Tuomas Aivelo
@aivelo.bsky.social
Assistant professor in science communication with emphasis at biodiversity & society at Leiden University
Academy Research Fellow leading Helsinki Urban Rat Project at University of Helsinki
Academy Research Fellow leading Helsinki Urban Rat Project at University of Helsinki
Pinned
Tuomas Aivelo
@aivelo.bsky.social
· Jul 16
🚨New paper!🚨
Can we negotiate our cohabitation with rats? Karolina Lukasik spearheaded study, which suggests there might not be alternative!
Out now in a special issue on urban multispecies justice of npj Urban Sustainability: doi.org/10.1038/s429...
A short thread: (1/9)
Can we negotiate our cohabitation with rats? Karolina Lukasik spearheaded study, which suggests there might not be alternative!
Out now in a special issue on urban multispecies justice of npj Urban Sustainability: doi.org/10.1038/s429...
A short thread: (1/9)
"Koronapandemia muutti, miten ajattelemme hengitysteissä esiintyvien taudinaiheuttajien leviävän. Ilman kautta tapahtuvaa altistusta ei nähdä enää harvinaisena, --"
Ensihavaintoja Pandemiakriisin opetukset -hankkeesta ymmärryksemme muutoksesta kriisitilanteessa: tietokayttoon.fi/-/pisaroista...
Ensihavaintoja Pandemiakriisin opetukset -hankkeesta ymmärryksemme muutoksesta kriisitilanteessa: tietokayttoon.fi/-/pisaroista...
Pisaroista pienhiukkasiin: Pandemia muutti ymmärryksen infektioiden leviämisestä
tietokayttoon.fi
October 31, 2025 at 12:44 PM
"Koronapandemia muutti, miten ajattelemme hengitysteissä esiintyvien taudinaiheuttajien leviävän. Ilman kautta tapahtuvaa altistusta ei nähdä enää harvinaisena, --"
Ensihavaintoja Pandemiakriisin opetukset -hankkeesta ymmärryksemme muutoksesta kriisitilanteessa: tietokayttoon.fi/-/pisaroista...
Ensihavaintoja Pandemiakriisin opetukset -hankkeesta ymmärryksemme muutoksesta kriisitilanteessa: tietokayttoon.fi/-/pisaroista...
Reposted by Tuomas Aivelo
Käytännössä ainut tapa myydä soiden ennallistaminen suomalaisessa politiikassa: sano, että ne hidastavat venäläisiä tankkeja.
Erinomainen idea.
”Biologin silmin paras ratkaisu olisi rajaseudun luontokäytävä, joka olisi suojeltujen ja ennallistettujen soiden ja metsien mosaiikki. Vanhat, tiheät metsät tarjoaisivat suojaa luontokappaleille ja drooneilta piiloutuville taistelijoille.”
suomenkuvalehti.fi/paajutut/ei-...
”Biologin silmin paras ratkaisu olisi rajaseudun luontokäytävä, joka olisi suojeltujen ja ennallistettujen soiden ja metsien mosaiikki. Vanhat, tiheät metsät tarjoaisivat suojaa luontokappaleille ja drooneilta piiloutuville taistelijoille.”
suomenkuvalehti.fi/paajutut/ei-...
”Ei kukaan hullu siitä hyökkää” – Biologi suunnitteli itärajalle upottavan panssariesteen
Biologi Risto Sulkava ehdottaa ennallistettavaksi 50 ojitettua suoaluetta itärajalta. Ne toimisivat panssariesteinä ja hiilinieluina.
suomenkuvalehti.fi
October 29, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Käytännössä ainut tapa myydä soiden ennallistaminen suomalaisessa politiikassa: sano, että ne hidastavat venäläisiä tankkeja.
Reposted by Tuomas Aivelo
Tutkijamme Santtu Pentikäinen kertoi rottien syksystä Viiden jälkeen -ohjelmassa: www.mtvuutiset.fi/videot/video...
Rotat liikkuvat syksyllä
Rotat liikkuvat syksyllä.
www.mtvuutiset.fi
October 10, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Tutkijamme Santtu Pentikäinen kertoi rottien syksystä Viiden jälkeen -ohjelmassa: www.mtvuutiset.fi/videot/video...
Just out of press: genetic characterization of rat hepatitis E virus in Helsinki rats in Archives of Virology!
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Earlier we reported that we found RHEV in four of our rat carcasses (prevalence of less than 2%) and now we have complete or partial genomes for these.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Earlier we reported that we found RHEV in four of our rat carcasses (prevalence of less than 2%) and now we have complete or partial genomes for these.
Genetic characterization of rat hepatitis E virus (Rocahepevirus ratti) in urban brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) in Helsinki, Finland - Archives of Virology
We report complete and partial genome sequences of rat hepatitis E virus (RHEV, Rocahepevirus ratti), from archived brown rats captured in Helsinki, Finland. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of the pathogenic RHEV genotype C1 in the Helsinki region. Finnish strains clustered together with strains from South Korea and Spain. However, the polytomous topology of phylogenetic trees and the large genetic distances between spatially distinct strains suggest that RHEV has remained inadequately sampled on a global scale. Further surveillance of rocahepeviruses is needed to assess their threat to public health and to understand their diversity and evolutionary patterns.
link.springer.com
September 30, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Just out of press: genetic characterization of rat hepatitis E virus in Helsinki rats in Archives of Virology!
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Earlier we reported that we found RHEV in four of our rat carcasses (prevalence of less than 2%) and now we have complete or partial genomes for these.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Earlier we reported that we found RHEV in four of our rat carcasses (prevalence of less than 2%) and now we have complete or partial genomes for these.
🚨New paper out today: ‘This place cannot be tidied up!’ Stigmatisation, rats, and place-making in a multispecies city🚨
The paper led by Riikka Hohti out today in Children's Geographies: doi.org/10.1080/1473...
A short thread:
(1/5)
The paper led by Riikka Hohti out today in Children's Geographies: doi.org/10.1080/1473...
A short thread:
(1/5)
‘This place cannot be tidied up!’ Stigmatisation, rats, and place-making in a multispecies city
This paper presents a multidisciplinary research project which invited young people to critically re-estimate what is environment and nature, and for whom, in the urbanising world. We describe a se...
doi.org
September 24, 2025 at 2:19 PM
🚨New paper out today: ‘This place cannot be tidied up!’ Stigmatisation, rats, and place-making in a multispecies city🚨
The paper led by Riikka Hohti out today in Children's Geographies: doi.org/10.1080/1473...
A short thread:
(1/5)
The paper led by Riikka Hohti out today in Children's Geographies: doi.org/10.1080/1473...
A short thread:
(1/5)
‘Ik ben ecoloog, dus ik probeer ratten niet te zien als een plaagdier.' Ik weet dat dit provocerend klinkt, want ecologen zijn goed in het beoordelen (en doden) van andere dieren.
Mare interviewde mij over ons rattenonderzoek en het samenleven met vervelende dieren: www.mareonline.nl/wetenschap/r...
Mare interviewde mij over ons rattenonderzoek en het samenleven met vervelende dieren: www.mareonline.nl/wetenschap/r...
Plaagdieren? Welnee! Ratten zijn onze vrienden, betoogt Finse ecoloog
Mensen kunnen vreedzaam samenleven met ratten, betoogt ecoloog Tuomas Aivelo. ‘We geven gemengde signalen af.’
www.mareonline.nl
September 19, 2025 at 9:29 AM
‘Ik ben ecoloog, dus ik probeer ratten niet te zien als een plaagdier.' Ik weet dat dit provocerend klinkt, want ecologen zijn goed in het beoordelen (en doden) van andere dieren.
Mare interviewde mij over ons rattenonderzoek en het samenleven met vervelende dieren: www.mareonline.nl/wetenschap/r...
Mare interviewde mij over ons rattenonderzoek en het samenleven met vervelende dieren: www.mareonline.nl/wetenschap/r...
Reposted by Tuomas Aivelo
🚨 Postdoc opportunities! 🚨
We’re looking for postdocs in 🌿 biodiversity science, 🧬 genetic indicator assessment, and 📊 ecological statistics.
Join us in unraveling the drivers & consequences of global change on biodiversity — and be part of a supportive & collaborative environment!
DL 24 September
We’re looking for postdocs in 🌿 biodiversity science, 🧬 genetic indicator assessment, and 📊 ecological statistics.
Join us in unraveling the drivers & consequences of global change on biodiversity — and be part of a supportive & collaborative environment!
DL 24 September
📢 Post doc! Want to join our team?
We are looking for 3 post docs in biodiversity science, genetic indicator assessment, and ecological statistics for a fixed term of 2 years!
Come unravel the drivers and consequences of global change on biodiversity with us!
DL 24.9.
#universityofhelsinki
We are looking for 3 post docs in biodiversity science, genetic indicator assessment, and ecological statistics for a fixed term of 2 years!
Come unravel the drivers and consequences of global change on biodiversity with us!
DL 24.9.
#universityofhelsinki
3 Post doc positions in biodiversity science, genetic indicator assessment and ecological statistics
3 Post doc positions in biodiversity science, genetic indicator assessment and ecological statistics
jobs.helsinki.fi
September 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
🚨 Postdoc opportunities! 🚨
We’re looking for postdocs in 🌿 biodiversity science, 🧬 genetic indicator assessment, and 📊 ecological statistics.
Join us in unraveling the drivers & consequences of global change on biodiversity — and be part of a supportive & collaborative environment!
DL 24 September
We’re looking for postdocs in 🌿 biodiversity science, 🧬 genetic indicator assessment, and 📊 ecological statistics.
Join us in unraveling the drivers & consequences of global change on biodiversity — and be part of a supportive & collaborative environment!
DL 24 September
Reposted by Tuomas Aivelo
Enough is enough. The health of the country is in danger. Read our resignation letters: insidemedicine.substack.com/p/breaking-n...
Breaking News: Read three top CDC officials' resignation emails.
The end of an era.
insidemedicine.substack.com
August 28, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Enough is enough. The health of the country is in danger. Read our resignation letters: insidemedicine.substack.com/p/breaking-n...
Reposted by Tuomas Aivelo
Enpäs ole hetkeen hävennyt oman yliopistoni päätöksiä näin paljon.
August 14, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Enpäs ole hetkeen hävennyt oman yliopistoni päätöksiä näin paljon.
First paper from Nienke Beets on her thesis on Stoepplantjes, a pavement plant citizen science project out in Biological Conservation! Happy to be a coauthor here. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
“What's that weed on the street?” Motivation and attitude of contributors and followers in a citizen science project studying pavement plants
Plants are essential for life on Earth, yet their importance is often underappreciated. Urban flora are often dismissed as weeds, for example. One sol…
www.sciencedirect.com
August 13, 2025 at 8:00 AM
First paper from Nienke Beets on her thesis on Stoepplantjes, a pavement plant citizen science project out in Biological Conservation! Happy to be a coauthor here. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
"What does a pig say? In English, a pig says “oink, oink”. In Finnish, “röh, röh”. In Danish, “øf, øf”.
But in the language of journalism a pig is usually silent."
Happy to contribute to Anne Salomäki's project at @reutersinstitute.bsky.social!
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/rethinking-j...
But in the language of journalism a pig is usually silent."
Happy to contribute to Anne Salomäki's project at @reutersinstitute.bsky.social!
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/rethinking-j...
Rethinking journalism’s silence on animal agriculture
Journalist Anne Salomäki unpacks the human-centric approach when covering animal farming in the media.
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk
August 5, 2025 at 10:08 AM
"What does a pig say? In English, a pig says “oink, oink”. In Finnish, “röh, röh”. In Danish, “øf, øf”.
But in the language of journalism a pig is usually silent."
Happy to contribute to Anne Salomäki's project at @reutersinstitute.bsky.social!
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/rethinking-j...
But in the language of journalism a pig is usually silent."
Happy to contribute to Anne Salomäki's project at @reutersinstitute.bsky.social!
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/rethinking-j...
My first Leiden paper out now - first-authored by PhD candidate Anna Heerdink in Journal of Nature Conservation w/ Nel Ruigrok & @ionica.mathstodon.xyz.ap.brid.gy We look at how biodiversity research is presented in the Dutch print media.
A short thread:
(1/5)
sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
A short thread:
(1/5)
sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Media coverage of biodiversity research in the Netherlands: news triggers, sources, and frames
Addressing biodiversity loss requires both policy reforms and active public engagement. Media coverage plays a critical role in shaping societal aware…
sciencedirect.com
July 22, 2025 at 1:03 PM
My first Leiden paper out now - first-authored by PhD candidate Anna Heerdink in Journal of Nature Conservation w/ Nel Ruigrok & @ionica.mathstodon.xyz.ap.brid.gy We look at how biodiversity research is presented in the Dutch print media.
A short thread:
(1/5)
sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
A short thread:
(1/5)
sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Voimme neuvotella rottien kanssa ja löytää uusia yhdessäelon tapoja - Karolina kirjoitti lyhyen tiivistelmän uudesta tutkimuksesta @helsinkirats.bsky.social-nettisivuille: www.helsinki.fi/fi/projektit...
Voimme neuvotella rottien kanssa ja löytää uusia yhdessäelon tapoja | Kaupunkirotat | Helsingin yliopisto
Usein suhtaudumme kaupunkeihin ihmisten tilana, johon muut eläimet tunkeutuvat. Rotat ovat eritysen epähaluttuja naapureita. Mutta voimmeko oppia elämään niiden kanssa? Voimmeko neuvotella rottien kan...
www.helsinki.fi
July 18, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Voimme neuvotella rottien kanssa ja löytää uusia yhdessäelon tapoja - Karolina kirjoitti lyhyen tiivistelmän uudesta tutkimuksesta @helsinkirats.bsky.social-nettisivuille: www.helsinki.fi/fi/projektit...
🚨New paper!🚨
Can we negotiate our cohabitation with rats? Karolina Lukasik spearheaded study, which suggests there might not be alternative!
Out now in a special issue on urban multispecies justice of npj Urban Sustainability: doi.org/10.1038/s429...
A short thread: (1/9)
Can we negotiate our cohabitation with rats? Karolina Lukasik spearheaded study, which suggests there might not be alternative!
Out now in a special issue on urban multispecies justice of npj Urban Sustainability: doi.org/10.1038/s429...
A short thread: (1/9)
July 16, 2025 at 8:21 AM
🚨New paper!🚨
Can we negotiate our cohabitation with rats? Karolina Lukasik spearheaded study, which suggests there might not be alternative!
Out now in a special issue on urban multispecies justice of npj Urban Sustainability: doi.org/10.1038/s429...
A short thread: (1/9)
Can we negotiate our cohabitation with rats? Karolina Lukasik spearheaded study, which suggests there might not be alternative!
Out now in a special issue on urban multispecies justice of npj Urban Sustainability: doi.org/10.1038/s429...
A short thread: (1/9)
🚨New research klaxon! 🚨
Out in now in Mammalian Biology, our ethology paper on social interactions between rats based on trail camera material!
doi.org/10.1007/s429...
A short thread: (1/6)
Out in now in Mammalian Biology, our ethology paper on social interactions between rats based on trail camera material!
doi.org/10.1007/s429...
A short thread: (1/6)
July 1, 2025 at 11:21 AM
🚨New research klaxon! 🚨
Out in now in Mammalian Biology, our ethology paper on social interactions between rats based on trail camera material!
doi.org/10.1007/s429...
A short thread: (1/6)
Out in now in Mammalian Biology, our ethology paper on social interactions between rats based on trail camera material!
doi.org/10.1007/s429...
A short thread: (1/6)
Ready to start International Conference on Urban Pests in Lund, Sweden.
So, a triptych taken during Markus Krunegård's concert in Stadsparken:
So, a triptych taken during Markus Krunegård's concert in Stadsparken:
June 29, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Ready to start International Conference on Urban Pests in Lund, Sweden.
So, a triptych taken during Markus Krunegård's concert in Stadsparken:
So, a triptych taken during Markus Krunegård's concert in Stadsparken:
Happy to talk with @politiken.dk about rats, and apparently disagree with the whole of Denmark.
politiken.dk/edition/news...
politiken.dk/edition/news...
I've cycled through the streets with dead rats brushing against my leg. And now I'm obsessed
They live in our parks, basements, and dine with us at restaurants. Despite spending more and more money to eradicate them, Copenhagen’s rats have already won. Have we completely misunderstood the urb...
politiken.dk
June 17, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Happy to talk with @politiken.dk about rats, and apparently disagree with the whole of Denmark.
politiken.dk/edition/news...
politiken.dk/edition/news...
Reposted by Tuomas Aivelo
Our Karolina Lukasik will be discussing some fundamental questions today in BBC Radio Scotland Mornings show at around 11.30!
June 13, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Our Karolina Lukasik will be discussing some fundamental questions today in BBC Radio Scotland Mornings show at around 11.30!
Reposted by Tuomas Aivelo
A new review on H5 'bird flu' is just out in @natrevmicro.nature.com: "Evolution, spread & impact of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza A viruses" by Beatriz Bellido-Martin, Willemijn Rijnink, Matteo Iervolino, Thijs Kuiken, Mathilde Richard & Ron Fouchier, from @erasmusmc.bsky.social. A 🧵 (1/9)
May 22, 2025 at 12:13 PM
A new review on H5 'bird flu' is just out in @natrevmicro.nature.com: "Evolution, spread & impact of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza A viruses" by Beatriz Bellido-Martin, Willemijn Rijnink, Matteo Iervolino, Thijs Kuiken, Mathilde Richard & Ron Fouchier, from @erasmusmc.bsky.social. A 🧵 (1/9)
Reposted by Tuomas Aivelo
More evidence for rapid evolutionary change induced by human activities. Feeders and exotic Eucalyptus associated with more Anna's hummers, but only feeders appear to have led to a change in beak morphology. These hummers now overwinter in southwestern BC, Canada!
🚨New paper alert!🚨
We show that hummingbird beaks have changed in shape & size since around WWII, driven by the rise of commercialized feeders! 🧵
📄 Paper: dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb....
#ornithology #evolution #GlobalChangeBiology
We show that hummingbird beaks have changed in shape & size since around WWII, driven by the rise of commercialized feeders! 🧵
📄 Paper: dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb....
#ornithology #evolution #GlobalChangeBiology
Supplemental Feeding as a Driver of Population Expansion and Morphological Change in Anna's Hummingbirds
Bird beaks are highly adaptable, with the potential to undergo rapid morphological shifts in response to environmental change such as climatic variation or food availability. Anna's Hummingbirds (Cal...
dx.doi.org
May 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
More evidence for rapid evolutionary change induced by human activities. Feeders and exotic Eucalyptus associated with more Anna's hummers, but only feeders appear to have led to a change in beak morphology. These hummers now overwinter in southwestern BC, Canada!
Very much feeling powerless, but at least: I'm among the more than 1 600 Finnish researchers who called for Finnish foreign policy leadership and Parliament to take "immediate and reasonable measures to end the genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza".
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Tutkijoiden vetoomus Suomen ulkopoliittiselle johdolle ja eduskunnalle kansanmurhan ehkäisemiseksi Gazassa ja Palestiinan tunnustamiseksi
Tutkijoiden vetoomus Suomen ulkopoliittiselle johdolle ja eduskunnalle kansanmurhan lopettamiseksi Gazassa ja Palestiinan tunnustamiseksi Israel on jälleen kiihdyttänyt sotatoimia Gazassa. Toukokuu...
docs.google.com
May 21, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Very much feeling powerless, but at least: I'm among the more than 1 600 Finnish researchers who called for Finnish foreign policy leadership and Parliament to take "immediate and reasonable measures to end the genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza".
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reposted by Tuomas Aivelo
Gaza | Yli 1 600 tutkijaa vaatii Suomea tunnustamaan Palestiinan
www.hs.fi/politiikka/a...
www.hs.fi/politiikka/a...
Gaza | Yli 1 600 tutkijaa vaatii Suomea tunnustamaan Palestiinan
Tutkijat vaativat Suomen johtoa tekemään enemmän kansanmurhan ja etnisen puhdistuksen estämiseksi.
www.hs.fi
May 21, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Gaza | Yli 1 600 tutkijaa vaatii Suomea tunnustamaan Palestiinan
www.hs.fi/politiikka/a...
www.hs.fi/politiikka/a...
Happy to participate in RESET Symposium @helsinki.fi last week: A full day about resilient and just systems, and protocols of care, multimodalities, citizens in circular economy, petromasculinities, interdisciplinary roles, etc. As highlighted, it is especially important in the time of banned words.
May 13, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Happy to participate in RESET Symposium @helsinki.fi last week: A full day about resilient and just systems, and protocols of care, multimodalities, citizens in circular economy, petromasculinities, interdisciplinary roles, etc. As highlighted, it is especially important in the time of banned words.
Kaunis ja osuva muistokirjoitus Sonjalle.
Kepeät mullat - ja kiitokset @kokkonut.bsky.social, @jmappes.bsky.social ja Anu-Katriina kirjoituksesta.
www.hs.fi/muistot/art-...
Kepeät mullat - ja kiitokset @kokkonut.bsky.social, @jmappes.bsky.social ja Anu-Katriina kirjoituksesta.
www.hs.fi/muistot/art-...
Muistokirjoitus | Eläinten sosiaalisuuden tutkija, joka rakasti tanssia
Sonja Koski 1973–2025
www.hs.fi
May 1, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Kaunis ja osuva muistokirjoitus Sonjalle.
Kepeät mullat - ja kiitokset @kokkonut.bsky.social, @jmappes.bsky.social ja Anu-Katriina kirjoituksesta.
www.hs.fi/muistot/art-...
Kepeät mullat - ja kiitokset @kokkonut.bsky.social, @jmappes.bsky.social ja Anu-Katriina kirjoituksesta.
www.hs.fi/muistot/art-...
One Health in action: advancing cross-sector collaboration webinar organized by #FEAM - I represent SAPEA on One Health on Wed 30.4. at 10 CEST.
I'll share snippets of our findings on how One Health collaboration works in Europe and what is still missing.
scientificadvice.eu/events/one-h...
I'll share snippets of our findings on how One Health collaboration works in Europe and what is still missing.
scientificadvice.eu/events/one-h...
One Health in action: advancing cross-sector collaboration – Scientific Advice Mechanism
scientificadvice.eu
April 28, 2025 at 1:07 PM
One Health in action: advancing cross-sector collaboration webinar organized by #FEAM - I represent SAPEA on One Health on Wed 30.4. at 10 CEST.
I'll share snippets of our findings on how One Health collaboration works in Europe and what is still missing.
scientificadvice.eu/events/one-h...
I'll share snippets of our findings on how One Health collaboration works in Europe and what is still missing.
scientificadvice.eu/events/one-h...