MASmith
@masmith.bsky.social
Mostly here for renewable energy and public health news/insights, and appreciative of those on this site who share their expertise. Also enjoy the nature photography. Views are my own.
Reposted by MASmith
The CDC's announcement that it no longer recommends flu shots for all children comes as nine kids have already died from influenza this season.
www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
January 6, 2026 at 5:54 PM
The CDC's announcement that it no longer recommends flu shots for all children comes as nine kids have already died from influenza this season.
www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
We wouldn't send soldiers into combat without training, yet the new US immunization policy wants children to face deadly pathogens as raw recruits. The new policy puts young children in harm’s way.
Explore this gift article from The New York Times.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/h...
Explore this gift article from The New York Times.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/h...
Kennedy Scales Back the Number of Vaccines Recommended for Children
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:12 PM
We wouldn't send soldiers into combat without training, yet the new US immunization policy wants children to face deadly pathogens as raw recruits. The new policy puts young children in harm’s way.
Explore this gift article from The New York Times.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/h...
Explore this gift article from The New York Times.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/h...
Reposted by MASmith
Parent and pediatrician here.
All vaccines are still available & recommended. Talk to your pediatrician for more info.
Know this: Even as our government shifts its recommendation language, I would never forgo the RSV, hepatitis A & B, or meningitis vaccines for my own kids.
All vaccines are still available & recommended. Talk to your pediatrician for more info.
Know this: Even as our government shifts its recommendation language, I would never forgo the RSV, hepatitis A & B, or meningitis vaccines for my own kids.
January 5, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Parent and pediatrician here.
All vaccines are still available & recommended. Talk to your pediatrician for more info.
Know this: Even as our government shifts its recommendation language, I would never forgo the RSV, hepatitis A & B, or meningitis vaccines for my own kids.
All vaccines are still available & recommended. Talk to your pediatrician for more info.
Know this: Even as our government shifts its recommendation language, I would never forgo the RSV, hepatitis A & B, or meningitis vaccines for my own kids.
Reposted by MASmith
It will take some time (a few years), but this change will lead to hundreds of thousands of preventable diseases in the most vulnerable parts of the population, including deaths.
I assume we'll follow this up with the introduction of universal healthcare and paid family/sick/parental leave?
I assume we'll follow this up with the introduction of universal healthcare and paid family/sick/parental leave?
January 6, 2026 at 1:06 AM
It will take some time (a few years), but this change will lead to hundreds of thousands of preventable diseases in the most vulnerable parts of the population, including deaths.
I assume we'll follow this up with the introduction of universal healthcare and paid family/sick/parental leave?
I assume we'll follow this up with the introduction of universal healthcare and paid family/sick/parental leave?
Very useful Information Sheet from the Evidence Collective for understanding the changes to the Routine Childhood Vaccination Schedule and the impact on children. Explains why vaccination rates will continue to decrease and how children will be hurt.
www.evicollective.org/childhood-va...
www.evicollective.org/childhood-va...
Routine Childhood Vaccination Schedule Update — The Evidence Collective
www.evicollective.org
January 6, 2026 at 1:13 AM
Very useful Information Sheet from the Evidence Collective for understanding the changes to the Routine Childhood Vaccination Schedule and the impact on children. Explains why vaccination rates will continue to decrease and how children will be hurt.
www.evicollective.org/childhood-va...
www.evicollective.org/childhood-va...
Reposted by MASmith
Today’s announcement that HHS is drastically altering the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule without a transparent process or clear scientific justification represents the latest reckless step in Secretary Kennedy’s assault on the national vaccine infrastructure.
Our statement: https://bit.ly/497Tj8V
Our statement: https://bit.ly/497Tj8V
January 5, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Today’s announcement that HHS is drastically altering the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule without a transparent process or clear scientific justification represents the latest reckless step in Secretary Kennedy’s assault on the national vaccine infrastructure.
Our statement: https://bit.ly/497Tj8V
Our statement: https://bit.ly/497Tj8V
Reposted by MASmith
NEW RECORD: Africa imports 2GW of solar panels for the first time in a month.
And this is happening EVERYWHERE in Africa...
And this is happening EVERYWHERE in Africa...
January 5, 2026 at 8:57 AM
NEW RECORD: Africa imports 2GW of solar panels for the first time in a month.
And this is happening EVERYWHERE in Africa...
And this is happening EVERYWHERE in Africa...
Reposted by MASmith
WTI at ~$57 isn’t cyclical noise—it’s structural decay. Since the 2022 spike, oil failed to reclaim trend, printing lower highs as demand erodes. This isn’t one shock but substitution at scale: EVs, efficiency, electrified transport, heat pumps, rail, and China’s oil intensity falling. Now. #EVs
January 5, 2026 at 11:11 AM
WTI at ~$57 isn’t cyclical noise—it’s structural decay. Since the 2022 spike, oil failed to reclaim trend, printing lower highs as demand erodes. This isn’t one shock but substitution at scale: EVs, efficiency, electrified transport, heat pumps, rail, and China’s oil intensity falling. Now. #EVs
Reposted by MASmith
New interview with me www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dz3...
I get to discuss my book and share some deeper insights into the origin of COVID-19, including what I believe happened on the Chinese/US side and in the background.
I get to discuss my book and share some deeper insights into the origin of COVID-19, including what I believe happened on the Chinese/US side and in the background.
COVID-19, Lab Leak & Misinformation: An Evidence Based Conversation with Dr. Philipp Markolin
YouTube video by FinLog
www.youtube.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:03 PM
New interview with me www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dz3...
I get to discuss my book and share some deeper insights into the origin of COVID-19, including what I believe happened on the Chinese/US side and in the background.
I get to discuss my book and share some deeper insights into the origin of COVID-19, including what I believe happened on the Chinese/US side and in the background.
There is a lot of flu circulating now throughout the country. There are treatment options other than Tamiflu. One is Xofluza (baloxavir), which is more convenient (given as a single dose), shows faster viral load reduction, and may reduce risk of hospitalization.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-ge...
www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-ge...
Study links baloxavir to lower hospitalization risk in flu outpatients
www.cidrap.umn.edu
January 3, 2026 at 9:56 PM
There is a lot of flu circulating now throughout the country. There are treatment options other than Tamiflu. One is Xofluza (baloxavir), which is more convenient (given as a single dose), shows faster viral load reduction, and may reduce risk of hospitalization.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-ge...
www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-ge...
Setting aside constitutional issues for a moment, it is hard to see the strategic logic behind plans for accessing Venezuela's oil reserves when global oil markets face current oversupply with forecasts of continued glut through 2026. The economic rationale seems disconnected from market realities.
January 3, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Setting aside constitutional issues for a moment, it is hard to see the strategic logic behind plans for accessing Venezuela's oil reserves when global oil markets face current oversupply with forecasts of continued glut through 2026. The economic rationale seems disconnected from market realities.
Reposted by MASmith
Reposted by MASmith
Reposted by MASmith
Solar didn’t just shine in 2025 —
it shutdown all of the naysayers.
Costs collapsed. Deployment exploded.
Markets shifted gears.
That’s not a trend —
that’s transformation.
Years of progress. Years of scale.
No shortcuts. No flash.
While others exposed their shortcomings, solar forged ahead.
it shutdown all of the naysayers.
Costs collapsed. Deployment exploded.
Markets shifted gears.
That’s not a trend —
that’s transformation.
Years of progress. Years of scale.
No shortcuts. No flash.
While others exposed their shortcomings, solar forged ahead.
January 1, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Solar didn’t just shine in 2025 —
it shutdown all of the naysayers.
Costs collapsed. Deployment exploded.
Markets shifted gears.
That’s not a trend —
that’s transformation.
Years of progress. Years of scale.
No shortcuts. No flash.
While others exposed their shortcomings, solar forged ahead.
it shutdown all of the naysayers.
Costs collapsed. Deployment exploded.
Markets shifted gears.
That’s not a trend —
that’s transformation.
Years of progress. Years of scale.
No shortcuts. No flash.
While others exposed their shortcomings, solar forged ahead.
Important story in NYT that highlights the contrasting impact in Africa of China’s focus on clean energy exports versus the United States focus on fossil fuel exports. Take home message: solar panels plus batteries are winning.
Explore this gift article from the NYT www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/c...
Explore this gift article from the NYT www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/c...
Cheap Solar Is Transforming Lives and Economies Across Africa
www.nytimes.com
January 1, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Important story in NYT that highlights the contrasting impact in Africa of China’s focus on clean energy exports versus the United States focus on fossil fuel exports. Take home message: solar panels plus batteries are winning.
Explore this gift article from the NYT www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/c...
Explore this gift article from the NYT www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/c...
Reposted by MASmith
Excellent summary here of climate wins in courts across the world in 2025.
For all the setbacks, legal mobilisation is gaining ground - largely because the law has no choice but to adapt. It’s a question of when, not if.
For all the setbacks, legal mobilisation is gaining ground - largely because the law has no choice but to adapt. It’s a question of when, not if.
Start 2026 on a positive note by reading about 13 climate litigation wins from the last 12 months - what could be achieved in the next 12? #climatejustice
Greenwashing, illegality and false claims: 13 climate litigation wins in 2025
Legal action has brought important decisions, from the scrapping of fossil fuel plants to revised climate plans
www.theguardian.com
January 1, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Excellent summary here of climate wins in courts across the world in 2025.
For all the setbacks, legal mobilisation is gaining ground - largely because the law has no choice but to adapt. It’s a question of when, not if.
For all the setbacks, legal mobilisation is gaining ground - largely because the law has no choice but to adapt. It’s a question of when, not if.
“God, guns and solar - get the government off my roof.” That’s the winning slogan for US pols from Aussie renewable electricity advocate, Saul Griffith. Get cheaper electricity by making rooftop solar as quick & easy to install & connect to the grid as in Australia open.substack.com/pub/davidrob...
What's the real story with Australian rooftop solar?
Saul Griffith joins me to debunk the myths surrounding Australia's massive influx of solar energy.
open.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:59 AM
“God, guns and solar - get the government off my roof.” That’s the winning slogan for US pols from Aussie renewable electricity advocate, Saul Griffith. Get cheaper electricity by making rooftop solar as quick & easy to install & connect to the grid as in Australia open.substack.com/pub/davidrob...
Reposted by MASmith
Just a reminder that last year, some 288 children died from the flu--the highest in a normal flu year since the CDC began keeping track of pediatric flu deaths in 2004.
Dr. Oz on the "super flu": "Every year there's a flu vaccine. It doesn't always work very well. That's why it's been controversial of late. But like many illnesses, the best news out there is if you can take care of yourself so that when you do end up running into the flu, you can overwhelm it."
December 30, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Just a reminder that last year, some 288 children died from the flu--the highest in a normal flu year since the CDC began keeping track of pediatric flu deaths in 2004.
Solar energy "is definitely the first scalable answer to global warming, the first thing that’s given us a chance of limiting the damage. And so we must push for it with all our might."
thebulletin.org/premium/2025...
thebulletin.org/premium/2025...
The brightest light at the end of the tunnel
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has championed solar power and other renewable energy sources for the sake of humanity and the planet nearly as long as it has been warning about the dangers of n...
thebulletin.org
December 30, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Solar energy "is definitely the first scalable answer to global warming, the first thing that’s given us a chance of limiting the damage. And so we must push for it with all our might."
thebulletin.org/premium/2025...
thebulletin.org/premium/2025...
Informative description of CATL’s second-generation sodium-ion (Na-ion) battery technology, and how it is being positioned against incumbent lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. Good news for those in Northern climes is retention of 90% capacity at -40°C.
youtu.be/Bz-u1IrsNb8?...
youtu.be/Bz-u1IrsNb8?...
How CATL’s Reinforced Sodium Battery is Insanely Cheap
YouTube video by Ziroth
youtu.be
December 30, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Informative description of CATL’s second-generation sodium-ion (Na-ion) battery technology, and how it is being positioned against incumbent lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. Good news for those in Northern climes is retention of 90% capacity at -40°C.
youtu.be/Bz-u1IrsNb8?...
youtu.be/Bz-u1IrsNb8?...
Two great points from the NPR article about EV sales in the US: 1) they are great cars and owners like them and won't go back to gas/diesel, and 2) sales of gas/diesel cars peaked years ago worldwide and the future is electric (and the US has ceded leadership of the EV market to China).
A suite of pro-EV federal policies have been reversed. Well-known vehicles have been discontinued. Sales plummeted. But interest is holding steady. n.pr/4qp4GPr
Electric vehicles had a bumpy road in 2025 — and one pleasant surprise
A suite of pro-EV federal policies have been reversed. Well-known vehicles have been discontinued. Sales plummeted. But interest is holding steady.
n.pr
December 29, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Two great points from the NPR article about EV sales in the US: 1) they are great cars and owners like them and won't go back to gas/diesel, and 2) sales of gas/diesel cars peaked years ago worldwide and the future is electric (and the US has ceded leadership of the EV market to China).
The natural gas pipeline rupture in Castaic (California) highlights the risks of these large high-pressure pipelines. Fortunately for those nearby, the escaping gas did not encounter an ignition source, as this could have led to a catastrophic explosion.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Crews try to determine the cause of explosive gas line rupture in Castaic that closed the I-5
Los Angeles County firefighters responded to a gas line rupture in Castaic on Saturday, which prompted the CHP to close a portion of the 5 Freeway.
www.latimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 12:56 AM
The natural gas pipeline rupture in Castaic (California) highlights the risks of these large high-pressure pipelines. Fortunately for those nearby, the escaping gas did not encounter an ignition source, as this could have led to a catastrophic explosion.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Reposted by MASmith
The US invented the solar panel & wind turbine, notes @billmckibben.bsky.social:
"We could have owned these technologies, & instead we’ve just ceded them to our theoretical main rival... I don’t think there’s been an act of national self-sabotage quite like this." www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"We could have owned these technologies, & instead we’ve just ceded them to our theoretical main rival... I don’t think there’s been an act of national self-sabotage quite like this." www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘This is the Costco of energy, man!’: author Bill McKibben on the promise of renewables
The activist and author of Here Comes the Sun discusses rapid advances in solar and wind power and how the US ceded leadership in the sector to its main rival
www.theguardian.com
December 28, 2025 at 11:13 AM
The US invented the solar panel & wind turbine, notes @billmckibben.bsky.social:
"We could have owned these technologies, & instead we’ve just ceded them to our theoretical main rival... I don’t think there’s been an act of national self-sabotage quite like this." www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"We could have owned these technologies, & instead we’ve just ceded them to our theoretical main rival... I don’t think there’s been an act of national self-sabotage quite like this." www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by MASmith
I had the opportunity to do the most enjoyable and, hopefully, meaningful work of my scientific career thanks to the leadership of former NINDS Director Walter Koroshetz. He and his team at NINDS created visionary scientific programs for the pain field. He will be missed...
More news (not good) from NIH
The renewal request from National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke Director Walter Koroshetz has been denied.
I guess the NIH_leadership™ needed another position to fill with their time-tested recruitment process.
The renewal request from National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke Director Walter Koroshetz has been denied.
I guess the NIH_leadership™ needed another position to fill with their time-tested recruitment process.
December 27, 2025 at 4:39 PM
I had the opportunity to do the most enjoyable and, hopefully, meaningful work of my scientific career thanks to the leadership of former NINDS Director Walter Koroshetz. He and his team at NINDS created visionary scientific programs for the pain field. He will be missed...
