Diana Kwon
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dianakwon.bsky.social
Diana Kwon
@dianakwon.bsky.social
500 followers 460 following 16 posts
Journalist covering life sciences, health, and academia. Bylines in Scientific American, Nature, Knowable & others.

www.dianakwon.com
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dianakwon.bsky.social
Diana Kwon @dianakwon.bsky.social · May 19
What do scientists think about using AI to write papers? @richvn.bsky.social & I put together a survey to find out--and more than 5,000 researchers took part.

Our survey reveals a divided landscape: Researchers don't always agree on what they view as appropriate.

My latest for @nature.com
Is it OK for AI to write science papers? Nature survey shows researchers are split
Poll of 5,000 researchers finds contrasting views on when it’s acceptable to involve AI and what needs to be disclosed.
www.nature.com
Reposted by Diana Kwon
rhodamine110.bsky.social
Got the last word in this great perspective on the state of fluorescent indicators in @nature.com by @dianakwon.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...
How genetically encoded sensors have lit up neuroscience
Tools that track specific molecules in neurons have enabled researchers to probe previously unexplored aspects of neurobiology — although important caveats remain.
www.nature.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Reposted by Diana Kwon
jperkel.bsky.social
“This new class of genetically encoded sensors has really opened up this world.” New @nature.com, what's new in the world of genetically encoded neurochemical sensors. by @dianakwon.bsky.social 🧪 🧠
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
How genetically encoded sensors have lit up neuroscience
Tools that track specific molecules in neurons have enabled researchers to probe previously unexplored aspects of neurobiology — although important caveats remain.
www.nature.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Reposted by Diana Kwon
thetransmitter.bsky.social
A new dopamine sensor enables neuroscientists to simultaneously monitor the activity of two additional signaling chemicals in the brains of living mice and zebrafish.

By @dianakwon.bsky.social

#neuroskyence

www.thetransmitter.org/methods/new-...
New dopamine sensor powers three-color imaging in live animals
The tool leverages a previously unused segment of the color spectrum to track the neurotransmitter and can be used with two additional sensors to monitor other neurochemicals at different wavelengths.
www.thetransmitter.org
July 25, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Reposted by Diana Kwon
knowablemag.bsky.social
Older cells that have outlived their purpose don’t necessarily die — in fact, these “zombie cells” can use more energy than their younger counterparts. Their revved-up metabolism may drive some of the wear and tear of aging, @dianakwon.bsky.social reports in @nature.com
How your brain controls ageing — and why zombie cells could be key
Research is revealing the cellular mechanisms that link mental well-being and longevity.
www.nature.com
July 3, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Reposted by Diana Kwon
erictopol.bsky.social
The brain's master conductor role in our aging process
New feature @nature.com by @dianakwon.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
June 17, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Reposted by Diana Kwon
brainfacts.org
Studies show psychological strain can accelerate tumors — could beta blockers slow them down? <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zzj6e3hixqv6xv45xa5i5wnc" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky-mention">@knowablemag.bsky.social‬
vist.ly/3n535it
How Stress Shapes Cancer’s Course
Studies show psychological strain can accelerate tumors — could beta blockers slow them down?
www.brainfacts.org
May 23, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Reposted by Diana Kwon
knowablemag.bsky.social
People with #cancer may experience a wide range of stressors, both related and unrelated to the disease. A growing body of evidence suggests that these may influence how a tumor grows and spreads.

Learn more in @dianakwon.bsky.social's recent report, republished by @brainfactsorg.bsky.social 👇
brainfacts.org BrainFacts @brainfacts.org · May 23
Studies show psychological strain can accelerate tumors — could beta blockers slow them down? <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zzj6e3hixqv6xv45xa5i5wnc" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky-mention">@knowablemag.bsky.social‬
vist.ly/3n535it
How Stress Shapes Cancer’s Course
Studies show psychological strain can accelerate tumors — could beta blockers slow them down?
www.brainfacts.org
May 27, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Reposted by Diana Kwon
jperkel.bsky.social
AIs can classify illnesses, predict treatment outcomes & identify markers of disease. Chatbots can assist physicians and researchers seeking to decipher the data hidden in stained slices of tissue. New by @dianakwon.bsky.social @nature.com, the growing use of #AI in #digitalpathology 🧪
How artificial intelligence is transforming pathology
Some researchers say that deep-learning ‘foundation’ models will revolutionize the field — but others are not so sure.
www.nature.com
May 23, 2025 at 5:22 PM
dianakwon.bsky.social
What do scientists think about using AI to write papers? @richvn.bsky.social & I put together a survey to find out--and more than 5,000 researchers took part.

Our survey reveals a divided landscape: Researchers don't always agree on what they view as appropriate.

My latest for @nature.com
Is it OK for AI to write science papers? Nature survey shows researchers are split
Poll of 5,000 researchers finds contrasting views on when it’s acceptable to involve AI and what needs to be disclosed.
www.nature.com
May 19, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Reposted by Diana Kwon
laurahelmuth.bsky.social
Brilliant. The "Science Homecoming" project helps scientists place articles in local papers about how Trump & Musk's cuts to science harm their communities. 🧪 on @nature.com
How we’re battling Trump’s science cuts across small-town America
Neuroscientist Jessica Cantlon is urging scientists to use the power of local newspapers in the fight against US research-funding cuts.
www.nature.com
April 24, 2025 at 6:51 PM
dianakwon.bsky.social
The link between stress and cancer goes back more than 2,000 years--but the research has long been messy and full of contradictions. Recent studies are starting to reveal how, exactly, psychological factors can influence tumor biology.

Learn more in my latest for @knowablemag.bsky.social!
How stress shapes cancer’s course
Studies show psychological strain can accelerate tumors — could beta blockers slow them down?
knowablemagazine.org
April 10, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Reposted by Diana Kwon
fleemanator.bsky.social
“I don’t think anyone appreciated the magnitude by which even mild stress, if it’s chronic, can have such a negative influence on cancer growth.”

Studies show psychological strain can accelerate tumors — could beta blockers slow them down?

📝 @dianakwon.bsky.social for @knowablemag.bsky.social
How stress shapes cancer’s course
Studies show psychological strain can accelerate tumors — could beta blockers slow them down?
knowablemagazine.org
April 8, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Reposted by Diana Kwon
em-underwood.bsky.social
The connection between stress and cancer is messy, the research difficult to do. But a clearer picture is emerging, which this @knowablemag.bsky.social story by @dianakwon.bsky.social. conveys with grace and restraint! I learned a lot, editing her story.
April 8, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Reposted by Diana Kwon
erictopol.bsky.social
Predicting 3D structures for proteins with A.I. is a lot easier than for RNA
www.nature.com/articles/d41... @nature.com feature by @dianakwon.bsky.social
RNA function follows form – why is it so hard to predict?
AlphaFold’s highly accurate structural models transformed protein biology,but RNA lags behind.
www.nature.com
March 24, 2025 at 3:19 PM
dianakwon.bsky.social
“There is no schizophrenia. There are schizophrenias."

Researchers are discovering that schizophrenia, which can involve alterations in both the brain and the body—particularly in the immune system—doesn't look the same in everyone with the condition.

My latest feature for @sciam.bsky.social:
Schizophrenia Is More Complex Than We Thought, Which Means New Avenues for Treatment
As a complex picture of schizophrenia emerges, so do new ways to treat the disorder
www.scientificamerican.com
March 19, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Reposted by Diana Kwon
richvn.bsky.social
I'm just sending out a survey from Nature's news team asking about ethical ways to use generative AI tools to write or review research papers.
To reassure anyone who received this email and is finding this post: this is a genuine survey! Please message me if you have questions.
March 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Reposted by Diana Kwon
richvn.bsky.social
Reactions to eLife losing its impact factor, and then announcing it'll send Web of Science a partial feed of its papers — only those deemed ‘solid’ or above — so they'll be indexed. | by @dianakwon.bsky.social in Nature
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Pioneering journal eLife faces major test after loss of impact factor
The open-access title’s bold publishing model has bought long-bubbling conflicts to the fore.
www.nature.com
December 18, 2024 at 3:22 PM
dianakwon.bsky.social
eLife lost its impact factor last month, raising questions about whether authors are willing to dump conventional measures of quality & prestige for what many say is a long-needed change in research publishing.

My piece about the latest developments at eLife in @natureportfolio.bsky.social
Pioneering journal eLife faces major test after loss of impact factor
The open-access title’s bold publishing model has bought long-bubbling conflicts to the fore.
www.nature.com
December 18, 2024 at 10:49 AM
Reposted by Diana Kwon
carlzimmer.com
Over 30 prominent scientists call for a ban on the creation of a "mirror cell"--a microbe made of molecules that are mirror images of their natural forms. It could cause a mind-boggling global disaster. Here's my story [gift link] 🧪https://nyti.ms/3OUCXp6
A ‘Second Tree of Life’ Could Wreak Havoc, Scientists Warn (Gift Article)
Research on so-called mirror cells, which defy fundamental properties of living organisms, should be prohibited as too dangerous, biologists said.
nyti.ms
December 12, 2024 at 8:04 PM
dianakwon.bsky.social
A powerful read from my colleague, Miryam Naddaf, who recounts her own experience and explains what the fall of the Assad regime may mean for science in Syria:

www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What’s next for Syria’s science: a view from Nature’s reporter who was a refugee
Syria might now have an opportunity to rebuild its scientific community, says Miryam Naddaf who fled her country a decade ago.
www.nature.com
December 10, 2024 at 1:19 PM
dianakwon.bsky.social
Scholarly publishers are licensing their content to train LLMs.

For @natureportfolio.bsky.social, I wrote about a tracker that @rschon.bsky.social and team made to catalogue these deals—and some of the early trends they're observing.

www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Publishers are selling papers to train AIs — and making millions of dollars
Generative-AI models require massive amounts of data — scholarly publishers are licensing their content to train them.
www.nature.com
December 10, 2024 at 9:18 AM
Reposted by Diana Kwon
elisabethbik.bsky.social
This fearless science sleuth risked her career to expose publication fraud
Anna Abalkina @abalkina.bsky.social is part of Nature’s 10, a list of people who shaped science in 2024.
Holly Else reports at Nature.

www.nature.com/articles/d41...
This fearless science sleuth risked her career to expose publication fraud
Anna Abalkina is part of Nature’s 10, a list of people who shaped science in 2024.
www.nature.com
December 10, 2024 at 7:51 AM
Reposted by Diana Kwon
theopennotebook.bsky.social
“I support The Open Notebook because it is my go-to resource as a science journalist. As someone without formal journalism training, TON served as a crucial resource during my years as a novice reporter, and I continue to find helpful tips on TON today." — @dianakwon.bsky.social
Support The Open Notebook - Support Science Journalism
Please help support The Open Notebook, a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to foster a supportive, diverse, and inclusive global community that enables journalists who cover science to learn and...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 6, 2024 at 2:58 PM
Reposted by Diana Kwon
richvn.bsky.social
A growing problem --- fake papers polluting systematic reviews. And interesting point that the gold-standard protocols that Cochrane is developing to weed out untrustworthy studies, are too much of an effort for systematic-review authors looking at 100s of papers. www.science.org/content/arti...
‘Systematic reviews’ that aim to extract broad conclusions from many studies are in peril
Fake papers are “poisoning the well” for these gold-standard syntheses, researchers say
www.science.org
November 29, 2024 at 11:15 AM