Andy Carstens 🏳️🌈
@andycarstens.bsky.social
Freelance science journalist and instructor based in Colorado. https://andycarstens.com/
Reposted by Andy Carstens 🏳️🌈
If any other president in all of history said the military should use American cities as a training ground he would be removed from office that same day. The hardest thing to tolerate in all this is how relatively silent elected democrats are. It’s ridiculous.
September 30, 2025 at 2:57 PM
If any other president in all of history said the military should use American cities as a training ground he would be removed from office that same day. The hardest thing to tolerate in all this is how relatively silent elected democrats are. It’s ridiculous.
Reposted by Andy Carstens 🏳️🌈
I wrote about the dangerous fantasy of the civility framework in political discourse. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/o...
Opinion | Civility Is a Fantasy
www.nytimes.com
September 24, 2025 at 2:28 PM
I wrote about the dangerous fantasy of the civility framework in political discourse. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/o...
Reposted by Andy Carstens 🏳️🌈
After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like.
Let’s be clear about what happened to Jimmy Kimmel
Trump’s most brazen attack on free speech yet.
www.yahoo.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:10 PM
After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like.
Reposted by Andy Carstens 🏳️🌈
Would you like some good news? A new vaccine has just been approved for protecting koalas from chlamydia, which is one of their leading causes of death.
Australia approves first vaccine to save koalas from chlamydia
A vaccine to protect Australia's koalas against chlamydia has been approved for the first time, a development that scientists believe could stop the spread of the deadly disease that has ravaged populations of the beloved endangered animal.
www.reuters.com
September 11, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Would you like some good news? A new vaccine has just been approved for protecting koalas from chlamydia, which is one of their leading causes of death.
Framing this as snubbing Kennedy instead of doing what they need to protect their citizens’ health is … interesting.
Breaking News: Saying the CDC has become “a political tool,” California, Oregon and Washington announced plans to form an alliance that would coordinate vaccine recommendations for the three states.
Snubbing Kennedy, States Announce Plans to Coordinate on Vaccines
Governors in California, Oregon and Washington said their states would work together on vaccine guidance in a time of turmoil at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
nyti.ms
September 3, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Framing this as snubbing Kennedy instead of doing what they need to protect their citizens’ health is … interesting.
Reposted by Andy Carstens 🏳️🌈
I cannot stress enough how incredibly vulnerable the U.S is to a disastrous response should a significant outbreak of an infectious disease emerge. I actually lose sleep over this. This article is an alarming read.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
As Measles Exploded, Officials in Texas Looked to CDC Scientists. Under Trump, No One Answered. - KFF Health News
Trump officials sowed fear and confusion among CDC scientists, slowing their response to the measles outbreak in West Texas. Cases surged and sparked new outbreaks across the U.S. and Mexico. Together...
kffhealthnews.org
August 25, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I cannot stress enough how incredibly vulnerable the U.S is to a disastrous response should a significant outbreak of an infectious disease emerge. I actually lose sleep over this. This article is an alarming read.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
My mother told me today that when she first went into labor with my older brother, she woke my dad, who not only didn’t believe her but then said “can you go sleep on the couch, I have a [work thing] and you’re keeping me up.” Spoiler alert: the marriage didn’t last.
August 25, 2025 at 2:10 AM
My mother told me today that when she first went into labor with my older brother, she woke my dad, who not only didn’t believe her but then said “can you go sleep on the couch, I have a [work thing] and you’re keeping me up.” Spoiler alert: the marriage didn’t last.
Nature therapy
August 23, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Nature therapy
I will put it on the calendar but 50% on the wrong date.
August 22, 2025 at 10:06 PM
I will put it on the calendar but 50% on the wrong date.
Touched some grass today
August 16, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Touched some grass today
Ah summer, when 75% of my interview requests immediately spit back an out-of-office. Hope they are all having a fabulous time somewhere.
August 13, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Ah summer, when 75% of my interview requests immediately spit back an out-of-office. Hope they are all having a fabulous time somewhere.
Reposted by Andy Carstens 🏳️🌈
Sex-reversal in birds (genetically male/female but appear female/male) is surprisingly common. Best detail: A genetically male bird called a laughing kookaburra had recently laid an egg. (1/2)
By @phiejacobs.bsky.social on @science.org
By @phiejacobs.bsky.social on @science.org
‘Sex reversal’ is surprisingly common in birds, new study suggests
Survey of five Australian avians finds numerous discordant individuals, including a genetically male bird that had laid an egg
www.science.org
August 13, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Sex-reversal in birds (genetically male/female but appear female/male) is surprisingly common. Best detail: A genetically male bird called a laughing kookaburra had recently laid an egg. (1/2)
By @phiejacobs.bsky.social on @science.org
By @phiejacobs.bsky.social on @science.org
Seen in the wild: a plum Maserati with license frame saying “my other car is an airplane.” The need to peacock extreme wealth is…interesting.
August 7, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Seen in the wild: a plum Maserati with license frame saying “my other car is an airplane.” The need to peacock extreme wealth is…interesting.
Reposted by Andy Carstens 🏳️🌈
He must love infections and cancer.
A short list of what’s been achieved or is in active development with this tech:
– Seasonal flu (Phase 3)
– RSV (FDA-approved, 2024)
– CMV (Phase 3)
– HIV (early trials)
– Rapid-response design for emerging pathogens
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
A short list of what’s been achieved or is in active development with this tech:
– Seasonal flu (Phase 3)
– RSV (FDA-approved, 2024)
– CMV (Phase 3)
– HIV (early trials)
– Rapid-response design for emerging pathogens
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
RFK Jr’s health department to halt $500m in mRNA vaccine research
Agency to end 22 federal contracts, questioning safety of technology credited with helping end Covid pandemic
www.theguardian.com
August 6, 2025 at 11:30 AM
He must love infections and cancer.
A short list of what’s been achieved or is in active development with this tech:
– Seasonal flu (Phase 3)
– RSV (FDA-approved, 2024)
– CMV (Phase 3)
– HIV (early trials)
– Rapid-response design for emerging pathogens
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
A short list of what’s been achieved or is in active development with this tech:
– Seasonal flu (Phase 3)
– RSV (FDA-approved, 2024)
– CMV (Phase 3)
– HIV (early trials)
– Rapid-response design for emerging pathogens
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
This seems like a decent idea, but as I imagine my elderly cat chomped and swallowed, so is my logic. Burned body, carbon and soot emitted, ashes swept into a tin and put on the top shelf of my closet still seems better than her tiny, fuzzy head popping like an egg between toothy jaws.
A zoo in Denmark is asking pet owners to donate their animal companions — their guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens and even small horses — to feed to its predators. In a Facebook post, the zoo noted that donations of pets would help it mimic the natural food chain.
A Zoo in Denmark Wants to Feed Your Pets to Its Predators
A Danish zoo is asking owners of companion animals nearing life’s end to instead donate them as food for captive lynxes, lions and other carnivores.
nyti.ms
August 5, 2025 at 3:19 AM
This seems like a decent idea, but as I imagine my elderly cat chomped and swallowed, so is my logic. Burned body, carbon and soot emitted, ashes swept into a tin and put on the top shelf of my closet still seems better than her tiny, fuzzy head popping like an egg between toothy jaws.
Reposted by Andy Carstens 🏳️🌈
OK, this is wild.
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
May 12, 2025 at 3:20 PM
OK, this is wild.
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
Reposted by Andy Carstens 🏳️🌈
It's not corruption unless the envelope says "bribe" on it: defector.com/nyt-reporter...
NYT Reporter: It's Not Corruption Unless The Envelope Says "Bribe" On It | Defector
Donald Trump launched a memecoin a few days before the inauguration of his second presidential term. Its sole purpose, to Trump, is unambiguous and unmistakable: It is a vehicle for him to become rich...
defector.com
May 12, 2025 at 4:13 PM
It's not corruption unless the envelope says "bribe" on it: defector.com/nyt-reporter...
So many bookshelves behind writers on zooms. Very erudite.
May 9, 2025 at 5:06 PM
So many bookshelves behind writers on zooms. Very erudite.
So glad green technologies are becoming more accessible. 🫠
Cadillac Celestiq first drive: the bespoke, $360,000 EV is here
Cadillac Celestiq first drive: the bespoke, $360,000 EV is here
Cadillac is returning to its land yacht era.
buff.ly
May 6, 2025 at 2:32 PM
So glad green technologies are becoming more accessible. 🫠
My dystopian nightmare would be having 12 AI friends.
May 2, 2025 at 3:25 AM
My dystopian nightmare would be having 12 AI friends.
Never underestimate the power of besties and lots of giggling.
April 29, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Never underestimate the power of besties and lots of giggling.
A solo mini-vacation and this FL sunset made my evening.
April 23, 2025 at 1:48 PM
A solo mini-vacation and this FL sunset made my evening.
A text message from 1946 about my mother’s birth. From her father to his sister.
April 22, 2025 at 2:18 AM
A text message from 1946 about my mother’s birth. From her father to his sister.
This is a great article, but the editors, who hold the power and who likely set the headlines, bear much of the responsibility. Stories on un-peer-reviewed research should include multiple outside sources: zero is an unacceptable editorial standard. I’ll be adding this to my students’ reading.
“Colossal gave non-exclusive access to the three wolf pups and to the embargoed story () This virtually guaranteed a media blitz when the stories finally dropped, all on the same day. The resulting media frenzy provides a fascinating case study of science journalism.” thebulletin.org/2025/04/dire...
Dire wolf, or Colossal misrepresentation?
A biotechnology company called Colossal Biosciences claims to have resurrected the dire wolf, a species that went extinct over 10,000 years ago.
thebulletin.org
April 13, 2025 at 1:53 PM
This is a great article, but the editors, who hold the power and who likely set the headlines, bear much of the responsibility. Stories on un-peer-reviewed research should include multiple outside sources: zero is an unacceptable editorial standard. I’ll be adding this to my students’ reading.
Spring: pine grosbeaks nibbling on aspen buds. Had evening grosbeaks stop over for two years but these are new for me.
April 5, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Spring: pine grosbeaks nibbling on aspen buds. Had evening grosbeaks stop over for two years but these are new for me.