Karen Weintraub
@karenweintraub.bsky.social
Long-time health/science journalist, currently an editor at USA TODAY; lecturer in science journalism at MIT; co-author "Born in Cambridge: 400 Years of Ideas and Innovators."
Reposted by Karen Weintraub
I was in Inwood/Dyckman, home to the largest concentration of Dominicans in the country. Zohran Mamdani won the area in June. Cost of living was something I heard from residents, plus public safety.
“Every day is worse,” one woman told me in Spanish. “The economy, the cost of living, the rent.”
“Every day is worse,” one woman told me in Spanish. “The economy, the cost of living, the rent.”
New York City voters turned out to the polls as Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo face off in tight race.
New York City voters flood polls as Mamdani and Cuomo race tightens
New York City voters turned out to the polls as Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo face off in tight race.
bit.ly
November 4, 2025 at 9:00 PM
I was in Inwood/Dyckman, home to the largest concentration of Dominicans in the country. Zohran Mamdani won the area in June. Cost of living was something I heard from residents, plus public safety.
“Every day is worse,” one woman told me in Spanish. “The economy, the cost of living, the rent.”
“Every day is worse,” one woman told me in Spanish. “The economy, the cost of living, the rent.”
Moving and beautifully written piece by @laurenvillagran.bsky.social about the consequences to one American family of aggressive deportations: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
The fate of this family of 8 is in ICE's hands. Will they get 'mercy'?
Their application to legalize her husband's immigration status is unfolding against the backdrop of President Donald Trump's mass deportation efforts.
www.usatoday.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Moving and beautifully written piece by @laurenvillagran.bsky.social about the consequences to one American family of aggressive deportations: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
Only 30 patients so far, but very encouraging results from this cancer vaccine in pancreatic and colon cancer patients.
GOOD NEWS! A new cancer vaccine has shown progress in triggering POWERFUL and LASTING immune responses in patients with pancreatic AND colorectal cancer. The vaccine, known as ELI-002 2P, targets mutant KRAS proteins AND had a huge impact on PREVENTING or DELAYING cancer recurrence in patients.
October 26, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Only 30 patients so far, but very encouraging results from this cancer vaccine in pancreatic and colon cancer patients.
Reposted by Karen Weintraub
It's been a heck of a week. Reposting this in case there is something on your mind
Have a tip about something happening in Washington — or the impact of federal policy where you live?
Here’s how to safely and effectively send me a tip.
🧵 A quick guide:
Here’s how to safely and effectively send me a tip.
🧵 A quick guide:
August 29, 2025 at 6:53 PM
It's been a heck of a week. Reposting this in case there is something on your mind
Reposted by Karen Weintraub
no comment other than you should read these
Breaking News: Read three top CDC officials' resignation emails.
The end of an era.
insidemedicine.substack.com
August 27, 2025 at 11:59 PM
no comment other than you should read these
Reposted by Karen Weintraub
Just a week left! cmsw.mit.edu/applications...
"We seek a candidate to contribute to the Institute’s intellectual life by pursuing an active publishing agenda, teaching courses in creative writing and related subjects at the undergraduate level, advising students, and directing senior theses."
"We seek a candidate to contribute to the Institute’s intellectual life by pursuing an active publishing agenda, teaching courses in creative writing and related subjects at the undergraduate level, advising students, and directing senior theses."
August 22, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Just a week left! cmsw.mit.edu/applications...
"We seek a candidate to contribute to the Institute’s intellectual life by pursuing an active publishing agenda, teaching courses in creative writing and related subjects at the undergraduate level, advising students, and directing senior theses."
"We seek a candidate to contribute to the Institute’s intellectual life by pursuing an active publishing agenda, teaching courses in creative writing and related subjects at the undergraduate level, advising students, and directing senior theses."
Reposted by Karen Weintraub
“Any reductions could affect disabled people’s ability to live with loved ones, go to school, hold jobs, enjoy public activities and contribute to their communities…
“I don’t want to just survive… Medicaid helps me live a fulfilling, independent life in my community.”
“I don’t want to just survive… Medicaid helps me live a fulfilling, independent life in my community.”
Disabled Americans Fear What Medicaid Cuts Could Do to Them
www.nytimes.com
July 21, 2025 at 6:46 PM
“Any reductions could affect disabled people’s ability to live with loved ones, go to school, hold jobs, enjoy public activities and contribute to their communities…
“I don’t want to just survive… Medicaid helps me live a fulfilling, independent life in my community.”
“I don’t want to just survive… Medicaid helps me live a fulfilling, independent life in my community.”
Reposted by Karen Weintraub
Due to legal threats and political pressure, Children’s National Hospital will “no longer will be prescribing medications, evaluating patients for or recommending medications, or providing services for monitoring of medications, including laboratory evaluations, for gender-affirming care.” 2/2
July 18, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Due to legal threats and political pressure, Children’s National Hospital will “no longer will be prescribing medications, evaluating patients for or recommending medications, or providing services for monitoring of medications, including laboratory evaluations, for gender-affirming care.” 2/2
Nude photos for cash? Immigrants go to new lengths to raise funds to cover legal fees
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
GoFundMe campaigns raise nearly $2 million to block deportations, aid families
Immigrants and their families are going online to raise funds to defend against their deportation, from GoFundMe to OnlyFans.
www.usatoday.com
July 16, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Nude photos for cash? Immigrants go to new lengths to raise funds to cover legal fees
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
Reposted by Karen Weintraub
Weather experts warn the U.S. could see more tragedies like the recent flash floods in Texas.
Concerns are growing about the accuracy of weather forecasting amid contract cancellations, staff reductions and other efforts by the Trump admin to reduce the federal bureaucracy.
Read: bit.ly/4nIJzqY
Concerns are growing about the accuracy of weather forecasting amid contract cancellations, staff reductions and other efforts by the Trump admin to reduce the federal bureaucracy.
Read: bit.ly/4nIJzqY
July 10, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Weather experts warn the U.S. could see more tragedies like the recent flash floods in Texas.
Concerns are growing about the accuracy of weather forecasting amid contract cancellations, staff reductions and other efforts by the Trump admin to reduce the federal bureaucracy.
Read: bit.ly/4nIJzqY
Concerns are growing about the accuracy of weather forecasting amid contract cancellations, staff reductions and other efforts by the Trump admin to reduce the federal bureaucracy.
Read: bit.ly/4nIJzqY
Reposted by Karen Weintraub
Something to celebrate! A push for on-demand gene-editing cures for children with severe genetic diseases, supported by @cziscience.bsky.social.
What warms my heart: family advocates inspired this, and individuals who had the power to do so made it happen.
chanzuckerberg.com/newsroom/cen...
What warms my heart: family advocates inspired this, and individuals who had the power to do so made it happen.
chanzuckerberg.com/newsroom/cen...
Advancing Cures for Rare Diseases
With the launch of the new center, we're one step closer to making personalized CRISPR cures a reality for children born with rare genetic diseases.
chanzuckerberg.com
July 8, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Something to celebrate! A push for on-demand gene-editing cures for children with severe genetic diseases, supported by @cziscience.bsky.social.
What warms my heart: family advocates inspired this, and individuals who had the power to do so made it happen.
chanzuckerberg.com/newsroom/cen...
What warms my heart: family advocates inspired this, and individuals who had the power to do so made it happen.
chanzuckerberg.com/newsroom/cen...
Reposted by Karen Weintraub
ACIP draft agenda revives anti-vaccine boilerplate topics
The group is expected to vote on thimerosal, despite no evidence of harm, and will discuss the MMRV use in young children.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
The group is expected to vote on thimerosal, despite no evidence of harm, and will discuss the MMRV use in young children.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
June 18, 2025 at 9:17 PM
ACIP draft agenda revives anti-vaccine boilerplate topics
The group is expected to vote on thimerosal, despite no evidence of harm, and will discuss the MMRV use in young children.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
The group is expected to vote on thimerosal, despite no evidence of harm, and will discuss the MMRV use in young children.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Yikes!!! Doctors Were Preparing to Remove Their Organs. Then They Woke Up. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/06/u...
Doctors Were Preparing to Remove Their Organs. Then They Woke Up.
www.nytimes.com
June 9, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Yikes!!! Doctors Were Preparing to Remove Their Organs. Then They Woke Up. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/06/u...
Reposted by Karen Weintraub
New: Every mother thinks her son is a saint. Hers actually will be.
Antonia Salzano, the mother of soon-to-be St. Carlo Acutis, spoke about her son's daily life and how he relates to young people today.
From the Bronx, my latest dispatch for @usatoday.com, edited by @karenweintraub.bsky.social:
Antonia Salzano, the mother of soon-to-be St. Carlo Acutis, spoke about her son's daily life and how he relates to young people today.
From the Bronx, my latest dispatch for @usatoday.com, edited by @karenweintraub.bsky.social:
Every mother thinks her son is a saint. Hers actually will be.
Antonia Salzano wasn't particularly religious until she saw faith through her son. Others can follow his example, she said while touring the US.
www.usatoday.com
May 31, 2025 at 5:40 PM
New: Every mother thinks her son is a saint. Hers actually will be.
Antonia Salzano, the mother of soon-to-be St. Carlo Acutis, spoke about her son's daily life and how he relates to young people today.
From the Bronx, my latest dispatch for @usatoday.com, edited by @karenweintraub.bsky.social:
Antonia Salzano, the mother of soon-to-be St. Carlo Acutis, spoke about her son's daily life and how he relates to young people today.
From the Bronx, my latest dispatch for @usatoday.com, edited by @karenweintraub.bsky.social:
Reposted by Karen Weintraub
Dangerously hot in Alaska? New warnings show climate change impact. Despite federal budget cuts to climate change-related programs and deletions of the phrase on websites, evidence of warming temperatures keeps showing itself. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n... via @usatoday
Dangerously hot in Alaska? New warnings show climate change impact.
National Weather Service to launch first heat advisories in Fairbanks and Juneau this summer in response to climate change.
www.usatoday.com
May 3, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Dangerously hot in Alaska? New warnings show climate change impact. Despite federal budget cuts to climate change-related programs and deletions of the phrase on websites, evidence of warming temperatures keeps showing itself. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n... via @usatoday
Reposted by Karen Weintraub
The pair of wandering North Atlantic right whales made it out of the Gulf and showed up in Bimini. www.usatoday.com/story/news/2...
A wayward pair of female right whales took a 2,000-mile journey around Florida
A pair of North Atlantic right whales seen off Florida in the Gulf may be headed back north after being seen in Bimini in the Bahamas.
www.usatoday.com
April 26, 2025 at 3:52 AM
The pair of wandering North Atlantic right whales made it out of the Gulf and showed up in Bimini. www.usatoday.com/story/news/2...
Important and crushing story about the continued risk of maternal mortality in America, especialy for Black women...https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/04/24/nurse-hailey-okula-death-pregnancy-childbirth-risks/83030226007/
'Nurse Hailey' Okula was a healthy, happy 33-year-old. We need to talk about how she died.
Nurse Hailey Okula's death is a reminder: Hundreds of U.S. women die yearly during or after pregnancy at rates higher than in other wealthy countries.
www.usatoday.com
April 25, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Important and crushing story about the continued risk of maternal mortality in America, especialy for Black women...https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/04/24/nurse-hailey-okula-death-pregnancy-childbirth-risks/83030226007/
Powerful story by @trevorhughes.bsky.social https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/04/03/trump-deportation-el-salvador-venezuela-gang/82783868007/
April 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Powerful story by @trevorhughes.bsky.social https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/04/03/trump-deportation-el-salvador-venezuela-gang/82783868007/
Reposted by Karen Weintraub
The vaccine against Shingles helps protect against dementia, results of a natural experiment, adding to prior evidence
"implications are profound"
New @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com/articles/s41...
"implications are profound"
New @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com/articles/s41...
A natural experiment on the effect of herpes zoster vaccination on dementia - Nature
Using a natural experiment that avoids common bias concerns, this study finds that the live-attenuated shingles vaccine reduced the probability of a new dementia diagnosis within a follow-up period of...
nature.com
April 2, 2025 at 3:29 PM
The vaccine against Shingles helps protect against dementia, results of a natural experiment, adding to prior evidence
"implications are profound"
New @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com/articles/s41...
"implications are profound"
New @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Karen Weintraub
Twenty-three measles cases have been reported in Kansas, and the state health department said they could be linked to an ongoing outbreak that has infected at least 379 people across Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
Measles cases rise to 23 in Kansas, may be linked to large multistate outbreak | CNN
Twenty-three measles cases have been reported in Kansas, and the state health department said they could be linked to an ongoing outbreak that has infected at least 379 people across Texas, New Mexico...
www.cnn.com
March 27, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Twenty-three measles cases have been reported in Kansas, and the state health department said they could be linked to an ongoing outbreak that has infected at least 379 people across Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
Tremendous reporting and writing by @laurenvillagran.bsky.social www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
He voted for Trump. Now his wife sits in an ICE detention center.
ICE's deportation actions signal that anyone who isn't a US citizen is 'at risk – period,' immigration attorney says.
www.usatoday.com
March 16, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Tremendous reporting and writing by @laurenvillagran.bsky.social www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...