Author Bill Sullivan
@authorbillsullivan.com
Author of “PLEASED TO MEET ME: Genes, Germs, and the Curious Forces that Make Us Who We Are" & other cool science stuff. Professor of Microbiology, IU School of Medicine.
Lab: https://wjsulliv.wixsite.com/sullivanlab
Author: https://authorbillsullivan.com
Lab: https://wjsulliv.wixsite.com/sullivanlab
Author: https://authorbillsullivan.com
Ectopic Pregnancy Deaths Have Nearly Doubled. It’s Worse in States With Abortion Bans.
www.propublica.org/article/ecto...
www.propublica.org/article/ecto...
Ectopic Pregnancy Deaths Have Nearly Doubled. It’s Worse in States With Abortion Bans.
With prompt and appropriate medical care, experts say, people shouldn’t die from an ectopic pregnancy. Women in Texas and Oklahoma have sued over delays in care, which, coupled with our new analysis, ...
www.propublica.org
September 11, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Ectopic Pregnancy Deaths Have Nearly Doubled. It’s Worse in States With Abortion Bans.
www.propublica.org/article/ecto...
www.propublica.org/article/ecto...
I'm excited to see the movie "Whalefall" (out Oct 16), based on the fantastic book by Daniel Kraus. It's about a man who tries to survive after being swallowed by a whale. For those wondering, "Could a whale really swallow a human?" here is an article for you...
www.popsci.com/science/coul...
www.popsci.com/science/coul...
Could a whale really swallow a human? We asked a biologist.
The new thriller ‘Whalefall’ depicts a diver trapped inside of a sperm whale.
www.popsci.com
September 7, 2026 at 1:06 PM
I'm excited to see the movie "Whalefall" (out Oct 16), based on the fantastic book by Daniel Kraus. It's about a man who tries to survive after being swallowed by a whale. For those wondering, "Could a whale really swallow a human?" here is an article for you...
www.popsci.com/science/coul...
www.popsci.com/science/coul...
Human DNA is ~70% similar to frog DNA. Just sayin'
September 2, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Human DNA is ~70% similar to frog DNA. Just sayin'
I'm excited that "The Crossroads of Science and Faith" podcast I've been working on with James McGrath rolls out soon! Read all about it here, and listen on Spotify or watch on YouTube starting on September 24! (links in the article)
authorbillsullivan.medium.com/the-crossroa...
authorbillsullivan.medium.com/the-crossroa...
The Crossroads of Science and Faith
A new podcast where a scientist and a religious scholar discuss the big questions in life
authorbillsullivan.medium.com
September 2, 2026 at 3:04 PM
I'm excited that "The Crossroads of Science and Faith" podcast I've been working on with James McGrath rolls out soon! Read all about it here, and listen on Spotify or watch on YouTube starting on September 24! (links in the article)
authorbillsullivan.medium.com/the-crossroa...
authorbillsullivan.medium.com/the-crossroa...
The same administration that brought you the Cyclospora Summer of Diarrhea is following it up with ruining toilet paper. Are we the butt of a joke here?
Toilet Paper May Get More Expensive and Less Soft as Trade War Escalates
cnr.ncsu.edu/news/2026/08...
Toilet Paper May Get More Expensive and Less Soft as Trade War Escalates
cnr.ncsu.edu/news/2026/08...
Toilet Paper May Get More Expensive and Less Soft as Trade War Escalates, Experts Warn
With the United States imposing new tariffs on select Canadian exports, North Carolina State University experts warn that the escalating trade war could raise the price and reduce the quality of toile...
cnr.ncsu.edu
August 28, 2026 at 10:33 PM
The same administration that brought you the Cyclospora Summer of Diarrhea is following it up with ruining toilet paper. Are we the butt of a joke here?
Toilet Paper May Get More Expensive and Less Soft as Trade War Escalates
cnr.ncsu.edu/news/2026/08...
Toilet Paper May Get More Expensive and Less Soft as Trade War Escalates
cnr.ncsu.edu/news/2026/08...
RFK Jr: Secretary of Measlesland
For several reasons, the Pennsylvania measles outbreak is about to get much worse (Paul Offit)
pauloffit.substack.com/p/rfk-jr-sec...
For several reasons, the Pennsylvania measles outbreak is about to get much worse (Paul Offit)
pauloffit.substack.com/p/rfk-jr-sec...
RFK Jr: Secretary of Measlesland
For several reasons, the PA measles outbreak is about to get much worse
pauloffit.substack.com
August 28, 2026 at 6:33 PM
RFK Jr: Secretary of Measlesland
For several reasons, the Pennsylvania measles outbreak is about to get much worse (Paul Offit)
pauloffit.substack.com/p/rfk-jr-sec...
For several reasons, the Pennsylvania measles outbreak is about to get much worse (Paul Offit)
pauloffit.substack.com/p/rfk-jr-sec...
Some Scientists Have ‘Magic Hands’ in the Lab. This A.I. Is Learning Why.
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/27/s...
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/27/s...
Some Scientists Have ‘Magic Hands’ in the Lab. This A.I. Is Learning Why.
Even the most adept researchers may not know exactly what they do to get successful results. An A.I. model is trying to figure it out by watching every move.
www.nytimes.com
August 28, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Some Scientists Have ‘Magic Hands’ in the Lab. This A.I. Is Learning Why.
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/27/s...
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/27/s...
The U.S. will suffer if it shuts off such a valuable talent stream. Our loss will be another country's gain.
The New Student Visa Policy Doesn’t Add Up: A recent federal rule change will soon place a strict limit on how long international students can study in the U.S.
undark.org/2026/08/27/o...
The New Student Visa Policy Doesn’t Add Up: A recent federal rule change will soon place a strict limit on how long international students can study in the U.S.
undark.org/2026/08/27/o...
The New Student Visa Policy Doesn’t Add Up
Opinion | A recent federal rule change will soon place a strict limit on how long international students can study in the U.S.
undark.org
August 27, 2026 at 1:10 PM
The U.S. will suffer if it shuts off such a valuable talent stream. Our loss will be another country's gain.
The New Student Visa Policy Doesn’t Add Up: A recent federal rule change will soon place a strict limit on how long international students can study in the U.S.
undark.org/2026/08/27/o...
The New Student Visa Policy Doesn’t Add Up: A recent federal rule change will soon place a strict limit on how long international students can study in the U.S.
undark.org/2026/08/27/o...
Trying to teach your students the difference between correlation and causation? Check this out.
How Hall & Oates Have Ruined Everything
medium.com/the-haven/ho...
How Hall & Oates Have Ruined Everything
medium.com/the-haven/ho...
How Hall & Oates Have Ruined Everything
If these two don’t patch things up, the world will be ripped apart
medium.com
August 26, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Trying to teach your students the difference between correlation and causation? Check this out.
How Hall & Oates Have Ruined Everything
medium.com/the-haven/ho...
How Hall & Oates Have Ruined Everything
medium.com/the-haven/ho...
Two die of measles in Pennsylvania outbreak
The deaths are the first measles-related fatalities in the U.S. this year. Both people had not been vaccinated against the illness.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
The deaths are the first measles-related fatalities in the U.S. this year. Both people had not been vaccinated against the illness.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Two die of measles in Pennsylvania outbreak
The deaths are the first measles-related fatalities in the U.S. this year. Both people had not been vaccinated against the illness.
www.nbcnews.com
August 25, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Two die of measles in Pennsylvania outbreak
The deaths are the first measles-related fatalities in the U.S. this year. Both people had not been vaccinated against the illness.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
The deaths are the first measles-related fatalities in the U.S. this year. Both people had not been vaccinated against the illness.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Reposted by Author Bill Sullivan
A new study shows sperm defects in rats chronically infected with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which infects 30-50% of people.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection and its influence on semen analysis in rats: controlled experimental animal study - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - Chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection and its influence on semen analysis in rats: controlled experimental animal study
www.nature.com
August 24, 2026 at 11:02 PM
A new study shows sperm defects in rats chronically infected with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which infects 30-50% of people.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Sadly, Naegleria fowleri, the so-called brain-eating amoeba, has claimed the life of an 8-year-old girl after she swam in Lake Claiborne in Louisiana.
An explainer: theconversation.com/why-the-brai...
An explainer: theconversation.com/why-the-brai...
Why the ‘brain-eating’ amoeba found in freshwater lakes – while rare – is so deadly
The brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri kills 97% of its victims, and infections are almost impossible to diagnose quickly. Here is how it kills.
theconversation.com
August 24, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Sadly, Naegleria fowleri, the so-called brain-eating amoeba, has claimed the life of an 8-year-old girl after she swam in Lake Claiborne in Louisiana.
An explainer: theconversation.com/why-the-brai...
An explainer: theconversation.com/why-the-brai...
Reposted by Author Bill Sullivan
Can’t Get Along? Try Rejecting Free Will
A new approach to building trust and bridging our divides.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/plea...
A new approach to building trust and bridging our divides.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/plea...
Can’t Get Along? Try Rejecting Free Will
No one freely became who they are, but we can influence who they become.
www.psychologytoday.com
August 21, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Can’t Get Along? Try Rejecting Free Will
A new approach to building trust and bridging our divides.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/plea...
A new approach to building trust and bridging our divides.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/plea...
New snake species named in honor of Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash
‘Lielaphis slashi’ is a nonvenomous groundsnake discovered in the forests of New Guinea
www.popsci.com/environment/...
‘Lielaphis slashi’ is a nonvenomous groundsnake discovered in the forests of New Guinea
www.popsci.com/environment/...
New snake species named in honor of Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash
‘Lielaphis slashi’ is a nonvenomous groundsnake discovered in the forests of New Guinea
www.popsci.com
August 21, 2026 at 1:17 PM
New snake species named in honor of Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash
‘Lielaphis slashi’ is a nonvenomous groundsnake discovered in the forests of New Guinea
www.popsci.com/environment/...
‘Lielaphis slashi’ is a nonvenomous groundsnake discovered in the forests of New Guinea
www.popsci.com/environment/...
We will “grow our way” out of a $40 trillion debt the same time “wealth will trickle down” from billionaires
August 21, 2026 at 11:42 AM
We will “grow our way” out of a $40 trillion debt the same time “wealth will trickle down” from billionaires
I love when science supports my habits!
Coffee drinkers have less fat, more muscle, and surprising hormone differences
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
Coffee drinkers have less fat, more muscle, and surprising hormone differences
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
Coffee drinkers have less fat, more muscle, and surprising hormone differences
Coffee drinkers may be getting more than an energy boost. A Finnish study found that people who drank more coffee tended to have less total and abdominal fat, more muscle, and healthier metabolic mark...
www.sciencedaily.com
August 19, 2026 at 6:05 PM
I love when science supports my habits!
Coffee drinkers have less fat, more muscle, and surprising hormone differences
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
Coffee drinkers have less fat, more muscle, and surprising hormone differences
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
This wise parable teaches us to refrain from judging everything that happens to us. Some things we believe to be good turn out to be bad, and some things we take to be bad turn out to be blessings in disguise.
August 18, 2026 at 1:20 PM
This wise parable teaches us to refrain from judging everything that happens to us. Some things we believe to be good turn out to be bad, and some things we take to be bad turn out to be blessings in disguise.
The opposite of “transparency”: Sneaking Lysenkoism into NIH peer review
NIH is proposing new reporting for grant application scores determined by study sections, which will make it easier to hide political manipulation of grant funding.
sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-opposite...
NIH is proposing new reporting for grant application scores determined by study sections, which will make it easier to hide political manipulation of grant funding.
sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-opposite...
The opposite of “transparency”: Sneaking Lysenkoism into NIH peer review
On Friday, the NIH released an RFI (request for Information) on a proposed new format for reporting the scores of grant applications determined by study sections. If implemented, this new system will
sciencebasedmedicine.org
August 17, 2026 at 12:25 PM
The opposite of “transparency”: Sneaking Lysenkoism into NIH peer review
NIH is proposing new reporting for grant application scores determined by study sections, which will make it easier to hide political manipulation of grant funding.
sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-opposite...
NIH is proposing new reporting for grant application scores determined by study sections, which will make it easier to hide political manipulation of grant funding.
sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-opposite...
Reposted by Author Bill Sullivan
The exercise can help you identify what's wasting your time — and make room for what matters, says psychotherapist Niro Feliciano. Take a moment to try it. You might be surprised with what you find.
You have more free time than you think. Don't believe it? Try a time audit
The exercise can help you identify what's wasting your time — and make room for what matters, says psychotherapist Niro Feliciano. Take a moment to try it. You might be surprised with what you find.
n.pr
August 16, 2026 at 3:40 PM
The exercise can help you identify what's wasting your time — and make room for what matters, says psychotherapist Niro Feliciano. Take a moment to try it. You might be surprised with what you find.
Nope. Accountability is important. We talk about past mistakes so we don’t make them again, and we can hold that crucial conversation in parallel with how to fix the mess he created.
Sen. Cassidy on if he regrets voting to confirm RFK: "People always bring that up. All I can say is you have to live life living forward. And, in fact, I think people bringing this up now distracts from what we should be speaking about. You're playing into this."
August 16, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Nope. Accountability is important. We talk about past mistakes so we don’t make them again, and we can hold that crucial conversation in parallel with how to fix the mess he created.
Reposted by Author Bill Sullivan
The teenage grunge fan from the 90s in me absolutely adores this young one's immense talent on the piano.
August 12, 2026 at 7:01 PM
The teenage grunge fan from the 90s in me absolutely adores this young one's immense talent on the piano.
How Cyclospora Evaded the U.S. Food Safety System to Sicken Thousands
The Trump administration delayed a rule last year that could have sped up the effort to pinpoint the source of the contamination. Critics charge that food safety oversight has eroded overall.
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/15/h...
The Trump administration delayed a rule last year that could have sped up the effort to pinpoint the source of the contamination. Critics charge that food safety oversight has eroded overall.
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/15/h...
How Cyclospora Evaded the U.S. Food Safety System to Sicken Thousands
The Trump administration delayed a rule last year that could have sped up the effort to pinpoint the source of the contamination. Critics charge that food safety oversight has eroded overall.
www.nytimes.com
August 15, 2026 at 12:51 PM
How Cyclospora Evaded the U.S. Food Safety System to Sicken Thousands
The Trump administration delayed a rule last year that could have sped up the effort to pinpoint the source of the contamination. Critics charge that food safety oversight has eroded overall.
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/15/h...
The Trump administration delayed a rule last year that could have sped up the effort to pinpoint the source of the contamination. Critics charge that food safety oversight has eroded overall.
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/15/h...