16-h fasting optimizes cancer immunotherapy in mice and humans Chen et al. show that a 16-h fasting regimen optimizes cancer immunotherapy. Fasting induces metabolic trade-offs in tumor cells, increasing intratumoral isoleucine. This nutrient fuels CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity via acetyl-CoA-driven epigenetic and lipid reprogramming. Clinically, this short-term fasting regimen enhances the anti-tumor efficacy of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer.

Online now: 16-h fasting optimizes cancer immunotherapy in mice and humans

16-h fasting regimen optimizes cancer immunotherapy by forcing metabolic trade-offs in tumor cells, increasing intratumoral isoleucine that fuels CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity via acetyl-CoA-driven epigenetic and lipid reprogramming
@cp-cellmetabolism.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell-metabol...

New Transcriptomic Clock Unveils T Cell Aging in COVID, HIV These findings underscore the promise of single-cell transcriptomic biomarkers to disentangle the systemic and cell-intrinsic components of immune

New Transcriptomic Clock Unveils T Cell Aging in COVID,HIV

"Patients with acute COVID, they found two clear effects. First, COVID altered T cell composition, including significant reductions in naïve CD8 and naïve CD4 T cells. Second, the infection increased the biological age of naïve CD8 T cells"

We're getting started! Please feel free to join us!

Uh oh. What does this mean for Pemgarda use?

dashboard flyer

If you haven't already in 2026, please complete our dashboard survey. The data will document ongoing COVlD precautions, inform dashboard updates, and support future studies. Thanks! 🙏

tinyurl.com/pmc2026

THREAD 4 of 4 🧵

Just woke up even angrier. Impeach, convict, remove. Draft articles now. Either we have a representative government or we don’t. Do not shut up about this until there’s a vote.

I don’t understand how the first reaction from leadership isn’t “This is an impeachable offense. My colleagues must defund Hegseth and begin drafting articles immediately.”

Like, even if it doesn’t get done, how are you not planting this flag in the ground immediately?

We hope you rest, reset, and come back ready. #WePERSIST.

JWeiland on X: "BA.3.2 "Cicada" now looks poised to potentially sweep. Only two other highly divergent variants have swept: Omicron and Pirola. BA.3.2 has a number of signficant structural changes; large NTD deletions and orf8 is gone. @LongDesertTrain suggests these could... https://t.co/nToLlVJJKX" / X BA.3.2 "Cicada" now looks poised to potentially sweep. Only two other highly divergent variants have swept: Omicron and Pirola. BA.3.2 has a number of signficant structural changes; large NTD deletions and orf8 is gone. @LongDesertTrain suggests these could... https://t.co/nToLlVJJKX

Merry Christmas all! It struck me today that this is the first Xmas since the 2021 Omicron wave that I have had zero COVID inpatients. The lull isn’t expected to last. x.com/jpweiland/st...

In the Globe and Mail yesterday:

#indoorairquality #CovidIsAirborne #schoolairquality

Deconvolving SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine impact on immunotherapy-related survival in a pandemic Real-world data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines, administered within 100 days of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment (“peri-ICI vaccination”), may improve ICI effectiveness, potentially…

An update on SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines given within 100 days of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy.

"survival largely reflects selection bias in which patients with better prognosis were more likely to receive SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. "

#science

buff.ly/9SzFY6G

Nice! Which ones are they?

COVID is not over. If you want to protect against getting sick, get vaccinated, wear a mask, and take steps to improve air ventilation and filtration. #SwissCheeseModel #VaxPlus

It would be wonderful to have layers of protection in clean air infrastructure, including upper air farUVC 222nm, along with air filtration, too. Not everyone can mount durable immune protection from vaccination such as immunocompromised solid organ transplant patients

A map of the United States titled “COVID-19 Heat Map, Based on CDC Wastewater Data and Levels (U.S.) – Dec 8, 2025.” The map shows each state shaded by wastewater-indicated COVID-19 transmission levels. Colors represent: Very High (dark red), High (red), Moderate (orange), Low (yellow), Very Low (pale yellow), and Limited Data (diagonal hash lines). Nevada is shown in dark red (very high). Iowa, Arkansas, and Massachusetts are shaded red (high). Several states including Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana, and Georgia are orange (moderate). Much of the country is pale yellow (very low), including California, Texas, Florida, and New York. Some states such as Wyoming, Montana, Minnesota, and parts of the Mid-Atlantic have limited data indicated by diagonal striping. A note at the bottom reads: “Five states have moderate to very high transmission. In the ‘Very Low’ regions, there is considerable variability, with some wastewater sites showing higher levels; see in the next two charts though that levels are exceptionally low in some places, such as Hawai’i, DC, and California.” The source is listed as Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative (PMC) and the map credits Michael Hoerger. Data last updated 11/29/25.

A data slide titled “National COVID-19 Estimates (U.S.) – Dec 8, 2025” from the Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative. It lists current estimated COVID-19 impacts using large blue text and two-column tables. Under Infections, values are: Proportion Actively Infectious: 1 in 102 (1%) New Daily Infections: 479,000 Infections the Past Week: 2,940,000 Infections in 2025: 225,000,000 Cumulative Infections per Person: 4.84 Under Long COVID, estimates are shaded light blue: Long COVID Cases from New Daily Infections: 24,000 to 96,000 Long COVID Cases from New Weekly Infections: 147,000 to 590,000 Under Excess Deaths, also shaded light blue: Excess Deaths from New Daily Infections: 140 to 240 Excess Deaths from New Weekly Infections: 900 to 1,400 A short paragraph at the bottom states: New daily infections are estimated at 479,000 for December 8. Late November transmission was flat like last year, unlike early-pandemic years where rates increased before Thanksgiving.

A table titled “COVID-19 State Prevalence Estimates – Dec 8, 2025” from the Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative. It lists U.S. states with estimated active COVID-19 prevalence and the probability that someone is infectious in rooms of different sizes (10, 25, 50, 100 people). Columns include: State, CDC Level, PMC Estimate % Actively Infectious, and four risk columns. The rows show wide variation. Examples near the top: Alabama – Moderate; 1 in 47 infectious (2.1%); probability 19% in a room of 10 up to 89% in a room of 100 Alaska – Very Low; 1 in 220 (0.5%); 4% to 37% Highlighted in red: Arizona – Very High*; 1 in 18 infectious (5.7%); 44% in a room of 10, >99% in a room of 100 Indiana – High; 1 in 30 (3.3%); 29% in a room of 10, 97% in a room of 100 Other examples: California – Very Low; 1 in 574 (0.2%) Florida – Very Low; 1 in 494 (0.2%) Illinois – Very Low; 1 in 112 (0.9%) Michigan – Low*; 1 in 87 (1.2%) Minnesota – Low; 1 in 99 (1.0%) A note indicates *Limited data reporting for some entries. Bottom text: Data last updated 11/29/25.

A table titled “COVID-19 State Prevalence Estimates – Dec 8, 2025” from the Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative. It lists U.S. states alphabetically from Missouri through Wyoming. Columns show: State, CDC Level, PMC Estimate of percent actively infectious (as “1 in X”), and four columns estimating the chance that at least one person is infectious in rooms of 10, 25, 50, or 100 people. Most states are labeled Very Low with estimated infection levels ranging from 1 in ~100 to 1 in ~300 people, giving 3–8% risk in a room of 10 and 20–60% risk in a room of 100. Highlighted in red: Vermont — High; 1 in 35 (2.8%); 25% risk in a room of 10, rising to 94% in a room of 100. Other examples: New Jersey — Very Low; 1 in 217 (0.5%); 5–37% infection risk depending on room size. Ohio — Low; 1 in 70 (1.4%); 13–76% risk depending on group size. Oklahoma — Low*; 1 in 68 (1.5%); 14–77% risk. West Virginia — Low; 1 in 76 (1.3%); 12–73% risk. A note states: Limited reporting; ND has no data, averages MN, MT & SD. Bottom right text: Data last updated 11/29/25.

US Weekly COVID update: Dec 8, 2025

🔸1 in 102 Actively Infectious
🔸479,000 New Daily Infections
🔸2,940,000 Infections In The Past Week
🔸225,000,000 Infections in 2025
🔸147,000 to 590,000 Weekly Long COVID Cases
🔸900 to 1,400 Weekly Deaths

Source: pmc19.com/data/

SARS-CoV-2 Leaves a Lasting Mark on the Immune System A landmark new study shows COVID-19 isn’t ‘just a cold’: One infection left people with long-lasting immune damage, and those with heart disease lost up to 70% of key immune cells. Reinfections may wo...

"A landmark new study shows COVID-19 isn’t ‘just a cold’: One infection left people with long-lasting immune damage, and those with heart disease lost up to 70% of key immune cells. Reinfections may worsen this. The message is clear: protecting ourselves still matters."

Screenshot of a news article. There’s a photo of a wooden casket. Text reads Americans Are Dying Younger, Saving Corporations Billions Life expectancy gains have stalled. The grim silver lining? Lower pension costs

Want to stick it to the corporations?

Wear a mask.

Americans are dying younger and saving the ruling class billions of dollars.

You can help prevent that by masking up and refusing to normalize the spread of covid & other airborne diseases.

Common cold 'prefers cold noses' The virus behind the common cold is much happier in a cold nose, US researchers show.

This is your seasonal reminder to put a mask on or, at the bare minimum, a scarf. Cold noses lead to a weakened immune system. That means Cold Nose = Getting Sick.

Cover up. Stay warm. Stay healthy!

www.bbc.com/news/health-...

#MaskUp #Science #Health #ColdSeason

Before WWII, the language of science was German. Scientific papers were published in German. International conferences happened in German. After the Nazis gutted research and exiled scientists fled to the USA, that language became English.

Anyway, just thinking about learning Mandarin for no reason

Rally | Long COVID Clinical Trial (7 to 50 year-olds) Do you or your child have Long COVID? We are studying to see if Larazotide improves symptoms in 7-50 years old. There will be 2 visits at MGH and 4 virtual visits over 8 weeks. Compensation for blood ...

Sharing the link to the Long Covid Clinical trial at MGH that is now enrolling.

@laelyonker.bsky.social

rally.massgeneralbrigham.org/study/pediat...

#LongCovidKids
#PediatricLongCovid
#pwLC

Analysis of the three-dimensional genome of exhausted CD8+ T cells reveals a critical role of IRF8 in their differentiation and functions in cancer - Nature Immunology Dong and colleagues examine the 3D chromatin structure changes that accompany CD8⁺ T cell exhaustion. They identify a role for IRF8, which is required for recruitment of the chromatin topology organiz...

Analysis of the three-dimensional genome of exhausted CD8+ T cells reveals a critical role of IRF8 in their differentiation and functions in cancer @natimmunol.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Plus some very specific Democrats

“Actual scientists…have…produced a mountain of evidence that the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 & other airborne viruses can be prevented. This compilation of research serves to dispel the obscene myth that “infection is inevitable,” & that the suffering repeated infections…cause cannot be prevented.”

BU College Republicans president says he called ICE to ‘detain these criminals’ at Allston Car Wash The president of Boston University College Republicans wrote on X he called the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement requesting it detain employees at Allston Car Wash, the site of a Nov. 4 raid w...

According to the car wash owner, agents arrested employees before they could obtain their documentation from their work lockers. So many were likely here legally.

Here's hoping this article on Zac boasting about how he ruined some immigrants' lives follows him around for a very long time.

Scientists should graduate ready to share what they know, effectively. Even the top science programs in our country do not require science communication and public engagement for their graduates. This is dangerous. Let's change the future. Sign the petition to make a difference: bit.ly/3LbnfHB

The Virus That Causes Mono May Also Cause Lupus Early findings indicate that Epstein-Barr Virus may also cause the autoimmune disease lupus

Epstein-Barr virus is linked to development of the autoimmune disease lupus in new research

www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...