Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Veronica Richards, PhD ✨ @veronicarichards.bsky.social · Jul 2

Husband is doing some pretty cool work!

Sean Bresnahan @seantbres.bsky.social · Jul 2

With @arjunbhattac.bsky.social & @jonhuang.bsky.social, a collab with @mikelove.bsky.social + others across Singapore, Canada & USA (not on bsky), we found that fetal-facing placentae at term express ~37k isoforms across ~12k genes, 2x that of other tissues in GTEx. Placenta != an "expression void!"

(A) Nanopore cDNA libraries were prepared from villous placenta tissue of term, live births from mothers with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Transcripts were assembled and compared to the GENCODE v45 annotations to classify isoforms into structural categories: full splice matches (FSM), incomplete splice matches (ISM), novel in catalog (NIC), novel not in catalog (NNC), and other classes (fusion products and intergenic, genic, intronic and antisense transcripts). (B) Genes and transcripts in the GENCODE v45 reference compared to the full placenta-specific annotation. (C) Transcripts in the placenta-specific reference stratified by structural category. Opaque bars represent the full set of transcripts, while transparent bars indicate the high-confidence transcripts. (D) Count of long-read defined genes and transcript isoforms in placenta compared to 11 tissues in GTEx47 v9. (E) Transcripts per gene across tissues. Red points indicate the mean.

2

Veronica Richards, PhD ✨ @veronicarichards.bsky.social · Jun 26

Unfortunately was not able to participate in RSA as much as I would have liked this year. After a nice first day of presenting in a pretty cool symposium on drinking dynamics, I spent the rest of my time in New Orleans dealing with ongoing health issues (I’m ok). Anyway, here’s me with my poster.

Woman with long brown hair standing in front of a scientific poster titled “Effects of nicotine-alcohol co-use on alcohol-induced blackouts and other alcohol-related consequences in college students. Woman is wearing a red sweater over a black and white polka dotted shirt with a long black skit.

3

Reposted by Veronica Richards, PhD ✨

Sean Bresnahan @seantbres.bsky.social · May 4

Love is All. Yesterday, one year of marriage with my dearest friend @veronicarichards.bsky.social 🖤

In front of a river, a tall bald man with tattoos stands behind and holds the waist of a shorter brunette woman with tattoos, wearing a cute grey top and black skirt. They have matching white sneakers.

1 1 3

Reposted by Veronica Richards, PhD ✨

Michael Businelle @stop-smoking.bsky.social · Apr 17

Deadline: April 21. 3rd annual 3-day Insight mHealth Workshop (June 25-27). Create your own Apple/Android mHealth app. Fee: $500. Please re-post.
@casbsstanford.bsky.social @digital-health.bsky.social @policysrnt.bsky.social @cpddorg.bsky.social @theaacr.bsky.social @abctstudentsig.bsky.social

2 3

Veronica Richards, PhD ✨ @veronicarichards.bsky.social · Apr 10

Anyone know which national surveys include the full, 10-item AUDIT to assess alcohol use/problems?

2 1

Veronica Richards, PhD ✨ @veronicarichards.bsky.social · Apr 9

Come work with me!

Michael Businelle @stop-smoking.bsky.social · Apr 9

Now hiring! The Health Promotion Research Center is hiring 6 faculty (Assistant Prof start @ $125,000). Details attached. Please repost! Submit application here: apply.interfolio.com/159819

@policysrnt.bsky.social @cpddorg.bsky.social @theaacr.bsky.social @sbm.org @abctnow.bsky.social

2

Veronica Richards, PhD ✨ @veronicarichards.bsky.social · Apr 5

Thanks! Hope yours went well, too :)

Veronica Richards, PhD ✨ @veronicarichards.bsky.social · Apr 5

Had a blast eating all of the great gluten free food in Providence and presenting some of my research at #CPA2025.

Woman presenting a PowerPoint presentation titled “Using protect behavioral strategies to reduce blackout consequences in college students”

1 14

Reposted by Veronica Richards, PhD ✨

Rin Reczek @rinreczek.bsky.social · Mar 22

The field of gender and sexual minority (LGBTQ) health is being erased. Hundreds of ongoing NIH grants being immediately terminated. Deb Umberson and my decade long longitudinal study on marriage and health joined the termination list last night.

18 63 120

Reposted by Veronica Richards, PhD ✨

Scott Delaney @scott-delaney.bsky.social · Mar 21

The crush of new grant cancellations hasn't let up.

If your grant was terminated (or your app was pulled) please use this Google Form👇 to submit details for tracking purposes.

Multiple advocacy efforts are moving forward, but we must must must know more about what grants were cancelled and why.

Cancelled NIH grant information submission form

Please use this form to submit information identifying specific NIH grants that have been cancelled for any reason after January 20, 2025. Data from this form will be used to update the Rescinded NIH...

forms.gle

10 500 440

Veronica Richards, PhD ✨ @veronicarichards.bsky.social · Mar 21

And it was especially helpful as a grad student I think. It really helped me network at conferences. Hopefully Bluesky will continue to grow into a similar space.

1

Veronica Richards, PhD ✨ @veronicarichards.bsky.social · Mar 21

Officially deactivated my X account (I haven’t used it in months but it still feels weird after building that network for ~6+ years)

1 6

Reposted by Veronica Richards, PhD ✨

Scott Delaney @scott-delaney.bsky.social · Mar 7

We need to organize--let’s help each other.

NIH is cancelling grants, but it's not clear exactly what they're cancelling and why. Without this information, we can't respond.

I've started a Google Sheet to track grant cancellations.

Please add any canceled grants you know of and spread the word!

9 290 290

Reposted by Veronica Richards, PhD ✨

Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · Mar 11

I have confirmation from several sources now that all T32s, many F30s and F31s, and most or all Center awards (P30, P50) have been terminated at Columbia.

This is quite damaging to research and to individuals.

This is pure terrorism and cannot be legal. But litigation will take time...

18 310 570

Reposted by Veronica Richards, PhD ✨

Megan Hall @scienceiswhere.bsky.social · Mar 7

Just a reminder that this walkout for science in the US is tomorrow: standupforscience2025.org

If you can’t go (I can’t), please repost the hashtag #StandUpForScience when you see it.

#neuroskyence #psychscisky

STAND UP FOR SCIENCE

March 7, 2025. Washington DC and nationwide. Because science is for everyone.

standupforscience2025.org

10 17

Reposted by Veronica Richards, PhD ✨

STAT @statnews.com · Feb 21

#Breaking - Federal judge extends restraining order on Trump administration’s cap on NIH indirect costs

Federal judge extends restraining order on Trump administration's cap on NIH indirect costs

Judge Angel Kelley kept in place an order blocking the Trump administration from implementing a 15% cap on NIH indirect cost payments

buff.ly

5 73 240

Reposted by Veronica Richards, PhD ✨

Maria Perica @mariaperica.bsky.social · Feb 21

Check out the updated @standupforscience.bsky.social website! Lots of local events within day-trips distance being organized by so many if getting to DC isn't within reach:
standupforscience2025.org/local-event-...

Local Event Information

State Capital and Major City Events Montgomery, AL State Capitol — 12 PM-4 PM More Information Coming Soon Juneau, AK State Capitol — 12 PM-4 PM More Information Coming Soon Phoenix, AZ State Capit…

standupforscience2025.org

15 28

Veronica Richards, PhD ✨ @veronicarichards.bsky.social · Feb 21

Preparing seed grants to support NIH grant submissions when there seems to be an indefinite pause on new funding is…. Sad

4

Reposted by Veronica Richards, PhD ✨

Dana Litt, PhD @phdlitt.bsky.social · Feb 15

Please share widely! We want a range of pre-doctoral trainees from both pre-clinical and psychosocial backgrounds. @rsaeducation.bsky.social @apadivision50.bsky.social

Dana Litt, PhD @phdlitt.bsky.social · Feb 11

The RSA Career Development and Training Committee is thrilled to announce that the first-ever Research Society on Alcohol 3MT Competition will be held in May for student members. To learn more and apply, visit: forms.gle/728swEWvsmcQ...

6 6

Veronica Richards, PhD ✨ @veronicarichards.bsky.social · Feb 16

There are so many real reasons why he is not qualified to run HHS, let’s not do more harm to our already fragile public health system by perpetuating the stigma around substance use

Ryan Marino, MD @ryanmarino.bsky.social · Feb 5

Even if you think you’re not perpetuating harmful stigma saying a former heroin user can’t be in charge of HHS (you are, and I know active heroin users who would do great), it’s lazy (and a logical fallacy) to attempt to discredit someone for using substances rather than for their actions and words.

2 7

Reposted by Veronica Richards, PhD ✨

Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · Feb 11

Penn State has halted submission and *acceptance* of NIH grants pending the resolution of the overhead rate cut.

This lost time will never be recovered. The economic cost to Pennsylvania is enormous and the cost to humanity immeasurable.

Dave Vanness @djvanness.bsky.social · Feb 11

Text of email I received:

To HHD Research Community:

As you have no doubt heard, NIH issued NOT-OD-25-068 Friday evening (2/7/2025). This notice reduces the F&A rate that NIH is willing to pay to 15%, effective today (2/10/2025). The rate reduction applies to both new and existing NIH awards.

The University remains fully committed to research excellence across the enterprise, including biomedical research. Penn State believes that this rate change could be inconsistent with the annual federal appropriations bill and is aware of, and engaged with some of the groups that are considering legal challenges against this.

With this in mind, the University is taking the following temporary actions:

• Pausing NIH proposal submissions. While our advice is that you should continue to work on preparing NIH proposals, for the next two days the University will not submit new proposals, including new subawards. When preparing NIH proposals for later submission, we will continue to use Penn State’s negotiated F&A rates until directed otherwise by OSVPR. (Non-standard proposals such as fellowship grants can continue to be submitted in accordance with previously existing guidance.)
• Pausing Acceptance of New NIH Awards. If we receive new awards that reference the 15% F&A rate, those awards will be placed on hold until such time as this issue is resolved. The same is true of any new NIH flow-through awards we receive from other institutions that reference the 15% rate. This pause is also expected to be in effect for at least the next two days.
Work on any NIH projects initiated prior to today should continue, and investigators should at this point take no actions that alter their scientific or resource-allocation strategies on these projects in the wake of this latest action.

We ask for your patience while the University assesses this situation – one that is very labile and could change anytime. We expect modifications to the above guidance in the coming days as we learn more and we will do our best…

27 500 1.6K

Reposted by Veronica Richards, PhD ✨

Thomas L. Rodebaugh @drrodebaugh.bsky.social · Feb 10

Psychologists and psych-adjacent folks concerned about NIH indirect costs reduction: APA has a petition and request you contact your reps. This means APA has decided to pursue this, so I think we should too:

www.votervoice.net/Shares/BAAAA...

Tell Congress to Stop NIH Cuts

Please take 2 minutes today to ask Congress to take steps to stop funding cuts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The administration's proposed cuts to federal research funding, particul...

www.votervoice.net

4 30 45

Reposted by Veronica Richards, PhD ✨

Sean Bresnahan @seantbres.bsky.social · Feb 10

If your state isn’t represented among the plaintiffs, call your state’s AG office *right now*. Here’s an example script, filled in with info for OK:

Hi there, my name is ___, I live at
___. I work as a ___ at ___. 🧵

Josh Gerstein @joshgerstein.bsky.social · Feb 10

BREAKING: 22 states sue NIH over Trump administration's new 15% cap on overhead for federal research grants. Suit filed federal court in Boston contends lifesaving research 'will grind to a halt' under the policy. Doc: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

storage.courtlistener.com

1 2 5

Reposted by Veronica Richards, PhD ✨

Colette Delawalla @cdelawalla.bsky.social · Feb 9

Get in Dorks, we are going protesting.

STAND UP FOR SCIENCE. MARCH 7th 12-4pm. DC AND YOUR STATE CAPITALS.

More information to come.

Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · Feb 9

42 430 860

Reposted by Veronica Richards, PhD ✨

Jaclyn A. Siegel, PhD @jacasiegel.bsky.social · Feb 8

It is ALL so devastating. For science, for inclusion, for medicine, for security, for higher education, for all of us.

2 16 120