zhihuachen.bsky.social
@zhihuachen.bsky.social
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
Two weeks ago, a paper came out, claiming that the 2019 Brucella leak in Lanzhou, China, could have been detected months before it was publicly reported.
Problem: no proof was provided to support this extraordinary claim, as we explain in a letter to the editor.
Details follow ▫️1/6🧵
Problem: no proof was provided to support this extraordinary claim, as we explain in a letter to the editor.
Details follow ▫️1/6🧵
Correspondence regarding “Geospatial analysis of open-source intelligence data to early detect laboratory-acquired infections, using the 2019 brucellosis laboratory leak in China as a case study” - In...
Infection -
link.springer.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Two weeks ago, a paper came out, claiming that the 2019 Brucella leak in Lanzhou, China, could have been detected months before it was publicly reported.
Problem: no proof was provided to support this extraordinary claim, as we explain in a letter to the editor.
Details follow ▫️1/6🧵
Problem: no proof was provided to support this extraordinary claim, as we explain in a letter to the editor.
Details follow ▫️1/6🧵
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
“Furin cleavage site”, that is. Just casually, and naturally, sitting there in one of the most evolutionarily active parts of the genome.
Mystery solved.
Mystery solved.
CIDRAP: New coronavirus subspecies with SARS-CoV-2–like mutation discovered in Brazilian bat
by Mary Van Beusekom
@cidrap.bsky.social
bit.ly/4hHRfam
by Mary Van Beusekom
@cidrap.bsky.social
bit.ly/4hHRfam
November 1, 2025 at 6:15 PM
“Furin cleavage site”, that is. Just casually, and naturally, sitting there in one of the most evolutionarily active parts of the genome.
Mystery solved.
Mystery solved.
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
Maybe an even more inside baseball in these documents -- but it's key:
No mention of furin cleavage site in the slides...
which matches a remark made by Peter Daszak in an email to David Morens in May 2021, made public by FOIA ▫️1/8
#CovidOrigin
www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
No mention of furin cleavage site in the slides...
which matches a remark made by Peter Daszak in an email to David Morens in May 2021, made public by FOIA ▫️1/8
#CovidOrigin
www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
October 31, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Maybe an even more inside baseball in these documents -- but it's key:
No mention of furin cleavage site in the slides...
which matches a remark made by Peter Daszak in an email to David Morens in May 2021, made public by FOIA ▫️1/8
#CovidOrigin
www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
No mention of furin cleavage site in the slides...
which matches a remark made by Peter Daszak in an email to David Morens in May 2021, made public by FOIA ▫️1/8
#CovidOrigin
www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
This isn't an isolated case. It's part of a pattern.
The "synthetic fingerprint" hypothesis requires omitting contradictory data such as RpYN06.
Worse, authors knew about this contradictory data a month and a half *before* they even published their preprint.
The "synthetic fingerprint" hypothesis requires omitting contradictory data such as RpYN06.
Worse, authors knew about this contradictory data a month and a half *before* they even published their preprint.
October 29, 2025 at 7:32 AM
This isn't an isolated case. It's part of a pattern.
The "synthetic fingerprint" hypothesis requires omitting contradictory data such as RpYN06.
Worse, authors knew about this contradictory data a month and a half *before* they even published their preprint.
The "synthetic fingerprint" hypothesis requires omitting contradictory data such as RpYN06.
Worse, authors knew about this contradictory data a month and a half *before* they even published their preprint.
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
🧵Remember the preprint claiming SARS-CoV-2 has a "synthetic fingerprint"?
It said a restriction map was "extremely unlikely to have arisen by random evolution.”
I took its claims seriously.
The "synthetic fingerprint" hypothesis collapses. My new preprint explains why.
arxiv.org/abs/2510.23833
It said a restriction map was "extremely unlikely to have arisen by random evolution.”
I took its claims seriously.
The "synthetic fingerprint" hypothesis collapses. My new preprint explains why.
arxiv.org/abs/2510.23833
October 29, 2025 at 7:32 AM
🧵Remember the preprint claiming SARS-CoV-2 has a "synthetic fingerprint"?
It said a restriction map was "extremely unlikely to have arisen by random evolution.”
I took its claims seriously.
The "synthetic fingerprint" hypothesis collapses. My new preprint explains why.
arxiv.org/abs/2510.23833
It said a restriction map was "extremely unlikely to have arisen by random evolution.”
I took its claims seriously.
The "synthetic fingerprint" hypothesis collapses. My new preprint explains why.
arxiv.org/abs/2510.23833
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
I really enjoyed this podcast with @cohenjon.bsky.social where he talks about his recent book and the broader, often strange, world of infectious diseases.
With so many non-science journalists opining on topics they know little about, this is a breath of fresh air!
www.kqed.org/forum/201010...
With so many non-science journalists opining on topics they know little about, this is a breath of fresh air!
www.kqed.org/forum/201010...
Science Journalist Jon Cohen on Preventing the Next Pandemic | KQED
We talk to about overcoming denialism and what scientists around the world are doing to keep the most dangerous pathogens at bay.
www.kqed.org
October 22, 2025 at 10:44 PM
I really enjoyed this podcast with @cohenjon.bsky.social where he talks about his recent book and the broader, often strange, world of infectious diseases.
With so many non-science journalists opining on topics they know little about, this is a breath of fresh air!
www.kqed.org/forum/201010...
With so many non-science journalists opining on topics they know little about, this is a breath of fresh air!
www.kqed.org/forum/201010...
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
I am fascinated by how viruses evolve - and not just since #SARSCoV2 has shown us at the global stage how consequential virus evolution can be for us.
In my new story in @science.org I got to explore how researchers are probing deeper into the past with old RNA virus genome.
So a 🧪 thread…
In my new story in @science.org I got to explore how researchers are probing deeper into the past with old RNA virus genome.
So a 🧪 thread…
On an Arctic archipelago, frozen soil may preserve a hidden history of viruses
Scientists are hunting for ancient RNA in Svalbard’s permafrost, hoping to shed light on the evolution of viral diseases
www.science.org
October 18, 2025 at 10:02 AM
I am fascinated by how viruses evolve - and not just since #SARSCoV2 has shown us at the global stage how consequential virus evolution can be for us.
In my new story in @science.org I got to explore how researchers are probing deeper into the past with old RNA virus genome.
So a 🧪 thread…
In my new story in @science.org I got to explore how researchers are probing deeper into the past with old RNA virus genome.
So a 🧪 thread…
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
Here’s an op-ed I wrote arguing to get back to a focus on the relevant facts when it comes to pandemic origins.
I wrote it in response to a debate that’s played out over the last year in Norwegian media that rarely slows down to check what’s true and false.
I wrote it in response to a debate that’s played out over the last year in Norwegian media that rarely slows down to check what’s true and false.
October 1, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Here’s an op-ed I wrote arguing to get back to a focus on the relevant facts when it comes to pandemic origins.
I wrote it in response to a debate that’s played out over the last year in Norwegian media that rarely slows down to check what’s true and false.
I wrote it in response to a debate that’s played out over the last year in Norwegian media that rarely slows down to check what’s true and false.
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
This guy spent his entire life online and the authorities haven't released one detail about his online activities. Now why is that?
September 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
This guy spent his entire life online and the authorities haven't released one detail about his online activities. Now why is that?
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
I'm hearing a lot of assertions from public officials that Robinson definitely had a left-wing ideological motivation. However, this is coming from folks who have an agenda of their own. I am keeping an open mind and waiting to see what kind of evidence is presented to support this characterization.
September 15, 2025 at 4:36 PM
I'm hearing a lot of assertions from public officials that Robinson definitely had a left-wing ideological motivation. However, this is coming from folks who have an agenda of their own. I am keeping an open mind and waiting to see what kind of evidence is presented to support this characterization.
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
Free speech update...
Charlie Kirk's allies warn Americans: Mourn him properly or else reut.rs/3JYLkkp
Charlie Kirk's allies warn Americans: Mourn him properly or else
After the fatal shooting of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk, U.S. Republicans have a warning for Americans: Mourn him respectfully or suffer the consequences.
reut.rs
September 13, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Free speech update...
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
This nyt article has to be one of the most insane things they've ever published
Absolutely psychotic to publish this
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/o...
September 13, 2025 at 7:37 AM
This nyt article has to be one of the most insane things they've ever published
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
Striking how many, including the sitting president, perpetuate the lie that Thomas Crooks & Luigi Mangione were violent Leftists, despite clear evidence to the contrary.
Crooks was registered Republican described as "definitely conservative" by classmates; Mangione was a Gray Tribe / SSC centrist.
Crooks was registered Republican described as "definitely conservative" by classmates; Mangione was a Gray Tribe / SSC centrist.
September 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Striking how many, including the sitting president, perpetuate the lie that Thomas Crooks & Luigi Mangione were violent Leftists, despite clear evidence to the contrary.
Crooks was registered Republican described as "definitely conservative" by classmates; Mangione was a Gray Tribe / SSC centrist.
Crooks was registered Republican described as "definitely conservative" by classmates; Mangione was a Gray Tribe / SSC centrist.
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
@zachhensel.bsky.social and I have a new paper on the origin of SARS-CoV-2! 🧪
There are a lot of reviews on the topic already, so we tried to do something different: characterize "lab leak" scenarios, and directly address those on SARS-CoV-2's furin cleavage site.▫️1/9
doi.org/10.5802/crbi...
There are a lot of reviews on the topic already, so we tried to do something different: characterize "lab leak" scenarios, and directly address those on SARS-CoV-2's furin cleavage site.▫️1/9
doi.org/10.5802/crbi...
doi.org
September 8, 2025 at 4:23 PM
@zachhensel.bsky.social and I have a new paper on the origin of SARS-CoV-2! 🧪
There are a lot of reviews on the topic already, so we tried to do something different: characterize "lab leak" scenarios, and directly address those on SARS-CoV-2's furin cleavage site.▫️1/9
doi.org/10.5802/crbi...
There are a lot of reviews on the topic already, so we tried to do something different: characterize "lab leak" scenarios, and directly address those on SARS-CoV-2's furin cleavage site.▫️1/9
doi.org/10.5802/crbi...
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
He doesn’t mention that Zhengli Shi’s group had published RaTG15 earlier, disproving the theory.
He does mention another conspiracy theory that the sequencing data Zhengli Shi published must’ve been fake, though.
So, again, there’s no chance Shi can publish anything that’d disprove lab leak.
He does mention another conspiracy theory that the sequencing data Zhengli Shi published must’ve been fake, though.
So, again, there’s no chance Shi can publish anything that’d disprove lab leak.
September 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM
He doesn’t mention that Zhengli Shi’s group had published RaTG15 earlier, disproving the theory.
He does mention another conspiracy theory that the sequencing data Zhengli Shi published must’ve been fake, though.
So, again, there’s no chance Shi can publish anything that’d disprove lab leak.
He does mention another conspiracy theory that the sequencing data Zhengli Shi published must’ve been fake, though.
So, again, there’s no chance Shi can publish anything that’d disprove lab leak.
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
Comptes Rendus. Biologies: Theories of the origin of SARS-CoV-2 in the light of its continuing evolution
by Florence Débarre, Zach Hensel
@flodebarre.bsky.social
@zachhensel.bsky.social
bit.ly/3I2X2tJ
by Florence Débarre, Zach Hensel
@flodebarre.bsky.social
@zachhensel.bsky.social
bit.ly/3I2X2tJ
September 5, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Comptes Rendus. Biologies: Theories of the origin of SARS-CoV-2 in the light of its continuing evolution
by Florence Débarre, Zach Hensel
@flodebarre.bsky.social
@zachhensel.bsky.social
bit.ly/3I2X2tJ
by Florence Débarre, Zach Hensel
@flodebarre.bsky.social
@zachhensel.bsky.social
bit.ly/3I2X2tJ
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
#Science #Sinophobia #恐华症
The attack on Chengxuan Han and Yunqing Jian is intimately linked to the Trump administration’s broader war on students, immigrants and the working class.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/...
The attack on Chengxuan Han and Yunqing Jian is intimately linked to the Trump administration’s broader war on students, immigrants and the working class.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/...
Oppose Trump administration’s witch-hunt against Chinese scientists at University of Michigan
The attack on Chengxuan Han and Yunqing Jian is intimately linked to the Trump administration’s broader war on students, immigrants and the working class.
www.wsws.org
September 1, 2025 at 7:11 PM
#Science #Sinophobia #恐华症
The attack on Chengxuan Han and Yunqing Jian is intimately linked to the Trump administration’s broader war on students, immigrants and the working class.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/...
The attack on Chengxuan Han and Yunqing Jian is intimately linked to the Trump administration’s broader war on students, immigrants and the working class.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/...
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
Classical Chinese for When It Happens or Possibly Already Happened:
丞相斯為上崩在外，恐諸公子及天下有變，乃祕之，不發喪。
Because the Emperor had died while away from the capital, the chancellor Li Si feared rebellion among the princes and the rest of the empire, so he kept it secret and announced no mourning.
丞相斯為上崩在外，恐諸公子及天下有變，乃祕之，不發喪。
Because the Emperor had died while away from the capital, the chancellor Li Si feared rebellion among the princes and the rest of the empire, so he kept it secret and announced no mourning.
August 30, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Classical Chinese for When It Happens or Possibly Already Happened:
丞相斯為上崩在外，恐諸公子及天下有變，乃祕之，不發喪。
Because the Emperor had died while away from the capital, the chancellor Li Si feared rebellion among the princes and the rest of the empire, so he kept it secret and announced no mourning.
丞相斯為上崩在外，恐諸公子及天下有變，乃祕之，不發喪。
Because the Emperor had died while away from the capital, the chancellor Li Si feared rebellion among the princes and the rest of the empire, so he kept it secret and announced no mourning.
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
They did and then they made excuses for it under Biden.
August 5, 2025 at 8:25 PM
They did and then they made excuses for it under Biden.
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
The funniest thing about this is that Bruttel thought the Chinese were hot on his trail and fabricated data to preempt his brilliant work. But that requires time travel since the RpYN06 sequence was submitted a couple months before he said anything.
May 27, 2025 at 8:43 PM
The funniest thing about this is that Bruttel thought the Chinese were hot on his trail and fabricated data to preempt his brilliant work. But that requires time travel since the RpYN06 sequence was submitted a couple months before he said anything.
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
Reminder that FCS insertions are not rare or unusual & tend to resemble the OG SARS-2 FCS insert—7/9 nucs are G's in this one, consistent w/the normal G-heavy pattern of that dominates SARS-2 insertions.
1 seq uploaded today of this, which is actually in 7 sequences overall from late 2024. 1/3
1 seq uploaded today of this, which is actually in 7 sequences overall from late 2024. 1/3
August 3, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Reminder that FCS insertions are not rare or unusual & tend to resemble the OG SARS-2 FCS insert—7/9 nucs are G's in this one, consistent w/the normal G-heavy pattern of that dominates SARS-2 insertions.
1 seq uploaded today of this, which is actually in 7 sequences overall from late 2024. 1/3
1 seq uploaded today of this, which is actually in 7 sequences overall from late 2024. 1/3
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
Another email to Bhattacharya about his interview and his continued statements that NIH's gain of function research caused the COVID pandemic and killed millions of people.
1/8
1/8
August 1, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Another email to Bhattacharya about his interview and his continued statements that NIH's gain of function research caused the COVID pandemic and killed millions of people.
1/8
1/8
Reposted by zhihuachen.bsky.social
Happy August.
Here is a little surprise for everybody: The english version of my book is finally available. You can get it on Amazon. You can also read and listen to it on my blog, where I will release the book as freely accessible serialized novel.
1/
www.protagonist-science.com/p/lab-leak-f...
Here is a little surprise for everybody: The english version of my book is finally available. You can get it on Amazon. You can also read and listen to it on my blog, where I will release the book as freely accessible serialized novel.
1/
www.protagonist-science.com/p/lab-leak-f...
Lab Leak Fever
The COVID-19 Origin Theory that Sabotaged Science and Society
www.protagonist-science.com
August 1, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Happy August.
Here is a little surprise for everybody: The english version of my book is finally available. You can get it on Amazon. You can also read and listen to it on my blog, where I will release the book as freely accessible serialized novel.
1/
www.protagonist-science.com/p/lab-leak-f...
Here is a little surprise for everybody: The english version of my book is finally available. You can get it on Amazon. You can also read and listen to it on my blog, where I will release the book as freely accessible serialized novel.
1/
www.protagonist-science.com/p/lab-leak-f...