Brendan Maher
@bmaher.bsky.social
News featured editor at Nature. bmaher.01 on signal.
Reposted by Brendan Maher
Mere months after its long-awaited debut, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory is beginning to deliver on its promise to rewrite cosmic history
go.nature.com/3JJK6tp
go.nature.com/3JJK6tp
Surprise ‘tail’ found on an iconic galaxy may rewrite its history
First image from Vera C. Rubin telescope reveals a previously unnoticed feature of galaxy M61 that may explain its mysterious properties.
go.nature.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Mere months after its long-awaited debut, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory is beginning to deliver on its promise to rewrite cosmic history
go.nature.com/3JJK6tp
go.nature.com/3JJK6tp
Reposted by Brendan Maher
Reposted by Brendan Maher
Bluetorial-Jim Watson
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
ALT: a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
media.tenor.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Bluetorial-Jim Watson
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
A solemn and stormy Edmund Fitzgerald day to all who celebrate: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP0k...
Billy Strings “Wreck of the Edmund’s Fitzgerald” 4/19/25 #billystrings #cary #agirlandherphone
YouTube video by Beth Boylan
www.youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:38 PM
A solemn and stormy Edmund Fitzgerald day to all who celebrate: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP0k...
Reposted by Brendan Maher
I’m waiting for NIAID Directorship to open up again then I’ll send in my CV…
November 7, 2025 at 11:24 PM
I’m waiting for NIAID Directorship to open up again then I’ll send in my CV…
Reposted by Brendan Maher
8 high level positions at NIH posted including 6 institute director positions (NIMH, NIGMS, NICHD, NIDCR, NHGRI, NLM).
Only open for 2 weeks (applications due November 21).
Application materials include a) CV b) vision statement c) a photocopy of doctoral degree.
hr.nih.gov/careers/open...
Only open for 2 weeks (applications due November 21).
Application materials include a) CV b) vision statement c) a photocopy of doctoral degree.
hr.nih.gov/careers/open...
hr.nih.gov
November 7, 2025 at 10:20 PM
8 high level positions at NIH posted including 6 institute director positions (NIMH, NIGMS, NICHD, NIDCR, NHGRI, NLM).
Only open for 2 weeks (applications due November 21).
Application materials include a) CV b) vision statement c) a photocopy of doctoral degree.
hr.nih.gov/careers/open...
Only open for 2 weeks (applications due November 21).
Application materials include a) CV b) vision statement c) a photocopy of doctoral degree.
hr.nih.gov/careers/open...
Jim Watson – who became notorious for his history of racist and sexist comments – has died at 97 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
DNA pioneer James Watson has died ― colleagues wrestle with his legacy
The co-discoverer of the structure of DNA helped to strengthen a US research institute and wrote a classic textbook, but also earned a reputation for racist and sexist comments.
www.nature.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Jim Watson – who became notorious for his history of racist and sexist comments – has died at 97 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
International students in the US haven't declined (yet). Interesting analysis by @dangaristo.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...
International PhD student numbers in US hold steady — for now
Trend flies in face of Trump-administration policies, but could yet see a rapid decrease, especially in science fields.
www.nature.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:46 PM
International students in the US haven't declined (yet). Interesting analysis by @dangaristo.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...
'Mind captions' sound pretty cool. This work covered by my colleague promises to create text descriptions of the things you see by decoding your brain activity while viewing them. In testing it also worked when people recalled watching videos.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
‘Mind-captioning’ AI decodes brain activity to turn thoughts into text
A non-invasive imaging technique can translate scenes in your head into sentences. It could help to reveal how the brain interprets the world.
www.nature.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:23 PM
'Mind captions' sound pretty cool. This work covered by my colleague promises to create text descriptions of the things you see by decoding your brain activity while viewing them. In testing it also worked when people recalled watching videos.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Brendan Maher
A high-quality image data set shows that tech companies can obtain informed consent and avoid data bias without breaking the bank
go.nature.com/4oSvBT0
go.nature.com/4oSvBT0
Images for AI use can be sourced responsibly
A high-quality image data set shows that tech companies can obtain informed consent and avoid data bias without breaking the bank.
go.nature.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
A high-quality image data set shows that tech companies can obtain informed consent and avoid data bias without breaking the bank
go.nature.com/4oSvBT0
go.nature.com/4oSvBT0
Reposted by Brendan Maher
Scientists long thought the plant cell wall to be dead, but it's an active, even chatty participant in cellular growth, reproduction and responses to infection
go.nature.com/4oK8xWu
go.nature.com/4oK8xWu
Plants have a secret language that scientists are only now starting to decipher
Nature - Signals from the plant cell wall help to orchestrate growth, reproduction and immune function. Can harnessing this molecular cross talk help in creating better crops?
go.nature.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Scientists long thought the plant cell wall to be dead, but it's an active, even chatty participant in cellular growth, reproduction and responses to infection
go.nature.com/4oK8xWu
go.nature.com/4oK8xWu
These walls CAN talk! Turns out the plant cell wall isn't just a boring cubicle for hard working chloroplasts and stuff. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Plants have a secret language that scientists are only now starting to decipher
Signals from the plant cell wall help to orchestrate growth, reproduction and immune function. Can harnessing this molecular cross talk help in creating better crops?
www.nature.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:18 PM
These walls CAN talk! Turns out the plant cell wall isn't just a boring cubicle for hard working chloroplasts and stuff. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What movies to physicists go absolutely gaga over? www.nature.com/articles/d41...
The sci-fi films that physicists love to watch — from Interstellar to Spider-Man
Nature surveyed scientists about their favourite cinematic moments to celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
www.nature.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:49 PM
What movies to physicists go absolutely gaga over? www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Brendan Maher
ICYMI: My longest article ever for Scuba Diving Magazine answers one of the most frequent career advice quesions I receive... and the answer probably isn't what you think!
Give it a read and share
www.scubadiving.com/best-schools... 🦑🧪
Give it a read and share
www.scubadiving.com/best-schools... 🦑🧪
What Are the Best Schools to Study Marine Biology?
In this edition of “Ask a Marine Biologist,” Dr. David Shiffman gives aspiring marine scientists things to consider when looking for in a college or university.
www.scubadiving.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:37 PM
ICYMI: My longest article ever for Scuba Diving Magazine answers one of the most frequent career advice quesions I receive... and the answer probably isn't what you think!
Give it a read and share
www.scubadiving.com/best-schools... 🦑🧪
Give it a read and share
www.scubadiving.com/best-schools... 🦑🧪
Reposted by Brendan Maher
Project Gutenberg is one of those places that exemplifies what the internet was initially all about: studying, preserving, and celebrating the arts, especially the written word, and Greg Newby was a huge part of that.
Thank you, Greg, and rest well.
Thank you, Greg, and rest well.
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Greg Newby, who led Project Gutenberg ( @gutenberg.org ) with passion and purpose. Greg’s belief in free and open access to knowledge continues to inspire us and so many others working to preserve our shared culture online. gutenberg.org/about/newby....
October 23, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Project Gutenberg is one of those places that exemplifies what the internet was initially all about: studying, preserving, and celebrating the arts, especially the written word, and Greg Newby was a huge part of that.
Thank you, Greg, and rest well.
Thank you, Greg, and rest well.
Reposted by Brendan Maher
Another day, another claim of quantum advantage -- this time, with hints of (someday) doing something useful 🧪⚛️
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Google claims ‘quantum advantage’ again — but researchers are sceptical
The firm says it has solved a problem on a quantum processor faster than a classical computer, and is optimistic about future scientific applications.
www.nature.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Another day, another claim of quantum advantage -- this time, with hints of (someday) doing something useful 🧪⚛️
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
De las Casas was required reading in the fairly conservative catholic university I attended. And I can’t thank them enough for it.
Please remember that the disgust people have over Christopher Columbus is not based on some modern, 21st century “woke” ideology, but rather on contemporaneous accounts of atrocities that make many modern genocides appear quaint in comparison.
Below, are the accounts of Bartlomé de las Casas.
Below, are the accounts of Bartlomé de las Casas.
October 14, 2025 at 12:44 AM
De las Casas was required reading in the fairly conservative catholic university I attended. And I can’t thank them enough for it.
Reposted by Brendan Maher
For some context the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly report in addition to being just a good read, to quote wikipedia, "is the main vehicle for publishing public health information and recommendations that have been received by the CDC from state health departments. "
BREAKING: Friday night massacre underway at CDC. Doznes of "disease detectives," high-level scientists, entire Washington staff and editors of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have all been RIFed and received the following notice:
October 11, 2025 at 2:43 AM
For some context the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly report in addition to being just a good read, to quote wikipedia, "is the main vehicle for publishing public health information and recommendations that have been received by the CDC from state health departments. "
Reposted by Brendan Maher
Journalist here
I’m interested in talking to a federal agency scientist who was fired, then rehired. I can keep you anonymous. I’m on Signal ginnyg.04
Reposts are appreciated!
I’m interested in talking to a federal agency scientist who was fired, then rehired. I can keep you anonymous. I’m on Signal ginnyg.04
Reposts are appreciated!
October 11, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Journalist here
I’m interested in talking to a federal agency scientist who was fired, then rehired. I can keep you anonymous. I’m on Signal ginnyg.04
Reposts are appreciated!
I’m interested in talking to a federal agency scientist who was fired, then rehired. I can keep you anonymous. I’m on Signal ginnyg.04
Reposts are appreciated!
Reposted by Brendan Maher
CDC RIFs that we're hearing about:
OPHDST -Office of Public Health Data & Tech
Goals
✅improve access to & use of public health data (Wish Fake-CIP used them-they’d finally understand vaccine data)
✅Improve EFFICIENCY of data & tech systems ➡️
help states, etc. make informed public health decisions
OPHDST -Office of Public Health Data & Tech
Goals
✅improve access to & use of public health data (Wish Fake-CIP used them-they’d finally understand vaccine data)
✅Improve EFFICIENCY of data & tech systems ➡️
help states, etc. make informed public health decisions
About OPHDST
OPHDST works to improve the availability and use of public health data.
www.cdc.gov
October 11, 2025 at 1:31 AM
CDC RIFs that we're hearing about:
OPHDST -Office of Public Health Data & Tech
Goals
✅improve access to & use of public health data (Wish Fake-CIP used them-they’d finally understand vaccine data)
✅Improve EFFICIENCY of data & tech systems ➡️
help states, etc. make informed public health decisions
OPHDST -Office of Public Health Data & Tech
Goals
✅improve access to & use of public health data (Wish Fake-CIP used them-they’d finally understand vaccine data)
✅Improve EFFICIENCY of data & tech systems ➡️
help states, etc. make informed public health decisions
Reposted by Brendan Maher
I don’t know who needs to hear this but the CDC is being eviscerated right now. America is not going to have any kind of outbreak response capacity after tonight. Americans’ health data is no longer secure. Say goodbye to federal public health in any capacity. It’s a disaster. We won’t recover.
October 11, 2025 at 3:05 AM
I don’t know who needs to hear this but the CDC is being eviscerated right now. America is not going to have any kind of outbreak response capacity after tonight. Americans’ health data is no longer secure. Say goodbye to federal public health in any capacity. It’s a disaster. We won’t recover.
Y'all. This interview is sooo good. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: ex-CDC director talks about why she was fired
“I would never do that, as a scientist,” Susan Monarez says of being asked to approve changes to vaccine recommendations without knowing the details.
www.nature.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Y'all. This interview is sooo good. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Brendan Maher
EXCLUSIVE: In her first interview all year, Susan Monarez, CDC director for only 29 days, tells me why Trump/RFK fired her and where this is all headed.
The CDC director is an “inherently political position, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be politically compromised”, she tells @nature.com.
The CDC director is an “inherently political position, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be politically compromised”, she tells @nature.com.
Exclusive: ex-CDC director talks about why she was fired
“I would never do that, as a scientist,” Susan Monarez says of being asked to approve changes to vaccine recommendations without knowing the details.
www.nature.com
October 2, 2025 at 11:15 AM
EXCLUSIVE: In her first interview all year, Susan Monarez, CDC director for only 29 days, tells me why Trump/RFK fired her and where this is all headed.
The CDC director is an “inherently political position, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be politically compromised”, she tells @nature.com.
The CDC director is an “inherently political position, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be politically compromised”, she tells @nature.com.
What does science have to say about getting a good night's sleep? Quite a lot, really. @lynnepeeps.bsky.social captures most of it nicely in this feature www.nature.com/articles/d41...?
How to get the best night’s sleep: what the science says
Chuck the gadgets, the fads and the alarm. Circadian research reveals how important your body’s internal clock is to blissful slumber.
www.nature.com
September 30, 2025 at 5:30 PM
What does science have to say about getting a good night's sleep? Quite a lot, really. @lynnepeeps.bsky.social captures most of it nicely in this feature www.nature.com/articles/d41...?