Jeff Craig
drchromo.bsky.social
Jeff Craig
@drchromo.bsky.social
Nature-lover & teacher/researcher/learner. Epigenetics, twins, orchids, fungi, gardening, photography, neurodiversity. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️Ally. Guest on Wadawurrung Country.
The internet has been obsessed with identical twins Bridgette and Paula Powers, and the uncanny way they speak in sync. Jeff Craig @drchromo.bsky.social and Nancy Segal explain why twins might speak like this – and whether a secret "twin language" is a real thing theconversation.com/genes-enviro...
Genes, environment or a special bond? Why some twins talk and think in unison
Twins Bridgette and Paula Powers have gone viral for the way they speak in unison, using the same gestures and words.
theconversation.com
May 13, 2025 at 12:49 AM
I just wrote this with the Prof Nancy Segal, who has an encyclopaedic knowledge of twins. I hope you learn something. I did.

Genes, environment or a special bond? Why some twins talk and think in unison theconversation.com/genes-enviro...
Genes, environment or a special bond? Why some twins talk and think in unison
Twins Bridgette and Paula Powers have gone viral for the way they speak in unison, using the same gestures and words.
theconversation.com
May 12, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Happy Neurodiversity Celebration Week! Let’s celebrate the unique strengths and perspectives of neurodivergent individuals. Embracing diversity fosters creativity, inclusion and innovation. Learn, advocate, and listen—because different minds make a better world! #NeurodiversityWeek #InclusionMatters
March 17, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Use your research to beat health inequities: four strategies from experts www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Use your research to beat health inequities: four strategies from experts
Scientists must commit to engaging with the communities they want to help at all stages of the research process — from planning to dissemination.
www.nature.com
March 8, 2025 at 10:40 AM
A great, simple explanation of Diversity, equity and Inclusion: "Diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace are under attack. Here’s why they matter more than ever" theconversation.com/diversity-eq...
Diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace are under attack. Here’s why they matter more than ever
More must be done to bolster fairness in Australian workplaces as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion measures come under attack from the likes of Donald Trump.
theconversation.com
March 3, 2025 at 2:43 AM
What’s the difference between burnout and depression?
theconversation.com/whats-the-di...
What’s the difference between burnout and depression?
They may look similar, but burnout and depression can have different causes and management strategies.
theconversation.com
February 27, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Friday essay: ‘I was unseen, even to myself’ – as many as half of people with anorexia are autistic. Fiona Wright is one of them
theconversation.com/friday-essay...
Friday essay: ‘I was unseen, even to myself’ – as many as half of people with anorexia are autistic. Fiona Wright is one of them
It wasn’t until she’d been in the medical system for around 17 years, being treated for anorexia, that Fiona Wright was diagnosed as autistic.
theconversation.com
February 27, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Today is Rare Disease Day

Rare diseases affect millions worldwide, often with limited treatment options. Rare Voices Australia (RVA) advocates for those living with rare diseases, connecting them to vital resources. Learn more: rarevoices.org.au
Five rare diseases and support groups:
Peak body for Australians with rare diseases including genetic disorders
An estimated two million Australians live with a rare disease. Approximately 80% of rare diseases are genetic disorders.
rarevoices.org.au
February 27, 2025 at 9:26 PM
We must become more linguistically inclusive in science and this article provides tips on how to do this www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Breaking language barriers: ‘Not being fluent in English is often viewed as being an inferior scientist’
Biologist Tatsuya Amano works to make science a fairer place for non-fluent speakers.
www.nature.com
February 13, 2025 at 9:44 PM
We must recognise diversity:
Australia’s clinical guidelines shape health care. Why do so many still ignore sex & gender? theconversation.com/australias-c...
Australia’s clinical guidelines shape our health care. Why do so many still ignore sex and gender?
Only 5% of guidelines define the terms ‘sex’ and ‘gender’.
theconversation.com
February 10, 2025 at 9:49 PM
OMG. I feel for US-based medical researchers
February 9, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Reposted by Jeff Craig
Whenever you hear someone sneer about scientific research that seems useless to them — “they’re studying the spit of lizards?!” — remind them that’s exactly how we got Ozempic.

globalnews.ca/news/9793403...
How a Canadian scientist and a venomous lizard helped pave the way for Ozempic - National | Globalnews.ca
In 1984, Dr. Daniel Drucker, an endocrinologist from the University of Toronto, discovered a hormone that helped pave the way for popular diabetes drugs such as Ozempic.
globalnews.ca
February 9, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Reposted by Jeff Craig
Almost 200 people signed up already - add your name soon before we have to stop registration for this once in a life time conference! docs.google.com/forms/d/1dm8...
February 9, 2025 at 3:40 PM
"Gender-affirming care is potentially life-saving, or at the very least life-affirming. It almost invariably leads to better social and emotional outcomes" Can a child legally take puberty blockers? What if their parents disagree? theconversation.com/can-a-child-...
Can a child legally take puberty blockers? What if their parents disagree?
Recent political attention might imply gender-affirming care is risky, controversial, perhaps even new. But Australian law views it as a legitimate medical treatment.
theconversation.com
February 3, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Reposted by Jeff Craig
While the primary focus of this article is aimed at those in a relationship, I see benefits for colleagues, teachers, and friends. An opportunity to empathise with those living with ADHD and truly understand the struggles they encounter daily.
www.additudemag.com/slideshows/i...
"If You Love Me, Please Take This Seriously"
We don’t mean to hurt you. But we do — again and again. You feel like screaming, pulling out your hair, or lying in bed and crying, “When will she get it? Will this ever stop?” I don’t have all the an...
www.additudemag.com
January 29, 2025 at 9:26 PM
DeepSeek: how a small Chinese AI company is shaking up US tech heavyweights
theconversation.com/deepseek-how...
DeepSeek: how a small Chinese AI company is shaking up US tech heavyweights
More efficient AI models may make research easier – and raise questions about the value of investments in huge datacentres.
theconversation.com
January 29, 2025 at 1:18 AM
A relatively common neurodivergent condition you may not have heard about. The book 'The Buddha and the Borderline...' by Kiera Van Gelder is a fantastic insight into the mind of someone with BPD and was my first audiobook theconversation.com/for-tennis-s...
For tennis star Destanee Aiava, borderline personality disorder felt like ‘a death sentence’ – and a relief. What is it?
Treatment should focus on the underlying causes of borderline personality disorder – trauma – rather stigmatise the person.
theconversation.com
January 23, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Very cool, been following these proteins since I was a PhD student
New discovery from our #CDlab reported in Cell @cp-cell.bsky.social today:
SMC motor proteins have a left-right ‘gearbox’ and can switch direction in DNA loop extrusion!

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

1/
January 16, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Reposted by Jeff Craig
New discovery from our #CDlab reported in Cell @cp-cell.bsky.social today:
SMC motor proteins have a left-right ‘gearbox’ and can switch direction in DNA loop extrusion!

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

1/
January 16, 2025 at 4:11 PM
'How we diagnose and define obesity is set to change – here’s why, and what it means for treatment'- a change in the right direction @dremmabeckett.bsky.social ? theconversation.com/how-we-diagn...
How we diagnose and define obesity is set to change – here’s why, and what it means for treatment
A larger body doesn’t necessarily mean you have ‘clinical obesity’, according to a proposed new definition of the disease.
theconversation.com
January 15, 2025 at 10:04 PM