How do you study microplastics when they’re everywhere? Microplastics are everywhere, which makes studying them all the more difficult. Labs are doing all they can to be plastic-free but have few common protocols. by Fintan Burke. Various samples from the project of Malin Klein, a PhD student in Dr. Fischer’s lab, studying the distribution of microplastics in the air, trees, and soil of Italy’s Abruzzo Apennine region. ----- Dr. Elke Fischer, researcher at the University of Hamburg, heads the microplastics laboratory where environmental samples are analyzed for plastic contamination. The lab focuses on detecting, quantifying, and understanding the impact of microplastics in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Hamburg, Germany, 2026, Foto: © Jonas Wresch

The world produces over 450 million metric tons of plastics a year. As these plastics break down, scientists are rushing to get accurate real-world data on how microplastics spread and how exposed we are to them. cen.acs.org/analytical-c...

#microplastics #plasticwaste #chemsky 🧪

Friday Link: How to do good science I don’t do Friday Links here on Scientist Sees Squirrel – that’s really more Dynamic Ecology’s jam. But I’m going to make an exception, because I suspect a lot of readers will be interested in a ma…

Jeff Houlahan Jeff Houlahan, Ecologist has posted an interesting manuscript about how to do good science. I think parts of it are wrong - but in productive ways, so it's worth reading. My take: scientistseessquirre... 🧪🌍

Sleep is self-care for a happier mind. 😴✨

• Sleep helps regulate our mood and emotions.
• Poor sleep is linked to higher stress and anxiety.
• Well-rested people cope better with challenges.
• Lack of sleep can reduce kindness and empathy.

This World Sleep Day, make rest a priority. 💙

You are stronger than you think and capable of more than you know. #InvisibleIllness

Audience attentively listening at a conference, with overlapping text saying: be part of the action.

At #ECRD2026, three parallel tracks on 3 June will explore key rare disease challenges:

🔬 Therapies & medical devices
🧬 Diagnosis, research & prevention
❤️ Evidence-based holistic care

Discover the sessions shaping these discussions: https://go.eurordis.org/ecrd-postersbluesky

Cantu syndrome–associated SUR2[H60Y] mutation confers selective gain of function on Kir6.1 ATP-sensitive potassium channels Gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in either Kir6.1 (encoded by KCNJ8) or SUR2 (encoded by ABCC9) are causally associated with Cantu syndrome (CS), characterized by coarse facial appearance, hypertricho...

Check out our new publication "Cantu syndrome–associated SUR2[H60Y] mutation confers selective gain of function on Kir6.1 ATP-sensitive potassium channels" 🧪
www.jbc.org/article/S002...
A 🧵 1/n

“It’s Rare Disease Day!” with the Rare Disease Day hand logo and the website” The background is a blue and purple gradient.

🌍 It’s #RareDiseaseDay 2026! 💜

Today we stand with the 300 million people living with a rare disease. Together, we’re showing our colours, raising awareness, and inspiring change by talking about what equity means to us.

👉 Read more: https://go.rarediseaseday.org/NEWS

Crocheted model of a two-domain, mostly helical protein next to Caroline’s hand. Each domain is about the same size as her hand.

If you’re at #BPS2026, go look at Poster B49. Caroline Cannistra has some very detailed all-atom simulations of HIV capsid protein, and SHE CROCHETED A MODEL OF IT to demonstrate the dynamics.

Make your lab more sustainable! Join us for the panel discussion "Small Actions, Big Impact: Practical Steps to a Sustainable Laboratory" on Sunday from 1-2:30PM in room 153. #bps2026

Boston's Mayor Wu playing with Yo-Yo Ma at Symphony Hall

Don’t forget to be grateful for what you DO have. The little things make life big

Image: www.instagram.com/happyvibes_w...

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Treatment of overactive KATP channels with glibenclamide in a zebrafish model and a clinical trial in humans with Cantú syndrome - Scientific Reports Scientific Reports - Treatment of overactive KATP channels with glibenclamide in a zebrafish model and a clinical trial in humans with Cantú syndrome

Check out our new publication "Treatment of overactive KATP channels with glibenclamide in a zebrafish model and a clinical trial in humans with Cantú syndrome" 🧪 @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Check out our new publication "Muscle fatigue arising intrinsically from SUR2- but not Kir6.1-dependent gain-of-function in Cantu syndrome mice" 🧪 @rosca26.bsky.social
A 🧵 1/n

Paradoxical Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young Arising From Loss-of-Function Mutations in ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels Pancreatic β-cell ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel closure underlies electrical excitability and insulin release, but loss or inhibition of KATP channels ca

Check out our new publication "Paradoxical Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young Arising From Loss-of-Function Mutations in ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels" 🧪 diabetesjournals.org/diabetes/art... @rosca26.bsky.social
A 🧵 1/n

Next Monday! 🧪

Join us today for a new exciting CIMED seminar! 🧪 @osamaharraz.bsky.social

Join us today for a new exciting CIMED seminar! 🧪

Researchers make progress toward non-hormonal treatment for endometriosis Roughly 200 million women around the world suffer from endometriosis, a condition that causes tissue from the lining of the uterus to grow in places outside of the uterus. The condition can be excepti...

“"What we've shown in this paper is that the epithelial cells can communicate with the macrophages,"… "Our hypothesis is that their cross talk potentially provides an environment that's conducive to the development of the disease."
🧪 #ReproSky #MedSky #ObGynSky
medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03...

The Biophyzza Connection 2025 | Spanish Biophysical Society

To celebrate the Biophysics Week, the Spanish Biophysical Society has coordinated a series of "Biophyzza Connection" Affiliate Events locally organized by its members and sponsored by Domino’s Pizza. Explore and find an event close to you!

🔔Join us on 25 March to discuss the green steel transition!

#EuropeanSteel is at a crossroads:

🔥 Stick with outdated, coal-based tech
💚 Upgrade to #GreenSteel & boost #recycling

Register 👇
www.eventbrite.com/e/report-lau...

@e3g.bsky.social @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social

International Day of Happiness - 20 March Celebrate #InternationalDayOfHappiness on 20 March. Join the Action for Happiness community and help create a happier and kinder world, together.

March 20th is the UN International Day of Happiness. This year’s theme is 'Caring and Sharing' and we’re encouraging 1 million extra acts of caring and sharing. You can be part of it! Please help spread the word 🙏💕🌎 #InternationalDayOfHappiness dayofhappiness.net

Infographic on the chemistry of Guinness. It details how a mix of carbon dioxide and nitrogen is responsible for the bubbles, iso-alpha-acids are responsible for bitterness, and melanoidins are responsible for the beer's dark colour.

Happy #StPatricksDay! ☘️

What makes the bubbles in a glass of Guinness fall, and what gives the beer its dark colour?

This graphic in @cenmag.bsky.social has the answers: cen.acs.org/articles/93/...

#ChemSky 🧪

«Ridateci la Statua della Libertà» - Il Post Lo ha chiesto un politico francese criticando le politiche di Donald Trump contro la ricerca scientifica

«Ridateci la Statua della Libertà» www.ilpost.it/2025/03/17/r...

I just read this study on using humor to be a better science communicator. What's your favorite use of humor in a paper or talk? Here's one related to my field. jcom.sissa.it/article/pubi... 🧪

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If you don’t get your child vaccinated against measles, it can put them at a high risk of this serious infection, which can lead to severe complications or even death. Make sure your child’s measles vaccination is up to date.

If you don’t get your child vaccinated against measles, it can put them at a high risk of this serious infection, which can lead to severe complications or even death.

Make sure your child’s measles vaccination is up to date.

SLU, WashU researchers among those at state Capitol protesting science funding cuts The protest was organized as part of a nationwide Stand Up for Science effort, with thousands gathering at dozens of rallies across the country.

@standupforscience.bsky.social in Jefferson City MO 🧪👩🏻‍🔬🥼🔬 www.stlpr.org/government-p...