Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
@waterbarnes.bsky.social
Chronicling science, pet, & art adventures. #biogeofeminist catalyzing change -- to make the scientific enterprise welcoming & just, while rediscovering the artist within #dailydraw 🏞️⚛️💦🌿🏳️🌈☮️💙⚒️✍️🎨🐾
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
A new paper by @anaigmendez.bsky.social vin Geophysical Research Letters shows that the oxygen isotope ratio of the annual rings of tropical conifers in Central America records rainfall amount and tracks large-scale tropical atmosphere ocean dynamics! agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/...
Oxygen Isotopes in Tree Rings Track Neotropical Climate Dynamics
Tree-ring δ18O from Abies guatemalensis in Central America captures interannual variations in boreal summer rainfall Lighter δ18O years are associated with a weakening of the Caribbean Low-Level ...
agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:57 PM
A new paper by @anaigmendez.bsky.social vin Geophysical Research Letters shows that the oxygen isotope ratio of the annual rings of tropical conifers in Central America records rainfall amount and tracks large-scale tropical atmosphere ocean dynamics! agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/...
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
For the 1,000th time, —IT’S-NOT-ABOUT-THE-TOP-LINES—
It’s about what gets funded, who makes the decisions about funding, whether the systems that support funded work are functioning, and the terms under which the funding is executed.
It’s about what gets funded, who makes the decisions about funding, whether the systems that support funded work are functioning, and the terms under which the funding is executed.
US scientists gear up for next battle over funding cuts
Science leaders warn of uncertainty caused by Trump administration after avoiding sharpest cuts this year
www.ft.com
February 16, 2026 at 4:03 PM
For the 1,000th time, —IT’S-NOT-ABOUT-THE-TOP-LINES—
It’s about what gets funded, who makes the decisions about funding, whether the systems that support funded work are functioning, and the terms under which the funding is executed.
It’s about what gets funded, who makes the decisions about funding, whether the systems that support funded work are functioning, and the terms under which the funding is executed.
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
This seems like a great moment to talk about the importance of science communication!
Science communication matters because it connects scientific research with people, giving folks information they need to make informed decisions about everything from health to hazards.
Science communication matters because it connects scientific research with people, giving folks information they need to make informed decisions about everything from health to hazards.
February 16, 2026 at 4:05 PM
This seems like a great moment to talk about the importance of science communication!
Science communication matters because it connects scientific research with people, giving folks information they need to make informed decisions about everything from health to hazards.
Science communication matters because it connects scientific research with people, giving folks information they need to make informed decisions about everything from health to hazards.
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
One in five children infected in the recent London measles outbreak were reportedly hospitalised.
Don’t believe the anti-vaxxers when they say “it’s a mild disease” or “it’s better to get immunity naturally”.
It isn’t.
Don’t believe the anti-vaxxers when they say “it’s a mild disease” or “it’s better to get immunity naturally”.
It isn’t.
February 16, 2026 at 8:00 AM
One in five children infected in the recent London measles outbreak were reportedly hospitalised.
Don’t believe the anti-vaxxers when they say “it’s a mild disease” or “it’s better to get immunity naturally”.
It isn’t.
Don’t believe the anti-vaxxers when they say “it’s a mild disease” or “it’s better to get immunity naturally”.
It isn’t.
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
Great idea. We should rescue all the papers and data. Universities should provide a place to publish them so they are accessible to anyone. 📝
‘Green open access’ has existed for decades – and it’s not hard to get academics to use it more.
Thousands of paywalled research papers could be freed with this simple fix
theconversation.com
February 16, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Great idea. We should rescue all the papers and data. Universities should provide a place to publish them so they are accessible to anyone. 📝
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
🔔🚨 New Publication Alert!
Research has shown that the Antarctic Ice Sheet is a climate tipping element.
We found: it’s not one — it’s many.
📄 Paper (open access): www.nature.com/articles/s41...
📢 Press release: www.pik-potsdam.de/en/news/late...
Tread below 🧵👇
Research has shown that the Antarctic Ice Sheet is a climate tipping element.
We found: it’s not one — it’s many.
📄 Paper (open access): www.nature.com/articles/s41...
📢 Press release: www.pik-potsdam.de/en/news/late...
Tread below 🧵👇
February 16, 2026 at 11:51 AM
🔔🚨 New Publication Alert!
Research has shown that the Antarctic Ice Sheet is a climate tipping element.
We found: it’s not one — it’s many.
📄 Paper (open access): www.nature.com/articles/s41...
📢 Press release: www.pik-potsdam.de/en/news/late...
Tread below 🧵👇
Research has shown that the Antarctic Ice Sheet is a climate tipping element.
We found: it’s not one — it’s many.
📄 Paper (open access): www.nature.com/articles/s41...
📢 Press release: www.pik-potsdam.de/en/news/late...
Tread below 🧵👇
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
Measles is a bellwether. Because it’s the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease, when vaccination rates drop, it’s the first to start spreading.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Maryland health officials warn providers about an upsurge in mumps cases
Maryland health officials are warning about an uptick in cases of mumps.
www.thebanner.com
February 14, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Measles is a bellwether. Because it’s the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease, when vaccination rates drop, it’s the first to start spreading.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
This is a much-needed initiative from an organization doing truly impactful climate work. If you’re working on climate solutions, check these out!
We are stepping up to support climate science, solutions, and public service.
Announcing the Climate Science Serving America Fellowship program!
Announcing the Climate Science Serving America Fellowship program!
American climate science is losing federal support right when we need it most.
Project Drawdown is stepping up: launching the Climate Science Serving America Fellowship for early/mid-career PhD scientists to do good science that does good.
🗓️ Apply by April 17
👉 https://bit.ly/4kx2J1Q
Project Drawdown is stepping up: launching the Climate Science Serving America Fellowship for early/mid-career PhD scientists to do good science that does good.
🗓️ Apply by April 17
👉 https://bit.ly/4kx2J1Q
February 14, 2026 at 10:39 PM
This is a much-needed initiative from an organization doing truly impactful climate work. If you’re working on climate solutions, check these out!
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
I was recently promoted to Associate Professor. I’m so grateful and I also wanted to tell the truth behind what people call “effortless” success.
I wrote about infertility, fostering, work as coping, and choosing differently in this next chapter
Full story: destenienock5.wixsite.com/destenienock...
I wrote about infertility, fostering, work as coping, and choosing differently in this next chapter
Full story: destenienock5.wixsite.com/destenienock...
On Becoming an Associate Professor (And Telling the Truth About How I Got Here)
February 13, 2026By: Destenie NockWhen people found out I was promoted to Associate Professor, the response was generous and kind. A lot of people said some version of: “Of course. You publish so much...
destenienock5.wixsite.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:50 AM
I was recently promoted to Associate Professor. I’m so grateful and I also wanted to tell the truth behind what people call “effortless” success.
I wrote about infertility, fostering, work as coping, and choosing differently in this next chapter
Full story: destenienock5.wixsite.com/destenienock...
I wrote about infertility, fostering, work as coping, and choosing differently in this next chapter
Full story: destenienock5.wixsite.com/destenienock...
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
When did humans start using drills? “A new study reveals that Egyptians were using a mechanically sophisticated drilling tool far earlier than previously suggested” (about 3250 BCE). It’s the oldest known rotary drill 🔩 you guys!
www.austriaca.at?arp=0x0041300e
www.austriaca.at?arp=0x0041300e
February 13, 2026 at 12:43 PM
When did humans start using drills? “A new study reveals that Egyptians were using a mechanically sophisticated drilling tool far earlier than previously suggested” (about 3250 BCE). It’s the oldest known rotary drill 🔩 you guys!
www.austriaca.at?arp=0x0041300e
www.austriaca.at?arp=0x0041300e
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
Ominous bird valentines.
February 12, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Ominous bird valentines.
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
This is all due to the incredible resistance of the people of Minnesota.
Their resilience - and their determination - helped enforce the Constitution in a way that political elites in Congress and the courts did not or could not.
I have never been prouder to be a Minnesotan.
Their resilience - and their determination - helped enforce the Constitution in a way that political elites in Congress and the courts did not or could not.
I have never been prouder to be a Minnesotan.
Homan in Minnesota: "I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude. A significant drawdown has already been underway this week and will continue."
February 12, 2026 at 2:23 PM
This is all due to the incredible resistance of the people of Minnesota.
Their resilience - and their determination - helped enforce the Constitution in a way that political elites in Congress and the courts did not or could not.
I have never been prouder to be a Minnesotan.
Their resilience - and their determination - helped enforce the Constitution in a way that political elites in Congress and the courts did not or could not.
I have never been prouder to be a Minnesotan.
"I arrived with a focus on educational access, but I left with a transformed, urgent understanding: human dignity is inextricably bound to ecological health" from an application essay for the research program I'm running. #TheKidsAreAlright
February 12, 2026 at 2:47 PM
"I arrived with a focus on educational access, but I left with a transformed, urgent understanding: human dignity is inextricably bound to ecological health" from an application essay for the research program I'm running. #TheKidsAreAlright
"if you want to see climate action, you should also want democracy and equality, peace and justice. All of these fights are the same fight, not left to right but top to bottom, all of it a fight for survival." #resist drilled.ghost.io/yes-climate-...
Yes, Climate Still Matters. Here's How It Connects to Every Other Crisis in the World Today.
Lately I've been experiencing something I suspect a lot of other climate reporters—and really anyone who works on climate—has also been feeling: a big ol' case of the "who the fuck cares?" with a heap...
drilled.ghost.io
February 12, 2026 at 12:35 PM
"if you want to see climate action, you should also want democracy and equality, peace and justice. All of these fights are the same fight, not left to right but top to bottom, all of it a fight for survival." #resist drilled.ghost.io/yes-climate-...
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
Pretty clear that Trump aims to destroy the basic research capacities of the United States.
Students applying for NSF funding are having their applications “returned without review” for being “ineligible,” despite their proposed research falling squarely within the application guidelines. eos.org/research-and...
Graduate Students’ NSF Fellowship Applications Are Being “Returned Without Review” - Eos
Graduate students applying for NSF funding have had their applications returned without review—even though their proposed research appears to fall squarely within the fields of study outlined in the p...
eos.org
February 12, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Pretty clear that Trump aims to destroy the basic research capacities of the United States.
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
Sorry I did not manage to fit everything I know and you know about the world into a single post/graphic/story. (evergreen skeet)
February 12, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Sorry I did not manage to fit everything I know and you know about the world into a single post/graphic/story. (evergreen skeet)
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
Happy International Women In Science Day! I had an amazing time speaking with fellow female scientists and paleoartists on todays paleoart panel with @extinctfineart.bsky.social . Pictured here is me and one of the key Diplodocus skin specimens that led to our recent discovery on Dippy Colors 🦕🌈
February 12, 2026 at 1:12 AM
Happy International Women In Science Day! I had an amazing time speaking with fellow female scientists and paleoartists on todays paleoart panel with @extinctfineart.bsky.social . Pictured here is me and one of the key Diplodocus skin specimens that led to our recent discovery on Dippy Colors 🦕🌈
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
My professor said ‘Black people are not interested in the environment’. I set out to prove him wrong
Environmental sociologist Dorceta Taylor has helped her field to be more welcoming to researchers of colour. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Environmental sociologist Dorceta Taylor has helped her field to be more welcoming to researchers of colour. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
My professor said ‘Black people are not interested in the environment’. I set out to prove him wrong
Environmental sociologist Dorceta Taylor has helped her field to be more welcoming to researchers of colour.
www.nature.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:16 PM
My professor said ‘Black people are not interested in the environment’. I set out to prove him wrong
Environmental sociologist Dorceta Taylor has helped her field to be more welcoming to researchers of colour. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Environmental sociologist Dorceta Taylor has helped her field to be more welcoming to researchers of colour. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
I have been pleasantly surprised to hear people openly talking about the end of institutional life as we know it (it’s been over. We’ve been living and working in zombie institutions for three decades now) and instead of collapsing at the thought they’re like okay let’s rebuild but better. More.
This is the type of thing I keep trying to talk to people about for higher ed. Not conference rooms where I "listen to diverse perspectives" but actually doing work to imagine what strengthening the US higher education system in furtherance of a democracy would look like.
Very excited about this new @knightcolumbia.org project, both because it gives us the chance to look beyond the current democratic crisis and because so many super people have already agreed to participate. knightcolumbia.org/content/new-...
February 11, 2026 at 9:26 PM
I have been pleasantly surprised to hear people openly talking about the end of institutional life as we know it (it’s been over. We’ve been living and working in zombie institutions for three decades now) and instead of collapsing at the thought they’re like okay let’s rebuild but better. More.
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
An image we won't soon forget. Attorney General Pam Bondi refused to look at Epstein survivors pictured behind her on the Hill today.
February 11, 2026 at 9:28 PM
An image we won't soon forget. Attorney General Pam Bondi refused to look at Epstein survivors pictured behind her on the Hill today.
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
Too often when discussing trans rights, we’re forced to be on the defensive, as Republicans wage attacks.
Today, we take the opportunity to look forward by introducing my Trans Bill of Rights, a comprehensive vision to provide protections for all trans and nonbinary people.
Today, we take the opportunity to look forward by introducing my Trans Bill of Rights, a comprehensive vision to provide protections for all trans and nonbinary people.
February 11, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Too often when discussing trans rights, we’re forced to be on the defensive, as Republicans wage attacks.
Today, we take the opportunity to look forward by introducing my Trans Bill of Rights, a comprehensive vision to provide protections for all trans and nonbinary people.
Today, we take the opportunity to look forward by introducing my Trans Bill of Rights, a comprehensive vision to provide protections for all trans and nonbinary people.
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
So they can sue for $10 billion now, right?
Internal Revenue Service improperly shared confidential tax information of thousands of individuals with immigration enforcement officials, according to three people familiar with the situation, appearing to breach a legal fire wall intended to protect taxpayer data.
IRS improperly disclosed confidential immigrant tax data to DHS
The tax agency only recently discovered it improperly disclosed tax information on thousands of the wrong people to immigration enforcement.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:50 PM
So they can sue for $10 billion now, right?
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
February 11, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
JUST IN: U.S. Customs and Border Protection says Border Patrol agent Charles Exum, who shot Chicago's Marimar Martinez, "was placed on administrative leave":
February 11, 2026 at 10:27 PM
JUST IN: U.S. Customs and Border Protection says Border Patrol agent Charles Exum, who shot Chicago's Marimar Martinez, "was placed on administrative leave":
Reposted by Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her)
More about the NSF GRFP nonsense www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/n...
Students, faculty mystified as NSF turns back applications for prestigious fellowship program
Applicants to a prestigious National Science Foundation fellowship program say many submissions have been mysteriously “returned without review.”
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:41 PM
More about the NSF GRFP nonsense www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/n...