Brian Leavell
@bleavell.bsky.social
sensory ecology | behavior | evolution
○ lover of midges, frogs, bats and bagels
○ PhD w/ @xebernal.bsky.social @ Purdue
All my ❤️ to 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️
☮️🌎
○ lover of midges, frogs, bats and bagels
○ PhD w/ @xebernal.bsky.social @ Purdue
All my ❤️ to 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️
☮️🌎
Pinned
Brian Leavell
@bleavell.bsky.social
· Aug 14
🚨 NEW PAPER 🚨
Variation in sexual signals and defensive strategies elicits receiver-dependent shifts in attractiveness
*Open Access!* in @jexpbiol.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1242/jeb....
w/ Dineilys Aparicio, Hoover Pantoja-Sánchez, Rachel Page, & @xebernal.bsky.social
🧵
Photo by Christian Ziegler
Variation in sexual signals and defensive strategies elicits receiver-dependent shifts in attractiveness
*Open Access!* in @jexpbiol.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1242/jeb....
w/ Dineilys Aparicio, Hoover Pantoja-Sánchez, Rachel Page, & @xebernal.bsky.social
🧵
Photo by Christian Ziegler
Reposted by Brian Leavell
AI slop gracing the cover of Royal Society B. Not only in AI yellow but scientifically nonsensical. Come on. I'm certain human photographs and artworks were ignored to platform ... this.
November 18, 2025 at 10:49 AM
AI slop gracing the cover of Royal Society B. Not only in AI yellow but scientifically nonsensical. Come on. I'm certain human photographs and artworks were ignored to platform ... this.
This album crushes
Rosalía was an unusual hitmaker. Now she wants to be something else entirely. On “Lux,” her intense and expansive new album, the artist transgresses the limits of pop music. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/QRoGAW
Rosalía Doesn’t Want to Take It Easy
On “Lux,” her intense and expansive new album, the artist transgresses the limits of pop music.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 9, 2025 at 10:22 PM
This album crushes
Reposted by Brian Leavell
Here's my latest contribution to the "Lost Science" series at the New York Times: Jay Falk, a scientist who studies why some female hummingbirds look just like males. Gift link: nyti.ms/4qF7Qje
October 30, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Here's my latest contribution to the "Lost Science" series at the New York Times: Jay Falk, a scientist who studies why some female hummingbirds look just like males. Gift link: nyti.ms/4qF7Qje
Reposted by Brian Leavell
COATES: “Trump’s saying, ‘Y’all, I’m just gonna kill people.’ And the Greatest Deliberative Body has nothing to say about it. Y’all are punk, y’all are cowards.”
October 28, 2025 at 4:32 PM
COATES: “Trump’s saying, ‘Y’all, I’m just gonna kill people.’ And the Greatest Deliberative Body has nothing to say about it. Y’all are punk, y’all are cowards.”
Reposted by Brian Leavell
CALLOUT: I'm working on a piece about pregnant people or those with newborns/infants who rely on SNAP/WIC, and I'd like to add personal stories to it. If you or someone you know is experiencing this right now or has relied on this program in the past with children, can you send me a DM? Thanks!
October 28, 2025 at 4:21 PM
CALLOUT: I'm working on a piece about pregnant people or those with newborns/infants who rely on SNAP/WIC, and I'd like to add personal stories to it. If you or someone you know is experiencing this right now or has relied on this program in the past with children, can you send me a DM? Thanks!
Reposted by Brian Leavell
It’s more important than ever to support creators & artists you love - so happy to support @cbbworld.bsky.social ✨
October 21, 2025 at 10:41 AM
It’s more important than ever to support creators & artists you love - so happy to support @cbbworld.bsky.social ✨
Reposted by Brian Leavell
Blockety block block BLOCK!!!
October 17, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Blockety block block BLOCK!!!
Reposted by Brian Leavell
Over a year after the state approved $2 billion to help schools repair and replace their aging buildings, around three dozen superintendents told @idahostatesman.com and ProPublica that their buildings are still not fully accessible.
Disabled Idaho Students Lack Access to Playgrounds and Lunchrooms. Historic $2 Billion Funding Will Do Little to Help.
Despite federal law, disabled students can’t access playgrounds, lunchrooms, classes and bathrooms. With added funding, school districts are still unable to make necessary fixes.
www.propublica.org
October 15, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Over a year after the state approved $2 billion to help schools repair and replace their aging buildings, around three dozen superintendents told @idahostatesman.com and ProPublica that their buildings are still not fully accessible.
NOOOOOO!!!! 💔💔💔
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
D’Angelo, Grammy-winning neo-soul pioneer, dies aged 51
Singer known for tracks such as Brown Sugar and Untitled (How Does It Feel) died at home from pancreatic cancer
www.theguardian.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:40 PM
NOOOOOO!!!! 💔💔💔
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
Reposted by Brian Leavell
Other trans journalists have also covered Mamdani’s incredible ad. It was so meaningful to so many.
I wrote a little about some of the little details you might have missed in this video and why it hit me so hard as a trans person this morning:
www.burnsnotice.com/you-have-to-...
www.burnsnotice.com/you-have-to-...
October 13, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Other trans journalists have also covered Mamdani’s incredible ad. It was so meaningful to so many.
Reposted by Brian Leavell
I love Portland Frog and the AMPHIFA movement so I made some protest art to go along with the movement. No AI was used to illustrate the frog - I drew it myself. Feel free to use this image - just don’t claim it as your own or sell it.
October 11, 2025 at 11:19 PM
I love Portland Frog and the AMPHIFA movement so I made some protest art to go along with the movement. No AI was used to illustrate the frog - I drew it myself. Feel free to use this image - just don’t claim it as your own or sell it.
Reposted by Brian Leavell
FROG 🐸 SEMIOTICS 🐸 REDEMPTION 🐸 ARC
I don’t think we’re talking enough about the fact that we successfully took back the frog. Like it has been a meme for the alt right for years now, and thanks to these Portland inflatable costumes, we’re taking it back
October 10, 2025 at 6:34 PM
FROG 🐸 SEMIOTICS 🐸 REDEMPTION 🐸 ARC
Reposted by Brian Leavell
This is unbelievable.
Conversion therapy increases fatalities. It does the opposite of what treatments are supposed to do. We ban medical treatments that claim to heal while actually harming. That's not a free speech issue, it's a malpractice issue.
We are in such an upside-down world.
Conversion therapy increases fatalities. It does the opposite of what treatments are supposed to do. We ban medical treatments that claim to heal while actually harming. That's not a free speech issue, it's a malpractice issue.
We are in such an upside-down world.
October 7, 2025 at 4:32 PM
This is unbelievable.
Conversion therapy increases fatalities. It does the opposite of what treatments are supposed to do. We ban medical treatments that claim to heal while actually harming. That's not a free speech issue, it's a malpractice issue.
We are in such an upside-down world.
Conversion therapy increases fatalities. It does the opposite of what treatments are supposed to do. We ban medical treatments that claim to heal while actually harming. That's not a free speech issue, it's a malpractice issue.
We are in such an upside-down world.
Reposted by Brian Leavell
Here is a bat emoticon you’re welcome
/|\^._.^/|\
/|\^._.^/|\
October 2, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Here is a bat emoticon you’re welcome
/|\^._.^/|\
/|\^._.^/|\
💔
October 1, 2025 at 6:47 PM
💔
Reposted by Brian Leavell
When writing an article/book, you may experience the situation where you make a non-trivial change every time you look at it.
This means one of two things:
i) You're on the right track, so keep on editing (and presumably, improving) it.
ii) You should have submitted it a month ago (or longer).
This means one of two things:
i) You're on the right track, so keep on editing (and presumably, improving) it.
ii) You should have submitted it a month ago (or longer).
October 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM
When writing an article/book, you may experience the situation where you make a non-trivial change every time you look at it.
This means one of two things:
i) You're on the right track, so keep on editing (and presumably, improving) it.
ii) You should have submitted it a month ago (or longer).
This means one of two things:
i) You're on the right track, so keep on editing (and presumably, improving) it.
ii) You should have submitted it a month ago (or longer).
Reposted by Brian Leavell
I just got a VERY interesting email that allies in congress were upset that so many of my readers were calling about the anti-trans provisions. I'm here to say: good. I won't let them throw our rights under the bus by cover of night.
All's that to say, keep up the calls. They're hearing you.
All's that to say, keep up the calls. They're hearing you.
1. It's shutdown day, and anti-trans provisions are on the line... either today, or in a few more weeks if a clean continuing resolution passes.
Trump posted a video this morning blaming a shutdown on trans people and immigrants.
Here is your shutdown guide.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Trump posted a video this morning blaming a shutdown on trans people and immigrants.
Here is your shutdown guide.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Shutdown Day Guide For LGBTQ+ People: "Continuing Resolutions" And New Anti-Trans Posts From The White House
Shutdown day is here, and there has been a lot of competing coverage on Republican priorities, Democrat's demands, and what shutdown politics means for LGBTQ+ people in America.
www.erininthemorning.com
September 30, 2025 at 6:55 PM
I just got a VERY interesting email that allies in congress were upset that so many of my readers were calling about the anti-trans provisions. I'm here to say: good. I won't let them throw our rights under the bus by cover of night.
All's that to say, keep up the calls. They're hearing you.
All's that to say, keep up the calls. They're hearing you.
Reposted by Brian Leavell
Instead of the next judicial education session, all the judges watch this tiktok instead.
September 28, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Instead of the next judicial education session, all the judges watch this tiktok instead.
Reposted by Brian Leavell
Okatsuka posted the censorship rules for the controversial comedy festival, noting how many "You can’t say anything anymore!" comedians have signed on.
www.avclub.com/riyadh-comed...
www.avclub.com/riyadh-comed...
Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka posts contract after turning down Riyadh Comedy Festival
Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka posts contract after turning down Riyadh Comedy Festival
www.avclub.com
September 27, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Okatsuka posted the censorship rules for the controversial comedy festival, noting how many "You can’t say anything anymore!" comedians have signed on.
www.avclub.com/riyadh-comed...
www.avclub.com/riyadh-comed...
Reposted by Brian Leavell
From the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
If you are pregnant, listen to your obstetrician for guidance on what's safe and recommended.
If you are pregnant, listen to your obstetrician for guidance on what's safe and recommended.
September 22, 2025 at 11:34 PM
From the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
If you are pregnant, listen to your obstetrician for guidance on what's safe and recommended.
If you are pregnant, listen to your obstetrician for guidance on what's safe and recommended.
This guy would fail elementary school exams.
Trump: "It's too much liquid. Too many different things are going into that baby at too big a number. The size of this thing when you look at it. It's like 80 different vaccines and beyond vaccines."
September 22, 2025 at 9:38 PM
This guy would fail elementary school exams.
Reposted by Brian Leavell
shit ain’t over til it’s over
September 22, 2025 at 8:53 AM
shit ain’t over til it’s over
Reposted by Brian Leavell
Only 1 person in the whole study went from identifying as trans to not identifying as trans. The 1/5 number came from youth going between the binary and non-binary spectrum.
This headline and post are misleading on purpose to fit the economist's editorial bent on the political issue.
This headline and post are misleading on purpose to fit the economist's editorial bent on the political issue.
A recent study found that children who transitioned young retained stable gender identities over time. But the fact that nearly a fifth of those in the group did not ought to give advocates of irreversible medical interventions pause
How stable are the gender identities of younger children?
A study finds that one in five who switch gender change their mind
econ.st
September 22, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Only 1 person in the whole study went from identifying as trans to not identifying as trans. The 1/5 number came from youth going between the binary and non-binary spectrum.
This headline and post are misleading on purpose to fit the economist's editorial bent on the political issue.
This headline and post are misleading on purpose to fit the economist's editorial bent on the political issue.
Reposted by Brian Leavell
I have low vision and a degree in data science. My advice: use longer image descriptions for code, offer cheat sheets in a format other than PDF, provide copies of content shown on the board so student can view on their own device, allow use of VSCode or other IDE for robust screen reader support
September 19, 2025 at 11:01 PM
I have low vision and a degree in data science. My advice: use longer image descriptions for code, offer cheat sheets in a format other than PDF, provide copies of content shown on the board so student can view on their own device, allow use of VSCode or other IDE for robust screen reader support