Hugh Blackbourn
@hughbl.bsky.social
Director of Publishing at The Union, trying to reduce the impact of TB, air pollution, smoking, COPD, asthma etc in low- to middle-income countries. I also care for society and the planet – and I'm a supporter of rewilding. Opinions expressed are my own
We need to carefully avoid antimicrobial resistance, including for TB drugs – and this article highlights the clinical standards needed for effective stewardship #TB #AMR
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Clinical standards for antimicrobial stewardship in TB care
While antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is essential for combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), TB-specific AMS strategies remain poorly defined. An international panel of 62 experts participated in a Delphi process. Using a 5-point Likert scale (5 ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
December 17, 2025 at 9:25 AM
We need to carefully avoid antimicrobial resistance, including for TB drugs – and this article highlights the clinical standards needed for effective stewardship #TB #AMR
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
A bumper December issue of IJTLD Open for your festive reading #TB #PTLD #AMR www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iuat...
www.ingentaconnect.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:04 PM
A bumper December issue of IJTLD Open for your festive reading #TB #PTLD #AMR www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iuat...
A good example of AI having a benefit to screening for tuberculosis #TB #openaccess #activecasefinding
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
AI-CAD enhances pulmonary TB detection and yield in active case finding
India accounts for 27% of global TB incidence and bears the highest TB burden worldwide. This study evaluates the performance of an AI-assisted computer-aided detection (AI-CAD) solution in a community-based, active case-finding TB screening ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
October 26, 2025 at 4:10 PM
A good example of AI having a benefit to screening for tuberculosis #TB #openaccess #activecasefinding
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
As if having tuberculosis wasn't bad enough, children also have to deal with the stigma of having a 'socially undesirable condition' #TB #stigma
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Caregiver perspectives on TB-related stigma experienced by young children
TB-related stigma often stems from a fear of TB infection, power dynamics between social groups, and an association of TB with socially undesirable traits. This study was conducted in South Africa wit...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
August 18, 2025 at 8:48 PM
As if having tuberculosis wasn't bad enough, children also have to deal with the stigma of having a 'socially undesirable condition' #TB #stigma
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
knepp.co.uk/2025/07/the-... Apologies if this is a repeat posting about Knepp, but the recovery of butterfly numbers, and of species thought to be extinct, is such an inspiration #rewilding #knepp
knepp.co.uk
July 13, 2025 at 1:51 PM
knepp.co.uk/2025/07/the-... Apologies if this is a repeat posting about Knepp, but the recovery of butterfly numbers, and of species thought to be extinct, is such an inspiration #rewilding #knepp
An Editorial highlighting the importance of post-TB lung disease - with links to relevant articles #TB #Post-TB #pulmonaryrehabilitation
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC....
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC....
Beyond a cure for TB: confronting the hidden burden of post-TB lung disease
Although much attention is given to diagnosis and treatment for TB, recent evidence highlights the suffering that occurs after patients are ‘cured’. This issue of IJTLD Open includes two studies that ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
May 16, 2025 at 1:05 PM
An Editorial highlighting the importance of post-TB lung disease - with links to relevant articles #TB #Post-TB #pulmonaryrehabilitation
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC....
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC....
Reposted by Hugh Blackbourn
#maddow
Science break.
This kayaker gets approached by an otter every time he visits a lake. The otter was orphaned after the mother was in an accident, and the man helped it throughout it's rehabilitation process to later release it back into the wild. Volume up.🔊
Science break.
This kayaker gets approached by an otter every time he visits a lake. The otter was orphaned after the mother was in an accident, and the man helped it throughout it's rehabilitation process to later release it back into the wild. Volume up.🔊
February 25, 2025 at 2:24 AM
#maddow
Science break.
This kayaker gets approached by an otter every time he visits a lake. The otter was orphaned after the mother was in an accident, and the man helped it throughout it's rehabilitation process to later release it back into the wild. Volume up.🔊
Science break.
This kayaker gets approached by an otter every time he visits a lake. The otter was orphaned after the mother was in an accident, and the man helped it throughout it's rehabilitation process to later release it back into the wild. Volume up.🔊
An article in the latest issue of IJTLD Open highlighting the impact of US funding cuts on TB in South Africa - increasing the risk of transmission and drug resistance #TB #HIV
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Impact of US funding cuts and stop work orders on TB services and research in South Africa
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
April 12, 2025 at 6:55 PM
An article in the latest issue of IJTLD Open highlighting the impact of US funding cuts on TB in South Africa - increasing the risk of transmission and drug resistance #TB #HIV
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
I'm hopeful these are all signs of beavers being active in the area. At least I'm confident that the teeth marks on the cut branches are beaver, but is anyone able to identify the paw print? #rewilding #beavers #beaverbombing #pawprints
April 4, 2025 at 2:15 PM
I'm hopeful these are all signs of beavers being active in the area. At least I'm confident that the teeth marks on the cut branches are beaver, but is anyone able to identify the paw print? #rewilding #beavers #beaverbombing #pawprints
Reposted by Hugh Blackbourn
🔬In IJTLD Open, we recently launched ‘Ending the TB epidemic’ - a series of articles that bring the focus back on TB elimination.
The series includes lessons from HIV/AIDS and TB strategy insights from Western Pacific Region: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC... #NoMoreExcuses #WorldTBDay #EndTB
The series includes lessons from HIV/AIDS and TB strategy insights from Western Pacific Region: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC... #NoMoreExcuses #WorldTBDay #EndTB
March 24, 2025 at 2:17 PM
🔬In IJTLD Open, we recently launched ‘Ending the TB epidemic’ - a series of articles that bring the focus back on TB elimination.
The series includes lessons from HIV/AIDS and TB strategy insights from Western Pacific Region: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC... #NoMoreExcuses #WorldTBDay #EndTB
The series includes lessons from HIV/AIDS and TB strategy insights from Western Pacific Region: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC... #NoMoreExcuses #WorldTBDay #EndTB
The authors, who represent many respiratory groups and societies, call on the European Medicines Agency to allow the broader use of pretomanid for drug-resistant TB #TB
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Urgent request for pretomanid label expansion to align with WHO guidelines and improve treatment accessibility and efficacy
Pretomanid is a key anti-TB drug included in the WHO list of essential medications. The current EMA-approved label for pretomanid restricts its use to the regimen comprising bedaquiline, pretomanid an...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
March 15, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The authors, who represent many respiratory groups and societies, call on the European Medicines Agency to allow the broader use of pretomanid for drug-resistant TB #TB
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
A slight cheat, as not really #rewilding, but sometimes nature needs a helping hand to recover.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
National Trust creates living gene bank of endangered native black poplar
Cuttings of tree captured by John Constable being planted on restored Devon floodplain
www.theguardian.com
March 14, 2025 at 10:54 AM
A slight cheat, as not really #rewilding, but sometimes nature needs a helping hand to recover.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Hugh Blackbourn
Sadly, the increase in extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) in South Africa, means the return to using aminoglycosides, with potential ototoxic effects. However, audiologists could provide information counselling to reduce the risk of hearing loss. #TB
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Information counselling during treatment with ototoxic medications for TB: a call to action
The introduction of bedaquiline (BDQ) has reduced the reliance on ototoxic drugs (e.g., aminoglycosides) for drug-resistant TB (DR-TB). This has significantly reduced ototoxic symptoms, such as tinnit...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
March 5, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Sadly, the increase in extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) in South Africa, means the return to using aminoglycosides, with potential ototoxic effects. However, audiologists could provide information counselling to reduce the risk of hearing loss. #TB
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
A heart warming example of the power of rewilding.
‘Ultimate bringers of life’: How one Cornwall farmer is using beavers to stop flooding - the river fed from the beaver enclosure had 80% lower levels of nitrates compared to farther upstream. rewilding www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Ultimate bringers of life’: How one Cornwall farmer is using beavers to stop flooding
Chris Jones is behind change in law to release beavers in England after witnessing the incredible benefits on his land
www.theguardian.com
February 28, 2025 at 6:33 PM
A heart warming example of the power of rewilding.
Reposted by Hugh Blackbourn
‘A landmark international initiative – the Rewilding Dogger Bank programme – will be launched in June 2025.’
@oceanographicmag.bsky.social
oceanographicmagazine.com/news/major-d...
@oceanographicmag.bsky.social
oceanographicmagazine.com/news/major-d...
Major Dogger Bank restoration project launched - Oceanographic
In a bid to restore and safeguard the ecological heart of the North Sea - the Dogger Bank - an exciting rewilding programme will be launched in 2025.
oceanographicmagazine.com
February 27, 2025 at 1:09 PM
‘A landmark international initiative – the Rewilding Dogger Bank programme – will be launched in June 2025.’
@oceanographicmag.bsky.social
oceanographicmagazine.com/news/major-d...
@oceanographicmag.bsky.social
oceanographicmagazine.com/news/major-d...
Pay attention Telegraph readers, it turns out that net zero is good for the economy... #environment #sustainability #netzero
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Britain’s net zero economy is booming, CBI says
Green sector growing at triple the rate of the UK economy, providing high-wage jobs and increasing energy security
www.theguardian.com
February 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Pay attention Telegraph readers, it turns out that net zero is good for the economy... #environment #sustainability #netzero
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
I'm a little slow in flagging this – and the title might seem a little dry 🫣 – but it would be wonderful if crops were less reliant on fertilisers and instead could develop beneficial partnerships with arbuscular mycorrhiza #science
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Autoactive CNGC15 enhances root endosymbiosis in legume and wheat - Nature
Nuclear calcium oscillations initiate plant–arbuscular mycorrhiza and nitrogen-fixing bacteria symbioses for nutrient acquisition, with a newly discovered autoactive CNGC15 mutant enhancing ...
www.nature.com
February 24, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I'm a little slow in flagging this – and the title might seem a little dry 🫣 – but it would be wonderful if crops were less reliant on fertilisers and instead could develop beneficial partnerships with arbuscular mycorrhiza #science
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The first of our Regional Perspectives on 'Ending the TB epidemic', in which the authors critically appraise TB control in the Western Pacific region #tuberculosis #endTB
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
The Western Pacific Regional Framework to End TB: overview and critical reflection
Despite notable progress, TB remains a critical public health challenge in the Western Pacific Region. To address this, the WHO developed the Western Pacific Regional Framework to End TB, which aligns...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
February 22, 2025 at 9:56 AM
The first of our Regional Perspectives on 'Ending the TB epidemic', in which the authors critically appraise TB control in the Western Pacific region #tuberculosis #endTB
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
An insightful article by Tony Harries highlighting the differences between work to combat HIV and TB – and what we can learn from this #Tuberculosis #HIV:
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Ending the TB epidemic – what can we learn from the HIV epidemic?
Advocates for community-wide screening promote this approach to reduce TB incidence and end the TB epidemic. The roll-out of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-infected people is often cited as evid...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
February 19, 2025 at 10:35 AM
An insightful article by Tony Harries highlighting the differences between work to combat HIV and TB – and what we can learn from this #Tuberculosis #HIV:
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Launch of our new series on 'Ending the TB epidemic' - hopefully this will encourage fresh thinking on how to overcome the challenges #tuberculosis
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Introducing a new series in IJTLD OPEN ‘Ending the TB epidemic’
The latest figures for TB are a sombre reminder that we need to accelerate progress to eradicate this disease. We are, therefore, launching a series of articles that bring the focus back onto TB elimi...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
February 18, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Launch of our new series on 'Ending the TB epidemic' - hopefully this will encourage fresh thinking on how to overcome the challenges #tuberculosis
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Thank goodness there are forces for good in this world - well done UNESCO! #UNESCO
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Mosul's historic al-Nuri mosque and al-Hadba minaret rise again
Some 80% of the Old City of Mosul, in northern Iraq, was destroyed under the Islamic State group.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 5, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Thank goodness there are forces for good in this world - well done UNESCO! #UNESCO
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Good to see that the Government may be doing something right...
Been reading through the Government's new Land Use Consultation. Here's the juiciest bits I've seen so far!
An excellent, bold proposal to spare 9% of England's least-productive land for nature & carbon - restoring peat bogs & regenerating woods - & changes to ag land use over a further 10% /1
An excellent, bold proposal to spare 9% of England's least-productive land for nature & carbon - restoring peat bogs & regenerating woods - & changes to ag land use over a further 10% /1
January 31, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Good to see that the Government may be doing something right...
Reposted by Hugh Blackbourn
JOB OPPORTUNITY | GIS AND DATA OFFICER 🗺️📊
Passionate about rewilding and skilled in GIS and data analysis? Join our team and support nature recovery in the Scottish Highlands.
🌿 Closing: Sunday 16 February
🌿 Salary: £28,568 - £32,508
🌿 Duration: 2 years
Learn more 👉 https://buff.ly/4giH5uu
Passionate about rewilding and skilled in GIS and data analysis? Join our team and support nature recovery in the Scottish Highlands.
🌿 Closing: Sunday 16 February
🌿 Salary: £28,568 - £32,508
🌿 Duration: 2 years
Learn more 👉 https://buff.ly/4giH5uu
January 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
JOB OPPORTUNITY | GIS AND DATA OFFICER 🗺️📊
Passionate about rewilding and skilled in GIS and data analysis? Join our team and support nature recovery in the Scottish Highlands.
🌿 Closing: Sunday 16 February
🌿 Salary: £28,568 - £32,508
🌿 Duration: 2 years
Learn more 👉 https://buff.ly/4giH5uu
Passionate about rewilding and skilled in GIS and data analysis? Join our team and support nature recovery in the Scottish Highlands.
🌿 Closing: Sunday 16 February
🌿 Salary: £28,568 - £32,508
🌿 Duration: 2 years
Learn more 👉 https://buff.ly/4giH5uu
The wonderful Jen Furin and colleagues have written for us about the need for meaningful community engagement in all aspects of TB control #Tuberculosis
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Reimagining community engagement in TB elimination: a perspective from the field
The role of community engagement (CE) in TB policy, care provision and research has been recognized as important, but most models of CE put communities at the periphery of these activities. In this Ed...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
January 24, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The wonderful Jen Furin and colleagues have written for us about the need for meaningful community engagement in all aspects of TB control #Tuberculosis
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...