Elise Cutts
@elisecutts.bsky.social
Professional nerd (science journalist). USian in Austria, language geek, and collector of fine yellow zigzagged sweaters and etymology fun facts. Get my newsletter about big questions at the frontiers of science: www.reviewertoo.com 👽🌀🦋
Reposted by Elise Cutts
Exactly, you can just say stuff! Enweird your language a bit! Maybe people will pick it up from you, but you won't know until you try!
My German-speaking partner also bemoans the absence of "forenoon" in English (vormittag in German). It's gotten to a point where he'll just say it. Be the language change you wish to see in the world, I guess?
December 31, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Exactly, you can just say stuff! Enweird your language a bit! Maybe people will pick it up from you, but you won't know until you try!
If we're reviving overmorrow, can we also get forenoon, nether, hither, thither, and yonder back, too?
all the other germanic languages in my replies being like yeah we're still using this 😙🎶
english, we could bring overmorrow back, it used to exist and it could come back!
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/overmor...
english, we could bring overmorrow back, it used to exist and it could come back!
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/overmor...
December 31, 2025 at 4:23 PM
If we're reviving overmorrow, can we also get forenoon, nether, hither, thither, and yonder back, too?
Science communication needs more genuine optimism and celebration of human achievement like this.
We face real problems, sometimes of our own making. But we're also making real progress. As bad as things might seem, it's genuinely a great time to be alive.
Go team human.
We face real problems, sometimes of our own making. But we're also making real progress. As bad as things might seem, it's genuinely a great time to be alive.
Go team human.
New post!
There was a lot of innovation in medicine and biomedical research this year, and I've tried to summarize the biggest ones in this blogpost.
Medical breakthroughs in 2025. Plus a serious note at the end.
www.scientificdiscovery.dev/p/medical-br...
There was a lot of innovation in medicine and biomedical research this year, and I've tried to summarize the biggest ones in this blogpost.
Medical breakthroughs in 2025. Plus a serious note at the end.
www.scientificdiscovery.dev/p/medical-br...
Medical breakthroughs in 2025
... and a happy new year.
www.scientificdiscovery.dev
December 31, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Science communication needs more genuine optimism and celebration of human achievement like this.
We face real problems, sometimes of our own making. But we're also making real progress. As bad as things might seem, it's genuinely a great time to be alive.
Go team human.
We face real problems, sometimes of our own making. But we're also making real progress. As bad as things might seem, it's genuinely a great time to be alive.
Go team human.
Not a bar, but the capella groups at Caltech were (are?) called the Pipettes, the Keytones, and Fluid Dynamics
December 31, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Not a bar, but the capella groups at Caltech were (are?) called the Pipettes, the Keytones, and Fluid Dynamics
Reposted by Elise Cutts
Reminder: Wednesday is the final day to apply for the National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowship!
Deadline extension alert! You now have until Dec. 31 to apply for a National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowship. If you're an early-career, U.S.-based journalist, this program is for you.
casw.org/news/applica...
@sejorg.bsky.social @healthjournalism.org @sciencewriters.org
casw.org/news/applica...
@sejorg.bsky.social @healthjournalism.org @sciencewriters.org
December 29, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Reminder: Wednesday is the final day to apply for the National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowship!
Look I really try not to judge but one thing I really cannot hold back the inner snob about is inspecting people's bookcases when I visit their homes for the first time.
December 31, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Look I really try not to judge but one thing I really cannot hold back the inner snob about is inspecting people's bookcases when I visit their homes for the first time.
What are some areas of science that non-scientists tend to really take an interest in?
Bonus points if you're the editor of a science magazine or otherwise can comment from experience on what topics actually tend to get the most engagement.
Bonus points if you're the editor of a science magazine or otherwise can comment from experience on what topics actually tend to get the most engagement.
December 31, 2025 at 2:21 PM
What are some areas of science that non-scientists tend to really take an interest in?
Bonus points if you're the editor of a science magazine or otherwise can comment from experience on what topics actually tend to get the most engagement.
Bonus points if you're the editor of a science magazine or otherwise can comment from experience on what topics actually tend to get the most engagement.
Do any other freelancers prefer to track invoices, etc. by hand?
I used to use fancy tools thinking it'd save me time but I find that for the maybe 200 invoices I send each year it's easier to just do it manually and track in a spreadsheet — with the bonus of better oversight of my finances.
I used to use fancy tools thinking it'd save me time but I find that for the maybe 200 invoices I send each year it's easier to just do it manually and track in a spreadsheet — with the bonus of better oversight of my finances.
December 30, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Do any other freelancers prefer to track invoices, etc. by hand?
I used to use fancy tools thinking it'd save me time but I find that for the maybe 200 invoices I send each year it's easier to just do it manually and track in a spreadsheet — with the bonus of better oversight of my finances.
I used to use fancy tools thinking it'd save me time but I find that for the maybe 200 invoices I send each year it's easier to just do it manually and track in a spreadsheet — with the bonus of better oversight of my finances.
I'm a freelance science journalist and I find it most helpful to track my income not by a) the date I'm paid or b) the date I invoice, but rather c) the day I submit the bulk of the project.
Weird? Maybe. And I obviously do need to still track invoice dates etc.
But hear me out...
Weird? Maybe. And I obviously do need to still track invoice dates etc.
But hear me out...
December 30, 2025 at 2:51 PM
I'm a freelance science journalist and I find it most helpful to track my income not by a) the date I'm paid or b) the date I invoice, but rather c) the day I submit the bulk of the project.
Weird? Maybe. And I obviously do need to still track invoice dates etc.
But hear me out...
Weird? Maybe. And I obviously do need to still track invoice dates etc.
But hear me out...
Reposted by Elise Cutts
& so, as I finally come to the close of this chapter that has taken me 3yrs to research & draw, I'm recapping some key moments encountered along the way - from virtual particles popping in & out of existence to the ignition of stars & all they've forged. It's been a journey. #Nostos #Unflattening 2
December 29, 2025 at 7:57 AM
& so, as I finally come to the close of this chapter that has taken me 3yrs to research & draw, I'm recapping some key moments encountered along the way - from virtual particles popping in & out of existence to the ignition of stars & all they've forged. It's been a journey. #Nostos #Unflattening 2
Look I know I shouldn't share this because it's just free publicity. But the nerd rage demands it.
Come on, guys. At least call it Mairon. Annatar. Artano. Aulendil. Zigur. Anything but Saruon. Even Sauron knew Sauron was a shit name.
Do you really want your company to be called "the abhorred?"
Come on, guys. At least call it Mairon. Annatar. Artano. Aulendil. Zigur. Anything but Saruon. Even Sauron knew Sauron was a shit name.
Do you really want your company to be called "the abhorred?"
Sauron is appearing on the scene as concerns rise about crime among the most wealthy.
Sauron, the high-end home security startup for "super premium" customers, plucks a new CEO out of Sonos | TechCrunch
Sauron is appearing on the scene as concerns rise about crime among the most wealthy.
techcrunch.com
December 29, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Look I know I shouldn't share this because it's just free publicity. But the nerd rage demands it.
Come on, guys. At least call it Mairon. Annatar. Artano. Aulendil. Zigur. Anything but Saruon. Even Sauron knew Sauron was a shit name.
Do you really want your company to be called "the abhorred?"
Come on, guys. At least call it Mairon. Annatar. Artano. Aulendil. Zigur. Anything but Saruon. Even Sauron knew Sauron was a shit name.
Do you really want your company to be called "the abhorred?"
I hate the "building blocks of life" metaphor for organic molecules and think it is so misleading that we should kill it. Leave it on a shelf to gather dust. Whatever. Pick your own metaphor.
A brick implies a building. A glucose molecule does not imply an organism.
Yes I will die on this hill.
A brick implies a building. A glucose molecule does not imply an organism.
Yes I will die on this hill.
December 29, 2025 at 1:28 PM
I hate the "building blocks of life" metaphor for organic molecules and think it is so misleading that we should kill it. Leave it on a shelf to gather dust. Whatever. Pick your own metaphor.
A brick implies a building. A glucose molecule does not imply an organism.
Yes I will die on this hill.
A brick implies a building. A glucose molecule does not imply an organism.
Yes I will die on this hill.
I hate to say it but the key to writing faster, for me, has been to start caring a ~little~ less.
December 29, 2025 at 9:56 AM
I hate to say it but the key to writing faster, for me, has been to start caring a ~little~ less.
I’m trying to be good about actually taking time off for Christmas this year and had some time to paint for once.
So here’s a birb, in honor of the small cheeping army that comes to my place to munch through a truly impressive quantity of birdseed every day.
So here’s a birb, in honor of the small cheeping army that comes to my place to munch through a truly impressive quantity of birdseed every day.
December 21, 2025 at 9:32 PM
I’m trying to be good about actually taking time off for Christmas this year and had some time to paint for once.
So here’s a birb, in honor of the small cheeping army that comes to my place to munch through a truly impressive quantity of birdseed every day.
So here’s a birb, in honor of the small cheeping army that comes to my place to munch through a truly impressive quantity of birdseed every day.
Reposted by Elise Cutts
1/ Here are some (ok, most) of the books I read and listened to this past year, mostly in order. Some real gems, as always. “A life without books is a life not lived” Jay Kristoff.
December 20, 2025 at 6:26 PM
1/ Here are some (ok, most) of the books I read and listened to this past year, mostly in order. Some real gems, as always. “A life without books is a life not lived” Jay Kristoff.
Who is a scientist friend or colleague of yours doing truly excellent work that more people should know about?🧪
December 21, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Who is a scientist friend or colleague of yours doing truly excellent work that more people should know about?🧪
Reposted by Elise Cutts
Shrimply having a prawnderful #Crustmas time!
This came to me in a dream in like June.
Peppermint shrimp are born male but can switch to being hermaphrodites later in life.
They lay festive green eggs.
🧪🦐⛄
This came to me in a dream in like June.
Peppermint shrimp are born male but can switch to being hermaphrodites later in life.
They lay festive green eggs.
🧪🦐⛄
December 21, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Shrimply having a prawnderful #Crustmas time!
This came to me in a dream in like June.
Peppermint shrimp are born male but can switch to being hermaphrodites later in life.
They lay festive green eggs.
🧪🦐⛄
This came to me in a dream in like June.
Peppermint shrimp are born male but can switch to being hermaphrodites later in life.
They lay festive green eggs.
🧪🦐⛄
The same vest thing really outs Santa as a geoscience prof
December 21, 2025 at 3:07 PM
The same vest thing really outs Santa as a geoscience prof
This thing has got to be one of the weirdest space objects I've read about in a long time.
From Kasper Zoellner: Just when you think exoplanet demographics can’t get any weirder, this thing shows up. A hot Jupiter with a thing for carbon that may have been a star but now lives with a dead one. Confused? Read today’s bite. ⚛️🔭☄🧪
astrobites.org/2025/12/19/a...
astrobites.org/2025/12/19/a...
A Spider’s Strange Catch: The Carbon Atmosphere of a Black Widow Companion
Just when you think exoplanet demographics can’t get any weirder, this thing shows up. A hot Jupiter with a thing for carbon that may have been a star but now lives with a dead one. Confused? Read tod...
astrobites.org
December 21, 2025 at 3:05 PM
This thing has got to be one of the weirdest space objects I've read about in a long time.
Where is the trophy for whoever designed this trophy?
In October, the International Society for Artificial Life recognized several SFI researchers and co-authors with the ISAL Award for Outstanding Publication of 2024.
The award celebrates the paper “Fundamental constraints to the logic of living systems," which was published last fall.
The award celebrates the paper “Fundamental constraints to the logic of living systems," which was published last fall.
Fundamental logic of life paper receives Outstanding Publication award
In October, the International Society for Artificial Life recognized several SFI researchers and co-authors with the ISAL Award for Outstanding Publication of 2024. The award celebrates the paper “Fun...
www.santafe.edu
December 18, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Where is the trophy for whoever designed this trophy?
Reposted by Elise Cutts
Wow. CERN has secured a promise of $1 billion (!) towards its planned Future Circular Collider from private donors (such as the Breakthrough Prize Foundation & Eric & Wendy Schmidt Fund) - the first such donation for CERN, which has until now been taxpayer funded home.cern/news/press-r...
🧪⚛️
🧪⚛️
Private donors pledge 860 million euros for CERN’s Future Circular Collider
For the first time in CERN’s history, private donors (individuals and philanthropic foundations) have agreed to support a CERN flagship research project. Recently, a group of friends of CERN, includin...
home.cern
December 18, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Wow. CERN has secured a promise of $1 billion (!) towards its planned Future Circular Collider from private donors (such as the Breakthrough Prize Foundation & Eric & Wendy Schmidt Fund) - the first such donation for CERN, which has until now been taxpayer funded home.cern/news/press-r...
🧪⚛️
🧪⚛️
Reposted by Elise Cutts
🧪 Une étude se penche sur comment notre cerveau traite la prosodie (la musicalité de la voix). Et il semblerait que ce soit des régions du cerveau qui se superposent avec celles du traitement du language et des expressions faciales qui s'en occupent 😮 Un super article par @elisecutts.bsky.social 👇
A few days ago, a very cool preprint went up on how the brain processes prosody — the melody of speech.
This is one of those studies that I feel like helped me understand my brain better.
So it's the topic of this week's post, which ends with a little future-studies wish list for science Santa 🎅🧪
This is one of those studies that I feel like helped me understand my brain better.
So it's the topic of this week's post, which ends with a little future-studies wish list for science Santa 🎅🧪
More than words: prosody in the brain
It's not what you said, it's how you said it
www.reviewertoo.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:23 PM
🧪 Une étude se penche sur comment notre cerveau traite la prosodie (la musicalité de la voix). Et il semblerait que ce soit des régions du cerveau qui se superposent avec celles du traitement du language et des expressions faciales qui s'en occupent 😮 Un super article par @elisecutts.bsky.social 👇
This is a really interesting result: human-specific "updates" to old hominid genes that scientists thought would be pretty important for fancy human brain development seem... not actually that important.
I discussed the study with the first author in an extended Q&A last week:
I discussed the study with the first author in an extended Q&A last week:
December 18, 2025 at 8:19 PM
This is a really interesting result: human-specific "updates" to old hominid genes that scientists thought would be pretty important for fancy human brain development seem... not actually that important.
I discussed the study with the first author in an extended Q&A last week:
I discussed the study with the first author in an extended Q&A last week:
A few days ago, a very cool preprint went up on how the brain processes prosody — the melody of speech.
This is one of those studies that I feel like helped me understand my brain better.
So it's the topic of this week's post, which ends with a little future-studies wish list for science Santa 🎅🧪
This is one of those studies that I feel like helped me understand my brain better.
So it's the topic of this week's post, which ends with a little future-studies wish list for science Santa 🎅🧪
More than words: prosody in the brain
It's not what you said, it's how you said it
www.reviewertoo.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:10 PM
A few days ago, a very cool preprint went up on how the brain processes prosody — the melody of speech.
This is one of those studies that I feel like helped me understand my brain better.
So it's the topic of this week's post, which ends with a little future-studies wish list for science Santa 🎅🧪
This is one of those studies that I feel like helped me understand my brain better.
So it's the topic of this week's post, which ends with a little future-studies wish list for science Santa 🎅🧪
Reposted by Elise Cutts
cortical neurogenesis, showed no obvious differences in brain anatomy."
See also Q&A with lead author:
See also Q&A with lead author:
On our evolutionary branch, a few genes got an update unique to humans.
Some used to think those variants might have been difference that made all the difference: the key to becoming human.
This month's Q&A with Barbara Molz @mpi-nl.bsky.social gets into new results that tell a different story. 🧪
Some used to think those variants might have been difference that made all the difference: the key to becoming human.
This month's Q&A with Barbara Molz @mpi-nl.bsky.social gets into new results that tell a different story. 🧪
December 18, 2025 at 1:24 PM
cortical neurogenesis, showed no obvious differences in brain anatomy."
See also Q&A with lead author:
See also Q&A with lead author: