Dakota McCoy, PhD
@reallymccoy.bsky.social
Biology, physics, data science, and coral reefs! On May 4, Star Wars Facts.
Reposted by Dakota McCoy, PhD
Join me Tuesday with authors J. Arvid Agren and Manus M. Patten for the launch of their book The Paradox of the Organism: Adaptation and Internal Conflict.
December 14, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Join me Tuesday with authors J. Arvid Agren and Manus M. Patten for the launch of their book The Paradox of the Organism: Adaptation and Internal Conflict.
Reposted by Dakota McCoy, PhD
Excited to share our study testing competing theories on the energy dynamics of hermaphroditism! Grateful to @djmmeeg.bsky.social for guidance, to Thomas Brey for metabolic rate data, and to Deborah Charlesworth for feedback. Thanks also to the editors and reviewers at Proc B. @royalsociety.org
Darwin speculated that it was energetically costly to be an hermaphrodite. He thought that might explain why they were relatively rare in animals. Our paper out today tested this conjecture for the first time.
royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article...
royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article...
Hermaphrodites have lower metabolic rates than gonochores
Abstract. Hermaphroditism, where an individual can reproduce as both male and female, offers some clear reproductive advantages. Simultaneous hermaphroditi
royalsocietypublishing.org
December 12, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Excited to share our study testing competing theories on the energy dynamics of hermaphroditism! Grateful to @djmmeeg.bsky.social for guidance, to Thomas Brey for metabolic rate data, and to Deborah Charlesworth for feedback. Thanks also to the editors and reviewers at Proc B. @royalsociety.org
I'm looking for a few anecdotes where your EYES suggested a cool color science study in birds. E.g., you saw how a certain feather gleamed strangely at twilight; a "red" plumage struck you as a very different red from usual patterns; etc. Any tips? @s-m-aguillon.bsky.social , unsure who else to tag
September 29, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I'm looking for a few anecdotes where your EYES suggested a cool color science study in birds. E.g., you saw how a certain feather gleamed strangely at twilight; a "red" plumage struck you as a very different red from usual patterns; etc. Any tips? @s-m-aguillon.bsky.social , unsure who else to tag
Duck slip ‘n slide at Botany Pond @uchicagocollege.bsky.social
May 12, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Duck slip ‘n slide at Botany Pond @uchicagocollege.bsky.social
Reposted by Dakota McCoy, PhD
Join us in the evolution tri-societies Week of Action for NSF!
Call/write congress, engage with colleagues, friends and family about the importance of NSF funding!
Scan the QR code on the attached image for instructions and scripts.
We must make noise! Pls RT!!!!
#WithoutNSF #SaveNSF #SupportNSF
Call/write congress, engage with colleagues, friends and family about the importance of NSF funding!
Scan the QR code on the attached image for instructions and scripts.
We must make noise! Pls RT!!!!
#WithoutNSF #SaveNSF #SupportNSF
May 5, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Join us in the evolution tri-societies Week of Action for NSF!
Call/write congress, engage with colleagues, friends and family about the importance of NSF funding!
Scan the QR code on the attached image for instructions and scripts.
We must make noise! Pls RT!!!!
#WithoutNSF #SaveNSF #SupportNSF
Call/write congress, engage with colleagues, friends and family about the importance of NSF funding!
Scan the QR code on the attached image for instructions and scripts.
We must make noise! Pls RT!!!!
#WithoutNSF #SaveNSF #SupportNSF
Did you know that Han Solo’s famous “parsecs” comment may have been a calculated attempt to impress, or scam, Obi-Wan and Luke? Solo brags that the Millennium Falcon is “the ship that made the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs!” This doesn’t make too much sense,
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May 4, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Did you know that Han Solo’s famous “parsecs” comment may have been a calculated attempt to impress, or scam, Obi-Wan and Luke? Solo brags that the Millennium Falcon is “the ship that made the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs!” This doesn’t make too much sense,
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Did you know that for the scene in the Wampa's cave - where Luke uses the Force to retrieve his Lightsaber - the producers achieved the effect by asking Mark Hamill to toss the Lightsaber away and then running the film in reverse?
Just kidding, the Force is real.
#MayTheFourth
Just kidding, the Force is real.
#MayTheFourth
May 4, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Did you know that for the scene in the Wampa's cave - where Luke uses the Force to retrieve his Lightsaber - the producers achieved the effect by asking Mark Hamill to toss the Lightsaber away and then running the film in reverse?
Just kidding, the Force is real.
#MayTheFourth
Just kidding, the Force is real.
#MayTheFourth
Did you know that Star Wars fans surpass all other fanbases for their attention to detail? Here are the two "peak star wars fan" moments on the internet. 1) “my memory is a bit fuzzy…” on @reddit and 2) “NOT a rendition of spacecraft” on @NYTimes. #MayTheFourth
May 4, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Did you know that Star Wars fans surpass all other fanbases for their attention to detail? Here are the two "peak star wars fan" moments on the internet. 1) “my memory is a bit fuzzy…” on @reddit and 2) “NOT a rendition of spacecraft” on @NYTimes. #MayTheFourth
Did you know that Luke's line "I can't see a thing in this helmet!" was not scripted? Mark Hamill thought that the cameras had stopped running and was just making a side comment to Harrison Ford. The filmmakers liked it, and so they kept it in. #MayTheFourth
May 4, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Did you know that Luke's line "I can't see a thing in this helmet!" was not scripted? Mark Hamill thought that the cameras had stopped running and was just making a side comment to Harrison Ford. The filmmakers liked it, and so they kept it in. #MayTheFourth
Did you know that we can thank Werner Herzog for pressuring the show directors to make Baby Yoda a puppet, rather than CGI? When the puppet was removed during a scene so they could get a "clean plate" in case CGI was needed, Werner said, “You are cowards. Leave it. Leave it." #MayTheFourth
May 4, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Did you know that we can thank Werner Herzog for pressuring the show directors to make Baby Yoda a puppet, rather than CGI? When the puppet was removed during a scene so they could get a "clean plate" in case CGI was needed, Werner said, “You are cowards. Leave it. Leave it." #MayTheFourth
Did you know that in Return of the Jedi, the evil emperor's chair was supposed to have a mechanical rotation device? However, it never worked properly-so he had to shuffle his feet to rotate.
#MayTheFourth
#MayTheFourth
May 4, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Did you know that in Return of the Jedi, the evil emperor's chair was supposed to have a mechanical rotation device? However, it never worked properly-so he had to shuffle his feet to rotate.
#MayTheFourth
#MayTheFourth
In the Empire Strikes Back, when Boba Fett transports frozen Han Solo to his ship, did you catch that Fett notices Luke hiding?
Boba Fett briefly turns his head when Luke unholsters his blaster but keeps cool, keeps walking, and ambushes Luke a minute later. #MayTheFourth youtu.be/N3fdWyepMWk
Boba Fett briefly turns his head when Luke unholsters his blaster but keeps cool, keeps walking, and ambushes Luke a minute later. #MayTheFourth youtu.be/N3fdWyepMWk
May 4, 2025 at 7:43 PM
In the Empire Strikes Back, when Boba Fett transports frozen Han Solo to his ship, did you catch that Fett notices Luke hiding?
Boba Fett briefly turns his head when Luke unholsters his blaster but keeps cool, keeps walking, and ambushes Luke a minute later. #MayTheFourth youtu.be/N3fdWyepMWk
Boba Fett briefly turns his head when Luke unholsters his blaster but keeps cool, keeps walking, and ambushes Luke a minute later. #MayTheFourth youtu.be/N3fdWyepMWk
Did you know that many animals are named after Star Wars? #MayTheFourth Here are three of my favorites:
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May 4, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Did you know that many animals are named after Star Wars? #MayTheFourth Here are three of my favorites:
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Did you know that the Skywalker Twins are substantially different ages in the Empire Strikes Back? Time dilation!!! Luke and Leia both travel to Cloud City at lightspeed, but Leia travels from nearby Anoat system, while Luke travels much farther from distant Dagobah. 1/2
May 4, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Did you know that the Skywalker Twins are substantially different ages in the Empire Strikes Back? Time dilation!!! Luke and Leia both travel to Cloud City at lightspeed, but Leia travels from nearby Anoat system, while Luke travels much farther from distant Dagobah. 1/2
Did you know that in Revenge of the Sith, a battle droid tells his buddy to check out General Grievous activating his four lightsabers? You can almost hear his robotic voice, tinged with admiration: “You’re gonna wanna see this.” Clip here: youtu.be/Xj49nsG4ruo #MayTheFourth
May 4, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Did you know that in Revenge of the Sith, a battle droid tells his buddy to check out General Grievous activating his four lightsabers? You can almost hear his robotic voice, tinged with admiration: “You’re gonna wanna see this.” Clip here: youtu.be/Xj49nsG4ruo #MayTheFourth
Did you know that the bounty hunter droid IG-88 got his head from the drinks dispenser in the original Cantina? I guess they DO serve droids- SORT OF! #MayTheFourth
May 4, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Did you know that the bounty hunter droid IG-88 got his head from the drinks dispenser in the original Cantina? I guess they DO serve droids- SORT OF! #MayTheFourth
Did you know that George Lucas was famous for his extreme lack of communication as director of Star Wars? When he lost his voice on set, the crew made him a board with two phrases written on it to represent his most common contributions: "FASTER" and “MORE INTENSE." #MayTheFourth
May 4, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Did you know that George Lucas was famous for his extreme lack of communication as director of Star Wars? When he lost his voice on set, the crew made him a board with two phrases written on it to represent his most common contributions: "FASTER" and “MORE INTENSE." #MayTheFourth
Did you know that the Krayt Dragon Skeleton used in the filming of A New Hope still lies in the desert in Tunisia? #MayTheFourth
May 4, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Did you know that the Krayt Dragon Skeleton used in the filming of A New Hope still lies in the desert in Tunisia? #MayTheFourth
Did you know that that Jabba the Hutt was a puppet in the original trilogy, so finely made that he had radio controlled eyes & dilating pupils? This slimy gangster controlled Tatooine for years, valuing his own political career over the welfare of the planet's residents. Familiar… #MayTheFourth
May 4, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Did you know that that Jabba the Hutt was a puppet in the original trilogy, so finely made that he had radio controlled eyes & dilating pupils? This slimy gangster controlled Tatooine for years, valuing his own political career over the welfare of the planet's residents. Familiar… #MayTheFourth
May the Fourth be with you!!! For the past ten years, I’ve shared fun Star Wars factoids on this day. Today I’m re-sharing some of my all time favorites :) #MayTheFourth
May 4, 2025 at 1:48 PM
May the Fourth be with you!!! For the past ten years, I’ve shared fun Star Wars factoids on this day. Today I’m re-sharing some of my all time favorites :) #MayTheFourth
Dire wolf genomics preprint out from Colossal! (They do not discuss the de-extinction or identify the genetic edits they did). George R. R. Martin is a coauthor who contributed to "writing: review and editing" 👀
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
April 12, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Dire wolf genomics preprint out from Colossal! (They do not discuss the de-extinction or identify the genetic edits they did). George R. R. Martin is a coauthor who contributed to "writing: review and editing" 👀
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Dakota McCoy, PhD
Striking new study from @archaeon-alex.bsky.social's lab just out in @science.org on multicellular development induced by compression in Archaea: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Tissue-like multicellular development triggered by mechanical compression in archaea
The advent of clonal multicellularity is a critical evolutionary milestone, seen often in eukaryotes, rarely in bacteria, and only once in archaea. We show that uniaxial compression induces clonal mul...
www.science.org
April 3, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Striking new study from @archaeon-alex.bsky.social's lab just out in @science.org on multicellular development induced by compression in Archaea: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
"Catch him if you can- these possums never bite!" *CHOMP*😆 If this passage doesn't sum up field biologists, I don't know what does! Excerpt from "Relics: Travels in Nature's Time Machine" attached. Still figuring out this new bluesky app- loving it!
January 13, 2025 at 5:34 PM
"Catch him if you can- these possums never bite!" *CHOMP*😆 If this passage doesn't sum up field biologists, I don't know what does! Excerpt from "Relics: Travels in Nature's Time Machine" attached. Still figuring out this new bluesky app- loving it!
New paper out! We show that heart cockles use bundled fiber optic cables to transmit light through "skylights" in their shell for their photosynthetic algae. The skylights filter out harmful UV radiation. These coral analogues are cool critters!! www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Heart cockle shells transmit sunlight to photosymbiotic algae using bundled fiber optic cables and condensing lenses - Nature Communications
Some bivalves have evolved photosynthetic symbioses. Here, the authors show that heart cockles transmit light through their upper shell to internal photosynthetic symbionts, using mineral fiber optic ...
www.nature.com
December 9, 2024 at 2:45 PM
New paper out! We show that heart cockles use bundled fiber optic cables to transmit light through "skylights" in their shell for their photosynthetic algae. The skylights filter out harmful UV radiation. These coral analogues are cool critters!! www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Dakota McCoy, PhD
🌞 Nature's Fibre-Optic Solar Panels
Heart cockles use fibre optic shells to channel sunlight to algae, enabling photosynthesis while blocking harmful UV.
Could this inspire future green tech?
@natureportfolio.bsky.social #OpenAccess study: doi.org/10.1038/s414...
#SciComm #AcademicSky 🧪 🍎
Heart cockles use fibre optic shells to channel sunlight to algae, enabling photosynthesis while blocking harmful UV.
Could this inspire future green tech?
@natureportfolio.bsky.social #OpenAccess study: doi.org/10.1038/s414...
#SciComm #AcademicSky 🧪 🍎
Heart cockle shells transmit sunlight to photosymbiotic algae using bundled fiber optic cables and condensing lenses - Nature Communications
Some bivalves have evolved photosynthetic symbioses. Here, the authors show that heart cockles transmit light through their upper shell to internal photosynthetic symbionts, using mineral fiber optic ...
doi.org
December 2, 2024 at 1:29 PM
🌞 Nature's Fibre-Optic Solar Panels
Heart cockles use fibre optic shells to channel sunlight to algae, enabling photosynthesis while blocking harmful UV.
Could this inspire future green tech?
@natureportfolio.bsky.social #OpenAccess study: doi.org/10.1038/s414...
#SciComm #AcademicSky 🧪 🍎
Heart cockles use fibre optic shells to channel sunlight to algae, enabling photosynthesis while blocking harmful UV.
Could this inspire future green tech?
@natureportfolio.bsky.social #OpenAccess study: doi.org/10.1038/s414...
#SciComm #AcademicSky 🧪 🍎