Marieke van Ham
@hammarieke.bsky.social
B cell immunologist focussing on antibody formation and pandemics research, Sanquin Blood Supply and SILS, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. My texts are on personal title, but data-based.
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
Online now: IL-9 as a naturally orthogonal cytokine with optimal JAK/STAT signaling for engineered T cell therapy
IL-9 as a naturally orthogonal cytokine with optimal JAK/STAT signaling for engineered T cell therapy
Cytokines optimize and fine-tune effector T cell responses. Here, Jiang et al. utilize IL-9, with scarce receptor expression in normal tissues, to boost IL-9R engineered T cells for cancer therapy. IL-9 signaling initiates a unique STAT activation pattern, including STAT4, that modulates T cell states for effective anti-tumor responses.
dlvr.it
November 21, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Online now: IL-9 as a naturally orthogonal cytokine with optimal JAK/STAT signaling for engineered T cell therapy
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
BREAKING: Man from Washington state dies after being infected with H5N5 bird flu
November 22, 2025 at 1:01 AM
BREAKING: Man from Washington state dies after being infected with H5N5 bird flu
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
To keep antibiotics effective for everyone, here’s what NOT to do:
❌ Do not use antibiotics for colds, flu or sore throats. Antibiotics do not treat viruses.
❌ Do not share your antibiotics with others.
❌ Do not save leftover antibiotics for use later.
Learn more 👉 bit.ly/4otAEcV
❌ Do not use antibiotics for colds, flu or sore throats. Antibiotics do not treat viruses.
❌ Do not share your antibiotics with others.
❌ Do not save leftover antibiotics for use later.
Learn more 👉 bit.ly/4otAEcV
November 22, 2025 at 6:45 AM
To keep antibiotics effective for everyone, here’s what NOT to do:
❌ Do not use antibiotics for colds, flu or sore throats. Antibiotics do not treat viruses.
❌ Do not share your antibiotics with others.
❌ Do not save leftover antibiotics for use later.
Learn more 👉 bit.ly/4otAEcV
❌ Do not use antibiotics for colds, flu or sore throats. Antibiotics do not treat viruses.
❌ Do not share your antibiotics with others.
❌ Do not save leftover antibiotics for use later.
Learn more 👉 bit.ly/4otAEcV
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
Experimental mRNA flu vaccine is more effective than conventional flu shot, but causes more side effects
In a phase 3 trial, participants who received the shot were 29% less likely to be diagnosed with flu than those who received a conventional flu shot.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/i...
In a phase 3 trial, participants who received the shot were 29% less likely to be diagnosed with flu than those who received a conventional flu shot.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/i...
November 19, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Experimental mRNA flu vaccine is more effective than conventional flu shot, but causes more side effects
In a phase 3 trial, participants who received the shot were 29% less likely to be diagnosed with flu than those who received a conventional flu shot.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/i...
In a phase 3 trial, participants who received the shot were 29% less likely to be diagnosed with flu than those who received a conventional flu shot.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/i...
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
Every child deserves medicines that are safe, effective, and easy to take.
On #WorldChildrensDay, WHO and partners in the Global Accelerator for Paediatric Formulations Network (GAP-f) are working to close the gap in access to child-friendly medicines worldwide.
On #WorldChildrensDay, WHO and partners in the Global Accelerator for Paediatric Formulations Network (GAP-f) are working to close the gap in access to child-friendly medicines worldwide.
November 20, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Every child deserves medicines that are safe, effective, and easy to take.
On #WorldChildrensDay, WHO and partners in the Global Accelerator for Paediatric Formulations Network (GAP-f) are working to close the gap in access to child-friendly medicines worldwide.
On #WorldChildrensDay, WHO and partners in the Global Accelerator for Paediatric Formulations Network (GAP-f) are working to close the gap in access to child-friendly medicines worldwide.
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
So what have I learnt about #misinformation research? I tried to condense it into a list of the 5 biggest challenges the field faces.
Second story in my package of stories about misinformation research is up here (and thread to come):
www.science.org/content/arti...
Second story in my package of stories about misinformation research is up here (and thread to come):
www.science.org/content/arti...
The five biggest challenges facing misinformation researchers
The burgeoning field is still grappling with fundamental problems, from getting access to data to defining 'misinformation' in the first place
www.science.org
November 1, 2024 at 8:36 AM
So what have I learnt about #misinformation research? I tried to condense it into a list of the 5 biggest challenges the field faces.
Second story in my package of stories about misinformation research is up here (and thread to come):
www.science.org/content/arti...
Second story in my package of stories about misinformation research is up here (and thread to come):
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
#Marburg: Ethiopia's health ministry says at least 3 people have died from Marburg. The slide, posted to their X account, suggests there've been 4 confirmed cases. WHO has said at least 9.
Am curious about efforts to get experimental vaccine into the field. africannewsagency.com/ethiopia-rep...
Am curious about efforts to get experimental vaccine into the field. africannewsagency.com/ethiopia-rep...
November 18, 2025 at 5:35 PM
#Marburg: Ethiopia's health ministry says at least 3 people have died from Marburg. The slide, posted to their X account, suggests there've been 4 confirmed cases. WHO has said at least 9.
Am curious about efforts to get experimental vaccine into the field. africannewsagency.com/ethiopia-rep...
Am curious about efforts to get experimental vaccine into the field. africannewsagency.com/ethiopia-rep...
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
Update on the wild #polio discovery in Germany: The virus was found in wastewater in Hamburg. @rki.de, the German public health agency, says the virus sequence is very similar to some isolated in Afghanistan, so the likely source was an infected human. (page 10 here: www.rki.de/DE/Aktuelles...)
www.rki.de
November 13, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Update on the wild #polio discovery in Germany: The virus was found in wastewater in Hamburg. @rki.de, the German public health agency, says the virus sequence is very similar to some isolated in Afghanistan, so the likely source was an infected human. (page 10 here: www.rki.de/DE/Aktuelles...)
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
The outbreak in Ethiopia is #Marburg virus, the first such outbreak for this country. 9 cases so far, including some health workers. x.com/drtedros/sta...
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on X: "#Ethiopia has confirmed the outbreak that has infected at least 9 people in the south of the country is of #Marburg virus disease. I commend Ethiopia’s @FMoHealth for its rapid and transparent response to the outbreak, and the work of the Ethiopia Public Health Institute and" / X
#Ethiopia has confirmed the outbreak that has infected at least 9 people in the south of the country is of #Marburg virus disease. I commend Ethiopia’s @FMoHealth for its rapid and transparent response to the outbreak, and the work of the Ethiopia Public Health Institute and
x.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:22 PM
The outbreak in Ethiopia is #Marburg virus, the first such outbreak for this country. 9 cases so far, including some health workers. x.com/drtedros/sta...
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
James Dewey Watson – who won the Nobel Prize for his role in divining the structure of DNA; was instrumental in initiating and propelling the Human Genome Project; and who became notorious for his history of racist and sexist comments – has died at 97.
go.nature.com/3JKHqvB
go.nature.com/3JKHqvB
DNA pioneer James Watson has died ― colleagues wrestle with his legacy
The co-discoverer of the structure of DNA helped to strengthen a US research institute and wrote a classic textbook, but also earned a reputation for racist and sexist comments.
go.nature.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:03 AM
James Dewey Watson – who won the Nobel Prize for his role in divining the structure of DNA; was instrumental in initiating and propelling the Human Genome Project; and who became notorious for his history of racist and sexist comments – has died at 97.
go.nature.com/3JKHqvB
go.nature.com/3JKHqvB
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
🚀 One week until the #EFIS on Tour Symposium lands in Bucharest, 🇷🇴
🤝 Chance to meet the EFIS Board and network w/ colleagues across Europe
✅ Finalize registration today via QR code
📅 November 14, 2025 at 13:00
#immunology
@yefis-immunology.bsky.social @hammarieke.bsky.social @bojanpolic.bsky.social
🤝 Chance to meet the EFIS Board and network w/ colleagues across Europe
✅ Finalize registration today via QR code
📅 November 14, 2025 at 13:00
#immunology
@yefis-immunology.bsky.social @hammarieke.bsky.social @bojanpolic.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🚀 One week until the #EFIS on Tour Symposium lands in Bucharest, 🇷🇴
🤝 Chance to meet the EFIS Board and network w/ colleagues across Europe
✅ Finalize registration today via QR code
📅 November 14, 2025 at 13:00
#immunology
@yefis-immunology.bsky.social @hammarieke.bsky.social @bojanpolic.bsky.social
🤝 Chance to meet the EFIS Board and network w/ colleagues across Europe
✅ Finalize registration today via QR code
📅 November 14, 2025 at 13:00
#immunology
@yefis-immunology.bsky.social @hammarieke.bsky.social @bojanpolic.bsky.social
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
Ancient DNA studies usually link changes in lifestyle and language in the past to population movements. But not always! A new study in @nature.com reveals a South American ancestry that stayed steady for 8,500 years, despite major cultural and linguistic shifts. @science.org 🏺 🧬
Mystery group lived in central Argentina for millennia, ancient DNA reveals
New study fills major gap in genetic map of ancient human migrations
www.science.org
November 5, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Ancient DNA studies usually link changes in lifestyle and language in the past to population movements. But not always! A new study in @nature.com reveals a South American ancestry that stayed steady for 8,500 years, despite major cultural and linguistic shifts. @science.org 🏺 🧬
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
The ability of humans to think rationally and weigh the evidence when making a choice is well known.
In a new Science study, researchers report that chimpanzees can also update their beliefs on the basis of the quantity and quality of new evidence. https://scim.ag/4nAmk0Q
In a new Science study, researchers report that chimpanzees can also update their beliefs on the basis of the quantity and quality of new evidence. https://scim.ag/4nAmk0Q
Chimpanzees rationally revise their beliefs
The selective revision of beliefs in light of new evidence has been considered one of the hallmarks of human-level rationality. However, tests of this ability in other species are lacking. We examined...
scim.ag
November 5, 2025 at 8:55 PM
The ability of humans to think rationally and weigh the evidence when making a choice is well known.
In a new Science study, researchers report that chimpanzees can also update their beliefs on the basis of the quantity and quality of new evidence. https://scim.ag/4nAmk0Q
In a new Science study, researchers report that chimpanzees can also update their beliefs on the basis of the quantity and quality of new evidence. https://scim.ag/4nAmk0Q
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
Data: Risks of vascular, inflammatory conditions in kids higher after #COVID infection than vaccination
Over 6 months, COVID infection led to 2.24 extra cases of myocarditis or pericarditis per 100,000 children, versus 0.85 per 100,000 after vaccination.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Over 6 months, COVID infection led to 2.24 extra cases of myocarditis or pericarditis per 100,000 children, versus 0.85 per 100,000 after vaccination.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
November 5, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Data: Risks of vascular, inflammatory conditions in kids higher after #COVID infection than vaccination
Over 6 months, COVID infection led to 2.24 extra cases of myocarditis or pericarditis per 100,000 children, versus 0.85 per 100,000 after vaccination.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Over 6 months, COVID infection led to 2.24 extra cases of myocarditis or pericarditis per 100,000 children, versus 0.85 per 100,000 after vaccination.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
FDA approves new IV antibiotic for complicated urinary tract infections
The intravenous formulation of fosfomycin has a novel mechanism of action and no known cross-resistance to other antibiotic classes.
The intravenous formulation of fosfomycin has a novel mechanism of action and no known cross-resistance to other antibiotic classes.
FDA approves new IV antibiotic for complicated urinary tract infections
The intravenous formulation of fosfomycin has a novel mechanism of action an no known cross-resistance to other antibiotic classes.
www.cidrap.umn.edu
November 5, 2025 at 9:31 PM
FDA approves new IV antibiotic for complicated urinary tract infections
The intravenous formulation of fosfomycin has a novel mechanism of action and no known cross-resistance to other antibiotic classes.
The intravenous formulation of fosfomycin has a novel mechanism of action and no known cross-resistance to other antibiotic classes.
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
Scientists can analyze tree rings from coffins for clues to past climates. https://scim.ag/43AUj2n
Tree rings from ancient coffins offer clues to Earth’s past
Wood from gravesites can help reconstruct historic temperatures, floods, and droughts
scim.ag
November 5, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Scientists can analyze tree rings from coffins for clues to past climates. https://scim.ag/43AUj2n
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
⏳ Two weeks to go until #EFISonTour Bucharest 2025!
Get ready for inspiring science, networking + collaboration. Repost & invite colleagues!
📅 Nov 14 | 📍 Victor Babeș National Institute of Pathology
Register using the QR code👇
#immunology
@yefis-immunology.bsky.social @hammarieke.bsky.social
Get ready for inspiring science, networking + collaboration. Repost & invite colleagues!
📅 Nov 14 | 📍 Victor Babeș National Institute of Pathology
Register using the QR code👇
#immunology
@yefis-immunology.bsky.social @hammarieke.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 7:13 AM
⏳ Two weeks to go until #EFISonTour Bucharest 2025!
Get ready for inspiring science, networking + collaboration. Repost & invite colleagues!
📅 Nov 14 | 📍 Victor Babeș National Institute of Pathology
Register using the QR code👇
#immunology
@yefis-immunology.bsky.social @hammarieke.bsky.social
Get ready for inspiring science, networking + collaboration. Repost & invite colleagues!
📅 Nov 14 | 📍 Victor Babeș National Institute of Pathology
Register using the QR code👇
#immunology
@yefis-immunology.bsky.social @hammarieke.bsky.social
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
On #NationalChocolateDay, learn more about why our love affair with chocolate is much older than we thought. https://scim.ag/42WrGfI
World's oldest chocolate was made 5300 years ago—in a South American rainforest
Ancient pots shift the nexus of chocolatemaking from Central America to modern Ecuador
scim.ag
October 28, 2025 at 1:27 PM
On #NationalChocolateDay, learn more about why our love affair with chocolate is much older than we thought. https://scim.ag/42WrGfI
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
For 200+ years, we thought we knew what killed Napoleon's army. Turns out, we were wrong. The truth was hiding in their teeth. 🧵👇
October 28, 2025 at 3:03 PM
For 200+ years, we thought we knew what killed Napoleon's army. Turns out, we were wrong. The truth was hiding in their teeth. 🧵👇
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
Since 2005, #ECDC has worked together with the WHO Regional Office for Europe on a range of areas, including surveillance of communicable diseases, preparedness, and response, to improve public health across Europe and strengthen health security.
#RC75CPH #EPW2 #HealthSecurity
#RC75CPH #EPW2 #HealthSecurity
October 28, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Since 2005, #ECDC has worked together with the WHO Regional Office for Europe on a range of areas, including surveillance of communicable diseases, preparedness, and response, to improve public health across Europe and strengthen health security.
#RC75CPH #EPW2 #HealthSecurity
#RC75CPH #EPW2 #HealthSecurity
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
People being treated for certain deadly cancers lived longer if they had received an mRNA-based vaccine against COVID-19 than if they hadn’t
go.nature.com/42XuWY6
go.nature.com/42XuWY6
People with some cancers live longer after a COVID vaccine
Nature - mRNA vaccines seem to boost the effectiveness of an immune therapy for skin and lung cancer ― in an unexpected way.
go.nature.com
October 25, 2025 at 12:38 PM
People being treated for certain deadly cancers lived longer if they had received an mRNA-based vaccine against COVID-19 than if they hadn’t
go.nature.com/42XuWY6
go.nature.com/42XuWY6
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
"...researchers who invest time in their students tend to lead more-productive, more-collaborative groups and attract stronger future students than those who do not." "Time spent with the next generation of scientists is an investment."
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What makes PhD students happy? Good supervision
Supervisors who invest in positive mentoring relationships with their PhD candidates also reap the benefits for their own research.
www.nature.com
October 24, 2025 at 10:46 PM
"...researchers who invest time in their students tend to lead more-productive, more-collaborative groups and attract stronger future students than those who do not." "Time spent with the next generation of scientists is an investment."
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
Ending polio isn’t just a goal, it’s a promise to children everywhere. With support from global partners, governments, and health workers, we won’t stop until the job is done. #EndPolio #WorldPolioDay
@unicef.org @who.int @gatesfoundation.bsky.social
@unicef.org @who.int @gatesfoundation.bsky.social
October 24, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Ending polio isn’t just a goal, it’s a promise to children everywhere. With support from global partners, governments, and health workers, we won’t stop until the job is done. #EndPolio #WorldPolioDay
@unicef.org @who.int @gatesfoundation.bsky.social
@unicef.org @who.int @gatesfoundation.bsky.social
Reposted by Marieke van Ham
#RSV vaccine for older adults 92% protective against poor outcomes, real-world study estimates
Adjusted effectiveness against emergency department visits/hospitalizations was 95% among patients aged 75 and older.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/r...
Adjusted effectiveness against emergency department visits/hospitalizations was 95% among patients aged 75 and older.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/r...
October 22, 2025 at 7:37 PM
#RSV vaccine for older adults 92% protective against poor outcomes, real-world study estimates
Adjusted effectiveness against emergency department visits/hospitalizations was 95% among patients aged 75 and older.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/r...
Adjusted effectiveness against emergency department visits/hospitalizations was 95% among patients aged 75 and older.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/r...