Cnidocyst
@cnidocyst.bsky.social
Neil Macpherson - science communicator in Toronto
Learning something new every day
Learning something new every day
Reposted by Cnidocyst
ICYMI 👀 The IHPST Newsletter is packed with stories, research highlights, and interviews from across our community — faculty, students, and alumni alike.
Take a look to the latest issue before the year wraps up 🎓
You can check all the 2025 issues here 🔗 ihpst.utoronto.ca/newsletter
Take a look to the latest issue before the year wraps up 🎓
You can check all the 2025 issues here 🔗 ihpst.utoronto.ca/newsletter
Newsletter
IHPST Newsletter
ihpst.utoronto.ca
December 4, 2025 at 2:45 PM
ICYMI 👀 The IHPST Newsletter is packed with stories, research highlights, and interviews from across our community — faculty, students, and alumni alike.
Take a look to the latest issue before the year wraps up 🎓
You can check all the 2025 issues here 🔗 ihpst.utoronto.ca/newsletter
Take a look to the latest issue before the year wraps up 🎓
You can check all the 2025 issues here 🔗 ihpst.utoronto.ca/newsletter
How do NIH and CDC changes impact health information for Canadians? 🇨🇦 librarians who are witnessing changes in health information have compiled an important guide to these changes.
A good reminder of the impactful work librarians do!
library.utoronto.ca/news/taking-...
A good reminder of the impactful work librarians do!
library.utoronto.ca/news/taking-...
library.utoronto.ca
December 4, 2025 at 3:32 PM
How do NIH and CDC changes impact health information for Canadians? 🇨🇦 librarians who are witnessing changes in health information have compiled an important guide to these changes.
A good reminder of the impactful work librarians do!
library.utoronto.ca/news/taking-...
A good reminder of the impactful work librarians do!
library.utoronto.ca/news/taking-...
Reposted by Cnidocyst
#UofT geochemist Barbara Sherwood Lollar draws on billion-year-old water discovery to aid green energy transition 💧 uoft.me/rwib
December 2, 2025 at 5:14 PM
#UofT geochemist Barbara Sherwood Lollar draws on billion-year-old water discovery to aid green energy transition 💧 uoft.me/rwib
Reposted by Cnidocyst
In bookstores today! It's "We Will Rise Again," a book of hard-won hope in this dark season. I co-edited it with the wondrous @older.bsky.social and @drkarenlord.bsky.social -- it's an anthology of speculative stories and essays about protest and resistance! www.simonandschuster.com/books/We-Wil...
December 2, 2025 at 5:51 PM
In bookstores today! It's "We Will Rise Again," a book of hard-won hope in this dark season. I co-edited it with the wondrous @older.bsky.social and @drkarenlord.bsky.social -- it's an anthology of speculative stories and essays about protest and resistance! www.simonandschuster.com/books/We-Wil...
Reposted by Cnidocyst
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Cnidocyst
Agnete Kirkeby’s 2025 Edinburgh Parkinson’s Lecture is available online: youtu.be/EtuRHdPX4rc?...
She delivered a masterclass on stem cell therapies for #Parkinsons. A PwP told me : “I was expecting not to understand much, but I understood everything!” @kirkebylab.bsky.social @parkinsons.org.uk
She delivered a masterclass on stem cell therapies for #Parkinsons. A PwP told me : “I was expecting not to understand much, but I understood everything!” @kirkebylab.bsky.social @parkinsons.org.uk
December 1, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Agnete Kirkeby’s 2025 Edinburgh Parkinson’s Lecture is available online: youtu.be/EtuRHdPX4rc?...
She delivered a masterclass on stem cell therapies for #Parkinsons. A PwP told me : “I was expecting not to understand much, but I understood everything!” @kirkebylab.bsky.social @parkinsons.org.uk
She delivered a masterclass on stem cell therapies for #Parkinsons. A PwP told me : “I was expecting not to understand much, but I understood everything!” @kirkebylab.bsky.social @parkinsons.org.uk
Reposted by Cnidocyst
On 8 December, politicians in the UK will be debating a petition that reached almost 3 million signatories rejecting mandatory digital ID. If you’re based in the UK, contact your MP through Big Brother Watch’s tool to oppose the plans for a digital ID system. bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/campaigns/n...
No2DigitalID — Big Brother Watch
A national digital ID system is not inevitable. We can stop Britain sleepwalking into becoming a database state. Support our campaign to create a legal right to use non-digital ID!
bigbrotherwatch.org.uk
November 29, 2025 at 7:03 PM
On 8 December, politicians in the UK will be debating a petition that reached almost 3 million signatories rejecting mandatory digital ID. If you’re based in the UK, contact your MP through Big Brother Watch’s tool to oppose the plans for a digital ID system. bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/campaigns/n...
Reposted by Cnidocyst
Australia recorded ZERO cases of cervical cancer in women under 25 for the first time since they started tracking the cancer in the 80s.
This is the power of vaccines.
The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer.
Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!
This is the power of vaccines.
The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer.
Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!
newsGP - Australia set for world-first cervical cancer elimination
Vaccination programs have played a key role, and GPs remain ‘instrumental’ in boosting screening rates to reach the 2035 target.
www1.racgp.org.au
November 27, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Australia recorded ZERO cases of cervical cancer in women under 25 for the first time since they started tracking the cancer in the 80s.
This is the power of vaccines.
The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer.
Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!
This is the power of vaccines.
The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer.
Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!
Reposted by Cnidocyst
Calling all STEMM students and postdocs! Are you looking work in #SciComm? ⤵️
Apply now to be a part of the next cohort of AAAS Mass Media Fellows! Spend the summer using your STEMM background as a journalist writing the news. English & Spanish placements available. http://bit.ly/3KugH6D
Apply now to be a part of the next cohort of AAAS Mass Media Fellows! Spend the summer using your STEMM background as a journalist writing the news. English & Spanish placements available. http://bit.ly/3KugH6D
November 26, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Calling all STEMM students and postdocs! Are you looking work in #SciComm? ⤵️
Apply now to be a part of the next cohort of AAAS Mass Media Fellows! Spend the summer using your STEMM background as a journalist writing the news. English & Spanish placements available. http://bit.ly/3KugH6D
Apply now to be a part of the next cohort of AAAS Mass Media Fellows! Spend the summer using your STEMM background as a journalist writing the news. English & Spanish placements available. http://bit.ly/3KugH6D
Reposted by Cnidocyst
Not like the others...some arbuscular mycorrhiza in watercolor artologica.etsy.com/listing/4409... #sciart
November 21, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Not like the others...some arbuscular mycorrhiza in watercolor artologica.etsy.com/listing/4409... #sciart
Reposted by Cnidocyst
Earlier this month, children planted native trees and shrubs along a newly opened fish passage at the Okanagan Lake Dam. The vegetation will help keep the water cool for migrating salmon as they bypass the dam. First published by our friends at @indiginews.bsky.social: thenarwhal.ca/syilx-childr...
syilx children plant shrubs to help salmon | The Narwhal
Elementary students plant native trees and shrubs to help salmon migrate through a new fish passageway at the Okanagan Lake Dam
thenarwhal.ca
November 25, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Earlier this month, children planted native trees and shrubs along a newly opened fish passage at the Okanagan Lake Dam. The vegetation will help keep the water cool for migrating salmon as they bypass the dam. First published by our friends at @indiginews.bsky.social: thenarwhal.ca/syilx-childr...
Reposted by Cnidocyst
Canada is releasing a set of stamps celebrating the nation's graphic novelists.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
November 21, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Canada is releasing a set of stamps celebrating the nation's graphic novelists.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
Reposted by Cnidocyst
Canada’s research and scientific spending is declining relative to other nations, report says
Gift link: www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/46f1bee...
Gift link: www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/46f1bee...
Canada’s research and scientific spending is declining relative to other nations, report says
Low rate of R&D investment plays key role in productivity crisis, according to Council of Canadian Academies
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Canada’s research and scientific spending is declining relative to other nations, report says
Gift link: www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/46f1bee...
Gift link: www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/46f1bee...
Reposted by Cnidocyst
Today, part 2: a five-point "modest manifesto" for a scholcomm future characterized not by universal openness, but by pluralism and a diversity of publishing models.
scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2025/11/18/a...
scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2025/11/18/a...
In Defense of Pluralism and Diversity: A Modest Manifesto for the Future of Scholarly Communication (Part 2 of 2) - The Scholarly Kitchen
An invitation to embrace pluralism and diversity in scholarly communication models -- rather than attempting to impose a single solution.
scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Today, part 2: a five-point "modest manifesto" for a scholcomm future characterized not by universal openness, but by pluralism and a diversity of publishing models.
scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2025/11/18/a...
scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2025/11/18/a...
Reposted by Cnidocyst
Anyway, if you want to support my work, consider preordering my next book
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/746817...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/746817...
The Edge of Space-Time by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein: 9780593701683 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
A fresh, charming, socially conscious tour of the mysteries of space-time, from the award-winning author of The Disordered Cosmos In her highly acclaimed debut, distinguished cosmologist and particle...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Anyway, if you want to support my work, consider preordering my next book
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/746817...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/746817...
Reposted by Cnidocyst
The Vatican returned 62 artifacts to Indigenous peoples from Canada, a historic restitution that is part of the Catholic Church's reckoning with its role in helping suppress Indigenous culture. n.pr/43T2xmD
Pope Leo returns 62 artifacts to Indigenous peoples from Canada
The Vatican returned 62 artifacts to Indigenous peoples from Canada, a historic restitution that is part of the Catholic Church's reckoning with its role in helping suppress Indigenous culture.
n.pr
November 15, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The Vatican returned 62 artifacts to Indigenous peoples from Canada, a historic restitution that is part of the Catholic Church's reckoning with its role in helping suppress Indigenous culture. n.pr/43T2xmD
Reposted by Cnidocyst
This chart shows that progress has actually been made on climate change www.axios.com/2025/11/13/c...
This chart shows that progress has actually been made on climate change
The possible trajectories are better than a decade ago, but still indicate significant global warming.
www.axios.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:30 PM
This chart shows that progress has actually been made on climate change www.axios.com/2025/11/13/c...
Reposted by Cnidocyst
"If you publish your book now, in the teeth of my opposition, history will condemn you”
“the tone used to describe Rosalind's work in the Epilogue
is perfectly reasonable,
but contrasts ludicrously with
the descriptions of her
in the text itself.”
-Francis Crick
Letter criticizing Watson’s book 🧪
“the tone used to describe Rosalind's work in the Epilogue
is perfectly reasonable,
but contrasts ludicrously with
the descriptions of her
in the text itself.”
-Francis Crick
Letter criticizing Watson’s book 🧪
November 8, 2025 at 12:04 AM
"If you publish your book now, in the teeth of my opposition, history will condemn you”
“the tone used to describe Rosalind's work in the Epilogue
is perfectly reasonable,
but contrasts ludicrously with
the descriptions of her
in the text itself.”
-Francis Crick
Letter criticizing Watson’s book 🧪
“the tone used to describe Rosalind's work in the Epilogue
is perfectly reasonable,
but contrasts ludicrously with
the descriptions of her
in the text itself.”
-Francis Crick
Letter criticizing Watson’s book 🧪
Reposted by Cnidocyst
Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea is an understudied condition. Please help me get two important studies filled by spreading the word! open.substack.com/pub/vajenda/...
When Periods Stop : Understanding Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (FHA)
Why this under-recognized condition deserves more attention–and how you can help researchers close the data gap
open.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea is an understudied condition. Please help me get two important studies filled by spreading the word! open.substack.com/pub/vajenda/...
Reposted by Cnidocyst
I've been getting back into the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series after many years, and the most relatable part is how everyday objects like doors and elevators have been imbued with artificial intelligence and it just makes them obnoxious and frustrating to use and everyone hates it.
November 1, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I've been getting back into the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series after many years, and the most relatable part is how everyday objects like doors and elevators have been imbued with artificial intelligence and it just makes them obnoxious and frustrating to use and everyone hates it.
Reposted by Cnidocyst
Birds but they get spookier each time. 🎃👻
Enter if you dare...🚪
Enter if you dare...🚪
October 31, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Birds but they get spookier each time. 🎃👻
Enter if you dare...🚪
Enter if you dare...🚪
Reposted by Cnidocyst
The fun thing about having a small team working with you is you can say "hey you're spending this week digging for stolen mobile phones in London flowerbeds, I promise you it's a thing". www.londoncentric.media/p/london-pho...
London's thieves are burying phones in flowerbeds
The police don't take much interest in returning the stolen devices when they're dug up — so London Centric decided to do it.
www.londoncentric.media
October 30, 2025 at 6:41 AM
The fun thing about having a small team working with you is you can say "hey you're spending this week digging for stolen mobile phones in London flowerbeds, I promise you it's a thing". www.londoncentric.media/p/london-pho...
Reposted by Cnidocyst
Vendor applications are now open for TriCon 2026!
We are looking for vendors showcasing anything that writers might love!Applications will be open until February 1st.
PLEASE READ our policies before applying. We have separate opportunities for Indie Authors!
tricon-halifax.com/vendors/
We are looking for vendors showcasing anything that writers might love!Applications will be open until February 1st.
PLEASE READ our policies before applying. We have separate opportunities for Indie Authors!
tricon-halifax.com/vendors/
October 29, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Vendor applications are now open for TriCon 2026!
We are looking for vendors showcasing anything that writers might love!Applications will be open until February 1st.
PLEASE READ our policies before applying. We have separate opportunities for Indie Authors!
tricon-halifax.com/vendors/
We are looking for vendors showcasing anything that writers might love!Applications will be open until February 1st.
PLEASE READ our policies before applying. We have separate opportunities for Indie Authors!
tricon-halifax.com/vendors/
Reposted by Cnidocyst
The US talks Jefferson but acts Hamilton: claiming free markets whilst the state has always driven innovation—from DARPA funding the internet to NIH investing $40bn annually in health research that created entire industries. 1/3
October 25, 2025 at 11:02 AM
The US talks Jefferson but acts Hamilton: claiming free markets whilst the state has always driven innovation—from DARPA funding the internet to NIH investing $40bn annually in health research that created entire industries. 1/3
Reposted by Cnidocyst
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Scaling back DEI programmes and the loss of scientific talent
Nature Cell Biology - Programmes that support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in science are under attack in the USA. Data indicate that diversity in the scientific workforce increases...
www.nature.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"