John S. Mead
@evoexplorer.bsky.social
35 year Biology Teacher and Evolution educator.
Passionate about science literacy, human origins, video microscopy, and nature photography
Aspiring science author
Texas OBTA, NABT Evo Ed Awardee.
https://www.youtube.com/@jsmead
Passionate about science literacy, human origins, video microscopy, and nature photography
Aspiring science author
Texas OBTA, NABT Evo Ed Awardee.
https://www.youtube.com/@jsmead
Reposted by John S. Mead
Never seen the death of a ciliate like this-- usually it's too much pressure from the coverslip or too much osmotic pressure. But this gradual posterior-to-anterior "unzipping" effect amazed me !
Motic BA310e - 40x Objective - sped up 2X
#microscopy #Paramecium #Iteachbiology #edusky
Motic BA310e - 40x Objective - sped up 2X
#microscopy #Paramecium #Iteachbiology #edusky
November 17, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Never seen the death of a ciliate like this-- usually it's too much pressure from the coverslip or too much osmotic pressure. But this gradual posterior-to-anterior "unzipping" effect amazed me !
Motic BA310e - 40x Objective - sped up 2X
#microscopy #Paramecium #Iteachbiology #edusky
Motic BA310e - 40x Objective - sped up 2X
#microscopy #Paramecium #Iteachbiology #edusky
Never seen the death of a ciliate like this-- usually it's too much pressure from the coverslip or too much osmotic pressure. But this gradual posterior-to-anterior "unzipping" effect amazed me !
Motic BA310e - 40x Objective - sped up 2X
#microscopy #Paramecium #Iteachbiology #edusky
Motic BA310e - 40x Objective - sped up 2X
#microscopy #Paramecium #Iteachbiology #edusky
November 17, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Never seen the death of a ciliate like this-- usually it's too much pressure from the coverslip or too much osmotic pressure. But this gradual posterior-to-anterior "unzipping" effect amazed me !
Motic BA310e - 40x Objective - sped up 2X
#microscopy #Paramecium #Iteachbiology #edusky
Motic BA310e - 40x Objective - sped up 2X
#microscopy #Paramecium #Iteachbiology #edusky
Reposted by John S. Mead
Carl Zimmer: How Did Hands Evolve? The Answer Is Behind You. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/s...
How Did Hands Evolve? The Answer Is Behind You.
www.nytimes.com
September 18, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Carl Zimmer: How Did Hands Evolve? The Answer Is Behind You. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/s...
Reposted by John S. Mead
Reposted by John S. Mead
Fossils of Some of the Last Dinosaurs in North America Have a Story to Tell www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/s...
Fossils of Some of the Last Dinosaurs in North America Have a Story to Tell
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Fossils of Some of the Last Dinosaurs in North America Have a Story to Tell www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/s...
Reposted by John S. Mead
In 1979, a Mining Test Ravaged the Pacific Seafloor— 44 Years Later, New Evidence Reveals It’s Likely Forever
dailygalaxy.com/2025/11/in-1...
dailygalaxy.com/2025/11/in-1...
In 1979, a Mining Test Ravaged the Pacific Seafloor— 44 Years Later, New Evidence Reveals It’s Likely Forever
A 1979 deep-sea mining test left marks on the Pacific seafloor that remain nearly untouched over four decades later. New research uncovers what really happened in the ocean depths—and why it matters m...
dailygalaxy.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:47 PM
In 1979, a Mining Test Ravaged the Pacific Seafloor— 44 Years Later, New Evidence Reveals It’s Likely Forever
dailygalaxy.com/2025/11/in-1...
dailygalaxy.com/2025/11/in-1...
Had a blast last week at the @nabtbio.bsky.social national conference & got to present to several dozen Bio teachers about the #Microsafaris you have seen here over time. Even did a live demo & captured this elegant Stentor showing off for those awesome teachers! #iteachbiology #microscopy #Edusky
November 6, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Had a blast last week at the @nabtbio.bsky.social national conference & got to present to several dozen Bio teachers about the #Microsafaris you have seen here over time. Even did a live demo & captured this elegant Stentor showing off for those awesome teachers! #iteachbiology #microscopy #Edusky
Reposted by John S. Mead
Ep. 6 of Safeguarding Sound Science is out! This week, Mat Kaplan sits down with Todd Disotell (@todddisotell.bsky.social) for an enlightening, and sometimes sobering discussion about how we may fare in the event of another pandemic. #podsky #sciencesky #virus #evobio
Safeguarding Sound Science | National Center for Science Education
Safeguarding Sound Science, Evolution EditionThe second season of Safeguarding Sound Science examines the everyday impacts of evolution, the grand theory that informs our understanding of all life on ...
ncse.ngo
November 6, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Ep. 6 of Safeguarding Sound Science is out! This week, Mat Kaplan sits down with Todd Disotell (@todddisotell.bsky.social) for an enlightening, and sometimes sobering discussion about how we may fare in the event of another pandemic. #podsky #sciencesky #virus #evobio
Reposted by John S. Mead
@evoexplorer.bsky.social absolutely crushing his presentation on microsafari. @nabtbio.bsky.social A privilege to call this talented man my friend.
November 1, 2025 at 4:09 PM
@evoexplorer.bsky.social absolutely crushing his presentation on microsafari. @nabtbio.bsky.social A privilege to call this talented man my friend.
Excited to head to St. Louis & the @nabtbio.bsky.social Conference tomorrow & get to see many old friends and make new ones! Also excited to present (for the first time!) my MICROSAFARI project on Saturday at 9:00. I hope to see some of you there! #NABT #NABT2025 #NABTStLouis #iteachbiology #edsky
October 29, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Excited to head to St. Louis & the @nabtbio.bsky.social Conference tomorrow & get to see many old friends and make new ones! Also excited to present (for the first time!) my MICROSAFARI project on Saturday at 9:00. I hope to see some of you there! #NABT #NABT2025 #NABTStLouis #iteachbiology #edsky
Reposted by John S. Mead
yall my dad wrote this!! a middle grade book about human evolution ⚡️⚡️⚡️ pre-order a copy for your kiddos!
@evoexplorer.bsky.social
@evoexplorer.bsky.social
Reading the Bones by Marc Aronson | Book Moon Books
High-stakes adventure meets cutting-edge anthropology in this true account of the groundbreaking discovery of Homo naledi, which shocked the world of evolutionary science and redefined what it means t...
bookmoonbooks.com
October 10, 2025 at 11:47 PM
yall my dad wrote this!! a middle grade book about human evolution ⚡️⚡️⚡️ pre-order a copy for your kiddos!
@evoexplorer.bsky.social
@evoexplorer.bsky.social
Reposted by John S. Mead
AUTISM and TYLENOL
A study of 2.5 million children showed a small association between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism—but this finding DISAPPEARED when full siblings were compared.
“Acetaminophen use during pregnancy was not associated with children’s risk of autism…”
Full article:
A study of 2.5 million children showed a small association between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism—but this finding DISAPPEARED when full siblings were compared.
“Acetaminophen use during pregnancy was not associated with children’s risk of autism…”
Full article:
Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability
This nationwide cohort study with sibling control analysis examines the association of acetaminophen use during pregnancy with children’s risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability.
jamanetwork.com
September 22, 2025 at 2:03 PM
AUTISM and TYLENOL
A study of 2.5 million children showed a small association between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism—but this finding DISAPPEARED when full siblings were compared.
“Acetaminophen use during pregnancy was not associated with children’s risk of autism…”
Full article:
A study of 2.5 million children showed a small association between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism—but this finding DISAPPEARED when full siblings were compared.
“Acetaminophen use during pregnancy was not associated with children’s risk of autism…”
Full article:
Reposted by John S. Mead
From a desktop "mini pond" I maintain just for kicks --- Love the internal detail of the Aeolosoma as it wanders around. Also notice some blue microplastic and a stentor.
Motic BA310e 10X objective via LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15
#microscope #microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #Iteachbiology
Motic BA310e 10X objective via LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15
#microscope #microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #Iteachbiology
September 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
From a desktop "mini pond" I maintain just for kicks --- Love the internal detail of the Aeolosoma as it wanders around. Also notice some blue microplastic and a stentor.
Motic BA310e 10X objective via LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15
#microscope #microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #Iteachbiology
Motic BA310e 10X objective via LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15
#microscope #microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #Iteachbiology
From a desktop "mini pond" I maintain just for kicks --- Love the internal detail of the Aeolosoma as it wanders around. Also notice some blue microplastic and a stentor.
Motic BA310e 10X objective via LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15
#microscope #microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #Iteachbiology
Motic BA310e 10X objective via LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15
#microscope #microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #Iteachbiology
September 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
From a desktop "mini pond" I maintain just for kicks --- Love the internal detail of the Aeolosoma as it wanders around. Also notice some blue microplastic and a stentor.
Motic BA310e 10X objective via LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15
#microscope #microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #Iteachbiology
Motic BA310e 10X objective via LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15
#microscope #microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #Iteachbiology
Reposted by John S. Mead
I am a true fan of Stentor and was able to capture this cooperative one with my 60X objective. I just love seeing the myonemes, the moniliform nuclei, and the cilia active as it "grazes."
Motic BA310e - 60 X objective - Labcam Ultra -iPhone15
#iteachbiology #microscope #edusky #science #nature
Motic BA310e - 60 X objective - Labcam Ultra -iPhone15
#iteachbiology #microscope #edusky #science #nature
March 29, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I am a true fan of Stentor and was able to capture this cooperative one with my 60X objective. I just love seeing the myonemes, the moniliform nuclei, and the cilia active as it "grazes."
Motic BA310e - 60 X objective - Labcam Ultra -iPhone15
#iteachbiology #microscope #edusky #science #nature
Motic BA310e - 60 X objective - Labcam Ultra -iPhone15
#iteachbiology #microscope #edusky #science #nature
Reposted by John S. Mead
Happy #MicroscopeMonday! This video from an aging pond sample showcases Paramecium, some cysts of hypotrich ciliates (likely Oxytricha), and a mat of Zooglea bacteria at the end.....
Motic BA310e 20X Objective/ LabcamUltra/iPhone15
#iteachbiology #microscope #edusky #science #nature
Motic BA310e 20X Objective/ LabcamUltra/iPhone15
#iteachbiology #microscope #edusky #science #nature
March 31, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Happy #MicroscopeMonday! This video from an aging pond sample showcases Paramecium, some cysts of hypotrich ciliates (likely Oxytricha), and a mat of Zooglea bacteria at the end.....
Motic BA310e 20X Objective/ LabcamUltra/iPhone15
#iteachbiology #microscope #edusky #science #nature
Motic BA310e 20X Objective/ LabcamUltra/iPhone15
#iteachbiology #microscope #edusky #science #nature
Reposted by John S. Mead
Just fiddling with an aging sample from my desktop "mini-pond"
I love the worm Aeolosoma in darkfield because you can appreciate its internal structure so clearly.
Motic BA310e/ 10X objective/Labcam Ultra/iPhone 15
#microscope #nature #biology #edusky #science 🧪
I love the worm Aeolosoma in darkfield because you can appreciate its internal structure so clearly.
Motic BA310e/ 10X objective/Labcam Ultra/iPhone 15
#microscope #nature #biology #edusky #science 🧪
April 18, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Just fiddling with an aging sample from my desktop "mini-pond"
I love the worm Aeolosoma in darkfield because you can appreciate its internal structure so clearly.
Motic BA310e/ 10X objective/Labcam Ultra/iPhone 15
#microscope #nature #biology #edusky #science 🧪
I love the worm Aeolosoma in darkfield because you can appreciate its internal structure so clearly.
Motic BA310e/ 10X objective/Labcam Ultra/iPhone 15
#microscope #nature #biology #edusky #science 🧪
Reposted by John S. Mead
Microverse Minute
I collected samples from a local fountain several days after a good rain, and the sediment was loaded with these micro crustaceans called Ostracods!! They date back in the fossil record over 400 million years!
#microscopy #naturephotography📷 #science #biology
I collected samples from a local fountain several days after a good rain, and the sediment was loaded with these micro crustaceans called Ostracods!! They date back in the fossil record over 400 million years!
#microscopy #naturephotography📷 #science #biology
April 20, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Microverse Minute
I collected samples from a local fountain several days after a good rain, and the sediment was loaded with these micro crustaceans called Ostracods!! They date back in the fossil record over 400 million years!
#microscopy #naturephotography📷 #science #biology
I collected samples from a local fountain several days after a good rain, and the sediment was loaded with these micro crustaceans called Ostracods!! They date back in the fossil record over 400 million years!
#microscopy #naturephotography📷 #science #biology
Reposted by John S. Mead
Always love getting to see a microscopic population explosion in my samples!
Here's a Paramecium undergoing binary fission to create two clones!
Motic Ba310e / Lbacam Ultra/iPhone 15/ 10X objective
#nature #microscope #biology #iteachbiology #edusky #science #naturephotography
Here's a Paramecium undergoing binary fission to create two clones!
Motic Ba310e / Lbacam Ultra/iPhone 15/ 10X objective
#nature #microscope #biology #iteachbiology #edusky #science #naturephotography
May 9, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Always love getting to see a microscopic population explosion in my samples!
Here's a Paramecium undergoing binary fission to create two clones!
Motic Ba310e / Lbacam Ultra/iPhone 15/ 10X objective
#nature #microscope #biology #iteachbiology #edusky #science #naturephotography
Here's a Paramecium undergoing binary fission to create two clones!
Motic Ba310e / Lbacam Ultra/iPhone 15/ 10X objective
#nature #microscope #biology #iteachbiology #edusky #science #naturephotography
Reposted by John S. Mead
It's fun to let students in their free time create "Mix slides" from different pond samples & then see what appears.... this "mix" has at least 4 species. Aeolosoma, Paramecium, Rotifers, and Stentor
Can you spot any species I missed?
#microscope #naturephotography #biology #iteachbiology #edusky
Can you spot any species I missed?
#microscope #naturephotography #biology #iteachbiology #edusky
May 10, 2025 at 2:56 PM
It's fun to let students in their free time create "Mix slides" from different pond samples & then see what appears.... this "mix" has at least 4 species. Aeolosoma, Paramecium, Rotifers, and Stentor
Can you spot any species I missed?
#microscope #naturephotography #biology #iteachbiology #edusky
Can you spot any species I missed?
#microscope #naturephotography #biology #iteachbiology #edusky
Reposted by John S. Mead
Yesterday I collected some samples from a local Texas pond and was happy to see a bunch of Nauptili. I thought y'all might appreciate this video of one of them -- apologies for a messy condenser --- that gets cleaned this weekend!
#microscope #Iteachbiology #edusky #nature #microscopy #Science
#microscope #Iteachbiology #edusky #nature #microscopy #Science
August 29, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Yesterday I collected some samples from a local Texas pond and was happy to see a bunch of Nauptili. I thought y'all might appreciate this video of one of them -- apologies for a messy condenser --- that gets cleaned this weekend!
#microscope #Iteachbiology #edusky #nature #microscopy #Science
#microscope #Iteachbiology #edusky #nature #microscopy #Science
Reposted by John S. Mead
Just saw this recently deceased copepod with a hefty load of peritrich epibionts (I think Vorticella). Excited to see the egg sac with eggs that already have eyes developing. It's my first time observing this!
#microscope #edusky #nature #biology #iteachbiology #science
#microscope #edusky #nature #biology #iteachbiology #science
August 30, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Just saw this recently deceased copepod with a hefty load of peritrich epibionts (I think Vorticella). Excited to see the egg sac with eggs that already have eyes developing. It's my first time observing this!
#microscope #edusky #nature #biology #iteachbiology #science
#microscope #edusky #nature #biology #iteachbiology #science
Reposted by John S. Mead
From a local park pond, a nice cluster of Vorticella - I am always puzzled by how they manage to feed when it seems they are constantly retracting in response to stimuli.
Motic BA 310e - 4X objective - LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15 pro
#edusky #microscopy #Biology #nature #microcosmos
Motic BA 310e - 4X objective - LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15 pro
#edusky #microscopy #Biology #nature #microcosmos
August 30, 2025 at 10:02 PM
From a local park pond, a nice cluster of Vorticella - I am always puzzled by how they manage to feed when it seems they are constantly retracting in response to stimuli.
Motic BA 310e - 4X objective - LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15 pro
#edusky #microscopy #Biology #nature #microcosmos
Motic BA 310e - 4X objective - LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15 pro
#edusky #microscopy #Biology #nature #microcosmos
Reposted by John S. Mead
It's always nice when you see a nauplius that isn't hell-bent on zooming everywhere. LOL
*For my non-bio friends, a nauplius is a larval form of a crustacean. I suspect this one belongs to the genus Cyclops - a copepod.
#microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #iteachbiology #science
*For my non-bio friends, a nauplius is a larval form of a crustacean. I suspect this one belongs to the genus Cyclops - a copepod.
#microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #iteachbiology #science
August 31, 2025 at 4:29 PM
It's always nice when you see a nauplius that isn't hell-bent on zooming everywhere. LOL
*For my non-bio friends, a nauplius is a larval form of a crustacean. I suspect this one belongs to the genus Cyclops - a copepod.
#microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #iteachbiology #science
*For my non-bio friends, a nauplius is a larval form of a crustacean. I suspect this one belongs to the genus Cyclops - a copepod.
#microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #iteachbiology #science