Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
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jperkel.bsky.social
Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
@jperkel.bsky.social
5.8K followers 1.2K following 470 posts
Technology Editor at Nature magazine (@nature.com) #rstats #scicomm. Love is love. 💕
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Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
davidho.bsky.social
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.

www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
This line graph illustrates the percentage change in agency staff levels from the previous year for nine major U.S. federal scientific and health organizations between the fiscal years 2016 and 2025. The agencies tracked include the CDC, Department of Energy, EPA, FDA, NASA, NIH, NIST, NOAA, and NSF. For the majority of the timeline between 2016 and 2023, the agencies show relatively stable fluctuations, generally staying within a range of +5% to -5% change per year. However, there is a dramatic and uniform plummet starting in the 2024–25 period. Every agency depicted shows a sharp downward trajectory, with staffing losses ranging from approximately -15% to over -25%. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows the most significant decline, dropping to roughly -26%, while the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shows the least severe but still substantial drop at approximately -15%.
January 20, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
dangaristo.bsky.social
A year ago, under a flurry of executive orders, it became clear that the second Trump administration was going to make dramatic changes on US science. Here's our 10,000 foot look at the damage.

with @maxkozlov.bsky.social, Jeff Tollefson, and Rich Monastersky
US science after a year of Trump: what has been lost and what remains
A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce.
www.nature.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:58 PM
jperkel.bsky.social
Fact-check: True.
lindaholmes.bsky.social Linda Holmes @lindaholmes.bsky.social · 1d
Norway and Denmark are different countries.
January 19, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
marisakabas.bsky.social
ICYMI
marisakabas.bsky.social Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 4d
NEW — ICE violence has spread well beyond Minneapolis, with agents landing in small cities like St. Cloud. I spoke with Alice Valentine, a local queer trans woman, who protested ICE on Monday and was pepper sprayed, beaten and jailed as a result, along with her girlfriend.

This is Alice's story:
Queer trans ICE protester in small Minn. city recounts agents' violence and humiliation
Alice Valentine of St. Cloud was pepper sprayed and jailed by ICE for trying to protect immigrant neighbors.
www.thehandbasket.co
January 18, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
adamkinzinger.substack.com
January 17, 2026 at 4:09 PM
jperkel.bsky.social
Oooh, can't wait for this new read from @robertakwok.bsky.social! 📚 Preorder @bookshop.org bookshop.org/p/books/lost...
Lost in Curiosity: Field Notes from Scientists' Adventures Into the Unknown
Field Notes from Scientists' Adventures Into the Unknown
bookshop.org
January 16, 2026 at 8:01 PM
jperkel.bsky.social
This is really cool — using cellular “vaults” to sample gene expression. 🧪 @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Scientists turn cells’ most mysterious structures into spies on genetic activity
Enigmatic ‘vaults’ can be engineered to eavesdrop on RNA, aiding cancer studies and more
www.science.org
January 16, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
purrinink.bsky.social
January 16, 2026 at 3:37 PM
jperkel.bsky.social
Brilliant!
kylec.bsky.social Kyle Clark @kylec.bsky.social · 6d
I had the honor to introduce my replacement on 9NEWS
January 16, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
petridishes.bsky.social
true collectors prefer a Nobel Prize in mint condition with the recipient’s name clearly visible but lightly-used in the original packaging is still pretty valuable
January 16, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
jperkel.bsky.social
Do you struggle with the blank page? These strategies could help. Three tips for scientific writing: a guide for graduate students, new @nature.com 🧪 #PhDlife
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Woman writing on notepad resting her head face down on page.
January 14, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
jperkel.bsky.social
New @nature.com: Researchers around the world are increasingly under fire. Cybersecurity experts offer six strategies to protect yourself from digital harassment. By @virginiagewin.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
A stylised illustration with a bright red background. Solid black silohetted arms and hands appear from the right and left reaching out to a simplified silhouetted figure standing in a doorway the shape of a keyhole. The lines of an atom circle the top of the keyhole.
January 14, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
jonathancohn.bsky.social
When the fascist government says "Send us a list of all your Jews," that's not --- historically --- a "good" thing.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
UPenn faculty condemn Trump administration’s demand for ‘lists of Jews’
Groups say EEOC demand for names and personal details echoes dark history and threatens safety and civil rights
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
virginiagewin.bsky.social
I talked to experts about steps scientist can take to improve their cybersecurity.

Fav quote: “Every time you order food, you are spraying data into the world"

Many thanks to @isaackamola.bsky.social, @hellobrittparis.bsky.social, @gleemie.bsky.social & others!
jperkel.bsky.social Jeffrey Perkel (he/him) @jperkel.bsky.social · 6d
New @nature.com: Researchers around the world are increasingly under fire. Cybersecurity experts offer six strategies to protect yourself from digital harassment. By @virginiagewin.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
A stylised illustration with a bright red background. Solid black silohetted arms and hands appear from the right and left reaching out to a simplified silhouetted figure standing in a doorway the shape of a keyhole. The lines of an atom circle the top of the keyhole.
January 14, 2026 at 7:38 PM
jperkel.bsky.social
Do you struggle with the blank page? These strategies could help. Three tips for scientific writing: a guide for graduate students, new @nature.com 🧪 #PhDlife
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Woman writing on notepad resting her head face down on page.
January 14, 2026 at 5:45 PM
jperkel.bsky.social
New @nature.com: Researchers around the world are increasingly under fire. Cybersecurity experts offer six strategies to protect yourself from digital harassment. By @virginiagewin.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
A stylised illustration with a bright red background. Solid black silohetted arms and hands appear from the right and left reaching out to a simplified silhouetted figure standing in a doorway the shape of a keyhole. The lines of an atom circle the top of the keyhole.
January 14, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
feraltigerlily.bsky.social
This thread is a delight. (Don’t miss the alt text.)
dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · Nov 26
THREAD.

3 years ago, with no warning, a brilliant orange farm cat wandered over from the draughty barn where he had been living, in rural Cornwall, and decided he wanted to live with us instead.

We decided to call him Jim.

This is the first photo I took of him, on that night: December 1st, 2022.
As you can see here, right from the very first day he entered our house, Jim found great difficulty in getting settled and making the environment his own.
January 11, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
mrsbettybowers.bsky.social
January 10, 2026 at 8:38 AM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
josie.zone
Renee Macklin Good's wife, Becca Good, released a statement and it moved me to sobbing tears:

archive.is/ur35j
First, I want to extend my gratitude to all the people who have reached out from across the country and around the world to support our family. This kindness of strangers is the most fitting tribute because if you ever encountered my wife, Renee Nicole Macklin Good, you know that above all else, she was kind, In fact, kindness radiated out of her. Renee sparkled. She literally sparkled. I mean, she didn't wear glitter but I swear she had sparkles coming out of her pores. All the time. You might think it was just my love talking but her family said the same thing. Renee was made of sunshine, Renee lived by an overarching belief: there is kindness in the world and we need to do everything we can to find it Where it resides and nurture it where it needs to grow Renee was a Christian who knew that all religions teach the same essential truth: we are here to love each other, care for each other, and keep each other safe and whole. Like people have done across place and time, we moved to make a better life for ourselves. We chose Minnesota to make our home. Our whole extended road trip here, we held hands in the car while our son drew all over the windows to pass the time and the miles, What we found when we got here was a vibrant and welcoming community, we made friends and spread joy: And while any place we were together was home, there was a strong shared sense here in Minneapolis that we were looking out for each other. Here, I had finally found peace and safe harbor. That has been taken from me forever. We were raising our son to believe that no matter where you come from or what you look like, all of us deserve compassion and kindness. Renee lived this belief every day. She is pure love. She is pure joy. She is pure sunshine On Wednesday, January 7th, we stopped to support our neighbors. We had whistles. They had guns. Renee leaves behind three extraordinary children; the youngest is just six years old and already lost his father. I am now left to raise our son and to continue teaching him, as Renee believed, that there are people building a better world for him. That the people who did this had fear and anger in their hearts, and we need to show them a better way. We thank you for the privacy you are granting our family as we grieve. We thank you for ensuring that Renee's legacy is one of kindness and love. We honor her memory by living her values: rejecting hate and choosing compassion, turning away from fear and pursuing peace, refusing division and knowing we must come together to build a world where we all come home safe to the people we love. E
January 9, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
petemrogers.bsky.social
January 8, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
danielsuitor.com
In 2019, I moved to Minneapolis for law school. My wife and I felt lucky to buy a house in a beautiful, vibrant part of the city. This is now the second murder by law enforcement in my neighborhood. to become national news.

Two things are true:
- Enough is enough
- I am so proud of my neighbors
January 7, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
kylec.bsky.social
COMMENTARY: It seems an increasing number of Americans, including elected leaders and journalists, are afraid to tell the truth about what happened on January 6. That's dangerous.
January 7, 2026 at 2:51 AM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
connieschultz.bsky.social
Jan. 6, 2021: Sherrod leaving for D.C. at 5:09 a.m. No amount of presidential pardons & shameful attempts to rewrite history will change what I remember about the violence on our Capitol that day. For nearly 45 minutes, we could not determine Sherrod’s whereabouts, or whether he was even alive.
January 6, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
marisakabas.bsky.social
imagine telling yourself on january 6, 2021 that five years from now things would be so much worse
January 7, 2026 at 12:06 AM
Reposted by Jeffrey Perkel (he/him)
kevinmkruse.bsky.social
If you'd like to reduce your blood pressure and eliminate a lot of needless in-fighting, I'd recommend muting or blocking Axios, Politico and Semafor as they seem to specialize in promoting quotes from anonymous Democratic contrarians in hopes of generating rage and engagement.
January 5, 2026 at 12:35 AM