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Matt Davenport @mrmattdavenport.bsky.social · 1d

Then I think about his quote we used as the kicker for the episode a ton and probably still not enough. Just really great advice, I think. Congratulations to Professor Yaghi, Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and the MOF community. (all done)

A quote from Omar Yaghi reads, "So along each step there was criticism and detractors, but the nice thing about the life of a scientist is that there’s always some people out there that appreciate what you do and they’re not afraid to stand up and say, “This is interesting work. This is worthwhile work.” So I learned, now that I am a senior professor, senior researcher, that whenever I see something nice that a young, emerging scholar or assistant professor or somebody starting out their career, when they are doing something truly groundbreaking is to say, “This is nice work. Keep going.” And and I was fortunate to have that. There were people out there just like I had that CEO come into my office and propelled me to take these materials to applications. So this is this would be my advice for any anybody doing research. It’s research in itself is a very difficult endeavor because you fail a lot. And the reason you keep going is because of the potential success that you might get along the way. But during this process you will have a lot of detractors, but don’t forget that you will also have supporters. And that’s what counts. The detractors you have to listen to what they’re saying because you have to address any weakness in your work that you might have. But there’s always people out there who do make constructive contribution to your research by simply talking to you about the good and the bad in what you’re doing."

Matt Davenport @mrmattdavenport.bsky.social · 1d

He even turned my lame, but I maintain chucklesome, joke about American football into a really memorable part of the interview, I thought. (4/one more)

A screen shot from an interview transcript between Omar Yaghi and Matt Davenport contains the following exchange.

Matt Davenport: When you say in one gram, there’s the surface area of a football field, is that American football or the international football?

Omar Yaghi: It’s actually more. It’s actually more than one football field. So either one would work. It’s more than a soccer field or the American football field. In one of the MOFs, we call it the Queen of MOFs, MOF-177, had of porosity of about 5,000 meters squared per gram. And we showed that in fact in a tank filled with MOF-177, you could store double the amount of hydrogen that you would store in a tank that does not have the MOF. And so even though the MOF was occupying volume, the MOF pores were acting to compact the gas molecules within the pores. And so this was, this was amazing.

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Matt Davenport @mrmattdavenport.bsky.social · 1d

I think Omar Yaghi was traveling internationally for a conference when we recorded, so it was either right before or after doing a full day of doing that, and he still spent like an hour patiently answering all my questions about MOFs. (3/winding down now)

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Matt Davenport @mrmattdavenport.bsky.social · 1d

First of all, I just really appreciated him, Katherine Mirica, @omarfarha.bsky.social and @matthartings.bsky.social so graciously sharing their time for project that was just getting off the ground. (2/I got a couple more in me)

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Matt Davenport @mrmattdavenport.bsky.social · 1d

I immediately thought about this after seeing Omar Yaghi's name this morning. It was so cool back then getting to speak with him for the podcast's first episode and I feel all the more fortunate for it now. (1/a few, more or less)

C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News) @cenmag.bsky.social · 1d

Metal-organic frameworks are so hot right now, and we wanted to know why. In our first full-episode of Stereo Chemistry, we talked to Omar Yaghi, one of the 2025 #NobelPrize laureates: cen.acs.org/articles/96/... #chemsky 🧪

Feast your ears on the first episode of our new podcast, Stereo Chemistry

Hear from some of the leaders in the field of metal-organic frameworks as we learn why MOFs are having a moment

cen.acs.org

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Reposted by Matt Davenport

Lois Parshley @loisparshley.bsky.social · 8d

Your electric car needs graphite. Do you know where it comes from? This story explores how the push for climate solutions is colliding with Indigenous rights, as a proposed mine in Alaska advances without tribal consultation. grist.org/indigenous/i...

In Alaska, a graphite mine races toward approval without the required tribal consent

A project in Alaska is being fast-tracked in a process that has not yet included legally required consultations with Inupiaq communities.

grist.org

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Matt Davenport @mrmattdavenport.bsky.social · 6d

"To an extent, the U.S.’s loss may have been Europe’s gain, according to BNEF."

www.canarymedia.com/articles/cle...

Chart: Global investment in renewables hits record even as US falters

Over the first six months of this year, a total of $386 billion flowed to renewable-energy projects — 10% more than one year prior.

www.canarymedia.com

Reposted by Matt Davenport

MSU Surplus Store @msusurplus.bsky.social · 6d

It is Friday and the store is open until 3:30pm! Baxter the robot is now 72% off.
msusurplusstore.com/products/ret...

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Reposted by Matt Davenport

Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 7d

Sign of the times: @mjgault.bsky.social interviewed ABC's John Quiñones re: his podcast about Vanessa Guillén, a soldier who was murdered at Ft Hood in 2020. When Gault asked how Sec. Def. Pete Hegseth could roll back reforms made in response to Guillén's death, a PR person cut in to shut it down.

Vanessa Guillén and the Importance of Speaking Up

Hey there Angry Planet listeners, Matthew here.

angryplanetpod.com

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Reposted by Matt Davenport

Sherrilyn Ifill @sifill.bsky.social · 9d

So Trump is defunding the police.

Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 9d

Department of Homeland Security is cutting over $187 million or 86% of homeland security funding to New York State which will radically defund NYPD, FDNY, and NY State Police terrorism programs, according to a letter from New York Governor Kathy Hochul to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

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Reposted by Matt Davenport

Charles Bergquist @cbquist.bsky.social · 9d

They say that we must meet the moment.

Ok, but I think we should meet in a very public, well-lit place with lots of people around, because I certainly don't trust the moment

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Reposted by Matt Davenport

Eos @eos.org · 14d

You’ve heard that beavers are “nature’s engineers.” But Cretaceous dinosaurs might have engineered their ecosystems, too.

Comments from Luke Weaver @umich.edu, David Fastovsky @universityofri.bsky.social, and Jordan Mallon @museumofnature.bsky.social.

eos.org/articles/mov...

Move Over, Beavers. Dinosaurs Might Also Have Been Nature’s Engineers - Eos

Late Cretaceous dinosaurs may have cut back vegetation, creating large floodplains. When the asteroid hit, those floodplains became forests, a new study argues.

eos.org

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Reposted by Matt Davenport

Kara Gavin @karagavin.bsky.social · 15d

My new story is about a @umich.edu poll on a topic I hadn't though much about before writing about it:

Care companions, or the practice of adults bringing another adult to their doctor's appointments and other clinic visits.

Whether you're a #caregiver, a clinician or just over 50, check it out:

Univ. of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation @um-ihpi.bsky.social · 15d

Those guest chairs in your clinic? They may only get used a third of the time, but when they do, it has a positive impact, our new poll of people over 50 suggests: www.healthyagingpoll.org/reports-more... #medsky

Older adults' perspectives on bringing someone to a health care appointment with them

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Reposted by Matt Davenport

Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition @healthylakes.org · 17d

The Coalition is hiring a Policy Fellow for a two-year term! Check out this post for more information and to apply: buff.ly/Xn5pUWJ #Hiring #GreatLakes #CleanWater

text graphic that reads: we're hiring. policy fellow. apply now!

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Matt Davenport @mrmattdavenport.bsky.social · 17d

Having the chance to talk to @realshri.bsky.social has been incredibly helpful for my understanding of the Line 5 situation. He's now written a story about it for @theconversation.com and I can't recommend it enough. theconversation.com/a-great-lake...

A Great Lakes oil pipeline faces 3 controversies with no speedy resolutions

The disputes raise questions about the region’s economy and environment, as well as national priorities over energy, water, climate and Indigenous rights.

theconversation.com

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Reposted by Matt Davenport

Bethany Brookshire @beebrookshire.bsky.social · 17d

Some people think ChatGPT has a place writing things like news briefs, stuff written to a specific style and tone and, y'know, kinda boring.

So Science did a study.

ChatGPT failed.

Why? It got stuff wrong. "Also, extensive editing for hyperbole was needed." www.science.org/content/blog...

Can ChatGPT help science writers?

www.science.org

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Reposted by Matt Davenport

Bri Barbu @bribarbu.bsky.social · 17d

Ever since I read Tim Cernak's "Medicinal Chemistry Gone Wild" Perspective, I knew I wanted to profile him for a @cenmag.bsky.social story! Many months later, here is that story:
cen.acs.org/synthesis/me...

This chemist aims to change the game for species conservation

Tim Cernak is using modern drug development tools to make medicines for endangered plants and animals

cen.acs.org

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Reposted by Matt Davenport

MSU Recycling @msurecycling.bsky.social · 19d

Come see how we annually divert 12 million pounds of material from the landfill!

MSU Surplus Store @msusurplus.bsky.social · 19d

Join us in two weeks for behind the scenes tours of the recycling center & surplus store! Plus join in on free crafts and pumpkin carving.

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Reposted by Matt Davenport

Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · 20d

I like this. Since under RFK Jr, Covid shots are now for people with underlying conditions that put them at risk, Michigan’s chief medical executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian states that not having the most recent Covid shot constitutes such an underlying condition.

www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside...

In her recommendation, Bagdasarian stated,
"Any person over the age of six months without contraindication who has not received a dose of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved or-authorized 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine may be considered to have an underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 and is thus eligible to receive an age-appropriate dose."

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Matt Davenport @mrmattdavenport.bsky.social · 20d

I've been using them all my life and had no idea that bottle return machines were officially called "reverse vending machines." That is delightful. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse...

Reverse vending machine - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Reposted by Matt Davenport

Sean D. Johnson @seanjohnson.bsky.social · 21d

Today, the parent of a trans child & lifetime U of M patient spoke to the U-M Regents against their compliance with the Trump admin by halting affirming care for trans youth, and adults age 18. Many, including myself & a Regent, were in tears. Link+full text below.

www.youtube.com/live/JJsF2GM...

University of Michigan Regents Meeting - September 2025

YouTube video by University of Michigan

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Matt Davenport

East Lansing Public Library @elplibrary.bsky.social · 21d

Explore the beauty of the Upper Peninsula’s architecture with a virtual tour led by Josh Lipnik, Detroit-based photographer, speaker, and writer! Josh Lipnik runs @midwestmodern.bsky.social, documenting the architecture and built environment of his home state of Michigan and the greater Midwest.

A photo of the Ore Dock of Marquette. Overlaid text: "Architecture of the Upper Peninsula. Wednesday, October 8, 6-7pm."

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Reposted by Matt Davenport

University of Michigan News @umichnews.bsky.social · 22d

When tiny freshwater crustaceans called daphnia are infected w/a parasite, the mothers are able to shake off the disease. But many of their offspring died young. U-M researchers say if we only focus on how an infection affects a single organism, we may be missing its biggest impact. myumi.ch/kPJEz

The generational impact of illness

When University of Michigan researchers were looking at the effects of a parasite on a tiny freshwater crustacean, they found something unexpected.

myumi.ch

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Reposted by Matt Davenport

McSweeney's @mcsweeneys.net · 23d

I just want to compliment the person who made the hummus, but no one will tell me who made it.

I wish I could tell you who made it so you’d shut up about it.

I’ll shut up about it when I get some answers.

Who Made This Hummus?

Elaine, did you make this hummus? No. It’s really good. Okay, but I didn’t make it. - - -David, did you make this hummus? Nope. Well, who did? I do...

buff.ly

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Reposted by Matt Davenport

Lauren Quinn @lquinnphd.bsky.social · 23d

American universities are navigating rapid changes to federal policy & funding. Within this upheaval, science communicators are doubling down to reinforce awareness of the societal impact of our research enterprise. Join @sciencewriters.org on Sept. 26 to learn how.
www.nasw.org/events/sciwr...

SciWriSpotlight: Meeting the moment

All interested professionals and students are invited to register for the upcoming, free #SciWriSpotlight webinar “Meeting the Moment: Communicating the importance of university research during challe...

www.nasw.org

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