Alexandra Witze
@alexwitze.bsky.social
Science journalist and correspondent for Nature (she/her). Reach me at alexwitze.01 (Signal), witzescience (@gmail.com), or awitze (@protonmail.com).
Pinned
How Trump 2.0 is reshaping science
Since US President Donald Trump took office in January 2025, his team has made major changes to the federal government that have disrupted research and ...
www.nature.com
Nature reporters' ongoing coverage of Trump 2.0 impacts on science and scientists is collected here: www.nature.com/collections/...
Reach me at alexwitze.01 on Signal, or witzescience[at]gmail.com, with tips, feedback, follow-ups, anything we should be covering, etc.
Reach me at alexwitze.01 on Signal, or witzescience[at]gmail.com, with tips, feedback, follow-ups, anything we should be covering, etc.
Reposted by Alexandra Witze
the skewer seems loosening out of the middle of the world
February 9, 2026 at 1:47 AM
the skewer seems loosening out of the middle of the world
Sorry for the preview pic in your feed, but we've posted a thoughtful story by @dangaristo.bsky.social that delves into the tangled web of relationships between Jeffrey Epstein and various scientists: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Epstein files reveal deeper ties to scientists than previously known
Latest batch of documents show researchers consulting the financier and sex offender on publications, visas and more.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Sorry for the preview pic in your feed, but we've posted a thoughtful story by @dangaristo.bsky.social that delves into the tangled web of relationships between Jeffrey Epstein and various scientists: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Alexandra Witze
Bhattacharya, a moment ago: "What you've been seeing in the press is that there have been funding cuts. There haven't been funding cuts. What there has been is a change in agency priorities."
Our year in numbers begs to differ
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
Our year in numbers begs to differ
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
January 30, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Bhattacharya, a moment ago: "What you've been seeing in the press is that there have been funding cuts. There haven't been funding cuts. What there has been is a change in agency priorities."
Our year in numbers begs to differ
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
Our year in numbers begs to differ
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
Reposted by Alexandra Witze
*taps mic* ahem
May I interrupt the nonstop tidal wave of doom with a tidal wave of LAVA?
They're as high as a skyscraper, ooze at the speed of a human sprinter, and are really, really hot.
By me for @science.org, reported from the #RockyWorlds4 conference: 🔭🧪
May I interrupt the nonstop tidal wave of doom with a tidal wave of LAVA?
They're as high as a skyscraper, ooze at the speed of a human sprinter, and are really, really hot.
By me for @science.org, reported from the #RockyWorlds4 conference: 🔭🧪
Tidal waves of lava may slosh around alien worlds
Waves of molten rock could be confounding observations of atmospheres on distant planets
www.science.org
January 28, 2026 at 5:08 PM
*taps mic* ahem
May I interrupt the nonstop tidal wave of doom with a tidal wave of LAVA?
They're as high as a skyscraper, ooze at the speed of a human sprinter, and are really, really hot.
By me for @science.org, reported from the #RockyWorlds4 conference: 🔭🧪
May I interrupt the nonstop tidal wave of doom with a tidal wave of LAVA?
They're as high as a skyscraper, ooze at the speed of a human sprinter, and are really, really hot.
By me for @science.org, reported from the #RockyWorlds4 conference: 🔭🧪
Reposted by Alexandra Witze
How many STEM Ph.D.s were lost from the U.S. federal government last year?
My colleagues @mghersher.bsky.social and @policyhound.bsky.social dug into a recent data release to find the answer. A @science.org exclusive.
www.science.org/content/arti...
My colleagues @mghersher.bsky.social and @policyhound.bsky.social dug into a recent data release to find the answer. A @science.org exclusive.
www.science.org/content/arti...
January 26, 2026 at 11:39 PM
How many STEM Ph.D.s were lost from the U.S. federal government last year?
My colleagues @mghersher.bsky.social and @policyhound.bsky.social dug into a recent data release to find the answer. A @science.org exclusive.
www.science.org/content/arti...
My colleagues @mghersher.bsky.social and @policyhound.bsky.social dug into a recent data release to find the answer. A @science.org exclusive.
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Alexandra Witze
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!
January 26, 2026 at 4:25 PM
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!
For reasons, I looked into research in #Greenland recently. Did you know they have a new(ish) national research plan? That they have a new(ish) very capable oceanographic research vessel? That they are beefing up their computing capabilities to handle AI analyses of e.g. marine species?
🧪🇬🇱
🧪🇬🇱
Greenland is important for global research: what’s next for the island’s science?
Geopolitics made Greenland the unexpected focus of the world’s attention. But the territory has long been a unique region for science.
www.nature.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:44 PM
For reasons, I looked into research in #Greenland recently. Did you know they have a new(ish) national research plan? That they have a new(ish) very capable oceanographic research vessel? That they are beefing up their computing capabilities to handle AI analyses of e.g. marine species?
🧪🇬🇱
🧪🇬🇱
Reposted by Alexandra Witze
One year into Trump's second presidency, how are science and medical research faring? Our @nature.com team breaks it down for you. (1/n)
From @virginiagewin.bsky.social, learn about
Layoffs ✅
Funding cuts ✅
Attacks on science ✅
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
🧪
From @virginiagewin.bsky.social, learn about
Layoffs ✅
Funding cuts ✅
Attacks on science ✅
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
🧪
‘Shattered’: US scientists speak out about how Trump policies disrupted their careers
Researchers lay bare the human toll of lay-offs, funding cuts and attacks on science one year after the president’s return to the White House.
www.nature.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:41 PM
One year into Trump's second presidency, how are science and medical research faring? Our @nature.com team breaks it down for you. (1/n)
From @virginiagewin.bsky.social, learn about
Layoffs ✅
Funding cuts ✅
Attacks on science ✅
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
🧪
From @virginiagewin.bsky.social, learn about
Layoffs ✅
Funding cuts ✅
Attacks on science ✅
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
🧪
One year into Trump's second presidency, how are science and medical research faring? Our @nature.com team breaks it down for you. (1/n)
From @virginiagewin.bsky.social, learn about
Layoffs ✅
Funding cuts ✅
Attacks on science ✅
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
🧪
From @virginiagewin.bsky.social, learn about
Layoffs ✅
Funding cuts ✅
Attacks on science ✅
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
🧪
‘Shattered’: US scientists speak out about how Trump policies disrupted their careers
Researchers lay bare the human toll of lay-offs, funding cuts and attacks on science one year after the president’s return to the White House.
www.nature.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:41 PM
One year into Trump's second presidency, how are science and medical research faring? Our @nature.com team breaks it down for you. (1/n)
From @virginiagewin.bsky.social, learn about
Layoffs ✅
Funding cuts ✅
Attacks on science ✅
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
🧪
From @virginiagewin.bsky.social, learn about
Layoffs ✅
Funding cuts ✅
Attacks on science ✅
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
🧪
If you wanna watch a really big rocket roll very slowly out to the launch pad in Florida, live, go here now m.youtube.com/watch?v=nrVn...
It’s the Artemis II mission, aiming to launch in the coming weeks to send humans to the Moon for the first time in over half a century
🧪
It’s the Artemis II mission, aiming to launch in the coming weeks to send humans to the Moon for the first time in over half a century
🧪
NASA's Artemis II Live Views from Kennedy Space Center
YouTube video by NASA
m.youtube.com
January 17, 2026 at 12:32 PM
If you wanna watch a really big rocket roll very slowly out to the launch pad in Florida, live, go here now m.youtube.com/watch?v=nrVn...
It’s the Artemis II mission, aiming to launch in the coming weeks to send humans to the Moon for the first time in over half a century
🧪
It’s the Artemis II mission, aiming to launch in the coming weeks to send humans to the Moon for the first time in over half a century
🧪
And also a NOAA release plus a full report www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/global-...
January 14, 2026 at 5:48 PM
And also a NOAA release plus a full report www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/global-...
And we have a NASA press release at least! www.nasa.gov/news-release...
January 14, 2026 at 2:28 PM
And we have a NASA press release at least! www.nasa.gov/news-release...
As various groups roll out their analyses of 2025 temperature records today (spoiler alert: it’s hot) , NOAA and NASA are not holding the joint press conference they usually do to announce their recap. Data will be released but without the open chance to talk to agency experts that usually exists.
January 14, 2026 at 1:51 PM
As various groups roll out their analyses of 2025 temperature records today (spoiler alert: it’s hot) , NOAA and NASA are not holding the joint press conference they usually do to announce their recap. Data will be released but without the open chance to talk to agency experts that usually exists.
Reposted by Alexandra Witze
Global warming surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius for the past three years, meaning Earth is currently on track to breach the Paris climate agreement by the end of the decade
2025 Wasn’t the Hottest Year on Record. Earth Is Still Barreling to the Climate Brink
Global warming surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius for the past three years, meaning Earth is currently on track to breach the Paris climate agreement by the end of the decade
www.scientificamerican.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Global warming surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius for the past three years, meaning Earth is currently on track to breach the Paris climate agreement by the end of the decade
Reposted by Alexandra Witze
🌍 Berkeley Earth’s 2025 Global Temperature Report is out.
2025 was the 3rd warmest year on record. Annual global temperature reached 1.44 ± 0.09°C above the pre-industrial baseline; 770 million people experienced locally record-warm annual conditions.
Full report: berkeleyearth.org/global-tempe...
2025 was the 3rd warmest year on record. Annual global temperature reached 1.44 ± 0.09°C above the pre-industrial baseline; 770 million people experienced locally record-warm annual conditions.
Full report: berkeleyearth.org/global-tempe...
Global Temperature Report for 2025 - Berkeley Earth
2025 was the 3rd warmest year on Earth since direct observations began, and recent warming appears to be moving faster than expected.
berkeleyearth.org
January 14, 2026 at 1:42 PM
🌍 Berkeley Earth’s 2025 Global Temperature Report is out.
2025 was the 3rd warmest year on record. Annual global temperature reached 1.44 ± 0.09°C above the pre-industrial baseline; 770 million people experienced locally record-warm annual conditions.
Full report: berkeleyearth.org/global-tempe...
2025 was the 3rd warmest year on record. Annual global temperature reached 1.44 ± 0.09°C above the pre-industrial baseline; 770 million people experienced locally record-warm annual conditions.
Full report: berkeleyearth.org/global-tempe...
Reposted by Alexandra Witze
Blowing past 1.5 degrees Celsius: The past three years averaged more than 1.5 degrees, the first time any three-year stretch has crossed that threshold. insideclimatenews.org/news/1301202...
New Climate Reports Show ‘Unprecedented Run of Global Heat’ - Inside Climate News
Data from multiple international agencies shows the reality of a rapidly warming world.
insideclimatenews.org
January 14, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Blowing past 1.5 degrees Celsius: The past three years averaged more than 1.5 degrees, the first time any three-year stretch has crossed that threshold. insideclimatenews.org/news/1301202...
Reposted by Alexandra Witze
“Protecting Greenland's ice is the most important piece of national security and global security you can imagine. It's not critical minerals. It's not military strategy. It's keeping that ice frozen.” - Longtime climate researcher Paul Bierman.
Watch the rest: revkin.substack.com/p/tonight-me...
Watch the rest: revkin.substack.com/p/tonight-me...
January 12, 2026 at 3:16 AM
“Protecting Greenland's ice is the most important piece of national security and global security you can imagine. It's not critical minerals. It's not military strategy. It's keeping that ice frozen.” - Longtime climate researcher Paul Bierman.
Watch the rest: revkin.substack.com/p/tonight-me...
Watch the rest: revkin.substack.com/p/tonight-me...
Amazing images from the Rubin observatory displayed tonight at #AAS247 in Phoenix, at the Arizona Science Center. This is the Trifid and Lagoon Nebulae first light image projected on a planetarium dome.
January 6, 2026 at 4:49 AM
Amazing images from the Rubin observatory displayed tonight at #AAS247 in Phoenix, at the Arizona Science Center. This is the Trifid and Lagoon Nebulae first light image projected on a planetarium dome.
Not now, actively feeding black holes
Astronomers have found a system of three supermassive black holes, all actively feeding, that appear to be combining into a single system – a rare event that will help elucidate the physics of complex mergers
Three supermassive black holes have been spotted merging into one
Astronomers have found a system of three supermassive black holes, all actively feeding, that appear to be combining into a single system – a rare event that will help elucidate the physics of complex mergers
www.newscientist.com
January 3, 2026 at 5:07 AM
Not now, actively feeding black holes
Still reeling from the finale of #StrangerThings? Dive back into the physics of parallel universes with @jennaahart.bsky.social over at @nature.com:
www.nature.com/articles/d41... 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41... 🧪
Are we living in a parallel universe? The strange physics of Stranger Things
Nature speaks to theoretical physicists to explore the real theories that inspired the hit series. Warning: contains spoilers.
www.nature.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Still reeling from the finale of #StrangerThings? Dive back into the physics of parallel universes with @jennaahart.bsky.social over at @nature.com:
www.nature.com/articles/d41... 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41... 🧪
SUPPORT SCIENCE JOURNALISM TODAY ⬇️ @theopennotebook.bsky.social
Two BIG updates on @theopennotebook.bsky.social:
1. We had a $7,500 match fund and YOU MET THE MATCH!!!
2. Inspired by you, the board is stepping up, and pledging an additional $800 match for any donations TON gets today on 12/31.
Give today: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
1. We had a $7,500 match fund and YOU MET THE MATCH!!!
2. Inspired by you, the board is stepping up, and pledging an additional $800 match for any donations TON gets today on 12/31.
Give today: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
December 31, 2025 at 2:05 PM
SUPPORT SCIENCE JOURNALISM TODAY ⬇️ @theopennotebook.bsky.social
As you consider year-end giving options, please check out @theopennotebook.bsky.social — THE site for free resources to improve science journalism around the world.
But we need your help. Donations by 12/31 will be matched:
www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
But we need your help. Donations by 12/31 will be matched:
www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
The Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open Notebook
For 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:43 PM
As you consider year-end giving options, please check out @theopennotebook.bsky.social — THE site for free resources to improve science journalism around the world.
But we need your help. Donations by 12/31 will be matched:
www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
But we need your help. Donations by 12/31 will be matched:
www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
Reposted by Alexandra Witze
whenever people ask me how to become a science writer, I refer them to the @theopennotebook.bsky.social. it's the best guide to becoming a thoughtful, ethical science journalist. all donations will be matched through the end of the year, will you join me?
www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
The Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open Notebook
For 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:47 PM
whenever people ask me how to become a science writer, I refer them to the @theopennotebook.bsky.social. it's the best guide to becoming a thoughtful, ethical science journalist. all donations will be matched through the end of the year, will you join me?
www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
The world needs more science journalists, especially those with mad skills and ethics training. All that is provided for free by @theopennotebook.bsky.social, but we need your help. Join me in donating to support these amazing resources: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
The Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open Notebook
For 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...
www.theopennotebook.com
December 27, 2025 at 9:56 PM
The world needs more science journalists, especially those with mad skills and ethics training. All that is provided for free by @theopennotebook.bsky.social, but we need your help. Join me in donating to support these amazing resources: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...