Johan Van Weyenbergh
@johanvawe.bsky.social
Immunologist curious about viruses, cancer, evolution and all things human
Likes all #systems thinking and still working out all the #omics 🤓
#immunosky #medsky #idsky
Likes all #systems thinking and still working out all the #omics 🤓
#immunosky #medsky #idsky
Don’t assume that women’s low retraction rates reflect male ‘boldness’ 🧪
#science #gendergap
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
#science #gendergap
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Don’t assume that women’s low retraction rates reflect male ‘boldness’
Letter to the Editor
www.nature.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Don’t assume that women’s low retraction rates reflect male ‘boldness’ 🧪
#science #gendergap
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
#science #gendergap
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Johan Van Weyenbergh
The "enshittification" driven by the toxic academic culture of "publish or perish". With publishers getting ↗️ profits -alike the music & movie industry- at the expense of degradation in scholars integrity ↘️: clear trend! Why are we doing this damage to #science? How to revert it? 🧪⚛️🎢 #AcademicSky
The 5 stages of the ‘enshittification’ of academic publishing
Academic publishing now shows the same decline that has hit social media and online marketplaces.
theconversation.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:40 PM
The "enshittification" driven by the toxic academic culture of "publish or perish". With publishers getting ↗️ profits -alike the music & movie industry- at the expense of degradation in scholars integrity ↘️: clear trend! Why are we doing this damage to #science? How to revert it? 🧪⚛️🎢 #AcademicSky
Reposted by Johan Van Weyenbergh
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that exposure to certain food preservatives, including potassium sorbate and sodium nitrite, correlates with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 🧪
Associations between preservative food additives and type 2 diabetes incidence in the NutriNet-Santé prospective cohort - Nature Communications
Exposure to twelve widely used preservative food additives are associated with a higher incidence of type 2 diabetes in the French NutriNet-Santé cohort of 108,723 adults, supporting recommendations to favour fresh and minimally processed foods
go.nature.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:55 AM
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that exposure to certain food preservatives, including potassium sorbate and sodium nitrite, correlates with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 🧪
Reposted by Johan Van Weyenbergh
Direct link to the article mentioned in the post above (see next post for link to the research):
Study: Lost wages from long COVID total $12.7 billion in just one year (Jan 15, 2026)
ufhealth.org/news/2026/st...
Study: Lost wages from long COVID total $12.7 billion in just one year (Jan 15, 2026)
ufhealth.org/news/2026/st...
Study: Lost wages from long COVID total $12.7 billion in just one year - UF Health
UF Health study finds long COVID led to billions in lost wages.
ufhealth.org
January 15, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Direct link to the article mentioned in the post above (see next post for link to the research):
Study: Lost wages from long COVID total $12.7 billion in just one year (Jan 15, 2026)
ufhealth.org/news/2026/st...
Study: Lost wages from long COVID total $12.7 billion in just one year (Jan 15, 2026)
ufhealth.org/news/2026/st...
Reposted by Johan Van Weyenbergh
- A family history of cancer may reflect genetic susceptibility, immune dysregulation, or environmental exposures that influence vulnerability to post-viral illness.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/fam...
www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/fam...
Family history of cancer linked to increased risk of long COVID
www.cidrap.umn.edu
January 15, 2026 at 9:41 PM
- A family history of cancer may reflect genetic susceptibility, immune dysregulation, or environmental exposures that influence vulnerability to post-viral illness.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/fam...
www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/fam...
Reposted by Johan Van Weyenbergh
🧪
Job alert! Assistant professor position in the Department of Molecular Genetics (University of Toronto). Amazing department and city. jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-... Please share.
Assistant Professor - Virology
Assistant Professor - Virology
jobs.utoronto.ca
January 15, 2026 at 8:10 PM
🧪
The mirage of #AI deregulation | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
The mirage of AI deregulation
One of the most interventionist approaches to technology governance in the United States in a generation has cloaked itself in the language of deregulation. In early December 2025, President Donald Tr...
www.science.org
January 15, 2026 at 9:44 PM
The mirage of #AI deregulation | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
🧪Transforming #mentalhealth research and care through artificial intelligence
#AI Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#AI Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Transforming mental health research and care through artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) holds transformative potential for the care of people with mental health illnesses. This Review explores key domains and emerging applications of AI in mental health, emph...
www.science.org
January 15, 2026 at 9:42 PM
🧪Transforming #mentalhealth research and care through artificial intelligence
#AI Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#AI Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Johan Van Weyenbergh
WHO is now seeking a Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Management, a critical role in protecting communities worldwide.
The closing date for applications is January 17, 2026.
careers.who.int/careersectio...
The closing date for applications is January 17, 2026.
careers.who.int/careersectio...
January 14, 2026 at 11:18 AM
WHO is now seeking a Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Management, a critical role in protecting communities worldwide.
The closing date for applications is January 17, 2026.
careers.who.int/careersectio...
The closing date for applications is January 17, 2026.
careers.who.int/careersectio...
Reposted by Johan Van Weyenbergh
Scientists at the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) and KU Leuven have uncovered a key mechanism that helps nerve cells maintain their extensions.
Early mechanisms of neurodegeneration uncovered by Belgian study
Early mechanisms of neurodegeneration uncovered by Belgian study
www.brusselstimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Scientists at the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) and KU Leuven have uncovered a key mechanism that helps nerve cells maintain their extensions.
Reposted by Johan Van Weyenbergh
"...a unilateral takeover [by the US] would risk scientists in the rest of the world losing access to one of the most important climate research sites." 🧪
theconversation.com/why-greenlan...
theconversation.com/why-greenlan...
Why Greenland is indispensable to global climate science
With no Antarctica-style treaty to protect Greenland, a US takeover could mean scientists lose access.
theconversation.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:34 AM
"...a unilateral takeover [by the US] would risk scientists in the rest of the world losing access to one of the most important climate research sites." 🧪
theconversation.com/why-greenlan...
theconversation.com/why-greenlan...
🧪Why a fatal ‘black fungus’ struck India during the #COVID-19 pandemic | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Why a fatal ‘black fungus’ struck India during the COVID-19 pandemic
Mucormycosis may be triggered by low levels of albumin, the most common blood protein
www.science.org
January 10, 2026 at 6:52 PM
🧪Why a fatal ‘black fungus’ struck India during the #COVID-19 pandemic | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Johan Van Weyenbergh
🧪New #hepatitis B drug could help ‘functionally cure’ some patients | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
New hepatitis B drug could help ‘functionally cure’ some patients
Scientists welcome GSK announcement that two trials succeeded—even though data are still lacking
www.science.org
January 10, 2026 at 6:30 PM
🧪New #hepatitis B drug could help ‘functionally cure’ some patients | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
When #HIV pays the price: Fitness costs behind lenacapavir resistance | Science Translational Medicine www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
When HIV pays the price: Fitness costs behind lenacapavir resistance
HIV can take several mutational pathways to become resistant to lenacapavir, each with distinct resistance and fitness profiles (Pennetzdorfer et al., this issue).
www.science.org
January 8, 2026 at 10:03 PM
When #HIV pays the price: Fitness costs behind lenacapavir resistance | Science Translational Medicine www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Fresh conflicts erupt around giant database for #flu and #COVID-19 sequences
#GISAID 🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
#GISAID 🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
Fresh conflicts erupt around giant database for flu and COVID-19 sequences
Critics say “autocratic” behavior by GISAID could hamper response to a future pandemic
www.science.org
January 8, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Fresh conflicts erupt around giant database for #flu and #COVID-19 sequences
#GISAID 🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
#GISAID 🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Johan Van Weyenbergh
Oded Rechavi is presenting a Night Science Seminar next week about transgenerational epigenetic inheritance and his process of discovery! He will also talk about his influence on science communication & academia in general.
Free registration: cassyni.com/events/TjxgV...
@odedrechavi.bsky.social
Free registration: cassyni.com/events/TjxgV...
@odedrechavi.bsky.social
January 8, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Oded Rechavi is presenting a Night Science Seminar next week about transgenerational epigenetic inheritance and his process of discovery! He will also talk about his influence on science communication & academia in general.
Free registration: cassyni.com/events/TjxgV...
@odedrechavi.bsky.social
Free registration: cassyni.com/events/TjxgV...
@odedrechavi.bsky.social
Reposted by Johan Van Weyenbergh
Cambridge researchers gave 63 patients with acute coronary syndromes either low-dose IL-2 or placebo for 8 weeks.
IL-2 safely raised Treg cells and cut arterial inflammation by at least 7.7%, with no major cardiac events seen over 2 years.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
IL-2 safely raised Treg cells and cut arterial inflammation by at least 7.7%, with no major cardiac events seen over 2 years.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Client Challenge
www.nature.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Cambridge researchers gave 63 patients with acute coronary syndromes either low-dose IL-2 or placebo for 8 weeks.
IL-2 safely raised Treg cells and cut arterial inflammation by at least 7.7%, with no major cardiac events seen over 2 years.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
IL-2 safely raised Treg cells and cut arterial inflammation by at least 7.7%, with no major cardiac events seen over 2 years.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🧪how dormant #cancer cells can awaken 👇
Why does cancer come back after years of remission? @nature.com shares how researchers are uncovering what causes dormant tumor cells to reawaken. @judithagudo.bsky.social offered insights into why tumor cells may enter dormancy as a protective mechanism. Read more: bit.ly/4btv5Y6
Why cancer can come back years later — and how to stop it
Researchers are targeting dormant tumour cells that might explain why some cancers reappear long after successful treatment.
bit.ly
January 8, 2026 at 4:38 PM
🧪how dormant #cancer cells can awaken 👇
Oldest known poison arrows show Stone Age humans’ technological talents www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Client Challenge
www.nature.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Oldest known poison arrows show Stone Age humans’ technological talents www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Johan Van Weyenbergh
Bluesky is definitely a place for science, research and citing papers. We hope it will continue to close the gap as rapidly as it has with legacy social media. Research, science and dank memes need many homes on the internet.
Bluesky provides one of the more inviting ones.
Happy New Year.
Bluesky provides one of the more inviting ones.
Happy New Year.
a man wearing a beanie says " yeah science "
Alt: Jeffie (ok Jessie) Pinkman from Breaking Bad wearing a beanie says " yeah science" and points.
Hey did anyone watch Pluribus? Sick show, we Stan Vince Gilligan. I bet his middle name is Jeff.
media.tenor.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Bluesky is definitely a place for science, research and citing papers. We hope it will continue to close the gap as rapidly as it has with legacy social media. Research, science and dank memes need many homes on the internet.
Bluesky provides one of the more inviting ones.
Happy New Year.
Bluesky provides one of the more inviting ones.
Happy New Year.
Reposted by Johan Van Weyenbergh
🏺🦣🧪
V nice work: poison-tipped projectile weapons in early H. sapiens S. Africa 60 Ka.
Thoughts:
- tiny lithics framed as *adapted* for poisoning makes me think of Néronian micro-points in France, 54 ka
- focus here is hunting, but potentially useful against humans
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
V nice work: poison-tipped projectile weapons in early H. sapiens S. Africa 60 Ka.
Thoughts:
- tiny lithics framed as *adapted* for poisoning makes me think of Néronian micro-points in France, 54 ka
- focus here is hunting, but potentially useful against humans
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Direct evidence for poison use on microlithic arrowheads in Southern Africa at 60,000 years ago
Earliest proof of plant poisons on arrows reveals complex Pleistocene hunting in southern Africa.
www.science.org
January 8, 2026 at 10:21 AM
🏺🦣🧪
V nice work: poison-tipped projectile weapons in early H. sapiens S. Africa 60 Ka.
Thoughts:
- tiny lithics framed as *adapted* for poisoning makes me think of Néronian micro-points in France, 54 ka
- focus here is hunting, but potentially useful against humans
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
V nice work: poison-tipped projectile weapons in early H. sapiens S. Africa 60 Ka.
Thoughts:
- tiny lithics framed as *adapted* for poisoning makes me think of Néronian micro-points in France, 54 ka
- focus here is hunting, but potentially useful against humans
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Johan Van Weyenbergh
“Mpox viruses have caused two public-health emergencies in the past three years, so we need to be paying attention to it.”
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Will mpox go global again? Research shows it's evolving in curious ways
Analyses of mpox clades currently in circulation provide clues to how the virus managed to spread worldwide in 2022 — and how it might go global again.
www.nature.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:28 PM
“Mpox viruses have caused two public-health emergencies in the past three years, so we need to be paying attention to it.”
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...