Onisillos
@onisillos.bsky.social
Editor-in-Chief of a very good microbial journal.
(Illustration by David S. Goodsell, RCSB Protein Data Bank. doi: 10.2210/rcsb_pdb/goodsell-gallery-028)
(Illustration by David S. Goodsell, RCSB Protein Data Bank. doi: 10.2210/rcsb_pdb/goodsell-gallery-028)
Pinned
We're already well into the new year, but it's not too late to kick the year off with a good read
Reposted by Onisillos
Let's be cute with mama! 🥰
#ICYMI: We welcomed an adorable lesser kudu to our herd earlier this year. She’s calm, curious, and loves to hang with the rest of the girl gang consisting of mom Eleanor, big sis Lizzy, half-sis Elphie, and Aunt Betty the gerenuk (or our “lessest” kudu).
#ICYMI: We welcomed an adorable lesser kudu to our herd earlier this year. She’s calm, curious, and loves to hang with the rest of the girl gang consisting of mom Eleanor, big sis Lizzy, half-sis Elphie, and Aunt Betty the gerenuk (or our “lessest” kudu).
January 20, 2026 at 1:55 AM
Let's be cute with mama! 🥰
#ICYMI: We welcomed an adorable lesser kudu to our herd earlier this year. She’s calm, curious, and loves to hang with the rest of the girl gang consisting of mom Eleanor, big sis Lizzy, half-sis Elphie, and Aunt Betty the gerenuk (or our “lessest” kudu).
#ICYMI: We welcomed an adorable lesser kudu to our herd earlier this year. She’s calm, curious, and loves to hang with the rest of the girl gang consisting of mom Eleanor, big sis Lizzy, half-sis Elphie, and Aunt Betty the gerenuk (or our “lessest” kudu).
Reposted by Onisillos
Charley Harper, "Darwin's Finches", from "The Giant Golden Book of Biology", 1961
January 20, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Charley Harper, "Darwin's Finches", from "The Giant Golden Book of Biology", 1961
Reposted by Onisillos
The US is supposed to officially leave the WHO this week. WHO is saying it can't leave since it's not paid all it's dues.
Inside the "messy divorce" that's already having profound consequences for the health of Americans and the rest of the globe.
www.npr.org/2026/01/20/g...
Inside the "messy divorce" that's already having profound consequences for the health of Americans and the rest of the globe.
www.npr.org/2026/01/20/g...
The divorce between the U.S. and WHO is final this week. Or is it?
The U.S. is the only country allowed to withdraw from the World Health Organization. And Jan. 22 is the day when Trump's pullout announcement should go into effect. But ... it's complicated.
www.npr.org
January 20, 2026 at 3:56 PM
The US is supposed to officially leave the WHO this week. WHO is saying it can't leave since it's not paid all it's dues.
Inside the "messy divorce" that's already having profound consequences for the health of Americans and the rest of the globe.
www.npr.org/2026/01/20/g...
Inside the "messy divorce" that's already having profound consequences for the health of Americans and the rest of the globe.
www.npr.org/2026/01/20/g...
Reposted by Onisillos
Professor position & Head of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University Hospital of Geneva!
Exciting opportunity for an ID specialist & research opportunities in virology, bacteriology, immunology, public/global health, vaccinology, international Geneva...
jobs.unige.ch/www/wd_porta...
Exciting opportunity for an ID specialist & research opportunities in virology, bacteriology, immunology, public/global health, vaccinology, international Geneva...
jobs.unige.ch/www/wd_porta...
Professeur-e PO/PAS médecin-chef-fe du Service des maladies infectieuses (6694)
Full or Associate Professor, Head of the Division of Infectious Diseases
jobs.unige.ch
January 18, 2026 at 10:05 AM
Professor position & Head of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University Hospital of Geneva!
Exciting opportunity for an ID specialist & research opportunities in virology, bacteriology, immunology, public/global health, vaccinology, international Geneva...
jobs.unige.ch/www/wd_porta...
Exciting opportunity for an ID specialist & research opportunities in virology, bacteriology, immunology, public/global health, vaccinology, international Geneva...
jobs.unige.ch/www/wd_porta...
Reposted by Onisillos
I'm a mom with a PhD in Medical Microbiology and Immunology, with a dissertation about coronaviruses. Now I write about science to help other mothers understand what RFK Jr doesn't.
How many good mothers on Bluesky ARE the expert??
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
HHS Secretary RFK Jr: "This idea that you should trust the experts, a good mother doesn't do that"
January 18, 2026 at 11:45 PM
I'm a mom with a PhD in Medical Microbiology and Immunology, with a dissertation about coronaviruses. Now I write about science to help other mothers understand what RFK Jr doesn't.
"Research needs to shift from externally driven agendas to locally led initiatives that reflect African needs, values, and perspectives. This approach promotes equity, mutual respect, and shared ownership, while minimising harm."
#HBV
#HBV
New personal view article
Strengthening #hepatitis B virus clinical research in Africa: the need for multistakeholder collaboration, funding, and political will
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
#IDSky #ClinMicro #ViroSky #HBV #OpenAccess #OA
Strengthening #hepatitis B virus clinical research in Africa: the need for multistakeholder collaboration, funding, and political will
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
#IDSky #ClinMicro #ViroSky #HBV #OpenAccess #OA
January 20, 2026 at 3:34 PM
"Research needs to shift from externally driven agendas to locally led initiatives that reflect African needs, values, and perspectives. This approach promotes equity, mutual respect, and shared ownership, while minimising harm."
#HBV
#HBV
"When I look into the eyes of an animal, I not only see into its soul, I also see a sentient being that might have similar concerns to me."
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Perhaps the question is not whether cows can use tools,
but why it took us so long to notice.
Maybe because we continue to underestimate the minds of the animals we eat.
Veronika is here to remind us of our biases
but why it took us so long to notice.
Maybe because we continue to underestimate the minds of the animals we eat.
Veronika is here to remind us of our biases
January 20, 2026 at 2:58 PM
"When I look into the eyes of an animal, I not only see into its soul, I also see a sentient being that might have similar concerns to me."
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Reposted by Onisillos
After a century of what now?
January 20, 2026 at 12:59 PM
After a century of what now?
Reposted by Onisillos
Nine years ago, Witgar began to notice something unusual. Veronika played with tree branches she found on the ground and started using them to scratch herself.
Not occasionally, but systematically and repeatedly.
Not occasionally, but systematically and repeatedly.
January 19, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Nine years ago, Witgar began to notice something unusual. Veronika played with tree branches she found on the ground and started using them to scratch herself.
Not occasionally, but systematically and repeatedly.
Not occasionally, but systematically and repeatedly.
Reposted by Onisillos
She is the pet of Witgar Wiegele, one of the last traditional bakers in Austria and a descendant of the painter Franz Wiegele.
Witgar has a striking personality and is deeply passionate about nature conservation.
Witgar has a striking personality and is deeply passionate about nature conservation.
January 19, 2026 at 5:26 PM
She is the pet of Witgar Wiegele, one of the last traditional bakers in Austria and a descendant of the painter Franz Wiegele.
Witgar has a striking personality and is deeply passionate about nature conservation.
Witgar has a striking personality and is deeply passionate about nature conservation.
Reposted by Onisillos
This is the story of Veronika, a 13-year-old Braunvieh cow living in a rural area of Austria.
Veronika is not a production animal. She lives as a companion animal and spends much of her time interacting with humans.
Veronika is not a production animal. She lives as a companion animal and spends much of her time interacting with humans.
January 19, 2026 at 5:26 PM
This is the story of Veronika, a 13-year-old Braunvieh cow living in a rural area of Austria.
Veronika is not a production animal. She lives as a companion animal and spends much of her time interacting with humans.
Veronika is not a production animal. She lives as a companion animal and spends much of her time interacting with humans.
Reposted by Onisillos
I have prepared a video summarizing the study. Please come back here after reading the thread : )
youtu.be/bAk4PFEuWKQ English
also
youtu.be/CETjjZBMT5c Spanish
youtu.be/tkpjlCxDJZA German
(Thanks to Esau Dharma for providing the Spanish voice for Witgar Wiegele!)
youtu.be/bAk4PFEuWKQ English
also
youtu.be/CETjjZBMT5c Spanish
youtu.be/tkpjlCxDJZA German
(Thanks to Esau Dharma for providing the Spanish voice for Witgar Wiegele!)
Flexible use of a multi-purpose tool by a cow
YouTube video by Antonio Jose Osuna Mascaró
youtu.be
January 19, 2026 at 5:26 PM
I have prepared a video summarizing the study. Please come back here after reading the thread : )
youtu.be/bAk4PFEuWKQ English
also
youtu.be/CETjjZBMT5c Spanish
youtu.be/tkpjlCxDJZA German
(Thanks to Esau Dharma for providing the Spanish voice for Witgar Wiegele!)
youtu.be/bAk4PFEuWKQ English
also
youtu.be/CETjjZBMT5c Spanish
youtu.be/tkpjlCxDJZA German
(Thanks to Esau Dharma for providing the Spanish voice for Witgar Wiegele!)
Reposted by Onisillos
It’s Penguin Awareness Day which seems like a great excuse to post the greatest ever Wikipedia edit.
January 20, 2026 at 9:37 AM
It’s Penguin Awareness Day which seems like a great excuse to post the greatest ever Wikipedia edit.
"When people ask me about all the things that he’s done, what do I worry about the most? This is what I worry about the most because we’ve been through this once before"
www.statnews.com/2026/01/20/k...
www.statnews.com/2026/01/20/k...
RFK Jr. is moving to remake a little-known vaccine panel. It could have big consequences
Firing the advisory panel's members could be a first step toward revamping the vaccine injury compensation system.
www.statnews.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:32 PM
"When people ask me about all the things that he’s done, what do I worry about the most? This is what I worry about the most because we’ve been through this once before"
www.statnews.com/2026/01/20/k...
www.statnews.com/2026/01/20/k...
Reposted by Onisillos
Very thoughtful and they have learned from history.
January 20, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Very thoughtful and they have learned from history.
I didn’t expect this book to be so full of gossip.
January 20, 2026 at 11:39 AM
I didn’t expect this book to be so full of gossip.
Reposted by Onisillos
Cow Tools!
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
January 19, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Cow Tools!
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
Reposted by Onisillos
Fortunately - you can hear the actual argument rather than rely on Labour politicians spinning it in a desperate attempt to cover up the fact their governments only strategy is that Keir Starmer is convinced that everything is going to be ok.
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
Ditch Nato and dump Trump: Zack Polanski’s foreign policy – podcast
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk to the Green party leader Zack Polanski on Donald Trump, Greenland and rejoining the European Union
www.theguardian.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:40 AM
Fortunately - you can hear the actual argument rather than rely on Labour politicians spinning it in a desperate attempt to cover up the fact their governments only strategy is that Keir Starmer is convinced that everything is going to be ok.
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
Reposted by Onisillos
This headline leaves out the key points:
Closer alliances with Europe. We are becoming the weak link against Donald Trump.
A defence strategy not dependent on the USA.
And ending the billions wasted on Trident - which doesn't work & leases the warheads from...the USA.
Closer alliances with Europe. We are becoming the weak link against Donald Trump.
A defence strategy not dependent on the USA.
And ending the billions wasted on Trident - which doesn't work & leases the warheads from...the USA.
EXC: Zack Polanski tells us Britain should consider closing US military bases, leave Nato and denuclearise, as he begins to flesh out the Greens’ foreign policy.
Also spells out to @pippacrerar.bsky.social and me his red lines in any coalition talks to come.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Also spells out to @pippacrerar.bsky.social and me his red lines in any coalition talks to come.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK should consider expelling US forces from British bases, says Zack Polanski
Exclusive: Green party leader advocates leaving Nato and says Britain should wean itself off its reliance on the US
www.theguardian.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:35 AM
This headline leaves out the key points:
Closer alliances with Europe. We are becoming the weak link against Donald Trump.
A defence strategy not dependent on the USA.
And ending the billions wasted on Trident - which doesn't work & leases the warheads from...the USA.
Closer alliances with Europe. We are becoming the weak link against Donald Trump.
A defence strategy not dependent on the USA.
And ending the billions wasted on Trident - which doesn't work & leases the warheads from...the USA.
We're already well into the new year, but it's not too late to kick the year off with a good read
January 20, 2026 at 9:35 AM
We're already well into the new year, but it's not too late to kick the year off with a good read
Reposted by Onisillos
COW TOOLS COW TOOLS COW TOOLS
Back-scratching bovine leads scientists to reassess intelligence of cows
Brown Swiss in Austria has been discovered using tools in multiple ways – something only ever seen in humans and chimpanzees
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:06 PM
COW TOOLS COW TOOLS COW TOOLS
I originally ignored this thinking it was once of those usual silly science videos, but it's actually really interesting.
youtu.be/0zM5jiZJ5p0?...
youtu.be/0zM5jiZJ5p0?...
Turning Vodka Into Toilet Paper (Reverse Nilered)
YouTube video by The Thought Emporium
youtu.be
January 19, 2026 at 2:48 PM
I originally ignored this thinking it was once of those usual silly science videos, but it's actually really interesting.
youtu.be/0zM5jiZJ5p0?...
youtu.be/0zM5jiZJ5p0?...
Reposted by Onisillos
Reposted by Onisillos
#Scabies cases in UK are growing
@drmichaelmarks.bsky.social tells @theguardian.com while reasons for rise are unclear “delays in people being able to access care, and inadequate tracing and treatment of their contacts” may be making outbreaks worse.
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
@drmichaelmarks.bsky.social tells @theguardian.com while reasons for rise are unclear “delays in people being able to access care, and inadequate tracing and treatment of their contacts” may be making outbreaks worse.
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
The sudden rise of scabies: ‘I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy’
These microscopic mites, which burrow under your skin and cause ferocious itching, are incredibly hard to get rid of – and cases in the UK have soared. What is causing the outbreak, and is there anyth...
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 1:43 PM
#Scabies cases in UK are growing
@drmichaelmarks.bsky.social tells @theguardian.com while reasons for rise are unclear “delays in people being able to access care, and inadequate tracing and treatment of their contacts” may be making outbreaks worse.
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
@drmichaelmarks.bsky.social tells @theguardian.com while reasons for rise are unclear “delays in people being able to access care, and inadequate tracing and treatment of their contacts” may be making outbreaks worse.
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...