to Keep Its Data Centers From Raising Your Electric Bill
In response to a growing backlash, Microsoft said it would take steps to ensure that data centers don’t raise utility bills in surrounding areas and address other public concerns.
www.wired.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:42 PM
big tech companies are taking note of the backlash to data centers — and they, w/ the help of the Trump administration, are promising to be good neighbors
first up is Microsoft, which announced a series of commitments this morning - some of Microsoft’s projects have faced serious pushback
first up is Microsoft, which announced a series of commitments this morning - some of Microsoft’s projects have faced serious pushback
Last February, a sick infant named KJ received a bespoke gene-editing treatment made in just 6 months that likely saved his life.
Now, CRISPR pioneer and Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna has launched a startup to scale these types of treatments to more patients.
www.wired.com/story/crispr...
Now, CRISPR pioneer and Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna has launched a startup to scale these types of treatments to more patients.
www.wired.com/story/crispr...
Crispr Pioneer Launches Startup to Make Tailored Gene-Editing Treatments
Aurora Therapeutics, cofounded by Nobel Prize–winning scientist Jennifer Doudna, plans to use gene editing and a new FDA regulatory pathway to commercialize treatments for rare diseases.
www.wired.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Last February, a sick infant named KJ received a bespoke gene-editing treatment made in just 6 months that likely saved his life.
Now, CRISPR pioneer and Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna has launched a startup to scale these types of treatments to more patients.
www.wired.com/story/crispr...
Now, CRISPR pioneer and Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna has launched a startup to scale these types of treatments to more patients.
www.wired.com/story/crispr...