Scientists invented a fake disease. AI told people it was real Bixonimania doesn’t exist except in a clutch of obviously bogus academic papers. So why did AI chatbots warn people about this fictional illness?

🚨 For nearly two years - and even now, depending on the day and model - AI models could tell you all about bixonimania, a totally made-up disease in a paper funded by “the Professor Sideshow Bob Foundation". My @nature.com story on AI's fallibility in medicine www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Mind wandering to physical sensations could impact your mental health People’s minds sometimes wander to their bodily sensations, which may reduce symptoms of depression and ADHD, a new study suggests.

Appreciate this clear coverage of our “body-wandering” paper in Science News.
www.sciencenews.org/article/mind...

Thanks @micahgallen.com!

Struggling to focus on research when the world is ‘on fire’? Some ways to cope Keeping up with distressing news is affecting some researchers’ mental health and their scientific work.

I've always wanted to be in @nature.com , but I never would have guessed it would be like this--repping Science in Solidarity

“It’s in relationships where we build our power.”

Struggling to focus on research when the world is ‘on fire’? Some ways to cope www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Scientists/science writers I found in Grammarly's 'expert review' system: David Spiegelhalter, Ivan Oransky, Mary Roach, Rebecca Skloot, Ed Yong, Melinda Wenner Moyer, Deborah Blum, Tom Knight, Michael E Mann, Corinne Le Quere. [pic: results of 5 trials w/ free burner acct]. No doubt many more.

Why developers using AI are working longer hours Studies find AI helps developers release more software—while logging longer hours and fixing problems after the code goes live

This feels like a helpful primer for understanding AI in general. It makes programmers more efficient on the front end because they can generate more code. But it makes them less efficient afterwards because it vastly increases the amount of time they spend tweaking and fixing bugs.

Thank you!

Hi @parri.bsky.social, thanks so much for sharing. Would you be willing to comment on your experience for this piece? If so please let me know via PM or email!

Feel free to message me via Bluesky, or to email me at: diana.kwon89[at]gmail[dot]com

Looking for sources for a @nature.com story about how researchers are coping in the midst of current events: If you're a PhD or other academic who's struggling to focus with everything that's happening in the world and would like to be interviewed for this story, please get in touch ASAP!

PhD students’ taste for risk mirrors their supervisors’ Learned risk-taking behaviours can persist for years after leaving the lab — and even after taking on a new research topic.

A researchers’ propensity for risky projects is passed down to their doctoral students — and stays with trainees after they leave the laboratory

go.nature.com/4sHq58H

The infection enigma: why some people die from typically harmless germs
www.nature.com/articles/d41... @nature.com @dianakwon.bsky.social

(Reposting to edit a typo!)

Disruptions in This Sixth Sense May Drive Mental Illness Disruptions in interoception may underlie anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental health ailments

My latest feature for @sciam.bsky.social explores the research connecting problems with interoception to a wide variety of mental illnesses, including anxiety disorders, eating disorders, & PTSD. This work is ultimately circling in on a central message: the body & mind are inextricably intertwined.

Disruptions in This Sixth Sense May Drive Mental Illness Disruptions in interoception may underlie anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental health ailments

New writeup on interoception in Scientific American focusing on its role in mental health:
www.scientificamerican.com/article/inte...

Disruptions in This Sixth Sense May Drive Mental Illness Disruptions in interoception may underlie anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental health ailments

My latet feature for @sciam.bsky.social, explores the research connecting problems with interoception to a wide variety of mental illnesses, including anxiety disorders, eating disorders, & PTSD. This work is ultimately circling in on a central message: the body & mind are inextricably intertwined.

New organoid atlas unveils four neurodevelopmental signatures The comprehensive resource details data on microcephaly, polymicrogyria, epilepsy and intellectual disability from 352 people.

A new stem cell biobank—with a comprehensive database of the donors’ genetics, health history and more—provides scientists with a platform to probe mechanisms of neurodevelopmental conditions and validate therapeutics.

By @dianakwon.bsky.social

#neuroskyence

www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/new...

How to stop the revolving door of German academia Germany is one of the most popular destinations for students and scholars worldwide, but those pursuing academic careers face significant hurdles to success.

Germany's a popular destination for international students and researchers. But those pursuing academic careers in the country face an intensely hierarchical system with few permanent positions.

My latest for @nature.com

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

How to stop the revolving door of German academia Germany is one of the most popular destinations for students and scholars worldwide, but those pursuing academic careers face significant hurdles to success.

German academia: great place to work? You should think twice before giving it a try: Permanent positions are very rare, most scholars have to drop out after some precarious years. @dianakwon.bsky.social has written a great piece about this for @nature.com and also talked to yours truly. #IchBinHanna

How genetically encoded sensors have lit up neuroscience Tools that track specific molecules in neurons have enabled researchers to probe previously unexplored aspects of neurobiology — although important caveats remain.

Got the last word in this great perspective on the state of fluorescent indicators in @nature.com by @dianakwon.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...

How genetically encoded sensors have lit up neuroscience Tools that track specific molecules in neurons have enabled researchers to probe previously unexplored aspects of neurobiology — although important caveats remain.

“This new class of genetically encoded sensors has really opened up this world.” New @nature.com, what's new in the world of genetically encoded neurochemical sensors. by @dianakwon.bsky.social 🧪 🧠
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

New dopamine sensor powers three-color imaging in live animals The tool leverages a previously unused segment of the color spectrum to track the neurotransmitter and can be used with two additional sensors to monitor other neurochemicals at different wavelengths.

A new dopamine sensor enables neuroscientists to simultaneously monitor the activity of two additional signaling chemicals in the brains of living mice and zebrafish.

By @dianakwon.bsky.social

#neuroskyence

www.thetransmitter.org/methods/new-...

How your brain controls ageing — and why zombie cells could be key Research is revealing the cellular mechanisms that link mental well-being and longevity.

Older cells that have outlived their purpose don’t necessarily die — in fact, these “zombie cells” can use more energy than their younger counterparts. Their revved-up metabolism may drive some of the wear and tear of aging, @dianakwon.bsky.social reports in @nature.com

The brain's master conductor role in our aging process
New feature @nature.com by @dianakwon.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

How Stress Shapes Cancer’s Course Studies show psychological strain can accelerate tumors — could beta blockers slow them down?

Studies show psychological strain can accelerate tumors — could beta blockers slow them down? @knowablemag.bsky.social‬
vist.ly/3n535it

People with #cancer may experience a wide range of stressors, both related and unrelated to the disease. A growing body of evidence suggests that these may influence how a tumor grows and spreads.

Learn more in @dianakwon.bsky.social's recent report, republished by @brainfactsorg.bsky.social 👇

How artificial intelligence is transforming pathology Some researchers say that deep-learning ‘foundation’ models will revolutionize the field — but others are not so sure.

AIs can classify illnesses, predict treatment outcomes & identify markers of disease. Chatbots can assist physicians and researchers seeking to decipher the data hidden in stained slices of tissue. New by @dianakwon.bsky.social @nature.com, the growing use of #AI in #digitalpathology 🧪

Is it OK for AI to write science papers? Nature survey shows researchers are split Poll of 5,000 researchers finds contrasting views on when it’s acceptable to involve AI and what needs to be disclosed.

What do scientists think about using AI to write papers? @richvn.bsky.social & I put together a survey to find out--and more than 5,000 researchers took part.

Our survey reveals a divided landscape: Researchers don't always agree on what they view as appropriate.

My latest for @nature.com

How we’re battling Trump’s science cuts across small-town America Neuroscientist Jessica Cantlon is urging scientists to use the power of local newspapers in the fight against US research-funding cuts.

Brilliant. The "Science Homecoming" project helps scientists place articles in local papers about how Trump & Musk's cuts to science harm their communities. 🧪 on @nature.com

How stress shapes cancer’s course Studies show psychological strain can accelerate tumors — could beta blockers slow them down?

The link between stress and cancer goes back more than 2,000 years--but the research has long been messy and full of contradictions. Recent studies are starting to reveal how, exactly, psychological factors can influence tumor biology.

Learn more in my latest for @knowablemag.bsky.social!