Dan Fulop
@danfulop.bsky.social
Caraqueño | Evol 🌱 Biologist / recovering orchidologist | Velocipedder 🚲 | DataSci/Bioinfo 🇺🇸🇻🇪🇵🇸🕊️🇮🇱
Pinned
Dan Fulop
@danfulop.bsky.social
· Dec 13
Why can’t / doesn’t LATAM step up its Cacao production to meet global demand?
After all, Theobroma cacao is native to northern South America
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co...
After all, Theobroma cacao is native to northern South America
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co...
Reposted by Dan Fulop
The weird new ant paper that shows queens laying eggs of a completely different species has me thinking that more species are probably cloning sperm in their spermathecae than we’d thought.
After all, most queens only mate once and cloning would be a great mechanism for keeping the party going.
After all, most queens only mate once and cloning would be a great mechanism for keeping the party going.
Ant queen lays eggs that hatch into two species
Bizarre discovery of interspecies cloning “almost impossible to believe,” biologists say
www.science.org
September 4, 2025 at 10:02 PM
The weird new ant paper that shows queens laying eggs of a completely different species has me thinking that more species are probably cloning sperm in their spermathecae than we’d thought.
After all, most queens only mate once and cloning would be a great mechanism for keeping the party going.
After all, most queens only mate once and cloning would be a great mechanism for keeping the party going.
Reposted by Dan Fulop
Not really all that happy that the prime years of my life will be spent watching the world have to re-learn all the lessons we learned from 1900-1945
BREAKING | DeSantis to make Florida first state to end all vaccine mandates for schools
DeSantis to make Florida first state to end all vaccine mandates for schools
www.independent.co.uk
September 3, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Not really all that happy that the prime years of my life will be spent watching the world have to re-learn all the lessons we learned from 1900-1945
Best birthday present
September 1, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Best birthday present
Reposted by Dan Fulop
I'm tired of playing nice. I've been talking to Joe Jacobson from Progressive Action Fund about creating an ad targeting vulnerable members of Congress on cuts to scientific research at NIH and other agencies. I've raise about $30,000 for this but we need $50K. 1/ secure.actblue.com/donate/paf20...
CHIP IN BEFORE MIDNIGHT >>
Help Progress Action Fund DEFEAT Republicans, ensure Democrats take back control of the House, Senate & Presidency!
secure.actblue.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I'm tired of playing nice. I've been talking to Joe Jacobson from Progressive Action Fund about creating an ad targeting vulnerable members of Congress on cuts to scientific research at NIH and other agencies. I've raise about $30,000 for this but we need $50K. 1/ secure.actblue.com/donate/paf20...
PSA: never plant Goji berry bushes directly in the ground
These mfers are tenaciously invasive
These shoots continue to come up from a few bits of root within a week or so of being removed
I’m gonna have to dig up this whole section to remove any root remnants
These mfers are tenaciously invasive
These shoots continue to come up from a few bits of root within a week or so of being removed
I’m gonna have to dig up this whole section to remove any root remnants
August 28, 2025 at 1:36 PM
PSA: never plant Goji berry bushes directly in the ground
These mfers are tenaciously invasive
These shoots continue to come up from a few bits of root within a week or so of being removed
I’m gonna have to dig up this whole section to remove any root remnants
These mfers are tenaciously invasive
These shoots continue to come up from a few bits of root within a week or so of being removed
I’m gonna have to dig up this whole section to remove any root remnants
lol, mushroom fruiting bodies poking out of my worm compost bin
August 15, 2025 at 4:02 PM
lol, mushroom fruiting bodies poking out of my worm compost bin
Reposted by Dan Fulop
I go by there all the time. They hosted the dinner for the Law v. Antisemitism conference.
Oregon Jewish Museum defaced with swastikas; police seek help in similar incident elsewhere
Two incidents in two months are being investigated as hate crimes.
www.oregonlive.com
August 3, 2025 at 12:05 AM
I go by there all the time. They hosted the dinner for the Law v. Antisemitism conference.
Reposted by Dan Fulop
Larry Summers: "This is way beyond anything Nixon ever did ... this is the stuff of democracies giving way to authoritarianism. Firing statisticians goes with threatening the heads of newspapers, launching assaults on universities, launching assaults on law firms. This is really scary stuff."
August 3, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Larry Summers: "This is way beyond anything Nixon ever did ... this is the stuff of democracies giving way to authoritarianism. Firing statisticians goes with threatening the heads of newspapers, launching assaults on universities, launching assaults on law firms. This is really scary stuff."
I just found a dead and rotting bunny in our garden shed
FUCK!
How do I get rid of it safely?!
FUCK!
How do I get rid of it safely?!
July 26, 2025 at 11:27 AM
I just found a dead and rotting bunny in our garden shed
FUCK!
How do I get rid of it safely?!
FUCK!
How do I get rid of it safely?!
Reposted by Dan Fulop
Instead of mitigating transportation costs, auto interest deductions are a $30B giveaway to the affluent and those who sell cars for a living.
The new GOP tax break will further push people to drive, worsening pollution, road safety, and inequality.
It’s a near-platonic ideal of terrible policy.
The new GOP tax break will further push people to drive, worsening pollution, road safety, and inequality.
It’s a near-platonic ideal of terrible policy.
The High Costs of Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful’ New Car Loan Deduction
By letting some buyers deduct interest on auto loans, the GOP megabill promises to lower transportation bills. But this tax break could do the opposite.
www.bloomberg.com
July 23, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Instead of mitigating transportation costs, auto interest deductions are a $30B giveaway to the affluent and those who sell cars for a living.
The new GOP tax break will further push people to drive, worsening pollution, road safety, and inequality.
It’s a near-platonic ideal of terrible policy.
The new GOP tax break will further push people to drive, worsening pollution, road safety, and inequality.
It’s a near-platonic ideal of terrible policy.
July 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Love the wrinkles on soaking beans
July 15, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Love the wrinkles on soaking beans
Reposted by Dan Fulop
If you do a close read not only of the Bible but the archeology,
it starts to look like the Israelites, & all but a couple of Judean kings, worshipped a goddess for pretty much the whole First Temple era.
The implications of this are... far ranging--
& her name might not be what we've believed.
it starts to look like the Israelites, & all but a couple of Judean kings, worshipped a goddess for pretty much the whole First Temple era.
The implications of this are... far ranging--
& her name might not be what we've believed.
Israelite Goddess Mystery Quest
smashing pillars / tracing echoes
www.lifeisasacredtext.com
May 27, 2025 at 3:31 PM
If you do a close read not only of the Bible but the archeology,
it starts to look like the Israelites, & all but a couple of Judean kings, worshipped a goddess for pretty much the whole First Temple era.
The implications of this are... far ranging--
& her name might not be what we've believed.
it starts to look like the Israelites, & all but a couple of Judean kings, worshipped a goddess for pretty much the whole First Temple era.
The implications of this are... far ranging--
& her name might not be what we've believed.
What the F are we doing here?!
BREAKING: In a serious blow to US pandemic flu preparedness, HHS has cancelled a contract with Moderna to test and license prototype vaccines for #H5N1 #birdflu and other potential pandemic viruses.
In a pandemic, mRNA is the fastest way to vaccine doses. www.statnews.com/2025/05/28/m...
In a pandemic, mRNA is the fastest way to vaccine doses. www.statnews.com/2025/05/28/m...
HHS cancels nearly $600 million Moderna contract on vaccines for flu pandemics
HHS has notified Moderna that it is canceling a nearly $600 million contract for vaccines for flu strains that could trigger future pandemics.
www.statnews.com
May 28, 2025 at 10:08 PM
What the F are we doing here?!
Reposted by Dan Fulop
BREAKING: In a serious blow to US pandemic flu preparedness, HHS has cancelled a contract with Moderna to test and license prototype vaccines for #H5N1 #birdflu and other potential pandemic viruses.
In a pandemic, mRNA is the fastest way to vaccine doses. www.statnews.com/2025/05/28/m...
In a pandemic, mRNA is the fastest way to vaccine doses. www.statnews.com/2025/05/28/m...
HHS cancels nearly $600 million Moderna contract on vaccines for flu pandemics
HHS has notified Moderna that it is canceling a nearly $600 million contract for vaccines for flu strains that could trigger future pandemics.
www.statnews.com
May 28, 2025 at 10:02 PM
BREAKING: In a serious blow to US pandemic flu preparedness, HHS has cancelled a contract with Moderna to test and license prototype vaccines for #H5N1 #birdflu and other potential pandemic viruses.
In a pandemic, mRNA is the fastest way to vaccine doses. www.statnews.com/2025/05/28/m...
In a pandemic, mRNA is the fastest way to vaccine doses. www.statnews.com/2025/05/28/m...
Reposted by Dan Fulop
they’re well aware of how weak their position is — both in court and with the public — are are desperate to manufacture a “win” from nothing vs a conspicuous defeat on both counts
*courts will rule against them
*patient groups will protest being made into bargaining chips and human shields
*courts will rule against them
*patient groups will protest being made into bargaining chips and human shields
Linda McMahon, the country’s top education official, wants to reopen talks with Harvard University, but offered little indication that the Trump administration would consider changing its aggressive tactics to ease the standoff with the university.
Education Secretary Wants Talks With Harvard to Resume, Without Giving Ground
www.nytimes.com
May 17, 2025 at 10:02 PM
they’re well aware of how weak their position is — both in court and with the public — are are desperate to manufacture a “win” from nothing vs a conspicuous defeat on both counts
*courts will rule against them
*patient groups will protest being made into bargaining chips and human shields
*courts will rule against them
*patient groups will protest being made into bargaining chips and human shields
Reposted by Dan Fulop
The damage here is immense and long-lasting.
I have decades-long collaborations with scientists in Europe. Collaborations that have been extremely productive. Collaborations with zero Federal dollars going overseas.
All of that is now in jeopardy.
Trying to find US workarounds, but no one wins.
I have decades-long collaborations with scientists in Europe. Collaborations that have been extremely productive. Collaborations with zero Federal dollars going overseas.
All of that is now in jeopardy.
Trying to find US workarounds, but no one wins.
Trump administration is now discouraging scientific research in America that involves global partners. The effect risks the research being cancelled. This is a race to to the bottom.
New N.I.H. Policy Threatens Global Science Collaborations
www.nytimes.com
May 16, 2025 at 1:23 AM
The damage here is immense and long-lasting.
I have decades-long collaborations with scientists in Europe. Collaborations that have been extremely productive. Collaborations with zero Federal dollars going overseas.
All of that is now in jeopardy.
Trying to find US workarounds, but no one wins.
I have decades-long collaborations with scientists in Europe. Collaborations that have been extremely productive. Collaborations with zero Federal dollars going overseas.
All of that is now in jeopardy.
Trying to find US workarounds, but no one wins.
Then a short while later 2 more incidents happened:
1) one of our windows was shattered by what seemed like a BB gun shot (it could’ve been a nearby lawnmower kicking up a stone, although that’s a bit of a stretch)
1) one of our windows was shattered by what seemed like a BB gun shot (it could’ve been a nearby lawnmower kicking up a stone, although that’s a bit of a stretch)
Something like this happened to me about a year ago where a supposed cop in an unmarked car followed me home while I was biking (with the pretense that I had ran a totally innocuous red light in an intersection where the bike lane is totally beyond any cars)
🚨 This good neighbor caught shady “agents” in Highland, IL claiming to do wellness checks—each wearing mismatched vests labeled FBI/ICE/ERO/police.
Since when do they roll up together like that?
Vigilante brown shirts are testing boundaries.
Stay safe. Know your rights. #OnYourSide
Since when do they roll up together like that?
Vigilante brown shirts are testing boundaries.
Stay safe. Know your rights. #OnYourSide
May 15, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Then a short while later 2 more incidents happened:
1) one of our windows was shattered by what seemed like a BB gun shot (it could’ve been a nearby lawnmower kicking up a stone, although that’s a bit of a stretch)
1) one of our windows was shattered by what seemed like a BB gun shot (it could’ve been a nearby lawnmower kicking up a stone, although that’s a bit of a stretch)
Something like this happened to me about a year ago where a supposed cop in an unmarked car followed me home while I was biking (with the pretense that I had ran a totally innocuous red light in an intersection where the bike lane is totally beyond any cars)
🚨 This good neighbor caught shady “agents” in Highland, IL claiming to do wellness checks—each wearing mismatched vests labeled FBI/ICE/ERO/police.
Since when do they roll up together like that?
Vigilante brown shirts are testing boundaries.
Stay safe. Know your rights. #OnYourSide
Since when do they roll up together like that?
Vigilante brown shirts are testing boundaries.
Stay safe. Know your rights. #OnYourSide
May 15, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Something like this happened to me about a year ago where a supposed cop in an unmarked car followed me home while I was biking (with the pretense that I had ran a totally innocuous red light in an intersection where the bike lane is totally beyond any cars)
Reposted by Dan Fulop
And yet, today, we are seeing the Trump administration roll back drinking water levels on PFAS, including PFBS, the chemical that 3M introduced back after it took PFOS off the market in 2000.
It's a huge step backwards
It's a huge step backwards
Today, 3M agreed to pay NJ up to $450M to settle claims it contaminated the state's water with “forever chemicals."
Last year, @fastlerner.bsky.social revealed how 3M execs convinced one of their own scientists that the forever chemicals she'd found in human blood were safe.
Last year, @fastlerner.bsky.social revealed how 3M execs convinced one of their own scientists that the forever chemicals she'd found in human blood were safe.
Toxic Gaslighting: How 3M Executives Convinced a Scientist the Forever Chemicals She Found in Human Blood Were Safe
Decades ago, Kris Hansen showed 3M that its PFAS chemicals were in people’s bodies. Her bosses halted her work. As the EPA now forces the removal of the chemicals from drinking water, she wrestles wit...
www.propublica.org
May 14, 2025 at 5:58 PM
And yet, today, we are seeing the Trump administration roll back drinking water levels on PFAS, including PFBS, the chemical that 3M introduced back after it took PFOS off the market in 2000.
It's a huge step backwards
It's a huge step backwards
NIH grant termination tracker (i.e., submit your grant's info if it's been politically terminated): grant-watch.us/submit-nih.h...
submit-nih – Grant Watch
grant-watch.us
May 14, 2025 at 3:04 PM
NIH grant termination tracker (i.e., submit your grant's info if it's been politically terminated): grant-watch.us/submit-nih.h...
Reposted by Dan Fulop
May 14, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Reposted by Dan Fulop
“The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas — hardly a partisan institution — finds that nondefense government R&D yields long-run economic returns of 150% to 300% …“Our findings therefore point to a misallocation of public capital, and substantial underinvestment in nondefense R&D.”
The NSF Is Being Dismantled — With Broad Implications For The American Economy
The economic consequences of cuts to the National Science Foundation and restricting scientific inquiry on this scale could be far-reaching.
www.forbes.com
May 10, 2025 at 4:30 AM
“The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas — hardly a partisan institution — finds that nondefense government R&D yields long-run economic returns of 150% to 300% …“Our findings therefore point to a misallocation of public capital, and substantial underinvestment in nondefense R&D.”
Reposted by Dan Fulop
The {tidyprompt} #RStats 📦 *under development* is designed for prompting your #LLMs “the tidy way.” It includes function calling, so you “can define your own R functions and give the LLM the ability to call them.”
By Luka Koning & Tjark Van de Merwe #GenAI
tjarkvandemerwe.github.io/tidyprompt/
By Luka Koning & Tjark Van de Merwe #GenAI
tjarkvandemerwe.github.io/tidyprompt/
November 23, 2024 at 2:15 PM
The {tidyprompt} #RStats 📦 *under development* is designed for prompting your #LLMs “the tidy way.” It includes function calling, so you “can define your own R functions and give the LLM the ability to call them.”
By Luka Koning & Tjark Van de Merwe #GenAI
tjarkvandemerwe.github.io/tidyprompt/
By Luka Koning & Tjark Van de Merwe #GenAI
tjarkvandemerwe.github.io/tidyprompt/