Jon Cohen

New HIV cure approach forces hidden virus into tripping immune sensor Strategy gains momentum after promising results in cell studies and infected people

An obstacle to an HIV cure is that the viral protease enzyme is like a jewel thief that dodges laser sensors, which, when tripped, cause death of infected cells. Drugs can force protease to stand up, potentially reducing reservoirs of latently infected cells. www.science.org/content/arti...

A titan of vaccine development sees his field’s achievements slip away Stanley Plotkin, the 93-year-old "godfather of vaccines," is watching his field’s achievements slip away.

@helenbranswell.bsky.social celebrates the one-and-only Stanley Plotkin, godfather of vaccines, wise elder, spark plug that's still firing. www.statnews.com/2026/03/02/s...

Thanks! Let me know what you think.

Community health project in Kenya and Uganda dramatically cuts new HIV infections Large-scale study finds that simplifying delivery of prevention medication and improving connections to clinics is key

Study in 80,000 people in Uganda and Kenya shows 70% reduction in risk of HIV infection. The secret? Community health workers offering testing at home, simplified access to PrEP and PEP, follow up with smart phone app that connects people to clinics. Remarkable.
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A little-known flu virus is sickening cattle around the world. Are humans next? Features of recently identified influenza D point to possible pandemic threat

Ever heard of flu D? Hardly anyone else has either. But it deserves your attention. www.science.org/content/arti...

Bird flu antibodies found in cow in the Netherlands, a first outside of U.S. Dead cat led to discovery, but officials stress no further spread of H5N1 has been detected

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New hepatitis B drug could help ‘functionally cure’ some patients Scientists welcome GSK announcement that two trials succeeded—even though data are still lacking

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The Trump administration says some approved childhood vaccines need better studies. Scientists disagree Rationale for dropping some vaccine recommendations faces skepticism

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Fresh conflicts erupt around giant database for flu and COVID-19 sequences Critics say “autocratic” behavior by GISAID could hamper response to a future pandemic

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It's a fantastic insight from 304 years ago.

NIH leader resigns after flap over risks of seasonal flu virus study Agency may be expanding list of pathogens subject to dangerous “gain-of-function” regulations

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Science’s 2025 Breakthrough of the Year: The unstoppable rise of renewable energy Clean energy infrastructure is being deployed with unmatched scale and speed—and China is leading the way

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Fired NIH institute head sues Trump administration Jeanne Marrazzo says she lost her job because she spoke out against risky public-health policies

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How some treatments can lead to a ‘functional cure’ for HIV Specific class of immune cells help keep virus at bay for months or years—even in the absence of drugs

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bigpicturescience.org/episodes/flu...

Book Review: The Urgent Quest to Prevent the Next Pandemic In "Planning Miracles," Jon Cohen chronicles the efforts of scientists and others to eradicate the threat of pandemics.

Thanks to @undark.org for reviewing my new book!

undark.org/2025/11/21/b...

The Trump administration is dismantling efforts to fight the next pandemic A retreat from investments in drugs and vaccines leaves U.S. less prepared for the next viral scourge, experts warn

"It's as if it stopped raining, so why fix the roof?https://www.science.org/content/article/trump-administration-dismantling-efforts-fight-next-pandemic

James Watson: Titan of science with tragic flaws Science historian Nathaniel Comfort reflects on the “most famous scientist of the 20th century, and the most infamous of the 21st”

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AI drives dramatic expansion of Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s funding to end all diseases Entering its second decade, philanthropy with Facebook fortune has shed social causes and now focuses on ambitious science dream

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is poised to become one of the largest philanthropies supporting science, and it now is going "all in" on AI and biology to create a virtual immune system. I spoke with Chan and many of its scientists last week. www.science.org/content/arti...

ACIP tables vote to delay hepatitis B vaccine birth dose

The Vaccine Integrity Project @CIDRAP is conducting an independent review of the evidence supporting the long-standing recommendation for universal #HepatitisB vaccination at birth.

In Sept, CDC’s vaccine advisers tabled a vote on the birth dose and asked for more data.

🔗 tinyurl.com/4sy3wwa7

@kgandersen.bsky.social @cohenjon.bsky.social

Many thanks Caitlin. So glad you were asked to review this, and just so there's no confusion, I have no input into Science's book review process--or even whether they choose to review my books!

Man’s pig kidney fails just shy of setting record The xenotransplant, from a gene-edited pig, had survived for nearly 9 months in Tim Andrews

Genetically engineered pig kidney in Tim Andrews unfortunately failed after nearly 9 months, but he fortunately returned to dialysis and is doing well. www.science.org/content/arti...

Science and Society | Planning Miracles: How to Prevent Future Pandemics Online Since Covid-19 swept the world, scientists have been grappling with an urgent issue: How do we prepare for the next pandemic—and at a time when science denial and...

I'll be speaking today at Lewes Library Science and Society webcast talk at 4:45 EDT about my just released book, Planning Miracles: How to Prevent Future Pandemics. Registration required. delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/14650002

Science and Society Lecture to address pandemic prevention Oct. 7 Lewes Public Library’s Science and Society Lecture Series will present Science magazine’s Jon Cohen for an online presentation based on his new book, "Planning Miracles: How to Prevent Future Pandemic...

I'll be speaking about my book on Oct. 7 at Lewes Public Library's Science and Society Lecture, which is webcast: www.capegazette.com/article/scie...

Thanks Mike!

Many thanks.

Planning Miracles by Jon Cohen: 9780593321225 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books A groundbreaking book about the past, present, and future of pandemics, and a behind-the-scenes portrait of the intrepid and innovative community of scientists working tirelessly to stop the next one ...

My book, Planning Miracles: How to Prevent Future Pandemics, comes out next week. It's not about flawed COVID responses. It's about scientific efforts to develop better vaccines, treatments, masks, surveillance--and to move more quickly...as one world.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690752...

* Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Canada’s Supreme Court will decide fate of ostrich flock hit by bird flu Farmers and supporters—including RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz—urge government to spare birds that survived H5N1 outbreak

An ostrich flock, H5N1, culling policy, Canada’s Supreme Court, farmers, biotechs, hair growth and weight loss products, opponents of government overreach, animal rights activists, RFK Jr., Dr. Oz, the Royal Mounted Canadian Police. Read all about it. www.science.org/content/arti...