Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
@jjhoutman.bsky.social
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
I am often asked: What is the best telescope to buy for someone just getting into astronomy?
🪐🔭👀
As a theorist, I am absolutely useless and can tell you nothing. HOWEVER, my friend the wonderful @philplait.bsky.social is NOT useless and has great advice & relevant links here! ⤵️
🪐🔭👀
As a theorist, I am absolutely useless and can tell you nothing. HOWEVER, my friend the wonderful @philplait.bsky.social is NOT useless and has great advice & relevant links here! ⤵️
BAN #275: Telescope buying advice, Book: It’s Alive, Dial-A-Moon 2021
30 November 2020 Issue #271
badastronomy.beehiiv.com
December 7, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I am often asked: What is the best telescope to buy for someone just getting into astronomy?
🪐🔭👀
As a theorist, I am absolutely useless and can tell you nothing. HOWEVER, my friend the wonderful @philplait.bsky.social is NOT useless and has great advice & relevant links here! ⤵️
🪐🔭👀
As a theorist, I am absolutely useless and can tell you nothing. HOWEVER, my friend the wonderful @philplait.bsky.social is NOT useless and has great advice & relevant links here! ⤵️
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
Hey @ascbiology.bsky.social peeps! My Tactile Mitosis talk is at 4pm tomorrow —which is one of many amazing talks on the power of art in science and education. Hope you all can make it! #sciart
December 7, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Hey @ascbiology.bsky.social peeps! My Tactile Mitosis talk is at 4pm tomorrow —which is one of many amazing talks on the power of art in science and education. Hope you all can make it! #sciart
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
Thread on how to detect ai in that viral dog video
Yeah, I mean, I'm critical of any video nowadays that is trying to elicit an emotional response, especially when it's asking for subs at the end. It's weird that all the people seem to end up with the dog they want. And shelters are overflowing, where are the rooms full of people wanting to adopt?
December 7, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Thread on how to detect ai in that viral dog video
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
My colleague, the brilliant @colincarlson.bsky.social posted this on LinkedIn. This is devastating for Colin and his group, but also for science, for the future of the human race. #NSF is starving scientists of resources. This will not get better until we all rise up.
December 7, 2025 at 1:30 PM
My colleague, the brilliant @colincarlson.bsky.social posted this on LinkedIn. This is devastating for Colin and his group, but also for science, for the future of the human race. #NSF is starving scientists of resources. This will not get better until we all rise up.
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
Pro-infection:
"It is natural to be infected repeatedly with respiratory viruses— if we got fewer infections what would that mean for auto-immunity for cancer? We have no clue. We have no idea if we would actually live longer or healthier lives trying to dodge seasonal runny noses and coughs."
"It is natural to be infected repeatedly with respiratory viruses— if we got fewer infections what would that mean for auto-immunity for cancer? We have no clue. We have no idea if we would actually live longer or healthier lives trying to dodge seasonal runny noses and coughs."
I am going to mask because I want to get fewer colds & other flawed ideas
A new form of arrogance
www.drvinayprasad.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Pro-infection:
"It is natural to be infected repeatedly with respiratory viruses— if we got fewer infections what would that mean for auto-immunity for cancer? We have no clue. We have no idea if we would actually live longer or healthier lives trying to dodge seasonal runny noses and coughs."
"It is natural to be infected repeatedly with respiratory viruses— if we got fewer infections what would that mean for auto-immunity for cancer? We have no clue. We have no idea if we would actually live longer or healthier lives trying to dodge seasonal runny noses and coughs."
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
I’ve now had multiple sources tell me the UK NHS is removing the CDC from its list of reliable sources.
Welcome to irrelevance.
Welcome to irrelevance.
December 6, 2025 at 10:48 PM
I’ve now had multiple sources tell me the UK NHS is removing the CDC from its list of reliable sources.
Welcome to irrelevance.
Welcome to irrelevance.
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
NEW — I put together a list of independent journalism subscriptions that would make great holiday gifts. From music to politics, astronomy to alcohol, tech to social justice, there’s something for [almost] everyone. Support indie media *and* surprise and delight your loved ones!
My guide:
My guide:
Giving the gift of independent journalism: a guide
The Handbasket has subscription suggestions for almost everyone on your list.
www.thehandbasket.co
December 6, 2025 at 3:38 PM
NEW — I put together a list of independent journalism subscriptions that would make great holiday gifts. From music to politics, astronomy to alcohol, tech to social justice, there’s something for [almost] everyone. Support indie media *and* surprise and delight your loved ones!
My guide:
My guide:
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
Our update this week begins with Data Security news. Despite reports last week that DOGE has disbanded, Elon Musk–affiliated tech workers are still embedded across federal agencies and leading data pooling and destruction of data safeguards.
www.wired.com/story/what-i...
www.wired.com/story/what-i...
DOGE Isn’t Dead. Here’s What Its Operatives Are Doing Now
Contrary to popular reports, DOGE has “burrowed into the agencies like ticks,” government sources tell WIRED.
www.wired.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Our update this week begins with Data Security news. Despite reports last week that DOGE has disbanded, Elon Musk–affiliated tech workers are still embedded across federal agencies and leading data pooling and destruction of data safeguards.
www.wired.com/story/what-i...
www.wired.com/story/what-i...
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
Another university caves, the NIH changes its grant funding process, and the AAUP gets political - our latest update on Medical Research Funding at @unbreaking.org is up!
Medical Research Funding: Timeline — Unbreaking
How the administration is breaking the government, and what that means for all of us.
unbreaking.org
December 4, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Another university caves, the NIH changes its grant funding process, and the AAUP gets political - our latest update on Medical Research Funding at @unbreaking.org is up!
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
Today I learned that NASA has a collection of free ebooks that can be downloaded as pdfs or ebub format.
The science books even include a children’s section with fun activites and coloring books!
science.nasa.gov/multimedia/s...
The science books even include a children’s section with fun activites and coloring books!
science.nasa.gov/multimedia/s...
Science e-Books - NASA Science
From Earth and the other planets in our solar system, to supermassive black holes and the distant galaxies that contain them, explore NASA science and imagery through our library of e-books.
science.nasa.gov
December 4, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Today I learned that NASA has a collection of free ebooks that can be downloaded as pdfs or ebub format.
The science books even include a children’s section with fun activites and coloring books!
science.nasa.gov/multimedia/s...
The science books even include a children’s section with fun activites and coloring books!
science.nasa.gov/multimedia/s...
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
It's Wednesday so it's time for @defendpublichealth.bsky.social Whopper of the Week! This week addresses Kennedy's love of "terrain theory," aka "germs won't hurt you if you're otherwise healthy" aka justification for his eugenic policies. By @erohealthcomms.com @benecal.bsky.social
Whopper of the Week: RFK Wants You to Fortify Your Immune System So He Can Deprive You of Modern Medicine | Defend Public Health
RFK Jr. believes that with a healthy diet, exercise, and the avoidance of environmental toxins and stresses alone, an individual can prevent disease. While these are good health practices, they are no...
www.defendpublichealth.org
December 3, 2025 at 11:29 PM
It's Wednesday so it's time for @defendpublichealth.bsky.social Whopper of the Week! This week addresses Kennedy's love of "terrain theory," aka "germs won't hurt you if you're otherwise healthy" aka justification for his eugenic policies. By @erohealthcomms.com @benecal.bsky.social
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
The ACIP meeting today was a disgrace. What a bunch of nincompoops. Making things up, can't even figure out what they're voting on. It's a clown show. Except it isn't funny. Lives are at stake and the worst people are in charge.
Defend Public Health is speaking out about the ACIP meeting calling it an epidemiological crime scene.
www.defendpublichealth.org/press-releas...
www.defendpublichealth.org/press-releas...
ACIP Meeting Turns into “Epidemiological Crime Scene” | Defend Public Health
Health experts with Defend Public Health expressed shock at the flood of antivaxxer disinformation that dominated the first day of the December meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practi...
www.defendpublichealth.org
December 4, 2025 at 8:50 PM
The ACIP meeting today was a disgrace. What a bunch of nincompoops. Making things up, can't even figure out what they're voting on. It's a clown show. Except it isn't funny. Lives are at stake and the worst people are in charge.
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
Early in this ACIP meeting, Vicky Pebsworth blamed gay men, promiscuous women, urban residents, and immigrants for spreading HBV in the U.S.
Then Evelyn Griffin said, out loud, that “illegal immigrants” are to blame.
This committee should be DISBANDED and exiled to science Siberia.
Then Evelyn Griffin said, out loud, that “illegal immigrants” are to blame.
This committee should be DISBANDED and exiled to science Siberia.
December 4, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Early in this ACIP meeting, Vicky Pebsworth blamed gay men, promiscuous women, urban residents, and immigrants for spreading HBV in the U.S.
Then Evelyn Griffin said, out loud, that “illegal immigrants” are to blame.
This committee should be DISBANDED and exiled to science Siberia.
Then Evelyn Griffin said, out loud, that “illegal immigrants” are to blame.
This committee should be DISBANDED and exiled to science Siberia.
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
Wow.... Incredible close-up of spider silk wins science photo prize www.newscientist.com/article/2506...
Incredible close-up of spider silk wins science photo prize
Duelling prairie chickens, a snake-mimicking moth and a once-a-year sunrise at the South Pole feature in the best images from the Royal Society Publishing Photography Competition 2025
www.newscientist.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Wow.... Incredible close-up of spider silk wins science photo prize www.newscientist.com/article/2506...
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is meeting today to discuss newborn hepatitis B vaccines. Here's what you need to know.
December 4, 2025 at 3:14 PM
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is meeting today to discuss newborn hepatitis B vaccines. Here's what you need to know.
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
TODAY AT 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT: NASW members, join us for a special #SciWriSocial year-end games gathering! Hosted by our Freelance Committee, this event is open to all NASW members. Enjoy the fun with familiar friends and new colleagues: www.nasw.org/events/... 💚🧪📝 No expertise necessary!
Gather for games
The NASW Freelance Committee virtual meetup on Dec. 4 will be a gathering to play games together. All current NASW members are invited. This social event is a great chance to hang out with familiar faces and new colleagues — while pondering the answers to science questions in small breakout groups. No expertise is needed.
www.nasw.org
December 4, 2025 at 1:31 PM
TODAY AT 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT: NASW members, join us for a special #SciWriSocial year-end games gathering! Hosted by our Freelance Committee, this event is open to all NASW members. Enjoy the fun with familiar friends and new colleagues: www.nasw.org/events/... 💚🧪📝 No expertise necessary!
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
For some reason, climate scientist and anti-vaxxer Cynthia Nevison is presenting on Hepatitis B epidemiology at ACIP.
She’s blundering along and fits right with to the goat rodeo.
She’s blundering along and fits right with to the goat rodeo.
December 4, 2025 at 1:55 PM
For some reason, climate scientist and anti-vaxxer Cynthia Nevison is presenting on Hepatitis B epidemiology at ACIP.
She’s blundering along and fits right with to the goat rodeo.
She’s blundering along and fits right with to the goat rodeo.
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
Alright, pals: ACIP meeting is beginning.
Here is the link to the livestream:
www.youtube.com/live/LpthhPB...
The updated agenda:
www.cdc.gov/acip/downloa...
And the prebunk from TEC/Your Local Epidemiologist:
open.substack.com/pub/yourloca...
Anticipated votes:
www.cdc.gov/acip/meeting...
Here is the link to the livestream:
www.youtube.com/live/LpthhPB...
The updated agenda:
www.cdc.gov/acip/downloa...
And the prebunk from TEC/Your Local Epidemiologist:
open.substack.com/pub/yourloca...
Anticipated votes:
www.cdc.gov/acip/meeting...
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) - December 4, 2025 - Day 1 of 2
YouTube video by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
www.youtube.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Alright, pals: ACIP meeting is beginning.
Here is the link to the livestream:
www.youtube.com/live/LpthhPB...
The updated agenda:
www.cdc.gov/acip/downloa...
And the prebunk from TEC/Your Local Epidemiologist:
open.substack.com/pub/yourloca...
Anticipated votes:
www.cdc.gov/acip/meeting...
Here is the link to the livestream:
www.youtube.com/live/LpthhPB...
The updated agenda:
www.cdc.gov/acip/downloa...
And the prebunk from TEC/Your Local Epidemiologist:
open.substack.com/pub/yourloca...
Anticipated votes:
www.cdc.gov/acip/meeting...
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
How RFKJr starts creating a set of ‘literature’ in non peer reviewed ‘journal’ to support his views- just wait for this to be cited by his ACIP and team
The grievance blog masquerading as a "journal" founded by Trump HHS appointees (The "Journal" of the "Academy" of Public Health) is now publishing lengthy screeds about how HHS secretary RFK Jr is being treated unfairly by the BMJ and calling it a literature synthesis...
December 3, 2025 at 2:43 PM
How RFKJr starts creating a set of ‘literature’ in non peer reviewed ‘journal’ to support his views- just wait for this to be cited by his ACIP and team
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
Look at this dog's breakfast of nincompoops and malcontents showing up at today's sanitized-for-your-protection Pentagon press conference.
Via @oliverdarcy.bsky.social
www.status.news/p/pentagon-m...
Via @oliverdarcy.bsky.social
www.status.news/p/pentagon-m...
December 3, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Look at this dog's breakfast of nincompoops and malcontents showing up at today's sanitized-for-your-protection Pentagon press conference.
Via @oliverdarcy.bsky.social
www.status.news/p/pentagon-m...
Via @oliverdarcy.bsky.social
www.status.news/p/pentagon-m...
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
Good piece by Ian Lopez at @bloomberglaw.com. The only one who can say anything good about Kulldorff is far-right ideologue, child-labor-promoting, friend-to-tobacco Jeffrey Tucker. news.bloomberglaw.com/health-law-a...
RFK Jr. Furthers Agenda With Pick of Covid-Critical HHS Adviser
US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is cementing his agenda throughout the nation’s health apparatus with the choice for an advisory role of a widely known scientist critical of Covid-19 measure...
news.bloomberglaw.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Good piece by Ian Lopez at @bloomberglaw.com. The only one who can say anything good about Kulldorff is far-right ideologue, child-labor-promoting, friend-to-tobacco Jeffrey Tucker. news.bloomberglaw.com/health-law-a...
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
I find myself between a rock and a hard place.
A member of ACIP, Retsef Levi, has just blasted out a substack post from an unreliable source that names a 16-year-old whom they claim died as a result of the COVID19 vaccine.
My thoughts are first and foremost with his father who is grieving.
A member of ACIP, Retsef Levi, has just blasted out a substack post from an unreliable source that names a 16-year-old whom they claim died as a result of the COVID19 vaccine.
My thoughts are first and foremost with his father who is grieving.
December 3, 2025 at 3:11 PM
I find myself between a rock and a hard place.
A member of ACIP, Retsef Levi, has just blasted out a substack post from an unreliable source that names a 16-year-old whom they claim died as a result of the COVID19 vaccine.
My thoughts are first and foremost with his father who is grieving.
A member of ACIP, Retsef Levi, has just blasted out a substack post from an unreliable source that names a 16-year-old whom they claim died as a result of the COVID19 vaccine.
My thoughts are first and foremost with his father who is grieving.
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
#medsky #pedsky #idsky #immunosky #episky
I collaborated with exceptionally talented people in infectious diseases to write this Special Article about aluminum salts in childhood vaccines.
We review the evidence base for key safety concerns and offer guidance for communication with caregivers.
I collaborated with exceptionally talented people in infectious diseases to write this Special Article about aluminum salts in childhood vaccines.
We review the evidence base for key safety concerns and offer guidance for communication with caregivers.
The Role and Safety of Aluminum Adjuvants in Childhood Vaccines
Aluminum salts have been used as adjuvants in vaccines for nearly a century, enhancing the immune response to purified antigens and ensuring durable protection against serious infectious diseases. Des...
publications.aap.org
December 3, 2025 at 3:03 PM
#medsky #pedsky #idsky #immunosky #episky
I collaborated with exceptionally talented people in infectious diseases to write this Special Article about aluminum salts in childhood vaccines.
We review the evidence base for key safety concerns and offer guidance for communication with caregivers.
I collaborated with exceptionally talented people in infectious diseases to write this Special Article about aluminum salts in childhood vaccines.
We review the evidence base for key safety concerns and offer guidance for communication with caregivers.
Reposted by Jacqueline Houtman, PhD
For those planning to watch the expected calamity of the ACIP meeting on December 4-5, they have switched the days for the topics. Now HBV vaccine will be discussed on Thursday and the entire childhood vaccine schedule on Friday.
The agendas are vague and no materials have been posted yet.
The agendas are vague and no materials have been posted yet.
December 2, 2025 at 9:45 PM
For those planning to watch the expected calamity of the ACIP meeting on December 4-5, they have switched the days for the topics. Now HBV vaccine will be discussed on Thursday and the entire childhood vaccine schedule on Friday.
The agendas are vague and no materials have been posted yet.
The agendas are vague and no materials have been posted yet.