Angela May O'Connor
@amayoco.bsky.social
Neuroscientist 🧠 Bookworm, Mumma, Australian 🇦🇺 Long-Coviding since Feb 2022. All opinions my own.
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
nyti.ms
October 8, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
Remembering this story from 8 years ago, about the differing values of rural & urban people. One reason I remember it is that every single factual assertion made by a rural person in the piece is false.
New poll of rural Americans shows deep cultural divide with urban residents
Big-city and small-town Americans have vastly different views on issues like immigration and religion, helping to explain President Trump’s election
www.washingtonpost.com
June 17, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Remembering this story from 8 years ago, about the differing values of rural & urban people. One reason I remember it is that every single factual assertion made by a rural person in the piece is false.
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
What happens when scientists discuss mistakes they've made?
Here's a lovely paper about developing of a conference series normalizing errors ("Oh Sh*t: Great Scientists Tell Stories About Their Greatest Failures").
#stats #neuroscience #metascience #neuroskyence
tinyurl.com/5n96e5em
Here's a lovely paper about developing of a conference series normalizing errors ("Oh Sh*t: Great Scientists Tell Stories About Their Greatest Failures").
#stats #neuroscience #metascience #neuroskyence
tinyurl.com/5n96e5em
Promoting Open Discussions of Scientific Failure within the Annual Society for Neuroscience Conference
The annual Society for Neuroscience (SfN) meeting is a bonanza of scientific achievement: famous keynote speakers, beautiful scientific results, and award ceremonies. This focus is exciting and invigo...
doi.org
April 7, 2025 at 2:56 PM
What happens when scientists discuss mistakes they've made?
Here's a lovely paper about developing of a conference series normalizing errors ("Oh Sh*t: Great Scientists Tell Stories About Their Greatest Failures").
#stats #neuroscience #metascience #neuroskyence
tinyurl.com/5n96e5em
Here's a lovely paper about developing of a conference series normalizing errors ("Oh Sh*t: Great Scientists Tell Stories About Their Greatest Failures").
#stats #neuroscience #metascience #neuroskyence
tinyurl.com/5n96e5em
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
New eNeuro(@sfnjournals.bsky.social) 📄! 🤩
"Promoting Open Discussions of Scientific Failure within the Annual Society for Neuroscience Conference"
w/ @kristinbigos.bsky.social @flagel-lab.bsky.social @amayoco.bsky.social @drxilma.bsky.social @comm4rigor.bsky.social
www.eneuro.org/content/eneu...
"Promoting Open Discussions of Scientific Failure within the Annual Society for Neuroscience Conference"
w/ @kristinbigos.bsky.social @flagel-lab.bsky.social @amayoco.bsky.social @drxilma.bsky.social @comm4rigor.bsky.social
www.eneuro.org/content/eneu...
March 31, 2025 at 5:05 PM
New eNeuro(@sfnjournals.bsky.social) 📄! 🤩
"Promoting Open Discussions of Scientific Failure within the Annual Society for Neuroscience Conference"
w/ @kristinbigos.bsky.social @flagel-lab.bsky.social @amayoco.bsky.social @drxilma.bsky.social @comm4rigor.bsky.social
www.eneuro.org/content/eneu...
"Promoting Open Discussions of Scientific Failure within the Annual Society for Neuroscience Conference"
w/ @kristinbigos.bsky.social @flagel-lab.bsky.social @amayoco.bsky.social @drxilma.bsky.social @comm4rigor.bsky.social
www.eneuro.org/content/eneu...
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
Stop. Validating. Fascist. Rationales.
They are lying about their intentions. It doesn’t matter what they say they want to accomplish; what they actually want to accomplish is corruption, sabotage, brutality, and mass murder.
They are lying about their intentions. It doesn’t matter what they say they want to accomplish; what they actually want to accomplish is corruption, sabotage, brutality, and mass murder.
“my opponent is right, but - “
you have already lost, the only thing most people will take away is “my opponent is right”
this man wants to take away vaccines, shout from the rooftops that he’s a danger to your children, both because it’s a much more effective message and because it’s true
you have already lost, the only thing most people will take away is “my opponent is right”
this man wants to take away vaccines, shout from the rooftops that he’s a danger to your children, both because it’s a much more effective message and because it’s true
RFK Jr. is not wrong. We are failing to keep our communities healthy. This message resonates with many.
But I have serious concerns about his ability and expertise to lead such a sweeping overhaul of the HHS workforce. We need accountability, not just rhetoric.
But I have serious concerns about his ability and expertise to lead such a sweeping overhaul of the HHS workforce. We need accountability, not just rhetoric.
March 27, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Stop. Validating. Fascist. Rationales.
They are lying about their intentions. It doesn’t matter what they say they want to accomplish; what they actually want to accomplish is corruption, sabotage, brutality, and mass murder.
They are lying about their intentions. It doesn’t matter what they say they want to accomplish; what they actually want to accomplish is corruption, sabotage, brutality, and mass murder.
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
🫶🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🤝
Underrepresented folks are often called upon to:
1) serve in positions to improve DEI
2) pursue DEI-related fellowships/awards
These folks could have chosen not to heed our call.
@umich.edu- How will we ensure that they remain employed and supported at UM? That their service is honored? 💙💛💔
Underrepresented folks are often called upon to:
1) serve in positions to improve DEI
2) pursue DEI-related fellowships/awards
These folks could have chosen not to heed our call.
@umich.edu- How will we ensure that they remain employed and supported at UM? That their service is honored? 💙💛💔
BREAKING: The University of Michigan is closing its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, a major retreat for a school that has long championed its progressive values.
University of Michigan, a longtime champion of progressive values, to close its DEI office
University President Santa Ono informed staffers in an email, saying Michigan remains committed to diversity among its students, faculty and staff.
bit.ly
March 28, 2025 at 1:45 AM
🫶🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🤝
Underrepresented folks are often called upon to:
1) serve in positions to improve DEI
2) pursue DEI-related fellowships/awards
These folks could have chosen not to heed our call.
@umich.edu- How will we ensure that they remain employed and supported at UM? That their service is honored? 💙💛💔
Underrepresented folks are often called upon to:
1) serve in positions to improve DEI
2) pursue DEI-related fellowships/awards
These folks could have chosen not to heed our call.
@umich.edu- How will we ensure that they remain employed and supported at UM? That their service is honored? 💙💛💔
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
Folks, very bad news for #LongCOVID. Deep breath.
29 awarded grants to do with COVID and Long COVID have been rescinded by NIH. 🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
29 awarded grants to do with COVID and Long COVID have been rescinded by NIH. 🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
March 25, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Folks, very bad news for #LongCOVID. Deep breath.
29 awarded grants to do with COVID and Long COVID have been rescinded by NIH. 🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
29 awarded grants to do with COVID and Long COVID have been rescinded by NIH. 🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
Well, everyone, was nice knowin' ya
We aren't suggesting they not leave, but are warning them that we had a green card holder who was pulled aside by homeland security because they were a collaborator on a science grant with DEI training impacts.
March 20, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Well, everyone, was nice knowin' ya
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
🧬🦠🧠🥼🧪📈🟦
@ebi.embl.org:
Many scientists are worried that vital biomedical data housed in U.S. government databases is at risk.
Which aspects of NCBI are mirrored on EMBL-EBI?
Do you plan to back up more U.S. data?
@altcdc.bsky.social
@altnih4science.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
@ebi.embl.org:
Many scientists are worried that vital biomedical data housed in U.S. government databases is at risk.
Which aspects of NCBI are mirrored on EMBL-EBI?
Do you plan to back up more U.S. data?
@altcdc.bsky.social
@altnih4science.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Scientists globally are racing to save vital health databases taken down amid Trump chaos
The mass-archiving effort is in response to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removing some of its web pages.
www.nature.com
February 7, 2025 at 5:32 PM
🧬🦠🧠🥼🧪📈🟦
@ebi.embl.org:
Many scientists are worried that vital biomedical data housed in U.S. government databases is at risk.
Which aspects of NCBI are mirrored on EMBL-EBI?
Do you plan to back up more U.S. data?
@altcdc.bsky.social
@altnih4science.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
@ebi.embl.org:
Many scientists are worried that vital biomedical data housed in U.S. government databases is at risk.
Which aspects of NCBI are mirrored on EMBL-EBI?
Do you plan to back up more U.S. data?
@altcdc.bsky.social
@altnih4science.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
If you're struggling financially due to government fuckery or for any reason really and you need infant formula talk to your pediatrician we can hook you up and don't like to ask questions.
January 28, 2025 at 9:07 PM
If you're struggling financially due to government fuckery or for any reason really and you need infant formula talk to your pediatrician we can hook you up and don't like to ask questions.
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
Viktor Orban pacified Hungarian universities by tightening control over their funding. It went pretty smoothly. Trump is going the same way. We will see how many American academics will be ready to risk their careers in defense of #AcademicFreedom.
#AcademicTwitter
www.economist.com/leaders/2021...
#AcademicTwitter
www.economist.com/leaders/2021...
January 23, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Viktor Orban pacified Hungarian universities by tightening control over their funding. It went pretty smoothly. Trump is going the same way. We will see how many American academics will be ready to risk their careers in defense of #AcademicFreedom.
#AcademicTwitter
www.economist.com/leaders/2021...
#AcademicTwitter
www.economist.com/leaders/2021...
So, at what point do US universities start reaching into their massive endowment $$ to support & fund their researchers & staff, rather than abandoning them to fascist censorship?
I think some people hear “grants” and think that without them, scientists and government workers just have less stuff to play with at work. But grants fund salaries for students, academics, researchers, and people who work in all areas of public service.
“Pausing” grants means people don’t eat.
“Pausing” grants means people don’t eat.
White House pauses all federal grants, sparking confusion
The Trump administration has put a hold on all federal financial grants and loans, affecting tens of billions of dollars in payments.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 28, 2025 at 4:04 AM
So, at what point do US universities start reaching into their massive endowment $$ to support & fund their researchers & staff, rather than abandoning them to fascist censorship?
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
The administration took down the reproductive rights website that women need access to. So The Skimm bought a url and brought the content back. Pass this on!
Go to reproductiverightsdotgov.com
Go to reproductiverightsdotgov.com
ReproductiveRights.Gov Vanished, So We Brought It Back
theSkimm makes it easier to live smarter. You're welcome. Get all the info you need from AM to PM, wherever you are.
reproductiverightsdotgov.com
January 24, 2025 at 3:59 AM
The administration took down the reproductive rights website that women need access to. So The Skimm bought a url and brought the content back. Pass this on!
Go to reproductiverightsdotgov.com
Go to reproductiverightsdotgov.com
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
The price of eggs in the US is spiking, mostly due to #H5N1 bird flu. Solving the problem requires urgent, important communications from the CDC & FDA* and rapid development of research by the NIH**
* Currently paused by Executive Order
** Grant reviews now all canceled
www.kcur.org/news/2025-01...
* Currently paused by Executive Order
** Grant reviews now all canceled
www.kcur.org/news/2025-01...
Egg prices are soaring again. Here’s why and what to expect
Bird flu has killed millions of hens in recent weeks, shrinking the supply of eggs and hiking up prices at grocery stores.
www.kcur.org
January 23, 2025 at 5:18 PM
The price of eggs in the US is spiking, mostly due to #H5N1 bird flu. Solving the problem requires urgent, important communications from the CDC & FDA* and rapid development of research by the NIH**
* Currently paused by Executive Order
** Grant reviews now all canceled
www.kcur.org/news/2025-01...
* Currently paused by Executive Order
** Grant reviews now all canceled
www.kcur.org/news/2025-01...
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
Do you want to do something meaningful to help your friends with Long Covid? Do you live in the SF Bay Area? Have you had Covid at least once? (Bonus points if you have a photo of a positive test!)
If so, please sign up UCSF's LIINC study!
liincstudy.org
Here's why:
If so, please sign up UCSF's LIINC study!
liincstudy.org
Here's why:
LIINC - Long-term Impact of Infection with Novel Coronavirus
LIINC studies the biology behind the long-term consequences from COVID-19 and other infections. Learn More Join the Study Have you ever had COVID-19? The
liincstudy.org
January 19, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Do you want to do something meaningful to help your friends with Long Covid? Do you live in the SF Bay Area? Have you had Covid at least once? (Bonus points if you have a photo of a positive test!)
If so, please sign up UCSF's LIINC study!
liincstudy.org
Here's why:
If so, please sign up UCSF's LIINC study!
liincstudy.org
Here's why:
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
Ordering the CDC to stop all public communications in the middle of a bird flu epidemic is definitely a choice.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/h...
January 23, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Ordering the CDC to stop all public communications in the middle of a bird flu epidemic is definitely a choice.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/h...
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
just a reminder that despite somewhat dismal sales numbers, people who've read my book said they found it important and clarifying, and emotionally resonant, and thoughtful, and well-written. and i hope you'll consider buying it as we move into the era it describes:
bookshop.org/p/books/wild...
bookshop.org/p/books/wild...
Wild Faith: How the Christian Right Is Taking Over America a book by Talia Lavin
Esquire Best Nonfiction Books of 2024 The acclaimed author of Culture Warlords investigates the rise of the Christian Right over the last half-century that lays out the grim vision evangelicals are en...
bookshop.org
January 13, 2025 at 12:01 AM
just a reminder that despite somewhat dismal sales numbers, people who've read my book said they found it important and clarifying, and emotionally resonant, and thoughtful, and well-written. and i hope you'll consider buying it as we move into the era it describes:
bookshop.org/p/books/wild...
bookshop.org/p/books/wild...
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
These emails, sent across agencies, compel all federal employees to snitch on any colleague whose work might have some vague DEIA inflection. Those who refuse to snitch will be disciplined.
Seems designed to put all workers who aren’t white men under a cloud of suspicion. Truly vile stuff.
Seems designed to put all workers who aren’t white men under a cloud of suspicion. Truly vile stuff.
The acting director of the Office of Personnel Management (the feds' H.R. department) is telling federal employees to rat out their DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility) colleagues by emailing "DEIAtruth@opm.gov."
chcoc.gov/sites/defaul...
chcoc.gov/sites/defaul...
January 22, 2025 at 11:25 PM
These emails, sent across agencies, compel all federal employees to snitch on any colleague whose work might have some vague DEIA inflection. Those who refuse to snitch will be disciplined.
Seems designed to put all workers who aren’t white men under a cloud of suspicion. Truly vile stuff.
Seems designed to put all workers who aren’t white men under a cloud of suspicion. Truly vile stuff.
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
Devastating for scientists and their research, and everyone who benefits from that research.
I’m not sure if everyone outside academia is aware that a delay or “pause” in grant funding often means the researchers themselves are lost from the field, along with their expertise.
I’m not sure if everyone outside academia is aware that a delay or “pause” in grant funding often means the researchers themselves are lost from the field, along with their expertise.
NIH appears to have canceled/postponed all of its study sections—the independent review panels that approve federal grants for health research.
Such grants fund the work/salaries of 300k people at more than 2,500 institutions
Such grants fund the work/salaries of 300k people at more than 2,500 institutions
All NIH study sections canceled indefinitely. This will halt science and devastate research budgets in universities.
January 22, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Devastating for scientists and their research, and everyone who benefits from that research.
I’m not sure if everyone outside academia is aware that a delay or “pause” in grant funding often means the researchers themselves are lost from the field, along with their expertise.
I’m not sure if everyone outside academia is aware that a delay or “pause” in grant funding often means the researchers themselves are lost from the field, along with their expertise.
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
Just look at this shit. US research is being murdered right now.
“Researchers who planned to present their work at meetings must cancel their trips, as must NIH officials promoting agency programs off site or visiting distant branches of the agency.“
www.science.org/content/arti...
“Researchers who planned to present their work at meetings must cancel their trips, as must NIH officials promoting agency programs off site or visiting distant branches of the agency.“
www.science.org/content/arti...
Trump hits NIH with ‘devastating’ freezes on meetings, travel, communications, and hiring
Researchers facing
www.science.org
January 22, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Just look at this shit. US research is being murdered right now.
“Researchers who planned to present their work at meetings must cancel their trips, as must NIH officials promoting agency programs off site or visiting distant branches of the agency.“
www.science.org/content/arti...
“Researchers who planned to present their work at meetings must cancel their trips, as must NIH officials promoting agency programs off site or visiting distant branches of the agency.“
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
NIH appears to have canceled/postponed all of its study sections—the independent review panels that approve federal grants for health research.
Such grants fund the work/salaries of 300k people at more than 2,500 institutions
Such grants fund the work/salaries of 300k people at more than 2,500 institutions
All NIH study sections canceled indefinitely. This will halt science and devastate research budgets in universities.
January 22, 2025 at 9:27 PM
NIH appears to have canceled/postponed all of its study sections—the independent review panels that approve federal grants for health research.
Such grants fund the work/salaries of 300k people at more than 2,500 institutions
Such grants fund the work/salaries of 300k people at more than 2,500 institutions
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
All NIH study sections canceled indefinitely. This will halt science and devastate research budgets in universities.
January 22, 2025 at 8:46 PM
All NIH study sections canceled indefinitely. This will halt science and devastate research budgets in universities.
Reposted by Angela May O'Connor
The autocrat who is currently dismantling the US federal government has just silenced the FDA, the CDC and the NIH. There will be no new regulations, guidance, announcements, press releases or social media posts until they’ve been approved by a political appointee.
www.statnews.com/2025/01/22/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/01/22/t...
January 22, 2025 at 11:25 PM
The autocrat who is currently dismantling the US federal government has just silenced the FDA, the CDC and the NIH. There will be no new regulations, guidance, announcements, press releases or social media posts until they’ve been approved by a political appointee.
www.statnews.com/2025/01/22/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/01/22/t...