Liss Mayer
@decantingnature.bsky.social
science writer. entomologist. anthropomorphic cat. 🏳️🌈 🔬
Reposted by Liss Mayer
Reposted by Liss Mayer
I appreciate this response from Ed Yong on why he requests that people mask at his events. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/m...
February 23, 2025 at 2:53 AM
I appreciate this response from Ed Yong on why he requests that people mask at his events. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/m...
Reposted by Liss Mayer
The entire business model of American R1 universities is not viable without restoration of federal funding, & every individual institution pretending it can solve this problem alone is also not viable. University presidents need to be speaking out, collectively & loudly about this, in DC, right now.
The University of Pittsburgh confirmed Friday that there would be no new Ph.D. offers of admission while Pitt works to understand how reduced federal aid could impact the institution.
The University of Pittsburgh pauses its Ph.D. admissions process amid research funding uncertainty
A spokesperson for the University told WESA Friday that the school has "temporarily paused additional Ph.D. offers of admission," while Pitt works to understand how proposed federal funding cuts could...
www.wesa.fm
February 22, 2025 at 5:14 AM
The entire business model of American R1 universities is not viable without restoration of federal funding, & every individual institution pretending it can solve this problem alone is also not viable. University presidents need to be speaking out, collectively & loudly about this, in DC, right now.
What a pleasure to talk fire ants with Siavash Taravati 🐜
Monitoring infestations of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) is a challenge for pest management pros. A new study details a fast field technique for measuring ants in a graduated cylinder, using a standard density of 130 ants per milliliter.
Ants Per Milliliter: New Method Speeds Up Measurement of Fire Ant Populations
Monitoring infestations of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) is a challenge for pest management pros. A new study details a fast field technique for measuring ants in a graduated cylinder,…
entomologytoday.org
February 6, 2025 at 9:44 PM
What a pleasure to talk fire ants with Siavash Taravati 🐜
I do, in fact, like big bugs 😸
Big, big thanks to @wsupullman.bsky.social's Rich Zack for helping me get my paws on this whopping answer 🪲 #GoCougs #STEMeducation #stemeducationforkids askdruniverse.wsu.edu/2025/01/30/w...
What is the largest insect in the world? | Ask Dr. Universe | Washington State University
You can determine the largest by thinking about an insect's mass (giant beetles), weight (giant weta), wingspan (white witch moth) or length (stick insect).
askdruniverse.wsu.edu
January 30, 2025 at 10:04 PM
I do, in fact, like big bugs 😸
The questions that come in from kids about climate change are always hard, and that’s even more true now
I'm grateful to Anthony Pagano, @wsu alumnus, for helping me get my paws on this tough answer 🐻❄️ askdruniverse.wsu.edu/2025/01/16/w... #GoCougs #stemeducation #stemeducationforkids
Why in the world is the ice that polar bears depend on melting? | Ask Dr. Universe | Washington State University
The Arctic is warming quickly because snow is white and reflects the sun’s energy. When it melts, it exposes the dark, heat-absorbing surface underneath.
askdruniverse.wsu.edu
January 26, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The questions that come in from kids about climate change are always hard, and that’s even more true now
As the perpetual writer and not the hands-on-er in most lab situations, I’m super proud of my first go at using the virus sucks software with my PlusLife. Air bubble? I don’t know her ✨
January 26, 2025 at 7:22 PM
As the perpetual writer and not the hands-on-er in most lab situations, I’m super proud of my first go at using the virus sucks software with my PlusLife. Air bubble? I don’t know her ✨
I hear the snow is particularly sparkly at the South Pole. *packs bags*
What makes snow sparkle? | Ask Dr. Universe | Washington State University
When a snowflake falls, it can land in different positions. Light strikes different parts of the fallen snowflake, bending and bouncing to create sparkle.
askdruniverse.wsu.edu
January 24, 2025 at 12:35 AM
I hear the snow is particularly sparkly at the South Pole. *packs bags*
This was inspiring today 💚
The freeze of the NIH is just the latest culmination of the right's long war on science, education, and democracy.
Here are some of my ideas for what I think scientists can do about it. 🧪 conservechange.medium.com/five-things-...
Here are some of my ideas for what I think scientists can do about it. 🧪 conservechange.medium.com/five-things-...
Five things scientists can do to fight the rise of fascism.
Access to trustworthy information is among the most important preconditions for safeguarding democracy.
conservechange.medium.com
January 24, 2025 at 12:12 AM
This was inspiring today 💚
I love having a job where I learn unexpected weird shit all the time—like that pill capsules can “ghost” your body intact. askdruniverse.wsu.edu/2025/01/09/h...
What happens to the pill capsules after you swallow the pill? | Ask Dr. Universe | Washington State University
You swallow the pill, and it goes down the esophagus into the stomach, where the acid breaks down the gelatin capsule, Brand-Eubanks said.
askdruniverse.wsu.edu
January 22, 2025 at 2:07 AM
I love having a job where I learn unexpected weird shit all the time—like that pill capsules can “ghost” your body intact. askdruniverse.wsu.edu/2025/01/09/h...