Cathleen O'Grady
@cathleenogrady.bsky.social
Science journo at @science.org, writing about science & society, research integrity, and other places where the scientific rubber hits the road. 🇿🇦🏴🇷🇸
Tip? Find me on Signal at cathleen_ogrady.14
Tip? Find me on Signal at cathleen_ogrady.14
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
Scientific fraud has become an ‘industry,’ alarming analysis finds | Science | AAAS via @cathleenogrady.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
Scientific fraud has become an ‘industry,’ alarming analysis finds
Sophisticated global networks are infiltrating journals to publish fake papers
www.science.org
August 5, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Scientific fraud has become an ‘industry,’ alarming analysis finds | Science | AAAS via @cathleenogrady.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
Don't look now but: Scientific fraud has become an ‘industry,’ alarming analysis finds. Brought to you by @science.org 's excellent @cathleenogrady.bsky.social | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Scientific fraud has become an ‘industry,’ alarming analysis finds
Sophisticated global networks are infiltrating journals to publish fake papers
www.science.org
August 4, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Don't look now but: Scientific fraud has become an ‘industry,’ alarming analysis finds. Brought to you by @science.org 's excellent @cathleenogrady.bsky.social | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
Thousands of Danes have just found out that their genetic data has been used in research for more than a decade, without their consent. Great reporting from @inampudi.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
Blood taken from Danish babies ended up in huge genetic study—without consent
The iPsych project, which investigates the genetics of psychiatric disorders, has sent 140,000 opt-out notices amid backlash
www.science.org
August 1, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Thousands of Danes have just found out that their genetic data has been used in research for more than a decade, without their consent. Great reporting from @inampudi.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
Are you a journalist writing about a current heatwave?
The images you choose are critical to the story.
The @climateoutreach.bsky.social team have shown some ideas here which help stress the risks rather than the typical ice creams: www.climatevisuals.org/how-do-you-p...
The images you choose are critical to the story.
The @climateoutreach.bsky.social team have shown some ideas here which help stress the risks rather than the typical ice creams: www.climatevisuals.org/how-do-you-p...
How do you photograph heat? - Climate Outreach
www.climatevisuals.org
June 19, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Are you a journalist writing about a current heatwave?
The images you choose are critical to the story.
The @climateoutreach.bsky.social team have shown some ideas here which help stress the risks rather than the typical ice creams: www.climatevisuals.org/how-do-you-p...
The images you choose are critical to the story.
The @climateoutreach.bsky.social team have shown some ideas here which help stress the risks rather than the typical ice creams: www.climatevisuals.org/how-do-you-p...
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
In the early 2010s, critics started pointing out that much of the psychology literature was unreliable. Now, a statistical analysis suggests the field is improving, @cathleenogrady.bsky.social reports. www.science.org/content/arti...
‘A big win’: Dubious statistical results are becoming less common in psychology
Fewer papers are reporting findings on the border of statistical significance, a potential marker of dodgy research practices
www.science.org
June 9, 2025 at 5:45 PM
In the early 2010s, critics started pointing out that much of the psychology literature was unreliable. Now, a statistical analysis suggests the field is improving, @cathleenogrady.bsky.social reports. www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
Good summary (imo) by @cathleenogrady.bsky.social, and useful quotes from thoughtful people like @peteetchells.bsky.social and @dingdingpeng.the100.ci and others.
This is worth reading (re: the recent social media consensus preprint):
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Social media consensus paper causes social media uproar
Preprint reporting common ground among researchers on smartphones and teen mental health is premature and flawed, critics say
www.science.org
May 26, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Good summary (imo) by @cathleenogrady.bsky.social, and useful quotes from thoughtful people like @peteetchells.bsky.social and @dingdingpeng.the100.ci and others.
Last week, a preprint reporting expert consensus on smartphones and teen mental health sparked a kerfuffle.
Critics are saying the evidence in the field is too thin to support consensus, and that the findings of the paper have been communicated badly: www.science.org/content/arti...
Critics are saying the evidence in the field is too thin to support consensus, and that the findings of the paper have been communicated badly: www.science.org/content/arti...
Social media consensus paper causes social media uproar
Preprint reporting common ground among researchers on smartphones and teen mental health is premature and flawed, critics say
www.science.org
May 23, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Last week, a preprint reporting expert consensus on smartphones and teen mental health sparked a kerfuffle.
Critics are saying the evidence in the field is too thin to support consensus, and that the findings of the paper have been communicated badly: www.science.org/content/arti...
Critics are saying the evidence in the field is too thin to support consensus, and that the findings of the paper have been communicated badly: www.science.org/content/arti...
A massive health dataset has spawned a wealth of cookie-cutter "research Mad Libs" papers that don't tell us anything useful, but flood the literature with noise. Possibly AI-generated, possibly paper mill origin.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Low-quality papers are surging by exploiting public data sets and AI
Paper mills are also likely contributing to “false discoveries”
www.science.org
May 15, 2025 at 1:53 PM
A massive health dataset has spawned a wealth of cookie-cutter "research Mad Libs" papers that don't tell us anything useful, but flood the literature with noise. Possibly AI-generated, possibly paper mill origin.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
“The lived experience of a scientist right now is terrifying”
My colleague Warren Cornwall spoke to @gregggonsalves.bsky.social, @rebekahtromble.bsky.social, @katestarbird.bsky.social
and others about “the fear and self-censorship coursing through the nation’s scientific establishment today”.
🧪
My colleague Warren Cornwall spoke to @gregggonsalves.bsky.social, @rebekahtromble.bsky.social, @katestarbird.bsky.social
and others about “the fear and self-censorship coursing through the nation’s scientific establishment today”.
🧪
Trump’s ‘fear factor’: Scientists go silent as funding cuts escalate
Many worry about retribution. But for others, speaking out is worth the risk
www.science.org
May 13, 2025 at 12:05 PM
“The lived experience of a scientist right now is terrifying”
My colleague Warren Cornwall spoke to @gregggonsalves.bsky.social, @rebekahtromble.bsky.social, @katestarbird.bsky.social
and others about “the fear and self-censorship coursing through the nation’s scientific establishment today”.
🧪
My colleague Warren Cornwall spoke to @gregggonsalves.bsky.social, @rebekahtromble.bsky.social, @katestarbird.bsky.social
and others about “the fear and self-censorship coursing through the nation’s scientific establishment today”.
🧪
Smart and important story from @rebekahwhite.bsky.social. Some geoengineering experiments have brought nearby communities on board; others have failed to get support. What should scientists do to genuinely engage with people about their concerns?
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Geoengineering could fight climate change—if the public can be convinced
Researchers’ failures to communicate are jeopardizing even basic tests, but new projects may point the way forward
www.science.org
April 4, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Smart and important story from @rebekahwhite.bsky.social. Some geoengineering experiments have brought nearby communities on board; others have failed to get support. What should scientists do to genuinely engage with people about their concerns?
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
This is awesome: "As we incorporated [ASL vocab] into the course, we found that students who relied solely on an interpreter started to outperform hearing students ... Deaf students also began to seek out research opportunities more often than they did previously."
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
‘A beautiful way of saying a lot’: sign language brings benefits to the organic chemistry classroom
Christina Goudreau Collison works with Deaf students to develop clear signs for organic chemistry terms — which could also help students with non-conventional learning needs.
www.nature.com
March 20, 2025 at 12:07 PM
This is awesome: "As we incorporated [ASL vocab] into the course, we found that students who relied solely on an interpreter started to outperform hearing students ... Deaf students also began to seek out research opportunities more often than they did previously."
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
Could Trump trigger a brain drain from the United States? Many institutes overseas say they would welcome researchers who want to leave the country. www.science.org/content/arti... (by @cofford.bsky.social)
Overseas universities see opportunity in U.S. ‘brain drain’
But many U.S.-based scientists seeking to leave may struggle to find positions in countries grappling with funding issues of their own
www.science.org
March 20, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Could Trump trigger a brain drain from the United States? Many institutes overseas say they would welcome researchers who want to leave the country. www.science.org/content/arti... (by @cofford.bsky.social)
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
I couldn't do what I do w/out the generosity of scientists, many of whom have taken calls while on vacation, while ill, or while dealing with personal tragedies. They communicate complex ideas, oftentimes in a second language. They have made me laugh, cry, and buckle beneath the wonder of it all. 🧪
Scientists do not get paid for getting quoted in the newspaper about science.
People know this, right?
Last year I was quoted in about 30 media articles, and I received a grand total of $0 for this.
We do it because it’s important, not because we get paid.
People know this, right?
Last year I was quoted in about 30 media articles, and I received a grand total of $0 for this.
We do it because it’s important, not because we get paid.
March 18, 2025 at 4:16 PM
I couldn't do what I do w/out the generosity of scientists, many of whom have taken calls while on vacation, while ill, or while dealing with personal tragedies. They communicate complex ideas, oftentimes in a second language. They have made me laugh, cry, and buckle beneath the wonder of it all. 🧪
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
Language is the social&cognitive air that humans breathe. It underlies our thinking, connection, education.
So what happens when, as a young child, you don't get access to it?
Implants can help deaf kids hear – but that's not always enough to give them language 🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
So what happens when, as a young child, you don't get access to it?
Implants can help deaf kids hear – but that's not always enough to give them language 🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
Implants can help deaf kids hear—but many still struggle with spoken language
Some researchers worry about risks of devaluing sign language, overreliance on imperfect devices
www.science.org
March 14, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Language is the social&cognitive air that humans breathe. It underlies our thinking, connection, education.
So what happens when, as a young child, you don't get access to it?
Implants can help deaf kids hear – but that's not always enough to give them language 🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
So what happens when, as a young child, you don't get access to it?
Implants can help deaf kids hear – but that's not always enough to give them language 🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
This is the article of my dreams. Finally, finally delving into the ways in which cochlear implants can fail deaf kids, and the importance of early sign language - all upside, no downside. Amazing work, @cathleenogrady.bsky.social !
Implants can help deaf kids hear—but many still struggle with spoken language
Some researchers worry about risks of devaluing sign language, overreliance on imperfect devices
www.science.org
March 13, 2025 at 7:06 PM
This is the article of my dreams. Finally, finally delving into the ways in which cochlear implants can fail deaf kids, and the importance of early sign language - all upside, no downside. Amazing work, @cathleenogrady.bsky.social !
Language is the social&cognitive air that humans breathe. It underlies our thinking, connection, education.
So what happens when, as a young child, you don't get access to it?
Implants can help deaf kids hear – but that's not always enough to give them language 🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
So what happens when, as a young child, you don't get access to it?
Implants can help deaf kids hear – but that's not always enough to give them language 🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
Implants can help deaf kids hear—but many still struggle with spoken language
Some researchers worry about risks of devaluing sign language, overreliance on imperfect devices
www.science.org
March 14, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Language is the social&cognitive air that humans breathe. It underlies our thinking, connection, education.
So what happens when, as a young child, you don't get access to it?
Implants can help deaf kids hear – but that's not always enough to give them language 🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
So what happens when, as a young child, you don't get access to it?
Implants can help deaf kids hear – but that's not always enough to give them language 🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
Scoop from @kakape.bsky.social: The U.S. Department of Defense has terminated dozens of grants for social scientists studying terrorism, drug trafficking, misinformation, and other threats. www.science.org/content/arti...
Pentagon guts national security program that harnessed social science
Dozens of U.S. academics lose grants from Minerva program for studies related to terrorism, drug trafficking, and other threats
www.science.org
March 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Scoop from @kakape.bsky.social: The U.S. Department of Defense has terminated dozens of grants for social scientists studying terrorism, drug trafficking, misinformation, and other threats. www.science.org/content/arti...
Great thread from @jbakcoleman.bsky.social on my story about ecologists reaching different conclusions from the same data. Should we be worried? Maybe about analytical ability – but maybe not so much about science's ability to reach a clear answer. 🧪
I spoke with @cathleenogrady.bsky.social for this story on the many analysts paper in ecology. To me the concerning thing is the interpretation, not the (expected) finding.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Even faced with the same data, ecologists sometimes come to opposite conclusions
Study highlights powerful role subjective choices can play in research, though some critics urge caution about applying findings too broadly
www.science.org
February 27, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Great thread from @jbakcoleman.bsky.social on my story about ecologists reaching different conclusions from the same data. Should we be worried? Maybe about analytical ability – but maybe not so much about science's ability to reach a clear answer. 🧪
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
Give a group of scientists the same data and the same research question, and they should come up with similar answers—in theory. But they don’t.
www.science.org/content/arti... (by @cathleenogrady.bsky.social)
www.science.org/content/arti... (by @cathleenogrady.bsky.social)
Even faced with the same data, ecologists sometimes come to opposite conclusions
Study highlights powerful role subjective choices can play in research, though some critics urge caution about applying findings too broadly
www.science.org
February 26, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Give a group of scientists the same data and the same research question, and they should come up with similar answers—in theory. But they don’t.
www.science.org/content/arti... (by @cathleenogrady.bsky.social)
www.science.org/content/arti... (by @cathleenogrady.bsky.social)
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
"These kinds of shocks are going to lead to a mass exodus … for minorities in particular.”
For my latest @science.org story, I spoke with early career researchers who have been affected by the federal upheaval and are concerned about what it means for their future.
www.science.org/content/arti...
For my latest @science.org story, I spoke with early career researchers who have been affected by the federal upheaval and are concerned about what it means for their future.
www.science.org/content/arti...
U.S. early-career researchers struggling amid chaos
Uncertain funding, government firings, and distressed universities hit vulnerable groups especially hard
www.science.org
February 22, 2025 at 12:23 AM
"These kinds of shocks are going to lead to a mass exodus … for minorities in particular.”
For my latest @science.org story, I spoke with early career researchers who have been affected by the federal upheaval and are concerned about what it means for their future.
www.science.org/content/arti...
For my latest @science.org story, I spoke with early career researchers who have been affected by the federal upheaval and are concerned about what it means for their future.
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
Hilarious, if it weren't so troubling: Paper mills sell intellectual property rights for weird inventions to scientists - including shoes with "a camera and USB ports around the sole." www.science.org/content/arti... by @cathleenogrady.bsky.social
‘Patent mills’ sell scientists inventorship of bizarre medical devices
Thousands of U.K. “design registrations” sold to Indian academics in past 2 years, new research finds
www.science.org
February 21, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Hilarious, if it weren't so troubling: Paper mills sell intellectual property rights for weird inventions to scientists - including shoes with "a camera and USB ports around the sole." www.science.org/content/arti... by @cathleenogrady.bsky.social
One of the wackier stories I've reported in a while. Shady outfits are selling slots on UK "patents" to academics – only they aren't patents, they're just cribbed pictures of crazy, meaningless designs:
Suspicious firms are selling scientists in India "inventorship" slots on what they claim are UK patents. In reality, these academics are not buying patents but registered designs - and many of these designs are frankly bizarre... 🧵 www.science.org/content/arti...
‘Patent mills’ sell scientists inventorship of bizarre medical devices
Thousands of U.K. “design registrations” sold to Indian academics in past 2 years, new research finds
www.science.org
February 21, 2025 at 3:12 PM
One of the wackier stories I've reported in a while. Shady outfits are selling slots on UK "patents" to academics – only they aren't patents, they're just cribbed pictures of crazy, meaningless designs:
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
You've heard of paper mills - but what about patent mills? @cathleenogrady.bsky.social reports on a new type of academic fraud.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
‘Patent mills’ sell scientists inventorship of bizarre medical devices
Thousands of U.K. “design registrations” sold to Indian academics in past 2 years, new research finds
www.science.org
February 20, 2025 at 2:37 PM
You've heard of paper mills - but what about patent mills? @cathleenogrady.bsky.social reports on a new type of academic fraud.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
Are you a CDC scientist affected by the order to pull back submitted papers containing terms including the following? Find me today on Signal. Time-sensitive. Confidentiality promised.
February 3, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Are you a CDC scientist affected by the order to pull back submitted papers containing terms including the following? Find me today on Signal. Time-sensitive. Confidentiality promised.
Reposted by Cathleen O'Grady
What do editors do? Well, out of the 500 plus features @hakaimagazine.com published over 10 years, almost 1/5 were ideas I developed. Among many other duties, editors develop stories. And those were just the features—I also contributed ideas for news stories and visual stories.
December 19, 2024 at 10:24 PM
What do editors do? Well, out of the 500 plus features @hakaimagazine.com published over 10 years, almost 1/5 were ideas I developed. Among many other duties, editors develop stories. And those were just the features—I also contributed ideas for news stories and visual stories.