hildabast

hildabast , 6 days ago to random

Cartoonists Keep Meeting the Moment

So many people in a position to do something are failing us, when it matters the most. The disappointments in cultural and political leadership just keep rolling in. Some parts of the culture keep meeting the moment, though—including many prominent political cartoonists. The assignment is to speak truth to power, and it takes an enormous amount of courage: Stepping on a…

https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/2026/02/09/cartoonists-keep-meeting-the-moment/

hildabast , 16 days ago to random

Another vaccine approval and more in my latest next generation Covid vax update:

• Self-amplifying mRNA vax Kostaive approved in the UK

• New trial for a mucosal vax on the starting blocks in Finland

• Some results from AstraZeneca phase 1 trial for mRNA vax

• 11 preclinical reports, including 2 for mucosal pancoronavirus vaccines

https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2026/01/31/another-approval-and-more-nextgen-covid-vax-news-update-no-37/

#Vaccines #Covid #Covid19

hildabast , 1 month ago to random

A major milestone for next generation Covid vax: The first clinical trial for a pancoronavirus formulation of an existing vaccine was registered.

There are more clinical trial results for a vax for people with immunocompromise, & news on mucosal vax trials. Plus 12 preclinical reports.

In my monthly update @PLOS

https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/12/31/major-milestone-for-pancoronavirus-vaccines-and-more-next-generation-covid-vax-update-no-36/

#Vaccines #Covid #Covid19

hildabast , 2 months ago to random

More progress internationally on next generation Covid vaccines – with a setback in the US:

• More good news on the vaccine for people with immunosuppression

• Progress in intranasal vaccine trials in France & the US

• Approval application for first nextgen vaccine in the US shelved because of new regulations

Plus clinical & preclinical results in my update this month @PLOS now online https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/11/30/more-progress-on-next-generation-covid-vaccines-and-a-setback-in-the-us-update-no-35/
#Vaccines #Covid #Covid19

hildabast , 3 months ago to random

A Bumper Month for Covid Vaccines and More

It's been an eventful few weeks for Covid vaccines – mostly good, some very bad. Let's start with the good news. Novavax has transferred marketing of its protein subunit Covid vaccine in the EU and US to a major pharmaceutical company, Sanofi. Here's hoping that leads to wider availability and economies of scale. Sanofi will also be able to use Novavax's patented adjuvant in new vaccines.

https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/2025/11/12/a-bumper-month-for-covid-vaccines-and-more/

hildabast , 3 months ago to random

Have you been noticing the flurries of new or returning people leaving Bluesky due to recent controversies?

It got me thinking about how a real Bluesky exodus would play out, and digging into the studies of the 2022 Mastodon migration from Twitter. I found 14 studies. TLDR; a Bluesky flight would be different.

Here's my new post @PLOS :

https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/10/30/a-mastodon-migration-from-bluesky-would-be-different/

hildabast , 4 months ago to random

A big month for progress on mucosal Covid vaccines!

• A 35th mucosal vax in clinical trial
• Encouraging preclinical results for intranasal self-amplifying mRNA vax from Spain
• News on progress with the Covid infection studies laying the groundwork for testing mucosal vax in human challenge studies

Plus more clinical results for self-amplifying mRNA vax & fascinating pandemic preparedness news from Singapore

Nextgen Covid vax update @PLOS https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/30/the-35th-mucosal-covid-vaccine-in-clinical-trial-an-intranasal-self-amplifying-mrna-vax-and-more-nextgen-vaccine-update-33/

#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines

hildabast , 4 months ago to random

Want to be able to start micro-editing on Wikipedia in a few minutes – and know why you could be very glad you did? Then my new post @PLOS is just what you need!

https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/09/21/wikipedia-is-vital-channeling-energy-into-micro-edits-is-a-win-win-win/

#Wikipedia

hildabast , 4 months ago to random

The Onion: "Fearful Americans Stockpiling Facts Before Federal Government Comes To Take Them Away".

https://theonion.com/fearful-americans-stockpiling-facts-before-federal-gove-1819579589/

hildabast , 5 months ago to random

Fiona Godlee, former Editor in Chief of the BMJ, is one of the protesters arrested in London. ✊ She was holding a sign reading: "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action."

https://www.bmj.com/content/390/bmj.r1877

hildabast , 5 months ago to random

My next generation Covid vaccine update this month includes a surprise new phase 1 trial funded by US Project NextGen, & some trial results.

Plus 10 new preclinical reports, mostly for mucosal vaccines.

Now out @PLOS : https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/08/31/more-new-covid-vaccine-candidates-trials-and-preclinical-studies-nextgen-update-32/

#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines

hildabast , 6 months ago to random

This month's next generation Covid vaccine update includes first clinical trial results for 2 mucosal vaccines – both based on viral vectors.

One is AeroVax, an inhaled vaccine from McMaster Uni in Canada. The other is an intranasal vax from CyanVac in the US.

In other news, it looks like several of the Project NextGen-funded trials are going ahead.

Now online @PLOS

https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/07/30/more-clinical-trial-results-for-mucosal-covid-vaccines-nextgen-vax-update-31/

#Covid19 #Covid #Vaccines

hildabast , 6 months ago to random

My rapid response at BMJ is online now. I joined the chorus of protest about an opinion piece claiming people with severe ME/CFS can recover by "reframing their beliefs" &c. People with ME/CFS deserve so much better than that:

https://www.bmj.com/content/389/bmj.r977/rr-30

#MECFS

hildabast , 7 months ago to random

A big first for next generation Covid vax! A manufacturer is accelerating a "universal coronavirus vaccine." It's set to be the first pancoronavirus vax going into phase 2 trial – & a mucosal form might be developed, too.

More in my latest Covid vax update @PLOS
https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/06/30/a-universal-coronavirus-vaccine-pushing-forward-nextgen-covid-vax-update-30/

#Vaccines #Covid #Covid1

hildabast , 9 months ago to random

This is so exciting! The German National Library of Medicine @ZBMED just had its first open meeting on the plan for an open and independent PubMed safety net. Here's my write-up @PLOS on the meeting & how institutions & others can help: https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/05/14/germanys-plan-for-an-open-and-independent-pubmed-safety-net/

#MedLibs

hildabast , 9 months ago to random

Lots of next generation Covid vaccine news this month:

• Some good news at last about US Project NextGen trial funding for mucosal vax

• Preclinical studies for several intranasal vaxes showing prevention of transmission

• First preclinical results for a key French intranasal vax

• More data on the safety of self-amplifying mRNA vax

Plus more now @PLOS

https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/04/30/more-progress-in-vaccines-to-reduce-covid-transmission-nextgen-vax-update-28/

#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines

hildabast , 9 months ago to random

"With sadness and resolve: Why I resigned as Chief Medical Officer of an NIH Institute and what comes next" by Josh Fessel. Such a powerful document:

1. "We must limit the damage..."
2. "we must tell the stories of science and scientists, of public health and the professionals that work to keep us all healthy."
3. "we must protect the next generation of leaders in the biomedical sciences and public
   health like your life and theirs depend on it, because they do."

https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1513/AnnalsATS.202503-366IP

hildabast , 10 months ago to random

This is Sechi Katō (1893-1989) in 1918. It's her graduation photo from a women's college in Tokyo.

Eventually she would become the first woman principal investigator at RIKEN, Japan's national chemistry & physics institute. She faced incredibly daunting hurdles before then...

1/7

#WomenInSTEM

ALT

hildabast , 10 months ago to random

Major funding cuts to the vaccine pipeline announced in the US, but important advances for mucosal Covid vaccines globally:

• 10th mucosal vax reaches phase 2 (in Canada)
• Another human challenge trial as prep for mucosal trials started in Singapore
• Trial results, including one for intranasal vax in kids in China

And lots more in my latest next generation Covid vaccine update now online @PLOS

https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/03/31/mucosal-covid-vaccine-trials-progress-us-rd-funding-cuts-nextgen-update-27/

#Vaccines #Covid #Covid19

hildabast , 10 months ago to random

This is amazing! Lie Detectors combat media misinformation & polarization on democracy. Based in Brussels. They run classroom sessions in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Poland & Switzerland - run by journalists, giving young people the experience of getting to know journalists.

They do teacher training, too - & they will do international training remotely!

https://lie-detectors.org/

hildabast , 11 months ago to random

A big news month for next generation Covid vaccines! Exciting news from Europe - - and roadblocks in the US.

• Kostaive self-amplifying mRNA authorized in Europe & a burning question answered! It generates more mRNA from a lower dose, but it is transient, too.

• France taking the lead for intranasal Covid vaccine?

• With all the roadblocks now in the US, what do prospects for nextgen vax look like there?

All this & more in my new @PLOS post:
https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/02/28/exciting-news-from-europe-and-roadblocks-in-the-us-nextgen-covid-vax-update-26/

#Vaccines #Covid #Covid19

hildabast , 11 months ago to random

Sanity prevailed today: Montana did * not * pass the bill to ban mRNA vaccines!

https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1752986

No anti-mRNA theory seemed to be too bizarre for the proponents:

https://nbcmontana.com/newsletter-daily/proposed-bill-would-ban-administration-of-mrna-vaccines-in-montana

My anti-mRNA debunking compendium:

https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/12/28/getting-ready-for-more-mrna-vaccine-fear-mongering-a-compendium/

#Vaccines

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

In the mood to honor accomplishments in microbiology? A trio of African-American women who made a mark, with Wikipedia pages to visit:

Ruth Ella Moore (1903-1994). In 1933, she was the 1st African-American woman to gain a PhD in natural science

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Ella_Moore

#BlackHistoryMonth

ALT

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

Want some good news? Sure you do!

Check out my update on next generation Covid vaccines this month @PLOS

• Another intranasal Covid vax went into clinical trial in Europe - it's the 32nd mucosal vax in trials

• An oral Covid vax trial got the green light to start recruiting thousands across the US

• More preclinical research showing reduced transmission

• International funding for a pancoronavirus vax in Canada

https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/01/31/another-intranasal-covid-vaccine-trial-more-good-news-update-25/

#Vaccines #Covid #Covid19

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

Some Good News, At Least, for the Start of the Year

Last year ended with some good news for Covid vaccination: The European Medicines Agency recommended authorization for its first next generation Covid vaccine. Authorization for 30 European countries should follow in January or February. And manufacturers plan to apply for approvals in the UK and US this year as well – and perhaps elsewhere, too. The vaccine is the self-amplifying mRNA vaccine developed by the US…

https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/2025/01/03/some-good-news-at-least-for-the-start-of-the-year/

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

Huge Covid vax milestone: The first next generation Covid vax has passed its European Medicines Agency review! 🎉 And an application to the US FDA is planned.

The Arcturus self-amplifying RNA vaccine is on track for EU authorization in 30 countries in the next few weeks: Happy New Year, Europeans!

All this & more in my latest monthly update @PLOS ... 1/2

https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/12/31/authorization-milestone-for-first-nextgen-covid-vaccine-in-europe-and-more-news-update-24/

#Vaccines #Covid #Covid19

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

Ever wonder about the basis for fear-mongering & conspiracy theories about mRNA vaccine? Wish you had a place to go when someone cites "proof"?

I've got you covered! In my latest post @PLOS , I buckle up for the waves of anti-vax claims likely to come at us in 2025 :

https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/12/28/getting-ready-for-more-mrna-vaccine-fear-mongering-a-compendium/

#Vaccines #Covid

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

Comforting holiday plans.

An old post of mine about grief and sadness when celebrations are all around. With some links for people grieving around holidays:

https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/2023/06/14/comforting-holiday-plans/

A giant hug to everyone with any kind of deep heartache now!

❤️‍🩹

This heart is from a card made for me by the son for whom I grieve. A reminder of love, always.

#Grief

ALT

molly0xfff , 1 year ago to random

“I can’t leave Substack, the alternatives charge monthly fees!”

For a mid-sized paid newsletter, you will pay:
Ghost Pro: $149–$269/month
Beehiiv: $131–$218/month
Buttondown: $239/month
Mailchimp: $285/month
Substack: $700/month

#substack

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

It was a bumper month for next generation Covid vax development! 🎉

– New data from 7 clinical trials! Another vax outperformed the BNT/Pfizer vaccine, this time in people with suppressed immune systems

– A major milestone for Project NextGen

– News on regulators' plans for pancoronavirus vax applications

– Human challenge study group news

– Plus 12 reports of preclinical research

Post @PLOS https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/12/03/a-bumper-month-for-trial-results-of-nextgen-covid-vaccines-update-23/
#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

"Look at the world! See it aching! It’s got so many problems—I promise you, there’s one with your name on it."

Lovely piece from Adam Mastroianni on underrated ways to change the world:

https://www.experimental-history.com/p/underrated-ways-to-change-the-world

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

Kicked my Twitter account to the kerb. Very satisfying. Can recommend.

ALT

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

Optimism and Participating in Research

It's springtime here in Australia, and my garden is projecting optimism. I sure am grateful for it. Between personal grief, and all there is to despair or be anxious about in the world, cheery things are so very welcome. As I'm typing, the final day of voting is underway in the US election. I wrote last time that I decided not to place weight on the polling.

https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/2024/11/05/optimism-and-participating-in-research/

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

A big month for next generation Covid vaccine development! 🎉

• The first nextgen vax outperforming Pfizer's for 12 months!

• Next-gen vax is coming with next-gen anti-vax campaigning that's like the anti-mRNA ones on steroids 😳

• More funding news from Project NextGen, with a big trial kicking off, & trying out a smartwatch for clinical trial data collection.

Plus more data from clinical trials & preclinical studies in my update post @PLOS https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/10/31/strong-longterm-results-and-a-nextgen-anti-vax-campaign-covid-vax-update-22/

#Vaccines #Covid #Covid19

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

This month's next generation Covid vax update is online now @PLOS :

• results from 3 clinical trials of mucosal vaccines;
• 10 new preclinical reports, including more from NIH-developers of mucosal vaxes, & some new experimental pancoronavirus vaccines in Europe;
• some Project NextGen news & more

Update 21: https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/09/30/more-trial-results-and-more-pancoronavirus-vaccines-nextgen-covid-vax-update-21/

#Covid #Covid19 #Vaccines

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

Mucosal ("sterilizing") Covid vaccine trials are kicking into high gear.

Tens of thousands of next generation trial volunteers will be needed in the US soon. And we've got the first details for a Project NextGen "mini-efficacy" trial...

The first step for human challenge trials of intranasal etc vaxes is underway in the UK...

All this & more in my latest nextgen vax update @PLOS ...1/2

https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/08/31/mucosal-covid-vax-trials-kicking-into-high-gear-update-20/

#Vaccines #Covid #Covid19

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

Latest nextgen Covid vax update:

• Encouraging preclinical results for an intranasal pancoronavirus vaccine from the Uni of Houston;

• And then there were 30 ... mucosal vaxes reaching clinical trial - with some new clinical results;

• Preclinical results for an intranasal vax that held a high immune response for at least 15 months;

• News from Project NextGen, including 1st of their trials beginning recruitment;

& more at @PLOS

https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/07/31/more-signs-of-broad-protection-from-next-generation-covid-vaccines-update-19/

#Vaccines #Covid #Covid19

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

There's been a mini-surge of new clinical trials for next generation Covid vax:

• an intranasal vaccine from the NIAID going into phase 1;

• another intranasal vaccine got a US Project NextGen-funded big phase 2 trial - & so did an encouraging nextgen vax for people with immunosuppression;

• another vax designed to improve protection for people with immunosuppression is in phase 1 in Australia.

All this & more in my new update post @PLOS

https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/06/30/a-mini-surge-of-clinical-trials-and-advances-for-people-with-immunosuppression-nextgen-covid-vax-update-18/

#Vaccines #Covid #Covid19

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

Trial results for longer-lasting Covid vaccines & more news - Next Generation Update 17.

3 sets of trial results: 1 is the first full report of a pancoronavirus vaccine, and it did pretty well, giving developers lots to go on for this ambitious type of vaccine.

18 new preclinical study reports - including another 2 showing intranasal vaccination reduced transmission among animals sharing the same air.

New @PLOS
https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2024/05/31/trial-results-for-longer-lasting-covid-vaccines-and-more-next-generation-update-17/

#Vaccines #Covid #Covid19

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

"When will we get a sterilizing Covid vaccine?" I get this question a lot! Here's my best answer - along with other recent posts:

https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/2024/05/07/when-will-we-get-a-sterilizing-covid-vaccine/

#Vaccines #Covid #Covid19

hildabast , 1 year ago to random

The reaction to the news about human challenge trials planned for Covid vaccines got me thinking about the risks we take for others:

https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/2024/04/09/the-risks-we-take-for-others/