Helen Fones
@quietscientist.bsky.social
UKRI Future Leader's Fellow / Senior Lecturer and chief Science Do-er of the Fones lab, Exeter. Pro: Evidence-based thinking, kindness, pet rats, coffee.
Reposted by Helen Fones
Notice how the popular media narrative has moved on, while people on the ground in Minneapolis are still struggling and crying out that things are as bad as ever. This is how fascist regimes operate — overreach, recalibration, normalization. Get louder, not quieter.
February 11, 2026 at 3:54 AM
Notice how the popular media narrative has moved on, while people on the ground in Minneapolis are still struggling and crying out that things are as bad as ever. This is how fascist regimes operate — overreach, recalibration, normalization. Get louder, not quieter.
Reposted by Helen Fones
This really is a very good piece. I think quite a lot lies behind it. First that the *actual* education of the likes of Musk etc is very superficial. Just enough Western Civ classes at elite universities for them to persuade themselves that they are talented intellects without any deep study.
One lesson of the Epstein emails is the total intellectual vacuousness of the international business elite
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Jeffrey Epstein circle’s ‘big ideas’ were vacuous guff
Emails show that despite hooking up the rich, the powerful and intellectuals, the philosophising was utterly banal
www.thetimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:32 PM
This really is a very good piece. I think quite a lot lies behind it. First that the *actual* education of the likes of Musk etc is very superficial. Just enough Western Civ classes at elite universities for them to persuade themselves that they are talented intellects without any deep study.
Reposted by Helen Fones
#MicroscopeMonday Cross-section of a Kalanchoe marnieriana leaf, with what appears to be emerging but dormant foliar embryo (a dome) near the top.
Kalanchoe marnieriana is a facultative cloning plant, which normally does not produce plantlets but do produce plantlets when leaves are detached.
Kalanchoe marnieriana is a facultative cloning plant, which normally does not produce plantlets but do produce plantlets when leaves are detached.
February 9, 2026 at 8:53 PM
#MicroscopeMonday Cross-section of a Kalanchoe marnieriana leaf, with what appears to be emerging but dormant foliar embryo (a dome) near the top.
Kalanchoe marnieriana is a facultative cloning plant, which normally does not produce plantlets but do produce plantlets when leaves are detached.
Kalanchoe marnieriana is a facultative cloning plant, which normally does not produce plantlets but do produce plantlets when leaves are detached.
Reposted by Helen Fones
every single person writing credulously about "elon will put people on the moon" should have to pin this post to their monitor
February 9, 2026 at 10:11 PM
every single person writing credulously about "elon will put people on the moon" should have to pin this post to their monitor
Reposted by Helen Fones
1/ ProPublica collected handwritten letters in mid-January from children held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the same facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was taken.
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
February 9, 2026 at 12:25 PM
1/ ProPublica collected handwritten letters in mid-January from children held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the same facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was taken.
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
#RatOfTheWeek: Walter!
He's the second of our two new rescues. A lovely, soft, gentle boy, currently being introduced to our other boys and acting like he's not twice their size. Sweetheart ❤️
#Rats #pets #PetRats #FancyRats #SkyRats #RatsOfBluesky
He's the second of our two new rescues. A lovely, soft, gentle boy, currently being introduced to our other boys and acting like he's not twice their size. Sweetheart ❤️
#Rats #pets #PetRats #FancyRats #SkyRats #RatsOfBluesky
October 26, 2025 at 7:02 PM
#RatOfTheWeek: Walter!
He's the second of our two new rescues. A lovely, soft, gentle boy, currently being introduced to our other boys and acting like he's not twice their size. Sweetheart ❤️
#Rats #pets #PetRats #FancyRats #SkyRats #RatsOfBluesky
He's the second of our two new rescues. A lovely, soft, gentle boy, currently being introduced to our other boys and acting like he's not twice their size. Sweetheart ❤️
#Rats #pets #PetRats #FancyRats #SkyRats #RatsOfBluesky
Reposted by Helen Fones
The author of this norwegian knitting pattern was sadly attacked by a werewolf in the middle of writing the gauge instructions
October 22, 2025 at 6:07 PM
The author of this norwegian knitting pattern was sadly attacked by a werewolf in the middle of writing the gauge instructions
Reposted by Helen Fones
They’re electing a prime minister, yet the main headline is still her gender, not her ideas or what she stands for 😤 www.bbc.com/news/live/cy...
Sanae Takaichi wins historic vote to become Japan's first female prime minister
Sanae Takaichi, who calls herself Japan's Margaret Thatcher, stitched up a late night deal to bring her within two votes of the PM chair.
www.bbc.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:03 AM
They’re electing a prime minister, yet the main headline is still her gender, not her ideas or what she stands for 😤 www.bbc.com/news/live/cy...
Reposted by Helen Fones
Wake up, babe, the least subtle visual metaphor in history just dropped
October 21, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Wake up, babe, the least subtle visual metaphor in history just dropped
Reposted by Helen Fones
🇺🇸 🔥 That. Was. Impressive.
We are watching America reassert itself and its values from the grassroots up. The world saw you and we have huge hope invested in you.
We are watching America reassert itself and its values from the grassroots up. The world saw you and we have huge hope invested in you.
October 19, 2025 at 11:04 AM
🇺🇸 🔥 That. Was. Impressive.
We are watching America reassert itself and its values from the grassroots up. The world saw you and we have huge hope invested in you.
We are watching America reassert itself and its values from the grassroots up. The world saw you and we have huge hope invested in you.
Reposted by Helen Fones
A leaf-surface fungus mediates interactions between leafcutter bees and the plants they cut to line their nests
-in Ecology
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
-in Ecology
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
A leaf‐surface fungus mediates interactions between leafcutter bees and the plants they cut to line their nests
Many insects damage leaves, a phenomenon that is foundational to their impacts on terrestrial ecosystems. Leaf traits, including chemistry, shape these interactions. In turn, leaf-surface (phylloplan....
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:10 AM
A leaf-surface fungus mediates interactions between leafcutter bees and the plants they cut to line their nests
-in Ecology
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
-in Ecology
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by Helen Fones
Isn’t it amazing that plants have transcription factors that literally move from one cell to another to shape development? As a non-developmental biologist, I find this mind-blowing 🤯 genesdev.cshlp.org/content/25/1...
WUSCHEL protein movement mediates stem cell homeostasis in the Arabidopsis shoot apex
A biweekly scientific journal publishing high-quality research in molecular biology and genetics, cancer biology, biochemistry, and related fields
genesdev.cshlp.org
October 21, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Isn’t it amazing that plants have transcription factors that literally move from one cell to another to shape development? As a non-developmental biologist, I find this mind-blowing 🤯 genesdev.cshlp.org/content/25/1...
Reposted by Helen Fones
#RatOfTheWeek - we just collected two new ratties who were in need of a new forever home. He's one of them, Cyril. Settling well into his new life.
#rats #pets #petrats #fancyrats #skyrats #ratsofbluesky #ratsky
#rats #pets #petrats #fancyrats #skyrats #ratsofbluesky #ratsky
October 19, 2025 at 6:05 PM
#RatOfTheWeek - we just collected two new ratties who were in need of a new forever home. He's one of them, Cyril. Settling well into his new life.
#rats #pets #petrats #fancyrats #skyrats #ratsofbluesky #ratsky
#rats #pets #petrats #fancyrats #skyrats #ratsofbluesky #ratsky
Reposted by Helen Fones
Did you know food-derived natural products may reveal how antimicrobial resistance plasmids spread in Enterobacterales? Celebrate World Food Day by reflecting on how our diet affects the world. Read more in Microbiology: doi.org/10.1099/mic.... #MicrobioJ #WorldFoodDay
Natural products from food sources can alter the spread of antimicrobial resistance plasmids in Enterobacterales
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global public health. Notably, resistance to carbapenem and extended-spectrum β-lactam antibiotics in Gram-negative bacteria is a major…
doi.org
October 16, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Did you know food-derived natural products may reveal how antimicrobial resistance plasmids spread in Enterobacterales? Celebrate World Food Day by reflecting on how our diet affects the world. Read more in Microbiology: doi.org/10.1099/mic.... #MicrobioJ #WorldFoodDay
Reposted by Helen Fones
Excuse me but, what the f*** is the point of targets to build homes that only the wealthy can afford? How does it help anyone who is not a property developer? And why does Labour care more about property developers than families? liveapp.inews.co.uk/category/398...
Leaked memo reveals Labour plan to slash affordable homes target
A requirement for developers to build affordable housing in London is set to be cut from 35% of new homes to 20%, in a move councils fear will spread across Britain
liveapp.inews.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Excuse me but, what the f*** is the point of targets to build homes that only the wealthy can afford? How does it help anyone who is not a property developer? And why does Labour care more about property developers than families? liveapp.inews.co.uk/category/398...
#RatOfTheWeek - one of our past boys who deserves to be remembered - Grindle! He had the softest fur and the softest brain - such a daft, sweet, cuddly soul. And very very cute with it!
#rats #pets #petrats #fancyrats #skyrats #RatsOfBluesky
#rats #pets #petrats #fancyrats #skyrats #RatsOfBluesky
September 27, 2025 at 7:40 PM
#RatOfTheWeek - one of our past boys who deserves to be remembered - Grindle! He had the softest fur and the softest brain - such a daft, sweet, cuddly soul. And very very cute with it!
#rats #pets #petrats #fancyrats #skyrats #RatsOfBluesky
#rats #pets #petrats #fancyrats #skyrats #RatsOfBluesky
Reposted by Helen Fones
The "no-one talks about immigration" line is so obviously nonsense. Not only is it one of the single most reported on issues in the media, it is also one of the most talked about in politics, with "immigration" alone referenced more than 1,700 times in the last 12 months in House of Commons. 1/
September 26, 2025 at 11:58 AM
The "no-one talks about immigration" line is so obviously nonsense. Not only is it one of the single most reported on issues in the media, it is also one of the most talked about in politics, with "immigration" alone referenced more than 1,700 times in the last 12 months in House of Commons. 1/
Quality science reporting from the Mirror here 🤣🤦😭
Virus or fungus? At least pick one!
#science #ScienceCommunication #misinformation #embarrassing
Virus or fungus? At least pick one!
#science #ScienceCommunication #misinformation #embarrassing
September 25, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Quality science reporting from the Mirror here 🤣🤦😭
Virus or fungus? At least pick one!
#science #ScienceCommunication #misinformation #embarrassing
Virus or fungus? At least pick one!
#science #ScienceCommunication #misinformation #embarrassing
Reposted by Helen Fones
Ed Davey, "Nigel Farage helped cause the small boat problems, because before Brexit we had 27 return agreements with the EU"
- maybe call them Brexit boats?
- maybe call them Brexit boats?
September 22, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Ed Davey, "Nigel Farage helped cause the small boat problems, because before Brexit we had 27 return agreements with the EU"
- maybe call them Brexit boats?
- maybe call them Brexit boats?
Reposted by Helen Fones
Ed Davey, "I'm afraid Nigel Farage should be apologising for helping cause this problem in the first place"
"Before Brexit we didn't have a small boats problem because we had 27 return agreements with EU countries and we could return people"
-Maybe we should call them Farage's Brexit Boats
"Before Brexit we didn't have a small boats problem because we had 27 return agreements with EU countries and we could return people"
-Maybe we should call them Farage's Brexit Boats
September 22, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Ed Davey, "I'm afraid Nigel Farage should be apologising for helping cause this problem in the first place"
"Before Brexit we didn't have a small boats problem because we had 27 return agreements with EU countries and we could return people"
-Maybe we should call them Farage's Brexit Boats
"Before Brexit we didn't have a small boats problem because we had 27 return agreements with EU countries and we could return people"
-Maybe we should call them Farage's Brexit Boats
Reposted by Helen Fones
I have defended the BBC again and again.
No more.
No more.
For 56 minutes Sky News and BBC News interrupted everything else and carried a Reform UK feed live, uninterrupted, unchallenged. The stream spluttered, froze, pixelated - dozens of times - still they stuck with it. FOR ONE HOUR.
This is an editorial choice. No other party gets this coverage. ~AA
This is an editorial choice. No other party gets this coverage. ~AA
September 22, 2025 at 11:05 AM
I have defended the BBC again and again.
No more.
No more.
#RatOfTheWeek - Ace again! Seen here taking his medicine (in chocolate spread) like a trooper! We thought he might be off to the rainbow bridge but once again the vet has done magic! Long life and good health, Acey boy! 🥰 (& same to his vet 😃).
#pets #rats #petrats #fancyrats #skyrats #ratsofbluesky
#pets #rats #petrats #fancyrats #skyrats #ratsofbluesky
September 20, 2025 at 10:17 PM
#RatOfTheWeek - Ace again! Seen here taking his medicine (in chocolate spread) like a trooper! We thought he might be off to the rainbow bridge but once again the vet has done magic! Long life and good health, Acey boy! 🥰 (& same to his vet 😃).
#pets #rats #petrats #fancyrats #skyrats #ratsofbluesky
#pets #rats #petrats #fancyrats #skyrats #ratsofbluesky