Juan Garcia-Ruiz
@juangarciaruiz.bsky.social
PhD candidate in neuroscience. Strong interest in neuron-glia interactions and metabolism.
Science outreach in bite-sized posts.
🔗 www.neuronhub.org
#SciComm
Science outreach in bite-sized posts.
🔗 www.neuronhub.org
#SciComm
Why do our eyes feel dry in the cold? ❄️👁️
Cold air holds little moisture, so the tear film evaporates faster. Corneal nerves sense the temperature drop and trigger reflex tears, but these lack the oily layer from Meibomian glands, leaving the surface exposed and dryness persists.
#SciComm 🧪
Cold air holds little moisture, so the tear film evaporates faster. Corneal nerves sense the temperature drop and trigger reflex tears, but these lack the oily layer from Meibomian glands, leaving the surface exposed and dryness persists.
#SciComm 🧪
November 23, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Why do our eyes feel dry in the cold? ❄️👁️
Cold air holds little moisture, so the tear film evaporates faster. Corneal nerves sense the temperature drop and trigger reflex tears, but these lack the oily layer from Meibomian glands, leaving the surface exposed and dryness persists.
#SciComm 🧪
Cold air holds little moisture, so the tear film evaporates faster. Corneal nerves sense the temperature drop and trigger reflex tears, but these lack the oily layer from Meibomian glands, leaving the surface exposed and dryness persists.
#SciComm 🧪
Why do most mammals have thick fur 🐒, while humans are nearly hairless except in select spots🧔?
Our sweating-based cooling demanded less fur, but we kept dense hair in areas that guard sensitive skin and boost chemical communication.
#SciComm 🧪
Our sweating-based cooling demanded less fur, but we kept dense hair in areas that guard sensitive skin and boost chemical communication.
#SciComm 🧪
November 10, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Why do most mammals have thick fur 🐒, while humans are nearly hairless except in select spots🧔?
Our sweating-based cooling demanded less fur, but we kept dense hair in areas that guard sensitive skin and boost chemical communication.
#SciComm 🧪
Our sweating-based cooling demanded less fur, but we kept dense hair in areas that guard sensitive skin and boost chemical communication.
#SciComm 🧪
Reposted by Juan Garcia-Ruiz
www.neuronhub.org/Is-your-brai... Fascinating long interview with Silvia Bunge on higher brain functions by Juan Garcia-Ruiz @juangarciaruiz.bsky.social.
"What you do repeatedly is going to influence your outcomes. You shouldn’t be afraid to try new things."
"What you do repeatedly is going to influence your outcomes. You shouldn’t be afraid to try new things."
Is your brain in your hands?
🇪🇸 🇬🇧 | There is a great cliché that says that we are all the same. And another one that says that each person is unique. But what does biology say about this?
www.neuronhub.org
November 8, 2025 at 5:16 AM
www.neuronhub.org/Is-your-brai... Fascinating long interview with Silvia Bunge on higher brain functions by Juan Garcia-Ruiz @juangarciaruiz.bsky.social.
"What you do repeatedly is going to influence your outcomes. You shouldn’t be afraid to try new things."
"What you do repeatedly is going to influence your outcomes. You shouldn’t be afraid to try new things."
🧪 Why are omega-3 and omega-6 essential?
They’re fats our body can’t make but needs for brain, heart, and cells. Omega-3 has its first double bond at the 3rd carbon, omega-6 at the 6th. Plants give short omega-3 (ALA), fish and algae give long, active ones (EPA, DHA).
They’re fats our body can’t make but needs for brain, heart, and cells. Omega-3 has its first double bond at the 3rd carbon, omega-6 at the 6th. Plants give short omega-3 (ALA), fish and algae give long, active ones (EPA, DHA).
November 7, 2025 at 4:07 PM
🧪 Why are omega-3 and omega-6 essential?
They’re fats our body can’t make but needs for brain, heart, and cells. Omega-3 has its first double bond at the 3rd carbon, omega-6 at the 6th. Plants give short omega-3 (ALA), fish and algae give long, active ones (EPA, DHA).
They’re fats our body can’t make but needs for brain, heart, and cells. Omega-3 has its first double bond at the 3rd carbon, omega-6 at the 6th. Plants give short omega-3 (ALA), fish and algae give long, active ones (EPA, DHA).
Can acquired traits be inherited? I discussed this fascinating question with @odedrechavi.bsky.social, a brilliant researcher and the mind behind some legendary Academia memes. Enjoy the reading:
🧪🔗 www.neuronhub.org/Like-father-...
🧪🔗 www.neuronhub.org/Like-father-...
Like father, like worm
🇪🇸 🇬🇧 | Today, modern biologists, especially those studying epigenetics, are finding that the environment can influence heredity.
www.neuronhub.org
November 5, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Can acquired traits be inherited? I discussed this fascinating question with @odedrechavi.bsky.social, a brilliant researcher and the mind behind some legendary Academia memes. Enjoy the reading:
🧪🔗 www.neuronhub.org/Like-father-...
🧪🔗 www.neuronhub.org/Like-father-...
Meet CALF-20, a super-sponge with vast internal caverns that store gases like CO₂, trap toxins, and carry therapeutic compounds. One gram has an internal area of 7839 m²!
Its discovery won Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson & Omar Yaghi the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
🔗🧪 doi.org/10.1038/d415...
Its discovery won Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson & Omar Yaghi the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
🔗🧪 doi.org/10.1038/d415...
October 9, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Meet CALF-20, a super-sponge with vast internal caverns that store gases like CO₂, trap toxins, and carry therapeutic compounds. One gram has an internal area of 7839 m²!
Its discovery won Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson & Omar Yaghi the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
🔗🧪 doi.org/10.1038/d415...
Its discovery won Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson & Omar Yaghi the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
🔗🧪 doi.org/10.1038/d415...
Is your brain in your hands? 🧠
I interviewed Silvia Bunge, a renowned researcher at UC Berkeley, about how cognition can be shaped by individual differences and socioeconomic status.
🔗🧪 www.neuronhub.org/Is-your-brai...
I hope you enjoy the read!
I interviewed Silvia Bunge, a renowned researcher at UC Berkeley, about how cognition can be shaped by individual differences and socioeconomic status.
🔗🧪 www.neuronhub.org/Is-your-brai...
I hope you enjoy the read!
Is your brain in your hands?
🇪🇸 🇬🇧 | There is a great cliché that says that we are all the same. And another one that says that each person is unique. But what does biology say about this?
www.neuronhub.org
September 22, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Is your brain in your hands? 🧠
I interviewed Silvia Bunge, a renowned researcher at UC Berkeley, about how cognition can be shaped by individual differences and socioeconomic status.
🔗🧪 www.neuronhub.org/Is-your-brai...
I hope you enjoy the read!
I interviewed Silvia Bunge, a renowned researcher at UC Berkeley, about how cognition can be shaped by individual differences and socioeconomic status.
🔗🧪 www.neuronhub.org/Is-your-brai...
I hope you enjoy the read!
When you boil water, bubbles first form at tiny imperfections on the pot’s surface. These spots trap air pockets that lower the energy needed for vapor to form. This triggers boiling, helping bubbles appear fast instead of waiting for rare, random events inside pure water.
1/3 🧪
1/3 🧪
September 20, 2025 at 4:22 AM
When you boil water, bubbles first form at tiny imperfections on the pot’s surface. These spots trap air pockets that lower the energy needed for vapor to form. This triggers boiling, helping bubbles appear fast instead of waiting for rare, random events inside pure water.
1/3 🧪
1/3 🧪
The platypus’s bill has 40000 electroreceptors and 60000 mechanoreceptors. It senses tiny electric fields and water movements from prey. Sweeping its bill side to side, the platypus finds hidden food underwater, hunting well even in the dark or cloudy water. ⚡🌊
#SciComm 🧪
#SciComm 🧪
September 11, 2025 at 6:02 PM
The platypus’s bill has 40000 electroreceptors and 60000 mechanoreceptors. It senses tiny electric fields and water movements from prey. Sweeping its bill side to side, the platypus finds hidden food underwater, hunting well even in the dark or cloudy water. ⚡🌊
#SciComm 🧪
#SciComm 🧪
Why panda’s thumbs are not thumbs? 🐼👍
It’s actually a wrist bone, not a true digit: a nice example of evolutionary tinkering (nature repurposing parts for new jobs). It evolved for gripping bamboo, and both giant and red pandas did this independently (convergent evolution).
#SciComm 🧪
It’s actually a wrist bone, not a true digit: a nice example of evolutionary tinkering (nature repurposing parts for new jobs). It evolved for gripping bamboo, and both giant and red pandas did this independently (convergent evolution).
#SciComm 🧪
September 9, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Why panda’s thumbs are not thumbs? 🐼👍
It’s actually a wrist bone, not a true digit: a nice example of evolutionary tinkering (nature repurposing parts for new jobs). It evolved for gripping bamboo, and both giant and red pandas did this independently (convergent evolution).
#SciComm 🧪
It’s actually a wrist bone, not a true digit: a nice example of evolutionary tinkering (nature repurposing parts for new jobs). It evolved for gripping bamboo, and both giant and red pandas did this independently (convergent evolution).
#SciComm 🧪
biological age ≠ years lived 🧬⌚
It’s measured with biomarkers like organ function, blood pressure, inflammation & DNA/epigenetic marks. Stress, pollution or disease can make you older than your chronological age, while healthy lifestyles may slow ageing.
#SciComm 🧪
It’s measured with biomarkers like organ function, blood pressure, inflammation & DNA/epigenetic marks. Stress, pollution or disease can make you older than your chronological age, while healthy lifestyles may slow ageing.
#SciComm 🧪
September 8, 2025 at 5:46 PM
biological age ≠ years lived 🧬⌚
It’s measured with biomarkers like organ function, blood pressure, inflammation & DNA/epigenetic marks. Stress, pollution or disease can make you older than your chronological age, while healthy lifestyles may slow ageing.
#SciComm 🧪
It’s measured with biomarkers like organ function, blood pressure, inflammation & DNA/epigenetic marks. Stress, pollution or disease can make you older than your chronological age, while healthy lifestyles may slow ageing.
#SciComm 🧪
Can heatwaves make you age faster? 🌡️🧪
A 15-year study of 24922 people in Taiwan found long-term extreme-heat exposure accelerated biological ageing, comparable to smoking or drinking. Vulnerable groups like rural workers are hit hardest.
🔗 doi-org.proxy.insermbiblio.inist.fr/10.1038/d415...
A 15-year study of 24922 people in Taiwan found long-term extreme-heat exposure accelerated biological ageing, comparable to smoking or drinking. Vulnerable groups like rural workers are hit hardest.
🔗 doi-org.proxy.insermbiblio.inist.fr/10.1038/d415...
September 8, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Can heatwaves make you age faster? 🌡️🧪
A 15-year study of 24922 people in Taiwan found long-term extreme-heat exposure accelerated biological ageing, comparable to smoking or drinking. Vulnerable groups like rural workers are hit hardest.
🔗 doi-org.proxy.insermbiblio.inist.fr/10.1038/d415...
A 15-year study of 24922 people in Taiwan found long-term extreme-heat exposure accelerated biological ageing, comparable to smoking or drinking. Vulnerable groups like rural workers are hit hardest.
🔗 doi-org.proxy.insermbiblio.inist.fr/10.1038/d415...
breaking news: ant-i normal reproduction! 🐜
The species Messor ibericus seems to produce both its own offspring and those of Messor structor (from another species). With no fathers detected, hybrid workers still appear.
Where’s the species line?
🔗🧪 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The species Messor ibericus seems to produce both its own offspring and those of Messor structor (from another species). With no fathers detected, hybrid workers still appear.
Where’s the species line?
🔗🧪 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
One mother for two species via obligate cross-species cloning in ants - Nature
In a case of obligate cross-species cloning, female ants of Messor ibericus need to clone males of Messor structor to obtain sperm for producing the worker caste, resulting in males from the same moth...
www.nature.com
September 5, 2025 at 8:55 PM
breaking news: ant-i normal reproduction! 🐜
The species Messor ibericus seems to produce both its own offspring and those of Messor structor (from another species). With no fathers detected, hybrid workers still appear.
Where’s the species line?
🔗🧪 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The species Messor ibericus seems to produce both its own offspring and those of Messor structor (from another species). With no fathers detected, hybrid workers still appear.
Where’s the species line?
🔗🧪 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Some birds like swallows and marine mammals such as dolphins and seals can sleep with half their brain awake. 😴
This lets them fly or breathe while resting. They switch sides to rest both hemispheres equally, staying alert but well-rested. The awake brain half controls the open eye.
🧪
This lets them fly or breathe while resting. They switch sides to rest both hemispheres equally, staying alert but well-rested. The awake brain half controls the open eye.
🧪
September 5, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Some birds like swallows and marine mammals such as dolphins and seals can sleep with half their brain awake. 😴
This lets them fly or breathe while resting. They switch sides to rest both hemispheres equally, staying alert but well-rested. The awake brain half controls the open eye.
🧪
This lets them fly or breathe while resting. They switch sides to rest both hemispheres equally, staying alert but well-rested. The awake brain half controls the open eye.
🧪
Do fish sleep? 🐟
Yes, but without eyelids to close. They enter restful states with reduced movement, slower metabolism, and altered brain activity (similar to slow-wave and REM phases). Sleep duration varies, often 3-6 hours, usually at night if diurnal.
🧪
Yes, but without eyelids to close. They enter restful states with reduced movement, slower metabolism, and altered brain activity (similar to slow-wave and REM phases). Sleep duration varies, often 3-6 hours, usually at night if diurnal.
🧪
September 5, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Do fish sleep? 🐟
Yes, but without eyelids to close. They enter restful states with reduced movement, slower metabolism, and altered brain activity (similar to slow-wave and REM phases). Sleep duration varies, often 3-6 hours, usually at night if diurnal.
🧪
Yes, but without eyelids to close. They enter restful states with reduced movement, slower metabolism, and altered brain activity (similar to slow-wave and REM phases). Sleep duration varies, often 3-6 hours, usually at night if diurnal.
🧪
Do all living things have a brain? 🧠
Not all. Some animals lack nervous systems (like sponges), while others (like jellyfish) have simple ones with no brain.
Brains evolved over 500M years for coordination and complex behaviors. Vertebrates & cephalopods evolved brains independently.
🧪
Not all. Some animals lack nervous systems (like sponges), while others (like jellyfish) have simple ones with no brain.
Brains evolved over 500M years for coordination and complex behaviors. Vertebrates & cephalopods evolved brains independently.
🧪
September 1, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Do all living things have a brain? 🧠
Not all. Some animals lack nervous systems (like sponges), while others (like jellyfish) have simple ones with no brain.
Brains evolved over 500M years for coordination and complex behaviors. Vertebrates & cephalopods evolved brains independently.
🧪
Not all. Some animals lack nervous systems (like sponges), while others (like jellyfish) have simple ones with no brain.
Brains evolved over 500M years for coordination and complex behaviors. Vertebrates & cephalopods evolved brains independently.
🧪
some animals disappear in plain sight, but how? 🐾
This ability called cryptic coloration is a natural trick that helps animals blend into their environment by matching colors, patterns, or textures. They do that to avoid predators (or to catch prey without being seen).
1/4 🧪
This ability called cryptic coloration is a natural trick that helps animals blend into their environment by matching colors, patterns, or textures. They do that to avoid predators (or to catch prey without being seen).
1/4 🧪
August 31, 2025 at 8:00 AM
some animals disappear in plain sight, but how? 🐾
This ability called cryptic coloration is a natural trick that helps animals blend into their environment by matching colors, patterns, or textures. They do that to avoid predators (or to catch prey without being seen).
1/4 🧪
This ability called cryptic coloration is a natural trick that helps animals blend into their environment by matching colors, patterns, or textures. They do that to avoid predators (or to catch prey without being seen).
1/4 🧪
Why does drinking alcohol make you dehydrated? 🍸💧
Alcohol suppresses vasopressin, a hormone that helps kidneys reabsorb water via aquaporins, so you lose more fluid as urine, causing that familiar dehydrated feeling
🧪
Alcohol suppresses vasopressin, a hormone that helps kidneys reabsorb water via aquaporins, so you lose more fluid as urine, causing that familiar dehydrated feeling
🧪
August 30, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Why does drinking alcohol make you dehydrated? 🍸💧
Alcohol suppresses vasopressin, a hormone that helps kidneys reabsorb water via aquaporins, so you lose more fluid as urine, causing that familiar dehydrated feeling
🧪
Alcohol suppresses vasopressin, a hormone that helps kidneys reabsorb water via aquaporins, so you lose more fluid as urine, causing that familiar dehydrated feeling
🧪
I’m sure you’ve had moments mixing up faces or not recognizing someone you know 😶🌫️
Well, for about 2% of people this isn’t just forgetfulness: it’s prosopagnosia (face blindness). It can be present from birth or after brain damage to areas like the fusiform gyrus, linked to face recognition.
1/2 🧪
Well, for about 2% of people this isn’t just forgetfulness: it’s prosopagnosia (face blindness). It can be present from birth or after brain damage to areas like the fusiform gyrus, linked to face recognition.
1/2 🧪
August 28, 2025 at 11:59 PM
I’m sure you’ve had moments mixing up faces or not recognizing someone you know 😶🌫️
Well, for about 2% of people this isn’t just forgetfulness: it’s prosopagnosia (face blindness). It can be present from birth or after brain damage to areas like the fusiform gyrus, linked to face recognition.
1/2 🧪
Well, for about 2% of people this isn’t just forgetfulness: it’s prosopagnosia (face blindness). It can be present from birth or after brain damage to areas like the fusiform gyrus, linked to face recognition.
1/2 🧪
yesterday I went fishing from a boat, took biodramina* to avoid seasickness & got curious about how it works 🤢🎣
Its key ingredient is dimenhydrinate, which blocks H1 receptors in vestibular areas, calming balance & motion brain signals to reduce nausea
*also marketed as gravol or dramamine
1/3 🧪
Its key ingredient is dimenhydrinate, which blocks H1 receptors in vestibular areas, calming balance & motion brain signals to reduce nausea
*also marketed as gravol or dramamine
1/3 🧪
August 27, 2025 at 11:55 PM
yesterday I went fishing from a boat, took biodramina* to avoid seasickness & got curious about how it works 🤢🎣
Its key ingredient is dimenhydrinate, which blocks H1 receptors in vestibular areas, calming balance & motion brain signals to reduce nausea
*also marketed as gravol or dramamine
1/3 🧪
Its key ingredient is dimenhydrinate, which blocks H1 receptors in vestibular areas, calming balance & motion brain signals to reduce nausea
*also marketed as gravol or dramamine
1/3 🧪
The brain tells the body we are thirsty (& not the other way around) 🧠🌊
Thirst is triggered by brain sensors (OVLT, SFO) exposed to blood. They don’t detect water, but rising salt as a proxy for dehydration. When salt gets too high, these sensors activate circuits that cause thirst.
1/2 🧪
Thirst is triggered by brain sensors (OVLT, SFO) exposed to blood. They don’t detect water, but rising salt as a proxy for dehydration. When salt gets too high, these sensors activate circuits that cause thirst.
1/2 🧪
August 27, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The brain tells the body we are thirsty (& not the other way around) 🧠🌊
Thirst is triggered by brain sensors (OVLT, SFO) exposed to blood. They don’t detect water, but rising salt as a proxy for dehydration. When salt gets too high, these sensors activate circuits that cause thirst.
1/2 🧪
Thirst is triggered by brain sensors (OVLT, SFO) exposed to blood. They don’t detect water, but rising salt as a proxy for dehydration. When salt gets too high, these sensors activate circuits that cause thirst.
1/2 🧪
Why do humans get sick eating raw food, but pigeons & street animals don’t? 🐦🐭
Our stomach evolved with cooking, which breaks down fibers and kills microbes, making digestion efficient & fueling big brains. Pigeons’ strong stomach acid and gut microbes protect them from raw, dirty food.
#SciComm 🧪
Our stomach evolved with cooking, which breaks down fibers and kills microbes, making digestion efficient & fueling big brains. Pigeons’ strong stomach acid and gut microbes protect them from raw, dirty food.
#SciComm 🧪
August 24, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Why do humans get sick eating raw food, but pigeons & street animals don’t? 🐦🐭
Our stomach evolved with cooking, which breaks down fibers and kills microbes, making digestion efficient & fueling big brains. Pigeons’ strong stomach acid and gut microbes protect them from raw, dirty food.
#SciComm 🧪
Our stomach evolved with cooking, which breaks down fibers and kills microbes, making digestion efficient & fueling big brains. Pigeons’ strong stomach acid and gut microbes protect them from raw, dirty food.
#SciComm 🧪
the art of smell: what’s a good nose? 👃🌹
Biochemically, it’s about having thousands of different olfactory receptor genes: more receptor types = broader scent detection.
Anatomically, animals with large nasal surfaces and huge olfactory bulbs excel at both sensitivity and discrimination.
1/3 🧪
Biochemically, it’s about having thousands of different olfactory receptor genes: more receptor types = broader scent detection.
Anatomically, animals with large nasal surfaces and huge olfactory bulbs excel at both sensitivity and discrimination.
1/3 🧪
August 24, 2025 at 6:57 AM
the art of smell: what’s a good nose? 👃🌹
Biochemically, it’s about having thousands of different olfactory receptor genes: more receptor types = broader scent detection.
Anatomically, animals with large nasal surfaces and huge olfactory bulbs excel at both sensitivity and discrimination.
1/3 🧪
Biochemically, it’s about having thousands of different olfactory receptor genes: more receptor types = broader scent detection.
Anatomically, animals with large nasal surfaces and huge olfactory bulbs excel at both sensitivity and discrimination.
1/3 🧪
ever wondered why we wake up with bags under the eyes after too little sleep? 😴
Poor rest causes fluid retention and blood vessels to dilate under the thin skin of our eyes, making swelling and dark circles visible. Sleep resets drainage and shrinks vessels, so bags disappear fast.
#SciComm 🧪
Poor rest causes fluid retention and blood vessels to dilate under the thin skin of our eyes, making swelling and dark circles visible. Sleep resets drainage and shrinks vessels, so bags disappear fast.
#SciComm 🧪
August 10, 2025 at 4:56 PM
ever wondered why we wake up with bags under the eyes after too little sleep? 😴
Poor rest causes fluid retention and blood vessels to dilate under the thin skin of our eyes, making swelling and dark circles visible. Sleep resets drainage and shrinks vessels, so bags disappear fast.
#SciComm 🧪
Poor rest causes fluid retention and blood vessels to dilate under the thin skin of our eyes, making swelling and dark circles visible. Sleep resets drainage and shrinks vessels, so bags disappear fast.
#SciComm 🧪
Some molecules come in two forms that are not superimposable mirror images (like left and right hands). This is known as chirality.
Life uses left-handed amino acids, and right-handed sugars & nucleotides. Enzymes only fit one “hand” so the wrong one might not work, or even be harmful.
#SciComm 🧪
Life uses left-handed amino acids, and right-handed sugars & nucleotides. Enzymes only fit one “hand” so the wrong one might not work, or even be harmful.
#SciComm 🧪
July 13, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Some molecules come in two forms that are not superimposable mirror images (like left and right hands). This is known as chirality.
Life uses left-handed amino acids, and right-handed sugars & nucleotides. Enzymes only fit one “hand” so the wrong one might not work, or even be harmful.
#SciComm 🧪
Life uses left-handed amino acids, and right-handed sugars & nucleotides. Enzymes only fit one “hand” so the wrong one might not work, or even be harmful.
#SciComm 🧪