Rob Carr
@robcarr.bsky.social
Former runner, former paramedic, former biochemist, former Director of Communications, former instructor, former young person. Still he/him/nerd.
Working on a hard but fun SF novel about the science involved in the search for life.
Working on a hard but fun SF novel about the science involved in the search for life.
Turn off your electrophoresis machine, Luke!
February 14, 2026 at 4:27 AM
Turn off your electrophoresis machine, Luke!
Reposted by Rob Carr
It really pays to remind ourselves frequently that this whole immigration "crisis" is made up out of whole cloth. There was no emergency,danger or problem, only a demagogue stirring up racist grievances for political advantage.
February 7, 2026 at 3:38 AM
It really pays to remind ourselves frequently that this whole immigration "crisis" is made up out of whole cloth. There was no emergency,danger or problem, only a demagogue stirring up racist grievances for political advantage.
Reposted by Rob Carr
As Fran was nice enough to highlight this, I thought I'd put up a brief thread. 3 in 10 proteins that our cells make are either embedded in membranes (ion channels, adhesion molecules, etc.) or secreted (insulin, antibodies). They move through the secretory pathway.
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February 6, 2026 at 6:39 PM
As Fran was nice enough to highlight this, I thought I'd put up a brief thread. 3 in 10 proteins that our cells make are either embedded in membranes (ion channels, adhesion molecules, etc.) or secreted (insulin, antibodies). They move through the secretory pathway.
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The best one was a grad school class on pores, using anything known in any discipline at the time to understand membranes. I took it as a senior.
I probably should not have been allowed to take the classes. I got an A in both.
Amazingly hard. Amazingly interesting.
I probably should not have been allowed to take the classes. I got an A in both.
Amazingly hard. Amazingly interesting.
January 31, 2026 at 5:07 AM
The best one was a grad school class on pores, using anything known in any discipline at the time to understand membranes. I took it as a senior.
I probably should not have been allowed to take the classes. I got an A in both.
Amazingly hard. Amazingly interesting.
I probably should not have been allowed to take the classes. I got an A in both.
Amazingly hard. Amazingly interesting.
You know all those metals that bind weirdly to other things? This is how you attempt to calculate their molecular orbitals. Think heme. Figure out the molecular orbitals unbound and bound to oxygen & CO, and how that affects the orbitals and what color they appear.
Then understand fetal hemoglobin.
Then understand fetal hemoglobin.
January 31, 2026 at 4:49 AM
You know all those metals that bind weirdly to other things? This is how you attempt to calculate their molecular orbitals. Think heme. Figure out the molecular orbitals unbound and bound to oxygen & CO, and how that affects the orbitals and what color they appear.
Then understand fetal hemoglobin.
Then understand fetal hemoglobin.
Quantum and Statistical Mechanics
Vertebrate Structure and Development
Special Relativity
Coordination Chemistry
Calculating Electrical Potentials caused by Pores and How Pores Affect Ion and Molecule Flow
(Required Chemistry, Biology, Physiology and Fluid Flow/ChemE. Grad school course)
Vertebrate Structure and Development
Special Relativity
Coordination Chemistry
Calculating Electrical Potentials caused by Pores and How Pores Affect Ion and Molecule Flow
(Required Chemistry, Biology, Physiology and Fluid Flow/ChemE. Grad school course)
January 31, 2026 at 4:16 AM
Quantum and Statistical Mechanics
Vertebrate Structure and Development
Special Relativity
Coordination Chemistry
Calculating Electrical Potentials caused by Pores and How Pores Affect Ion and Molecule Flow
(Required Chemistry, Biology, Physiology and Fluid Flow/ChemE. Grad school course)
Vertebrate Structure and Development
Special Relativity
Coordination Chemistry
Calculating Electrical Potentials caused by Pores and How Pores Affect Ion and Molecule Flow
(Required Chemistry, Biology, Physiology and Fluid Flow/ChemE. Grad school course)
Reposted by Rob Carr
Article with no paywall
Gresham family detained by immigration officers while seeking medical care for their 7-year-old
The familyβs detainment marks the first confirmed detainment of an entire family in Oregon, advocates say.
www.opb.org
January 24, 2026 at 3:40 AM
Article with no paywall
You're very good! You are worthy of being supported!
January 21, 2026 at 3:34 AM
You're very good! You are worthy of being supported!
Wow, that is incredible!
January 21, 2026 at 3:33 AM
Wow, that is incredible!
What does Elon Musk think about yelling "Pedophile Protector" at someone? That's just common banter, right?
January 14, 2026 at 6:13 AM
What does Elon Musk think about yelling "Pedophile Protector" at someone? That's just common banter, right?
In the late '70s, I took 2 Black Studies classes. One topic was treatment of Blacks by the medical community. The Prof pointed out that getting the body to produce fetal hemoglobin could cure sickle cell disease. He then pointed out Blacks would be reluctant to take it because of History.
Bingo 2/2
Bingo 2/2
January 7, 2026 at 1:26 AM
In the late '70s, I took 2 Black Studies classes. One topic was treatment of Blacks by the medical community. The Prof pointed out that getting the body to produce fetal hemoglobin could cure sickle cell disease. He then pointed out Blacks would be reluctant to take it because of History.
Bingo 2/2
Bingo 2/2
Interesting thing. It's low oxygen that causes the sickling. During pregnancy. The fetus makes fetal hemoglobin because by the time oxygen gets through the placenta, it's really low. Any fetus with even one copy of the trait would die.
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January 7, 2026 at 1:21 AM
Interesting thing. It's low oxygen that causes the sickling. During pregnancy. The fetus makes fetal hemoglobin because by the time oxygen gets through the placenta, it's really low. Any fetus with even one copy of the trait would die.
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1/2
Oh man.Thats a bummer. Glad you're OK
January 7, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Oh man.Thats a bummer. Glad you're OK
It's disturbing how many doctors don't know high altitude can cause a sickling crisis. There are other ways to accidentally cause a crisis.
January 6, 2026 at 8:19 PM
It's disturbing how many doctors don't know high altitude can cause a sickling crisis. There are other ways to accidentally cause a crisis.
Would it make sense if this administration has decided that there are no illegal orders? In war, anything will go?
I could even make a reasonable argument for that position. Thankfully I believe that argument would be evil.
For them, I don't think that's a show stopper.
I could even make a reasonable argument for that position. Thankfully I believe that argument would be evil.
For them, I don't think that's a show stopper.
January 5, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Would it make sense if this administration has decided that there are no illegal orders? In war, anything will go?
I could even make a reasonable argument for that position. Thankfully I believe that argument would be evil.
For them, I don't think that's a show stopper.
I could even make a reasonable argument for that position. Thankfully I believe that argument would be evil.
For them, I don't think that's a show stopper.
How many were dead when he wrote the song?
January 2, 2026 at 2:52 AM
How many were dead when he wrote the song?
The TV does not correctly display UV light that parrots can see. It was an old style TV with a refresh rate of 60, and the Moluccan can watch the image being painted on the screen. I don't understand how he can recognize himself on TV, but not in a mirror.
December 30, 2025 at 10:52 PM
The TV does not correctly display UV light that parrots can see. It was an old style TV with a refresh rate of 60, and the Moluccan can watch the image being painted on the screen. I don't understand how he can recognize himself on TV, but not in a mirror.
We have two larger parrots, a Moluccan and a CAG. Neither reacts to the bird in the mirror as themselves but they react to the other not being seen directly as a way to find the other.
Worth noting: I connected a video camera up to the TV directly. The Moluccan recognized himself on the TV.
Worth noting: I connected a video camera up to the TV directly. The Moluccan recognized himself on the TV.
December 30, 2025 at 10:49 PM
We have two larger parrots, a Moluccan and a CAG. Neither reacts to the bird in the mirror as themselves but they react to the other not being seen directly as a way to find the other.
Worth noting: I connected a video camera up to the TV directly. The Moluccan recognized himself on the TV.
Worth noting: I connected a video camera up to the TV directly. The Moluccan recognized himself on the TV.
There can be a variety of different damages to the brain where a human cannot identify themselves in a mirror. They are, with perhaps some exceptions, considered self-aware.
A dog may not understand the concept of "mirror" but still be self-aware. The test is biased.
A dog may not understand the concept of "mirror" but still be self-aware. The test is biased.
December 30, 2025 at 10:43 PM
There can be a variety of different damages to the brain where a human cannot identify themselves in a mirror. They are, with perhaps some exceptions, considered self-aware.
A dog may not understand the concept of "mirror" but still be self-aware. The test is biased.
A dog may not understand the concept of "mirror" but still be self-aware. The test is biased.
GΓΆdel would point out that the system of deciding something is or is not a cancer must have an example where the decision cannot be made by existing principles.
Mind you, a technology where you have to worry about GΓΆdel when treating cancer is fantastic!
Mind you, a technology where you have to worry about GΓΆdel when treating cancer is fantastic!
December 30, 2025 at 10:35 PM
GΓΆdel would point out that the system of deciding something is or is not a cancer must have an example where the decision cannot be made by existing principles.
Mind you, a technology where you have to worry about GΓΆdel when treating cancer is fantastic!
Mind you, a technology where you have to worry about GΓΆdel when treating cancer is fantastic!
Humans don't pass the dog self-awareness test. When the human's personal odor is presented to the human, the human does not respond. Humans are not dog-like self-aware.
Dogs may understand self-awareness but not understand or have the concept of "mirror."
I wonder what Oliver Sacks would say?
Dogs may understand self-awareness but not understand or have the concept of "mirror."
I wonder what Oliver Sacks would say?
December 30, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Humans don't pass the dog self-awareness test. When the human's personal odor is presented to the human, the human does not respond. Humans are not dog-like self-aware.
Dogs may understand self-awareness but not understand or have the concept of "mirror."
I wonder what Oliver Sacks would say?
Dogs may understand self-awareness but not understand or have the concept of "mirror."
I wonder what Oliver Sacks would say?
I fled Twitter (mostly) but didn't know you there. I'll get to know you here.
You're proudly autistic.
I'm confused, autistic, ADHD, and wonder how no one noticed until I'm on Medicare?
I don't cause commotion. I am one.
You're proudly autistic.
I'm confused, autistic, ADHD, and wonder how no one noticed until I'm on Medicare?
I don't cause commotion. I am one.
December 30, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I fled Twitter (mostly) but didn't know you there. I'll get to know you here.
You're proudly autistic.
I'm confused, autistic, ADHD, and wonder how no one noticed until I'm on Medicare?
I don't cause commotion. I am one.
You're proudly autistic.
I'm confused, autistic, ADHD, and wonder how no one noticed until I'm on Medicare?
I don't cause commotion. I am one.
My wife pointed out that no one gets Monty Python, Dark Star, or Soylent Green jokes because no one has seen them.
I'm old, aren't I?
I missed it by that much! [ ]
I'm old, aren't I?
I missed it by that much! [ ]
December 30, 2025 at 3:57 PM
My wife pointed out that no one gets Monty Python, Dark Star, or Soylent Green jokes because no one has seen them.
I'm old, aren't I?
I missed it by that much! [ ]
I'm old, aren't I?
I missed it by that much! [ ]
"...but it's not a chuckling app."
How can one talk about Biochem without a) commenting on gene and organism name jokes b) making a Monty Python reference c) expanding something that converges rapidly into a Taylor Swift series or d) going for old chemistry jokes like Wizard of Os or Ferrous Wheel?
How can one talk about Biochem without a) commenting on gene and organism name jokes b) making a Monty Python reference c) expanding something that converges rapidly into a Taylor Swift series or d) going for old chemistry jokes like Wizard of Os or Ferrous Wheel?
December 30, 2025 at 3:54 PM
"...but it's not a chuckling app."
How can one talk about Biochem without a) commenting on gene and organism name jokes b) making a Monty Python reference c) expanding something that converges rapidly into a Taylor Swift series or d) going for old chemistry jokes like Wizard of Os or Ferrous Wheel?
How can one talk about Biochem without a) commenting on gene and organism name jokes b) making a Monty Python reference c) expanding something that converges rapidly into a Taylor Swift series or d) going for old chemistry jokes like Wizard of Os or Ferrous Wheel?
I've read posts by students who graduated from Oral Roberts University and Liberty University who said she would have been flunked for that paper at their schools.
December 30, 2025 at 3:06 PM
I've read posts by students who graduated from Oral Roberts University and Liberty University who said she would have been flunked for that paper at their schools.