Laura Dattaro
@ldattaro.bsky.social
Freelance journalist, covering science, health, and policy. Occasionally I write something fun.
Comms/admin for @sciencewriting.bsky.social.
Lauradattaro.com | LDattaro.73 on Signal
Comms/admin for @sciencewriting.bsky.social.
Lauradattaro.com | LDattaro.73 on Signal
Pinned
Laura Dattaro
@ldattaro.bsky.social
· Dec 10
‘A huge rupture in everything’: US science faced major upheaval in 2025
Amid enormous shifts, many scientists pushed back and risked dismissal from their jobs even as federal agencies fired thousands of employees
cen.acs.org
For @cenmag.bsky.social, I tried to summarize what happened in science policy in 2025. Spoiler: A lot!
Thanks to Ian Banks, @jeremymberg.bsky.social, Arthur Daemmrich, @cdelawalla.bsky.social and @ucs.org Jen Jones for their insights.
Out soon: what to expect in 2026
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
Thanks to Ian Banks, @jeremymberg.bsky.social, Arthur Daemmrich, @cdelawalla.bsky.social and @ucs.org Jen Jones for their insights.
Out soon: what to expect in 2026
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
More than half of people who receive antibiotics to treat appendicitis do not see their disease come back 10 years after the initial illness, a new study shows.
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/antibiotics-appendicitis-no-surgery
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/antibiotics-appendicitis-no-surgery
Antibiotics can treat appendicitis for many patients, no surgery needed
After 10 years, just over half the people in a trial of antibiotics for appendicitis have not needed an appendectomy.
www.sciencenews.org
February 11, 2026 at 1:35 AM
More than half of people who receive antibiotics to treat appendicitis do not see their disease come back 10 years after the initial illness, a new study shows.
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/antibiotics-appendicitis-no-surgery
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/antibiotics-appendicitis-no-surgery
In a tiny bit of good news, long-term followup on the first trial of antibiotics for appendicitis shows that fewer than half of participants ended up needing surgery, even a decade later.
My latest for @sciencenews.bsky.social
www.sciencenews.org/article/anti...
My latest for @sciencenews.bsky.social
www.sciencenews.org/article/anti...
Antibiotics can treat appendicitis for many patients, no surgery needed
After 10 years, just over half the people in a trial of antibiotics for appendicitis have not needed an appendectomy.
www.sciencenews.org
February 12, 2026 at 7:02 PM
In a tiny bit of good news, long-term followup on the first trial of antibiotics for appendicitis shows that fewer than half of participants ended up needing surgery, even a decade later.
My latest for @sciencenews.bsky.social
www.sciencenews.org/article/anti...
My latest for @sciencenews.bsky.social
www.sciencenews.org/article/anti...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
BREAKING: The EPA revokes scientific finding that greenhouse gases endanger the public health, removing a key basis for the climate change fight.
Live updates: Trump's EPA revokes scientific finding that underpinned US fight against climate change
The Trump administration revoked a scientific finding at the center of U.S. action to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change, a significant rollback of regulations.
bit.ly
February 12, 2026 at 6:54 PM
BREAKING: The EPA revokes scientific finding that greenhouse gases endanger the public health, removing a key basis for the climate change fight.
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:09 AM
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
A staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
February 4, 2026 at 2:34 PM
A staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule on emissions from gas turbines is the latest development in a staunch shift in how the agency evaluates the costs and benefits of regulations, analysts say. cen.acs.org/policy/chemi... #chemsky 🧪
EPA limits consideration of health impacts from chemical and turbine rules
Recent EPA actions on perchlorate and gas turbines show a key shift in the agency’s regulatory approach
cen.acs.org
January 25, 2026 at 9:39 AM
An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule on emissions from gas turbines is the latest development in a staunch shift in how the agency evaluates the costs and benefits of regulations, analysts say. cen.acs.org/policy/chemi... #chemsky 🧪
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
#Journorequest: I'm looking to speak to women who use AI chatbots like ChatGPT for health questions and guidance. If you're open to chatting, please send me a message or email. Thank you! [email protected] 🧪🧠💬
January 27, 2026 at 6:49 PM
#Journorequest: I'm looking to speak to women who use AI chatbots like ChatGPT for health questions and guidance. If you're open to chatting, please send me a message or email. Thank you! [email protected] 🧪🧠💬
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
What do you do when you know how to work with biological materials and are experts in 3D printing at small resolutions? Create this 10 µm long elephant inside a living cell, of course. Read more: cen.acs.org/materials/3-...
#CENChemPics #chemsky 🧪
#CENChemPics #chemsky 🧪
January 23, 2026 at 1:21 PM
What do you do when you know how to work with biological materials and are experts in 3D printing at small resolutions? Create this 10 µm long elephant inside a living cell, of course. Read more: cen.acs.org/materials/3-...
#CENChemPics #chemsky 🧪
#CENChemPics #chemsky 🧪
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
Trump has been in office for one year. We at @nature.com did a deep dive looking at the administration's disruption of science in numbers.
Take a look—the numbers are staggering. By me, @dangaristo.bsky.social, Jeff Tollefson, @kimay.bsky.social, & help from @noamross.net @scott-delaney.bsky.social
Take a look—the numbers are staggering. By me, @dangaristo.bsky.social, Jeff Tollefson, @kimay.bsky.social, & help from @noamross.net @scott-delaney.bsky.social
US science after a year of Trump: what has been lost and what remains
A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce.
www.nature.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Trump has been in office for one year. We at @nature.com did a deep dive looking at the administration's disruption of science in numbers.
Take a look—the numbers are staggering. By me, @dangaristo.bsky.social, Jeff Tollefson, @kimay.bsky.social, & help from @noamross.net @scott-delaney.bsky.social
Take a look—the numbers are staggering. By me, @dangaristo.bsky.social, Jeff Tollefson, @kimay.bsky.social, & help from @noamross.net @scott-delaney.bsky.social
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
The conference (agreement between House and Senate) appropriations bill that includes HHS and NIH was released this morning.
www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/majorit...
1/5
www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/majorit...
1/5
Committee Releases Conferenced Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bi...
United States Senate Committee on Appropriations
www.appropriations.senate.gov
January 20, 2026 at 3:55 PM
The conference (agreement between House and Senate) appropriations bill that includes HHS and NIH was released this morning.
www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/majorit...
1/5
www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/majorit...
1/5
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
Cancer cells not only kill, they also steal. Specifically, they steal mitochondria of immune cells and in this way weaken the immune defense. The main benefit for the tumor cells is that the mitochondria help immune evasion and mobility towards lymph nodes. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Cancer might evade immune defences by stealing mitochondria
Hijacking the energy-producing organelles from immune cells seems to help tumours in mice to infiltrate lymph nodes.
www.nature.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Cancer cells not only kill, they also steal. Specifically, they steal mitochondria of immune cells and in this way weaken the immune defense. The main benefit for the tumor cells is that the mitochondria help immune evasion and mobility towards lymph nodes. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
Cancer might evade immune defences by stealing mitochondria www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Cancer might evade immune defences by stealing mitochondria
Hijacking the energy-producing organelles from immune cells seems to help tumours in mice to infiltrate lymph nodes.
www.nature.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:58 AM
Cancer might evade immune defences by stealing mitochondria www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
In a first, a preprint describes the genetic architecture of autism in a large cohort of African Americans.
By @ldattaro.bsky.social
www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/com...
By @ldattaro.bsky.social
www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/com...
Variation shapes genetics of autism in African Americans
Certain gene variants may have greater weight in determining autism likelihood for some populations, a new study shows.
www.thetransmitter.org
January 15, 2026 at 5:57 PM
In a first, a preprint describes the genetic architecture of autism in a large cohort of African Americans.
By @ldattaro.bsky.social
www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/com...
By @ldattaro.bsky.social
www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/com...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
@nature.com commentary on @cp-cellmetabolism.bsky.social discovery that tumors hijack energy-producing organelles from immune cells to aid in infiltrating lymph nodes
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
January 14, 2026 at 7:23 PM
@nature.com commentary on @cp-cellmetabolism.bsky.social discovery that tumors hijack energy-producing organelles from immune cells to aid in infiltrating lymph nodes
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
I'm looking to get in touch with scientists in Minnesota. Best ways to reach me are here or LDattaro.73 on Signal. Thanks!
#chemsky #neuroskyence
#chemsky #neuroskyence
January 15, 2026 at 2:43 PM
I'm looking to get in touch with scientists in Minnesota. Best ways to reach me are here or LDattaro.73 on Signal. Thanks!
#chemsky #neuroskyence
#chemsky #neuroskyence
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
Cancer cells use mitochondria stolen from immune cells to spread and escape detection
go.nature.com/4qsV86K
go.nature.com/4qsV86K
Cancer might evade immune defences by stealing mitochondria
Hijacking the energy-producing organelles from immune cells seems to help tumours in mice to infiltrate lymph nodes.
go.nature.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Cancer cells use mitochondria stolen from immune cells to spread and escape detection
go.nature.com/4qsV86K
go.nature.com/4qsV86K
New from me @nature.com: Cancer cells seem to be using immune system mitochondria to evade detection and spread to the lymph nodes (which are packed with immune cells that should be able to destroy cancer).
Please insert your own powerhouse-of-the-cell joke here.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Please insert your own powerhouse-of-the-cell joke here.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
January 14, 2026 at 3:51 PM
New from me @nature.com: Cancer cells seem to be using immune system mitochondria to evade detection and spread to the lymph nodes (which are packed with immune cells that should be able to destroy cancer).
Please insert your own powerhouse-of-the-cell joke here.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Please insert your own powerhouse-of-the-cell joke here.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
How is AI changing how we communicate and how can we use its tools more ethically? Join us at MIT on Feb. 27 for this important conversation about journalism, free speech, and public discourse -- all currently under threat. Please share; all are welcome.
January 13, 2026 at 12:47 AM
How is AI changing how we communicate and how can we use its tools more ethically? Join us at MIT on Feb. 27 for this important conversation about journalism, free speech, and public discourse -- all currently under threat. Please share; all are welcome.
Congress has reconciled appropriations bills that fund science. But there's still lots of uncertainty around which science will get funded and how. My latest at @cenmag.bsky.social
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
Uncertainty looms large for US science funding in 2026
Congress seems likely to fund science agencies at close to typical levels, but many questions remain about how the money will be distributed
cen.acs.org
January 7, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Congress has reconciled appropriations bills that fund science. But there's still lots of uncertainty around which science will get funded and how. My latest at @cenmag.bsky.social
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
Congress released reconciled versions of three appropriations bills that will set funding levels for key federal science agencies. Despite minor cuts, Senate Appropriations Committee chair Susan Collins (R-ME) says the bills will “spur scientific research.” cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
#chemsky 🧪
#chemsky 🧪
Federal science agencies dodge big funding cuts for 2026
Recently released appropriations language spares NSF, EPA, and other agencies from Trump’s proposed budget reductions
cen.acs.org
January 7, 2026 at 12:59 PM
Congress released reconciled versions of three appropriations bills that will set funding levels for key federal science agencies. Despite minor cuts, Senate Appropriations Committee chair Susan Collins (R-ME) says the bills will “spur scientific research.” cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
#chemsky 🧪
#chemsky 🧪
Letter sent to @vtdigger.bsky.social! It should go without saying that journalism needs journalists.
Tell VTDigger Management: Work with journalists on AI, not without us. Petition : actionnetwork.org/letters/1f19...
Tell VTDigger Management: Work with journalists on AI, not without us
We, the journalists of VTDigger, have been at the bargaining table for a year — and are close to securing a more equitable and transparent contract. But a critical sticking point remains: artificial i...
actionnetwork.org
January 7, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Letter sent to @vtdigger.bsky.social! It should go without saying that journalism needs journalists.
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
Counting the costs of our broken #FoodSystem, in #PublicHealth and environmental conditions
A new report finds trillions in annual costs from chemicals in the global food system and calls for a complete overhaul of the regulatory approach to managing them. cen.acs.org/food/food-in... #chemsky 🧪
Chemicals in food system cause nearly $3 trillion in annual damage: Report
Trillions are spent on the environmental and health impacts, such as treating diseases linked to certain chemicals and removing them from the water supply
cen.acs.org
December 28, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Counting the costs of our broken #FoodSystem, in #PublicHealth and environmental conditions
My latest! Even $3 trillion is likely an underestimate, due to the difficulties in calculating these costs, sources told me.
A new report finds trillions in annual costs from chemicals in the global food system and calls for a complete overhaul of the regulatory approach to managing them. cen.acs.org/food/food-in... #chemsky 🧪
Chemicals in food system cause nearly $3 trillion in annual damage: Report
Trillions are spent on the environmental and health impacts, such as treating diseases linked to certain chemicals and removing them from the water supply
cen.acs.org
December 29, 2025 at 8:10 PM
My latest! Even $3 trillion is likely an underestimate, due to the difficulties in calculating these costs, sources told me.