Laura Dattaro
@ldattaro.bsky.social
Freelance journalist, covering science, health, and sometimes baby sharks. Comms/admin for @sciencewriting.bsky.social.
Lauradattaro.com | LDattaro.73 on Signal
Lauradattaro.com | LDattaro.73 on Signal
Pinned
‘A huge rupture in everything’: US science faced major upheaval in 2025
Amid enormous shifts, many scientists pushed back and risked dismissal from their jobs even as federal agencies fired thousands of employees
cen.acs.org
For @cenmag.bsky.social, I tried to summarize what happened in science policy in 2025. Spoiler: A lot!
Thanks to Ian Banks, @jeremymberg.bsky.social, Arthur Daemmrich, @cdelawalla.bsky.social and @ucs.org Jen Jones for their insights.
Out soon: what to expect in 2026
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
Thanks to Ian Banks, @jeremymberg.bsky.social, Arthur Daemmrich, @cdelawalla.bsky.social and @ucs.org Jen Jones for their insights.
Out soon: what to expect in 2026
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
Deadline extension alert! You now have until Dec. 31 to apply for a National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowship. If you're an early-career, U.S.-based journalist, this program is for you.
casw.org/news/applica...
@sejorg.bsky.social @healthjournalism.org @sciencewriters.org
casw.org/news/applica...
@sejorg.bsky.social @healthjournalism.org @sciencewriters.org
December 16, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Deadline extension alert! You now have until Dec. 31 to apply for a National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowship. If you're an early-career, U.S.-based journalist, this program is for you.
casw.org/news/applica...
@sejorg.bsky.social @healthjournalism.org @sciencewriters.org
casw.org/news/applica...
@sejorg.bsky.social @healthjournalism.org @sciencewriters.org
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
A growing body of research, including work from Rockefeller's own @sohailtavazoie.bsky.social, suggests tumors rely on proteins and genes that are unique to the nervous system to persist in the body: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03943-3
Pancreatic cancer is evasive. Is the nervous system the reason why?
A growing body of research suggests tumours rely on proteins and genes that are unique to the nervous system to persist in the body.
www.nature.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:29 PM
A growing body of research, including work from Rockefeller's own @sohailtavazoie.bsky.social, suggests tumors rely on proteins and genes that are unique to the nervous system to persist in the body: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03943-3
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
Check out the outlook article in Nature Magazin with a focus on the role of neural innervation in pancreatic cancer featuring our Nature publication
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Pancreatic cancer is evasive. Is the nervous system the reason why?
A growing body of research suggests tumours rely on proteins and genes that are unique to the nervous system to persist in the body.
www.nature.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Check out the outlook article in Nature Magazin with a focus on the role of neural innervation in pancreatic cancer featuring our Nature publication
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
More daily scenes from #Pacifichem2025: Attendees throw genki balls into the Ala Wai Canal in an effort to help restore a healthy balance to the canal ecosystem. Read more: cen.acs.org/acs-news/mee...
#chemsky
#chemsky
December 18, 2025 at 1:13 PM
More daily scenes from #Pacifichem2025: Attendees throw genki balls into the Ala Wai Canal in an effort to help restore a healthy balance to the canal ecosystem. Read more: cen.acs.org/acs-news/mee...
#chemsky
#chemsky
Glad to see more reporting on this. I mentioned the unusual director postings in the context of politicization of agency leadership in my 2025 policy review for @cenmag.bsky.social.
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
December 17, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Glad to see more reporting on this. I mentioned the unusual director postings in the context of politicization of agency leadership in my 2025 policy review for @cenmag.bsky.social.
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
I love this rallying cry by @davey.bsky.social on the value of humans in journalism.
www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/in-2...
www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/in-2...
December 11, 2025 at 8:16 PM
I love this rallying cry by @davey.bsky.social on the value of humans in journalism.
www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/in-2...
www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/in-2...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
New from me: A NiemanLab prediction!
Have always admired this end-of-year package from the smartest people in media, so it was an honor to be asked to write this. Imo, in 2026, AI-written content online will outpace what humans produce. www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/in-2...
Have always admired this end-of-year package from the smartest people in media, so it was an honor to be asked to write this. Imo, in 2026, AI-written content online will outpace what humans produce. www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/in-2...
December 10, 2025 at 9:07 PM
New from me: A NiemanLab prediction!
Have always admired this end-of-year package from the smartest people in media, so it was an honor to be asked to write this. Imo, in 2026, AI-written content online will outpace what humans produce. www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/in-2...
Have always admired this end-of-year package from the smartest people in media, so it was an honor to be asked to write this. Imo, in 2026, AI-written content online will outpace what humans produce. www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/in-2...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
Cancer is another instance (like autonomic medical conditions) at the intersection of neuroscience, immunology, and clinical medicine that needs more crosstalk.
This is one of those stories where every interview had me like 🤯🤯🤯.
For @nature.com Outlook, I dove into the surprising field of cancer neuroscience.
Edited by the amazing @scchak.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
#neuroskyence
For @nature.com Outlook, I dove into the surprising field of cancer neuroscience.
Edited by the amazing @scchak.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
#neuroskyence
Pancreatic cancer is evasive. Is the nervous system the reason why?
A growing body of research suggests tumours rely on proteins and genes that are unique to the nervous system to persist in the body.
www.nature.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Cancer is another instance (like autonomic medical conditions) at the intersection of neuroscience, immunology, and clinical medicine that needs more crosstalk.
This is one of those stories where every interview had me like 🤯🤯🤯.
For @nature.com Outlook, I dove into the surprising field of cancer neuroscience.
Edited by the amazing @scchak.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
#neuroskyence
For @nature.com Outlook, I dove into the surprising field of cancer neuroscience.
Edited by the amazing @scchak.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
#neuroskyence
Pancreatic cancer is evasive. Is the nervous system the reason why?
A growing body of research suggests tumours rely on proteins and genes that are unique to the nervous system to persist in the body.
www.nature.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:59 PM
This is one of those stories where every interview had me like 🤯🤯🤯.
For @nature.com Outlook, I dove into the surprising field of cancer neuroscience.
Edited by the amazing @scchak.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
#neuroskyence
For @nature.com Outlook, I dove into the surprising field of cancer neuroscience.
Edited by the amazing @scchak.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
#neuroskyence
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
Something novel that has emerged from studying pancreatic cancer biology is how these tumors use survival techniques from nerve cells to stay rooted in the body. As @ldattaro.bsky.social writes, this cancer might be less fatal if it weren't for the nervous system: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Pancreatic cancer is evasive. Is the nervous system the reason why?
A growing body of research suggests tumours rely on proteins and genes that are unique to the nervous system to persist in the body.
www.nature.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Something novel that has emerged from studying pancreatic cancer biology is how these tumors use survival techniques from nerve cells to stay rooted in the body. As @ldattaro.bsky.social writes, this cancer might be less fatal if it weren't for the nervous system: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
Thrilled to share this collection of stories I edited for Nature Outlook, all about pancreatic cancer. The disease is the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related deaths, but the (still low) survival rate has doubled in the past decade. And there may be more reason for hope www.nature.com/immersive/pa...
Nature Outlook: Pancreatic cancer
Research offers glimmers of hope for a deadly disease.
www.nature.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Thrilled to share this collection of stories I edited for Nature Outlook, all about pancreatic cancer. The disease is the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related deaths, but the (still low) survival rate has doubled in the past decade. And there may be more reason for hope www.nature.com/immersive/pa...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
After this @theopennotebook.bsky.social article inspires you, check out out the resources and advice on covering federal science funding available in Connector!
connector.casw.org/tip-sheet-ho...
connector.casw.org/tip-sheet-ho...
December 9, 2025 at 6:46 PM
After this @theopennotebook.bsky.social article inspires you, check out out the resources and advice on covering federal science funding available in Connector!
connector.casw.org/tip-sheet-ho...
connector.casw.org/tip-sheet-ho...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
Very useful explainer on what the defense bill (just passed in the House and now up in the Senate) means for science from AIP: www.aip.org/fyi/what-the...
Some highlights:
Some highlights:
What the NDAA Holds in Store for Science
Provisions on research security, grant policies, indirect cost rates, and more are packed into the latest version of the NDAA.
www.aip.org
December 11, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Very useful explainer on what the defense bill (just passed in the House and now up in the Senate) means for science from AIP: www.aip.org/fyi/what-the...
Some highlights:
Some highlights:
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
It's been a hell for U.S. science and 26 is gonna be even wilder. While all is "burning down," take a moment to look around and see where you can build something new/better. Look to the helpers, the coins under the couch cushions, the local glues holding shit together. Go from there. #ScienceSky 🧪
For @cenmag.bsky.social, I tried to summarize what happened in science policy in 2025. Spoiler: A lot!
Thanks to Ian Banks, @jeremymberg.bsky.social, Arthur Daemmrich, @cdelawalla.bsky.social and @ucs.org Jen Jones for their insights.
Out soon: what to expect in 2026
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
Thanks to Ian Banks, @jeremymberg.bsky.social, Arthur Daemmrich, @cdelawalla.bsky.social and @ucs.org Jen Jones for their insights.
Out soon: what to expect in 2026
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
‘A huge rupture in everything’: US science faced major upheaval in 2025
Amid enormous shifts, many scientists pushed back and risked dismissal from their jobs even as federal agencies fired thousands of employees
cen.acs.org
December 10, 2025 at 7:12 PM
It's been a hell for U.S. science and 26 is gonna be even wilder. While all is "burning down," take a moment to look around and see where you can build something new/better. Look to the helpers, the coins under the couch cushions, the local glues holding shit together. Go from there. #ScienceSky 🧪
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
For @cenmag.bsky.social, I tried to summarize what happened in science policy in 2025. Spoiler: A lot!
Thanks to Ian Banks, @jeremymberg.bsky.social, Arthur Daemmrich, @cdelawalla.bsky.social and @ucs.org Jen Jones for their insights.
Out soon: what to expect in 2026
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
Thanks to Ian Banks, @jeremymberg.bsky.social, Arthur Daemmrich, @cdelawalla.bsky.social and @ucs.org Jen Jones for their insights.
Out soon: what to expect in 2026
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
‘A huge rupture in everything’: US science faced major upheaval in 2025
Amid enormous shifts, many scientists pushed back and risked dismissal from their jobs even as federal agencies fired thousands of employees
cen.acs.org
December 10, 2025 at 3:27 PM
For @cenmag.bsky.social, I tried to summarize what happened in science policy in 2025. Spoiler: A lot!
Thanks to Ian Banks, @jeremymberg.bsky.social, Arthur Daemmrich, @cdelawalla.bsky.social and @ucs.org Jen Jones for their insights.
Out soon: what to expect in 2026
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
Thanks to Ian Banks, @jeremymberg.bsky.social, Arthur Daemmrich, @cdelawalla.bsky.social and @ucs.org Jen Jones for their insights.
Out soon: what to expect in 2026
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
Excited to be featured in this @cenmag.bsky.social piece with @standupforscience.bsky.social friend @jeremymberg.bsky.social
❤️✊
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
❤️✊
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
‘A huge rupture in everything’: US science faced major upheaval in 2025
Amid enormous shifts, many scientists pushed back and risked dismissal from their jobs even as federal agencies fired thousands of employees
cen.acs.org
December 10, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Excited to be featured in this @cenmag.bsky.social piece with @standupforscience.bsky.social friend @jeremymberg.bsky.social
❤️✊
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
❤️✊
cen.acs.org/policy/nih-n...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
👋 Call for sources: My name is Julia Métraux, and I am @motherjones.com disability reporter. I am working on a series (to be published before May 1) profiling three American aging adults (50+) about how you're aging independently while taking care of your health. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Aging with complex chronic illnesses and disabilities at home
Hi! My name is Julia Métraux, and I am Mother Jones' disability reporter. I am working on a series (to be published before May 1) profiling three American aging adults (50+) about how you're aging ind...
docs.google.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:48 PM
👋 Call for sources: My name is Julia Métraux, and I am @motherjones.com disability reporter. I am working on a series (to be published before May 1) profiling three American aging adults (50+) about how you're aging independently while taking care of your health. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
“I’ve been working in the lab and am paying close attention to every single thing. . . . I’m savoring every moment, in case these are my last ones.” @juliekovacs.bsky.social 🧪⚗️
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
For chemists in academia, federal shutdown compounds stress
The nearly monthlong stoppage of government activity is disrupting an already-chaotic funding year
cen.acs.org
October 30, 2025 at 9:38 PM
“I’ve been working in the lab and am paying close attention to every single thing. . . . I’m savoring every moment, in case these are my last ones.” @juliekovacs.bsky.social 🧪⚗️
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
In my first piece for @cenmag.bsky.social, I talked to chemists about the stress of the federal shutdown.
As @levinchem.bsky.social told me: "You keep layering on all of these delays and disruptions to the whole grant funding process, and it compounds over time."
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
As @levinchem.bsky.social told me: "You keep layering on all of these delays and disruptions to the whole grant funding process, and it compounds over time."
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
For chemists in academia, federal shutdown compounds stress
The nearly monthlong stoppage of government activity is disrupting an already-chaotic funding year
cen.acs.org
November 3, 2025 at 4:17 PM
In my first piece for @cenmag.bsky.social, I talked to chemists about the stress of the federal shutdown.
As @levinchem.bsky.social told me: "You keep layering on all of these delays and disruptions to the whole grant funding process, and it compounds over time."
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
As @levinchem.bsky.social told me: "You keep layering on all of these delays and disruptions to the whole grant funding process, and it compounds over time."
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
Earlier this month, @rjionline.bsky.social and TON launched the Science Reporting Navigator, and we are SO EXCITED to have it out in the world for journalists, no matter their beat, to take advantage of free resources for incorporating evidence into their reporting. From lessons to interview Qs. 🧪
Science Reporting Navigator - The Open Notebook
Bring Scientific Evidence into Any Beat Every story is a science story. From education and public health to transportation and local policy, science intersects with every beat journalists cover. The S...
www.theopennotebook.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Earlier this month, @rjionline.bsky.social and TON launched the Science Reporting Navigator, and we are SO EXCITED to have it out in the world for journalists, no matter their beat, to take advantage of free resources for incorporating evidence into their reporting. From lessons to interview Qs. 🧪
Hi #chemsky! I'm working on a story about how the shutdown is affecting chemists. Get in touch:
www.lauradattaro.com/contact
LDattaro.73 on Signal
www.lauradattaro.com/contact
LDattaro.73 on Signal
October 24, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Hi #chemsky! I'm working on a story about how the shutdown is affecting chemists. Get in touch:
www.lauradattaro.com/contact
LDattaro.73 on Signal
www.lauradattaro.com/contact
LDattaro.73 on Signal
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
15 years ago today, TON began as a simple idea: to improve the craft of science journalism by connecting people and providing freely accessible resources to anyone who wanted them. And for our birthday, we’re asking for your help achieving a big goal: to raise $10,000 by midnight. 🧪 #TON15
The Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open Notebook
For 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...
www.theopennotebook.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:57 PM
15 years ago today, TON began as a simple idea: to improve the craft of science journalism by connecting people and providing freely accessible resources to anyone who wanted them. And for our birthday, we’re asking for your help achieving a big goal: to raise $10,000 by midnight. 🧪 #TON15
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
There's just one week left to register for #SciWri25! Join hundreds of your colleagues in Chicago for New Horizons science briefings, @sciencewriters.org professional development sessions, field trips, networking lunches, and more.
sciencewriters2025.org/register/
sciencewriters2025.org/register/
The program for #SciWri25 is live! Check out CASW's New Horizons sessions, on topics including:
💉 countering vaccine misinformation
🪴 environmental and public health impacts of AI
🌎 brain drain among US-based scientists
🧬 origins of life in an RNA world
sciencewriters2025.org/schedule/
💉 countering vaccine misinformation
🪴 environmental and public health impacts of AI
🌎 brain drain among US-based scientists
🧬 origins of life in an RNA world
sciencewriters2025.org/schedule/
Schedule - ScienceWriters2025
sciencewriters2025.org
October 15, 2025 at 3:13 PM
There's just one week left to register for #SciWri25! Join hundreds of your colleagues in Chicago for New Horizons science briefings, @sciencewriters.org professional development sessions, field trips, networking lunches, and more.
sciencewriters2025.org/register/
sciencewriters2025.org/register/
Reposted by Laura Dattaro
Tomorrow! Don't miss our Connector Chat about covering cuts, changes, and chaos in federal science funding. Featuring @stephaniemlee.bsky.social, @katherinejwu.com, and @scott-delaney.bsky.social.
Can't make it? Register to get the recording and tipsheet after the event.
bit.ly/casw-funding
Can't make it? Register to get the recording and tipsheet after the event.
bit.ly/casw-funding
October 8, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Tomorrow! Don't miss our Connector Chat about covering cuts, changes, and chaos in federal science funding. Featuring @stephaniemlee.bsky.social, @katherinejwu.com, and @scott-delaney.bsky.social.
Can't make it? Register to get the recording and tipsheet after the event.
bit.ly/casw-funding
Can't make it? Register to get the recording and tipsheet after the event.
bit.ly/casw-funding