Nchangwi Syntia

⏰ 38 days to go!
Join us for the Data for Health in Africa & 5th DS-I Africa Consortium Meeting
📍Cedi Conf. Centre, Univ. of Ghana
🗓️ 23–29 Aug 2025
Theme: Data Science in Africa: Strengthening Partnerships and Collaboration across Networks, Sectors and Impact Areas
🔗 Info: lnkd.in/eWEzjUEG

Second patient death reported with gene therapy for muscular dystrophy Shares of Sarepta Therapeutics have plunged again after the drugmaker reported a second death in connection with its gene therapy for muscular dystrophy.

Second teenage boy dies from liver failure following #Genetherapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, raising concerns over safety. The company (Serepta) says it will pause the study & assemble an expert panel to recommend new safety protocols. #RareDisease
apnews.com/article/sare...

Skyrocketing mpox outbreak in Sierra Leone raises fears of wider spread Boom in infections in the West African nation is driven by the same viral strain that caused a global outbreak in 2022.

Sierra Leone has confirmed 15 deaths and more than 3,000 mpox infections

https://go.nature.com/4kYY1ZP

New survey explores what people in South Africa expect of publicly visible scientists – why it matters When asked to name a living scientist from their own country, more than half of the respondents in both countries did not reply.

What the public expects of publicly visible scientists: Solid professional reputation; Base their comments on evidence; Tell the truth; Not operate too closely to politics; No hidden agenda; charismatic; articulate. @marinajoubert.bsky.social @theconversation.com theconversation.com/new-survey-e...

#AcademicSky #SciPub #PeerReview #PhDSky #OpenScience #AcademicResearch #AcademicWriting #ScholarlyPublishing #AcademicPublishing #AcademicChatter #Comics 🧪

Science and Society: Pathways to Equitable Access and Delivery of Genomics Medicine in Africa - Current Genetic Medicine Reports Purpose of Review Recent advances in genetics are pushing the frontiers of health research in Africa. Notable developments include the release of the draft human pangenome reference, regulatory approv...

Science diplomacy & academic-industry partnerships are key to realizing "Genomics for All." African gov'ts, researchers, biotech, civil society & health agencies must collaborate & define a path for translational #genomics medicine in Africa.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...

I was delighted to see this special issue published last week, after a rewarding journey through questions of #justice and #amr

US aid cuts are an opportunity to reimagine global health The global south should become self-reliant by investing in health.

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

#GlobalHealth #HealthEquity

Eco-bio-communitarianism: Reimagining Bioethics for Sustainable Health

We need to develop more holistic, inclusive, socially just & ecologically sustainable approaches to health, science & environmental stewardship for the well-being of all life on Earth. Article: link.springer.com/article/10.1.... @biomedcentral.bsky.social

Why Schools Are Increasingly Neglecting Introverts For many students, quiet time is key for the learning process.

"These can be appealing qualities in the classroom, of course, but overemphasizing them can undermine the learning of students who are inward-thinking and easily drained by constant interactions with others." www.theatlantic.com/education/ar...

If more academics dropped the main character syndrome, the university sector would be a much better place. The more senior you become, the more you should see your role as a facilitator and assister. You may still need to lead, but it's to lift others up, not yourself.

As an international scholar, I’m learning to speak up—accent and all “My ideas matter more than how I sound,” this postdoc writes

"My ideas matter more than how I sound". Sometimes people struggle to believe something said with an unfamiliar accent. As an international scholar, Ogochukwu Uweru says he is learning to speak up-accent and all. | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

In this paper, we argue that addressing ethical issues in #DataScience health research and #genomics requires a holistic social contract. Thanks to @hastingscenter.bsky.social Report for considering & publishing our work (onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...).

Be Kind #tuesdaymotivations #BeKindAlways

🚨: New publication « Data management and sharing » in @jclinepi.bsky.social with Claude Pellen, @synthymama.bsky.social, Anna Catharina Armond, Ulrich Mansmann, Maximilian Siebert. A 🧵.

How much do people around the world trust scientists?

"Most people have a relatively high trust in scientists. People want scientists to take an active role in society and policymaking."

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

"One Humanity, Many Genomes" is a reminder of our shared evolutionary origins & African heritage-A call to explore the vast diversity of genomes & strive for an equitable genomic medicine agenda worldwide. Ambroise Wonkam proposes a 5-point agenda www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti....

PhD parents: the pros and cons of having a child during your doctorate Early-career researchers describe how they juggled workloads, emotions and finances after having children.

“It’s going to take me longer, but I will get there. My plans have not changed, don’t give up, don’t step away from mentorship”

Early-career researchers describe how they juggled workloads, emotions and finances after having children.

https://go.nature.com/4gSIfhj

Consuming arts and culture is good for health and wellbeing, research finds Engaging with arts improves quality of life, increases productivity and creates financial ‘dividend’

A major study led by the UK government and WHO quantifies the positive impact that the arts and heritage have on physical and mental health.

www.theguardian.com/society/2024...

How to thank your lab mates: eight ways to show gratitude at the end of year Alongside secret Santas and seasonal parties, many laboratories develop traditions to show appreciation to colleagues — from sweets and mulled wine to quizzes and ice-skating trips.

Many workplaces have parties or team meals to celebrate the end of the working year, but some show true appreciation by cultivating group traditions. Nature asked group leaders to explain these, and how they thank colleagues for their hard work. #AcademicSky

A pilot raced through the airport to surprise an old friend: the woman who saved his life | CNN When Allie Reimold boarded Flight 2223 in Houston a week ago, she didn’t expect to see the pilot whose life she had saved.

Eight years ago, a budding scientist gave a commercial airline pilot a gift that would link the two for life.

Since then, they'd met in person and linked up on social media. But when she boarded a flight a week ago, she didn't expect to see him.

Then an announcement came over the PA system.

Were many clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic unethical? - The Ethics Blog It is understandable if the COVID-19 pandemic spurred many researchers to conduct their own studies on patients with the disease. They wanted to help in a difficult situation by doing what they were c...

New on the #EthicsBlog >> Were many clinical trials during the #COVID19 pandemic unethical?

We asked a few people what genetics is/means in their home language. Here is their response. We are adding more African languages. If you'd like to contribute to this resource, please let me know t.co/tqP4qHjteF

Still time to register for our #TARGetAMR online launch event taking place on Friday at 12pm, with guest speaker: Prof. Adrian Egli, University of Zurich. Sign up now: targetamr.org.uk/hdrevents/ta...
#Genomics #AMR #TeamScience

🎯Welcome to Bluesky! @bsky.app

“If I wanted to thrive in academia, I would need to actively cultivate networking habits.” @science.org

AHALYA SURESH,
DEAKIN UNIVERSITY

#scisky #PhD #Academic #news

Data protection legislation in Africa and pathways for enhancing compliance in big data health research - Health Research Policy and Systems Background The increasing availability of large volumes of personal data from diverse sources such as electronic health records, research programmes, commercial genetic testing, national health survey...

We report on the analysis of 37 data protection legislation in Africa, present key principles, data process, rights of data subjects, legal grounds for cross-border data transfers, & propose ethical & technical strategies to enhance compliance.
health-policy-systems.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....

I'm happy to announce that my book, "The Foreign Gaze: Essays on Global Health", is now out!

You can order the print copy and download the e-copy (open access) here: www.editions.ird.fr/produit/728/...

The book comes with a playlist for your listening pleasure: open.spotify.com/playlist/5K5...

Very cool opportunity from the #Epilepsy Foundation. They are launching a Research Ambassador Program to strengthen connections between the epilepsy community and research, providing insight into the processes of clinical research and new therapy development. www.epilepsy.com/research-fun...

Can AI review the scientific literature — and figure out what it all means? Artificial intelligence could help speedily summarize research. But it comes with risks.

Some newer AI-powered science search engines can already help people to produce narrative literature reviews, but some researchers fear that AI tools could lead to more sloppy, inaccurate or misleading reviews polluting the literature. Read the Nature feature. 🧪

We've officially launched the #TARGetAMR network! Join us on our mission to create a #Transdisciplinary network to explore how #Genomics can combat #AMR. Together we can make a difference: Sign up now: targetamr.org.uk #AntimicrobialResistance #GlobalHealth #SaveLives