Ron Parsons
@ronpar.bsky.social
Itinerant biologist. Most recently working with photosynthetic critters.
Reposted by Ron Parsons
Waning crescent moon & earthshine @5:51 today.
This shows earth's (albedo), which is brightest in spring due to snow/ice & caused by sunlight reflecting off earth's surface and then back onto the Moon, making the "dark side" softly visible (helps scientists study Earth's atmosphere and exoplanets).
This shows earth's (albedo), which is brightest in spring due to snow/ice & caused by sunlight reflecting off earth's surface and then back onto the Moon, making the "dark side" softly visible (helps scientists study Earth's atmosphere and exoplanets).
January 16, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Waning crescent moon & earthshine @5:51 today.
This shows earth's (albedo), which is brightest in spring due to snow/ice & caused by sunlight reflecting off earth's surface and then back onto the Moon, making the "dark side" softly visible (helps scientists study Earth's atmosphere and exoplanets).
This shows earth's (albedo), which is brightest in spring due to snow/ice & caused by sunlight reflecting off earth's surface and then back onto the Moon, making the "dark side" softly visible (helps scientists study Earth's atmosphere and exoplanets).
@maryrobinettekowal.com
You may find this interesting. DM me if you’re interested and can’t access the paper.
You may find this interesting. DM me if you’re interested and can’t access the paper.
A group of “gifted word learner” dogs can learn new words that label objects by overhearing their owners talking with each other, according to a new study in Science. https://scim.ag/3L3mhha
January 13, 2026 at 1:29 AM
@maryrobinettekowal.com
You may find this interesting. DM me if you’re interested and can’t access the paper.
You may find this interesting. DM me if you’re interested and can’t access the paper.
Reposted by Ron Parsons
A group of “gifted word learner” dogs can learn new words that label objects by overhearing their owners talking with each other, according to a new study in Science. https://scim.ag/3L3mhha
January 12, 2026 at 8:43 PM
A group of “gifted word learner” dogs can learn new words that label objects by overhearing their owners talking with each other, according to a new study in Science. https://scim.ag/3L3mhha
I'm heading to #PAG33!
Come see me at poster P027 - Jan 12th, 3-4:30pm to learn about a field-tested new methodology for creating low-cost and lighting fast species identification PCR assays!
github.com/RDRidenbaugh...
Come see me at poster P027 - Jan 12th, 3-4:30pm to learn about a field-tested new methodology for creating low-cost and lighting fast species identification PCR assays!
github.com/RDRidenbaugh...
January 9, 2026 at 2:19 AM
If you have a need for alternative dictionaries on the Mac, instructions in this thread.
Mac users: do you do the long-click on a word to pop up its definition? Do you also find the built-in dictionary to be a bit lackluster?
You can add your own dictionaries! Let me explain how to add the Webster's 1913 edition, which is one of my favorites.
You can add your own dictionaries! Let me explain how to add the Webster's 1913 edition, which is one of my favorites.
January 8, 2026 at 9:00 PM
If you have a need for alternative dictionaries on the Mac, instructions in this thread.
If anyone needs a constant stream of good nature photography, follow this account. Even if you have no idea where the Anza-Borrego Desert is. After you fix that omission, put it on your bucket list of places to go. 😉
Sunrise above Anza-Borrego this morning (Photo: Sicco Rood).
January 7, 2026 at 2:09 AM
If anyone needs a constant stream of good nature photography, follow this account. Even if you have no idea where the Anza-Borrego Desert is. After you fix that omission, put it on your bucket list of places to go. 😉
This is interesting work …
Our preprint is now published in @newphyt.bsky.social. Many thanks to the editor and reviewers for their constructive feedback. nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/....
January 6, 2026 at 8:05 PM
This is interesting work …
I broke my ring finger on my left hand trying to secure a 120’ panel for growing algae on a windy day. It became an airfoil when the wind caught it and dragged me. Eventually regained my senses and let it go. Had to cut my wedding ring off and get myself back into town.
What's the most ridiculous way you ever hurt yourself? I got out of the tub, skidded in water and tripped over the toilet. Ankle sprain.
😅
😅
January 6, 2026 at 7:35 PM
I broke my ring finger on my left hand trying to secure a 120’ panel for growing algae on a windy day. It became an airfoil when the wind caught it and dragged me. Eventually regained my senses and let it go. Had to cut my wedding ring off and get myself back into town.
Reposted by Ron Parsons
Try this fun quiz we created. Even if you’re confident in the outdoors, some of these answers might surprise you! …. Do you know how to survive in Colorado? Take this quiz to find out. coloradosun.com/2025/12/28/d...
Do you know how to survive in Colorado? Take this quiz to find out.
Before going outdoors in Colorado for the first time or the thousandth time, use this quiz to test how much you know about how to survive out there
coloradosun.com
December 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Try this fun quiz we created. Even if you’re confident in the outdoors, some of these answers might surprise you! …. Do you know how to survive in Colorado? Take this quiz to find out. coloradosun.com/2025/12/28/d...
Worth the time to listen to a clear lecture on the genetic code.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
My Xmas present to you – a recording of a talk given by Crick to a public audience in Canada about the genetic code in 1966: tinyurl.com/Crick1966 Listen to it while you are peeling the sprouts, walking the dog, or whatever. Here's the context from my biography:
December 24, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Worth the time to listen to a clear lecture on the genetic code.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
Reposted by Ron Parsons
Reposted by Ron Parsons
Dang it. There go all my self citations.
Do not cite an academic paper unless you’ve read it
AI Is Inventing Academic Papers That Don't Exist -- And They're Being Cited in Real Journals
Academic articles from authors using large language model are creating an ecosystem of fake research that threatens human knowledge itself.
www.rollingstone.com
December 21, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Dang it. There go all my self citations.
Reposted by Ron Parsons
The one that works for me:
- a million seconds is ~11.5 days
- a billion seconds is ~31.7 years
- a trillion seconds is ~31,700 years
Big difference
- a million seconds is ~11.5 days
- a billion seconds is ~31.7 years
- a trillion seconds is ~31,700 years
Big difference
If people could just intuitively understand the difference between a million, a billion, and a trillion, we’d all be better off.
That applies to dollars. To tons of carbon. And so on.
Math. It matters.
That applies to dollars. To tons of carbon. And so on.
Math. It matters.
December 19, 2025 at 10:22 PM
The one that works for me:
- a million seconds is ~11.5 days
- a billion seconds is ~31.7 years
- a trillion seconds is ~31,700 years
Big difference
- a million seconds is ~11.5 days
- a billion seconds is ~31.7 years
- a trillion seconds is ~31,700 years
Big difference
Reposted by Ron Parsons
Reposted by Ron Parsons
Born #OnThisDay in 1922, Esther Lederberg was the first to isolate the lambda phage in 1951. She characterised the lysogenic phase, whereby the phage are able to integrate into the bacterial genome, staying dormant. This discovery made them a model tool of study, leading to many more breakthroughs.
December 18, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Born #OnThisDay in 1922, Esther Lederberg was the first to isolate the lambda phage in 1951. She characterised the lysogenic phase, whereby the phage are able to integrate into the bacterial genome, staying dormant. This discovery made them a model tool of study, leading to many more breakthroughs.
This is well done!
Made a site comparing the sizes of living things :)
The great Julius Csotonyi spent 5 months painting over 60 illustrations for the site, no ai used
> neal.fun/size-of-life/
The great Julius Csotonyi spent 5 months painting over 60 illustrations for the site, no ai used
> neal.fun/size-of-life/
December 10, 2025 at 11:18 PM
This is well done!
If you live in Colorado, supporting the Sun provides us with an independent source of news driven by journalists. Hoping they continue growing support so they can expand coverage of even more of the news in the state.
You already know what makes The Colorado Sun different: independent, deeply reported stories that put Colorado first.
Today, while everyone else is hearing “buy more, save more,” we’re asking you to do something that lasts longer than any sale — power trusted, local reporting for all of Colorado.
Today, while everyone else is hearing “buy more, save more,” we’re asking you to do something that lasts longer than any sale — power trusted, local reporting for all of Colorado.
Invest in something that lasts longer than any sale — powerful reporting
You already know what makes The Colorado Sun different: independent, deeply reported stories that put Colorado first. While everyone else is hearing “buy more, save more,” we’re asking you to do…
giving.coloradosun.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:09 PM
If you live in Colorado, supporting the Sun provides us with an independent source of news driven by journalists. Hoping they continue growing support so they can expand coverage of even more of the news in the state.
Good chance to pick up something for nerd with good taste in your life. I did this last year and my wife loved her scarf.
Hey guys! I'm having a sale on all my silk #sciart scarves and ties 😊 🐡🧪🧠
Banish the Boring and Beige
This year, give gorgeous, geeky gifts
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Good chance to pick up something for nerd with good taste in your life. I did this last year and my wife loved her scarf.
Reposted by Ron Parsons
Appreciate @nationalacademies.org speaking up about the RFK jr directed changes to CDC website and pointing out that the science cited did not include the greater context or full body of research. Where is the “radical transparency”?
National Academies - Statement on CDC’s Updated Vaccine Guidance
National Academies respond to CDC’s updated vaccine guidance, offering scientific context and clarity on vaccine safety.
www.nationalacademies.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Appreciate @nationalacademies.org speaking up about the RFK jr directed changes to CDC website and pointing out that the science cited did not include the greater context or full body of research. Where is the “radical transparency”?
Every one of these hits hard, but always happy to celebrate others’ wins with this disease. F#ck cancer.
Treasure every day.
Treasure every day.
Fifteen Years
xkcd.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Every one of these hits hard, but always happy to celebrate others’ wins with this disease. F#ck cancer.
Treasure every day.
Treasure every day.
Reposted by Ron Parsons
UC San Diego began as an experiment in what a university could be. For 65 years, Tritons have turned bold ideas into real-world impact. Happy Founders Day. 💙🔱
November 18, 2025 at 4:51 PM
UC San Diego began as an experiment in what a university could be. For 65 years, Tritons have turned bold ideas into real-world impact. Happy Founders Day. 💙🔱
Reposted by Ron Parsons
Print dictionaries: the original large language models
11/18/25
11/18/25
November 17, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Print dictionaries: the original large language models
11/18/25
11/18/25
🌱 From PNAS: Meristem layers mutate at different rates, with the germline-forming L2 protected and the L1 evolving faster. (Kirk R. Amundson, Mohan P. A. Marimuthu, Oanh Nguyen, Konsam Sarika, Isabelle J. DeMarco, Angelina Phan, Isabelle M. Henry, and Luca Comai)
▶️ www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
▶️ www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Spatial variation in the mutation rate within the plant shoot apical meristem | PNAS
The potential impact of new mutations on organismal function and evolution depends
on the developmental fate of the affected cells. Stem cells in t...
www.pnas.org
November 13, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Reposted by Ron Parsons
I had SO much fun talking to Paul for almost 2 hours about my new book on Schrödinger & molecular biology. Easily one of the most enjoyable podcasts I've ever done. Check it out!
P.S. CUP has made the PDF of my book free to download for 2 more weeks. Get it here: www.cambridge.org/core/element...
P.S. CUP has made the PDF of my book free to download for 2 more weeks. Get it here: www.cambridge.org/core/element...
What Is Life? A misleading title for Schrödinger's book.
What is Life? Revisited. A spot-on title for Dan's @djnicholson.bsky.social book, which happens to be a gem.
After reading it and discussing with Dan, I can only picture Schrödinger as a cartoon villain now.
braininspired.co/podcast/224/
What is Life? Revisited. A spot-on title for Dan's @djnicholson.bsky.social book, which happens to be a gem.
After reading it and discussing with Dan, I can only picture Schrödinger as a cartoon villain now.
braininspired.co/podcast/224/
November 12, 2025 at 2:02 PM
I had SO much fun talking to Paul for almost 2 hours about my new book on Schrödinger & molecular biology. Easily one of the most enjoyable podcasts I've ever done. Check it out!
P.S. CUP has made the PDF of my book free to download for 2 more weeks. Get it here: www.cambridge.org/core/element...
P.S. CUP has made the PDF of my book free to download for 2 more weeks. Get it here: www.cambridge.org/core/element...
Northern lights were naked-eye visible tonight in town in Northern Colorado tonight. Even better outside the city.
November 12, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Northern lights were naked-eye visible tonight in town in Northern Colorado tonight. Even better outside the city.