Dr. Catherine Scott
cataranea.bsky.social
Dr. Catherine Scott
@cataranea.bsky.social
Arachnologist, behavioural ecologist, natural historian, & spider advocate. I also knit, sew, & have strong opinions. Pronouns: she or they
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
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
February 13, 2026 at 5:44 AM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
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.
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.
February 11, 2026 at 4:55 PM
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.
February 12, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
"Grass Snake"
Hand embroidery thread painting artwork
#StunDay #embroidery #NationalSerpentDay #WildlifeArt
February 1, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
"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
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
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.”’
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.”
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
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
Early Arthropods

xkcd.com/3199/
January 28, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
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
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.
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
@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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
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