Adrian Allen
@nornirnlib.bsky.social
Northern Irish molecular bacteriologist 🧬 🦠 interested in disease ecology, tuberculosis, reading, sci-fi, guitar 🎸, association football, hiking and dog walking.
Reposted by Adrian Allen
Is AI making job recruitment less meritocratic? We're getting some v interesting research studies on this question now, and the news is... not good. @jburnmurdoch.ft.com & I dive in, in the latest edition of our newsletter The AI Shift www.ft.com/content/e5b7...
November 14, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Is AI making job recruitment less meritocratic? We're getting some v interesting research studies on this question now, and the news is... not good. @jburnmurdoch.ft.com & I dive in, in the latest edition of our newsletter The AI Shift www.ft.com/content/e5b7...
Reposted by Adrian Allen
New: Google has chosen a side in Trump's mass deportation campaign. Google is hosting a CBP facial recognition app to hunt immigrants; no indication Google will remove. At same time Google takes down apps for reporting ICE sightings
“Big tech has made their choice”
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
“Big tech has made their choice”
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
Google Has Chosen a Side in Trump's Mass Deportation Effort
Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, while simultaneously removing apps that report the location of ICE officials because Google sees ICE as a vulnerable gr...
www.404media.co
November 13, 2025 at 2:11 PM
New: Google has chosen a side in Trump's mass deportation campaign. Google is hosting a CBP facial recognition app to hunt immigrants; no indication Google will remove. At same time Google takes down apps for reporting ICE sightings
“Big tech has made their choice”
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
“Big tech has made their choice”
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
www.gov.uk/government/n....
Despite the drift of this new variant which occurred after vaccine formulation, seasonal flu vaccines still as efficacious at preventing hospitalisation. So people need to get them.
Despite the drift of this new variant which occurred after vaccine formulation, seasonal flu vaccines still as efficacious at preventing hospitalisation. So people need to get them.
Flu vaccine providing important protection despite new subclade
UKHSA’s early season data shows vaccination remains best defence alongside good respiratory hygiene as flu activity rises.
www.gov.uk
November 13, 2025 at 10:45 PM
www.gov.uk/government/n....
Despite the drift of this new variant which occurred after vaccine formulation, seasonal flu vaccines still as efficacious at preventing hospitalisation. So people need to get them.
Despite the drift of this new variant which occurred after vaccine formulation, seasonal flu vaccines still as efficacious at preventing hospitalisation. So people need to get them.
Reposted by Adrian Allen
"Research released this month by economists at the Bank of England, the Bundesbank, King’s College London and the universities of Stanford and Nottingham underscored the economic hit from leaving the EU. Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6-8%"
on.ft.com/4p1NoHv
on.ft.com/4p1NoHv
Rachel Reeves signals she will break manifesto pledge with Budget tax rises
Chancellor hopes to win support from Labour MPs by lifting two-child benefit cap
on.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:08 AM
"Research released this month by economists at the Bank of England, the Bundesbank, King’s College London and the universities of Stanford and Nottingham underscored the economic hit from leaving the EU. Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6-8%"
on.ft.com/4p1NoHv
on.ft.com/4p1NoHv
Reposted by Adrian Allen
Definitely worth paying for a flu jab this year, about £15 at pharmacies!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
November 9, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Definitely worth paying for a flu jab this year, about £15 at pharmacies!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Adrian Allen
My annual post about how the Morning Star reported the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989
hatfulofhistory.com/2014/11/07/h...
hatfulofhistory.com/2014/11/07/h...
November 9, 2025 at 9:02 AM
My annual post about how the Morning Star reported the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989
hatfulofhistory.com/2014/11/07/h...
hatfulofhistory.com/2014/11/07/h...
Reposted by Adrian Allen
Abstract submissions for #Microbio26 close soon! Explore >20 distinct sessions and submit your work by 23:59 GMT on 11 November: microb.io/AC26Abstracts
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Abstract submissions for #Microbio26 close soon! Explore >20 distinct sessions and submit your work by 23:59 GMT on 11 November: microb.io/AC26Abstracts
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Hope this latest summer mutation isn't enough to completely escape the immunity of the vaccines formulated last year. The usual trouble of having to hit the moving target of a continuously evolving pathogen.
Hope this latest summer mutation isn't enough to completely escape the immunity of the vaccines formulated last year. The usual trouble of having to hit the moving target of a continuously evolving pathogen.
Will a new mutated flu strain cause a rough winter?
Leading flu experts say they will not be surprised if this year's is the worst flu season for a decade.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 8:16 AM
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Hope this latest summer mutation isn't enough to completely escape the immunity of the vaccines formulated last year. The usual trouble of having to hit the moving target of a continuously evolving pathogen.
Hope this latest summer mutation isn't enough to completely escape the immunity of the vaccines formulated last year. The usual trouble of having to hit the moving target of a continuously evolving pathogen.
Hoping Dan Ballard brings this form to the international break next weekend.
November 8, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Hoping Dan Ballard brings this form to the international break next weekend.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
This was a great listen on the history of Jodrell Bank and the composition of a classical piece to commemorate it.
This was a great listen on the history of Jodrell Bank and the composition of a classical piece to commemorate it.
Archive on 4 - Jodrell Bank at 80 - BBC Sounds
Brilliant stories told using archive from the BBC and beyond
www.bbc.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 6:16 PM
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
This was a great listen on the history of Jodrell Bank and the composition of a classical piece to commemorate it.
This was a great listen on the history of Jodrell Bank and the composition of a classical piece to commemorate it.
Reposted by Adrian Allen
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Great account here of the key role Franklin played in solving the structure of DNA. She & Wilkins knowingly provided the key experimental data that Watson and Crick, the theorists, would use to test & confirm their model.
She should be remembered as co-discoverer.
Great account here of the key role Franklin played in solving the structure of DNA. She & Wilkins knowingly provided the key experimental data that Watson and Crick, the theorists, would use to test & confirm their model.
She should be remembered as co-discoverer.
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure
Franklin was no victim in how the DNA double helix was solved. An overlooked letter and an unpublished news article, both written in 1953, reveal that she was an equal player.
www.nature.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:25 AM
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Great account here of the key role Franklin played in solving the structure of DNA. She & Wilkins knowingly provided the key experimental data that Watson and Crick, the theorists, would use to test & confirm their model.
She should be remembered as co-discoverer.
Great account here of the key role Franklin played in solving the structure of DNA. She & Wilkins knowingly provided the key experimental data that Watson and Crick, the theorists, would use to test & confirm their model.
She should be remembered as co-discoverer.
Reposted by Adrian Allen
Bundestag discusses possible AfD cooperation with Russia as party files “extremely detailed” inquiries about Germany’s defenses
A senior official suggested the effort was likely “a targeted and systematic collection of military information” which could be “of significant value to foreign powers.”
A senior official suggested the effort was likely “a targeted and systematic collection of military information” which could be “of significant value to foreign powers.”
Bundestag discusses possible AfD cooperation with Russia as party files “extremely detailed” inquiries about Germany’s defenses
Germany’s parliament recently held a special session to discuss whether members of the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD) may have been deliberately acting in Russia’s interests. The debate...
theins.press
November 6, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Bundestag discusses possible AfD cooperation with Russia as party files “extremely detailed” inquiries about Germany’s defenses
A senior official suggested the effort was likely “a targeted and systematic collection of military information” which could be “of significant value to foreign powers.”
A senior official suggested the effort was likely “a targeted and systematic collection of military information” which could be “of significant value to foreign powers.”
Autumn scenes from @nationaltrust.org.uk Mount Stewart at the golden hour.
November 6, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Autumn scenes from @nationaltrust.org.uk Mount Stewart at the golden hour.
Reposted by Adrian Allen
Actually, although it's commonly known as 'The FIFA Peace Prize' its correct name is 'The Jewelled Rimmer Trophy'
Trump ally Infantino to award first Fifa Peace Prize at World Cup draw in DC
Fifa unveils a new Peace Prize to be awarded at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, citing a mission to honor efforts to end conflict
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Actually, although it's commonly known as 'The FIFA Peace Prize' its correct name is 'The Jewelled Rimmer Trophy'
Reposted by Adrian Allen
So a weird thing happened to me in Aldi that I cdn't quite place until I was listening to Gabby Bertin talking about choking in porn on the radio this am. (NB: this is 100% not a sex thing). Having the usual polite chitchat with the cashier who is tired from working extra shifts to make £ for xmas..
November 4, 2025 at 9:22 AM
So a weird thing happened to me in Aldi that I cdn't quite place until I was listening to Gabby Bertin talking about choking in porn on the radio this am. (NB: this is 100% not a sex thing). Having the usual polite chitchat with the cashier who is tired from working extra shifts to make £ for xmas..
Reposted by Adrian Allen
We have progressed from data collection to data analysis.
November 1, 2025 at 12:31 AM
We have progressed from data collection to data analysis.
County Fermanagh on Hallowe'en night. Sunset over the river Erne.
November 1, 2025 at 12:13 PM
County Fermanagh on Hallowe'en night. Sunset over the river Erne.
Reposted by Adrian Allen
Since the furin cleavage site was supposed to be an irrefutable proof of human genetic engineering, this new finding adds weight to the "wet market" hypothesis for the origin of the Covid virus.
That would have been big news a few years ago, unfortunately the great science that gives important understanding in coronaviruses is now back to the small circle of scientists. Anyway: A fully functional furin cleavage site in a bat betacorarnavirus! Congrats to the authors!
We’ve identified a highly divergent betacoronavirus from South American bat that encodes a functional furin cleavage site.
Another fascinating reminder of how diverse coronavirus evolution is in wildlife reservoirs.
#Virology #VirusEvolution #Bats #Coronavirus
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Another fascinating reminder of how diverse coronavirus evolution is in wildlife reservoirs.
#Virology #VirusEvolution #Bats #Coronavirus
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
October 30, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Since the furin cleavage site was supposed to be an irrefutable proof of human genetic engineering, this new finding adds weight to the "wet market" hypothesis for the origin of the Covid virus.
Reposted by Adrian Allen
Minority representation on TV causes outrage
From the new Private Eye, in shops now.
From the new Private Eye, in shops now.
October 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Minority representation on TV causes outrage
From the new Private Eye, in shops now.
From the new Private Eye, in shops now.
Just before our Acer drops its leaves for autumn each year, it goes this fiery red. Almost luminous in the golden hour light of dawn.
October 29, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Just before our Acer drops its leaves for autumn each year, it goes this fiery red. Almost luminous in the golden hour light of dawn.
Reposted by Adrian Allen
It is way past time for the UK government & the BBC to get off X & for Musk to be treated as a threat to national security.
The world's richest man is using his site to promote civil war, ethnic violence & the overthrow of an elected government.
You won't win him over with another conference on AI
The world's richest man is using his site to promote civil war, ethnic violence & the overthrow of an elected government.
You won't win him over with another conference on AI
Elon Musk: "It is time for the English to ally with the hard men, like Tommy Robinson, and fight for their survival or they shall surely all die" 29th October 2025. 2 million views in its first hour.
October 29, 2025 at 10:11 AM
It is way past time for the UK government & the BBC to get off X & for Musk to be treated as a threat to national security.
The world's richest man is using his site to promote civil war, ethnic violence & the overthrow of an elected government.
You won't win him over with another conference on AI
The world's richest man is using his site to promote civil war, ethnic violence & the overthrow of an elected government.
You won't win him over with another conference on AI
Reposted by Adrian Allen
Drew Struzan, an artist whose talent for realistic portraiture and inventive composition captured the magic and adventure of films by directors like Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Frank Darabont in some 200 posters, died this month. He was 78.
Drew Struzan, Masterly Painter of Movie Posters, Dies at 78
He created realistic imagery for the “Star Wars” franchise, the Indiana Jones films and the “Back to the Future” trilogy. He also put Alice Cooper in a tuxedo and tails for an album cover.
nyti.ms
October 26, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Drew Struzan, an artist whose talent for realistic portraiture and inventive composition captured the magic and adventure of films by directors like Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Frank Darabont in some 200 posters, died this month. He was 78.
Reposted by Adrian Allen
New post just out:
"Never again?"
On how the radical right are trying to change our collective memory about World War Two as part of their assault on the postwar order.
And why that memory remains a critical defence against nationalism.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/n...
"Never again?"
On how the radical right are trying to change our collective memory about World War Two as part of their assault on the postwar order.
And why that memory remains a critical defence against nationalism.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/n...
Never again?
Memory entrepreneurship and the radical right’s assault on the postwar order
open.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 8:49 AM
New post just out:
"Never again?"
On how the radical right are trying to change our collective memory about World War Two as part of their assault on the postwar order.
And why that memory remains a critical defence against nationalism.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/n...
"Never again?"
On how the radical right are trying to change our collective memory about World War Two as part of their assault on the postwar order.
And why that memory remains a critical defence against nationalism.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/n...