Prof Sheena Cruickshank
@sheencr
Immunologist & science communicator based at UoM fascinated by our immune response to threats (pathogens, pollution) & microbiome & how this exposome affects health. Also quite likely to share random dog and nature pics 🧪👩🔬 #AcademicSky #SciCom
Already more health authorities are warning travellers of the risks in travel to countries where once you were not likely to get bitten - or if you did, unlikely to get infected. Consider covering up, insecticide sprays and/or bednets/fly screens to reduce your infxn risk
Climate change (warmer and wetter weather) also expands the period of time the mosquitoes can breed making it WAY more likely we will see mosquitoes about for more of the year with the infection risks that will bring
The number of countries these mosquito species are found in is increasing at a faster rate than ever before- driven by trade routes that can carry the vectors to new territories and climate change that expands the territories they can live and breed in
other species of mosquito such as Aedes (dusk/dawn biters) can transmit Chikungunya and Dengue - viral diseases that causes serious disease and even deaths. Cases of these viral infections are increasing across the globe
Most people are aware that one type of mosquito- Anopheles- can act as as vector for the parasite that causes malaria. Its actually the female of the species that transmits the deadly disease not males which are important pollinators. Malaria, despite efforts thus far, remains a deadly disease
Last phase of marking and a woodpecker has been a welcome garden visitor for me to admire between scripts
Delighted our study investigating how different components of particulate matter pollution affect lung cells is now out. We evaluated the impact of PM components incl transition metals, dust, soot & diesel exhaust components such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons 🧵🧪
So much for squirrel proof as squirrel inserts head into the anti-squirrel layer …. It also once inserted most of its body akin to a spatchcocked bird… Yup i am marking so this is a distraction
article includes an excellent infographic showing symptoms of Ebola - included here in case cannot be accessed
Eldest son finished last bit of course work so I baked for him (no oven needed tho)
fantastic to spend a couple of day brainstorming about exposome immunology, research culture and training needs with brilliant colleagues in @exposomeimmunology.bsky.social in the @kiroxford.bsky.social So much progress already and a lot of exciting research to come!
Bluebells and mulberry bloom and a lot of bird song on a mindful dogwalk. Dog oblivious- all about the ball for him 🙄
RFKJr’s hypocrisy over mercury is exposed as he dodges questions about the use of toxic mercury that Trump has expanded yet continues to maintain that a non toxic chemical related to mercury is harmful in vaccines. He then pushes this worldwide by holding funding to GAVI unless they abide by this
The treasury are for the first time in US history changing the signature on US cash to that of Donald Trump with this sycophantic statement used to announce it (that rather conflicts with current reality for most citizens) ….
Saw our first migrating toad of the season last night. Toads are fantastic for our gardens but are endangered. This won’t be helped by busy roads because… #ToadMigration
Finally, spring gearing up in the garden and even a bee enjoying the crocuses
This is the front cover of the new edition of @thelancet.com (thanks to @profstevegriffin.bsky.social for sharing) #HealthPolicy #Science 🧪🧵
Campus looking pretty spring like this afternoon and evening at @manchester.ac.uk
The virus was very happy and there was MUCH higher levels of virus. There was more cell damage (caused by the virus). Also mucus levels went up and they have actual video of this in the paper which was BRILLIANT- screen shot below but I can't share the video via bluesky
His statements about his visit in senate contradicted earlier statements he had made in 2021 according to AP
During the congressional hearings for his post, as well as denying he was anti-vaccine, RFKjr denied that he went to Samoa to discuss vaccines…