@askpippa.bsky.social
I'm a science and medical writer curious about the world. I like to share what I find out. I also write for kids, teens and specialty audiences. Remember Ask Pippa in the Toronto Star? That's me. Also Medscape, Medical Post, CHN, Globe&Mail, Vice, etc
November 10, 2025 at 9:20 PM
If you want to follow me on Mastodon, I'm on the server called "C.IM". @askpippa@c.im is the address. It's a well curated server that has a really long word limit (much longer than Mastodon Social). Yes, it connects with the other servers and groups on Mastodon.
November 10, 2025 at 9:05 PM
If you want to follow me on Mastodon, I'm on the server called "C.IM". @askpippa@c.im is the address. It's a well curated server that has a really long word limit (much longer than Mastodon Social). Yes, it connects with the other servers and groups on Mastodon.
And in good news, awards announced for outstanding international volunteer work by doctors and other healthcare workers. Working in war zones, natural disasters and other challenging places.
www.medangel.org
www.medangel.org
Angels in Medicine – Highlighting Medical Humanitarians
www.medangel.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:43 PM
And in good news, awards announced for outstanding international volunteer work by doctors and other healthcare workers. Working in war zones, natural disasters and other challenging places.
www.medangel.org
www.medangel.org
Reposted
The BBC is facing a coordinated, politically motivated attack. With these resignations, it’s given in | Jane Martinson
The BBC is facing a coordinated, politically motivated attack. With these resignations, it’s given in | Jane Martinson
The corporation should have stood up to the Telegraph, Trump and the Tories. Now, its enemies know how little it takes for it to fold, says Jane Martinson, professor of financial journalism
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:12 PM
The BBC is facing a coordinated, politically motivated attack. With these resignations, it’s given in | Jane Martinson
Reposted
"Everything that China does is covered by the national security law in China, and that means every single company has to co-operate with the Chinese authorities in handing over data."
Shock, horror, China flexes its muscles and puts backdoors in foreign products.
Shock, horror, China flexes its muscles and puts backdoors in foreign products.
UK investigates remote ‘kill switch’ on Chinese-made buses — The Times and The Sunday Times
The UK is investigating a security loophole that could allow hundreds of Chinese-made electric buses to be remotely deactivated. Government officials are working with the National Cyber Security Centr...
apple.news
November 9, 2025 at 1:56 PM
"Everything that China does is covered by the national security law in China, and that means every single company has to co-operate with the Chinese authorities in handing over data."
Shock, horror, China flexes its muscles and puts backdoors in foreign products.
Shock, horror, China flexes its muscles and puts backdoors in foreign products.
The BBC in the UK is in trouble -- and under attack.
#journalism #media #BBC
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#journalism #media #BBC
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC is facing a coordinated, politically motivated attack. With these resignations, it has given in | Jane Martinson
The corporation should have stood up to the Telegraph, Trump and the Tories. Now, its enemies know how little it takes for it to fold, says Jane Martinson, professor of financial journalism
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:40 PM
The BBC in the UK is in trouble -- and under attack.
#journalism #media #BBC
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#journalism #media #BBC
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted
About 6.5 million Americans have peripheral artery disease, caused by fatty deposits that block blood flow to the legs.
Doctors have likened outpatient vascular care to a Wild West in need of more oversight. Here’s what experts say you need to know.
Doctors have likened outpatient vascular care to a Wild West in need of more oversight. Here’s what experts say you need to know.
Blocked Artery in Your Leg? Here’s What You Should Know.
A ProPublica investigation found that some doctors overuse invasive treatments for peripheral artery disease. So we talked to experts to learn what vascular patients should know when seeking care.
www.propublica.org
November 9, 2025 at 5:01 PM
About 6.5 million Americans have peripheral artery disease, caused by fatty deposits that block blood flow to the legs.
Doctors have likened outpatient vascular care to a Wild West in need of more oversight. Here’s what experts say you need to know.
Doctors have likened outpatient vascular care to a Wild West in need of more oversight. Here’s what experts say you need to know.
Rumours of a Plan B to try to rescue the Chinese astronauts stranded in the Tiangong #space station. Amazed more media isn't covering this.
www.thenews.com.pk/latest/13563...
www.thenews.com.pk/latest/13563...
China to activate ‘Plan B’ for astronauts stranded on Tiangong space station
Three Chinese astronauts are stranded at China’s Tiangong space station after their return capsule was damaged by space debris.Senior Colonel Chen Dong and crew members Colonel Chen Zhongrui...
www.thenews.com.pk
November 9, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Rumours of a Plan B to try to rescue the Chinese astronauts stranded in the Tiangong #space station. Amazed more media isn't covering this.
www.thenews.com.pk/latest/13563...
www.thenews.com.pk/latest/13563...
A plan "to protect tropical forests, which aims to raise $125 billion US and directly pay developing countries to halt deforestation, is taking shape at the #COP30 UN climate conference in Brazil this week."
#climate #environment #forests
www.cbc.ca/news/science...
#climate #environment #forests
www.cbc.ca/news/science...
Bold new fund to protect tropical forests takes shape at UN climate summit in Brazil | CBC News
A bold new plan to protect tropical forests, which aims to raise $125 billion US and directly pay developing countries to halt deforestation, is taking shape at the COP30 UN climate conference in Braz...
www.cbc.ca
November 9, 2025 at 4:31 PM
A plan "to protect tropical forests, which aims to raise $125 billion US and directly pay developing countries to halt deforestation, is taking shape at the #COP30 UN climate conference in Brazil this week."
#climate #environment #forests
www.cbc.ca/news/science...
#climate #environment #forests
www.cbc.ca/news/science...
A bad flu season is expected. A flu virus keeps mutating and isn't a good match for what's in the vaccine.
But you'll still get protection from the #vaccine against other strains -- just not as much from the mutating one.
#health #publichealth #medicine
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
But you'll still get protection from the #vaccine against other strains -- just not as much from the mutating one.
#health #publichealth #medicine
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
Canada could face ‘worst kind’ of flu season as experts warn evolving strain may be mismatch for vaccine | CBC News
With flu cases now rising in Canada, medical experts are bracing for a difficult influenza season linked to the global spread of an evolving H3N2 strain that could be a mismatch for this year’s vaccin...
www.cbc.ca
November 9, 2025 at 4:30 PM
A bad flu season is expected. A flu virus keeps mutating and isn't a good match for what's in the vaccine.
But you'll still get protection from the #vaccine against other strains -- just not as much from the mutating one.
#health #publichealth #medicine
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
But you'll still get protection from the #vaccine against other strains -- just not as much from the mutating one.
#health #publichealth #medicine
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
Dodgers fans made donations to a Toronto children's hospital.
But in the past, Jays fans donated to an LA hospital. Sportsmanship!
#baseball #BlueJays #Jays #Dodgers
torontolife.com/city/dodgers...
But in the past, Jays fans donated to an LA hospital. Sportsmanship!
#baseball #BlueJays #Jays #Dodgers
torontolife.com/city/dodgers...
Dodgers fans have donated $30,000 to SickKids - Toronto Life
If anything can make us feel better about the Jays' World Series loss, this is it
torontolife.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Dodgers fans made donations to a Toronto children's hospital.
But in the past, Jays fans donated to an LA hospital. Sportsmanship!
#baseball #BlueJays #Jays #Dodgers
torontolife.com/city/dodgers...
But in the past, Jays fans donated to an LA hospital. Sportsmanship!
#baseball #BlueJays #Jays #Dodgers
torontolife.com/city/dodgers...
Reposted
"Over a period of six months, researchers estimate that COVID-19 infections led to 2.24 extra cases of myocarditis or pericarditis per 100,000 children, while vaccinations led to 0.85 extra cases per 100,000."
www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic...
www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic...
Study compares heart risks of COVID-19 infection and vaccination, and the results may surprise you
The risk of children developing rare but serious heart complications is higher after a COVID-19 infection than after vaccination, according to a new study.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 7, 2025 at 3:50 AM
"Over a period of six months, researchers estimate that COVID-19 infections led to 2.24 extra cases of myocarditis or pericarditis per 100,000 children, while vaccinations led to 0.85 extra cases per 100,000."
www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic...
www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic...
I think the vast majority of Canadians would agree. We don't want another federal election right now.
November 7, 2025 at 11:06 PM
I think the vast majority of Canadians would agree. We don't want another federal election right now.
The yearly Farmer's Almanac is ceasing publication after an impressive 208 years. It was always such an interesting read. If you haven't heard of it, go to a library or bookstore and find one. #FarmersAlmanac
abcnews.go.com/Business/wir...
abcnews.go.com/Business/wir...
Farmers' Almanac say it will cease publication after 208 years
A 208-year-old publication that farmers, gardeners and others keen to predict the weather have relied on for guidance will be publishing for the final time
abcnews.go.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:59 PM
The yearly Farmer's Almanac is ceasing publication after an impressive 208 years. It was always such an interesting read. If you haven't heard of it, go to a library or bookstore and find one. #FarmersAlmanac
abcnews.go.com/Business/wir...
abcnews.go.com/Business/wir...
Reposted
🛰️ Welcome to Kourou, #Galileo!
After crossing the Atlantic Ocean, two Galileo satellites have safely arrived in Kourou in preparation for their upcoming launch on Ariane 6 #VA266.
ESA, EUSPA and OHB SE teams are on site to prepare for the next launch from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
After crossing the Atlantic Ocean, two Galileo satellites have safely arrived in Kourou in preparation for their upcoming launch on Ariane 6 #VA266.
ESA, EUSPA and OHB SE teams are on site to prepare for the next launch from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
November 7, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Reposted
🧪The strange anatomy of the spotted hyena matriarch sure makes me feel grateful that I was born with human reproductive organs 😳
www.lbscience.org/en/2025/11/0...
@lbscience.org
www.lbscience.org/en/2025/11/0...
@lbscience.org
Fun Fact: Spotted Hyena Females Have a Functional Pseudo-Penis - Little, Big Science
The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is a sophisticated predator with a matriarchal social structure—a society dominated by females—and an anatomy that challenges everything we thought we knew about th...
www.lbscience.org
November 7, 2025 at 12:23 AM
🧪The strange anatomy of the spotted hyena matriarch sure makes me feel grateful that I was born with human reproductive organs 😳
www.lbscience.org/en/2025/11/0...
@lbscience.org
www.lbscience.org/en/2025/11/0...
@lbscience.org
Reposted
🐙 Scripps Oceanography scientists have engineered bacteria to mass‑produce the pigment that lets octopuses and squids change color! This breakthrough not only sheds light on animal chemistry but also paves the way for sustainable, bio‑based materials. t.co/Oitp8NnntR
November 6, 2025 at 5:19 PM
🐙 Scripps Oceanography scientists have engineered bacteria to mass‑produce the pigment that lets octopuses and squids change color! This breakthrough not only sheds light on animal chemistry but also paves the way for sustainable, bio‑based materials. t.co/Oitp8NnntR
"China is now making more money from exporting green technology than America makes from exporting #fossil fuels."
#oil #oilandgas #green #renewables
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
#oil #oilandgas #green #renewables
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
China’s clean-energy revolution will reshape markets and politics
The world’s biggest manufacturer now has an interest in the world decarbonising
www.economist.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:50 PM
"China is now making more money from exporting green technology than America makes from exporting #fossil fuels."
#oil #oilandgas #green #renewables
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
#oil #oilandgas #green #renewables
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
Print copies of "From Typewriters to Twitter" are now available. I helped create this fun book for the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada (SWCC). It's a snapshot history of science writing in Canada and covers the 1960s through 2021.To buy copies, contact the SWCC office.
sciencewriters.ca
sciencewriters.ca
November 7, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Print copies of "From Typewriters to Twitter" are now available. I helped create this fun book for the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada (SWCC). It's a snapshot history of science writing in Canada and covers the 1960s through 2021.To buy copies, contact the SWCC office.
sciencewriters.ca
sciencewriters.ca
"more than 111,000 spiders thriving in what appears to be the world's largest spider web... This is the first evidence of colonial behaviour in two common #spider species and likely represents the largest spider web in the world." #entymology #habitat www.euronews.com/green/2025/1...
World's biggest spiderweb discovered on the Albanian-Greek border
This is the first evidence of colonial behaviour in two common spider species and probably represents the largest spider web in the world.
www.euronews.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:12 PM
"more than 111,000 spiders thriving in what appears to be the world's largest spider web... This is the first evidence of colonial behaviour in two common #spider species and likely represents the largest spider web in the world." #entymology #habitat www.euronews.com/green/2025/1...
Chinese astronauts in orbit are now trapped after their return vehicle was hit by #space junk.
btw there are no controls over who can send things into space, how many things, when, or where.
futurism.com/space/china-...
btw there are no controls over who can send things into space, how many things, when, or where.
futurism.com/space/china-...
Chinese Astronauts Stuck in Space After Suspected Damage to Return Craft
China was forced to postpone the return of three astronauts from its Tiangong space station following a suspected collision with space debris.
futurism.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Chinese astronauts in orbit are now trapped after their return vehicle was hit by #space junk.
btw there are no controls over who can send things into space, how many things, when, or where.
futurism.com/space/china-...
btw there are no controls over who can send things into space, how many things, when, or where.
futurism.com/space/china-...
Not so secret. But an unknown impact on important crab migrations. #tech #biology #crabs #Australia #ecosystem
arstechnica.com/ai/2025/11/g...
arstechnica.com/ai/2025/11/g...
Google plans secret AI military outpost on tiny island overrun by crabs
Christmas Island facility would support naval surveillance in strategic Indo-Pacific waters.
arstechnica.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Not so secret. But an unknown impact on important crab migrations. #tech #biology #crabs #Australia #ecosystem
arstechnica.com/ai/2025/11/g...
arstechnica.com/ai/2025/11/g...
Reposted
Ancient DNA studies usually link changes in lifestyle and language in the past to population movements. But not always! A new study in @nature.com reveals a South American ancestry that stayed steady for 8,500 years, despite major cultural and linguistic shifts. @science.org 🏺 🧬
Mystery group lived in central Argentina for millennia, ancient DNA reveals
New study fills major gap in genetic map of ancient human migrations
www.science.org
November 5, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Ancient DNA studies usually link changes in lifestyle and language in the past to population movements. But not always! A new study in @nature.com reveals a South American ancestry that stayed steady for 8,500 years, despite major cultural and linguistic shifts. @science.org 🏺 🧬
Reposted
Good morning with good news: Good morning with good news: Plug-in EV were 38.21% of the UK's auto sales in October!
BEV (up 25%) & PHEV (up 31%) sales surge in 2025 from Jan-Oct, compared to 2024!
Petrol sales plunge 25%.
Diesel sales fall 17%.
#energysky storage.googleapis.com/public_downl...
BEV (up 25%) & PHEV (up 31%) sales surge in 2025 from Jan-Oct, compared to 2024!
Petrol sales plunge 25%.
Diesel sales fall 17%.
#energysky storage.googleapis.com/public_downl...
November 6, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Good morning with good news: Good morning with good news: Plug-in EV were 38.21% of the UK's auto sales in October!
BEV (up 25%) & PHEV (up 31%) sales surge in 2025 from Jan-Oct, compared to 2024!
Petrol sales plunge 25%.
Diesel sales fall 17%.
#energysky storage.googleapis.com/public_downl...
BEV (up 25%) & PHEV (up 31%) sales surge in 2025 from Jan-Oct, compared to 2024!
Petrol sales plunge 25%.
Diesel sales fall 17%.
#energysky storage.googleapis.com/public_downl...