Laura Howes
@laurahowes.bsky.social
Editor (she/her) @cenmag.bsky.social into biomolecules, drug discovery, and biotech. Also beer, skiing, and the joys of being an immigrant in Germany. All views expressed here are absolutely mine, especially when they're right. DM for Signal.
Reposted by Laura Howes
"Change will only come if both the BBC board and the politicians that ultimately appoint that board realise that the corporation’s problems in News are fundamentally about money and competence" - think that's bang on from @stephenkb.bsky.social
To fix the BBC, focus on competence and cash
Corporation fails to learn from criticism, while politicians have consciously reduced its scope for quality journalism
www.ft.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:17 AM
"Change will only come if both the BBC board and the politicians that ultimately appoint that board realise that the corporation’s problems in News are fundamentally about money and competence" - think that's bang on from @stephenkb.bsky.social
Reposted by Laura Howes
You know what also really helps independent news outlets? Simply CLICKING our links, guys. In our current media ecosystem, you’re gonna get more of what you click on, and less of what you don’t
November 9, 2025 at 5:03 PM
You know what also really helps independent news outlets? Simply CLICKING our links, guys. In our current media ecosystem, you’re gonna get more of what you click on, and less of what you don’t
OK, desperate last attempt: are there any #HobbyBrauer on here who still know of a source of cracked (geschrottet) Marris Otter for #HomeBrewing? Our previous supplier has been sold out for over a year, and getting it shipped from UK/Irish providers will obviously be prohibitively expensive.
November 9, 2025 at 1:01 PM
OK, desperate last attempt: are there any #HobbyBrauer on here who still know of a source of cracked (geschrottet) Marris Otter for #HomeBrewing? Our previous supplier has been sold out for over a year, and getting it shipped from UK/Irish providers will obviously be prohibitively expensive.
The 2025 #Newscripts' Gift Guide is live. Start planning your present shopping now, or just treat yourself.
Sharing @cenmag.bsky.social's Holiday gift ideas with the new collage art
cen.acs.org/business/con...
cen.acs.org/business/con...
Holiday gift ideas
Chemistry-themed goodies for the scientists in your life
cen.acs.org
November 8, 2025 at 11:07 AM
The 2025 #Newscripts' Gift Guide is live. Start planning your present shopping now, or just treat yourself.
Reposted by Laura Howes
OK, as promised, here's my thread about the links between tear gas/pepper spray and the arms trade and gun industry.
November 5, 2025 at 10:39 AM
OK, as promised, here's my thread about the links between tear gas/pepper spray and the arms trade and gun industry.
Reposted by Laura Howes
thank you for all the support; the statement from our union is now live here with some more reporting.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
November 3, 2025 at 11:25 PM
thank you for all the support; the statement from our union is now live here with some more reporting.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
Between this and the crappier Pyrex, I feel bad for US-based cooks
If anyone needs to know this, most plastic wrap in the US is made from polyethylene, but plastic wrap in Europe is made from PVC. This really matters if you are trying to make a decorative sugar dome for a cake after you saw them do it on a British baking show. #chemsky
November 3, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Between this and the crappier Pyrex, I feel bad for US-based cooks
Reposted by Laura Howes
In the 1600s, thousands of people were buried in crypts under a Milan hospital & preserved by unusual conditions. “What is striking is how much you can extrapolate from an ancient body,” says one researcher, “and how much you can understand from that about the period they lived in." @science.org
Thousands buried in 17th century Italian crypt reveal lives of working poor
Remains recovered from beneath a Milan hospital shed light on health, diet, and drug habits during the 1600s
www.science.org
October 29, 2025 at 3:16 AM
In the 1600s, thousands of people were buried in crypts under a Milan hospital & preserved by unusual conditions. “What is striking is how much you can extrapolate from an ancient body,” says one researcher, “and how much you can understand from that about the period they lived in." @science.org
“I’ve been working in the lab and am paying close attention to every single thing. . . . I’m savoring every moment, in case these are my last ones.” @juliekovacs.bsky.social 🧪⚗️
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
For chemists in academia, federal shutdown compounds stress
The nearly monthlong stoppage of government activity is disrupting an already-chaotic funding year
cen.acs.org
October 30, 2025 at 9:38 PM
“I’ve been working in the lab and am paying close attention to every single thing. . . . I’m savoring every moment, in case these are my last ones.” @juliekovacs.bsky.social 🧪⚗️
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
Reposted by Laura Howes
Leading up to Halloween we ask, Why do some gummy brands rock, and why do others feel like you're chewing plastic?
🎃🍬👻 Read my little explainer for @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/food/food-in...
🎃🍬👻 Read my little explainer for @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/food/food-in...
October 28, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Leading up to Halloween we ask, Why do some gummy brands rock, and why do others feel like you're chewing plastic?
🎃🍬👻 Read my little explainer for @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/food/food-in...
🎃🍬👻 Read my little explainer for @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/food/food-in...
Krylov's on it again. Seems she was asked to review a paper, and judged herself qualified to do so, but was concerned she might actually have been asked because she's a woman.
The premier journal Nature long favored research from white, male scientists. Its mission statement in 1870: "to aid Scientific men."
That meant missing out on excellent research. It's tried to recognize other voices in recent years.
Here comes the backlash. www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
That meant missing out on excellent research. It's tried to recognize other voices in recent years.
Here comes the backlash. www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
Nature journal accused of abandoning science for social justice
The publisher has defended its efforts to boost the diversity of researchers after it came under attack from Richard Dawkins and other academics
www.thetimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Krylov's on it again. Seems she was asked to review a paper, and judged herself qualified to do so, but was concerned she might actually have been asked because she's a woman.
Reposted by Laura Howes
Reading Frankenstein made him want to be a chemist!?! At this year's ACS fall meeting, Victor Olet said this and caught the attention of several of our editors. What a thrill to work with him on this piece about what he's gained by reading the book 25 times cen.acs.org/people/Chemi...
My Chemical Story: How ‘Frankenstein’ made me want to be a scientist
The book is more than a tale of horror; it’s a psychological drama about the drive to develop knowledge and be seen
cen.acs.org
October 27, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Reading Frankenstein made him want to be a chemist!?! At this year's ACS fall meeting, Victor Olet said this and caught the attention of several of our editors. What a thrill to work with him on this piece about what he's gained by reading the book 25 times cen.acs.org/people/Chemi...
Reposted by Laura Howes
It's been a big year for chemists trying to turn PTFE (better know as Teflon) into something that won't hang out in a landfill for 1,000 years. The latest development in this area uses chunks of sodium metal. My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social
cen.acs.org/materials/po...
cen.acs.org/materials/po...
This reaction turns Teflon into toothpaste’s key ingredient
Grinding PTFE with chunks of sodium metal creates sodium fluoride in a solvent-free reaction that aims to avoid landfills
cen.acs.org
October 27, 2025 at 7:46 PM
It's been a big year for chemists trying to turn PTFE (better know as Teflon) into something that won't hang out in a landfill for 1,000 years. The latest development in this area uses chunks of sodium metal. My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social
cen.acs.org/materials/po...
cen.acs.org/materials/po...
Is it pedantry, is it pointing out that the clue was completely wrong? Signed, a chemist.
October 26, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Is it pedantry, is it pointing out that the clue was completely wrong? Signed, a chemist.
Alternatively, lads, might be worth thinking about supporting the German car industry to remain viable in the future rather than locking them into a dying business model.
But sure, you go off...
But sure, you go off...
Ich schäme mich so.
"In einem Beschlusspapier der Ministerpräsidentenkonferenz in Mainz heißt es, das starre Verbot der Verbrennertechnologie ab dem Jahr 2035 gefährde die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit des Automobilstandortes Deutschland."
www.deutschlandfunk.de/ministerprae...
"In einem Beschlusspapier der Ministerpräsidentenkonferenz in Mainz heißt es, das starre Verbot der Verbrennertechnologie ab dem Jahr 2035 gefährde die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit des Automobilstandortes Deutschland."
www.deutschlandfunk.de/ministerprae...
Mainz - Ministerpräsidenten gegen Verbrenner-Aus 2035 - Söder: Klimaziele in Europa gefährden Wohlstand
Die Bundesländer fordern eine Neuregelung des Verkaufsverbots in der EU für Autos mit Verbrennermotoren.
www.deutschlandfunk.de
October 25, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Alternatively, lads, might be worth thinking about supporting the German car industry to remain viable in the future rather than locking them into a dying business model.
But sure, you go off...
But sure, you go off...
This was, honest to god, today's discussion over breakfast.
Europe should be making emergency plans to get off US cloud-based services stat
I for one am really excited the U.S. may be headed into a war in our hemisphere with a Fox News weekend anchor and a bloviating criminal fraud in charge of our armed forces.
October 25, 2025 at 8:20 AM
This was, honest to god, today's discussion over breakfast.
Reposted by Laura Howes
Happy Mole Day! Test your knowledge in our recent crossword: cen.acs.org/education/sc...
#MoleDay #chemsky
#MoleDay #chemsky
October 23, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Happy Mole Day! Test your knowledge in our recent crossword: cen.acs.org/education/sc...
#MoleDay #chemsky
#MoleDay #chemsky
Reposted by Laura Howes
'The messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccines were game changing during the course of the pandemic; now another benefit is emerging—the same vaccines are improving how long people with cancer survive while they undergo immune therapy.' @laurahowes.bsky.social, cen.acs.org
cen.acs.org/biological-c...
cen.acs.org/biological-c...
mRNA COVID-19 vaccines can also boost cancer treatment success
Innate immune response to vaccines helps people with cancer live longer
cen.acs.org
October 23, 2025 at 4:08 PM
'The messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccines were game changing during the course of the pandemic; now another benefit is emerging—the same vaccines are improving how long people with cancer survive while they undergo immune therapy.' @laurahowes.bsky.social, cen.acs.org
cen.acs.org/biological-c...
cen.acs.org/biological-c...
Got double jabbed this morning at a local pharmacy. Ahead of me were three masked care workers who'd phoned ahead to ask about costs. They told me they don't have much money, but they'd set cash aside in case their Krankenkasse didn't cover them. Of all the people who should absolutely be covered...
October 23, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Got double jabbed this morning at a local pharmacy. Ahead of me were three masked care workers who'd phoned ahead to ask about costs. They told me they don't have much money, but they'd set cash aside in case their Krankenkasse didn't cover them. Of all the people who should absolutely be covered...
Finally booking a new block of 10 therapy sessions. Because that'll fix it.
October 22, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Finally booking a new block of 10 therapy sessions. Because that'll fix it.
Reposted by Laura Howes
Please help Filip! If you're a STEM industry researcher or R&D professional who sometimes does things with universities (guest lectures, workshops, hosting students/postdocs), please fill in his survey for a pedagogic project on academia/industry interface #chemsky
www.linkedin.com/posts/fmiljk...
www.linkedin.com/posts/fmiljk...
Fill | Participation of Industry Researchers in Higher Education | LinkedIn | Filip Miljković
Calling industry researchers and R&D professionals 🔬👩🔬👨🔧
As part of an academic teacher training course that I’m attending at Uppsala University, I’m collecting short survey responses (6–8 min) for...
www.linkedin.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Please help Filip! If you're a STEM industry researcher or R&D professional who sometimes does things with universities (guest lectures, workshops, hosting students/postdocs), please fill in his survey for a pedagogic project on academia/industry interface #chemsky
www.linkedin.com/posts/fmiljk...
www.linkedin.com/posts/fmiljk...
Reposted by Laura Howes
More than 20% of chemists have deliberately added information they believe to be incorrect into their manuscripts during peer review, a new study has found.
My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social:
cen.acs.org/policy/publi...
@nanoporous.net, @freddie2310.bsky.social
#ChemSky
My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social:
cen.acs.org/policy/publi...
@nanoporous.net, @freddie2310.bsky.social
#ChemSky
One in five chemists have deliberately added errors into their papers during peer review, study finds
Conclusion is one of many in a report about how chemists handle errors in manuscripts
cen.acs.org
October 20, 2025 at 4:50 PM
More than 20% of chemists have deliberately added information they believe to be incorrect into their manuscripts during peer review, a new study has found.
My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social:
cen.acs.org/policy/publi...
@nanoporous.net, @freddie2310.bsky.social
#ChemSky
My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social:
cen.acs.org/policy/publi...
@nanoporous.net, @freddie2310.bsky.social
#ChemSky
Reposted by Laura Howes
I spent the last week in Abu Dhabi, talking to scientists, conservationists, and public health researchers about what it means to release genetically modified organisms into the wild.
And I’ve never seen a scientific debate this contentious before. Read my latest @cenmag.bsky.social to learn more.
And I’ve never seen a scientific debate this contentious before. Read my latest @cenmag.bsky.social to learn more.
Conservationists clash over the use of synthetic biology
But at global conservation forum, a vote to ban genetically modified wildlife fails
cen.acs.org
October 17, 2025 at 5:30 PM
I spent the last week in Abu Dhabi, talking to scientists, conservationists, and public health researchers about what it means to release genetically modified organisms into the wild.
And I’ve never seen a scientific debate this contentious before. Read my latest @cenmag.bsky.social to learn more.
And I’ve never seen a scientific debate this contentious before. Read my latest @cenmag.bsky.social to learn more.
Reposted by Laura Howes
a few people were asking if they could download the Alluring Anglerfish papercraft last night...
since you've all been so nice here, i've decided to do one better and make it available for free :
www.patreon.com/posts/126771...
happy folding!
since you've all been so nice here, i've decided to do one better and make it available for free :
www.patreon.com/posts/126771...
happy folding!
April 16, 2025 at 8:16 AM
a few people were asking if they could download the Alluring Anglerfish papercraft last night...
since you've all been so nice here, i've decided to do one better and make it available for free :
www.patreon.com/posts/126771...
happy folding!
since you've all been so nice here, i've decided to do one better and make it available for free :
www.patreon.com/posts/126771...
happy folding!