Matilda's Lab
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matildaslab.bsky.social
Matilda's Lab
@matildaslab.bsky.social
66 followers 55 following 870 posts
Science nerd Dad who engages his kids with science through music, drawing and writing by making it fun.
Sharing my content too help others share their own journeys of discovery.
https://linktr.ee/chrismacalister
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matildaslab.bsky.social
If you think that your smart speaker is listening to you, don't forget that your dog is too
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#sciencenews
Some dogs can learn new words by eavesdropping on their owners
“Honey, will you take Luna to the P-A-R-K?” both parents and dog owners know that some words should not be spoken, but only spelled, to prevent small ears from eavesdropping on the convers...
www.eurekalert.org
January 13, 2026 at 6:19 PM
matildaslab.bsky.social
The benefits of sleeping in at the weekends
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#sciencenews
Sleeping in on weekends may help boost teens’ mental health
Sleeping in on the weekend to catch up on sleep lost during the week may be good for adolescents’ mental health, according to new research by the University of Oregon and the State University of...
www.eurekalert.org
January 13, 2026 at 12:35 PM
matildaslab.bsky.social
Microbes may have sculpted or large brains
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#sciencenews
Microbes may hold the key to brain evolution
A new study from Northwestern University provides the first empirical data showing the direct role the gut microbiome plays in shaping differences in the way the brain functions across different prima...
www.eurekalert.org
January 12, 2026 at 10:28 PM
matildaslab.bsky.social
Today's featured blog post is all about magic and witches. A common subject in scientific discourse.
matildaslab.wordpress.com/2021/10/29/i...
#scicomm #magic #witches
Is witchcraft real?
I like to take the Halloween season to explore the science behind a slightly more spooky subject. In the past we’ve looked at zombies, ghosts and dragons (although not all specifically for Ha…
matildaslab.wordpress.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:20 PM
matildaslab.bsky.social
Why do we self sabotage? It may be that we're trying to protect ourselves from the hazards that are inherent in the plans that we make.
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#sciencenews
Why nail-biting, procrastination and other self-sabotaging behaviors are rooted in survival instincts
Self-harming and self-sabotaging behaviours, from skin picking to ghosting people, all stem from evolutionary survival mechanisms, according to a compelling new psychological analysis.
www.eurekalert.org
January 12, 2026 at 11:50 AM
matildaslab.bsky.social
I never realised how much of a environmental challenge thermal paper is. Thankfully, a solution looks to be in the way.

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#sciencenews
Safer receipt paper from wood
EPFL researchers have developed formulations for the kind of paper used in cash receipts or shipping tags using wood-based chemicals that reduces reliance on toxic bisphenols while keeping print perfo...
www.eurekalert.org
January 11, 2026 at 8:10 AM
matildaslab.bsky.social
More people mimic your joy and think more of you for it
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#sciencenews
Smile and the world will trust you: How mimicry shapes first impressions
How does mimicry affect the way we judge other people? Whose behaviour do we imitate, and in what situations? It turns out that we are more likely to mimic people who express joy, and we perceive thos...
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January 10, 2026 at 8:29 AM
matildaslab.bsky.social
There's hope for me yet.
Nostalgic gaming staves off burnout
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#sciencenews
Super Mario Bros. help fight burnout: New study links classic games to boosted happiness
A new study published by JMIR Serious Games reports that popular video games, such as the Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi games, may offer meaningful emotional benefits for young adults.
www.eurekalert.org
January 8, 2026 at 9:52 PM
matildaslab.bsky.social
I'm working on a new lesson, but I'm trying something new this year, so it's taking a little longer than usual.
In the meantime, here's a brand new notorious namesake.
matildaslab.wordpress.com/2026/01/07/a...
#algore #frog #biology #scicomm
Al Gore & Allobates algorei
Al Gore and Allobates algorei. You don’t, very publicly, try to save the environment without getting a few species named after you. Amphibians are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate …
matildaslab.wordpress.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:48 PM
matildaslab.bsky.social
Today's featured post is Moby Dick, as you've probably never seen it before.
matildaslab.wordpress.com/2021/10/28/m...
#scicomm
Moby Dick & Voeltzkowia mobydick
Matilda’s Lab ©2021.
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January 6, 2026 at 4:00 PM
matildaslab.bsky.social
When we choose to open ourselves up to new information
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#sciencenews
How we decide when to shut out information and when to insist on knowing it all
A new study by Prof. Yaniv Shani of the Coller School of Management at Tel Aviv University and Prof. Marcel Zeelenberg of the Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences reveals a surprising insi...
www.eurekalert.org
January 6, 2026 at 12:46 PM
matildaslab.bsky.social
After all the advent calendar distraction of last month, let's back to a normal and good old-fashioned featured blog post.
matildaslab.wordpress.com/2021/10/21/p...
#scicomm #sciart
Philic & Phobic
Matilda’s Lab ©2021.
matildaslab.wordpress.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:51 PM
matildaslab.bsky.social
It’s the festive newsletter. This week, it's Christmas! We have the most popular blog post of the year, why gaming is good for you, why remaining neutral in arguments is not, the power of swearing and the power of joy.
open.substack.com/pub/matildas...
Matilda's Lab Newsletter #102
This week, it's Christmas! We have the most popular blog post of the year, why gaming is good for you, why remaining neutral in arguments is not, the power of swearing and the power of joy.
open.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 1:24 PM
matildaslab.bsky.social
It's back to work for me this morning 😒
Maybe now it's a good to time to share that swearing contains its very own superpower.
Not that we would ever do it at Matilda's Lab!
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#sciencenews #swearing
Why swearing makes you stronger
Letting out a swear word in a moment of frustration can feel good. Now, research suggests that it can be good for you, too: Swearing can boost people’s physical performance by helping them overc...
www.eurekalert.org
January 2, 2026 at 7:31 AM
matildaslab.bsky.social
Our ancestors would be shocked.
Our modern world has become so distanced from bartering that we will happy pay more for something, simply to avoid the hassle of negotiation.
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#sciencenews
Why many Americans avoid negotiating, even when it costs them
Would you pay thousands of dollars more for a car just to skip the negotiation process? According to new research by David Hunsaker, clinical associate professor of management at the IU Kelley School ...
www.eurekalert.org
January 1, 2026 at 8:54 AM
matildaslab.bsky.social
Those who excel in childhood don't necessarily go on to success in adulthood. The key to securing success? Vary your experiences.
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#sciencenews
Is talented youth nurtured the wrong way? New study shows: top performers develop differently than assumed
Exceptional performers drive innovation and help solve humanity's most pressing problems. Societies have a vital interest in the development of top performers in various fields. A recent review in...
www.eurekalert.org
December 30, 2025 at 8:42 AM
matildaslab.bsky.social
I've been festively quiet recently, but here's a season story of goodwill. If the trolls are ever getting you down, just remember, they are far less numerous than they may appear.
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#sciencenews #trolls
There are fewer online trolls than people think
Americans overestimate online toxicity, believing 43% of Reddit users post severely toxic comments when only 3% actually do, and this misperception inculcates pessimism about society.
www.eurekalert.org
December 27, 2025 at 2:29 PM
matildaslab.bsky.social
We've made it. Another year's advent calendar has come to end and the post popular post of the year has retained its position from last year
Have a wonderful Christmas, everyone.
matildaslab.wordpress.com/2016/08/15/w...
#scicomm #adventcalendar #spiderweb
What are spider webs made of?
Spider webs are made of spider silk, also known as gossamer. It’s a complex substance made up of many things but mostly proteins, fats and sugars. It is so complex that we humans haven’…
matildaslab.wordpress.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:10 AM
matildaslab.bsky.social
Happy Christmas Eve Eve. Today, the advent calendar reveals the runner-up in most popular post of the year, and it's a personal favourite of mine.
matildaslab.wordpress.com/2022/03/03/w...
#scicomm #adventcalendar
December 23, 2025 at 10:55 AM
matildaslab.bsky.social
3 sleeps left. This lesson shows how Scrooge may have had authentic encounters on Christmas Eve. Deep down, he must have already known the error of his ways.
matildaslab.wordpress.com/2017/03/26/w...
#scicomm #ghosts #adventcalendar
December 22, 2025 at 9:40 AM
matildaslab.bsky.social
One of my favourite biology facts is that kangaroos don't use any more energy when the increase their hopping speed.
We still don't really understand how they do this, but body position now appears to be an important factor.
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#sciencenews #kangaroos
Kangaroos fix their posture to save energy at high hopping speeds
Researchers have taken a leap in understanding how kangaroos can increase their hopping speeds without incurring an associated energetic cost. Their study, first published in eLife as a Reviewed ...
www.eurekalert.org
December 22, 2025 at 8:01 AM
matildaslab.bsky.social
I wrote a song about this very mission
JWST is out now—give it a listen! 🎧 artists.landr.com/057914385969
Chris MacAlister - Jwst (feat. Matilda's Lab) - Single
Listen to Jwst (feat. Matilda's Lab) - Single by Chris MacAlister.
artists.landr.com
December 21, 2025 at 10:54 AM
matildaslab.bsky.social
One of the objectives of the James Webb Space Telescope was to find theorised giant stars in the early universe, and now they're coming into focus.
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#sciencenews
Astronomers find first direct evidence of “Monster Stars” from the cosmic dawn
* Scientists have found compelling observational evidence of supermassive "first stars" in a galaxy called GS 3073 that blazed in the early universe. * The data confirms a key prediction ab...
www.eurekalert.org
December 21, 2025 at 10:50 AM
matildaslab.bsky.social
Only 4 days to go, and today's advent calendar treat may be useful when it comes to over-excited children over the coming week.
matildaslab.wordpress.com/2017/03/06/m...
#scicomm #adventcalendar
December 21, 2025 at 9:42 AM
matildaslab.bsky.social
We're properly getting to the business end of things now that we're only 5 days away from the big day.
Your Christmas may be fairly static, but some plants are much more mobile.
matildaslab.wordpress.com/2016/02/29/h...
#scicomm #adventcalendar
December 20, 2025 at 2:49 PM