anil oza
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aniloza.bsky.social
anil oza
@aniloza.bsky.social
science journalist @stat covering health equity, the nih, and interaction btwn science & society | also: npr, nature, sciam, science, science news (he/him) (signal: aniloza.16)
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I got to interview Bill Nye yesterday for @statnews.com's Breakthrough Summit!!

What started as a conversation about Ataxia, a genetic disorder that runs in Bill's family, quickly became about the state of American science under the latest administration
Reposted by anil oza
I have missed Sharon Begley’s byline. This account of Watson reminds me exactly why.

www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:23 PM
"He did care what his obituaries would say. He knew his racist and sexist assertions would feature in them. Not even that could make him reconsider his beliefs, which only seemed to harden with criticism. Now history can reach its verdict."

www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Reposted by anil oza
Before her (too early) death, the amazing Sharon Begley wrote this piece on double helix co-discoverer James Watson and the racist and sexist pronouncements he seemed to revel in making in later life. Fascinating read about a troubling individual.
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Reposted by anil oza
It is so fun to go on a smart podcast like Ologies and be allowed to talk about my deep fascination with all things poisonous. Because poisons are fascinating!
Historical Toxicology (OLD TIMEY POISONS) with Deborah Blum — alie ward
Metal poisons. Odorless ones. Toxic plants. Iocane powder, arsenic, old lace, poisons as self-defense, black mirrors, Aqua Tofanas, movie myths, and the start of testing for that which ails or kills y...
www.alieward.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Reposted by anil oza
Amid attacks on such work, NIH-led research links structural racism to increased heart disease. Story by @aniloza.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/s...
Amid attacks on such work, NIH-led research links structural racism to increased heart disease
NIH-led research on structural racism was published Friday, even as the Trump administration has cancelled and discredited such work.
www.statnews.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Reposted by anil oza
To summarize:
- The FDA's top drug regulator is out.
- He and the FDA's top biologics official are in open warfare.
- A lawsuit accuses him of extortion, and he accuses a former associate of the same.

Via @lizzylawrence.bsky.social @adamfeuerstein.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
FDA’s top drug regulator resigns amid investigation
George Tidmarsh, the FDA's top drug regulator, has been placed on leave after being accused of abusing his regulatory authority, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Reposted by anil oza
BREAKING: FDA’s top drug regulator George Tidmarsh has been placed on leave after being accused of abusing his regulatory authority - but also after he questioned the commissioner's plan to speed approvals, and clashed with Vinay Prasad. More here:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
FDA’s top drug regulator placed on leave amid investigation
George Tidmarsh, the FDA's top drug regulator, has been placed on leave after being accused of abusing his regulatory authority, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Reposted by anil oza
George Tidmarsh, the Food and Drug Administration’s top regulator of drugs, has been placed on administrative leave after being accused of using his regulatory authority to inflict financial harm on a former business associate, STAT has learned.

www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
FDA’s top drug regulator placed on leave amid investigation
George Tidmarsh, the FDA's top drug regulator, has been placed on leave after being accused of abusing his regulatory authority, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Throughout this year, NIH Director Bhattacharya has said studying structural racism is "ideological" and unscientific

Today, a team including scientists at his agency have published a paper showing it has links to increased rates of cardiovascular disease

www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/s...
Amid attacks on such work, NIH-led research links structural racism to increased heart disease
NIH-led research on structural racism was published Friday, even as the Trump administration has cancelled and discredited such work.
www.statnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by anil oza
Another great story today by @aniloza.bsky.social about the publication of a study on health impacts of structural racism led by scientists at the NIH. The same NIH whose director has in recent months discredited such research as “ideological” and “unscientific.”

www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/s...
Amid attacks on such work, NIH-led research links structural racism to increased heart disease
NIH-led research on structural racism was published Friday, even as the Trump administration has cancelled and discredited such work
www.statnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Reposted by anil oza
EXCLUSIVE: A slow-boiling feud between Vinay Prasad and his staff at the FDA is threatening the future of the center that regulates the nation’s vaccines, biological products, and blood supply. Read more here:
www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/v...
Under Vinay Prasad, employees at a key FDA center fear speaking out, look for the exits
Exclusive: Vinay Prasad has rattled FDA staff by expanding his power and pushing out senior leaders.
www.statnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Reposted by anil oza
A short story about our heroes inside NIH:

Between a Trump-imposed freeze on grant-making in Jan/Feb and new political hurdles in spring & early summer, NIH was in trouble.

By the end of June, NIH was 8,300 grants and $3.1 billion behind its FY24 pace. Morale was in the toilet. Things were bleak.
October 23, 2025 at 6:18 PM
The NIH has insisted there are no banned words

But, an analysis by @jeremymberg.bsky.social found over 700 hundred grants changed their titles from '24 to '25

Some see it as a small price to pay to keep their grant, but others are worried about what comes next

www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
Scientists had to change more than 700 grant titles to receive NIH funding. Health disparities researchers fear what’s next
The titles of more than 700 multi-year NIH grants have been changed this year, according to an analysis by Jeremy Berg, a former agency official
www.statnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by anil oza
Absolutely chilling story by @aniloza.bsky.social on censorship in grant titles at NIH and how researchers are complying and sometimes fighting back. "They are trying to make people afraid to use the word equity," said one program officer. "It's highly effective." www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
Scientists had to change more than 700 grant titles to receive NIH funding. Health disparities researchers fear what’s next
The titles of more than 700 multi-year NIH grants have been changed this year, according to an analysis by Jeremy Berg, a former agency official
www.statnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Reposted by anil oza
Let's talk about how science journalism and writing can keep us sane and in the ✨ light ✨right now. I'm excited to have this conversation with @ferrisjabr.bsky.social whose writing I have long admired. We need these conversations rnow more than ever. Please join us. Register👇
October 29, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Reposted by anil oza
Great story: Miriam Merad’s 20-year quest to understand one cell is starting to rewrite the rules of cancer immunotherapy.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/28/m...
Miriam Merad’s 20-year quest to understand one cell is starting to rewrite the rules of cancer immunotherapy
Miriam Merad’s 20-year quest to understand one cell is starting to rewrite the rules of cancer immunotherapy.
www.statnews.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Reposted by anil oza
“We need to remember that SNAP is the safety net,” Lindsay Allen told @sarah-todd.bsky.social at @statnews.com. “Below the safety net is concrete.”

www.statnews.com/2025/10/27/s...
When SNAP benefits run out, 'people can die,' say health experts
“People can die” from even short gaps in nutrition and food access, experts say ahead of SNAP benefits not going out in November.
www.statnews.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Reposted by anil oza
The destruction of #ACIP and its critical role in advising on the use of vaccines in the United States continues. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Threat to US vaccines as CDC staff supporting key advisory panel laid off
Critics say scientists ‘held hostage’ by RFK Jr as changes mean vaccine development and guidance in peril
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Reposted by anil oza
The New England Journal of Medicine and the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy will be publishing regular public health alerts to replace the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which has been paused due to the federal government shutdown.
October 22, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Reposted by anil oza
As trust in the federal government's stewardship of US public health infrastructure plummets, NEJM and CIDRAP are launching a rival publication to the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Story by @aniloza.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
NEJM and public health group are launching rival to CDC’s MMWR publication
Two institutions are coming together to create an alternative to the CDC’s vaunted Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
www.statnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:22 PM
CIDRAP & NEJM are partnering to create a journal that will rival the CDC's MMWR

www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
NEJM and public health group are launching rival to CDC’s MMWR publication
Two institutions are coming together to create an alternative to the CDC’s vaunted Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
www.statnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Reposted by anil oza
Sign of the times: NEJM and public health group are launching rival to CDC’s MMWR publication.

Via @aniloza.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
NEJM and public health group are launching rival to CDC’s MMWR publication
Two institutions are coming together to create an alternative to the CDC’s vaunted Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
www.statnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Reposted by anil oza
Get 50% off your first year of STAT+ and access STAT's award-winning journalism and in-depth coverage of developments in CRISPR research. Unlock subscriber-only newsletters and our exclusive data tool, CRISPR Trackr: marketing.statnews.com/stat-plus-wo...
Get 50% off an annual STAT+ subscription
Join the STAT+ community today and enjoy unlimited access to award-winning journalism, premium data tools, discounted event tickets, and much more.
marketing.statnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by anil oza
ASSIGNED MEDIA'S TEAM WENT TO NO KINGS!

Four trans reporters at 5 rallies w/ one purpose: Understand how trans rights fit with the coalition of causes and communities in the largest single day protest in US history.

Our original reporting, here:

www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
‘Arms Locked in Solidarity,’ Markey and Millions Stand Up for What’s Right — Assigned
Senator Ed Markey spoke powerfully in Boston, reflecting the deep support for transgender rights at the No Kings protests across the U. S.
www.assignedmedia.org
October 20, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Reposted by anil oza
Kyle Muldoon thought he might never get to watch an Eagles game with his son KJ, who was born with a rare and fatal liver disease that was treated with an individual CRISPR therapy.
#STATSummit
October 18, 2025 at 10:17 PM