Prof Sheena Cruickshank
@sheencr.bsky.social
Immunologist & science communicator based at UoM fascinated by our immune response to threats (pathogens, pollution) & microbiome & how this exposome affects health. Also quite likely to share random dog and nature pics 🧪👩🔬 #AcademicSky #SciCom
I cannot imagine how terrifying this was!
My helicopter went into freefall – inside an active volcano
Christopher Duddy was shooting a film in Hawaii when disaster struck. For 28 hours he choked on fumes near a lava lake, fighting to get to safety
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:17 AM
I cannot imagine how terrifying this was!
Reposted by Prof Sheena Cruickshank
Interesting recent research has investigated why some people who are clinically vulnerable e.g. smokers or asthmatic do so much worse in response to some common cold viruses. 🧪 🧵@exposomeimmunology.bsky.social
Rhinovirus triggers distinct host responses through differential engagement of epithelial innate immune signaling
Rhinoviruses are the most frequent cause of common colds and also a major cause of
respiratory distress in high-risk groups. Using single-cell sequencing of rhinovirus-infected
nasal epithelial organo...
www.cell.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Interesting recent research has investigated why some people who are clinically vulnerable e.g. smokers or asthmatic do so much worse in response to some common cold viruses. 🧪 🧵@exposomeimmunology.bsky.social
Reposted by Prof Sheena Cruickshank
7/ Read the rest of the letters:
“I Have Been Here Too Long”: Read Letters from the Children Detained at ICE’s Dilley Facility
Hundreds of children are currently being held with their parents at an immigration detention center in Dilley, Texas. In letters and drawings, eight kids convey the pain of feeling trapped with no end...
propub.li
February 9, 2026 at 12:42 PM
7/ Read the rest of the letters:
agreed- happy to promote his alternative cures and promote anti-vaccine ideology the rest of the time
February 9, 2026 at 1:40 PM
agreed- happy to promote his alternative cures and promote anti-vaccine ideology the rest of the time
so sorry to hear that
February 9, 2026 at 1:38 PM
so sorry to hear that
They were able to identify a pathway involving an important damage sensing pathway involving NLRP1 receptor & the cytokine Interleukin 1 beta as being increased in the RV susceptible model. If this pathway up in susceptible people this could be a future target for therapy to improve outcomes to RV!
February 9, 2026 at 1:23 PM
They were able to identify a pathway involving an important damage sensing pathway involving NLRP1 receptor & the cytokine Interleukin 1 beta as being increased in the RV susceptible model. If this pathway up in susceptible people this could be a future target for therapy to improve outcomes to RV!
The virus was very happy and there was MUCH higher levels of virus. There was more cell damage (caused by the virus). Also mucus levels went up and they have actual video of this in the paper which was BRILLIANT- screen shot below but I can't share the video via bluesky
February 9, 2026 at 1:23 PM
The virus was very happy and there was MUCH higher levels of virus. There was more cell damage (caused by the virus). Also mucus levels went up and they have actual video of this in the paper which was BRILLIANT- screen shot below but I can't share the video via bluesky
In normal conditions the cells made lots of Interferon & virus was well controlled- less than 2% of cells were infected. This is good- shows how effective the immune response was limiting viral replication. But what happened when you inhibited the interferon response (mimicking a poor response)?
February 9, 2026 at 1:23 PM
In normal conditions the cells made lots of Interferon & virus was well controlled- less than 2% of cells were infected. This is good- shows how effective the immune response was limiting viral replication. But what happened when you inhibited the interferon response (mimicking a poor response)?
So researchers did single-cell sequencing of an organ model of healthy human nasal epithelial cells (taken from swabbing the nose) that were infected with RV
February 9, 2026 at 1:23 PM
So researchers did single-cell sequencing of an organ model of healthy human nasal epithelial cells (taken from swabbing the nose) that were infected with RV
Rhinoviruses (RVs) are amongst the most frequent cause of the cold but the mechanisms for why some groups of people do worse unknown. However data had shown that cells lining the nose (nasal epithelial) of RV-susceptible patient groups made less anti-viral factors- interferons
February 9, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Rhinoviruses (RVs) are amongst the most frequent cause of the cold but the mechanisms for why some groups of people do worse unknown. However data had shown that cells lining the nose (nasal epithelial) of RV-susceptible patient groups made less anti-viral factors- interferons
Interesting recent research has investigated why some people who are clinically vulnerable e.g. smokers or asthmatic do so much worse in response to some common cold viruses. 🧪 🧵@exposomeimmunology.bsky.social
Rhinovirus triggers distinct host responses through differential engagement of epithelial innate immune signaling
Rhinoviruses are the most frequent cause of common colds and also a major cause of
respiratory distress in high-risk groups. Using single-cell sequencing of rhinovirus-infected
nasal epithelial organo...
www.cell.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Interesting recent research has investigated why some people who are clinically vulnerable e.g. smokers or asthmatic do so much worse in response to some common cold viruses. 🧪 🧵@exposomeimmunology.bsky.social
As hypocritical as it is for Dr Oz to switch to supporting a vaccine, it’s still good to finally see someone in Kennedy’s team FINALLY encourage people to have the MMR as measles cases continue to soar in largely unvaccinated people
‘Take the vaccine, please,’ Dr Oz urges amid rising measles cases in US
Health official’s endorsement comes as South Carolina faces hundreds of cases and US risks losing elimination status
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:17 AM
As hypocritical as it is for Dr Oz to switch to supporting a vaccine, it’s still good to finally see someone in Kennedy’s team FINALLY encourage people to have the MMR as measles cases continue to soar in largely unvaccinated people
We did talk allergy though to be fair…
February 8, 2026 at 3:24 PM
We did talk allergy though to be fair…
Great to chat with Joel Snape about all things sneezing. Great seeing comments from @cathnoakes.bsky.social too
The sneeze secret: how much should you worry about this explosive reflex?
It is one of the most powerful involuntary actions the human body can perform. But is a big sneeze a sign of illness, pollution or something else entirely?
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Great to chat with Joel Snape about all things sneezing. Great seeing comments from @cathnoakes.bsky.social too
Reposted by Prof Sheena Cruickshank
Short thread on our new paper. We use face mask efficacy research as a “stress test” for systematic review methods. We analysed 66 systematic reviews of face mask efficacy; they reached widely different conclusions (~half said they work, half said that evidence of efficacy was lacking). 1/
Our new paper:
Synthesis challenges in complex evidence: A critical analysis of systematic reviews of face mask efficacy
#episky #healthpolicy #medsky
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Synthesis challenges in complex evidence: A critical analysis of systematic reviews of face mask efficacy
#episky #healthpolicy #medsky
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Synthesis challenges in complex evidence: A critical analysis of systematic reviews of face mask efficacy | Research Synthesis Methods | Cambridge Core
Synthesis challenges in complex evidence: A critical analysis of systematic reviews of face mask efficacy
www.cambridge.org
February 8, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Short thread on our new paper. We use face mask efficacy research as a “stress test” for systematic review methods. We analysed 66 systematic reviews of face mask efficacy; they reached widely different conclusions (~half said they work, half said that evidence of efficacy was lacking). 1/
Just watched Weapons. Well that was surprising!
a woman with red hair and glasses holds a pair of glasses in her hand
ALT: a woman with red hair and glasses holds a pair of glasses in her hand
media.tenor.com
February 7, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Just watched Weapons. Well that was surprising!
He has made a lot of money from being anti-vaccine but I would hope its not just money and at least he believes some of his lunacy
February 7, 2026 at 6:47 PM
He has made a lot of money from being anti-vaccine but I would hope its not just money and at least he believes some of his lunacy
Reposted by Prof Sheena Cruickshank
Evidence has emerged that RFKJr lied about his infamous 2019 trip to Samoa after which measles vax uptake plummeted and measles cases spiralled resulting in 83 deaths and thousands of measles cases …🧵 #HealthPolicy
Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Evidence has emerged that RFKJr lied about his infamous 2019 trip to Samoa after which measles vax uptake plummeted and measles cases spiralled resulting in 83 deaths and thousands of measles cases …🧵 #HealthPolicy
Now Kennedy is in charge of vaccine policies for USA and has reduced access to vax and undermined vaccine confidence. He is also overseeing the largest measles outbreaks since the vaccines were rolled out. Why is he being allowed to do this?
February 7, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Now Kennedy is in charge of vaccine policies for USA and has reduced access to vax and undermined vaccine confidence. He is also overseeing the largest measles outbreaks since the vaccines were rolled out. Why is he being allowed to do this?
People died as a consequence of growing anti vaccine fears after his visit…
Measles epidemic in Samoa and other Pacific islands
On Oct 16, 2019, the Samoan Ministry of Health declared a measles outbreak, the first
Pacific island country to do so in the current global resurgence of measles.1 As of
Jan 22, 2020, 5707 measles cas...
www.thelancet.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:20 AM
People died as a consequence of growing anti vaccine fears after his visit…
Now emails and correspondence unearthed by AP and Guardian paint a different picture which shows explicit intention to discuss vaccine safety and his beliefs…
February 7, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Now emails and correspondence unearthed by AP and Guardian paint a different picture which shows explicit intention to discuss vaccine safety and his beliefs…
His statements about his visit in senate contradicted earlier statements he had made in 2021 according to AP
February 7, 2026 at 8:20 AM
His statements about his visit in senate contradicted earlier statements he had made in 2021 according to AP
During the congressional hearings for his post, as well as denying he was anti-vaccine, RFKjr denied that he went to Samoa to discuss vaccines…
February 7, 2026 at 8:20 AM
During the congressional hearings for his post, as well as denying he was anti-vaccine, RFKjr denied that he went to Samoa to discuss vaccines…
Evidence has emerged that RFKJr lied about his infamous 2019 trip to Samoa after which measles vax uptake plummeted and measles cases spiralled resulting in 83 deaths and thousands of measles cases …🧵 #HealthPolicy
Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Evidence has emerged that RFKJr lied about his infamous 2019 trip to Samoa after which measles vax uptake plummeted and measles cases spiralled resulting in 83 deaths and thousands of measles cases …🧵 #HealthPolicy