@jeremymberg
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Datahound, Dog lover, Fan of Celtic music, Former NIGMS director, Former EiC of Science, Stand Up for Science advisor, Shenanigator, Pittsburgh, PA NIH Dashboard: https://jeremymberg.github.io/jeremyberg.github.io/index.html
Pediatricians contending with a sharp rise in vaccine hesitancy are trying to stay sensitive and supportive, even as they bear the brunt of parents’ mistrust and confusion.
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/h...
So anything not cis-het white male is DEI because they treat that as the norm rather than just another set of classifications. Exactly what we said when this started and the word lists came out.
Understood
Yes, but they were not empowered to cut programs on their own say-so...
Wow. I thought it was bad, but...😱
Yep. I bit on the nose, isn't it?
Of course he has values. They are tabulated here...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
Is that really a quote about the "Freedom" lecture series?
Our understanding of the origin of COVID-19, while still incomplete, is one of the most well-supported scientific theories of any pandemic.
When it comes to “Scientific Freedom”, it must be based in science and evidence - this is the opposite, platforming pseudoscience instead.
Next you will be telling that Jayanta Bhattacharya's thesis title:
"Lifetime Returns to Specialization in Medicine"
is revealing about his values.
This is Summit. He is a friend to pretty much everyone he meets. But has a special soft spot for the little critters who stop long enough for him to say hello. 13/10 (IG: bakerbarnes)
My quote of the day
In the end, we know what makes us happy. We also know what makes us unhappy. That's the irony. We know and yet we still mess it up. That's part of the human condition, no, and why we need to work on it.
Harlan Coben
Even creating a 'Scientific Freedom' lecture series at the NIH is the most sweaty and pathetic move. An overt political project that cannot hide its birth in insecurity.
He also pro infection
Bhattacharya professes to restore trust in science, yet he continues to do the opposite by giving the NIH imprimatur to non-scientific ideas.
This is hilarious.
Also, completely enraging.
(2) The Speaker: I will not get into the qualifications of Matt Ridley to speak on the subject or the fact that these may include the alignment with his political, rather than scientific, views with yours. I would note that the NIH policy regarding international collaboration notes the requirement for the presence of “unusual talent, resources, populations, or environmental conditions…that are not readily available in the United States.” Were there no speakers in the United States who could speak to possible origins of COVID-19, even if they are required to have views that align with yours? I personally believe that science should be a broadly open international activity, but I am wondering if your approach to choosing a speaker should be “aligned with agency priorities”? Sincerely, Jeremy M. Berg Director NIGMS, 2003-2011
5/5
It is striking that you feel obligated to lift your leg and spray your grievance in so many ways. I find this to be quite revealing about your insecurities and not helpful to the NIH or increasing public trust in this important agency.
4/5
Dear Director Bhattacharya: Someone shared the announcement about the inaugural lecture in the new NIH Scientific Freedom Lecture Series: Matt Ridley on The Search for the Origin of COVID-19. I have several questions: (1) The Branding: Why a “Freedom” lecture series? Freedom from what, exactly? Has Matt Ridley had difficulty having his voice heard with his views about possible COVID-19 origins? Didn’t having a book published by Harpers Perennial in 2022 on that topic argue that he has had access to effective platforms to air his views?
Back to my email...
3/5
He also recently posted in support of President Trump's ruling that CO2 should not be considered a danger to human health and that CO2 is good for plants.
He concludes that this is a purely political discussion.
rationaloptimistsociety.substack.com/p/ridley-co2...
2/5
New email to Director Bhattacharya about a new Scientific Freedom lecture to be given my Matt Ridley on The Search for the Origin of COVID-19.
Ridley is a British scientist and journalist who published a book in 2022 on the subject.
1/5
Well said and thanks for working the Ginther gap in there.
For more information about breast density, risk factors, and options for supplemental screening, go to densebreast-info.org @densebreastinfo.bsky.social @bcrfcure.bsky.social
Ultrasound (US) is good for evaluating lumps, but screening US finds fewer cancers than MRI. Contrast-mammography is becoming a good alternative to MRI, but is not yet FDA approved for screening. Any additional screening carries risks of false alarms. densebreast-info.org/for-patients...
Most insurance will now cover additional screening when indicated, as well as additional testing for abnormalities seen on screening. Medicare, Tricare, and VA, however, are exempt from new federal guidelines for ACA-qualified plans. The FindItEarlyAct.org would address these gaps in coverage.
Your specific density category is in the mammogram report sent to your doctor. We recommend adding MRI to mammography for the 7% of women with extremely dense breasts, and for many with heterogeneously dense breasts and other risks (e.g. family history, prior atypical biopsy, prior cancer).
In the USA, your mammogram results letter will say if your breasts are dense or not dense. There are actually four density categories: fatty, scattered, heterogeneously dense, and extremely dense. The latter two are "dense". The denser the breasts, the greater the risk of developing breast cancer.
Image of a fatty breast with cancer and a dense breast with a larger cancer that is hard to see, from DenseBreast-info.org
"Dense" breasts have more glandular tissue (where milk can be produced) than fatty breasts, but all breasts have some of both. You cannot tell density by the way the breasts feel. About 40% of women have "dense" breasts. About 40% of cancers go unseen on a mammogram in dense breasts.
Really sad news, @jeremymberg.bsky.social @joshuasweitz.bsky.social
