Kevin Bonham
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Kevin Bonham
@kevinbonham.com
1K followers 1K following 680 posts
Assistant Professor at Tufts Medicine studying microbes, brains, and the immune system 🚽🦠🧠

Fermenter, gardener, Zen Buddhist. Ask me about #julialang!

🎙️: https://audiommunity.org
🌎: https://blog.bonham.ch
💻: https://GitHub.com/kescobo
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Kevin Bonham
hansonmark.bsky.social
We wrote the Strain on scientific publishing to highlight the problems of time & trust. With a fantastic group of co-authors, we present The Drain of Scientific Publishing:

a 🧵 1/n

Drain: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Strain: direct.mit.edu/qss/article/...
Oligopoly: direct.mit.edu/qss/article/...
A table showing profit margins of major publishers. A snippet of text related to this table is below. 1. The four-fold drain 1.1 Money Currently, academic publishing is dominated by profit-oriented, multinational companies for whom scientific knowledge is a commodity to be sold back to the academic community who created it. The dominant four are Elsevier, Springer Nature, Wiley and Taylor & Francis, which collectively generated over US$7.1 billion in revenue from journal publishing in 2024 alone, and over US$12 billion in profits between 2019 and 2024 (Table 1A). Their profit margins have always been over 30% in the last five years, and for the largest publisher (Elsevier) always over 37%. Against many comparators, across many sectors, scientific publishing is one of the most consistently profitable industries (Table S1). These financial arrangements make a substantial difference to science budgets. In 2024, 46% of Elsevier revenues and 53% of Taylor & Francis revenues were generated in North America, meaning that North American researchers were charged over US$2.27 billion by just two for-profit publishers. The Canadian research councils and the US National Science Foundation were allocated US$9.3 billion in that year. A figure detailing the drain on researcher time. 1. The four-fold drain 1.2 Time The number of papers published each year is growing faster than the scientific workforce, with the number of papers per researcher almost doubling between 1996 and 2022 (Figure 1A). This reflects the fact that publishers’ commercial desire to publish (sell) more material has aligned well with the competitive prestige culture in which publications help secure jobs, grants, promotions, and awards. To the extent that this growth is driven by a pressure for profit, rather than scholarly imperatives, it distorts the way researchers spend their time. The publishing system depends on unpaid reviewer labour, estimated to be over 130 million unpaid hours annually in 2020 alone (9). Researchers have complained about the demands of peer-review for decades, but the scale of the problem is now worse, with editors reporting widespread difficulties recruiting reviewers. The growth in publications involves not only the authors’ time, but that of academic editors and reviewers who are dealing with so many review demands. Even more seriously, the imperative to produce ever more articles reshapes the nature of scientific inquiry. Evidence across multiple fields shows that more papers result in ‘ossification’, not new ideas (10). It may seem paradoxical that more papers can slow progress until one considers how it affects researchers’ time. While rewards remain tied to volume, prestige, and impact of publications, researchers will be nudged away from riskier, local, interdisciplinary, and long-term work. The result is a treadmill of constant activity with limited progress whereas core scholarly practices – such as reading, reflecting and engaging with others’ contributions – is de-prioritized. What looks like productivity often masks intellectual exhaustion built on a demoralizing, narrowing scientific vision. A table of profit margins across industries. The section of text related to this table is below: 1. The four-fold drain 1.1 Money Currently, academic publishing is dominated by profit-oriented, multinational companies for whom scientific knowledge is a commodity to be sold back to the academic community who created it. The dominant four are Elsevier, Springer Nature, Wiley and Taylor & Francis, which collectively generated over US$7.1 billion in revenue from journal publishing in 2024 alone, and over US$12 billion in profits between 2019 and 2024 (Table 1A). Their profit margins have always been over 30% in the last five years, and for the largest publisher (Elsevier) always over 37%. Against many comparators, across many sectors, scientific publishing is one of the most consistently profitable industries (Table S1). These financial arrangements make a substantial difference to science budgets. In 2024, 46% of Elsevier revenues and 53% of Taylor & Francis revenues were generated in North America, meaning that North American researchers were charged over US$2.27 billion by just two for-profit publishers. The Canadian research councils and the US National Science Foundation were allocated US$9.3 billion in that year. The costs of inaction are plain: wasted public funds, lost researcher time, compromised scientific integrity and eroded public trust. Today, the system rewards commercial publishers first, and science second. Without bold action from the funders we risk continuing to pour resources into a system that prioritizes profit over the advancement of scientific knowledge.
November 11, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Reposted by Kevin Bonham
drannieandrews.com
That feeling when you are so mad and sad and frustrated and disappointed and activated that you want to just run for office yourself and then you realize you already are.
November 11, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Reposted by Kevin Bonham
gbbranstetter.bsky.social
I'm in @thenation.com this morning on the repeated failure of transphobia as political strategy, efforts to scapegoat trans people for Democrats' own failures, and Zohran Mamdani's model of solidarity
For any politician facing them, there are two ways of handling these attacks: by promising to care less about trans people or by promising to care more about everyone. If you are not responsive to the needs and interests of a broad coalition of working people, you can be more easily caricatured as dedicated to the interests of some nefarious (and often racialized) other. But if you do have a compelling vision for how to improve all people’s lives, the fact that not all of those people are the same carries less weight. It is true that many Americans would rather starve than share a table with someone they view as less deserving or too deviant from their own experience. But it’s especially true if all that’s on the menu is scraps.
November 7, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Reposted by Kevin Bonham
badphysicist.bsky.social
“Practical Julia” is designed to teach scientists how to use the best language for science, with chapters on #physics, #mathematics, #biology, #statistics, and more.

amzn.to/3Jn1QdR

A review: lwn.net/Articles/966...

#julialang
Practical Julia: A Hands-On Introduction for Scientific Minds
Practical Julia: A Hands-On Introduction for Scientific Minds: 9781718502765: Computer Science Books @ Amazon.com
amzn.to
November 6, 2025 at 9:55 PM
kevinbonham.com
Like deciding to rob a corner store at gun-point because you saw someone snag a couple of pennies from the give-a-penny/take-a-penny tray that they didn't actually need
queenofthesouth.bsky.social Kayla B @queenofthesouth.bsky.social · 4d
Elon musk is finna be a trillionaire after he destroyed the Federal government and murdered people. But you want me to be mad that 3% of people who get SNAP are getting it fraudulently.
November 6, 2025 at 11:58 PM
kevinbonham.com
Am dad, can confirm
sarahjeong.bsky.social sarah jeong @sarahjeong.bsky.social · 4d
incredible pun work in the replies. bluesky, the official social network for dads
sarahjeong.bsky.social sarah jeong @sarahjeong.bsky.social · 5d
logging back on to discover the jury did not return a verdict in the sandwich guy case. what the fuck lol
November 6, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Reposted by Kevin Bonham
sarahjeong.bsky.social
incredible pun work in the replies. bluesky, the official social network for dads
sarahjeong.bsky.social sarah jeong @sarahjeong.bsky.social · 5d
logging back on to discover the jury did not return a verdict in the sandwich guy case. what the fuck lol
November 6, 2025 at 2:58 PM
kevinbonham.com
Man doesn't believe in germ theory, but thinks heart attacks might be contagious?
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 4d
RFK Jr's response to someone collapsing nearby him was to haul ass out of the room as quickly as possible
November 6, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Reposted by Kevin Bonham
chribue.bsky.social
And we have another open position, this time with a focus on Genome Biology! Join a great community in Vienna to bring your research to the next level!
maxperutzlabs.ac.at Max Perutz Labs Vienna @maxperutzlabs.ac.at · 6d
📢 Open Call! The Max Perutz Labs invite applications for a Tenure-Track Professorship in Genome Biology. We are particularly interested in researchers investigating the molecular and biophysical mechanisms underlying genome function and regulation. More details ➡️ tinyurl.com/3t7vvdct
November 6, 2025 at 4:35 AM
kevinbonham.com
Also joined by the disembodied voice of @woodrufflab.bsky.social, listen to @zackhilt.bsky.social and I discuss a new paper about Tregs from the first days of (a mouse's) life that seem to love it in the skin (and viceral fat) 🧪
audiommunity.org audiommunity.org @audiommunity.org · 4d
In the latest episode, we're talking neonatal Tregs! What are they? Still don't know! What do they do? Still don't know! Where do they go? Ahh, the right question - it's the skin of course!

With special guest @zackhilt.bsky.social 🧪 #immunology
Episode 48 - The tyranny f the FACS machine
YouTube video by Audiommunity
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Reposted by Kevin Bonham
amydwillis.bsky.social
Are you looking for a #tenuretrack or #openrank job in #biostatistics or #statistics? @fredhutch.org is hiring! Seattle is a wonderful place to grow your career; the bio/stat & science scene here is world-class; and you will work w/ amazing UW Biostat students. Apply!
apply.interfolio.com/176402
Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Reposted by Kevin Bonham
movraxrax.bsky.social
Jacob's the real deal in #julialang and your team will be *glad* to hire him!
thecedarprince.bsky.social Jacob S. Zelko @thecedarprince.bsky.social · 6d
I am on the job market and wanted to advertise myself here! 🤠

Looking for full-time or contracting roles!

Historically, my work spans population dynamics, healthcare informatics, robust adaptive controls, software engineering, and community engagement. 🧪

#STEMjobs #academicsky #publichealth
November 5, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Reposted by Kevin Bonham
thecedarprince.bsky.social
I am on the job market and wanted to advertise myself here! 🤠

Looking for full-time or contracting roles!

Historically, my work spans population dynamics, healthcare informatics, robust adaptive controls, software engineering, and community engagement. 🧪

#STEMjobs #academicsky #publichealth
November 4, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Reposted by Kevin Bonham
joshuasweitz.bsky.social
Vital piece on the impacts of intentional attacks that harm US science and research capacity throughout federal agencies, including quotes from current & former staff and a few willing to speak on the record. To all: thank you for your work, service, and continued courage.

👇
virginiagewin.bsky.social Virginia Gewin @virginiagewin.bsky.social · 6d
"Science is being destroyed across many agencies" say federal researchers.

For my latest @nature.com piece, I spoke to 19 different scientists across EPA, NOAA, NIH, NASA, and USGS to document how science is being dismantled across US federal agencies.
Dismantling of US federal agencies will ‘destroy science’
From NASA to the National Institutes of Health, federal agencies conduct research that universities cannot. Agency scientists speak out about the irreplaceable facilities, institutional knowledge and ...
www.nature.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:59 PM
kevinbonham.com
Yes, I always make sure my friends know that our relationships are completely transactional
karaswisher.bsky.social Kara Swisher @karaswisher.bsky.social · 7d
But what a testy and whiny little baby he is. You’d think you’d be happier as one of the world’s richest people.
November 4, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Reposted by Kevin Bonham
ewcspottesmith.bsky.social
Come to Ireland! Do important work with the badass Dr. Birhane!

#MLethics #machinelearning #PostdocJobs 🧪
abeba.bsky.social Dr Abeba Birhane @abeba.bsky.social · 11d
📣 I am hiring a postdoc! aial.ie/hiring/postd...

applications from suitable candidates that are passionate about investigating the use of genAI in public service operations with the aim of keeping governments transparent and accountable are welcome

pls share with your networks
November 4, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Reposted by Kevin Bonham
gitlinlabmsk.bsky.social
🚨Thrilled to share our latest work, published online today
@nature.com in which we decipher mechanisms underlying the enigmatic VEXAS syndrome - a huge team effort
@mskcancercenter.bsky.social led by superstars Varun Narendra + @tandriladas.bsky.social 1/

www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Independent mechanisms of inflammation and myeloid bias in VEXAS syndrome - Nature
Nature - Independent mechanisms of inflammation and myeloid bias in VEXAS syndrome
www.nature.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Reposted by Kevin Bonham
drugmonkey.bsky.social
Most scientists have more potential research directions than they can pursue. They choose which paths to pursue. And part of this is deciding which paths are most likely to be fundable.
October 29, 2025 at 12:49 PM
kevinbonham.com
New video on using #inkscape for scientists! youtu.be/tgplaWyujbY

Sometimes that hardest thing is just getting figures from other software into the one you actually want to use 🧪
Inkscape for scientists 6 - Importing figures
YouTube video by Kevin Bonham
youtu.be
October 27, 2025 at 2:46 PM
kevinbonham.com
Want to make more complicated cartoons with #inkscape? Use the various path tools! The latest video in my tutorial series on using inkscape for scientists 🧪

youtu.be/tywGupGyjQU
Inkscape for scientists 5 - Path interaction tools
YouTube video by Kevin Bonham
youtu.be
October 24, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Reposted by Kevin Bonham
audiommunity.org
In our latest episode, @woodrufflab.bsky.social and @kevinbonham.com talk about glycoRNAs, and the way they're shielded from the immune system in a new paper from the labs of @raflynn5.bsky.social and @vijayrathinam.bsky.social 🧪

audiommunity.org/episodes/epi...
Episode 47 - When you're a hammer
YouTube video by Audiommunity
www.youtube.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:58 PM
kevinbonham.com
Did you know that there are small RNAs embedded in the plasma membrane of your cells? I didn't!

But your immune system sure does! New episode of @audiommunity.org out now! 🧪

audiommunity.org/episodes/epi...
Episode 47 - When you're a hammer
YouTube video by Audiommunity
youtu.be
October 23, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Reposted by Kevin Bonham
thedoodleabides.bsky.social
This is an excellent article on what you need to know if you attend any of the #NoKings protests tomorrow—what your rights are, what to do if you get arrested, and how to keep yourself safe.
Please repost far and wide…

#BoostTheBefriendmentForThe25thAmendment

open.substack.com/pub/psychope...
This One Matters: A "No Kings" Protest Guide
For Oct 18 and beyond ...
open.substack.com
October 18, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Reposted by Kevin Bonham
robklose.bsky.social
We are recuiting two new Associate Professors here in Oxford Biochemistry. Come join us! Reach out to me if you have any questions. Please repost! tinyurl.com/mr3m7bd3
October 17, 2025 at 2:56 PM