I am again asking people to pay attention to what has happened to our National Science Foundation and by extension thousands of researchers across the country.

The devastation is ongoing and worthy of continued outcry to officials and journalists. 🧪

How DNA forensics is transforming studies of ancient manuscripts Scientists are exposing the biological information hidden in ancient parchments without leaving a mark

By analysing parchment, researchers are uncovering evidence of trade networks, animal husbandry, medical and ritual practices, climate change, epidemics and floods.

Ancient parchments preserve more than just words, reports @marlabroadfoot.bsky.social

www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...

Of genes, chromosomes and oratorios Jenny Graves has spent her life mapping genes and comparing genomes. Now she’s created a musical opus about evolution of life on this planet — bringing the same drive and experimentalism she brought…

Jenny Graves spent her life mapping genes and comparing genomes. Then she wrote a musical opus. 🎶 #WorldArtDay

✍️ @marlabroadfoot.bsky.social

knowmag.org/480HfW1

all these universities kept axing medieval history departments as if they thought tyrants beefing with the Pope was going to stop being relevant

How DNA forensics is transforming studies of ancient manuscripts Scientists are exposing the biological information hidden in ancient parchments without leaving a mark.

“It had its own biography, its own deep history. It seemed like an archaeological site between covers.” @marlabroadfoot.bsky.social takes a deep dive into biocodicology, the study of ancient manuscripts as biological objects. New @nature.com @marlabroadfoot.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...

The ones who need little sleep Short sleepers cruise by on four to six hours a night and don’t seem to suffer ill effects. Turns out they’re genetically built to require less sleep than the rest of us.

Some people really are built different.

✍️ @marlabroadfoot.bsky.social

knowmag.org/4v1syMk

Measles outbreaks are costing the U.S. millions of dollars. The true losses can't be counted. As vaccination rates decline, the economic consequences will increase, research suggests.

If measles vaccination rates continue to drop just 1% annually for the next five years, the cost to the U.S. could reach $1.5 billion a year, according to a new report from the Yale School of Public Health.

GSA journalist fellow @marlabroadfoot.bsky.social wrote this @sciencenews.bsky.social story titled "Poor sleep may account for a large share of dementia cases" www.sciencenews.org/article/poor... @academic.oup.com

Postpartum Depression Gets a New, Fast-Acting Fix in a Pill Deep emotional distress after birth kills many mothers. A new kind of drug offers better, faster treatment

When I got this assignment, I was shocked to learn that suicide was one of the leading causes of death among new mothers. But there's hope, with the approval of the first pill for postpartum depression. @sciam.bsky.social

Have you registered for #SciWri25? SCONC's in the mix: @reunify.bsky.social on "Reporting Mistakes and Failures in Science" (Oct 23 online) and @shiplives.bsky.social moderating the plenary w/ @michellejewell.bsky.social (Nov 9 in Chicago). Registration closes Oct 22.

sciencewriters2025.o...

As one of the lucky members of that book club, I can say it was amazingly fun to hear you share the backstory of that riveting story. I felt like such a fangirl.

Of genes, chromosomes and oratorios Jenny Graves has spent her life mapping genes and comparing genomes. Now she’s created a musical opus about evolution of life on this planet — bringing the same drive and experimentalism she brought t...

Profile or Q&A > Consumer
🎶 “Of genes, chromosomes and oratorios” | @marlabroadfoot.bsky.social

“Why Are We Funding This?” Long-standing myths about “silly science” have contributed to the reckless slashing of government-supported research.

My latest for American Scientist Magazine helps give scientists the tools to fight back against politicized charges that our research is silly or pointless- tools that will work whether you’re asked “why are we funding this” from your asshole uncle at Thanksgiving or an asshole US Senator.
🧪🌎

Breaking: The Trevor Project received a stop-work order last night on its contract with the national 988 suicide prevention hotline. The Trump administration is eliminating the option for LGBTQ callers to the hotline to press 3 and connect with someone who specializes in LGBTQ mental health.

Join us at 1 pm!

"I've sat on this bench now for 40 years. I've never seen government racial discrimination like this."

Applications are open for CASW'S (@sciencewriting.bsky.social) annual award to an outstanding under-31 science journalist. Deadline June 30. Winner gets $1,000 & expenses to attend ScienceWriters2025. I'm excited to organize judging this year. DM if interested in judging: casw.org/awards-fello...

US Journalist Assistance Network - Committee to Protect Journalists In collaboration with U.S.-based press freedom organizations specializing in digital safety, physical safety, and legal rights, the Committee to Protect Journalists has compiled a list of resources to...

The Journalist Assistance Network — a collaboration between @freedom.press, @pressfreedom.bsky.social, @rcfp.org, @penamerica.bsky.social and IWMF — provides legal and safety resources and providers.

Support the NIH! 🧪

Newmark J-School Announces Inaugural “How to Cover Aging” Awardees - Newmark J-School The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY has selected 10 working journalists from across North America to participate in its first “How to

Excited to be headed to New York today for this new journalism workshop on aging.

Stealing this.

Happening today!

N&O, Charlotte Observer named Pulitzer Prize finalists for Helene coverage The Associated Press and The Washington Post were also finalists in the category.

🧵 The News & Observer + The Charlotte Observer were honored as a Pulitzer Prize finalist for their joint coverage of Hurricane Helene + the aftermath in NC. The Associated Press + The Washington Post were also finalists.

www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...

Researchers slam HHS report on gender-affirming care for youth Critics say the report, which declines to disclose its authors, contradicts decades of scientific research

Experts share scathing reviews of last week's HHS report on gender-affirming care for youth: "...a rejection of decades of science, evidence, and direct experiences by young people, their doctors, and their families.”

@phiejacobs.bsky.social's story for @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...

The President’s entire budget proposal destroys the state as we know it, and not in any kind of liberatory way. Here are the proposed NIH & NSF cuts. There will be no coming back from this.

The Human Genome Project cost taxpayers $3 Billion.

Two decades on, it has generated a staggering return on investment of $1 Trillion, with benefits in medicine, agriculture, energy, the environment, & more.

If you want to boost the economy, funding science is one of the best things you could do.

ScienceWriters2025 to be held in Chicago November 7-9 The National Association of Science Writers and the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing are excited to announce that ScienceWriters2025 will take place in Chicago, November 7–9, at the Marriott Chicago O’Hare.

BIG NEWS: #SciWri25 has a new location and dates! Get ready to gather in Chicago Nov 7-9. The virtual portion will take place Oct 22-24. Thank you to everyone for your support during this journey.

Details: www.nasw.org/article...

CPJ Safety Advisory: Traveling to the US - Committee to Protect Journalists A stated policy goal of the Trump administration is to significantly change U.S. travel and immigration policies. Foreign nationals whose countries do not meet U.S. vetting standards may be barred entry. Journalists will not be exempt and should anticipate potential restrictions or questioning when traveling to or from the United States. Under a draft Trump...

RESOURCE ALERT: Our colleagues at @pressfreedom.bsky.social have issued travel advice and detailed checklists for journalists traveling to or from the U.S.

cpj.org/2025/04/cpj-...

North Carolina Supreme Court throws out hundreds of ballots based on flawed data This is a special collaboration between Popular Information and Anderson Alerts, a newsletter about North Carolina politics.

1. The North Carolina Supreme Court just TOSSED 260 BALLOTS in a razor close election for a seat on the same court

The ballots were invalidated based on a claim by the Republican candidate that all of voters were "never residents" of North Carolina

But that claim is false

We have receipts