Tinker Ready
@tinkerr.bsky.social
Freelance health and science journalist. Medscape, Health Leaders, Nature, Boston Globe, Washington Post, Fast Company, Parents, News & Observer and more.
Pinned
China Altman, longtime journalist and founder of Boston’s Rose Brigade, dies at 93 - The Boston Globe
"I’ve always found it a particular privilege to take care of the roses here," Ms. Altman said of her decades tending the rose beds in Boston's Public Garden.
www.bostonglobe.com
My friend and one-time profile subject. Not in that order. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/15/m...
Reposted by Tinker Ready
Less than 36 hours before his wife was scheduled to undergo major surgery, NYT personal finance columnist @ronlieber.bsky.social got a letter from his family’s insurance plan denying coverage for the procedure.
Listen to his ideas about how we can better handle these denials 🎧 ⤵️
Listen to his ideas about how we can better handle these denials 🎧 ⤵️
Personal Finance Guru Faces Down an Insurance Denial - KFF Health News
Ron Lieber, the “Your Money” columnist for The New York Times, shares ideas about how insurance companies, doctors, and patients can better handle prior authorization denials.
kffhealthnews.org
February 19, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Less than 36 hours before his wife was scheduled to undergo major surgery, NYT personal finance columnist @ronlieber.bsky.social got a letter from his family’s insurance plan denying coverage for the procedure.
Listen to his ideas about how we can better handle these denials 🎧 ⤵️
Listen to his ideas about how we can better handle these denials 🎧 ⤵️
6 Things E.R. Doctors Wish You’d Avoid www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/w...
6 Things E.R. Doctors Wish You’d Avoid
www.nytimes.com
February 19, 2026 at 5:19 PM
6 Things E.R. Doctors Wish You’d Avoid www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/w...
That's a face I like in my timeline.
He “was a celebrity in the field” says cognitive scientist, Dr. Amalia Bastos, who conducted a string of experiments with Kanzi to see if he would play pretend. Kanzi having a pretend tea party with researchers suggests that imagination is not solely a human quality.
What A Tea Party With A Bonobo Taught Us About Imagination
Is the capacity to imagine unique to humans? Scientists thought so—until a bonobo named Kanzi was invited to a pretend tea party.
buff.ly
February 19, 2026 at 1:34 PM
That's a face I like in my timeline.
Reposted by Tinker Ready
One of the biggest questions in biology is how complex cells evolved about 2 billion years ago. Here's my new story on how scientists are solving the mystery of eukaryotes like us. Gift link: nyti.ms/4qMbo22
February 18, 2026 at 7:17 PM
One of the biggest questions in biology is how complex cells evolved about 2 billion years ago. Here's my new story on how scientists are solving the mystery of eukaryotes like us. Gift link: nyti.ms/4qMbo22
Reposted by Tinker Ready
When Mel King ran for mayor in 1983, he did so under the so-called "Rainbow Coalition" — a campaign that aimed to unite voters across demographics. Jackson would use the concept when he ran for president the following year.
Tracing the legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson through the work of Boston's Mel King
Michael Curry, a member of the NAACP national board of directors and head of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, joined WBUR's Morning Edition to reflect on Jackson's legacy and it's...
www.wbur.org
February 17, 2026 at 5:33 PM
When Mel King ran for mayor in 1983, he did so under the so-called "Rainbow Coalition" — a campaign that aimed to unite voters across demographics. Jackson would use the concept when he ran for president the following year.
Reposted by Tinker Ready
RIP Rev. Jesse Jackson.
From segregated Greenville, NC to the steps of the White House, he turned Southern struggle into national change. His legacy includes marching in Selma and reshaping American politics with historic presidential runs.
From segregated Greenville, NC to the steps of the White House, he turned Southern struggle into national change. His legacy includes marching in Selma and reshaping American politics with historic presidential runs.
How Jesse Jackson was shaped by Southern segregation − and went on to reshape American political life
A civil rights activist who ran for president twice and became a Democratic power broker, Jackson was an American political icon. But above all, he was a Southerner.
buff.ly
February 17, 2026 at 5:14 PM
RIP Rev. Jesse Jackson.
From segregated Greenville, NC to the steps of the White House, he turned Southern struggle into national change. His legacy includes marching in Selma and reshaping American politics with historic presidential runs.
From segregated Greenville, NC to the steps of the White House, he turned Southern struggle into national change. His legacy includes marching in Selma and reshaping American politics with historic presidential runs.
Reposted by Tinker Ready
President Trump required hospitals to post their prices online to help patients shop. But it’s mostly hospitals and insurers using the data, as fodder for contract negotiations.
“There’s no evidence that patients use this information,” said one health economist.
@dariustahir.bsky.social reports ⤵️
“There’s no evidence that patients use this information,” said one health economist.
@dariustahir.bsky.social reports ⤵️
Trump Required Hospitals To Post Their Prices for Patients. Mostly It’s the Industry Using the Data. - KFF Health News
Politicians have pushed for price transparency in health care. But instead of patients shopping for services, it’s mostly health systems and insurers that are using the information, as fodder for nego...
kffhealthnews.org
February 17, 2026 at 3:08 PM
President Trump required hospitals to post their prices online to help patients shop. But it’s mostly hospitals and insurers using the data, as fodder for contract negotiations.
“There’s no evidence that patients use this information,” said one health economist.
@dariustahir.bsky.social reports ⤵️
“There’s no evidence that patients use this information,” said one health economist.
@dariustahir.bsky.social reports ⤵️
Covered a dermatology conference in Milan in 2019. Few tourists.
February 17, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Covered a dermatology conference in Milan in 2019. Few tourists.
My friend and one-time profile subject. Not in that order. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/15/m...
China Altman, longtime journalist and founder of Boston’s Rose Brigade, dies at 93 - The Boston Globe
"I’ve always found it a particular privilege to take care of the roses here," Ms. Altman said of her decades tending the rose beds in Boston's Public Garden.
www.bostonglobe.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:47 PM
My friend and one-time profile subject. Not in that order. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/15/m...
The other Jersey shore www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/n...
When It’s Finally Cold Enough to Race Ice Yachts
www.nytimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 1:38 PM
The other Jersey shore www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/n...
February 14, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Moderna spent years and $1 billion studying a new mRNA flu vaccine for adults. Now, the FDA is refusing to review it.
“How do we expect companies to invest in new medicines like this if the FDA is basically acting on vibes?” asks @julierovner.bsky.social.
Listen for more on this week's news🎧 ⤵️
“How do we expect companies to invest in new medicines like this if the FDA is basically acting on vibes?” asks @julierovner.bsky.social.
Listen for more on this week's news🎧 ⤵️
New Flu Vax? FDA Says No Thanks - KFF Health News
It’s been a busy week at the FDA, with a political appointee overruling agency scientists to reject an application for a new flu vaccine. Meanwhile, anti-abortion Republicans on Capitol Hill complain ...
kffhealthnews.org
February 13, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Reposted by Tinker Ready
This is by now a familiar routine. Trump administration announces cuts that may be illegal. States sue. Judge issues TRO. Here’s step 3 in the events that began Monday with an announcement of $600 mil in cuts to 4 blue states
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/u...
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Plan to Cut $600 Million in Health Funds
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:30 PM
This is by now a familiar routine. Trump administration announces cuts that may be illegal. States sue. Judge issues TRO. Here’s step 3 in the events that began Monday with an announcement of $600 mil in cuts to 4 blue states
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/u...
Reposted by Tinker Ready
A new method can find hidden eggs to aid in fertility treatment. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/h...
New Method Can Find Hidden Eggs to Aid in Fertility Treatment
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:41 PM
A new method can find hidden eggs to aid in fertility treatment. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/h...
Trying to keep the following faces out of my timeline:
Trump, RFK jr, steve miller and Kristi Noem. Thank you for your cooperation.
Trump, RFK jr, steve miller and Kristi Noem. Thank you for your cooperation.
February 12, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Trying to keep the following faces out of my timeline:
Trump, RFK jr, steve miller and Kristi Noem. Thank you for your cooperation.
Trump, RFK jr, steve miller and Kristi Noem. Thank you for your cooperation.
Reposted by Tinker Ready
3) Low-Dose Sirolimus (Rapamycin) for Long COVID
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT069...
4) NE3107 for Long COVID
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT068...
5) Tafenoquine for Babesiosis with Severe Fatigue
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT066...
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT069...
4) NE3107 for Long COVID
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT068...
5) Tafenoquine for Babesiosis with Severe Fatigue
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT066...
February 12, 2026 at 1:29 AM
3) Low-Dose Sirolimus (Rapamycin) for Long COVID
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT069...
4) NE3107 for Long COVID
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT068...
5) Tafenoquine for Babesiosis with Severe Fatigue
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT066...
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT069...
4) NE3107 for Long COVID
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT068...
5) Tafenoquine for Babesiosis with Severe Fatigue
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT066...
Reposted by Tinker Ready
1) Lumbrokinase for LC, ME/CFS, Post-Treatment Lyme Disease
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT065...
2) Antivirals for Long COVID
Trial will test if two repurposed HIV antivirals can reduce symptom burden in adult participants with Long Covid compared to placebo.
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT065...
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT065...
2) Antivirals for Long COVID
Trial will test if two repurposed HIV antivirals can reduce symptom burden in adult participants with Long Covid compared to placebo.
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT065...
February 12, 2026 at 1:29 AM
1) Lumbrokinase for LC, ME/CFS, Post-Treatment Lyme Disease
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT065...
2) Antivirals for Long COVID
Trial will test if two repurposed HIV antivirals can reduce symptom burden in adult participants with Long Covid compared to placebo.
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT065...
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT065...
2) Antivirals for Long COVID
Trial will test if two repurposed HIV antivirals can reduce symptom burden in adult participants with Long Covid compared to placebo.
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT065...
Reposted by Tinker Ready
One of the best sites running a wide variety of clinical trials for #LongCovid and other IACCs is @coresinai.bsky.social, via @putrinolab.bsky.social !
At least 5 trials are currently recruiting - see links below for eligibility!
At least 5 trials are currently recruiting - see links below for eligibility!
February 12, 2026 at 1:29 AM
One of the best sites running a wide variety of clinical trials for #LongCovid and other IACCs is @coresinai.bsky.social, via @putrinolab.bsky.social !
At least 5 trials are currently recruiting - see links below for eligibility!
At least 5 trials are currently recruiting - see links below for eligibility!
Reposted by Tinker Ready
America is aging and so is its opioid epidemic.
In todays new episode, we go inside one clinic catching some of those people falling through the cracks and explore what it would take to make care better for more Americans aging with addiction.
Listen:
In todays new episode, we go inside one clinic catching some of those people falling through the cracks and explore what it would take to make care better for more Americans aging with addiction.
Listen:
A Better Way to Care for Older Adults with Opioid Addiction
How one addiction clinic in Baltimore has found success combining addiction care with support for the many other health problems older Americans often face.
tradeoffs.org
February 12, 2026 at 2:03 PM
America is aging and so is its opioid epidemic.
In todays new episode, we go inside one clinic catching some of those people falling through the cracks and explore what it would take to make care better for more Americans aging with addiction.
Listen:
In todays new episode, we go inside one clinic catching some of those people falling through the cracks and explore what it would take to make care better for more Americans aging with addiction.
Listen:
Reposted by Tinker Ready
BREAKING: Four states led by Democrats sued the Trump administration on Wednesday, aiming to halt deep cuts in federal public health funds that had already been allocated.
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/h...
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/h...
Four States Sue Administration Over Loss of Public Health Funds
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:21 AM
BREAKING: Four states led by Democrats sued the Trump administration on Wednesday, aiming to halt deep cuts in federal public health funds that had already been allocated.
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/h...
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/h...
February 11, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Reposted by Tinker Ready
RFK will have Mike Tyson at his “Eat Real Food” event today.
February 11, 2026 at 3:37 PM
RFK will have Mike Tyson at his “Eat Real Food” event today.