Book author, toxicology journalist, fascinated by poison and murder (current book project), and, oh yeah, I'm the former director of the Knight Science Journalism program at MIT.
Deborah Blum
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Big news: Capital Weather is now independent at CapitalWeather.com.
We’re building a new home for trusted DC-area weather coverage — with around-the-clock forecasts, live updates and deeper local weather and climate coverage. 1/4
This is bad. At least 9 county prosecutors in pro-Trump areas of Virginia have now openly declared that they won't enforce the assault weapons ban that the Dem state legislature recently passed.
It's a MAGA nullification movement.
New piece from me:
newrepublic.com/article/2114...
All of this.
So cool.
One issue with machine learning is that algorithms can identify patterns, but not mechanisms. It’s statistical pattern matching, which can be powerful in many applications, but ultimately identifies correlation, not causation.
The American Diabetes Association still doesn‘t get it. And hiding behind your 501c3 status doesn’t work. You’re not prohibited from criticizing government policies under this status you cowards. diabetes.org/newsroom/pre...
I spoke with @truthout.org @sashaabramsky.bsky.social about RFK Jr freezing $600M in funds that Congress appropriated for Gavi, the group that vaccinates half the world's children
Rubio, thankfully, appears to be going over RFK Jr's head to honor the US commitment
truthout.org/articles/us-...
Of course, they do. (gift article)
The Trump Administration’s racist science policies have achieved some of their goals.
The number of Black Principal Investigators has dropped by 10% between 2024 and 2025; while the number of Hispanic PIs has fallen by 7%.
For research trainees, the numbers are far worse.
Their profits come from the harm of others. They suck the blood of their customers and turn it into higher gains when they could just make safe milk.
Read @deborahb.bsky.social's The Poison Squad to remember how it used to be. How people just died for the profits of those who would consume us.
Governor Spanberger signed an assault weapons ban. Some county prosecutors in pro-Trump areas say they won’t enforce it. Is a new MAGA nullification movement brewing?
This cross-sectional study assesses National Institutes of Health (NIH) data from fiscal years 2016-2025 comprising annual counts of principal investigators funded through research grants and fellowsh...
With Raw Farm, the largest raw-milk dairy in the country, Mark McAfee has capitalized on a once-fringe product that’s been thrust into the mainstream in recent years and backed by Health Secretary Rob...
The weather and climate science AI revolution isn’t revolutionary arstechnica.com/science/2026...
Just The Wind Drake
#NameYourPoisonDay A is for Arsenic is the first entry in A is for Arsenic: An ABC of Victorian Death. The hand holds a coffin-shaped bottle, made to contain poison. The blue glass example is also studded and marked "Poison."
www.peachridgeglass.com/2012/11/coff...
Art by @landisblair.bsky.social
Machine learning has its limits—how is it being used?
NEW: In February, I visited Raw Farm.
You may have heard of it.
RFK Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow are customers.
It supplies raw dairy products to 500 stores nationwide.
And regulators have linked it to over a dozen recalls and outbreaks that have made hundreds sick.
🧵👇
Jennifer Ouellette
Chris Woodyard
With Raw Farm, the largest raw-milk dairy in the country, Mark McAfee has capitalized on a once-fringe product that’s been thrust into the mainstream in recent years and backed by Health Secretary Rob...
