Carmen Drahl
@carmendrahl.bsky.social
DC-based freelance journalist and editor | science, health, food | ✍️ DCist, Knowable, NPR, Science News | NASW Freelance Committee | Chemistry Ph.D. 🧪 | Inglés y Español | she/her
Happy #TON15, @theopennotebook.bsky.social ! I'll speak from experience: even TON mentors can learn from this wonderful organization about journalistic rigor and empathy. Donations today will be matched by orgs like my former newsroom @cenmag.bsky.social www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
October 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Happy #TON15, @theopennotebook.bsky.social ! I'll speak from experience: even TON mentors can learn from this wonderful organization about journalistic rigor and empathy. Donations today will be matched by orgs like my former newsroom @cenmag.bsky.social www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
This is pure inspiration for kids to want to become scientists. Bravo @beebrookshire.bsky.social for balancing joy and pragmatism in a story about a small clinical trial. A pleasure to edit you!
In reporting this piece on the new trial for a Huntington's treatment, I was struck by one thing in particular:
The joy.
One of my sources wept for joy. He has spent his entire career studying this disease, he said it was the happiest day. www.sciencenews.org/article/hunt...
The joy.
One of my sources wept for joy. He has spent his entire career studying this disease, he said it was the happiest day. www.sciencenews.org/article/hunt...
Huntington's progression slowed by experimental gene therapy
An experimental gene therapy slowed Huntington’s by up to 75 percent in a small clinical trial. While not a cure, it may give patients longer lives.
www.sciencenews.org
September 26, 2025 at 7:29 PM
This is pure inspiration for kids to want to become scientists. Bravo @beebrookshire.bsky.social for balancing joy and pragmatism in a story about a small clinical trial. A pleasure to edit you!
Tomorrow 1PM ET: My colleague @sarahderouin.com will be hosting a supportive virtual gathering for caregivers who are members of @sciencewriters.org . Join me!
Event link: www.nasw.org/events/careg...
Not a member? nasw.org/join
Not a member? nasw.org/join
Community wellness check-in for caregivers
In response to members’ feedback, and on the heels of our Caregiver Pilot Project, we are holding a community wellness event for caregivers.
www.nasw.org
July 15, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Tomorrow 1PM ET: My colleague @sarahderouin.com will be hosting a supportive virtual gathering for caregivers who are members of @sciencewriters.org . Join me!
Event link: www.nasw.org/events/careg...
Not a member? nasw.org/join
Not a member? nasw.org/join
Un placer editar a Lucila Pinto mientras entrelazaba dos voces en este Q&A.
Los becarios de @pulitzercenter.bsky.social @christianelliott.me y Muriel Alarcón viajaron a la Patagonia para informar sobre una de las primeras reproducciones de corales de aguas frías en un laboratorio. Aquí te contamos cómo abordaron sus reportajes. #TONenEspañol
Christian Elliott y Muriel Alarcón se adaptan mientras cubren un hito de los corales patagónicos - The Open Notebook
Durante un viaje de reporteo a la Patagonia, los periodistas científicos Muriel Alarcón y Christian Elliott se unieron para cubrir un hito científico: la reproducción exitosa en un laboratorio de cora...
www.theopennotebook.com
July 15, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Un placer editar a Lucila Pinto mientras entrelazaba dos voces en este Q&A.
A step toward a Tony Stark-like 3D display you can manipulate? @sciencenews.bsky.social is here for it. Say hi to @elanaspivack.bsky.social , the newest team member on the Investors Lab newsletter, and subscribe for more insights. www.sciencenews.org/investors-la... 🧪 #space #bioplastic
Cleaner space, purer hearts, + what's new in 3D and energy | Science News
Welcome to the Investors Lab from Science News. This week's issue is brought to you by our small but mighty team: our founding content curator Susanna Camp,
https://www.sciencenews.org/investors-lab/cleaner-space-purer-hearts-whats-new-in-3d-and-energy-⚡%EF%B8%8F
June 17, 2025 at 6:50 PM
A step toward a Tony Stark-like 3D display you can manipulate? @sciencenews.bsky.social is here for it. Say hi to @elanaspivack.bsky.social , the newest team member on the Investors Lab newsletter, and subscribe for more insights. www.sciencenews.org/investors-la... 🧪 #space #bioplastic
The question I should've asked: where can I go to see #neuroscience and ethics expert @narayansankaran.bsky.social play some jazz guitar? My latest story for @kavlifoundation.org . 🧪 #neuroskyence www.kavlifoundation.org/news/wire-th...
If we wire the brain, what comes to mind?
The Kavli Foundation is dedicated to advancing science for the benefit of humanity.
www.kavlifoundation.org
June 17, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The question I should've asked: where can I go to see #neuroscience and ethics expert @narayansankaran.bsky.social play some jazz guitar? My latest story for @kavlifoundation.org . 🧪 #neuroskyence www.kavlifoundation.org/news/wire-th...
When I was a staff journalist, it felt like someone pitched a new #graphene advance every week. So it was delightful to work with @stephenornes.bsky.social on one aspect of this field that might enable #greenelectronics. My first edit for @pnas.org : #chemsky 🧪 ⚛️ www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Laser-induced graphene points to sustainable electronics | PNAS
Laser-induced graphene points to sustainable electronics
www.pnas.org
June 9, 2025 at 4:14 PM
When I was a staff journalist, it felt like someone pitched a new #graphene advance every week. So it was delightful to work with @stephenornes.bsky.social on one aspect of this field that might enable #greenelectronics. My first edit for @pnas.org : #chemsky 🧪 ⚛️ www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
I'd never heard of the saola until I edited Tom Metcalfe's piece for @sciencenews.bsky.social . Now I'll be keeping tabs on what their fate will be. www.sciencenews.org/article/gene... 🧪
Genetics might save the rare, elusive saola — if it's not already extinct
A new genetic study could help saolas survive by enabling better searches through environmental DNA. But some experts fear they may be extinct already.
www.sciencenews.org
May 29, 2025 at 3:50 PM
I'd never heard of the saola until I edited Tom Metcalfe's piece for @sciencenews.bsky.social . Now I'll be keeping tabs on what their fate will be. www.sciencenews.org/article/gene... 🧪
I want to believe that costs could decrease for custom gene editing like KJ's. But the current landscape has me pessimistic. Great to work w @thsaey.bsky.social, who ably lays out this story for @sciencenews.bsky.social : 🩺🧪https://www.sciencenews.org/article/personalized-crispr-gene-edit-therapy
Personalized gene editing saved a baby, but the tech’s future is uncertain
The personalized CRISPR treatment could be the future of gene therapy, but hurdles remain before everyone has access.
www.sciencenews.org
May 29, 2025 at 3:36 PM
I want to believe that costs could decrease for custom gene editing like KJ's. But the current landscape has me pessimistic. Great to work w @thsaey.bsky.social, who ably lays out this story for @sciencenews.bsky.social : 🩺🧪https://www.sciencenews.org/article/personalized-crispr-gene-edit-therapy
This was chock full of pithy quotes, like: “People say, ‘We got to the moon, why can’t we do this?’ Well, the moon didn’t suddenly move out of the way." Fun to get to edit my former @dcswa.bsky.social prez @econover.bsky.social for @sciencenews.bsky.social ⚛️ 🧪
Scientists on Golden Dome: "Even the most optimistic assumptions ... would suggest that that is impossible.” www.sciencenews.org/article/gold... My story for @sciencenews.bsky.social
Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ plan has a major obstacle: Physics
Scientists suggest the missile defense plan will face big hurdles, especially given its projected timeline and cost.
www.sciencenews.org
May 22, 2025 at 4:46 PM
This was chock full of pithy quotes, like: “People say, ‘We got to the moon, why can’t we do this?’ Well, the moon didn’t suddenly move out of the way." Fun to get to edit my former @dcswa.bsky.social prez @econover.bsky.social for @sciencenews.bsky.social ⚛️ 🧪
ICYMI, here's @skylerdware.bsky.social in @sciencenews.bsky.social explaining a possible alternative to #PFAS chemicals in certain surfactant applications. I enjoyed editing and finding the fabric art: www.sciencenews.org/article/alte... #chemsky 🧪
Scientists home in on alternatives to ‘forever chemicals’
Bulky molecules mimic some properties of PFAS without their long-lasting chemical bonds and could replace PFAS in some water-repelling applications.
www.sciencenews.org
May 13, 2025 at 9:58 PM
ICYMI, here's @skylerdware.bsky.social in @sciencenews.bsky.social explaining a possible alternative to #PFAS chemicals in certain surfactant applications. I enjoyed editing and finding the fabric art: www.sciencenews.org/article/alte... #chemsky 🧪
Soot from fires in the Amazon that traveled through atmospheric corridors could have reached the Antarctic, where it would darken snow and ice to hasten melting. My first time editing @meghier.bsky.social for @sciencenews.bsky.social : www.sciencenews.org/article/anta... #GreenSky 🧪
Fires in the Amazon forest may melt sea ice in Antarctica
Satellite data reveal a link between the amount of black carbon in the atmosphere and rates of Antarctic sea ice loss in recent years.
www.sciencenews.org
April 25, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Soot from fires in the Amazon that traveled through atmospheric corridors could have reached the Antarctic, where it would darken snow and ice to hasten melting. My first time editing @meghier.bsky.social for @sciencenews.bsky.social : www.sciencenews.org/article/anta... #GreenSky 🧪
Read all the way to the end of Meghan's thread. I covered alpha gal in 2017 and scientists have learned a lot since then. Grateful to be able to catch up by editing her story. 🧪 #publichealth
In Washington and Maine, scientists have ID’d two cases of a rare red meat allergy triggered by tick bites. What’s notable about this?
These cases appear to have been caused by tick species never before linked to the allergy, called alpha gal syndrome. www.sciencenews.org/article/tick...
These cases appear to have been caused by tick species never before linked to the allergy, called alpha gal syndrome. www.sciencenews.org/article/tick...
Three U.S tick species may cause a mysterious red meat allergy
Two cases of alpha-gal syndrome suggest that the lone star tick isn’t the only species in the United States capable of triggering an allergy to red meat.
www.sciencenews.org
April 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Read all the way to the end of Meghan's thread. I covered alpha gal in 2017 and scientists have learned a lot since then. Grateful to be able to catch up by editing her story. 🧪 #publichealth
Reposted by Carmen Drahl
Join DCSWA members on April 19 to enjoy a fun science trivia night with food and drinks! No registration is needed, just show up and have a good time with us!
📌 Closest metro station: Shaw - Howard University.
📌 Closest metro station: Shaw - Howard University.
April 5, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Join DCSWA members on April 19 to enjoy a fun science trivia night with food and drinks! No registration is needed, just show up and have a good time with us!
📌 Closest metro station: Shaw - Howard University.
📌 Closest metro station: Shaw - Howard University.
This is the kind of story that takes a LOT more work and reporting behind the scenes than shows up in the final product. Bravo, McKenzie (who is a dream to edit, BTW). #Immunocompromised #MedSky #PublicHealth #SDoH
Clinical trials across the U.S. have suddenly stopped due to actions by the Trump administration. I talked to several researchers involved in such studies, a patient advocate & @apha.org about the impacts
#NIH #HHS #Trump #ClinicalResearch #ClinicalTrials #COVID #HIV #SexualHealth #MaternalHealth 🧪
#NIH #HHS #Trump #ClinicalResearch #ClinicalTrials #COVID #HIV #SexualHealth #MaternalHealth 🧪
Clinical trials face uncertain futures amid Trump cuts
The Trump administration has reportedly disrupted over 100 clinical trials. Science News spoke to researchers about the impacts on four of them.
www.sciencenews.org
April 18, 2025 at 2:18 PM
This is the kind of story that takes a LOT more work and reporting behind the scenes than shows up in the final product. Bravo, McKenzie (who is a dream to edit, BTW). #Immunocompromised #MedSky #PublicHealth #SDoH
Who bears responsibility for the big questions that emerge from world-changing science? Proud to tell these awardees' stories. #chemsky 📈 ⚛️ 🧪 🔭 🧮 #AcademicSky
We are excited to announce new grants in "Ethics, Science, and the Public." These projects will explore societal and ethical considerations of basic research projects.
www.kavlifoundation.org/science-and-...
#scicomm #sciengage #basicscience #discoveryscience
www.kavlifoundation.org/science-and-...
#scicomm #sciengage #basicscience #discoveryscience
Announcing New Grants in Ethics, Science, and the Public
The Kavli Foundation is dedicated to advancing science for the benefit of humanity.
www.kavlifoundation.org
March 6, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Who bears responsibility for the big questions that emerge from world-changing science? Proud to tell these awardees' stories. #chemsky 📈 ⚛️ 🧪 🔭 🧮 #AcademicSky
@andreatamayo.bsky.social and I dug into the numbers to give context to the headlines about an 18-year survivor of CAR-T cell therapy for neuroblastoma. Story in @sciencenews.bsky.social : www.sciencenews.org/article/car-... #medsky
A child who got CAR-T cancer therapy is still disease-free 18 years later
The long-term survival of a patient with neuroblastoma suggests the personalized cancer treatment may work for solid tumors, not just blood cancers.
www.sciencenews.org
March 5, 2025 at 4:57 PM
@andreatamayo.bsky.social and I dug into the numbers to give context to the headlines about an 18-year survivor of CAR-T cell therapy for neuroblastoma. Story in @sciencenews.bsky.social : www.sciencenews.org/article/car-... #medsky
“Men are doing quote, unquote ‘women’s work,’” closing U.S. gender gaps in time spent on tasks like meal prep and tidying up. I edited Sujata Gupta's story for @sciencenews.bsky.social : www.sciencenews.org/article/marr...
Married men are doing more cleaning and laundry than in the past
Some scholars argue that efforts to equalize the time men and women spend on housework has stalled. An analysis reveals slow progress.
www.sciencenews.org
February 28, 2025 at 6:45 PM
“Men are doing quote, unquote ‘women’s work,’” closing U.S. gender gaps in time spent on tasks like meal prep and tidying up. I edited Sujata Gupta's story for @sciencenews.bsky.social : www.sciencenews.org/article/marr...
Watch this space - I'll be developing four stories with Lucila Pinto over the course of her @theopennotebook.bsky.social fellowship. Echen un vistazo al reportaje de Lucila en @lanacioncom.bsky.social sobre el problema de ilustrar reportajes sobre #IA. #journalism #science #AI
Big news! We’re thrilled to welcome our newest class of early-career fellows, supported by @bwfund.bsky.social. Let us introduce you to… 🧪
Congratulations and Welcome to TON's 2025 Early-Career Fellows - The Open Notebook
We are excited to introduce our newest early-career fellows, Lucila Pinto, William von Herff, and Skyler Ware. With generous support from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Lucila, William, and Skyler will ...
www.theopennotebook.com
February 18, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Watch this space - I'll be developing four stories with Lucila Pinto over the course of her @theopennotebook.bsky.social fellowship. Echen un vistazo al reportaje de Lucila en @lanacioncom.bsky.social sobre el problema de ilustrar reportajes sobre #IA. #journalism #science #AI
Reposted by Carmen Drahl
ANNOUNCEMENT: The National Association of Science Writers once again welcome entries for its journalism awards and its institutional writing awards. Submit #SciWriAwards nominations on behalf of yourself, peers, colleagues, or mentees by February 1, 2025: www.nasw.org/article... 💚🧪📝
December 4, 2024 at 8:25 PM
ANNOUNCEMENT: The National Association of Science Writers once again welcome entries for its journalism awards and its institutional writing awards. Submit #SciWriAwards nominations on behalf of yourself, peers, colleagues, or mentees by February 1, 2025: www.nasw.org/article... 💚🧪📝
I have never felt happiness in my liver. But as @bittelmethis.bsky.social 's story explains, that concept came up quite a bit 3,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Latest edit for
@haleyweiss.bsky.social @sciencenews.bsky.social .🏺#langsky 🧪 www.sciencenews.org/article/link...
@haleyweiss.bsky.social @sciencenews.bsky.social .🏺#langsky 🧪 www.sciencenews.org/article/link...
Humans have linked emotions to the same body parts for 3,000 years
3,000-year-old clay tablets show that some associations between emotion and parts of the body have remained the same for millennia.
www.sciencenews.org
December 13, 2024 at 6:27 PM
I have never felt happiness in my liver. But as @bittelmethis.bsky.social 's story explains, that concept came up quite a bit 3,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Latest edit for
@haleyweiss.bsky.social @sciencenews.bsky.social .🏺#langsky 🧪 www.sciencenews.org/article/link...
@haleyweiss.bsky.social @sciencenews.bsky.social .🏺#langsky 🧪 www.sciencenews.org/article/link...
Coming up in 20 minutes...
STARTING NOW AT 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT: NASW members, join us for a special #SciWriSocial year-end trivia contest party! Hosted by our Freelance Committee but open to all NASW members. Enjoy the fun with familiar friends and new colleagues as we wrap this #NASW90th year: www.nasw.org/events/... 💚🧪📝
Virtual Networking Social: Trivia Contest!
This latest NASW Virtual Networking Social is brought to you by the NASW Freelance Committee.
www.nasw.org
December 5, 2024 at 5:41 PM
Coming up in 20 minutes...
Reposted by Carmen Drahl
Please help spread the word to #FirstGen college juniors & seniors. Paid #mentorship opp over 5 wks starting 1/8/2025! Applications due Dec 17th. Only three spots available! Gratitude for grant funding from @sciencewriters.org
See sites.google.com/uri.edu/disc...
See sites.google.com/uri.edu/disc...
Discovering Journalism
Wednesday, January 8 - Wednesday, February 12, 2025
sites.google.com
December 3, 2024 at 11:52 PM
Please help spread the word to #FirstGen college juniors & seniors. Paid #mentorship opp over 5 wks starting 1/8/2025! Applications due Dec 17th. Only three spots available! Gratitude for grant funding from @sciencewriters.org
See sites.google.com/uri.edu/disc...
See sites.google.com/uri.edu/disc...
I'm once again emcee'ing trivia for @sciencewriters.org. 💚🧪📝 There will be science questions, but expect some pop culture thrown into the mix. THIS THURSDAY, 1PM ET:
NASW Members: You're invited to attend a special #SciWriSocial year-end trivia contest party on December 5! Hosted by our NASW Freelance Committee but open to all NASW members. Come share a laugh with familiar friends and new colleagues as we wrap this #NASW90th year: www.nasw.org/events/... 💚🧪📝
December 2, 2024 at 10:07 PM
I'm once again emcee'ing trivia for @sciencewriters.org. 💚🧪📝 There will be science questions, but expect some pop culture thrown into the mix. THIS THURSDAY, 1PM ET:
I'm back from @sciencewriters.org #SciWri24 meeting in Raleigh. Lots of inspiration to go around, including the conversation I had at the #sciwrimentoring session with Alex Music and Ashleigh Jones. Thanks to Czerne Reid for sparking these connections.
November 13, 2024 at 7:56 PM
I'm back from @sciencewriters.org #SciWri24 meeting in Raleigh. Lots of inspiration to go around, including the conversation I had at the #sciwrimentoring session with Alex Music and Ashleigh Jones. Thanks to Czerne Reid for sparking these connections.