Hilda Bastian
@hildabast.bsky.social
Scientist (PhD she/her), writer, cartoonist. 🦘 Blogging & Newsletter: Living With Evidence https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/ Mastodon enthusiast: @hildabast@mastodon.online
Pinned
Hilda Bastian
@hildabast.bsky.social
· Sep 21
Wikipedia Is Vital: Channeling Energy Into Micro-Edits Is a Win-Win-Win - Absolutely Maybe
Wikipedia is, “without exaggeration, the digital world’s factual foundation,” wrote Josh Dzieza recently. It’s a target because of that, squarely in the…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
Want to be able to start micro-editing on Wikipedia in a few minutes – and know why you could be very glad you did? Then my new post @plos.org is just what you need!
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/21/w...
#Wikipedia
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/21/w...
#Wikipedia
“Blogging in the Ruins”—Some Counterpoints
As of this month, I've been blogging—with words and cartoons—for 14 years. My enthusiasm for it has waned at times, but it always comes back. So when Joan Westerberg posted The Case for Blogging in the Ruins, I clicked quickly. And I anticipated being…
As of this month, I've been blogging—with words and cartoons—for 14 years. My enthusiasm for it has waned at times, but it always comes back. So when Joan Westerberg posted The Case for Blogging in the Ruins, I clicked quickly. And I anticipated being…
“Blogging in the Ruins”—Some Counterpoints
As of this month, I've been blogging—with words and cartoons—for 14 years. My enthusiasm for it has waned at times, but it always comes back. So when Joan Westerberg posted The Case for Blogging in the Ruins, I clicked quickly. And I anticipated being quick to agree with her case, too. Which I did, but not entirely. The post is a great read.
hildabastian.wordpress.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:26 AM
“Blogging in the Ruins”—Some Counterpoints
As of this month, I've been blogging—with words and cartoons—for 14 years. My enthusiasm for it has waned at times, but it always comes back. So when Joan Westerberg posted The Case for Blogging in the Ruins, I clicked quickly. And I anticipated being…
As of this month, I've been blogging—with words and cartoons—for 14 years. My enthusiasm for it has waned at times, but it always comes back. So when Joan Westerberg posted The Case for Blogging in the Ruins, I clicked quickly. And I anticipated being…
A major milestone for next generation Covid vax: The first clinical trial for a pancoronavirus formulation of an existing vaccine was registered.
With more news incl trial results & 12 preclinical reports—in my monthly update @plos.org
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/12/31/m...
#Vaccines
With more news incl trial results & 12 preclinical reports—in my monthly update @plos.org
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/12/31/m...
#Vaccines
Major Milestone for Pancoronavirus Vaccines and More (Next Generation Covid Vax Update No 36) - Absolutely Maybe
This month, the first clinical trial for a pancoronavirus formulation of an existing Covid vaccine was registered. Although it’s just on the…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
January 1, 2026 at 4:26 AM
A major milestone for next generation Covid vax: The first clinical trial for a pancoronavirus formulation of an existing vaccine was registered.
With more news incl trial results & 12 preclinical reports—in my monthly update @plos.org
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/12/31/m...
#Vaccines
With more news incl trial results & 12 preclinical reports—in my monthly update @plos.org
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/12/31/m...
#Vaccines
Reposted by Hilda Bastian
In the article she wrote for me about tuberculosis and streptomycin in the UK in 1948, @hildabast.bsky.social describes how #GeorgeOrwell was admitted to Hairmyres Hospital in Scotland on #ChristmasEve 1947, with infectious chronic tuberculosis in his lungs 👇
www.jameslindlibrary.org/articles/dow...
www.jameslindlibrary.org/articles/dow...
Down and almost out in Scotland: George Orwell, tuberculosis and getting streptomycin in 1948. - The James Lind Library
I brought a chest specialist here. He says I have got to go into a sanatorium, probably for about 4 months. It’s an awful bore, however perhaps it’s all for ...
www.jameslindlibrary.org
December 24, 2025 at 1:29 PM
In the article she wrote for me about tuberculosis and streptomycin in the UK in 1948, @hildabast.bsky.social describes how #GeorgeOrwell was admitted to Hairmyres Hospital in Scotland on #ChristmasEve 1947, with infectious chronic tuberculosis in his lungs 👇
www.jameslindlibrary.org/articles/dow...
www.jameslindlibrary.org/articles/dow...
December 26, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Reposted by Hilda Bastian
Good piece.
This was a light-bulb moment for me! My new post @plos.org comes from learning about the concept of science populists:
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/12/19/s...
....
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/12/19/s...
....
Science Populism, Medicine Style - Absolutely Maybe
I hadn’t been aware of the term science populism until a video about it did the rounds recently. It was a light-bulb…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
December 19, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Good piece.
This was a light-bulb moment for me! My new post @plos.org comes from learning about the concept of science populists:
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/12/19/s...
....
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/12/19/s...
....
Science Populism, Medicine Style - Absolutely Maybe
I hadn’t been aware of the term science populism until a video about it did the rounds recently. It was a light-bulb…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
December 19, 2025 at 9:01 AM
This was a light-bulb moment for me! My new post @plos.org comes from learning about the concept of science populists:
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/12/19/s...
....
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/12/19/s...
....
New study from IQWiG: You can do without searching Embase for drug studies – though that could change if something drastic happened to PubMed.
(Currently only in German.)
#MedLibs
(Currently only in German.)
#MedLibs
Das IQWiG hat untersucht, wie relevant die Datenbank Embase für die Suche nach Arzneimittelstudien ist. Ergebnis: Embase ist als Informationsquelle verzichtbar.
Allerdings könnte sich der Stellenwert von Embase wieder ändern, sollten andere US-Datenbanken wegfallen.
www.iqwig.de/projekte/ga2...
Allerdings könnte sich der Stellenwert von Embase wieder ändern, sollten andere US-Datenbanken wegfallen.
www.iqwig.de/projekte/ga2...
[GA24-04] Evaluation zur Relevanz von Embase für die Suche nach Arzneimittelstudien
Evaluation zur Relevanz von Embase für die Suche nach Arzneimittelstudien
www.iqwig.de
December 12, 2025 at 11:14 PM
New study from IQWiG: You can do without searching Embase for drug studies – though that could change if something drastic happened to PubMed.
(Currently only in German.)
#MedLibs
(Currently only in German.)
#MedLibs
This Was a Strong Way to Respond to Science Criticism
A vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer is frankly awesome. Cervical cancer is dreadful, and the lengths we go to in treating lesions that could develop into the disease cause misery to millions. Yet, HPV vaccines have always been a magnet…
A vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer is frankly awesome. Cervical cancer is dreadful, and the lengths we go to in treating lesions that could develop into the disease cause misery to millions. Yet, HPV vaccines have always been a magnet…
This Was a Strong Way to Respond to Science Criticism
A vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer is frankly awesome. Cervical cancer is dreadful, and the lengths we go to in treating lesions that could develop into the disease cause misery to millions. Yet, HPV vaccines have always been a magnet for controversy – and not just because they are at the volatile intersection of children, sexually transmitted disease, and vaccines.
hildabastian.wordpress.com
December 7, 2025 at 6:50 AM
This Was a Strong Way to Respond to Science Criticism
A vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer is frankly awesome. Cervical cancer is dreadful, and the lengths we go to in treating lesions that could develop into the disease cause misery to millions. Yet, HPV vaccines have always been a magnet…
A vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer is frankly awesome. Cervical cancer is dreadful, and the lengths we go to in treating lesions that could develop into the disease cause misery to millions. Yet, HPV vaccines have always been a magnet…
Nothing says first day of summer like eating the first perfect cherries from your baby tree! Yum! 😍
December 1, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Nothing says first day of summer like eating the first perfect cherries from your baby tree! Yum! 😍
More progress internationally on next generation Covid vaccines – with a setback in the US:
- More good news on the vaccine for people with immunosuppression
- Progress in intranasal vaccine trials in France & the US ....1/2
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/30/m...
- More good news on the vaccine for people with immunosuppression
- Progress in intranasal vaccine trials in France & the US ....1/2
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/30/m...
More Progress on Next Generation Covid Vaccines, and a Setback in the US (Update No 35) - Absolutely Maybe
Last month’s update ran long, so this one covers less than a month – but there’s still a lot of news. There…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
November 30, 2025 at 5:31 AM
More progress internationally on next generation Covid vaccines – with a setback in the US:
- More good news on the vaccine for people with immunosuppression
- Progress in intranasal vaccine trials in France & the US ....1/2
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/30/m...
- More good news on the vaccine for people with immunosuppression
- Progress in intranasal vaccine trials in France & the US ....1/2
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/30/m...
Another chance to help out the OLSPub team, who are aiming to develop an open source PubMed safety net. A 10-minute survey for scientists etc - in German and English: survey.uni-koeln.de/index.php/56...
survey.uni-koeln.de
November 25, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Another chance to help out the OLSPub team, who are aiming to develop an open source PubMed safety net. A 10-minute survey for scientists etc - in German and English: survey.uni-koeln.de/index.php/56...
Reposted by Hilda Bastian
Surrogate outcomes
Screening versus prevention schools of thought
And much more in this extremely readable @hildabast.bsky.social post absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/24/t...
(Remember Nordic Cochrane aka Gøtzsche went off the rails a few years ago? This is the outcome)
Screening versus prevention schools of thought
And much more in this extremely readable @hildabast.bsky.social post absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/24/t...
(Remember Nordic Cochrane aka Gøtzsche went off the rails a few years ago? This is the outcome)
This Evidence Fundamentally Shifts the Debate About the HPV Vaccine - Absolutely Maybe
We’ve had to wait a long time to get to this point. If cervical cancer develops after HPV infection, it will take…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
November 24, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Surrogate outcomes
Screening versus prevention schools of thought
And much more in this extremely readable @hildabast.bsky.social post absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/24/t...
(Remember Nordic Cochrane aka Gøtzsche went off the rails a few years ago? This is the outcome)
Screening versus prevention schools of thought
And much more in this extremely readable @hildabast.bsky.social post absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/24/t...
(Remember Nordic Cochrane aka Gøtzsche went off the rails a few years ago? This is the outcome)
Reposted by Hilda Bastian
'The weight of the evidence has tipped heavily in favor of HPV vaccination" @hildabast.bsky.social
but we now need to deal with growing vaccine hesistancy!
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/24/t...
but we now need to deal with growing vaccine hesistancy!
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/24/t...
November 24, 2025 at 11:27 AM
'The weight of the evidence has tipped heavily in favor of HPV vaccination" @hildabast.bsky.social
but we now need to deal with growing vaccine hesistancy!
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/24/t...
but we now need to deal with growing vaccine hesistancy!
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/24/t...
We've had to wait a long time to get to this point! With this new pair of Cochrane systematic reviews, the weight of the evidence has tipped very heavily in favor of HPV vaccination.
My new post @plos.org absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/24/t...
#Vaccines
My new post @plos.org absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/24/t...
#Vaccines
This Evidence Fundamentally Shifts the Debate About the HPV Vaccine - Absolutely Maybe
We’ve had to wait a long time to get to this point. If cervical cancer develops after HPV infection, it will take…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
November 24, 2025 at 10:24 AM
We've had to wait a long time to get to this point! With this new pair of Cochrane systematic reviews, the weight of the evidence has tipped very heavily in favor of HPV vaccination.
My new post @plos.org absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/24/t...
#Vaccines
My new post @plos.org absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/24/t...
#Vaccines
OLSPub, the plan for a PubMed safety net, is going to need governance & funding support beyond Germany. DFG, a national German research funder, * might * support some of it, but not enough. @zbmed.bsky.social will now be fast-tracking their plans for a distributed European network. ...1/2
November 19, 2025 at 6:40 AM
OLSPub, the plan for a PubMed safety net, is going to need governance & funding support beyond Germany. DFG, a national German research funder, * might * support some of it, but not enough. @zbmed.bsky.social will now be fast-tracking their plans for a distributed European network. ...1/2
November 15, 2025 at 5:31 AM
A Bumper Month for Covid Vaccines and More
It's been an eventful few weeks for Covid vaccines – mostly good, some very bad. Let's start with the good news. Novavax has transferred marketing of its protein subunit Covid vaccine in the EU and US to a major pharmaceutical company, Sanofi. Here's…
It's been an eventful few weeks for Covid vaccines – mostly good, some very bad. Let's start with the good news. Novavax has transferred marketing of its protein subunit Covid vaccine in the EU and US to a major pharmaceutical company, Sanofi. Here's…
A Bumper Month for Covid Vaccines and More
It's been an eventful few weeks for Covid vaccines – mostly good, some very bad. Let's start with the good news. Novavax has transferred marketing of its protein subunit Covid vaccine in the EU and US to a major pharmaceutical company, Sanofi. Here's hoping that leads to wider availability and economies of scale. Sanofi will also be able to use Novavax's patented adjuvant in new vaccines.
hildabastian.wordpress.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:38 AM
A Bumper Month for Covid Vaccines and More
It's been an eventful few weeks for Covid vaccines – mostly good, some very bad. Let's start with the good news. Novavax has transferred marketing of its protein subunit Covid vaccine in the EU and US to a major pharmaceutical company, Sanofi. Here's…
It's been an eventful few weeks for Covid vaccines – mostly good, some very bad. Let's start with the good news. Novavax has transferred marketing of its protein subunit Covid vaccine in the EU and US to a major pharmaceutical company, Sanofi. Here's…
Arcturus not applying for FDA approval of self-amplifying mRNA Covid vax because of "sudden changes in regulatory requirements by the FDA for COVID-19 vaccines." ir.arcturusrx.com/news-release...
It's already approved in Japan & Europe. My explainer on samRNA absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/12/31/s...
It's already approved in Japan & Europe. My explainer on samRNA absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/12/31/s...
Arcturus Therapeutics Announces Third Quarter 2025 Financial Update and Pipeline Progress | Arcturus Therapeutics, Inc.
Encouraging CF interim Phase 2 data support continued and expanded trial design 12-week safety and preliminary efficacy study in up to 20 CF participants planned to start H1 2026 Additional cost reduc...
ir.arcturusrx.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Arcturus not applying for FDA approval of self-amplifying mRNA Covid vax because of "sudden changes in regulatory requirements by the FDA for COVID-19 vaccines." ir.arcturusrx.com/news-release...
It's already approved in Japan & Europe. My explainer on samRNA absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/12/31/s...
It's already approved in Japan & Europe. My explainer on samRNA absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/12/31/s...
Reposted by Hilda Bastian
My latest update on nextgen Covid vaccines is a whopper, in part thanks to catching up with a new vax tracker:
- Trial results for 2 vaxes
- 3 new clinical trials
- 26 preclinical reports
Highlights follow....1/2
Now @plos.org: absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/06/a...
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
- Trial results for 2 vaxes
- 3 new clinical trials
- 26 preclinical reports
Highlights follow....1/2
Now @plos.org: absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/06/a...
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
A Bumper Update on Next Generation Covid Vaccines (No 34) - Absolutely Maybe
This was always going to be a big month, with results from clinical trials of 2 vaccines, as well as 3 new…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
November 6, 2025 at 10:52 PM
My latest update on nextgen Covid vaccines is a whopper, in part thanks to catching up with a new vax tracker:
- Trial results for 2 vaxes
- 3 new clinical trials
- 26 preclinical reports
Highlights follow....1/2
Now @plos.org: absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/06/a...
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
- Trial results for 2 vaxes
- 3 new clinical trials
- 26 preclinical reports
Highlights follow....1/2
Now @plos.org: absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/06/a...
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
My latest update on nextgen Covid vaccines is a whopper, in part thanks to catching up with a new vax tracker:
- Trial results for 2 vaxes
- 3 new clinical trials
- 26 preclinical reports
Highlights follow....1/2
Now @plos.org: absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/06/a...
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
- Trial results for 2 vaxes
- 3 new clinical trials
- 26 preclinical reports
Highlights follow....1/2
Now @plos.org: absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/06/a...
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
A Bumper Update on Next Generation Covid Vaccines (No 34) - Absolutely Maybe
This was always going to be a big month, with results from clinical trials of 2 vaccines, as well as 3 new…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
November 6, 2025 at 10:52 PM
My latest update on nextgen Covid vaccines is a whopper, in part thanks to catching up with a new vax tracker:
- Trial results for 2 vaxes
- 3 new clinical trials
- 26 preclinical reports
Highlights follow....1/2
Now @plos.org: absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/06/a...
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
- Trial results for 2 vaxes
- 3 new clinical trials
- 26 preclinical reports
Highlights follow....1/2
Now @plos.org: absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/06/a...
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines
Oh my! I didn't realize the Australian CDC already has a website: cdc.gov.au 🎉
It's technically the interim CDC, as it's only due in January 2026 (if all goes to plan).
www.cdc.gov.au/about/about-...
It's technically the interim CDC, as it's only due in January 2026 (if all goes to plan).
www.cdc.gov.au/about/about-...
November 5, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Oh my! I didn't realize the Australian CDC already has a website: cdc.gov.au 🎉
It's technically the interim CDC, as it's only due in January 2026 (if all goes to plan).
www.cdc.gov.au/about/about-...
It's technically the interim CDC, as it's only due in January 2026 (if all goes to plan).
www.cdc.gov.au/about/about-...
PubMed had some disruption in adding records this week, apparently recovering on Wednesday with over 9,800 records in one day. But if you have a Plan B for critical searches, maybe start using it... 1/2
Chart data: New daily records 2024/25. Some dip on weekends is normal. bit.ly/42MfAFM
#MedLibs
Chart data: New daily records 2024/25. Some dip on weekends is normal. bit.ly/42MfAFM
#MedLibs
October 31, 2025 at 4:24 AM
PubMed had some disruption in adding records this week, apparently recovering on Wednesday with over 9,800 records in one day. But if you have a Plan B for critical searches, maybe start using it... 1/2
Chart data: New daily records 2024/25. Some dip on weekends is normal. bit.ly/42MfAFM
#MedLibs
Chart data: New daily records 2024/25. Some dip on weekends is normal. bit.ly/42MfAFM
#MedLibs
Reposted by Hilda Bastian
Always worth reading @hildabast.bsky.social
This time on a possible @bsky.app to Mastodon migration
Network effects
Fediverse
The Academic addiction to @altmetric.bsky.social
Much more thoughtful discussion
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/10/30/a...
#AcademicSky
This time on a possible @bsky.app to Mastodon migration
Network effects
Fediverse
The Academic addiction to @altmetric.bsky.social
Much more thoughtful discussion
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/10/30/a...
#AcademicSky
A Mastodon Migration From Bluesky Would Be Different - Absolutely Maybe
The Mastodon migration from Twitter in 2022 was massive for the non-commercial community network: The number of accounts swelled with more than…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
October 30, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Always worth reading @hildabast.bsky.social
This time on a possible @bsky.app to Mastodon migration
Network effects
Fediverse
The Academic addiction to @altmetric.bsky.social
Much more thoughtful discussion
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/10/30/a...
#AcademicSky
This time on a possible @bsky.app to Mastodon migration
Network effects
Fediverse
The Academic addiction to @altmetric.bsky.social
Much more thoughtful discussion
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/10/30/a...
#AcademicSky
Following the recent ominous Bluesky controversies got me thinking about how a Bluesky exodus would play out. So I dug into the studies of the 2022 Mastodon migration from Twitter: I found 14 studies.
Here's my new post @plos.org
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/10/30/a...
#Mastodon #Fediverse
Here's my new post @plos.org
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/10/30/a...
#Mastodon #Fediverse
A Mastodon Migration From Bluesky Would Be Different - Absolutely Maybe
The Mastodon migration from Twitter in 2022 was massive for the non-commercial community network: The number of accounts swelled with more than…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
October 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Following the recent ominous Bluesky controversies got me thinking about how a Bluesky exodus would play out. So I dug into the studies of the 2022 Mastodon migration from Twitter: I found 14 studies.
Here's my new post @plos.org
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/10/30/a...
#Mastodon #Fediverse
Here's my new post @plos.org
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/10/30/a...
#Mastodon #Fediverse
LinkedIn's default permission for using your data for AI kicks in on November 3. Here's where to switch it off on your account:
> Settings & Privacy → Data privacy → Data for Generative AI Improvement
tuta.com/blog/linkedi...
> Settings & Privacy → Data privacy → Data for Generative AI Improvement
tuta.com/blog/linkedi...
Act until Nov 3rd to stop LinkedIn from abusing your data to train AI! | Tuta
Soon your data like your resumes and profile information will be used to train LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Co.'s artificial intelligence. And no, you didn’t opt-in. Take action and stop this now.
tuta.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:21 PM
LinkedIn's default permission for using your data for AI kicks in on November 3. Here's where to switch it off on your account:
> Settings & Privacy → Data privacy → Data for Generative AI Improvement
tuta.com/blog/linkedi...
> Settings & Privacy → Data privacy → Data for Generative AI Improvement
tuta.com/blog/linkedi...