Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
@sfmatheson.bsky.social
Biologist•writer•humanist•Bardolator•dad•granddad•bicyclist
Director, Client Relations & Educational Programs, Life Science Editors (LifeScienceEditors.com)
https://linktr.ee/sfmatheson
He/him
Previous: Cell Reports, PLOS
I have friends everywhere.
Director, Client Relations & Educational Programs, Life Science Editors (LifeScienceEditors.com)
https://linktr.ee/sfmatheson
He/him
Previous: Cell Reports, PLOS
I have friends everywhere.
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
The end of an era: the Tree of Life Web Project is going dark after 3 decades. Anyone interested in communicating phylogeny online should read David's account of goals, history, and future. @bembidion.bsky.social
subulatepalpomere.com/2025/11/02/t...
subulatepalpomere.com/2025/11/02/t...
The Passing of the Tree of Life Web Project
The Tree of Life Web Project began its journey almost 40 years ago, and was formally announced in early 1996. It has served thousands of pages of information about the evolutionary tree of life and…
subulatepalpomere.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
The end of an era: the Tree of Life Web Project is going dark after 3 decades. Anyone interested in communicating phylogeny online should read David's account of goals, history, and future. @bembidion.bsky.social
subulatepalpomere.com/2025/11/02/t...
subulatepalpomere.com/2025/11/02/t...
@radiofreetom.bsky.social:
"What can other American citizens do when faced with a government that offers trolling and obscenity as replacements for governing?"
...
"What can other American citizens do when faced with a government that offers trolling and obscenity as replacements for governing?"
...
November 3, 2025 at 7:49 PM
@radiofreetom.bsky.social:
"What can other American citizens do when faced with a government that offers trolling and obscenity as replacements for governing?"
...
"What can other American citizens do when faced with a government that offers trolling and obscenity as replacements for governing?"
...
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
'When Mendel began his investigation, his first inclination was to try breeding mice of different colors. However, before his mice experiment really got going, Mendel was forced to switch the subject of his experiments to peas by a prudish bishop uncomfortable with animals having sex in the abbey.'
Origins of the Lab Mouse
How the mouse found its way from Victorian novelty to a biomedical mainstay.
www.asimov.press
November 3, 2025 at 6:25 PM
'When Mendel began his investigation, his first inclination was to try breeding mice of different colors. However, before his mice experiment really got going, Mendel was forced to switch the subject of his experiments to peas by a prudish bishop uncomfortable with animals having sex in the abbey.'
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
We are delighted that @genesdev.bsky.social have selected our (w/ @adrianbracken.bsky.social) Weaver syndrome paper artwork as the November cover! This piece was made by my incredibly talented niece, Gina 'Dna Vinci' Ronan.
@ucddublin.bsky.social @tcddublin.bsky.social @ucd-sbbs.bsky.social
@ucddublin.bsky.social @tcddublin.bsky.social @ucd-sbbs.bsky.social
🚨 NEW ISSUE ALERT!!! 🚨
New Outlook, Review and Research articles online now at Genes & Development.
Click on the link to learn more:
➡️ https://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/39/21-22.toc
New Outlook, Review and Research articles online now at Genes & Development.
Click on the link to learn more:
➡️ https://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/39/21-22.toc
November 3, 2025 at 6:18 PM
We are delighted that @genesdev.bsky.social have selected our (w/ @adrianbracken.bsky.social) Weaver syndrome paper artwork as the November cover! This piece was made by my incredibly talented niece, Gina 'Dna Vinci' Ronan.
@ucddublin.bsky.social @tcddublin.bsky.social @ucd-sbbs.bsky.social
@ucddublin.bsky.social @tcddublin.bsky.social @ucd-sbbs.bsky.social
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
Or one of my patented Ambien Haldol smoothies
This is getting repetitive. I feel like every rant against Tom goes like this:
Tom: <writes article>
Mob: AKSHUALLY
Tom: Did you read my article?
Mob: REAGAN FAIRNESS DOCTRINE GOP FASCISM
Tom: <responds with factual argument backed up by data>
Mob: YEAH but...shut up
Tom: <reaches for Advil>
Tom: <writes article>
Mob: AKSHUALLY
Tom: Did you read my article?
Mob: REAGAN FAIRNESS DOCTRINE GOP FASCISM
Tom: <responds with factual argument backed up by data>
Mob: YEAH but...shut up
Tom: <reaches for Advil>
November 3, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Or one of my patented Ambien Haldol smoothies
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
Here's my latest contribution to the "Lost Science" series at the New York Times: Jay Falk, a scientist who studies why some female hummingbirds look just like males. Gift link: nyti.ms/4qF7Qje
October 30, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Here's my latest contribution to the "Lost Science" series at the New York Times: Jay Falk, a scientist who studies why some female hummingbirds look just like males. Gift link: nyti.ms/4qF7Qje
Paging @ritastrack.bsky.social
For those who were asking...
And my final #sciart pumpkin (also my most viral post ever) Jupiter in IR
October 31, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Paging @ritastrack.bsky.social
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
I don't see a lot of people talking about this, so I want to highlight something GOOD
Billie Eilish stood in a room full of billionaires and said "you're billionaires... Why?"
She donated 11.5 MILLION DOLLARS to food equity and climate orgs, which Stephen Colbert announced to said billionaires.
Billie Eilish stood in a room full of billionaires and said "you're billionaires... Why?"
She donated 11.5 MILLION DOLLARS to food equity and climate orgs, which Stephen Colbert announced to said billionaires.
Billie Eilish Calls on Billionaires to Support People in Need: 'No Hate, But Give Your Money Away'
Billie Eilish donates $11.5 million from 'Hit Me Hard and Soft' tour to charity and calls on billionaires to support people in need during hard times.
www.rollingstone.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:56 PM
I don't see a lot of people talking about this, so I want to highlight something GOOD
Billie Eilish stood in a room full of billionaires and said "you're billionaires... Why?"
She donated 11.5 MILLION DOLLARS to food equity and climate orgs, which Stephen Colbert announced to said billionaires.
Billie Eilish stood in a room full of billionaires and said "you're billionaires... Why?"
She donated 11.5 MILLION DOLLARS to food equity and climate orgs, which Stephen Colbert announced to said billionaires.
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
1/ Hello Drosophila-philists and braino-maniacs! 👋🪰🧠🧪
The Caron lab has a new preprint, and it is about 🥁🥁🥁 democracy!
Neuro-democracy, to be precise. So: drop EVERYTHING and listen up — a 🧶!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
The Caron lab has a new preprint, and it is about 🥁🥁🥁 democracy!
Neuro-democracy, to be precise. So: drop EVERYTHING and listen up — a 🧶!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
October 30, 2025 at 5:47 PM
1/ Hello Drosophila-philists and braino-maniacs! 👋🪰🧠🧪
The Caron lab has a new preprint, and it is about 🥁🥁🥁 democracy!
Neuro-democracy, to be precise. So: drop EVERYTHING and listen up — a 🧶!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
The Caron lab has a new preprint, and it is about 🥁🥁🥁 democracy!
Neuro-democracy, to be precise. So: drop EVERYTHING and listen up — a 🧶!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
What does mating look like when you only have a single shot at getting it right?
Very excited to share our work on an almost-invisible female control, rapidly evolving mating recognition systems, and species that break the rules and take over the world. IN MOSQUITOES>
Very excited to share our work on an almost-invisible female control, rapidly evolving mating recognition systems, and species that break the rules and take over the world. IN MOSQUITOES>
October 28, 2025 at 8:57 PM
What does mating look like when you only have a single shot at getting it right?
Very excited to share our work on an almost-invisible female control, rapidly evolving mating recognition systems, and species that break the rules and take over the world. IN MOSQUITOES>
Very excited to share our work on an almost-invisible female control, rapidly evolving mating recognition systems, and species that break the rules and take over the world. IN MOSQUITOES>
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
Does this really "change everything"? On hyperbole, and pedantry, and effective communication
Does this really change *everything*?
Back in August, I reviewed the absolutely gorgeous new book Ferns: Lessons In Survival From Earth’s Most Adaptable Plants. And commenters on posts are awesome, because Jeremy Fox asked what he call…
scientistseessquirrel.wordpress.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Does this really "change everything"? On hyperbole, and pedantry, and effective communication
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
First neurons didn’t appear overnight. We trace their roots to ancient secretory cells - showing how lifestyle & behavior shaped the evolution of first synapses.🧠🌊 #Evolution #Neuroscience
Our latest in @natrevneuro.nature.com
Link: rdcu.be/eMX3E
@jeffcolgren.bsky.social @msarscentre.bsky.social
Our latest in @natrevneuro.nature.com
Link: rdcu.be/eMX3E
@jeffcolgren.bsky.social @msarscentre.bsky.social
The evolutionary origins of synaptic proteins and their changing roles in different organisms across evolution
Nature Reviews Neuroscience - Recent studies have shed further light on the evolutionary origins of chemical synapses, In this Review, Colgren and Burkhardt explore how ancient proteins were...
rdcu.be
October 27, 2025 at 6:48 PM
First neurons didn’t appear overnight. We trace their roots to ancient secretory cells - showing how lifestyle & behavior shaped the evolution of first synapses.🧠🌊 #Evolution #Neuroscience
Our latest in @natrevneuro.nature.com
Link: rdcu.be/eMX3E
@jeffcolgren.bsky.social @msarscentre.bsky.social
Our latest in @natrevneuro.nature.com
Link: rdcu.be/eMX3E
@jeffcolgren.bsky.social @msarscentre.bsky.social
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
Psychedelics alter neurovascular coupling, which means we need to critically re-evaluate fMRI findings of acute psychedelic effects
#neuroskyence
#PsychSciSky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#neuroskyence
#PsychSciSky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Psychedelic 5-HT2A receptor agonism alters neurovascular coupling and differentially affects neuronal and hemodynamic measures of brain function - Nature Neuroscience
Padawer-Curry et al. show that the hallucinogenic 5-HT2A receptor agonist DOI alters neurovascular coupling in mice, with implications for the interpretation of human fMRI studies of psychedelics.
www.nature.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Psychedelics alter neurovascular coupling, which means we need to critically re-evaluate fMRI findings of acute psychedelic effects
#neuroskyence
#PsychSciSky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#neuroskyence
#PsychSciSky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
Now online @nature.com!
Want to change the consequences of receptor activation?
Small molecules binding the GPCR-transducer interface change G protein subtype preference in predictable ways, enabling rational drug design 💥
So many new possibilities! 🧪🧠🟦
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🧵👇
Want to change the consequences of receptor activation?
Small molecules binding the GPCR-transducer interface change G protein subtype preference in predictable ways, enabling rational drug design 💥
So many new possibilities! 🧪🧠🟦
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🧵👇
Designing allosteric modulators to change GPCR G protein subtype selectivity - Nature
Studies of the G-protein-coupled receptor NTSR1 show that the G protein selectivity of this receptor can be modified by small molecules, enabling the design of drugs that work by switching receptor su...
www.nature.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Now online @nature.com!
Want to change the consequences of receptor activation?
Small molecules binding the GPCR-transducer interface change G protein subtype preference in predictable ways, enabling rational drug design 💥
So many new possibilities! 🧪🧠🟦
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🧵👇
Want to change the consequences of receptor activation?
Small molecules binding the GPCR-transducer interface change G protein subtype preference in predictable ways, enabling rational drug design 💥
So many new possibilities! 🧪🧠🟦
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🧵👇
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
Most Nature papers are published in Current Biology
DNA from Napoleon’s 1812 army identifies the pathogens likely responsible for the army’s demise during their Russian retreat. www.cell.com/current-biol...
Nicolás Rascovan & colleagues
@currentbiology.bsky.social
Nicolás Rascovan & colleagues
@currentbiology.bsky.social
October 26, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Most Nature papers are published in Current Biology
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
My rep, Juan Ciscomani (R, gerrymandering) is one of 11 invertebrates suggesting that Republicans look into healthcare subsidies *after the government reopens*.
All of these toads voted for the BBB. The level of their sincerity can be gauged by the fact that they won’t discuss healthcare
N O W.
All of these toads voted for the BBB. The level of their sincerity can be gauged by the fact that they won’t discuss healthcare
N O W.
October 23, 2025 at 11:26 PM
My rep, Juan Ciscomani (R, gerrymandering) is one of 11 invertebrates suggesting that Republicans look into healthcare subsidies *after the government reopens*.
All of these toads voted for the BBB. The level of their sincerity can be gauged by the fact that they won’t discuss healthcare
N O W.
All of these toads voted for the BBB. The level of their sincerity can be gauged by the fact that they won’t discuss healthcare
N O W.
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
FIRST PAPER OUT OF MY LAB!! Here, we examined the polymorphic Gouldian finch brain and found that the regulatory gene coding for head color, follistatin, exhibits morph and sex-specific differences in key areas known to regulate social behaviors! onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:50 PM
FIRST PAPER OUT OF MY LAB!! Here, we examined the polymorphic Gouldian finch brain and found that the regulatory gene coding for head color, follistatin, exhibits morph and sex-specific differences in key areas known to regulate social behaviors! onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
I wrote about tensions and troubles for Bluesky on @techpolicypress.bsky.social and then I wrote about the TPP piece on wrecka.ge and now I am posting about it the post on Bluesky. Look at this cloud.
www.wrecka.ge/clouded-skie...
www.wrecka.ge/clouded-skie...
Clouded Skies for Open Networks
Last week, I finished an essay about platform design affordances and content moderation expectations and community-level context collapse on Bluesky for Tech Policy Press and set it aside to cool befo...
www.wrecka.ge
October 22, 2025 at 8:33 PM
I wrote about tensions and troubles for Bluesky on @techpolicypress.bsky.social and then I wrote about the TPP piece on wrecka.ge and now I am posting about it the post on Bluesky. Look at this cloud.
www.wrecka.ge/clouded-skie...
www.wrecka.ge/clouded-skie...
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
Erin Kissane says a bunch of smart stuff about the state of play in the open networks/social media space, which I recommend reading.
There was already a *lot* going on with Bluesky, and now it's under even more pressure. I wrote about how I think about moderation, affordances, expectations, human needs, and powerful trolls for @techpolicypress.bsky.social
www.techpolicy.press/trump-admini...
www.techpolicy.press/trump-admini...
Trump Administration's Arrival on Bluesky Highlights Growing Pains for Open Networks | TechPolicy.Press
The administration’s antagonistic entry to the platform is best understood as a game of chicken, writes Erin Kissane.
www.techpolicy.press
October 22, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Erin Kissane says a bunch of smart stuff about the state of play in the open networks/social media space, which I recommend reading.
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
you know what they say, when the Lord closes 34 tabs, he opens 34 windows
October 22, 2025 at 7:14 PM
you know what they say, when the Lord closes 34 tabs, he opens 34 windows
I love my alma mater, @uarizona.bsky.social. We regularly visit campus and I commute🚴♂️ through it twice daily. So I was worried that it took many days for the UofA to respond to Trump's extortion scheme. I started to think about how to respond if they caved. I preprocessed the heartbreak and rage. /1
October 21, 2025 at 6:37 PM
I love my alma mater, @uarizona.bsky.social. We regularly visit campus and I commute🚴♂️ through it twice daily. So I was worried that it took many days for the UofA to respond to Trump's extortion scheme. I started to think about how to respond if they caved. I preprocessed the heartbreak and rage. /1
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
I am completely awestruck by the ease with which Mike Johnson lies on a daily basis. I'll never understand how such a transparently fraudulent "man of faith" can live with themselves. Life is too short to be that phony.
October 21, 2025 at 2:46 PM
I am completely awestruck by the ease with which Mike Johnson lies on a daily basis. I'll never understand how such a transparently fraudulent "man of faith" can live with themselves. Life is too short to be that phony.
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
Reposted by Stephen Matheson 🌵🚲
This prize-winning cheese, aged in caves, lost its signature green rind for the same reason that cave fishes and other animals have evolved to be albino: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/s... 🧪
Why the Green Cheese Turned White
www.nytimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 6:42 PM
This prize-winning cheese, aged in caves, lost its signature green rind for the same reason that cave fishes and other animals have evolved to be albino: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/s... 🧪