Phie Jacobs
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phiejacobs.bsky.social
Phie Jacobs
@phiejacobs.bsky.social
reporter at Science Magazine | cat parent | lover of farmer’s markets | Dungeons & Dragons enthusiast | (they/them)
If you're a CDC employee and have heard anything about the removal of Susan Monarez as director, please reach out! You can contact me at pjacobs@aaas.org or on Signal at phiejacobs.48

@altcdc.altgov.info
August 27, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Reposted by Phie Jacobs
Spent the start of my week learning all about spectral bats, huge, carnivorous creatures who are shockingly sweet.

Read (and watch!) what 3 months of monitoring a family of four showed us about the home lives of the tropical bats: www.science.org/content/arti...
@science.org
Massive tropical bat is surprisingly family oriented, rare videos show
New footage reveals spectral bats “hugging,” playing, and bringing food to their young
www.science.org
August 21, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Reposted by Phie Jacobs
My latest on the Health Sec who promised to figure out what causes autism and the autism research that's been stopped along the way www.propublica.org/article/rfk-...
RFK Jr. Vowed to Find the Environmental Causes of Autism. Then He Shut Down Research Trying to Do Just That.
While touting a $50 million initiative to identify the causes of autism, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is helping lead an administration that is rolling back protections against pollution and toxic chemicals,...
www.propublica.org
August 20, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Researchers immediately condemned the recent HHS report on gender-affirming care for transgender youth, which declined to disclose its authors: “Scientists stand by their work. There is nobody standing by this thing.”

My recent story for @science.org
Researchers slam HHS report on gender-affirming care for youth
Critics say the report, which declines to disclose its authors, contradicts decades of scientific research
www.science.org
May 7, 2025 at 3:51 PM
It was a privilege to help tell the stories of U.S. scientists whose lives have been upended during the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s administration in this recent piece for @science.org
U.S. scientists’ lives and careers are being upended. Here are five of their stories
As the second Trump administration sends U.S. science into upheaval, countless researchers are fighting for their futures
www.science.org
May 7, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Reposted by Phie Jacobs
Experts share scathing reviews of last week's HHS report on gender-affirming care for youth: "...a rejection of decades of science, evidence, and direct experiences by young people, their doctors, and their families.”

@phiejacobs.bsky.social's story for @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Researchers slam HHS report on gender-affirming care for youth
Critics say the report, which declines to disclose its authors, contradicts decades of scientific research
www.science.org
May 5, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Reposted by Phie Jacobs
A 400-page Trump administration report—authors unknown—on treatments for gender dysphoria “misrepresents the current medical consensus and fails to reflect the realities of pediatric care." www.science.org/content/arti... (By @phiejacobs.bsky.social)
Researchers slam HHS report on gender-affirming care for youth
Critics say the report, which declines to disclose its authors, contradicts decades of scientific research
www.science.org
May 6, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The Deaf Scientists Pipeline in Rochester, NY offers support for students and researchers from high school to postdoctoral levels. Now, due to NIH funding cuts, this one-of-a-kind initiative has been dismantled. My recent story for @science.org
Crucial training pipeline for Deaf scientists dismantled by NIH funding cuts
The one-of-a-kind initiative offered support from high school to postdoctoral levels
www.science.org
May 7, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Reposted by Phie Jacobs
Days late to this, but you should read @phiejacobs.bsky.social's story about how NIH funding cuts gutted the deaf scientist pipeline in Rochester

www.science.org/content/arti...
Crucial training pipeline for Deaf scientists dismantled by NIH funding cuts
The one-of-a-kind initiative offered support from high school to postdoctoral levels
www.science.org
May 5, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by Phie Jacobs
The HHS report “is a rejection of decades of science, evidence, and direct experiences by young people, their doctors, and their families.” scim.ag/3Gx74Cn
Researchers slam HHS report on gender-affirming care for youth
Critics say the report, which declines to disclose its authors, contradicts decades of scientific research
scim.ag
May 2, 2025 at 9:48 PM
If you're a researcher who focuses on gender-affirming care, I'd love to hear your reactions to the HHS report on gender dysphoria treatment for youth. You can contact me at pjacobs@aaas.org or on Signal at phiejacobs.48
May 1, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Reposted by Phie Jacobs
Disability rights activists have spent decades pushing the FDA to ban electric shock devices. The ban seemed on track for 2025 — until Trump won reelection. Now, people worry that Trump and RFK Jr's influence could delay the ruling. @statnews.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2024/12/11/j...
FDA's proposed ban of electric shock devices has taken too long, autism advocates say
With a new administration coming in, advocates worry that the FDA may lose its sense of urgency to ban electrical shock devices.
www.statnews.com
December 11, 2024 at 5:27 PM
Reposted by Phie Jacobs
The ancient Clovis people apparently thought mammoth was *delicious*—and that could explain how they spread across the Americas so quickly. That story and more of the best from @science.org and science in this edition of #ScienceAdviser: www.science.org/content/arti...
December 5, 2024 at 10:19 PM
Reposted by Phie Jacobs
These teeny bots could change the way we test for viruses—and maybe even prevent infections. That story and more of the best from @science.org and science in this edition of #ScienceAdviser: www.science.org/content/arti... 🧪
December 3, 2024 at 10:25 PM
Reposted by Phie Jacobs
Is it super exciting that scientists have finally figured out the gene for orange cat fur? Or did I just want to share a cute cat pic? (Answer: Both) That story and more of the best in Science and science in this edition of #ScienceAdviser: www.science.org/content/arti... 🧪 🐈
December 3, 2024 at 1:30 PM
Reposted by Phie Jacobs
It's Thanksgiving in the U.S., and today, I'm especially thankful for my incredible Science colleague (and friend!) @phiejacobs.bsky.social, who penned the wonderful essay for this holiday edition of #ScienceAdviser: www.science.org/content/arti... 🧪🦃
ScienceAdviser: Giving thanks for the sometimes ugly, sometimes delightful, always necessary truth
Today in Science and science: A special Thanksgiving edition of ScienceAdviser
www.science.org
November 28, 2024 at 3:36 PM
Sara Reardon's story on the genetics of coat color in cats was a delight to read (and not just because my sweet calico, Mona Lisa, got to make her Science debut). Now I'm just waiting for scientists to make a discovery about tabbies, so Mo's brother Vinny can get his moment in the spotlight!
Gene behind orange fur in cats found at last
After 60 years, scientists know why gingers, calicos, and tortoiseshells look the way they do
www.science.org
November 27, 2024 at 9:17 PM
For my first post here, and in honor of Transgender Awareness Week, I'd like to share my Q+A from earlier this year, which features the voices of several incredible scientists: www.science.org/content/arti...
‘We’re hurting.’ Trans scientists call for recognition and support from research community
“Rigorous science demands” it, authors write in landmark commentary
www.science.org
November 14, 2024 at 8:29 PM