Dr. Catherine Scott
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cataranea.bsky.social
Dr. Catherine Scott
@cataranea.bsky.social
7.9K followers 590 following 180 posts
Arachnologist, behavioural ecologist, natural historian, & spider advocate. I also knit, sew, & have strong opinions. Pronouns: she or they
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Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
markhisted.org
In terms of what cures are being lost:

- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
"Moderna's CEO announced the company will no longer invest in new Phase 3 vaccine trials for infectious diseases: 'You cannot make a return on investment if you don't have access to the U.S. market. Vaccines for Epstein-Barr virus, herpes, and shingles have been shelved.” 9:12 AM Feb 12, 2026 604.8K Views
February 13, 2026 at 5:44 AM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
mosquitolab.bsky.social
With the shuttering of the Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit last year by the US Army we are loosing a lot of expertise and future expertise in insect taxonomy and ecology.
donnag.bsky.social Donna Giberson (Elbows UP!) 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @donnag.bsky.social · 5d
From Chris Borkent: Fellow Dipterists/systematists/ecologists: Agri./Agri-Food Canada plans to eliminate the Diptera Unit at the Canadian National Collection of Insects. Dr. Art Borkent has prepared an open letter to support keeping the unit open. To sign, please read & follow the instructions here.
Fellow Dipterists / systematists / ecologists, if you have not yet heard, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada is planning to eliminate the Diptera Unit at the Canadian National Collection of Insects, supposedly for financial reasons. The open letter below has been prepared by Dr. Art Borkent. If you agree with the letter, and would like to add your name in support, please follow the directions below. Message is as follows: ********************* The following is an “Open Letter” that will be presented to the Canadian press by a Member of Parliament, Ms. Elizabeth May. If you can support this petition, please send your name, full affiliation and address (including country) to Art Borkent’s email: artborkent@telus.net Your name will be added to a supporting list that will likely never be seen publicly but needs to be noted by our member of parliament. Please consider helping to stop the removal of the Diptera Unit in Ottawa, Canada. Please remember that we are writing this for the press – someone gave advice that it should be written at about the level of an intelligent 14 year old. If any of you are members of another society of specialized Dipterists or otherwise, please feel free to send this on to your other colleagues. I am hoping to have this submitted to Elizabeth May with all the signatures by Friday, Feb. 13. Time is of the essence. best wishes, Art Borkent and David Grimaldi (Message too long for alt-text): the text of the first page of an open letter to support keeping the Diptera Unit open at the Canadian National Collection of Insects and Nematodes. (Message too long for alt-text): the text of the second page of an open letter to support keeping the Diptera Unit open at the Canadian National Collection of Insects and Nematodes. A sampling of output from the Diptera Unit at the CNC
February 11, 2026 at 4:55 PM
cataranea.bsky.social
This is a devastating blow to Canadian dipterology, entomology, ecology, and beyond. Please share.
#diptera

@dipterists.bsky.social @teamdiptera.bsky.social @canentomologist.bsky.social @entsocamerica.bsky.social @entsocontario.bsky.social @entsocbc.bsky.social @royentsoc.bsky.social
donnag.bsky.social Donna Giberson (Elbows UP!) 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @donnag.bsky.social · 5d
From Chris Borkent: Fellow Dipterists/systematists/ecologists: Agri./Agri-Food Canada plans to eliminate the Diptera Unit at the Canadian National Collection of Insects. Dr. Art Borkent has prepared an open letter to support keeping the unit open. To sign, please read & follow the instructions here.
Fellow Dipterists / systematists / ecologists, if you have not yet heard, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada is planning to eliminate the Diptera Unit at the Canadian National Collection of Insects, supposedly for financial reasons. The open letter below has been prepared by Dr. Art Borkent. If you agree with the letter, and would like to add your name in support, please follow the directions below. Message is as follows: ********************* The following is an “Open Letter” that will be presented to the Canadian press by a Member of Parliament, Ms. Elizabeth May. If you can support this petition, please send your name, full affiliation and address (including country) to Art Borkent’s email: artborkent@telus.net Your name will be added to a supporting list that will likely never be seen publicly but needs to be noted by our member of parliament. Please consider helping to stop the removal of the Diptera Unit in Ottawa, Canada. Please remember that we are writing this for the press – someone gave advice that it should be written at about the level of an intelligent 14 year old. If any of you are members of another society of specialized Dipterists or otherwise, please feel free to send this on to your other colleagues. I am hoping to have this submitted to Elizabeth May with all the signatures by Friday, Feb. 13. Time is of the essence. best wishes, Art Borkent and David Grimaldi (Message too long for alt-text): the text of the first page of an open letter to support keeping the Diptera Unit open at the Canadian National Collection of Insects and Nematodes. (Message too long for alt-text): the text of the second page of an open letter to support keeping the Diptera Unit open at the Canadian National Collection of Insects and Nematodes. A sampling of output from the Diptera Unit at the CNC
February 12, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
artbyemilytull.bsky.social
"Grass Snake"
Hand embroidery thread painting artwork
#StunDay #embroidery #NationalSerpentDay #WildlifeArt
A lime green felt background with a hand embroidered grass Snake head turned to the left with its tongue out .
February 1, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
hollyenglish.bsky.social
"Despite her groundbreaking work, West was long left out of histories that discussed the development of GPS."

What a remarkable woman. RIP Gladys Mae West.
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
charleswlogan.bsky.social
As these teens describe, AI can diminish human relationships; devalue art; threaten the environment; lead to laziness; give unreliable results; pose privacy concerns; and be misused.

So, please, stop with the narratives of inevitability and let's embrace a pedagogy and politics of refusal.
7 Reasons Teens Say No to AI
Some young people only turn to artificial-intelligence chatbots as a last resort, citing concerns about relationships, creativity, the environment and more.
www.wsj.com
February 1, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
rincewind.run
Discworld QOTD, from The Last Continent

‘“We put all our politicians in prison as soon as they’re elected. Don’t you?”

“Why?”

“It saves time.”’
rincewind.run Micah @rincewind.run · 18d
Discworld QOTD, from Thud!

“Beating people up in little rooms…he knew where that led. And if you did it for a good reason, you’d do it for a bad one. You couldn’t say ‘We’re the good guys’ and do bad-guy things.”
rincewind.run Micah @rincewind.run · 19d
Discworld QOTD, from Making Money

"‘Even tyrants have to obey the law.’ He paused, looking thoughtful, and continued: ‘No, I tell a lie, tyrants do not have to obey the law, obviously, but they do have to observe the niceties.’"
January 30, 2026 at 7:36 PM
cataranea.bsky.social
Equity, Ethics, & genAI

“students & staff are reminded of the risks & advised of ‘prohibited’ uses at the same time as inhouse genAI tools are actively promoted […] ethical responsibility is passed on to staff & students, with few clear guidelines...” ecologyisnotadirtyword.com/2026/01/30/e...
Equity, Ethics, and genAI in Academia
Generative AI tools are openly accessible, increasingly normalised, and mostly inequitable. They’re a great example of a marketing success benefiting a specific industry that has quickly ignited a …
ecologyisnotadirtyword.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
xkcd.com
Early Arthropods

xkcd.com/3199/
3-panel comic. (1) [Three small arthropods on ocean floor.] ARTHROPOD 1: Now that we’re multicellular, what are your plans? I’m gonna evolve little legs and swim around with them! ARTHROPOD 2: I’m gonna evolve sharp pincers and use them to crunch stuff! ARTHROPOD 3: I’m gonna evolve glands to make string from my butt and use it to construct elaborate geometric nets hundreds of times my size to catch other animals. (2) [Silence] (3) ARTHROPOD 1: *Dude.* ARTHROPOD 2: Can you *please* just be normal about this? ARTHROPOD 3: *What??!*
January 28, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
theradr.bsky.social
As state terror amps up, here's a list of actions you can take now--

a lot of resources

and a list of upcoming virtual trainings on a number of topics:
actions to take as ICE intensifies
ways to support MN and your own community
www.lifeisasacredtext.com
January 25, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
bhaggart.bsky.social
The biggest challenge Canadians face right now involves the utter disconnect between Carney’s rhetoric and his actual policies. It makes it so difficult to even begin a debate about what actually standing up to the US would look like.
shipster.bsky.social Tyler Shipley @shipster.bsky.social · 24d
Theoretically, a Canadian government that wanted to shield people from the crisis could place serious price controls on groceries, rent, transportation and energy. It could commit to real public health programs in the face of viral chaos down south. It could re-invest in community programs/services.
January 24, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
akkabah.bsky.social
@thetyee.ca is hiring a biodiversity reporter! We're looking for someone who can bring a good sense of curiosity & narrative to the role, and also do some investigative/accountability reporting. Deets here: thetyee.ca/Tyeenews/202...
Are You The Tyee’s New Biodiversity Reporter? | The Tyee
We’re looking for a sharp journalist to join our team. Apply by Feb. 8.
thetyee.ca
January 23, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
tryangregory.bsky.social
43. Stop appeasing Trump and stop trying desperately to negotiate a deal with an unreliable lunatic

www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
Opinion: The U.S. is not our friend any more. Has anyone told Mark Carney?
Why is the Prime Minister still trying to negotiate a trade and security agreement with a capricious authoritarian?
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
tryangregory.bsky.social
36. Stop dumping money into recruiting researchers from outside Canada and instead properly fund our existing research community

www.science.org/content/arti...
In Canada, scientists are struggling with stagnant funding
Lackluster growth in federal spending squeezes research community
www.science.org
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
tryangregory.bsky.social
35. Increase, not decrease, capacity for food safety and pathogen surveillance, especially given US erosion of both

www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
‘It’s catastrophic’: Experts say U.S. public health rollbacks will impact Canadians
Canadian infectious disease experts are slamming the state of public health in the U.S., after the Trump administration fired the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
www.ctvnews.ca
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
tryangregory.bsky.social
31. Stop being complicit in the ongoing genocide in Gaza

canadianmuslimpac.ca/2025/06/29/c...
CMPAC Commentary on Prime Minister Carney’s ‘Zionist Palestine’ Controversial Suggestion – Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council
canadianmuslimpac.ca
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
tryangregory.bsky.social
30. Cancel the F-35 and stop buying military equipment from the US

ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
Concerns raised that another Canadian Army project is being tailored just for U.S. equipment
There has been growing frustration among Canadian firms that the military is ignoring Carney’s call to decrease reliance on U.S. suppliers.
ottawacitizen.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
tryangregory.bsky.social
27. Move Canada's economy away from fossil fuels and extractive industry rather than making us more reliant on those

thenarwhal.ca/build-canada...
Canada is crossing off an oil and gas wish list | The Narwhal
From fast-tracking approvals to slashing a proposed emissions cap, the Carney government is working its way through requests from Canada’s fossil fuel industry
thenarwhal.ca
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
tryangregory.bsky.social
26. Actually listen to Indigenous people rather than trying to convince them to accept pipelines, mines, and oil tankers

thewalrus.ca/a-subjugatio...
“A Subjugation”: First Nations Chiefs Blast Carney’s Nation-Building Scheme | The Walrus
Bill C-5, the controversial fast-track law, risks unleashing years of litigation
thewalrus.ca
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
tryangregory.bsky.social
24. Stop cutting support for women's issues

ywcacanada.ca/news/departm...
Department for Women and Gender Equality is facing budget cuts of 80% in their recently released departmental plan | YWCA Canada
ywcacanada.ca
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
tryangregory.bsky.social
19. Stop pushing AI as a panacea, and definitely stop viewing AI as a replacement for human workers

thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
Say Hi to Tech Bro Carney | The Tyee
As his government heedlessly embraces artificial intelligence, the threats to Canadians are clear.
thetyee.ca
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
tryangregory.bsky.social
18. Keep election promises on biodiversity conservation

www.cbc.ca/news/science...
Canada promised new parks and nature protection. Has that shifted with Carney in power? | CBC News
Now, environmental groups and others are concerned that the apparent pivot from the Carney government will reverse years of progress made on nature conservation. Among the initiatives now facing uncer...
www.cbc.ca
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
tryangregory.bsky.social
17. Stop backtracking on climate commitments

www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Carney government noncommittal about Canada meeting 2030 climate goals | CBC News
Prime Minister Mark Carney would not say Monday whether Canada will meet its climate goals under the Paris agreement by 2030, as his government faces criticism over his emission-reduction plans.
www.cbc.ca
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
tryangregory.bsky.social
16. Stop undermining environmental protections

thenarwhal.ca/carney-budge...
How Carney’s first budget impacts the environment | The Narwhal
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first budget scales back many Trudeau-era environmental programs and creates a youth climate corps
thenarwhal.ca
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
tryangregory.bsky.social
13. Tax the wealthy, including reinstating the increase to the capital gains tax -- trickle down economics has never worked ever

www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Carney cancels planned hike to capital gains tax | CBC News
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he will cancel the proposed hike to the amount of capital gains that are subject to tax introduced by Justin Trudeau's government.
www.cbc.ca
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM