Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Laura Hollister

Dr. Wendy Bohon @drwendyrocks.bsky.social · 1d

“…findings provide a framework for understanding how researchers can strategically use humour to enhance scientific communication without compromising the rigour of academic knowledge.” ❤️

www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Science is funny as long as it happens to someone else: understanding humour in science publications

Humour is the driving force behind the Ig Nobel Prize, which celebrates unusual research that ‘makes people laugh and then think’. It appears in publications across STEM fields, on topics such as w...

www.tandfonline.com

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

Adam Pascale @seislologist.bsky.social · 1d

It’s #earthscienceweek so I thought I’d go into a bit more detail on how educators can use to our Quick Quake tool to demonstrate how @earthquakes.au seismologists quickly calculate the location and magnitude of an earthquake. It works on macOS machines with Apple Silicon too.

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 1d

Never forget this: The forces rigging our economy, undermining our democracy, polluting our planet, and stoking hatred are counting on you to give up. Cynicism is how they win. Stay clear-eyed and ready for the fight ahead.

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

Jess Calarco @jessicacalarco.com · 16h

Meanwhile, ed tech companies are salivating--eager to sell "solutions" to families whose schools will now struggle (even more than they already have) to meet their kids' learning needs.

(Here are a few of the ed tech ads I've been tracking over the past few months)

Always Icecream - Smart Fun
Kids with ADHD often thrive in the right environment-one that's flexible, engaging, and built around how they
learn best. That's exactly what Always Icecream offers
Designed to spark focus and motivation, Always
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confident, capable, and in control of their learning.
Here's how:
Short, engaging lessons that match real attention
spans
Multisensory learning with videos, games, audio &
interactivity
Flexible scheduling--learn when energy is high,
pause when needed
Life skill development like goal-setting and time
management
Practical lessons in nutrition, safety, digital behavior
& more
Whether they're a morning person, a wiggle-break taker,
or a hands-on explorer, Always Icecream helps your
daughter learn in a way that works for them.
Try it today for just $1.99 and discover the
difference!
SHORT,
ENGAGING
LESSONS
5/7

Crimson Global Academy
Your child's learning differences are not a
disadvantage.
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alone. Whether they need more flexibility, individual
support, or a pace that works for them, there are better
alternatives than a traditional school.
Learn about flexible online education that works. Talk to
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system.
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Mosaic: We Are Born To Learn
Do you ever worry your children will "fall behind"? What
does that even mean in a learner-led world? Join us
10/01 @ 12/3PM PT/ET
We'll dig into:
LN The stories & fears behind falling "behind"
How we can reframe success on each child's terms
Practical guidance for supporting learners in their
own rhythm
Join us as we rethink learning without a curriculum.
Event registration is $5, or free for Mosaic Members.
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What
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who decides? A closer look at
criticicm and comnarison in

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

Damien Marie AtHope Ⓐ 🚩🏴🌍 @damienmarieathope.bsky.social · 17h

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

John Pavlovitz @johnpavlovitz.bsky.social · 1d

Good people need to start outing their ICE family members, neighbors, and community members.

They need to be made into pariahs in the places decent Americans gather.

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 1d

About a month ago, the Trump administration got rid of the de minimis exemption, whereby packages valued under $800 could slide in without import duties. Now there's a backlog as the government can't process all of this paperwork, leading to UPS just destroying packages

Business Insider headline reads: UPS is telling customers that their packages coming to the US are marked for destruction.

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

Lynn Becker @cmgiulini.bsky.social · 1d

After spending 43 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, evidence hidden by the prosecution reversed his conviction. Rather than finally enjoying freedom, ICE abducted him for deportation

Depraved.

www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...

He was wrongfully imprisoned for 43 years. Moments after being released, ICE took him

Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam now faces deportation.

www.miamiherald.com

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

Raider @iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social · 1d

This Is Fascism

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

Daniel Swain @weatherwest.bsky.social · 3d

"Institutions should embrace collective storytelling between those who hold deep knowledge and those with the cultural fluency and media reach to deliver it effectively." Amen to that!

For Expertise to Matter, Nonpartisan Institutions Need New Communications Strategies

To avoid irrelevance when they are needed most, experts and nonpartisan analysts must rethink not just their channels of communication but also their theory of influence.

carnegieendowment.org

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

Sara Partridge, Ph.D. @sarapartridge.bsky.social · 1d

There are reports that the *entire* office of special education at the US Dept of Education has been cut. These hardworking folks ensure kids with disabilities get equal access to a quality education.

America’s children deserve better than this.

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

Oliver Willis @owillis.bsky.social · 2d

Opposing a power mad despot is literally the most American thing an American can do. These guys got a lot wrong but they nailed that one. It is fundamental to the core of this country.

Signing of the Declaration of Independence

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

Laguna Beach Democratic Club @lagunabeachdems.bsky.social · 1d

Northwest Chicago Suburb: ICE Agents Rip 15-Year-Old Girl from Car, Slam Her to Ground She Screams “I’m 15!” as Man Kneels on Her Neck

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Laura Hollister @xenolith.bsky.social · 1d

This makes me so sick to my stomach.

LongTime🤓FirstTime👨‍💻 @longtimehistory.bsky.social · 1d

ICE secretly kidnap autistic boy during bathroom break—never notify parents.

Mother reported him missing a week ago—turns out ICE had him detained the whole time.

He was helping sell fruit and asked to go to the restroom—by the time she was done helping a customer he was gone.

Houston, Texas

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

Eos @eos.org · 1d

The new open-access data are presenting a wide variety of opportunities for revising geologic maps, addressing questions about critical mineral resources, and inspiring innovative geophysical approaches.

New Maps of Natural Radioactivity Reveal Critical Minerals and More - Eos

High-resolution airborne radiometric surveys are covering more ground than ever to provide insights into unseen geology, mineral resource potential, and possible health hazards.

eos.org

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

Dr. Lucia Perez-Diaz @drlperezdiaz.bsky.social · 1d

Last chance to pre-order my 2026 #geology themed calendar!

12 months. 12 destinations through #GeologicalTime

👉🏻 www.luciaperezdiaz.com/product-page...

#SciArt #EarthScientists

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 1d

Aren't country lanes brilliant?

www.tom-cox.com/once-upon-a-...

A country lane on the edge of the Quantocks.

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Laura Hollister @xenolith.bsky.social · 1d

Seriously. It is often a comedy of errors trying to get a picture of any animal, especially if it moves

a row of error messages are displayed on a white background

ALT: a row of error messages are displayed on a white background

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

Iris van Rooij 💭 @irisvanrooij.bsky.social · 23d

“It is exactly because problems continue to grow that we must speak out now. The repetition that somehow things are set in stone needs to be urgently, vociferously, and vigilantly countered”

zenodo.org/records/1706...

10/🧵

Against the Uncritical Adoption of 'AI' Technologies in Academia

Under the banner of progress, products have been uncritically adopted or even imposed on users — in past centuries with tobacco and combustion engines, and in the 21st with social media. For these col...

zenodo.org

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

Iris van Rooij 💭 @irisvanrooij.bsky.social · 23d

“Not only AI enthusiasts, but even some scholars whose expertise concentrates on identifying and critically interrogating ideologies and sociotechnical relationships — such as historians and gender scholars — unfortunately fall prey to the teleological belief that AI is an unstoppable force.”

9/🧵

Against the Uncritical Adoption of 'AI' Technologies in Academia

Under the banner of progress, products have been uncritically adopted or even imposed on users — in past centuries with tobacco and combustion engines, and in the 21st with social media. For these col...

zenodo.org

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

Iris van Rooij 💭 @irisvanrooij.bsky.social · 23d

“(…) jargon infused with technology industry hype, such as shown in Table 1, does not meaningfully explain. (…) We strive to remain critical of the vocabulary the technology industry coopts and deploys, and to remain respectful of scientific terminology.”

zenodo.org/records/1706...

8/🧵

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Reposted by Laura Hollister

Iris van Rooij 💭 @irisvanrooij.bsky.social · 23d

🧵 Thread with my favourite quotes from:

📝 Guest, O., Suarez, M., Müller, B., et al. (2025). Against the Uncritical Adoption of 'AI' Technologies in Academia. Zenodo. doi.org/10.5281/zeno...

1/🧵

Against the Uncritical Adoption of 'AI' Technologies in Academia

Under the banner of progress, products have been uncritically adopted or even imposed on users — in past centuries with tobacco and combustion engines, and in the 21st with social media. For these col...

doi.org

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Laura Hollister @xenolith.bsky.social · 1d

Wow! I had an experience like that once with the wolf that trotted in front of my car in Wyoming. I had to reach down get my camera out of the bag try to get it turned on and it was all very fumbling and comical like something out of a movie! 🤣

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Laura Hollister @xenolith.bsky.social · 1d

Exactly and a great example.

a woman holding a cup of coffee with the word exactly below her

ALT: a woman holding a cup of coffee with the word exactly below her

media.tenor.com

1

Laura Hollister @xenolith.bsky.social · 1d

I get it. It’s so difficult to argue when somebody wants to look at extreme cases only and not talk about gray areas in between.