Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
@pvanheus.bsky.social
#bioinformatics at @SANBI_SA, building bioinformatics workflows for (Pan-)African PH. health & justice! married. @pvanheus@mstdn.science
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
There is no positive benefit to the best growth of sports gambling.
But there are nearly infinite downsides.
Like, whatever your opinion of government regulation is, sports gambling has to fit within the world of acceptable subjects of regulation.
But there are nearly infinite downsides.
Like, whatever your opinion of government regulation is, sports gambling has to fit within the world of acceptable subjects of regulation.
Breaking news per Jeff Passan: “Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been indicted by prosecutors in Brooklyn on a host of charges related to a scheme to rig bets on pitches thrown in MLB games. Ortiz was arrested in Boston earlier today. Clase is not currently in custody”
November 9, 2025 at 6:38 PM
There is no positive benefit to the best growth of sports gambling.
But there are nearly infinite downsides.
Like, whatever your opinion of government regulation is, sports gambling has to fit within the world of acceptable subjects of regulation.
But there are nearly infinite downsides.
Like, whatever your opinion of government regulation is, sports gambling has to fit within the world of acceptable subjects of regulation.
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
i hope one thing we take away from all these political prosecutions (and the deference given to government during them) is how easily people of color and low income folks can be wrongly incarcerated. so maybe we should do something about that
November 9, 2025 at 4:33 PM
i hope one thing we take away from all these political prosecutions (and the deference given to government during them) is how easily people of color and low income folks can be wrongly incarcerated. so maybe we should do something about that
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
During his talks at McGill University, Zackie Achmat often said he does not believe in "hope"
He said:
“Hope is passive; resolve is active. That’s why I believe in resolve, not hope.”
Please read his wonderful interview!
www.perspectivesmcgill.com/allposts/202...
He said:
“Hope is passive; resolve is active. That’s why I believe in resolve, not hope.”
Please read his wonderful interview!
www.perspectivesmcgill.com/allposts/202...
November 8, 2025 at 10:48 PM
During his talks at McGill University, Zackie Achmat often said he does not believe in "hope"
He said:
“Hope is passive; resolve is active. That’s why I believe in resolve, not hope.”
Please read his wonderful interview!
www.perspectivesmcgill.com/allposts/202...
He said:
“Hope is passive; resolve is active. That’s why I believe in resolve, not hope.”
Please read his wonderful interview!
www.perspectivesmcgill.com/allposts/202...
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
More reporting from the Israeli press seems to further confirm that the US has effectively taken over day to day decision making from the Israelis on Gaza— exacerbating fears in both the government and opposition that a precedent has been set for the internationalization of the Palestinian question.
US sidelining Israel on decision-making at Gaza ceasefire HQ, official says
Israeli liaison unit said relegated to contractor role in Gaza aid; US includes entire Trump 20-point peace plan in UN resolution establishing international Gaza force
www.timesofisrael.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:37 PM
More reporting from the Israeli press seems to further confirm that the US has effectively taken over day to day decision making from the Israelis on Gaza— exacerbating fears in both the government and opposition that a precedent has been set for the internationalization of the Palestinian question.
This proposal from the USA regime is utterly depraved. In a sensible would it would immediately be denounced by leaders in science, health and disease surveillance but unfortunately we've got used to silence from most of those whose voices are given a platform....
Experts are raising concern around a template for bilateral agreements between the U.S. and partner governments that includes pathogen sharing. www.devex.com/news/us-temp...
US template for bilateral health deals bypasses WHO pandemic negotiations
Experts are raising concern around a template for bilateral agreements between the U.S. and partner governments that includes pathogen sharing and agreements on automatic approval for American product...
www.devex.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:04 AM
This proposal from the USA regime is utterly depraved. In a sensible would it would immediately be denounced by leaders in science, health and disease surveillance but unfortunately we've got used to silence from most of those whose voices are given a platform....
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
“In many ways the experience of being sucked into these delusions is a lot like being drawn into a personalized cult tailored to your particular interests.”
The Chatbot Delusions: Is AI Contributing to a Novel Mental Health Crisis?
Some users are losing touch with reality during marathon sessions with ChatGPT and other bots.
www.bloomberg.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:17 AM
“In many ways the experience of being sucked into these delusions is a lot like being drawn into a personalized cult tailored to your particular interests.”
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
this actually still fucking sucks because it’s still mocking disability and framing it as punishment. this dem influencer account posts shit like this regularly, and it sucks that some of my oomfies still follow it
November 8, 2025 at 5:15 AM
this actually still fucking sucks because it’s still mocking disability and framing it as punishment. this dem influencer account posts shit like this regularly, and it sucks that some of my oomfies still follow it
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
Panera’s moderately caffeinated lemonade was loosely associated with 2 deaths before it was taken off market.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
I fully believe in the corporate death penalty and believe we would be a better world if OpenAI lost its corporate charter and was forcibly dissolved.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
ChatGPT encouraged college graduate to commit suicide, family claims in lawsuit against OpenAI | CNN
A 23-year-old man killed himself in Texas after ChatGPT ‘goaded’ him to commit suicide, his family says in a lawsuit.
www.cnn.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Panera’s moderately caffeinated lemonade was loosely associated with 2 deaths before it was taken off market.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
Rosalind Franklin and the damage of gender harassment
Spurred by a recent report on sexual harassment in academia, our columnist revisits a historical case and reflects on what has changed—and what hasn’t
www.science.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
Rosalind Franklin died at 37 of ovarian cancer attributed to radiation exposure from the methods she & her assistant used to photograph a cross-section of the DNA double helix.
Meanwhile, Watson won a Nobel off that work & survived to the ripe old age of 97 by simply: stealing those notes!
Meanwhile, Watson won a Nobel off that work & survived to the ripe old age of 97 by simply: stealing those notes!
Hey folks, as news of Watson's demise spreads, please don't set aside his weighty legacy of misogyny and racism. He was truly among the worst of us. www.vox.com/2019/1/15/18...
DNA scientist James Watson has a remarkably long history of sexist, racist public comments
“People say it would be terrible if we made all girls pretty,” he said in 2003. “I think it would be great.”
www.vox.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Rosalind Franklin died at 37 of ovarian cancer attributed to radiation exposure from the methods she & her assistant used to photograph a cross-section of the DNA double helix.
Meanwhile, Watson won a Nobel off that work & survived to the ripe old age of 97 by simply: stealing those notes!
Meanwhile, Watson won a Nobel off that work & survived to the ripe old age of 97 by simply: stealing those notes!
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
Epistemic dignity
I wrote an essay on this important book for @thelancet.com: Do Less Harm: Ethical Questions for Health Historians, edited by Courtney Thompson & Kylie Smith
Please read the review here www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
The book is available here www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/...
I wrote an essay on this important book for @thelancet.com: Do Less Harm: Ethical Questions for Health Historians, edited by Courtney Thompson & Kylie Smith
Please read the review here www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
The book is available here www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/...
November 7, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Epistemic dignity
I wrote an essay on this important book for @thelancet.com: Do Less Harm: Ethical Questions for Health Historians, edited by Courtney Thompson & Kylie Smith
Please read the review here www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
The book is available here www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/...
I wrote an essay on this important book for @thelancet.com: Do Less Harm: Ethical Questions for Health Historians, edited by Courtney Thompson & Kylie Smith
Please read the review here www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
The book is available here www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/...
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
The advances we've made in statistics, experimental study design, and causal inference over the past century are remarkably useful for understanding our world. But there is never been a push to make people use them like we are seeing with generative AI. Perhaps take a moment to consider why.
November 7, 2025 at 9:07 AM
The advances we've made in statistics, experimental study design, and causal inference over the past century are remarkably useful for understanding our world. But there is never been a push to make people use them like we are seeing with generative AI. Perhaps take a moment to consider why.
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
1.This is not the only known example we know of ChatGPT cheering on a vulnerable young person to die by suicide, this time it is a recent Texas A&M grad
2. Every single university that has invited OpenAI into our midst should be asked to account for their choices.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
2. Every single university that has invited OpenAI into our midst should be asked to account for their choices.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
November 7, 2025 at 1:50 AM
1.This is not the only known example we know of ChatGPT cheering on a vulnerable young person to die by suicide, this time it is a recent Texas A&M grad
2. Every single university that has invited OpenAI into our midst should be asked to account for their choices.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
2. Every single university that has invited OpenAI into our midst should be asked to account for their choices.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
Our method for genome size estimation from long-read overlaps is now published 🥳
academic.oup.com/bioinformati...
academic.oup.com/bioinformati...
Genome size estimation from long read overlaps
AbstractMotivation. Accurate genome size estimation is an important component of genomic analyses such as assembly and coverage calculation, though existin
academic.oup.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Our method for genome size estimation from long-read overlaps is now published 🥳
academic.oup.com/bioinformati...
academic.oup.com/bioinformati...
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
Today's quick update [Nov 6]:
- Sudan Doctors Network: 6 ppl killed & 12 injured in RSF/SPLM-N (Alhilu) shelling on Dilling, S. Kordofan.
- Yale Humanitarian Research Lab: RSF has closed 1 of 5 exits out of Elfashir; possible body disposal activities ongoing.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- Sudan Doctors Network: 6 ppl killed & 12 injured in RSF/SPLM-N (Alhilu) shelling on Dilling, S. Kordofan.
- Yale Humanitarian Research Lab: RSF has closed 1 of 5 exits out of Elfashir; possible body disposal activities ongoing.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
November 7, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Today's quick update [Nov 6]:
- Sudan Doctors Network: 6 ppl killed & 12 injured in RSF/SPLM-N (Alhilu) shelling on Dilling, S. Kordofan.
- Yale Humanitarian Research Lab: RSF has closed 1 of 5 exits out of Elfashir; possible body disposal activities ongoing.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- Sudan Doctors Network: 6 ppl killed & 12 injured in RSF/SPLM-N (Alhilu) shelling on Dilling, S. Kordofan.
- Yale Humanitarian Research Lab: RSF has closed 1 of 5 exits out of Elfashir; possible body disposal activities ongoing.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
This piece by my friend and fellow co-founder of Defend Public Health @gregggonsalves.bsky.social is a must-read. In it he shares the reasons why public health practitioners and allies must rise up to meet this moment.
Public health has had to fight deniers for centuries, and we must do it now.
Public health has had to fight deniers for centuries, and we must do it now.
Public Health Was a Place for Warriors Once. It Needs to Be Again.
www.thenation.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:51 PM
This piece by my friend and fellow co-founder of Defend Public Health @gregggonsalves.bsky.social is a must-read. In it he shares the reasons why public health practitioners and allies must rise up to meet this moment.
Public health has had to fight deniers for centuries, and we must do it now.
Public health has had to fight deniers for centuries, and we must do it now.
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
If you read and watch one thing today it should be this pice accompanying @agawande.bsky.social documentary.
"As of November 5th, it estimated that U.S.A.I.D.’s dismantling has already caused the deaths of six hundred thousand people, two-thirds of them children."
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
"As of November 5th, it estimated that U.S.A.I.D.’s dismantling has already caused the deaths of six hundred thousand people, two-thirds of them children."
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:18 PM
If you read and watch one thing today it should be this pice accompanying @agawande.bsky.social documentary.
"As of November 5th, it estimated that U.S.A.I.D.’s dismantling has already caused the deaths of six hundred thousand people, two-thirds of them children."
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
"As of November 5th, it estimated that U.S.A.I.D.’s dismantling has already caused the deaths of six hundred thousand people, two-thirds of them children."
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
Hope Meeting Despair--November 5, 2025
open.substack.com/pub/johnacar...
open.substack.com/pub/johnacar...
Hope Meeting Despair--November 5, 2025
Dr. James sudan didion
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Hope Meeting Despair--November 5, 2025
open.substack.com/pub/johnacar...
open.substack.com/pub/johnacar...
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
🧵My latest:
An inside look at how the Trump admin has deployed shrouded budgetary maneuvers to undercut outbreak response, HIV treatment, dementia care & more across America.
“No one thought this was possible or legal, but that is what’s happening."
abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
An inside look at how the Trump admin has deployed shrouded budgetary maneuvers to undercut outbreak response, HIV treatment, dementia care & more across America.
“No one thought this was possible or legal, but that is what’s happening."
abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
Red tape and budget constraints: How the White House is undercutting public health
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly undercut outbreak response, HIV treatment and dementia care.
abcnews.go.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:51 PM
🧵My latest:
An inside look at how the Trump admin has deployed shrouded budgetary maneuvers to undercut outbreak response, HIV treatment, dementia care & more across America.
“No one thought this was possible or legal, but that is what’s happening."
abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
An inside look at how the Trump admin has deployed shrouded budgetary maneuvers to undercut outbreak response, HIV treatment, dementia care & more across America.
“No one thought this was possible or legal, but that is what’s happening."
abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
By suddenly cutting funding, the US administration has put “20 million Africans on death row”
AIDS activist Zackie Achmat, speaking @pihcanada.org event
AIDS activist Zackie Achmat, speaking @pihcanada.org event
November 5, 2025 at 11:05 PM
By suddenly cutting funding, the US administration has put “20 million Africans on death row”
AIDS activist Zackie Achmat, speaking @pihcanada.org event
AIDS activist Zackie Achmat, speaking @pihcanada.org event
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
The Draft PABS Annex text as at 17:00 CET on Wednesday 5 November 2025 was circulated to non-State Actors in Official Relations at 21:08 CET on Wednesday, 5 November 2025.
November 6, 2025 at 4:14 AM
The Draft PABS Annex text as at 17:00 CET on Wednesday 5 November 2025 was circulated to non-State Actors in Official Relations at 21:08 CET on Wednesday, 5 November 2025.
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
In 2020, a young socialist organizer & AIAC contributor sat down with us, sharing his vision for a world that empowers working people over the rich and powerful.
Today, that vision has carried him to City Hall.
Congrats, Mayor @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social! 🌹 africasacountry.com/2020/01/roti...
Today, that vision has carried him to City Hall.
Congrats, Mayor @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social! 🌹 africasacountry.com/2020/01/roti...
Roti and roses
Will Shoki sits down with Ugandan-born rapper and housing advocate Zohran Mamdani about his bid to represent Queens in the New York State Assembly.
africasacountry.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:56 PM
In 2020, a young socialist organizer & AIAC contributor sat down with us, sharing his vision for a world that empowers working people over the rich and powerful.
Today, that vision has carried him to City Hall.
Congrats, Mayor @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social! 🌹 africasacountry.com/2020/01/roti...
Today, that vision has carried him to City Hall.
Congrats, Mayor @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social! 🌹 africasacountry.com/2020/01/roti...
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
💰 “The rich had a very good pandemic,” says @michaelmarmot.bsky.social
While billionaires’ wealth rose, 165 million people fell into poverty. Inequality doesn’t just divide — it weakens pandemic response itself.
⚕️Inequality is a public-health risk multiplier.
@panaction.bsky.social @unaids.org
While billionaires’ wealth rose, 165 million people fell into poverty. Inequality doesn’t just divide — it weakens pandemic response itself.
⚕️Inequality is a public-health risk multiplier.
@panaction.bsky.social @unaids.org
The Rich 'Had A Good Pandemic’: How Inequality Weakens Disease Responses - Health Policy Watch
The poorest people and countries suffer the most during pandemics, setting in motion a “vicious cycle” of inequality where those who suffer the most are least
healthpolicy-watch.news
November 5, 2025 at 5:46 AM
💰 “The rich had a very good pandemic,” says @michaelmarmot.bsky.social
While billionaires’ wealth rose, 165 million people fell into poverty. Inequality doesn’t just divide — it weakens pandemic response itself.
⚕️Inequality is a public-health risk multiplier.
@panaction.bsky.social @unaids.org
While billionaires’ wealth rose, 165 million people fell into poverty. Inequality doesn’t just divide — it weakens pandemic response itself.
⚕️Inequality is a public-health risk multiplier.
@panaction.bsky.social @unaids.org
Reposted by Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🗿
Blood spilled in Sudan can be seen from space. Nobody can feign ignorance about what’s going on | Nesrine Malik
Blood spilled in Sudan can be seen from space. Nobody can feign ignorance about what’s going on | Nesrine Malik
The massacres carried out by the RSF in El Fasher, Darfur, with the support of its UAE sponsors, will only stop when the international community acts, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Blood spilled in Sudan can be seen from space. Nobody can feign ignorance about what’s going on | Nesrine Malik