Darren Incorvaia
@megadarren.bsky.social
Science journalist and silly billy
Staff writer at Fierce Biotech, other words in NYT, Science, Science News, etc.
Inveterate invertebrate evangelist
Opinions mine!
Signal: dinc.49
Staff writer at Fierce Biotech, other words in NYT, Science, Science News, etc.
Inveterate invertebrate evangelist
Opinions mine!
Signal: dinc.49
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
Jenna Norton has spoken critically about the Trump administration's funding cuts and mass firings at the National Institutes of Health. At the end of the shutdown, she says she was put on leave. n.pr/4oFYdPL
She criticized President Trump during the shutdown. Now she's been put on leave
Jenna Norton has spoken critically about the Trump administration's funding cuts and mass firings at the National Institutes of Health. At the end of the shutdown, she says she was put on leave.
n.pr
November 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Jenna Norton has spoken critically about the Trump administration's funding cuts and mass firings at the National Institutes of Health. At the end of the shutdown, she says she was put on leave. n.pr/4oFYdPL
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
Last week, our members participated in a 24-hour #strike. The outpouring of support has been inspiring. Thank you to everyone who’s shown up and stood with us. After 567 days of negotiating with @society4science.bsky.social, we’re still fighting for the fair contract we deserve.
November 12, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Last week, our members participated in a 24-hour #strike. The outpouring of support has been inspiring. Thank you to everyone who’s shown up and stood with us. After 567 days of negotiating with @society4science.bsky.social, we’re still fighting for the fair contract we deserve.
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
Scientific breakthroughs are rarely unique; someone else would’ve made them soon enough. But when prominent scientists cause harm, that harm isn’t inevitable; the world might simply have been better had the harm not been inflicted.
liorpachter.wordpress.com/2018/05/18/j...
liorpachter.wordpress.com/2018/05/18/j...
James Watson in his own words
“Some anti-Semitism is justified” “Whenever you interview fat people, you feel bad, because you know you’re not going to hire them” “Japan should be bombed for d…
liorpachter.wordpress.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Scientific breakthroughs are rarely unique; someone else would’ve made them soon enough. But when prominent scientists cause harm, that harm isn’t inevitable; the world might simply have been better had the harm not been inflicted.
liorpachter.wordpress.com/2018/05/18/j...
liorpachter.wordpress.com/2018/05/18/j...
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
We're disappointed to see Ben Barres's powerful book "The Autobiography of a Transgender Scientist" among the ~400 titles removed from the Naval Academy Library. Needless to say, we're proud to have published his book and will keep it — and his memory — alive.
The Coming Out of a Transgender Scientist
"I know that I am making the right decision because whenever I think about changing my gender role, I am flooded with feelings of relief."
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu
April 8, 2025 at 8:24 PM
We're disappointed to see Ben Barres's powerful book "The Autobiography of a Transgender Scientist" among the ~400 titles removed from the Naval Academy Library. Needless to say, we're proud to have published his book and will keep it — and his memory — alive.
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
Panera’s moderately caffeinated lemonade was loosely associated with 2 deaths before it was taken off market.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
I fully believe in the corporate death penalty and believe we would be a better world if OpenAI lost its corporate charter and was forcibly dissolved.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
ChatGPT encouraged college graduate to commit suicide, family claims in lawsuit against OpenAI | CNN
A 23-year-old man killed himself in Texas after ChatGPT ‘goaded’ him to commit suicide, his family says in a lawsuit.
www.cnn.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Panera’s moderately caffeinated lemonade was loosely associated with 2 deaths before it was taken off market.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
Rosalind Franklin and the damage of gender harassment
Spurred by a recent report on sexual harassment in academia, our columnist revisits a historical case and reflects on what has changed—and what hasn’t
www.science.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
It's really important to note that not only was Watson a racist and misogynist but his contribution to the double helix was listening to a Rosalind Franklin lecture and getting mad because Francis Crick wouldn't invite him to his sex parties.
Hey folks, as news of Watson's demise spreads, please don't set aside his weighty legacy of misogyny and racism. He was truly among the worst of us. www.vox.com/2019/1/15/18...
DNA scientist James Watson has a remarkably long history of sexist, racist public comments
“People say it would be terrible if we made all girls pretty,” he said in 2003. “I think it would be great.”
www.vox.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:59 PM
It's really important to note that not only was Watson a racist and misogynist but his contribution to the double helix was listening to a Rosalind Franklin lecture and getting mad because Francis Crick wouldn't invite him to his sex parties.
Like finding a needle in a haystack, MIT scientists have found the tell-tale cellular signatures of a tuberculosis infection, which can be used as targets for new vaccines for a disease that kills 4,000 people every day 🧪 my story:
'Needle in a haystack' experiments reveal targets for new tuberculosis vaccines
Painstaking experiments have revealed the cellular signatures that signify a tuberculosis infection, providing a series of targets | Painstaking experiments have revealed the cellular signatures that ...
www.fiercebiotech.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Like finding a needle in a haystack, MIT scientists have found the tell-tale cellular signatures of a tuberculosis infection, which can be used as targets for new vaccines for a disease that kills 4,000 people every day 🧪 my story:
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
bro are you fucking kidding me
![quote from the Economist article which says "[study authors] are now looking at whether AI facial analysis can give lenders useful clues about a person’s propensity to repay loans. For people without access to credit, that could be a blessing."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ofjbklfvptnupad4lxumblw/bafkreia3yctiqd7ejumpd6novxjpiycphtfkc3bdgd573jw37faqdl7o7m@jpeg)
November 6, 2025 at 5:59 PM
bro are you fucking kidding me
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
Don't cross the picket line--no reading Science News today! These journalists deserve a fair contract that recognizes the value they bring to the company.
Workers of the Science News Media Guild will conduct a 24-hour #strike on Wednesday, 11/5. This comes after our members voted to reject the Society’s latest contract proposal. Our members previously voted by 92% to authorize a strike against the @society4science.bsky.social, if necessary.
November 5, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Don't cross the picket line--no reading Science News today! These journalists deserve a fair contract that recognizes the value they bring to the company.
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
Americans have spoken and they demand wokeness
November 5, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Americans have spoken and they demand wokeness
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
Criminals posing as US immigration officers have carried out robberies, kidnappings and sexual assaults in several states, warns an FBI bulletin to law enforcement agencies issued last month.
The bulletin urged nationwide coordination to distinguish real operations from fakes.
The bulletin urged nationwide coordination to distinguish real operations from fakes.
FBI Warns of Criminals Posing as ICE, Urges Agents to ID Themselves
In a bulletin to law enforcement agencies, the FBI said criminal impersonators are exploiting ICE’s image and urged nationwide coordination to distinguish real operations from fakes.
www.wired.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Criminals posing as US immigration officers have carried out robberies, kidnappings and sexual assaults in several states, warns an FBI bulletin to law enforcement agencies issued last month.
The bulletin urged nationwide coordination to distinguish real operations from fakes.
The bulletin urged nationwide coordination to distinguish real operations from fakes.
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
Turning Point USA continues to carry on the sainted work of Charlie Kirk by singling out innocent high school teachers for death threats.
Math teachers at Cienega High School in Arizona are facing death threats and calls that they be fired after a Turning Point USA employee falsely accused them of wearing Halloween costumes mocking the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Arizona teachers' costumes weren't about Charlie Kirk. They're facing death threats anyway
Math teachers at Cienega High School in southern Arizona are facing death threats and calls that they be fired after a Turning Point USA employee falsely accused them of wearing Halloween costumes mocking the assassination of the organization’s co-founder, Charlie Kirk.
n.pr
November 4, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Turning Point USA continues to carry on the sainted work of Charlie Kirk by singling out innocent high school teachers for death threats.
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
bro biologists won't even agree on the definition of "alive" you think you can get them to back you on "two genders" lmao
November 1, 2025 at 6:56 PM
bro biologists won't even agree on the definition of "alive" you think you can get them to back you on "two genders" lmao
Biotechs beware: you're in for a scare.
Had a blast writing this year's edition of the Biotech Graveyard, a terrifying Fierce Biotech tradition where we honor the ghosts of biotechs past and also allude to the 1958 novelty song "The Purple People Eater." Give it a read--if you dare!
Had a blast writing this year's edition of the Biotech Graveyard, a terrifying Fierce Biotech tradition where we honor the ghosts of biotechs past and also allude to the 1958 novelty song "The Purple People Eater." Give it a read--if you dare!
The 2025 Biotech Graveyard
Reader, beware: You’re entering haunted grounds. | This year’s list features 16 biotechs that have shut down and another three that have one foot in the grave.
www.fiercebiotech.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Biotechs beware: you're in for a scare.
Had a blast writing this year's edition of the Biotech Graveyard, a terrifying Fierce Biotech tradition where we honor the ghosts of biotechs past and also allude to the 1958 novelty song "The Purple People Eater." Give it a read--if you dare!
Had a blast writing this year's edition of the Biotech Graveyard, a terrifying Fierce Biotech tradition where we honor the ghosts of biotechs past and also allude to the 1958 novelty song "The Purple People Eater." Give it a read--if you dare!
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
HAPPENING NOW: Portland Police Commander Franz Schoening testifies that federal officers on Oct. 18 barraged protesters with crowd control munitions — not because of any violence but because another federal officer accidentally shot tear gas onto the roof of the ICE facility.
October 29, 2025 at 6:05 PM
HAPPENING NOW: Portland Police Commander Franz Schoening testifies that federal officers on Oct. 18 barraged protesters with crowd control munitions — not because of any violence but because another federal officer accidentally shot tear gas onto the roof of the ICE facility.
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
The NIH has insisted there are no banned words
But, an analysis by @jeremymberg.bsky.social found over 700 hundred grants changed their titles from '24 to '25
Some see it as a small price to pay to keep their grant, but others are worried about what comes next
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
But, an analysis by @jeremymberg.bsky.social found over 700 hundred grants changed their titles from '24 to '25
Some see it as a small price to pay to keep their grant, but others are worried about what comes next
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
Scientists had to change more than 700 grant titles to receive NIH funding. Health disparities researchers fear what’s next
The titles of more than 700 multi-year NIH grants have been changed this year, according to an analysis by Jeremy Berg, a former agency official
www.statnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The NIH has insisted there are no banned words
But, an analysis by @jeremymberg.bsky.social found over 700 hundred grants changed their titles from '24 to '25
Some see it as a small price to pay to keep their grant, but others are worried about what comes next
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
But, an analysis by @jeremymberg.bsky.social found over 700 hundred grants changed their titles from '24 to '25
Some see it as a small price to pay to keep their grant, but others are worried about what comes next
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
Largest study of its kind shows AI assistants misrepresent news content 45% of the time – regardless of language or territory. www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
Largest study of its kind shows AI assistants misrepresent news content 45% of the time – regardless of language or territory
An intensive international study was coordinated by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and led by the BBC
www.bbc.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Largest study of its kind shows AI assistants misrepresent news content 45% of the time – regardless of language or territory. www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
No rest for Nobel Laureate Shimon Sakaguchi--just a few weeks after winning science's top prize, he's published two papers showing how his award-winning discovery could be used to turn villainous T cells into disease-treating heroes 🧪 my story:
In 2 papers, Nobel winner debuts technique to turn rogue T cells into their own treatment
Even for a newly minted Nobel laureate, downtime is hard to find. | Even for a newly minted Nobel laureate, downtime is hard to find. Just a few weeks after winning the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology ...
www.fiercebiotech.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:17 PM
No rest for Nobel Laureate Shimon Sakaguchi--just a few weeks after winning science's top prize, he's published two papers showing how his award-winning discovery could be used to turn villainous T cells into disease-treating heroes 🧪 my story:
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
In Corvallis, Rev. Jennifer Butler created a microshelter program at her church despite neighborhood complaints. Butler is one of a handful of Corvallis residents working toward service and shelter options in Oregon's most rent-burdened city.
Challenging the idyllic image of Corvallis are the more than 500 people experiencing homelessness in Benton County
The most rent-burdened city in the state struggles with limited shelter beds and neighborhood complaints, while some work toward homelessness solutions
www.streetroots.org
October 23, 2025 at 4:46 AM
In Corvallis, Rev. Jennifer Butler created a microshelter program at her church despite neighborhood complaints. Butler is one of a handful of Corvallis residents working toward service and shelter options in Oregon's most rent-burdened city.
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
NEW: 200+ Chicago-area clergy — Protestants, Catholics, and evangelicals — have signed a letter decrying ICE's efforts and voicing a willingness to put their "bodies on the line" for migrants.
"What Kristi Noem and her ICE agents are doing is immoral," they write. religionnews.com/2025/10/21/a...
"What Kristi Noem and her ICE agents are doing is immoral," they write. religionnews.com/2025/10/21/a...
October 21, 2025 at 7:43 PM
NEW: 200+ Chicago-area clergy — Protestants, Catholics, and evangelicals — have signed a letter decrying ICE's efforts and voicing a willingness to put their "bodies on the line" for migrants.
"What Kristi Noem and her ICE agents are doing is immoral," they write. religionnews.com/2025/10/21/a...
"What Kristi Noem and her ICE agents are doing is immoral," they write. religionnews.com/2025/10/21/a...
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
This is the scene at the Portland ICE facility right now where the Trump admin wants to send hundreds of National Guard troops to protect federal workers and property.
October 21, 2025 at 7:13 PM
This is the scene at the Portland ICE facility right now where the Trump admin wants to send hundreds of National Guard troops to protect federal workers and property.
About 30 years after their discovery, Nobel-winning regulatory T cells are on the cusp of becoming new medicines; and as one of this year's laureates told me, they have the potential to become a "universal drug" 🧪 my deep dive into Tregs:
Panacea potential: How Nobel-winning regulatory T cells could become a ‘universal drug’
While presenting this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to three immunologists who
www.fiercebiotech.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:34 PM
About 30 years after their discovery, Nobel-winning regulatory T cells are on the cusp of becoming new medicines; and as one of this year's laureates told me, they have the potential to become a "universal drug" 🧪 my deep dive into Tregs:
Reposted by Darren Incorvaia
I wrote about The Insider
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October 20, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I wrote about The Insider