Tom Yates
@tomayates.bsky.social
Epidemiology, infection
https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/37299-tom-yates/about
https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/37299-tom-yates/about
Pinned
Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex Strain Discordance Among People With Tuberculosis and a History of Household Contact, a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Background: In this systematic review of molecular epidemiology studies, we describe the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strain discordance amo
papers.ssrn.com
NEW PREPRINT!
We systematically reviewed molecular epidemiology studies looking at strain discordance in pairs of people with TB disease and history of household contact
We found 30 studies from 18 countries. Excluding 4 studies at high risk of bias, we had data on 1544 household case pairs
[1/n]
We systematically reviewed molecular epidemiology studies looking at strain discordance in pairs of people with TB disease and history of household contact
We found 30 studies from 18 countries. Excluding 4 studies at high risk of bias, we had data on 1544 household case pairs
[1/n]
Reposted by Tom Yates
I'm teaching Statistical Rethinking again starting Jan 2026. This time with live lectures, divided into Beginner and Experienced sections. Will be a lot more work for me, but I hope much better for students.
I will record lectures & all will be found at this link: github.com/rmcelreath/s...
I will record lectures & all will be found at this link: github.com/rmcelreath/s...
December 9, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I'm teaching Statistical Rethinking again starting Jan 2026. This time with live lectures, divided into Beginner and Experienced sections. Will be a lot more work for me, but I hope much better for students.
I will record lectures & all will be found at this link: github.com/rmcelreath/s...
I will record lectures & all will be found at this link: github.com/rmcelreath/s...
Reposted by Tom Yates
On the pod: Colin Yeo, a barrister and author of ‘Welcome to Britain: Fixing Our Broken Immigration System’, and Nicola Kelly, author of ‘Anywhere But Here: How Britain’s Broken Asylum System Fails Us All’, join James Butler to explore the politics of migration.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
On Politics: Inside Britain’s Asylum System
Podcast Episode · The LRB Podcast · 10/12/2025 · 1h 3m
podcasts.apple.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:39 AM
On the pod: Colin Yeo, a barrister and author of ‘Welcome to Britain: Fixing Our Broken Immigration System’, and Nicola Kelly, author of ‘Anywhere But Here: How Britain’s Broken Asylum System Fails Us All’, join James Butler to explore the politics of migration.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Reposted by Tom Yates
Symposium & workshop on inequalities in infectious disease dynamics at LSHTM in April 2026. We aim to will bring together leading researchers and practitioners to share ideas, discuss recent advances, and reflect on future directions. Details & application: iddconf.org/lshtm-sympos... Closing 21 Jan
Social Inequalities in Infectious Disease Dynamics: a Symposium and Workshop
iddconf.org
December 16, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Symposium & workshop on inequalities in infectious disease dynamics at LSHTM in April 2026. We aim to will bring together leading researchers and practitioners to share ideas, discuss recent advances, and reflect on future directions. Details & application: iddconf.org/lshtm-sympos... Closing 21 Jan
Reposted by Tom Yates
NEW PREPRINT!
We systematically reviewed molecular epidemiology studies looking at strain discordance in pairs of people with TB disease and history of household contact
We found 30 studies from 18 countries. Excluding 4 studies at high risk of bias, we had data on 1544 household case pairs
[1/n]
We systematically reviewed molecular epidemiology studies looking at strain discordance in pairs of people with TB disease and history of household contact
We found 30 studies from 18 countries. Excluding 4 studies at high risk of bias, we had data on 1544 household case pairs
[1/n]
Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex Strain Discordance Among People With Tuberculosis and a History of Household Contact, a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Background: In this systematic review of molecular epidemiology studies, we describe the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strain discordance amo
papers.ssrn.com
December 20, 2025 at 1:51 PM
NEW PREPRINT!
We systematically reviewed molecular epidemiology studies looking at strain discordance in pairs of people with TB disease and history of household contact
We found 30 studies from 18 countries. Excluding 4 studies at high risk of bias, we had data on 1544 household case pairs
[1/n]
We systematically reviewed molecular epidemiology studies looking at strain discordance in pairs of people with TB disease and history of household contact
We found 30 studies from 18 countries. Excluding 4 studies at high risk of bias, we had data on 1544 household case pairs
[1/n]
Reposted by Tom Yates
👇Great thread on TB strain concordance/strain discordance among household contacts. If I read correctly, findings from a 1998 small series from San Francisco consistent with the much greater analysis. ++ Implications for transmission and management of contacts.
NEW PREPRINT!
We systematically reviewed molecular epidemiology studies looking at strain discordance in pairs of people with TB disease and history of household contact
We found 30 studies from 18 countries. Excluding 4 studies at high risk of bias, we had data on 1544 household case pairs
[1/n]
We systematically reviewed molecular epidemiology studies looking at strain discordance in pairs of people with TB disease and history of household contact
We found 30 studies from 18 countries. Excluding 4 studies at high risk of bias, we had data on 1544 household case pairs
[1/n]
Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex Strain Discordance Among People With Tuberculosis and a History of Household Contact, a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Background: In this systematic review of molecular epidemiology studies, we describe the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strain discordance amo
papers.ssrn.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:32 PM
👇Great thread on TB strain concordance/strain discordance among household contacts. If I read correctly, findings from a 1998 small series from San Francisco consistent with the much greater analysis. ++ Implications for transmission and management of contacts.
Reposted by Tom Yates
Cool work! Was just thinking that someone needs to do this analysis as we need better quantitative estimates. Reaffirms concern that studies using cross-sectional HH IGRA to investigate determinants of infectiousness (e.g. symptoms) are going to have major limitations.
Exploring transmission dynamics in epidemiologically linked pulmonary tuberculosis cases and household contacts: a WGS-based investigation - BMC Genomics
Background The genotyping of the M. tuberculosis complex has significantly enhanced the comprehension of transmission dynamics and is employed to substantiate transmission dynamics among epidemiologic...
link.springer.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Cool work! Was just thinking that someone needs to do this analysis as we need better quantitative estimates. Reaffirms concern that studies using cross-sectional HH IGRA to investigate determinants of infectiousness (e.g. symptoms) are going to have major limitations.
NEW PREPRINT!
We systematically reviewed molecular epidemiology studies looking at strain discordance in pairs of people with TB disease and history of household contact
We found 30 studies from 18 countries. Excluding 4 studies at high risk of bias, we had data on 1544 household case pairs
[1/n]
We systematically reviewed molecular epidemiology studies looking at strain discordance in pairs of people with TB disease and history of household contact
We found 30 studies from 18 countries. Excluding 4 studies at high risk of bias, we had data on 1544 household case pairs
[1/n]
Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex Strain Discordance Among People With Tuberculosis and a History of Household Contact, a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Background: In this systematic review of molecular epidemiology studies, we describe the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strain discordance amo
papers.ssrn.com
December 20, 2025 at 1:51 PM
NEW PREPRINT!
We systematically reviewed molecular epidemiology studies looking at strain discordance in pairs of people with TB disease and history of household contact
We found 30 studies from 18 countries. Excluding 4 studies at high risk of bias, we had data on 1544 household case pairs
[1/n]
We systematically reviewed molecular epidemiology studies looking at strain discordance in pairs of people with TB disease and history of household contact
We found 30 studies from 18 countries. Excluding 4 studies at high risk of bias, we had data on 1544 household case pairs
[1/n]
Reposted by Tom Yates
🎉 Big news!
The MRC Centre for Clinical Research Efficiency (CoRE) is here.
By accelerating the testing of new medicines, the MRC CoRE will help bring better treatments to patients sooner.
🔗 Learn more: www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-st...
The MRC Centre for Clinical Research Efficiency (CoRE) is here.
By accelerating the testing of new medicines, the MRC CoRE will help bring better treatments to patients sooner.
🔗 Learn more: www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-st...
Groundbreaking £50m MRC Centre will overhaul clinical trials for patients | MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL
www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk
December 18, 2025 at 4:09 PM
🎉 Big news!
The MRC Centre for Clinical Research Efficiency (CoRE) is here.
By accelerating the testing of new medicines, the MRC CoRE will help bring better treatments to patients sooner.
🔗 Learn more: www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-st...
The MRC Centre for Clinical Research Efficiency (CoRE) is here.
By accelerating the testing of new medicines, the MRC CoRE will help bring better treatments to patients sooner.
🔗 Learn more: www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-st...
I can't strike but, for those dunking on my colleagues who are striking tomorrow, here is a super useful figure from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
This uses CPI rather than RPI, i.e. the more conservative of the measures by which real terms pay has been cut for NHS workers
This uses CPI rather than RPI, i.e. the more conservative of the measures by which real terms pay has been cut for NHS workers
December 16, 2025 at 10:53 PM
I can't strike but, for those dunking on my colleagues who are striking tomorrow, here is a super useful figure from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
This uses CPI rather than RPI, i.e. the more conservative of the measures by which real terms pay has been cut for NHS workers
This uses CPI rather than RPI, i.e. the more conservative of the measures by which real terms pay has been cut for NHS workers
This is a really lovely paper by @dopapus.bsky.social and team
Self report of TB symptoms depends on lots of external factors and there are more robust markers of disease extent / severity available to inform surveillance and clinical management
#TBSky #EpiSky
Self report of TB symptoms depends on lots of external factors and there are more robust markers of disease extent / severity available to inform surveillance and clinical management
#TBSky #EpiSky
Reported Tuberculosis Symptoms: An Inadequate Classifier of Disease State
We provide evidence that self-reported symptoms are an inadequate classifier of disease state, heavily influenced by context and substantial interviewer va
academic.oup.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:54 AM
This is a really lovely paper by @dopapus.bsky.social and team
Self report of TB symptoms depends on lots of external factors and there are more robust markers of disease extent / severity available to inform surveillance and clinical management
#TBSky #EpiSky
Self report of TB symptoms depends on lots of external factors and there are more robust markers of disease extent / severity available to inform surveillance and clinical management
#TBSky #EpiSky
Epidemiology friends, is there good primary research on any of this? Potentially challenging, as most of us buy food wrapped in plastic. My starting point - I don't give a toss about "naturalness", don't think "synthetic chemicals" is a coherent category, and like my exposures/outcomes well defined!
Synthetic chemicals in food system creating health burden of $2.2tn a year, report finds
Synthetic chemicals in food system creating health burden of $2.2tn a year, report finds
Scientists issue urgent warning about chemicals, found to cause cancer and infertility as well as harming environment
Scientists have issued an urgent warning that some of the synthetic chemicals that help underpin the current food system are driving increased rates of cancer, neurodevelopmental conditions and infertility, while degrading the foundations of global agriculture.
The health burden from phthalates, bisphenols, pesticides and Pfas “forever chemicals” amounts to up to $2.2tn a year – roughly as much as the profits of the world’s 100 largest publicly listed companies, according to the report published on Wednesday. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Epidemiology friends, is there good primary research on any of this? Potentially challenging, as most of us buy food wrapped in plastic. My starting point - I don't give a toss about "naturalness", don't think "synthetic chemicals" is a coherent category, and like my exposures/outcomes well defined!
Reposted by Tom Yates
We can’t accept this attempt to hide the destruction that two years of a genocidal war has brought on Gaza. Palestinians must be allowed to recover, and foreign journalists must be able to report freely. (2/2)
December 9, 2025 at 7:27 PM
We can’t accept this attempt to hide the destruction that two years of a genocidal war has brought on Gaza. Palestinians must be allowed to recover, and foreign journalists must be able to report freely. (2/2)
Reposted by Tom Yates
The ban on foreign journalists entering Gaza was just extended today — almost two months into the ceasefire. International reporters still aren’t allowed to talk to Palestinians on the ground and report on what’s happening. (1/2)
High Court lets government delay response on bid to allow foreign journalists into Gaza, for the 9th time
* * *
www.timesofisrael.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:27 PM
The ban on foreign journalists entering Gaza was just extended today — almost two months into the ceasefire. International reporters still aren’t allowed to talk to Palestinians on the ground and report on what’s happening. (1/2)
Reposted by Tom Yates
“I’ll never forget the look of hatred he had for me, simply for existing.... Nigel Farage has suggested it’s inconceivable that anyone could recall such events of more than four decades ago. I would simply ask: can a victim of such abuse ever forget?” Yinka Bankole
I’ll never forget the look of hatred Nigel Farage had for me at school, simply for existing
The Reform UK leader doubts people can recall their abuse from years ago. I’ve never forgotten his – it felt malicious
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:36 PM
“I’ll never forget the look of hatred he had for me, simply for existing.... Nigel Farage has suggested it’s inconceivable that anyone could recall such events of more than four decades ago. I would simply ask: can a victim of such abuse ever forget?” Yinka Bankole
'In her telling, racism and xenophobia seem not themselves objectively bad things that must be combatted, but a natural outcome that occurs when too many rights are given to immigrants ... If only they had fewer rights, then ... we would hit some golden ratio where everyone will be happier.'
Shabana Mahmood is an avatar of open Britain – that’s what makes her fable about immigration so seductive | Nesrine Malik
Shabana Mahmood is an avatar of open Britain – that’s what makes her fable about immigration so seductive | Nesrine Malik
‘She is the daughter of immigrants,’ supporters of her cruel asylum policies say. ‘How can she be wrong?’ Let me put them straight, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:38 AM
'In her telling, racism and xenophobia seem not themselves objectively bad things that must be combatted, but a natural outcome that occurs when too many rights are given to immigrants ... If only they had fewer rights, then ... we would hit some golden ratio where everyone will be happier.'
Are heat pump tariffs a good idea if you have solar panels? House is only being heated for e.g. four months of the year. Hot water can be had for free when solar panels firing in middle of day, perhaps with a 6am topup. Without a battery, hard to avoid peak time electricity use, esp with kids
November 30, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Are heat pump tariffs a good idea if you have solar panels? House is only being heated for e.g. four months of the year. Hot water can be had for free when solar panels firing in middle of day, perhaps with a 6am topup. Without a battery, hard to avoid peak time electricity use, esp with kids
Have there been UK/NHS based outpatient RCTs that were as light touch as RECOVERY? What is the best way to randomise to low risk interventions whilst not creating too much disruption in a busy clinic?
@davidadambarr.bsky.social
@davidadambarr.bsky.social
November 28, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Have there been UK/NHS based outpatient RCTs that were as light touch as RECOVERY? What is the best way to randomise to low risk interventions whilst not creating too much disruption in a busy clinic?
@davidadambarr.bsky.social
@davidadambarr.bsky.social
Reposted by Tom Yates
Overall, the combination of tax rises and giveaways since last year’s Budget is progressive.
Incomes for households in the bottom half of the distribution have increased by 1.0 per cent and incomes for households in the top half fell by 0.7 per cent.
Incomes for households in the bottom half of the distribution have increased by 1.0 per cent and incomes for households in the top half fell by 0.7 per cent.
November 27, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Overall, the combination of tax rises and giveaways since last year’s Budget is progressive.
Incomes for households in the bottom half of the distribution have increased by 1.0 per cent and incomes for households in the top half fell by 0.7 per cent.
Incomes for households in the bottom half of the distribution have increased by 1.0 per cent and incomes for households in the top half fell by 0.7 per cent.
Reposted by Tom Yates
That’s the right way round for a labour budget.
November 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM
That’s the right way round for a labour budget.
Reposted by Tom Yates
Announcing an end to the fuel duty freeze is also pretty momentous! Though people are a bit more believe-it-when-I-see-it about this good news as chancellors always like to pretend they will soon (but not today) increase fuel duty, as this really helps to balance budget projections.
Welcome moves to tackle vehicle taxation
Welcome moves to tackle vehicle taxation Commenting on today’s announcement in the Chancellor’s Budget of a new pay as you drive charge for electric vehicles1, the freeze on rail fares2, the gradual w...
transportactionnetwork.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Announcing an end to the fuel duty freeze is also pretty momentous! Though people are a bit more believe-it-when-I-see-it about this good news as chancellors always like to pretend they will soon (but not today) increase fuel duty, as this really helps to balance budget projections.
Reposted by Tom Yates
Scrapping the two-child limit will be transformational for children.
This is a much-needed fresh start in our country’s efforts to eradicate child poverty and while there is more to do it gives us strong foundations to build on.
1/2
This is a much-needed fresh start in our country’s efforts to eradicate child poverty and while there is more to do it gives us strong foundations to build on.
1/2
November 26, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Scrapping the two-child limit will be transformational for children.
This is a much-needed fresh start in our country’s efforts to eradicate child poverty and while there is more to do it gives us strong foundations to build on.
1/2
This is a much-needed fresh start in our country’s efforts to eradicate child poverty and while there is more to do it gives us strong foundations to build on.
1/2
Reposted by Tom Yates
Don’t believe Nigel Farage’s denials. He targeted me for being Jewish – and it hurt | Peter Ettedgui
Don’t believe Nigel Farage’s denials. He targeted me for being Jewish – and it hurt | Peter Ettedgui
Now that my former classmate has finally spoken about the allegations of his behaviour at school, I feel compelled to address his points directly, says Peter Ettedgui, a film director and producer
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Don’t believe Nigel Farage’s denials. He targeted me for being Jewish – and it hurt | Peter Ettedgui