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monscience.bsky.social
Nsikan Akpan
@monscience.bsky.social
7.5K followers 670 following 1K posts
Highly melanated | YNWA | Health & Science Editor | PhD pathobiologist
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monscience.bsky.social
I’d like to meet the parents who’d agree to, “Ok, my kid can blame me if they develop cervical cancer.”

www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Screenshot of a Politico article titled “RFK Jr.’s top vaccine adviser says he answers to no one.” The subheadline reads, “In an interview with POLITICO, Martin Kulldorff said the health secretary has asked him to impartially follow the science.” Below, a photo shows Martin Kulldorff seated at a conference table, wearing glasses and a light blue jacket, listening attentively during a meeting. The caption notes that he was seen during a CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting on Sept. 18, 2025, in Chamblee, Georgia. Screenshot of a Politico article excerpt of an interview with Martin Kulldorff. The text discusses vaccine safety trials, quoting Kulldorff saying randomized, placebo-controlled trials should be done for vaccines and suggesting that for the HPV vaccine, half of participants could receive it at age 9 and half at age 14 to compare timing.
October 30, 2025 at 11:24 PM
monscience.bsky.social
For egg-layers, the r-naught was 13—comparable with human measles.

For broiler chickens, it was 6.

For the turkeys, the r-naught estimate was 25. 🤯
www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/bird...
Graphic with a bold quote in black text reading, “We don’t even have a human equivalent of that,” attributed to Carol Cardona, a professor and the Pomeroy Endowed Chair in Avian Health at the University of Minnesota. The design includes an orange horizontal bar above the quote on a white background.
October 25, 2025 at 2:17 PM
monscience.bsky.social
A December 2024 study, published in PLOS One, estimated what H5N1's r-naught was during the first year of the U.S. outbreak. The researchers examined three types of commercial poultry: egg-laying hens, broiler chickens for meat production, and turkey farms.

journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Screenshot of a PLOS ONE research article titled “Estimating the time of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus introduction into United States poultry flocks during the 2022/24 epizootic.” The paper lists multiple authors including Amos Ssematimba and Carol J. Cardona, with affiliations to the University of Minnesota, Gulu University in Uganda, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
October 25, 2025 at 2:12 PM
monscience.bsky.social
Measles, one of the most contagious diseases in history, has an r-naught of 12 to 18. If a measles-infected person steps into a crowded train car on which everyone else lacks immunity, the virus could infect 12 to 18 people.

www.thelancet.com/action/showP...
A screenshot of a Lancet Infectious Diseases review titled “The basic reproduction number (R₀) of measles: a systematic review.” The abstract defines R₀ as the average number of secondary infections caused by one case and summarizes findings from 18 studies estimating R₀ values typically between 12 and 18. Authors include Fiona Guerra and colleagues from Public Health Ontario and the University of Toronto.
October 25, 2025 at 2:12 PM
monscience.bsky.social
The reason is always money. Tron 2 didn't fully bomb. Critics and domestic audiences disliked the sequel—no doubt. But it grossed $400 million worldwide, which was a lot for 2010.

Most of the gross came overseas, namely from the Asia Pacific region. The theme park ride is based in China.
A screenshot of IMDb’s box office summary for Tron: Legacy (2010). The page shows the film’s synopsis and box office data. It grossed $172 million domestically and $228 million internationally--or $400 million worldwide.
October 16, 2025 at 7:31 PM
monscience.bsky.social
Sigh...
October 9, 2025 at 12:39 PM
monscience.bsky.social
Vote 3 will shift how COVID-19 vaccines’ side effects are communicated because it calls for informed consent.

Currently, a shot comes with a vaccine information statement (VIS) that outlines any possible side effect.

Pharmacies hand out a VIS when you sign up for a shot.
September 19, 2025 at 11:52 PM
monscience.bsky.social
Some news stories will focus on vote 2, even though it failed, because it would have required a prescription for COVID-19 vaccines.

Many Americans lack a regular doctor, so such a rec could seriously block access to the shots. Based on the support voiced today, I bet ACIP will revisit this rec.
September 19, 2025 at 11:44 PM
monscience.bsky.social
His presentation was so controversial that other members of his working group created a separate presentation to counter his claims. …
September 19, 2025 at 11:38 PM
monscience.bsky.social
Next came vote 1.

It focused on takeaways from a working group led by ACIP member Retsef Levi, who was appointed this year.

Levi threw shade on nearly all the evidence supporting the use of COVID vaccines, presenting a handful of cherry-picked studies to illustrate safety concerns. ..
September 19, 2025 at 11:35 PM
monscience.bsky.social
CDC’s ACIP members spent their second session COVID vaccines, ending today with four votes on new recommendations.

ACIP didn’t publicly post the text for the recs prior to the vote, and some members hadn’t read the text.

Folks should take note of what happened with votes 1, 3, and 4...
A Zoom meeting screen shows a slide titled “COVID-19 Vaccines – Vote #1.” The text recommends that the CDC improve informed consent processes by adding language accessible to patients and providers, describing at least six risks and uncertainties. On the right, two small video feeds show the ACIP committee in session and Dr. Cody Meissner speaking. A Zoom meeting slide titled “COVID-19 Vaccines – Vote #2” states that the ACIP committee recommends state and local jurisdictions require a prescription for administering COVID-19 vaccines. Video feeds on the right show the ACIP committee at a conference table and Dr. Cody Meissner listening. A slide titled “COVID-19 Vaccines – Vote #3” says the committee recommends that healthcare providers discuss risks and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination with patients, considering factors like age, prior infections, immunosuppression, and CDC-identified comorbidities. Informed consent should include benefits, risks, and uncertainties noted in vaccine information statements. On the right, the ACIP committee is seen at a meeting, with Dr. Cody Meissner speaking below. A slide titled “COVID-19 Vaccines – Vote #4” recommends updating pediatric and adult immunization schedules. Adults 65 and older: vaccination based on individual decision-making. Individuals 6 months to 64 years: vaccination based on individual decision-making, favoring those at increased risk for severe COVID-19. A note clarifies this is also known as shared clinical decision-making. On the right, video feeds show the ACIP meeting and Dr. Cody Meissner.
September 19, 2025 at 11:26 PM
monscience.bsky.social
Another ACIP update: The panel tabled this morning’s vote that would have recommended against giving the Hep B vaccine at birth …

… because one member said there was too much “ambiguity” around the presented evidence of safety.
ACIP slide titled “Hepatitis B Vaccine – Vote #2.” Text reads: “The pediatric vaccine schedule should be updated to reflect the following change: If a mother tests HBsAG-negative: • The first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine is not given until the child is at least one month old. • Infants may receive a dose of Hepatitis B vaccine before one month according to individual based decision-making.* *Also referred to as shared clinical decision-making.” On the right side of the screen, a small Zoom window shows a meeting of people seated around a table, and a participant list shows names with hand icons raised.
September 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM
monscience.bsky.social
But the second vote on VFC coverage failed, meaning the vaccine can still be covered by VFC.

So uninsured kids can still get the shot under Medicaid and at federally qualified health centers. American Indian kids are still covered too.
A presentation slide titled “VFC Vote” states: “Approve the updated Vaccines for Children (VFC) resolution for prevention of measles, mumps, rubella and varicella.” On the right, a video call shows two ACIP members seated at a table in one frame, and Cody Meissner speaking in another frame.
September 18, 2025 at 10:22 PM
monscience.bsky.social
Briefly: ACIP’s first vote passed, meaning the panel recommends against MMRV before the age 4.

This vote decision impedes coverage by CHIP, and individual markets no longer have to cover the shot.
An ACIP presentation slide titled “MMRV Vaccines Vote” states: “The pediatric vaccine schedule should be updated to reflect the following change: For measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccines given before age 4 years, the combined MMRV vaccine is not recommended. Children in this age group should receive separate measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and varicella vaccine (MMR+V).” On the right, a video call shows a large meeting labeled ACIP and a smaller frame of Cody Meissner speaking.
September 18, 2025 at 10:22 PM
monscience.bsky.social
The CDC has released the agenda for this week’s vaccine advisory meeting. The first item of business: MMR vaccines. 👀👀👀

www.cdc.gov/acip/meeting...
Draft agenda for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, scheduled for Thursday, September 18, 2025. The meeting begins at 10:00 AM with welcome and roll call by Dr. Martin Kulldorff (ACIP Chair) and Dr. Mina Zadeh (CDC). At 10:30 AM, Dr. Kulldorff provides work group updates. At 11:00 AM, the committee discusses measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccines, with presentations by Dr. Arjun Srinivasan and Dr. John Su, followed by proposed recommendations. Lunch is at 1:00 PM. At 1:30 PM, Hepatitis B vaccine discussions begin, including presentations by Dr. Adam Langer and Dr. John Su. After a 4:00 PM break, agency updates from CDC, CMS, FDA, HRSA, IHS, and NIH start at 4:15 PM, followed by public comment at 4:30 PM. At 5:00 PM, votes are held on MMRV and Hepatitis B vaccines and Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, with Dr. Jeanne Santoli joining Dr. Kulldorff. The meeting adjourns at 5:30 PM.
September 15, 2025 at 3:03 PM
monscience.bsky.social
On Hurricane Erin's size: If the storm was currently over the U.S. mainland, its hurricane-force winds would stretch from Washington D.C. to middle New Jersey.

Its tropical-storm-force winds would stretch from Washington D.C. to Maine. It's a big one ...
August 19, 2025 at 6:16 PM
monscience.bsky.social
This seems less about overriding mandated processes--more about creating bottlenecks.

Examples: Deeming grant opportunities at different agencies as redundant (when they may not be) or requiring political appointees at study sections
A screenshot from the White House executive order "IMPROVING OVERSIGHT OF FEDERAL GRANTMAKING" of a numbered list outlining federal grant procedures, specifically items (v) through (vii). Item (v) describes interagency coordination to check if a funding announcement's subject matter overlaps with others, and whether to modify or withdraw one to avoid redundancy. Item (vi) requires that scientific research discretionary grants be reviewed by at least one subject matter expert, who could be on the review panel, a program officer, or an external expert. Item (vii) mandates pre-issuance review of discretionary awards to ensure legal and policy alignment, requiring in-person or virtual discussion with senior appointees or designees.
August 7, 2025 at 9:48 PM
monscience.bsky.social
...but 62% said they were open to some AI usage if it's disclosed ethically.

Younger respondents (under 35 years old) were more likely to report being “much less likely” to trust a story using AI

Audience confidence was higher when news sites said they weren't using AI (see below).
A bar chart from Minnesota Journalism Center/Trusting News titled “More detailed AI use labels were associated with smaller decreases in ‘confidence’ in the news organization.” It shows average confidence ratings from respondents exposed to different AI disclosure labels in a news story experiment. The y-axis lists six label conditions; the x-axis represents average confidence on a scale (higher numbers reflect more confidence). Findings: The control group with no label had the highest confidence rating (1.76). A simple label stating “No AI used” had a similar rating (1.73). More detailed labels, such as “AI used + How + Human review + Why” (1.53), resulted in moderately lower confidence, but statistically significant reductions compared to the control (marked with an asterisk). The lowest confidence was observed when the label simply stated “AI used” (1.45). Detailed disclosures that included “How” and/or “Human review” tended to mitigate confidence loss compared to minimal labels. Source: Minnesota Journalism Center/Trusting News, based on Experiment 1 with 3,995 U.S. adults via Prolific.
August 4, 2025 at 6:23 PM
monscience.bsky.social
At least the exercise in both sidesism didn't stop at the headline.
Screenshot of a BBC article section titled "The autism puzzle." The text states that after Kennedy took office, the CDC began a research project on the link between vaccines and autism. It references the discredited 1998 Lancet paper by Wakefield that falsely linked autism to the MMR vaccine, noting that many international studies have since found no reputable link. Autism researcher Eric Fombonne is quoted saying the issue is scientifically settled. The piece concludes by noting Kennedy hired David Geier, a known vaccine skeptic, to reexamine the data.
July 1, 2025 at 7:28 PM
monscience.bsky.social
News from the other place
A screenshot of a social media post by BNO News on X (formerly Twitter), featuring a tweet by Donald J. Trump. The BNO News post reads: “Trump says U.S. dropped a ‘full payload of bombs’ on Fordow nuclear site in Iran.” Below, Trump’s tweet states that the U.S. successfully attacked three nuclear sites in Iran—Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan—dropping a full payload of bombs on Fordow. He says all planes have safely returned and praises American military personnel. The tweet ends with, “NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter.” The post is timestamped 7:51 PM, June 21, 2025, and has 4.7K views.
June 21, 2025 at 11:56 PM
monscience.bsky.social
Full details from the other place
Four screenshots from a June 11, 2025, tweet by Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) announcing changes to the CDC's Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP). The tweet states that Kennedy removed the 17 existing ACIP members and appointed eight new individuals who will attend the June 25 meeting. The new members are described as top public health and medical experts committed to evidence-based medicine. The tweet includes detailed bios of each new appointee: Joseph R. Hibbeln, MD – Psychiatrist and neuroscientist, former NIH researcher, with expertise in mental health and public health policy. Martin Kulldorff, MD, PhD – Biostatistician and epidemiologist known for work in vaccine safety, statistical surveillance tools (SaTScan, TreeScan), and pandemic response. Retsef Levi, PhD – MIT professor specializing in healthcare analytics and vaccine safety, known for work on mRNA vaccine safety and cardiovascular risk. Robert W. Malone, MD – Physician-scientist associated with early mRNA vaccine research; background in molecular biology and vaccine development. Cody Meissner, MD – Dartmouth pediatric infectious disease expert, with advisory roles at the CDC and FDA on pediatric vaccine policy. James Pagano, MD – Emergency medicine physician with 40+ years of experience; advocate of evidence-based medicine. Vicky Pebsworth, OP, PhD, RN – Public health and nursing expert with a background in vaccine safety advisory roles at the FDA and NVAC. Michael A. Ross, MD – Clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology; known for work on cancer prevention, HPV immunization, and women’s health policy. The tweet ends with the time stamp “4:36 PM · Jun 11, 2025 · 37.7K Views.” Four screenshots from a June 11, 2025, tweet by Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) announcing changes to the CDC's Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP). The tweet states that Kennedy removed the 17 existing ACIP members and appointed eight new individuals who will attend the June 25 meeting. The new members are described as top public health and medical experts committed to evidence-based medicine. The tweet includes detailed bios of each new appointee: Joseph R. Hibbeln, MD – Psychiatrist and neuroscientist, former NIH researcher, with expertise in mental health and public health policy. Martin Kulldorff, MD, PhD – Biostatistician and epidemiologist known for work in vaccine safety, statistical surveillance tools (SaTScan, TreeScan), and pandemic response. Retsef Levi, PhD – MIT professor specializing in healthcare analytics and vaccine safety, known for work on mRNA vaccine safety and cardiovascular risk. Robert W. Malone, MD – Physician-scientist associated with early mRNA vaccine research; background in molecular biology and vaccine development. Cody Meissner, MD – Dartmouth pediatric infectious disease expert, with advisory roles at the CDC and FDA on pediatric vaccine policy. James Pagano, MD – Emergency medicine physician with 40+ years of experience; advocate of evidence-based medicine. Vicky Pebsworth, OP, PhD, RN – Public health and nursing expert with a background in vaccine safety advisory roles at the FDA and NVAC. Michael A. Ross, MD – Clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology; known for work on cancer prevention, HPV immunization, and women’s health policy. The tweet ends with the time stamp “4:36 PM · Jun 11, 2025 · 37.7K Views.” Four screenshots from a June 11, 2025, tweet by Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) announcing changes to the CDC's Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP). The tweet states that Kennedy removed the 17 existing ACIP members and appointed eight new individuals who will attend the June 25 meeting. The new members are described as top public health and medical experts committed to evidence-based medicine. The tweet includes detailed bios of each new appointee: Joseph R. Hibbeln, MD – Psychiatrist and neuroscientist, former NIH researcher, with expertise in mental health and public health policy. Martin Kulldorff, MD, PhD – Biostatistician and epidemiologist known for work in vaccine safety, statistical surveillance tools (SaTScan, TreeScan), and pandemic response. Retsef Levi, PhD – MIT professor specializing in healthcare analytics and vaccine safety, known for work on mRNA vaccine safety and cardiovascular risk. Robert W. Malone, MD – Physician-scientist associated with early mRNA vaccine research; background in molecular biology and vaccine development. Cody Meissner, MD – Dartmouth pediatric infectious disease expert, with advisory roles at the CDC and FDA on pediatric vaccine policy. James Pagano, MD – Emergency medicine physician with 40+ years of experience; advocate of evidence-based medicine. Vicky Pebsworth, OP, PhD, RN – Public health and nursing expert with a background in vaccine safety advisory roles at the FDA and NVAC. Michael A. Ross, MD – Clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology; known for work on cancer prevention, HPV immunization, and women’s health policy. The tweet ends with the time stamp “4:36 PM · Jun 11, 2025 · 37.7K Views.” Four screenshots from a June 11, 2025, tweet by Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) announcing changes to the CDC's Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP). The tweet states that Kennedy removed the 17 existing ACIP members and appointed eight new individuals who will attend the June 25 meeting. The new members are described as top public health and medical experts committed to evidence-based medicine. The tweet includes detailed bios of each new appointee: Joseph R. Hibbeln, MD – Psychiatrist and neuroscientist, former NIH researcher, with expertise in mental health and public health policy. Martin Kulldorff, MD, PhD – Biostatistician and epidemiologist known for work in vaccine safety, statistical surveillance tools (SaTScan, TreeScan), and pandemic response. Retsef Levi, PhD – MIT professor specializing in healthcare analytics and vaccine safety, known for work on mRNA vaccine safety and cardiovascular risk. Robert W. Malone, MD – Physician-scientist associated with early mRNA vaccine research; background in molecular biology and vaccine development. Cody Meissner, MD – Dartmouth pediatric infectious disease expert, with advisory roles at the CDC and FDA on pediatric vaccine policy. James Pagano, MD – Emergency medicine physician with 40+ years of experience; advocate of evidence-based medicine. Vicky Pebsworth, OP, PhD, RN – Public health and nursing expert with a background in vaccine safety advisory roles at the FDA and NVAC. Michael A. Ross, MD – Clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology; known for work on cancer prevention, HPV immunization, and women’s health policy. The tweet ends with the time stamp “4:36 PM · Jun 11, 2025 · 37.7K Views.”
June 11, 2025 at 9:31 PM
monscience.bsky.social
Vicky Pebsworth is a board member for the National Vaccine Information Center, which promotes false and misleading information about vaccines including the debunked tie to autism.
Screenshot of a biography page for Vicky Pebsworth, PhD, RN, on the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) website. The heading reads "Biography, Vicky Pebsworth, PhD, RN," with an update date of April 14, 2022. A professional portrait of Pebsworth appears to the left. The text states she is an NVIC board member and volunteer Director of Research and Patient Safety, involved since 2006. Her career spans over 35 years in roles such as ICU nurse, administrator, and policy analyst. Since 2008, she has served on various national vaccine advisory and research review committees, including the FDA’s VRBPAC, CDC panels, and DoD programs. Social media sharing icons are visible above the photo.
June 11, 2025 at 9:27 PM
monscience.bsky.social
Levi co-authored this

Access via ResearchGate www.researchgate.net/publication/...
Screenshot of a PubMed entry for a publication titled "Miscarriage after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: A request to report more details of the regression models and analyses," authored by Retsef Levi and Efrat Schurr. Published in BJOG (British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology), August 2024, volume 131, issue 9, page 1322. DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17767. PMID: 38247342. No abstract is available.
June 11, 2025 at 9:20 PM
monscience.bsky.social
Welp: Economic contributions of international students at top U.S. universities in 2023 via WSJ www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
Wall Street Journal bubble chart showing the economic contributions of international students at top U.S. universities in 2023. Each university is represented by a circle proportional in size to its dollar contribution. Columbia leads with $903 million, followed by UC Berkeley ($576M), Johns Hopkins ($504M), UChicago ($428M), UCLA ($419M), UPenn ($404M), Cornell ($393M), Harvard ($384M), Northwestern ($324M), Duke ($318M), Stanford ($292M), MIT ($265M), Yale ($241M), Princeton ($156M), Brown ($150M), Rice ($142M), Vanderbilt (VU, $135M), Notre Dame ($131M), Dartmouth ($104M), and CalTech ($64M).
May 30, 2025 at 9:09 PM
monscience.bsky.social
Focusing on Shakira concert-goers when 350k commuters could be deserted tomorrow morning … 🧐🤔
A screenshot of an Associated Press (AP) news article with the headline, “NJ Transit warns riders of potential rail strike, already disrupting travel to Shakira concerts.” Below the headline is a photo of commuters sitting on benches next to a large magenta sign reading “PLAN AHEAD – Potential Rail Service Disruption,” warning of possible disruptions due to a rejected agreement between NJ Transit and locomotive engineers.
May 16, 2025 at 1:20 AM