VeenemaLab
@veenemalab.bsky.social
Behavioral Neuroscience, Vasopressin, Oxytocin, Social Play, Neural Circuits
Reposted by VeenemaLab
This discovery is shedding light on how and why birds evolved, and whether they evolved powered flight just once or many times during the age of the dinosaurs
go.nature.com/3Ls9d52
go.nature.com/3Ls9d52
How did birds evolve? The answer is wilder than anyone thought
Discoveries in Jurassic rocks reveal that birds were adept fliers earlier than scientists realized.
go.nature.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:40 PM
This discovery is shedding light on how and why birds evolved, and whether they evolved powered flight just once or many times during the age of the dinosaurs
go.nature.com/3Ls9d52
go.nature.com/3Ls9d52
Reposted by VeenemaLab
"Institutional neutrality is a myth, argues Brian Soucek, a law professor at the University of California, Davis. As American colleges & universities face heightened political attacks on their missions & identities, leaders are too often using neutrality pledges as an excuse not to push back."
Universities Must Stop Hiding Behind Neutrality Pledges
In his new book, The Opinionated University, Brian Soucek urges institutional leaders to stand up for their missions amid political controversy.
www.insidehighered.com
January 13, 2026 at 5:26 PM
"Institutional neutrality is a myth, argues Brian Soucek, a law professor at the University of California, Davis. As American colleges & universities face heightened political attacks on their missions & identities, leaders are too often using neutrality pledges as an excuse not to push back."
Reposted by VeenemaLab
"… what I took from the MBA wasn’t a corporate playbook—it was a mindset. It taught me to view the lab as a dynamic organization whose success depends as much on trust, motivation, and leadership as on technical expertise." #ScienceWorkingLife https://scim.ag/4swOBJz
January 13, 2026 at 9:08 PM
"… what I took from the MBA wasn’t a corporate playbook—it was a mindset. It taught me to view the lab as a dynamic organization whose success depends as much on trust, motivation, and leadership as on technical expertise." #ScienceWorkingLife https://scim.ag/4swOBJz
Reposted by VeenemaLab
Mexican food scientist Raquel Gómez-Pliego works to improve the nutritional value of foods through microbial fermentation
go.nature.com/45ttCO3
go.nature.com/45ttCO3
Developing super-tortillas to address malnutrition in Latin America
Mexican food scientist Raquel Gómez-Pliego works to improve the nutritional value of foods through microbial fermentation.
go.nature.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Mexican food scientist Raquel Gómez-Pliego works to improve the nutritional value of foods through microbial fermentation
go.nature.com/45ttCO3
go.nature.com/45ttCO3
Reposted by VeenemaLab
Same-sex sexual behaviour is part of the normal social life of some primates and could play an important part in their long-term success
go.nature.com/4qNGo1I
go.nature.com/4qNGo1I
Same-sex sexual behaviour can help primates to survive — and reproduce
Bonds between same-sex individuals help apes and monkeys to manage conflict and strengthen alliances, especially in dry habitats and predator-rich landscapes.
go.nature.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Same-sex sexual behaviour is part of the normal social life of some primates and could play an important part in their long-term success
go.nature.com/4qNGo1I
go.nature.com/4qNGo1I
Reposted by VeenemaLab
A group of “gifted word learner” dogs can learn new words that label objects by overhearing their owners talking with each other, according to a new study in Science. https://scim.ag/3L3mhha
January 12, 2026 at 8:43 PM
A group of “gifted word learner” dogs can learn new words that label objects by overhearing their owners talking with each other, according to a new study in Science. https://scim.ag/3L3mhha
Reposted by VeenemaLab
Powerful piece in STAT this morning from some NIH staff members who have resigned
www.statnews.com/2026/01/10/n...
1/3
www.statnews.com/2026/01/10/n...
1/3
The NIH has lost its scientific integrity. So we left
“We can no longer lend our credibility to an organization that has lost its integrity,” write four scientists and administrators who recently resigned from the NIH.
www.statnews.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Powerful piece in STAT this morning from some NIH staff members who have resigned
www.statnews.com/2026/01/10/n...
1/3
www.statnews.com/2026/01/10/n...
1/3
Reposted by VeenemaLab
Our Science Perspective on Ianni et al - neural control of facial expressions involves voluntary pathways
@jamiewhitehouse.bsky.social
www.science.org/eprint/EKJTZ...
@jamiewhitehouse.bsky.social
www.science.org/eprint/EKJTZ...
Making faces
Facial expressions are produced through a coordinated system of voluntary and emotional pathways
www.science.org
January 8, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Our Science Perspective on Ianni et al - neural control of facial expressions involves voluntary pathways
@jamiewhitehouse.bsky.social
www.science.org/eprint/EKJTZ...
@jamiewhitehouse.bsky.social
www.science.org/eprint/EKJTZ...
Reposted by VeenemaLab
A great essay from @standupforscience.bsky.social — give them your full support!
sciencefightclub.substack.com/p/1-9-2026-s...
sciencefightclub.substack.com/p/1-9-2026-s...
1-9-2026 SUFS Memo
Dear science and medicine, We have an ego problem.
sciencefightclub.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:05 PM
A great essay from @standupforscience.bsky.social — give them your full support!
sciencefightclub.substack.com/p/1-9-2026-s...
sciencefightclub.substack.com/p/1-9-2026-s...
Reposted by VeenemaLab
Mice and rats can’t tell the whole story.
Our latest blog explores how novel rodent models like naked mole-rats and degus are advancing women’s health research, from puberty to aging to Alzheimer’s disease.
Read more ⬇️
ow.ly/6tWa50XTZ9u
Our latest blog explores how novel rodent models like naked mole-rats and degus are advancing women’s health research, from puberty to aging to Alzheimer’s disease.
Read more ⬇️
ow.ly/6tWa50XTZ9u
January 9, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Mice and rats can’t tell the whole story.
Our latest blog explores how novel rodent models like naked mole-rats and degus are advancing women’s health research, from puberty to aging to Alzheimer’s disease.
Read more ⬇️
ow.ly/6tWa50XTZ9u
Our latest blog explores how novel rodent models like naked mole-rats and degus are advancing women’s health research, from puberty to aging to Alzheimer’s disease.
Read more ⬇️
ow.ly/6tWa50XTZ9u
Reposted by VeenemaLab
Long thought to be a simple switchboard, the hypothalamus may be the neural substrate of emotion states.
By @natmesanash.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/systems-neur...
By @natmesanash.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/systems-neur...
Cracking the neural code for emotional states
Rather than act as a simple switchboard for innate behaviors, the hypothalamus encodes an animal's internal state, which influences behavior.
www.thetransmitter.org
January 8, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Long thought to be a simple switchboard, the hypothalamus may be the neural substrate of emotion states.
By @natmesanash.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/systems-neur...
By @natmesanash.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/systems-neur...
Reposted by VeenemaLab
You don’t need a brain to benefit from a good night of sleep. Despite lacking a central nervous system, jellyfish and sea anemones have sleep patterns remarkably similar to those of humans, researchers report.
Learn more: https://scim.ag/3NgeAEQ
Learn more: https://scim.ag/3NgeAEQ
January 8, 2026 at 5:15 PM
You don’t need a brain to benefit from a good night of sleep. Despite lacking a central nervous system, jellyfish and sea anemones have sleep patterns remarkably similar to those of humans, researchers report.
Learn more: https://scim.ag/3NgeAEQ
Learn more: https://scim.ag/3NgeAEQ
Reposted by VeenemaLab
Birth by Cesarean Section Remodels Neonatal Brain Barriers and Associated Immune and Metabolic Pathways in Mice https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.06.696394v1
January 7, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Birth by Cesarean Section Remodels Neonatal Brain Barriers and Associated Immune and Metabolic Pathways in Mice https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.06.696394v1
Reposted by VeenemaLab
Gut bacteria protect mice infected with influenza A virus from secondary bacterial lung infections such as bacterial pneumonia.
Learn more in #ScienceImmunology: https://scim.ag/4jgo7HS
Learn more in #ScienceImmunology: https://scim.ag/4jgo7HS
Segmented filamentous bacteria reprogramming of alveolar macrophages limits postinfluenza bacterial pneumonia
SFB colonization phenotypically alters alveolar macrophages, maintaining their antibacterial functions in inflamed interferon-rich lungs.
scim.ag
January 8, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Gut bacteria protect mice infected with influenza A virus from secondary bacterial lung infections such as bacterial pneumonia.
Learn more in #ScienceImmunology: https://scim.ag/4jgo7HS
Learn more in #ScienceImmunology: https://scim.ag/4jgo7HS
Reposted by VeenemaLab
Just published my review of neuroscience in 2025, on The Spike.
The 10th of these, would you believe?
This year we have foundation models, breakthroughs in using light to understand the brain, a gene therapy, and more
Enjoy!
medium.com/the-spike/20...
The 10th of these, would you believe?
This year we have foundation models, breakthroughs in using light to understand the brain, a gene therapy, and more
Enjoy!
medium.com/the-spike/20...
2025: A Review of the Year in Neuroscience
Enlightening the brain
medium.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Just published my review of neuroscience in 2025, on The Spike.
The 10th of these, would you believe?
This year we have foundation models, breakthroughs in using light to understand the brain, a gene therapy, and more
Enjoy!
medium.com/the-spike/20...
The 10th of these, would you believe?
This year we have foundation models, breakthroughs in using light to understand the brain, a gene therapy, and more
Enjoy!
medium.com/the-spike/20...
Reposted by VeenemaLab
If you are submitting an NIH grant in February, you will be required to use SciENcv to prepare you biosketch.
IT IS MUCH WORSE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE.
Set aside *at least* 4 hours just to transfer an existing an biosketch into SciENcv.
IT IS MUCH WORSE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE.
Set aside *at least* 4 hours just to transfer an existing an biosketch into SciENcv.
January 6, 2026 at 11:29 PM
If you are submitting an NIH grant in February, you will be required to use SciENcv to prepare you biosketch.
IT IS MUCH WORSE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE.
Set aside *at least* 4 hours just to transfer an existing an biosketch into SciENcv.
IT IS MUCH WORSE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE.
Set aside *at least* 4 hours just to transfer an existing an biosketch into SciENcv.
Reposted by VeenemaLab
“There are 2 possible futures for American science. One is that this proposed budget is a bump in the road & funding will stay at close to the same level. A 2nd version is where this represents a real sea change…between gov‘t and science funding. I don’t think we know what world we’re in yet”
Folks interested in science philanthropy should read this interview w/Simons Foundation President David Spergel on the role of philanthropy, support of early career scientists (from incentives to a call for more retirements), and the pivot point between future scenarios.
issues.org/american-sci...
issues.org/american-sci...
“There Are Two Possible Futures for American Science.”
The Simons Foundation president talks about science philanthropy, the future of the research enterprise, and remaining hopeful.
issues.org
January 6, 2026 at 5:27 PM
“There are 2 possible futures for American science. One is that this proposed budget is a bump in the road & funding will stay at close to the same level. A 2nd version is where this represents a real sea change…between gov‘t and science funding. I don’t think we know what world we’re in yet”
Reposted by VeenemaLab
The world is a really shitty place, but people are standing up for our communities and putting our money into good efforts where we can. A group of women in neuro I am friends with decided to give back this holiday season. Together we donated $3200. Small efforts add up!!
January 6, 2026 at 1:46 PM
The world is a really shitty place, but people are standing up for our communities and putting our money into good efforts where we can. A group of women in neuro I am friends with decided to give back this holiday season. Together we donated $3200. Small efforts add up!!
Reposted by VeenemaLab
Birds lay eggs in a diverse array of colors, patterns, sizes, and shapes.
After looking at nearly 50,000 eggs from more than 1400 bird species, researchers in Science found that egg shape is related to flight ability.
Learn more on #NationalBirdDay: https://scim.ag/3YUZkQc
After looking at nearly 50,000 eggs from more than 1400 bird species, researchers in Science found that egg shape is related to flight ability.
Learn more on #NationalBirdDay: https://scim.ag/3YUZkQc
January 5, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Birds lay eggs in a diverse array of colors, patterns, sizes, and shapes.
After looking at nearly 50,000 eggs from more than 1400 bird species, researchers in Science found that egg shape is related to flight ability.
Learn more on #NationalBirdDay: https://scim.ag/3YUZkQc
After looking at nearly 50,000 eggs from more than 1400 bird species, researchers in Science found that egg shape is related to flight ability.
Learn more on #NationalBirdDay: https://scim.ag/3YUZkQc
Reposted by VeenemaLab
Book review 📚 These women helped to shape quantum mechanics — it’s time to recognize them
go.nature.com/3Ls2yYu
go.nature.com/3Ls2yYu
These women helped to shape quantum mechanics — it’s time to recognize them
An astute book redresses our collective perception of a field that became known as ‘boys’ physics’.
go.nature.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Book review 📚 These women helped to shape quantum mechanics — it’s time to recognize them
go.nature.com/3Ls2yYu
go.nature.com/3Ls2yYu
Reposted by VeenemaLab
📣 Event update: This seminar has been rescheduled.
🗓️ Jan 19, 2026
🕘 9am PST | 12pm EST
Join Dr. Colleen Norris for an important discussion on reproductive transitions and women’s health.
🔗 Register: ow.ly/U7rf50XRWeS
🗓️ Jan 19, 2026
🕘 9am PST | 12pm EST
Join Dr. Colleen Norris for an important discussion on reproductive transitions and women’s health.
🔗 Register: ow.ly/U7rf50XRWeS
January 5, 2026 at 5:51 PM
📣 Event update: This seminar has been rescheduled.
🗓️ Jan 19, 2026
🕘 9am PST | 12pm EST
Join Dr. Colleen Norris for an important discussion on reproductive transitions and women’s health.
🔗 Register: ow.ly/U7rf50XRWeS
🗓️ Jan 19, 2026
🕘 9am PST | 12pm EST
Join Dr. Colleen Norris for an important discussion on reproductive transitions and women’s health.
🔗 Register: ow.ly/U7rf50XRWeS
Reposted by VeenemaLab
In Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, Rassina Farassi studies how humans came to walk on two legs
go.nature.com/4q08mrc
go.nature.com/4q08mrc
I see Mozambique’s baboons as windows into hominid evolution
In Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, Rassina Farassi studies how humans came to walk on two legs.
go.nature.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:14 PM
In Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, Rassina Farassi studies how humans came to walk on two legs
go.nature.com/4q08mrc
go.nature.com/4q08mrc
Reposted by VeenemaLab
North American bird populations are shrinking most rapidly in the very areas where they are still most abundant, according to a 2025 study in Science.
The findings reveal both urgent threats and potential opportunities for targeted conservation and recovery. https://scim.ag/4qwOLyM #NationalBirdDay
The findings reveal both urgent threats and potential opportunities for targeted conservation and recovery. https://scim.ag/4qwOLyM #NationalBirdDay
North American bird declines are greatest where species are most abundant
Efforts to address declines of North American birds have been constrained by limited availability of fine-scale information about population change. By using participatory science data from eBird, we ...
scim.ag
January 5, 2026 at 8:39 PM
North American bird populations are shrinking most rapidly in the very areas where they are still most abundant, according to a 2025 study in Science.
The findings reveal both urgent threats and potential opportunities for targeted conservation and recovery. https://scim.ag/4qwOLyM #NationalBirdDay
The findings reveal both urgent threats and potential opportunities for targeted conservation and recovery. https://scim.ag/4qwOLyM #NationalBirdDay
Reposted by VeenemaLab
Big congrats to Steve Mahler’s group at UCI ICAL! 🎉
Their team published 3 major papers in 2025 — including one featured on the cover of the Journal of Neuroimmunology — advancing research on cannabinoids, addiction, and brain–immune interactions. Proud of this amazing work! 🧠✨
Their team published 3 major papers in 2025 — including one featured on the cover of the Journal of Neuroimmunology — advancing research on cannabinoids, addiction, and brain–immune interactions. Proud of this amazing work! 🧠✨
January 5, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Big congrats to Steve Mahler’s group at UCI ICAL! 🎉
Their team published 3 major papers in 2025 — including one featured on the cover of the Journal of Neuroimmunology — advancing research on cannabinoids, addiction, and brain–immune interactions. Proud of this amazing work! 🧠✨
Their team published 3 major papers in 2025 — including one featured on the cover of the Journal of Neuroimmunology — advancing research on cannabinoids, addiction, and brain–immune interactions. Proud of this amazing work! 🧠✨
Reposted by VeenemaLab
What can the Brain Knowledge Platform do for you? 🧠📈
Join us on Jan. 14, 11am-12pm PT for a webinar on the new features and data in world's most comprehensive brain cell atlas.
🔗 https://alleninstitute-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Le5E4CXGSA2clMJ2VesyBw#/registration
Join us on Jan. 14, 11am-12pm PT for a webinar on the new features and data in world's most comprehensive brain cell atlas.
🔗 https://alleninstitute-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Le5E4CXGSA2clMJ2VesyBw#/registration
January 5, 2026 at 9:14 PM
What can the Brain Knowledge Platform do for you? 🧠📈
Join us on Jan. 14, 11am-12pm PT for a webinar on the new features and data in world's most comprehensive brain cell atlas.
🔗 https://alleninstitute-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Le5E4CXGSA2clMJ2VesyBw#/registration
Join us on Jan. 14, 11am-12pm PT for a webinar on the new features and data in world's most comprehensive brain cell atlas.
🔗 https://alleninstitute-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Le5E4CXGSA2clMJ2VesyBw#/registration