Bethany Brookshire
@beebrookshire.bsky.social
Sci journo, author of Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains. Highly caffeinated. All bad takes mine. She/her
Pinned
Alright Skeeties! I wanted to put all the anatomy facts in a thread to keep them organized so:
WELCOME to class of 2023 Insomniac Anatomy Academy! In which I study anatomy when I can't sleep and share the best facts with you. 🧪
WELCOME to class of 2023 Insomniac Anatomy Academy! In which I study anatomy when I can't sleep and share the best facts with you. 🧪
I also feel like some people are looksmaxxing or even booksmaxxing when they should be therapymaxxing.
I'll take therapyminning, even, I'm not picky.
I'll take therapyminning, even, I'm not picky.
some of you are looksmaxxing when you need to be booksmaxxing
February 18, 2026 at 9:23 PM
I also feel like some people are looksmaxxing or even booksmaxxing when they should be therapymaxxing.
I'll take therapyminning, even, I'm not picky.
I'll take therapyminning, even, I'm not picky.
HAHAHAHA Ok I can't tell if this makes me like, really egotistical or not.
February 18, 2026 at 9:01 PM
HAHAHAHA Ok I can't tell if this makes me like, really egotistical or not.
In reporting this piece on the epigenetics of ancient humans, I got to find out what happens when archaeology guys get to work with fresh bone for the first time. 😂
Because you see, fresh bone still has marrow...which makes BLOOD.
www.templeton.org/news/the-evo...
Because you see, fresh bone still has marrow...which makes BLOOD.
www.templeton.org/news/the-evo...
The Evolution of the Human Brain
With funding from the John Templeton Foundation, Carmel and Meshorer have been looking into how changes in epigenetics between modern and ancient humans might manifest in our brains. Using their techn...
www.templeton.org
February 18, 2026 at 7:54 PM
In reporting this piece on the epigenetics of ancient humans, I got to find out what happens when archaeology guys get to work with fresh bone for the first time. 😂
Because you see, fresh bone still has marrow...which makes BLOOD.
www.templeton.org/news/the-evo...
Because you see, fresh bone still has marrow...which makes BLOOD.
www.templeton.org/news/the-evo...
Reposted by Bethany Brookshire
some of you are looksmaxxing when you need to be booksmaxxing
February 18, 2026 at 7:41 PM
some of you are looksmaxxing when you need to be booksmaxxing
Does eating a salad count as "touching grass?" Asking for me.
I did individually hold a spinach leaf during the process.
I did individually hold a spinach leaf during the process.
February 18, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Does eating a salad count as "touching grass?" Asking for me.
I did individually hold a spinach leaf during the process.
I did individually hold a spinach leaf during the process.
....this is how I feel about space please don't tell anyone.
But like, if it's millions of light years away, billions of years in the past, and just kind of looks like a glowing blob, I've got a tough time getting hype
But like, if it's millions of light years away, billions of years in the past, and just kind of looks like a glowing blob, I've got a tough time getting hype
February 18, 2026 at 6:13 PM
....this is how I feel about space please don't tell anyone.
But like, if it's millions of light years away, billions of years in the past, and just kind of looks like a glowing blob, I've got a tough time getting hype
But like, if it's millions of light years away, billions of years in the past, and just kind of looks like a glowing blob, I've got a tough time getting hype
Biathlon.
I'd be fueled by a certain amount of spite.
I'd be fueled by a certain amount of spite.
If you had one year to train, which event in the Winter Olympics would you be able to a compete in and not make an absolute fool of yourself.
You will lose. You can come in last. But you have to compete like you belong there.
I think if I committed full-time for a year, I could be an ok Curler.
You will lose. You can come in last. But you have to compete like you belong there.
I think if I committed full-time for a year, I could be an ok Curler.
February 18, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Biathlon.
I'd be fueled by a certain amount of spite.
I'd be fueled by a certain amount of spite.
This is absolutely true.
Other coyotes are far more modest. They've learned that this kind of thing leads to Hubris.
And running off cliffs and looking down.
Other coyotes are far more modest. They've learned that this kind of thing leads to Hubris.
And running off cliffs and looking down.
February 18, 2026 at 3:30 PM
This is absolutely true.
Other coyotes are far more modest. They've learned that this kind of thing leads to Hubris.
And running off cliffs and looking down.
Other coyotes are far more modest. They've learned that this kind of thing leads to Hubris.
And running off cliffs and looking down.
And yeah, I said relatively. Because well, the dogs can get in fights they can't win, and some coyotes are genius.
But the other method includes trapping, poisoning, and shooting every coyote on sight, and a lot more sheep loss.
Herding has never been a fully peaceful profession.
But the other method includes trapping, poisoning, and shooting every coyote on sight, and a lot more sheep loss.
Herding has never been a fully peaceful profession.
February 18, 2026 at 2:42 PM
And yeah, I said relatively. Because well, the dogs can get in fights they can't win, and some coyotes are genius.
But the other method includes trapping, poisoning, and shooting every coyote on sight, and a lot more sheep loss.
Herding has never been a fully peaceful profession.
But the other method includes trapping, poisoning, and shooting every coyote on sight, and a lot more sheep loss.
Herding has never been a fully peaceful profession.
Love this piece on livestock guardian dogs! www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
I got to meet some in my book reporting. They do incredible work for nonlethal (relatively) predator control.
www.harpercollins.com/products/pes...
I got to meet some in my book reporting. They do incredible work for nonlethal (relatively) predator control.
www.harpercollins.com/products/pes...
When Coyotes Threatened Livestock on Central Texas Ranches, the Solution Was to Unlock an Ancient Ability in Dogs
Killing the predators is not nearly as effective as the intimidating presence of well-trained guardians, a role some breeds have played for 5,000 years
www.smithsonianmag.com
February 18, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Love this piece on livestock guardian dogs! www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
I got to meet some in my book reporting. They do incredible work for nonlethal (relatively) predator control.
www.harpercollins.com/products/pes...
I got to meet some in my book reporting. They do incredible work for nonlethal (relatively) predator control.
www.harpercollins.com/products/pes...
I have been attacked by a wild turkey in Washington DC. In the city limits, in fact.
Y’all got wild turkeys in OAKLAND????
Okay, now I’m convinced that turkeys took over the country and none of us noticed because we were busy dealing with the OTHER coup.
If you have wild turkeys in your area, reply with where you live. We must expose them!
Okay, now I’m convinced that turkeys took over the country and none of us noticed because we were busy dealing with the OTHER coup.
If you have wild turkeys in your area, reply with where you live. We must expose them!
My brother lives on a steep hillside in Oakland, California, and the turkeys jump from roof to roof to avoid predators. They sound like bowling balls being dropped from a plane and it's actually more unnerving than an earthquake.
February 18, 2026 at 4:58 AM
I have been attacked by a wild turkey in Washington DC. In the city limits, in fact.
Evolution is slow.
But life comes at you fast.
What picks up the slack? Epigenetics, and it's epigenetics that may have tweaked the crucial parts of our brains to make us who we are. www.templeton.org/news/the-evo...
But life comes at you fast.
What picks up the slack? Epigenetics, and it's epigenetics that may have tweaked the crucial parts of our brains to make us who we are. www.templeton.org/news/the-evo...
The Evolution of the Human Brain
With funding from the John Templeton Foundation, Carmel and Meshorer have been looking into how changes in epigenetics between modern and ancient humans might manifest in our brains. Using their techn...
www.templeton.org
February 17, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Evolution is slow.
But life comes at you fast.
What picks up the slack? Epigenetics, and it's epigenetics that may have tweaked the crucial parts of our brains to make us who we are. www.templeton.org/news/the-evo...
But life comes at you fast.
What picks up the slack? Epigenetics, and it's epigenetics that may have tweaked the crucial parts of our brains to make us who we are. www.templeton.org/news/the-evo...
Reposted by Bethany Brookshire
Historian of medicine here. Yes. Yes, they did.
before antibiotics did people just die all the time from everything?
February 17, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Historian of medicine here. Yes. Yes, they did.
I got a huge rash of these last month.
"we need at least $200 we do so much work to prepare for you"
And not only is it a scam. It's just heartbreaking. All authors want is for people to read their books.
Scams like these make you feel like a failure even if you don't fall for it.
"we need at least $200 we do so much work to prepare for you"
And not only is it a scam. It's just heartbreaking. All authors want is for people to read their books.
Scams like these make you feel like a failure even if you don't fall for it.
Latest AI bookclub scam "I host (title) a curated Zoom series centered on thoughtful conversation . We spend 45–60 minutes exploring the heart of the story and then open the floor to an intimate audience of 50–100 engaged readers who come prepared with meaningful questions" I'll bet they do, and
February 17, 2026 at 4:12 PM
I got a huge rash of these last month.
"we need at least $200 we do so much work to prepare for you"
And not only is it a scam. It's just heartbreaking. All authors want is for people to read their books.
Scams like these make you feel like a failure even if you don't fall for it.
"we need at least $200 we do so much work to prepare for you"
And not only is it a scam. It's just heartbreaking. All authors want is for people to read their books.
Scams like these make you feel like a failure even if you don't fall for it.
Yes. And it becomes harder and harder as people are trying to write more and faster for less. I'm sure this poor person was paid maybe $100 or so to write this. Probably in less than a day.
February 16, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Yes. And it becomes harder and harder as people are trying to write more and faster for less. I'm sure this poor person was paid maybe $100 or so to write this. Probably in less than a day.
LOL I wouldn't call it hazards of science reporting per se.
I would not say the person who wrote this article did any reporting at all. It's a rehash of another article. Which isn't in itself bad! But...it does have the potential to amplify issues.
I would not say the person who wrote this article did any reporting at all. It's a rehash of another article. Which isn't in itself bad! But...it does have the potential to amplify issues.
February 16, 2026 at 5:53 PM
LOL I wouldn't call it hazards of science reporting per se.
I would not say the person who wrote this article did any reporting at all. It's a rehash of another article. Which isn't in itself bad! But...it does have the potential to amplify issues.
I would not say the person who wrote this article did any reporting at all. It's a rehash of another article. Which isn't in itself bad! But...it does have the potential to amplify issues.
And also if you or anyone you know is going to @dragoncon.org, the @dconscitrack.bsky.social has had not one but TWO amazing panels on TEETH. 🦷
One could say they've had a deciduous and adult set.
IS IT TIME FOR TERTIARY TEETH
One could say they've had a deciduous and adult set.
IS IT TIME FOR TERTIARY TEETH
February 16, 2026 at 5:51 PM
And also if you or anyone you know is going to @dragoncon.org, the @dconscitrack.bsky.social has had not one but TWO amazing panels on TEETH. 🦷
One could say they've had a deciduous and adult set.
IS IT TIME FOR TERTIARY TEETH
One could say they've had a deciduous and adult set.
IS IT TIME FOR TERTIARY TEETH
Reposted by Bethany Brookshire
Good thread, not just because bonus!teeth, but also how it shows the process of hunting down scientific knowledge from a fairly general starting point.
Ok HOLD THE PHONE.
"He said that his previous research shows that humans have the start of a third set of teeth already embedded in our mouths."
Just drop that right at the end of this article WHAT?! www.popularmechanics.com/science/heal...
"He said that his previous research shows that humans have the start of a third set of teeth already embedded in our mouths."
Just drop that right at the end of this article WHAT?! www.popularmechanics.com/science/heal...
Humans Have a Third Set of Teeth. New Medicine May Help Them Grow.
They could be ready by 2030.
www.popularmechanics.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Good thread, not just because bonus!teeth, but also how it shows the process of hunting down scientific knowledge from a fairly general starting point.
Which is to say: DENTISTAL PEOPLE.
TOOTH HUMANS.
Anyone on here a tooth origins researcher who wants to shed more light on this?
TOOTH HUMANS.
Anyone on here a tooth origins researcher who wants to shed more light on this?
February 16, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Which is to say: DENTISTAL PEOPLE.
TOOTH HUMANS.
Anyone on here a tooth origins researcher who wants to shed more light on this?
TOOTH HUMANS.
Anyone on here a tooth origins researcher who wants to shed more light on this?
Like yes, I do, but you can't bake a cake from that alone right? Need eggs and oil, and an OVEN and a spoon and a cake pan, for starters.
I don't think he's lying.
But until I see a lot more, or hear from an expert, I think he's...stretching.
I don't think he's lying.
But until I see a lot more, or hear from an expert, I think he's...stretching.
February 16, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Like yes, I do, but you can't bake a cake from that alone right? Need eggs and oil, and an OVEN and a spoon and a cake pan, for starters.
I don't think he's lying.
But until I see a lot more, or hear from an expert, I think he's...stretching.
I don't think he's lying.
But until I see a lot more, or hear from an expert, I think he's...stretching.
So yes, I suppose we do have the origins of a third set up in there, we have cells, and a jaw, and a dental lamina.
But...that's really not the origins of a third set right?
that's like saying because I've got flour and sugar, I've got the origins of a cake.
But...that's really not the origins of a third set right?
that's like saying because I've got flour and sugar, I've got the origins of a cake.
February 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM
So yes, I suppose we do have the origins of a third set up in there, we have cells, and a jaw, and a dental lamina.
But...that's really not the origins of a third set right?
that's like saying because I've got flour and sugar, I've got the origins of a cake.
But...that's really not the origins of a third set right?
that's like saying because I've got flour and sugar, I've got the origins of a cake.
This guy appears to be aiming toward that...but I don't think he's close. The findings he's got are in arrested tooth development, development that was stopped. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
It's not new teeth grown from nothing.
It's not new teeth grown from nothing.
Local application of Usag-1 siRNA can promote tooth regeneration in Runx2-deficient mice - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - Local application of Usag-1 siRNA can promote tooth regeneration in Runx2-deficient mice
www.nature.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:44 PM
This guy appears to be aiming toward that...but I don't think he's close. The findings he's got are in arrested tooth development, development that was stopped. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
It's not new teeth grown from nothing.
It's not new teeth grown from nothing.
Interestingly not all their teeth grow continuously. Just the incisors.
February 16, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Interestingly not all their teeth grow continuously. Just the incisors.
YUP this is where I am ending up.
February 16, 2026 at 5:42 PM
YUP this is where I am ending up.
They wouldn't be connected by the tiny ligaments and nerves to the jaw itself.
That's the key here, growing the teeth in situ and getting them to hook up correctly (because your teeth are actually joints, they are ennervated! You can FEEL your teeth).
That's the key here, growing the teeth in situ and getting them to hook up correctly (because your teeth are actually joints, they are ennervated! You can FEEL your teeth).
February 16, 2026 at 5:41 PM
They wouldn't be connected by the tiny ligaments and nerves to the jaw itself.
That's the key here, growing the teeth in situ and getting them to hook up correctly (because your teeth are actually joints, they are ennervated! You can FEEL your teeth).
That's the key here, growing the teeth in situ and getting them to hook up correctly (because your teeth are actually joints, they are ennervated! You can FEEL your teeth).