Katherine Hirschfeld
@tkhirschfeld.bsky.social
Medical Anthropologist, Anti-corruption.
Pinned
Looks like a slightly different crowd over here so going to introduce myself with a trio of book covers.
Short version: I am interested in the way very tiny things (like pathogens) impact very big things (like nation-states) and vice versa. Crime, corruption and state failure are in the mix.
Short version: I am interested in the way very tiny things (like pathogens) impact very big things (like nation-states) and vice versa. Crime, corruption and state failure are in the mix.
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
The 2025 Headline of the Year Nominees
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December 22, 2025 at 11:48 PM
The 2025 Headline of the Year Nominees
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Important end of year compilation.
The dismantling of federal biosecurity infrastructure needs to be on the list as well.
krebsonsecurity.com/2025/12/dism...
The dismantling of federal biosecurity infrastructure needs to be on the list as well.
krebsonsecurity.com/2025/12/dism...
Dismantling Defenses: Trump 2.0 Cyber Year in Review
The Trump administration has pursued a staggering range of policy pivots this past year that threaten to weaken the nation’s ability and willingness to address a broad spectrum of technology challenge...
krebsonsecurity.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Important end of year compilation.
The dismantling of federal biosecurity infrastructure needs to be on the list as well.
krebsonsecurity.com/2025/12/dism...
The dismantling of federal biosecurity infrastructure needs to be on the list as well.
krebsonsecurity.com/2025/12/dism...
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
The Pacific spiny lumpsucker (Eumicrotremus orbis) answers the question: "What if tiny fish, but also suction cup?"
You can see that their little fins aren't really big enough for their tiny round bodies.
They've adapted to strong currents by turning pelvic fins into a biological suction cup.
You can see that their little fins aren't really big enough for their tiny round bodies.
They've adapted to strong currents by turning pelvic fins into a biological suction cup.
a green frog with a yellow eye is swimming in a tank
Alt: A pacific spiny lumpfish male, suction cupped onto the bottom, then he suddenly raises up and swims awkwardly upwards.
media.tenor.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:34 PM
The Pacific spiny lumpsucker (Eumicrotremus orbis) answers the question: "What if tiny fish, but also suction cup?"
You can see that their little fins aren't really big enough for their tiny round bodies.
They've adapted to strong currents by turning pelvic fins into a biological suction cup.
You can see that their little fins aren't really big enough for their tiny round bodies.
They've adapted to strong currents by turning pelvic fins into a biological suction cup.
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
🎼Corruption junction what’s your function? 🎶🎵
With the pardon of Rep. Henry Cuellar D-TX, who had been accused of bribery and corruption, President Trump has now pardoned 12 members of Congress - 10 Republicans and 2 Democrats. (All but Cuellar had been convicted.)
December 3, 2025 at 4:50 PM
🎼Corruption junction what’s your function? 🎶🎵
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
A retreat from investments in drugs and vaccines will leave the U.S. less prepared for the next viral scourge, experts warn. https://scim.ag/47F3Yap
The Trump administration is dismantling efforts to fight the next pandemic
A retreat from investments in drugs and vaccines leaves U.S. less prepared for the next viral scourge, experts warn
scim.ag
November 13, 2025 at 11:19 PM
A retreat from investments in drugs and vaccines will leave the U.S. less prepared for the next viral scourge, experts warn. https://scim.ag/47F3Yap
Northern lights!
November 12, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Northern lights!
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
Tech firms seeing Oklahoma as a sacrifice zone for digital infrastructure.
www.oklahoman.com/story/busine...
www.oklahoman.com/story/busine...
'Staggering' economic impact expected in Muskogee with plans for Google data center campus
Google is set to build a data center campus in a third city in Oklahoma as it continues to compete in the race to expand capacity for AI.
www.oklahoman.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Tech firms seeing Oklahoma as a sacrifice zone for digital infrastructure.
www.oklahoman.com/story/busine...
www.oklahoman.com/story/busine...
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
Getting--or got--a PhD? Got boogie in your soul? Then don't be shy. Enter this year's contest--and dance, dance, dance! @science.org
Science’s ‘Dance Your Ph.D.’ contest is open again—with an all new, AI twist
For the first time, there’s a special prize for a research-themed dance generated by an artificial intelligence program
www.science.org
November 5, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Getting--or got--a PhD? Got boogie in your soul? Then don't be shy. Enter this year's contest--and dance, dance, dance! @science.org
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
Diphtheria, a Once Vanquished Killer of Children, Is Resurgent.
A Somali hospital ward packed with gasping children shows how war, climate and mistrust of vaccines is fueling the disease’s return, by @stephanienolen.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h... via @nytimes.com #GlobalHealth
A Somali hospital ward packed with gasping children shows how war, climate and mistrust of vaccines is fueling the disease’s return, by @stephanienolen.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h... via @nytimes.com #GlobalHealth
Diphtheria, a Once Vanquished Killer of Children, Is Resurgent
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Diphtheria, a Once Vanquished Killer of Children, Is Resurgent.
A Somali hospital ward packed with gasping children shows how war, climate and mistrust of vaccines is fueling the disease’s return, by @stephanienolen.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h... via @nytimes.com #GlobalHealth
A Somali hospital ward packed with gasping children shows how war, climate and mistrust of vaccines is fueling the disease’s return, by @stephanienolen.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h... via @nytimes.com #GlobalHealth
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
An AP investigation found that more than 420 anti-science bills attacking longstanding public health protections – vaccines, milk safety and fluoride – have been introduced in statehouses this year, part of a campaign to enshrine a conspiracy theory-driven agenda into law. https://to.pbs.org/43dxCkD
Anti-science bills hit statehouses, attacking longstanding public health protections
More than 420 anti-science bills attacking longstanding public health protections – vaccines, milk safety and fluoride – have been introduced in statehouses across the U.S. this year.
to.pbs.org
October 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
An AP investigation found that more than 420 anti-science bills attacking longstanding public health protections – vaccines, milk safety and fluoride – have been introduced in statehouses this year, part of a campaign to enshrine a conspiracy theory-driven agenda into law. https://to.pbs.org/43dxCkD
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
Contrary to popular belief, there are only four kinds of bats.
November 21, 2024 at 2:23 PM
Contrary to popular belief, there are only four kinds of bats.
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
"At the rate they have been going in 2025, it would theoretically take the Russians around 100 years and tens of millions of casualties to conquer the rest of Ukraine. In fact, in August 2025, Russia controlled *less* of Ukraine’s territory than it did in August 2022."
www.ft.com/content/2a4d...
www.ft.com/content/2a4d...
Why Ukraine is winning the war
Russia has failed to achieve its core aim — the destruction of the Ukrainian nation
www.ft.com
September 29, 2025 at 6:31 PM
"At the rate they have been going in 2025, it would theoretically take the Russians around 100 years and tens of millions of casualties to conquer the rest of Ukraine. In fact, in August 2025, Russia controlled *less* of Ukraine’s territory than it did in August 2022."
www.ft.com/content/2a4d...
www.ft.com/content/2a4d...
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
“Scamland Myanmar: how conflict and crime syndicates built a global fraud industry” www.aspi.org.au/report/scaml...
September 8, 2025 at 12:24 AM
“Scamland Myanmar: how conflict and crime syndicates built a global fraud industry” www.aspi.org.au/report/scaml...
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BREAKING: The US conducted a lethal strike in Southern Caribbean on a vessel which departed from Venezuela
September 2, 2025 at 7:20 PM
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Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
This is telling: People I spoke to are talking about CDC in the past tense.
www.statnews.com/2025/08/28/c...
www.statnews.com/2025/08/28/c...
Crisis within CDC is spilling into real world, experts say
"I’ve never heard as many colleagues saying things like 'CDC is dead’ as I have today," an agency employee told STAT.
www.statnews.com
August 28, 2025 at 9:08 PM
This is telling: People I spoke to are talking about CDC in the past tense.
www.statnews.com/2025/08/28/c...
www.statnews.com/2025/08/28/c...
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
Crypto and meme assets are being used by transnational organized crime syndicates—especially mafia state leaders—to undermine global democratic and accountability institutions.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=y3QK...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=y3QK...
August 1, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Crypto and meme assets are being used by transnational organized crime syndicates—especially mafia state leaders—to undermine global democratic and accountability institutions.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=y3QK...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=y3QK...
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
🆕 BLOG 🆕
Up to £10 billion could be laundered through UK property each year, according to the latest government risk assessment.
From opaque trusts to crypto schemes, criminals are finding new ways to hide dirty money.
Read more ⤵️
www.transparency.org.uk/news/authori...
Up to £10 billion could be laundered through UK property each year, according to the latest government risk assessment.
From opaque trusts to crypto schemes, criminals are finding new ways to hide dirty money.
Read more ⤵️
www.transparency.org.uk/news/authori...
Authorities sound alarm on new money laundering threats
The latest National Money Laundering Risk Assessment finds up to £10 billion in illicit flows through UK property each year
www.transparency.org.uk
July 30, 2025 at 2:45 PM
🆕 BLOG 🆕
Up to £10 billion could be laundered through UK property each year, according to the latest government risk assessment.
From opaque trusts to crypto schemes, criminals are finding new ways to hide dirty money.
Read more ⤵️
www.transparency.org.uk/news/authori...
Up to £10 billion could be laundered through UK property each year, according to the latest government risk assessment.
From opaque trusts to crypto schemes, criminals are finding new ways to hide dirty money.
Read more ⤵️
www.transparency.org.uk/news/authori...
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
If you're a US researcher, now is the time to establish a plan B
The author, a Professor of medicine, has turned to growing fruit to supplement his income.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
The author, a Professor of medicine, has turned to growing fruit to supplement his income.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
If you’re a US researcher, now is the time to establish a plan B
The scale of funding cuts in the United States means that countless scientists will lose their jobs. It would be naive not to start thinking about alternative career paths.
www.nature.com
July 10, 2025 at 1:52 PM
If you're a US researcher, now is the time to establish a plan B
The author, a Professor of medicine, has turned to growing fruit to supplement his income.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
The author, a Professor of medicine, has turned to growing fruit to supplement his income.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
This. 100%.
I told my students reading essays generated by AI is like hosting a pot luck dinner party where all the guests bring plastic food.
I told my students reading essays generated by AI is like hosting a pot luck dinner party where all the guests bring plastic food.
After the latest round of grading papers, I wrote about AI, ChatGPT, the death of the student essay, and what it means for the future of human cognition.
The Death of the Student Essay—and the Future of Cognition
One professor's reflections on the end of an era, as AI tools such as ChatGPT have murdered the student essay (RIP). Here's why that threatens the future of human cognition—and how to save ourselves.
www.forkingpaths.co
June 19, 2025 at 1:18 PM
This. 100%.
I told my students reading essays generated by AI is like hosting a pot luck dinner party where all the guests bring plastic food.
I told my students reading essays generated by AI is like hosting a pot luck dinner party where all the guests bring plastic food.
I’ve officially become the person who goes outside to take pictures of the tornado passing overhead.
June 3, 2025 at 10:27 PM
I’ve officially become the person who goes outside to take pictures of the tornado passing overhead.
Reposted by Katherine Hirschfeld
