Kerry Taylor-Smith | Science Writer
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kerrytaylorsmith.bsky.social
Kerry Taylor-Smith | Science Writer
@kerrytaylorsmith.bsky.social
Science writer with a passion for turning the complicated into something concise, clear and compelling.
Need a writer? Drop me a line :)
#science, #environment #weather #climatechange #medicine #health #astronomy. Views are my own.
What is nitrification and what role does it play in the ocean’s nitrogen cycle? @pml.ac.uk scientists believe they've solved this mystery. One of my latest for @uk.meteored.com www.yourweather.co.uk/news/science...
Why does nitrification only switch on under certain conditions?
What is nitrification and what role does it play in the ocean’s nitrogen cycle? Scientists believe they have solved this mystery.
www.yourweather.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Anyone remember those t-shirts we had in the 90s that changed colour when you got hot? Meet the new generation - a material painted with bacteria that changes colour when exposed to radiation.
www.yourweather.co.uk/news/science...
Fashion of the future will be out of this world: bacteria-dyed radiation-proof fabrics
A cosmic trip could help bacteria protect future space missions from radiation but also find uses here on Earth too.
www.yourweather.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 2:02 PM
This penguin makes me smile, but this research from @universityofexeter.bsky.social is worrying:
* 95% of Dassen and Robben islands' breeding penguins, an estimated 62,000 birds, died 2004-2011
* Globally, numbers have dropped by 80% in the 30 years.

Read more: www.yourweather.co.uk/news/science...
Changing oceans pushed South African penguins to brink as food vanished
Why did changing sea conditions cause the mass death of South African penguins, and how can we restore populations?
www.yourweather.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Have you heard of #plastic blindness?

Researchers from Revolution Plastics Institute at University of Portsmouth recently found that online shoppers were "the most unconscious consumers in terms of plastic consumption". But this blindness can drive change. www.yourweather.co.uk/news/science...
October 13, 2025 at 10:21 AM
How beautiful are ooids? Never heard of them? Me neither, until I came across this fascinating research from @ethz.ch which analysed these tiny egg-shaped stones to determine how the amount of CO2 in the oceans has changed over geological time. www.yourweather.co.uk/news/science...
Iron oxide ooids; a time capsule of the primordial ocean
What are ooids and what can they tell us about the evolution of life on Earth?
www.yourweather.co.uk
October 6, 2025 at 9:17 AM
I've never thought of #plastic as an archaeological treasure trove - have you?
Professor John Schofield from the University of York argues that modern plastics are a valuable archive recording activities and behaviours at a crucial time in our human history.
www.yourweather.co.uk/news/science...
What can plastic tell us about the archaeology of us?
Plastics are a record of human behaviour in the modern era. What can modern plastics tell us about the archaeology of us?
www.yourweather.co.uk
September 29, 2025 at 10:46 AM
How much nano-and #microplastic enters our atmosphere each year, and how far can it travel? New research from the University of Manchester hopes to find out.

www.yourweather.co.uk/news/science...
The future of microplastics: How will tiny plastics move across the world?
Assessing the true impact of micro- and nanoplastic pollution is difficult, but a global, integrated approach to monitoring could track their movement
www.yourweather.co.uk
September 15, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Ever wondered whether the interior of #Mars is more like a Rocky Road brownie or Millionaire's shortbread? Some interesting comparisons made by @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social & NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

www.yourweather.co.uk/news/astrono...

#astronomy #space #cake
Which sweet treat resembles Mars’s interior?
Does Mars’s interior look more like a Rocky Road brownie or a Millionaire’s shortbread? New research reveals all.
www.yourweather.co.uk
September 9, 2025 at 9:15 AM
When was the last time you checked the calorie information on your favourite takeaway menu? I can honestly say, I've never looked - until this weekend.

My latest for EHN Extra - Calorie labels on takeaway menus fail to affect consumer choice

www.cieh.org/ehn/public-h...
Calorie labels on takeaway menus fail to affect consumer choice
Nearly four fifths of adults in England didn't notice calorie data on their latest online takeaway purchase, and most who read it didn't reconsider
www.cieh.org
September 4, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Just in case you didn't already know (but you probably do)...

Scientists say your morning cup of coffee (or tea) actually does make you feel happier!

www.yourweather.co.uk/news/trendin...

#science #psychology #caffeine #coffee
Your morning cup of coffee might actually make you happier, science says
Here’s why your morning cup of coffee – or tea – really is the best pick-me-up and can make you feel happier.
www.yourweather.co.uk
August 21, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Reposted by Kerry Taylor-Smith | Science Writer
Have astronomers discovered the largest #BlackHole ever? ⚫️

Kerry Taylor-Smith shares more👇
Have astronomers discovered the largest black hole ever?
Researchers believe they may have found the largest black hole discovered to date, but it wasn’t originally what they were looking for!
www.yourweather.co.uk
August 18, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Its definitely been a hot one...
August 19, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Global tipping points are typcally viewed in a negative way, but do positive tipping points exist, and if so, how can we identify them? My latest for @uk.meteored.com www.yourweather.co.uk/news/science...
Can global tipping points ever be a good thing? Experts think so
We typically talk about global tipping points in a negative way, but do positive tipping points exist, and if so, how can we identify them?
www.yourweather.co.uk
August 19, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Worth reiterating in this hot #weather: Take your glass litter home to avoid wildfires in the next #heatwave, experts warn the public www.yourweather.co.uk/news/trendin...
Take your glass litter home to avoid wildfires in the next heatwave, experts warn the public
Here’s how your discarded glass bottle could be responsible for igniting a wildfire during the next heatwave.
www.yourweather.co.uk
August 14, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Fantastic new research repurposing tools used in one area of #science to help another
August 12, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Love this! 😍 Although I'm not quite sure 'chemistry' fits in place of Barbie 😄
I think there is a lot of potential for a science-based cover of Barbie Girl by Aqua #Barbie #Chemistry
August 12, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Good to read this morning that the government is planning to crackdown on 'cosmetic cowboys' - regulation to protect consumers is vital. My latest for EHN Extra/Chartered Institute of Environmental Health:
Botox-like jabs linked to wave of botulism cases
#cosmetics #botox
Botox-like jabs linked to wave of botulism cases
A spate of botulism cases reported in England in June and July suggests the use of an imported or unlicensed Botox-like product by private practitioners, says UKHSA
cieh.org
August 7, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Just been looking at some of the amazing images citizen scientists have been taking as part of @savebutterflies.bsky.social #BigButterflyCount - absolutely amazing.
August 7, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Reposted by Kerry Taylor-Smith | Science Writer
Think tank has warning for UK government plans as firefighters fought record #wildfires this year 🔥

Kerry Taylor Smith reveals👇
Think tank has warning for UK government plans as firefighters fought record wildfires this year
As firefighters respond to a record number of wildfires, think tank warns the UK government’s plans to prepare for future effects of climate change is
www.yourweather.co.uk
July 22, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Reposted by Kerry Taylor-Smith | Science Writer
New #NASA telescope predicted to spot 100,000 cosmic explosions 🔭

Kerry Taylor-Smith shares more👇
New NASA telescope predicted to spot 100,000 cosmic explosions
What cosmic delights with NASA’s latest space telescope reveal and what will they tell us about our universe?
www.yourweather.co.uk
July 25, 2025 at 9:03 AM
As we head into the third #heatwave of 2025, here's your friendly reminder to take your #litter home with you, especially if it's glass... #wildfires
yourweather.co.uk/news/trendin...
Take your glass litter home to avoid wildfires in the next heatwave, experts warn the public
Here’s how your discarded glass bottle could be responsible for igniting a wildfire during the next heatwave.
yourweather.co.uk
July 8, 2025 at 9:10 AM
One of my latest - I would say it's timely, but it's currently raining outside!
June 24, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Can't wait to see the images from the new Rubin Observatory
June 10, 2025 at 11:23 AM