Alan R Kay
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alanrkay.bsky.social
Alan R Kay
@alanrkay.bsky.social
370 followers 530 following 55 posts
Neurobiologist, osmo-electro-diffusion & other stuff. Views are my own.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Alan R Kay
indivisibleia-joco.bsky.social
Hawkeye WR Seth Anderson showed up BIG - donating 30 turkeys to the Iowa City Catholic Worker! Defensive backs Kael Kolarik and Koen Entringer jumped in to help distribute them to volunteers who’ll roast & share them with immigrant families across our community. That’s what teamwork looks like ! 🏈🙌
November 24, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Reposted by Alan R Kay
theul.bsky.social
#OnThisDay in 1859, Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species was first published.

Much of the original manuscript was used as scrap paper by Darwin's children. On the back of this painting of a house is an original manuscript page from Origin!

#CambridgeUniversityLibrary (DAR 185)
A painting of a house by one of Charles Darwin's children. We see a simple outline of a house with a pitched roof, two chimneys and some lead-paned windows. We see the kitchen fire, with a clock on a mantle, and some cast iron pots on a window sill. In a window at the stop of the house we see a cat, or possibly a squirrel! A hand-written page of Charles Darwin's original manuscript for the Origin of Species. There are many ink blots and crossings out, and some foxing consistent with its age.
November 24, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Reposted by Alan R Kay
neurograce.bsky.social
It is actually an incredibly frustrating time to be a theoretical neuroscientist right now imo, for this reason
markhisted.org Mark Histed @markhisted.org · 9d
Same for neuroscience. The lack of ability to measure many neurons’ activity, perturb them, and measure intracellular processes and connections is what limits understanding the brain.

The key barriers are not algorithms or AI.

🧪#neuroscience 🧠🤖 #MLSky
Anshul Kundaje @anshulkundaje Francois usually has good takes. But this suggests a bit of cluelessness about what the key barrier to progress in biology is. It's not algorithms or Al. It's still a lack of the ability to measure many important things in cells ie. assay techdev. Perturb-seq is not all u need. @ François Chollet & @fchollet • 2d The most powerful scientific instrument of the 21st century isn't the electron microscope or the particle collider. It's the algorithm. Today, a scientist in biology, physics... Show more
November 17, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Reposted by Alan R Kay
altnih4science.bsky.social
Who’s putting it at risk, @sfn.org ?

This passive voice stuff has got to stop. We have to name the people destroying US leadership in science.
(Hint: Trump. Vought. Bhattacharya. RFK. Say their names.)
sfn.org Society for Neuroscience @sfn.org · 8d
"The U.S. has been a world leader in research for decades, and that leadership position is now at risk," said SfN President John H. Morrison in a new NPR article.

Read more SfN member perspectives: vist.ly/4eqvy

#neurosky #neuroskyence
As funding falters, young brain scientists rethink careers in research
Research on brain disorders may slow as young neuroscientists struggle to find jobs and research grants.
www.npr.org
November 16, 2025 at 8:15 PM
alanrkay.bsky.social
Beautifully done history of dialysis
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDDC...
Sketched History of Dialysis
YouTube video by kidney guide for residents and fellows
www.youtube.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Reposted by Alan R Kay
indivisibleia-joco.bsky.social
There will also be great music!
Catfish Keith – Iowa’s own world-renowned blues legend
Jim Swim – Hip-hop grooves that move the crowd
Jeffrey Morgan – Folk storytelling with heart
Pigs and Clover – Americana harmonies and grassroots fire
JP Claussen – Acoustic truth and community rhythm
indivisibleia-joco.bsky.social Indivisible Iowa Johnson County @indivisibleia-joco.bsky.social · 10d
No Kings - Food Drive
Location of Event: Chauncey Swan
405 E Washington St Iowa City
WHEN: Sat NOV 15th
TIME 10:00am - 1pm
www.bluhaus.org?fbclid=IwY2x...
Blu Haus Art
Blu Haus Art
www.bluhaus.org
November 14, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Reposted by Alan R Kay
indivisibleia-joco.bsky.social
Armistice Day Observance
Tuesday 11th November 2025, Iowa City
Veterans for Peace, chapter #161
November 11, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Reposted by Alan R Kay
indivisibleia-joco.bsky.social
Sunday Night Community Event
“Growing Up in the Shadow of Jim Crow and the Light of the Civil Rights Movement”
📅 Date: Sunday, November 9, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:30-8pm
📍 Location: Zoom (online) - posted by Iowa City Catholic Worker
✅ RSVP: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
November 8, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Reposted by Alan R Kay
indivisibleia-joco.bsky.social
No Kings, Just Neighbors: Fill-A-Truck Food Drive
Saturday, Nov 15 🕙 10 AM – 1 PM
Downtown Iowa City
Join us for a day of music, food, & community as we come together to fill a truck with groceries & personal care items for families in need.
www.mobilize.us/mobilize/eve...
No Kings! Just Neighbors! Fill-A-Truck Food Drive · Mobilize
🛻 No Kings, Just Neighbors: Fill-A-Truck Food Drive 📅 Saturday, November 15 🕙 10 AM – 1 PM 📍 Downtown Iowa City (Exact Location TBA) After the powerful energy of our No Kings Rally, it’s time to ...
www.mobilize.us
November 6, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Reposted by Alan R Kay
walkerbragman.bsky.social
NEW: The Director of the National Institutes of Health, Jay Bhattacharya, accepted an award over the weekend from an old ally who, just weeks earlier, had been the subject of a Politico story revealing how he’d left his previous job amid sexual harassment allegations.
NIH Director Accepts Award From Anti-Vax Dark Money Group Founded By Accused Sexual Harasser
Jay Bhattacharya reunited with his old ally Jeffrey Tucker weeks after the political operative was revealed to have faced a sexual harassment scandal.
www.importantcontext.news
November 5, 2025 at 2:45 PM
alanrkay.bsky.social
The work of Marthe Gautier should be more widely known.
She had to fight for recognition after a male colleague took credit for her work in identifying an extra chromosome as the cause of Downs syndrome.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/h...
Marthe Gautier, 96, Dies; Had Key Role in Down Syndrome Breakthrough
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:20 PM
alanrkay.bsky.social
Thanks - perfect for my animal physiology class
October 29, 2025 at 4:28 PM
alanrkay.bsky.social
Curious to hear from semiconductor chip boffins if this has any legs. The work is being supported by Peter Thiel, who has claimed that the rational approach to solving problems has failed, so why not try the opposite of that, the irrational.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/t...
Can a Start-Up Make Computer Chips Cheaper Than the Industry’s Giants?
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:04 PM
alanrkay.bsky.social
This is super relevant to all US academics - it's on Today!
October 27, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Reposted by Alan R Kay
joachimgoedhart.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Nanosensors for real-time intracellular analytics - Nature Nanotechnology
This Review provides insights into nanosensor technologies for monitoring cellular biomarkers, proposing a spatial framework to clarify their distinct advantages, challenges and performance for high-r...
www.nature.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Reposted by Alan R Kay
butterflygirl24.bsky.social
I want to go to Canada. Love the videos Canada is making. Y’all saw the one w Reagan narrating the video? #canada
October 24, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Reposted by Alan R Kay
indivisibleia-joco.bsky.social
​Essential viewing for all peaceful civil resistance warriors Erica Chenoweth @chenoweth.bsky.social‬ talking to Paul Krugman @pkrugman.bsky.social
paulkrugman.substack.com/p/talking-wi...
Talking With Erica Chenoweth
Civil resistance: Does it work, and when?
paulkrugman.substack.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Reposted by Alan R Kay
indivisibleia-joco.bsky.social
Local Governments: Pass the Due Process & Safety Resolution Now!
This simple, common-sense resolution will help protect students, residents, workers, schools, & visitors from harmful ICE raids in our community. Contact your local elected officials today.
secure.everyaction.com/38K0P3bF5U6R...
October 22, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by Alan R Kay
christophniemann.bsky.social
New Cover for The @newyorker.com
For more go to www.christophniemann.com/detail/nyerc...
October 21, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by Alan R Kay
sethtomchik.bsky.social
Hyperlapse from the No Kings rally in Iowa City. Our town has a population of about 80,000 and this is a tiny sliver of the march. #nokings
October 18, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Reposted by Alan R Kay
indivisibleia-joco.bsky.social
Kudos to this Iowa City protester, who not only elevated the level of discourse, but also provided a source for the quote! "Truthfulness has fallen in desuetude." - Stereolab
@iowacityoflit.bsky.social
#NoKings
October 18, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Reposted by Alan R Kay
jeremymberg.bsky.social
Happy "No Kings" Day!

I just sent this email to Director Bhattacharya regarding the recently appointment of a new NIEHS Director.
Dear Director Bhattacharya: I saw your announcement about the appointment of Dr. Kyle Walsh as Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. It is hard for me to express how disappointed and saddened that I am with this turn of events. This has little to do with Dr. Walsh or his qualifications. Instead, my concerns are based on the damage that this appointment, with the complete lack of any reasonable process, does to the NIH and the ability of this agency. which matters so much to the American people. to recruit and retain the best people for the 13 institute and center director positions that are now vacant.
October 18, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Reposted by Alan R Kay
carolynbertozzi.bskyverified.social
A university that signs the “compact” is one that acknowledges its own inability to compete and succeed based talent and merit. It would signal insecurity and mediocrity to current and future students and faculty. Say no. Recruit the best people, protect their freedom and support their hard work.
October 18, 2025 at 12:05 AM