Fabrizio Scarpa
@fabrizioscarpa.bsky.social
Academic at Uni Bristol 🏴 FRAeS ERC work on #metamaterials and #biobased #materials. Love for history, geopolitics and climate. Banner shows a 2D metamaterial. Links: ibit.ly/b_Dsn and ibit.ly/MuO03 Personal opinions, etc ... 🧪⚙️🤖👾♻️🚤✈️🏋️♀️🏛🐈
Pinned
Content Analysis: A delightful mix of academic rigor and witty banter, Fabrizio’s style reads like a conversation with a friend at a coffee shop, where every sip comes with a side of insight and a sprinkle of sarcasm. Expect footnotes—a lot of them!
blueskyroast.com
blueskyroast.com
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
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Admire the extraordinary view of Pluto's nightside!
It stares back at us from the outer reaches of the Kuiper Belt in a view we’ll never forget.
Credits: NASA, Johns Hopkins Univ./APL, Southwest Research Institute
➡️ apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap24111...
🔭 🧪 #planetsci #histsci #science
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Admire the extraordinary view of Pluto's nightside!
It stares back at us from the outer reaches of the Kuiper Belt in a view we’ll never forget.
Credits: NASA, Johns Hopkins Univ./APL, Southwest Research Institute
➡️ apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap24111...
🔭 🧪 #planetsci #histsci #science
1/4
November 16, 2025 at 4:45 PM
🧵
Admire the extraordinary view of Pluto's nightside!
It stares back at us from the outer reaches of the Kuiper Belt in a view we’ll never forget.
Credits: NASA, Johns Hopkins Univ./APL, Southwest Research Institute
➡️ apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap24111...
🔭 🧪 #planetsci #histsci #science
1/4
Admire the extraordinary view of Pluto's nightside!
It stares back at us from the outer reaches of the Kuiper Belt in a view we’ll never forget.
Credits: NASA, Johns Hopkins Univ./APL, Southwest Research Institute
➡️ apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap24111...
🔭 🧪 #planetsci #histsci #science
1/4
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
Hurricane Melissa Points to Category 6 Storms as the ‘New Normal’ www.theenergymix.com/hurricane-me...
Hurricane Melissa Points to Category 6 Storms as the ‘New Normal’
As climate change fuels increasingly powerful storms, scientists say the 1–5 Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale no longer captures their true intensity.
www.theenergymix.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Hurricane Melissa Points to Category 6 Storms as the ‘New Normal’ www.theenergymix.com/hurricane-me...
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
The Guardian: Climate crisis or a warning from God? Iranians desperate for answers as water dries up
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Climate crisis or a warning from God? Iranians desperate for answers as water dries up
As rainy season fails to bring relief, authorities try cloud seeding – while others across the country pray for a miracle
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The Guardian: Climate crisis or a warning from God? Iranians desperate for answers as water dries up
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
"Our greatest natural hazard is flooding, and we don’t prepare people for it.”
Great article that makes for somber reading from @johnharris1969.bsky.social about our lack of response to floods in 🇬🇧
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Great article that makes for somber reading from @johnharris1969.bsky.social about our lack of response to floods in 🇬🇧
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Flooded and forgotten: the UK’s waters are rising and we’re being kept in the dark | John Harris
Rescue operations in Wales, submerged railway lines in Cornwall – these events are ever more common. So why have we utterly failed to prepare, asks Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:11 PM
"Our greatest natural hazard is flooding, and we don’t prepare people for it.”
Great article that makes for somber reading from @johnharris1969.bsky.social about our lack of response to floods in 🇬🇧
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Great article that makes for somber reading from @johnharris1969.bsky.social about our lack of response to floods in 🇬🇧
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
A levy on foreign students is one of the closest things you're going to see to tariffs on services - except the UK will be putting it on its own exports...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Levy on international students’ tuition fees not in best interest of UK, says leader of top university
Duncan Ivison, president of Manchester University, says government’s 6% surcharge plan will ‘hurt the sector’
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:20 AM
A levy on foreign students is one of the closest things you're going to see to tariffs on services - except the UK will be putting it on its own exports...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
🚨 SHOCKING 🚨
A HUGE illegal waste dump has appeared between the A34 and River Cherwell, linked to organised crime.
Every rainfall risks toxins washing into the river.
We’re calling on the Environment Agency & Cherwell Council to act NOW.
Our rivers cannot wait. 👇👇
A HUGE illegal waste dump has appeared between the A34 and River Cherwell, linked to organised crime.
Every rainfall risks toxins washing into the river.
We’re calling on the Environment Agency & Cherwell Council to act NOW.
Our rivers cannot wait. 👇👇
November 15, 2025 at 12:47 PM
🚨 SHOCKING 🚨
A HUGE illegal waste dump has appeared between the A34 and River Cherwell, linked to organised crime.
Every rainfall risks toxins washing into the river.
We’re calling on the Environment Agency & Cherwell Council to act NOW.
Our rivers cannot wait. 👇👇
A HUGE illegal waste dump has appeared between the A34 and River Cherwell, linked to organised crime.
Every rainfall risks toxins washing into the river.
We’re calling on the Environment Agency & Cherwell Council to act NOW.
Our rivers cannot wait. 👇👇
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
In her 114 years, Saalumarada Thimmakka planted thousands of trees, loving them as if they were her children. She passed away yesterday. Here is my short account of her life and legacy. planetficus.substack.com/p/indias-mot... 🌏
India's Mother of Trees Leaves A Living Legacy
In her 114 years, Saalumarada Thimmakka planted thousands of trees, loving them as if they were her children
planetficus.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:05 PM
In her 114 years, Saalumarada Thimmakka planted thousands of trees, loving them as if they were her children. She passed away yesterday. Here is my short account of her life and legacy. planetficus.substack.com/p/indias-mot... 🌏
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
If the government really intends to seize jewellery and other valuables from refugees,
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
No 10 tells Labour MPs it expects support for tough new asylum policies
Some backbenchers already opposing planned immigration crackdown seen as ‘economically and culturally illiterate’
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:41 AM
If the government really intends to seize jewellery and other valuables from refugees,
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
Firefighting foam, one of the key sources of PFAS pollution in Lake Zug, was historically made with PFOS + PFOA. Both these varieties of PFAS are now internationally banned due to links to cancers, ulcerative colitis, liver, thyroid+ kidney disorders.
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Chemical industry pollution - fishers/taxpayers paying the price www.swissinfo.ch/eng/various/...
Swiss authorities impose ban on sale of PFAS-tainted fish
Pike and perch from Lake Zug in central Switzerland are too contaminated by PFAS, so-called "forever chemicals". Their sale or distribution as food is forbidden with immediate effect.
www.swissinfo.ch
November 15, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Firefighting foam, one of the key sources of PFAS pollution in Lake Zug, was historically made with PFOS + PFOA. Both these varieties of PFAS are now internationally banned due to links to cancers, ulcerative colitis, liver, thyroid+ kidney disorders.
🧵
1/3
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Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
Reading headlines about the US massing forces to Venezuela and ”what is Trump’s aim with the troops ?” reminds me of a certain other country that massed troops at a neighbour’s border 4 years ago and headlines were wondering what Putin’s aim could possibly be
November 15, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Reading headlines about the US massing forces to Venezuela and ”what is Trump’s aim with the troops ?” reminds me of a certain other country that massed troops at a neighbour’s border 4 years ago and headlines were wondering what Putin’s aim could possibly be
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
Diplomatically unprecedented.
The German far-right opposition has reportedly been invited to Washington for an official strategy session with Republicans in the US Congress.
The German far-right opposition has reportedly been invited to Washington for an official strategy session with Republicans in the US Congress.
Large far-right German delegation to visit Washington, Trump ally says
The invitation to the capital comes as Alternative for Germany politicians seek to build closer ties to the U.S. government.
www.politico.eu
November 15, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Diplomatically unprecedented.
The German far-right opposition has reportedly been invited to Washington for an official strategy session with Republicans in the US Congress.
The German far-right opposition has reportedly been invited to Washington for an official strategy session with Republicans in the US Congress.
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
I came to this country as a child refugee. No English, no certainty, no idea what my life could become. Britain gave me refuge.
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
I came to this country as a child refugee. No English, no certainty, no idea what my life could become. Britain gave me refuge.
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
A study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in September 2025, found that common strategies to alleviate partisan animosity yield only limited and short-lived improvements.
Research Exposed Why America Cannot Fix Its Political Hatred - Profolus
Partisan hatred in the U.S. resists quick fixes. Interventions improve attitudes only briefly, fading within weeks, underscoring the need for systemic reform.
www.profolus.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:30 PM
A study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in September 2025, found that common strategies to alleviate partisan animosity yield only limited and short-lived improvements.
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
I used to live near the Coppermills water treatment plant that is apparently central to London's water supplies and frankly it is terrifying that an obviously ageing facility run by a failing company with poor access is so crucial www.ft.com/content/97e4...
Single fault at Thames Water works could imperil London’s supply
Coppermills plant, which serves up to 4mn people, underscores scale of the challenge for troubled utility
www.ft.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I used to live near the Coppermills water treatment plant that is apparently central to London's water supplies and frankly it is terrifying that an obviously ageing facility run by a failing company with poor access is so crucial www.ft.com/content/97e4...
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
Problem: AI needs massive amounts of power to thrive. Nuclear makes lots of power. Nuclear takes a long long time to do safely.
Proposed solution that I'm sure will have no unpleasant consequences: Use AI to speed up the construction of new nuclear plants.
Proposed solution that I'm sure will have no unpleasant consequences: Use AI to speed up the construction of new nuclear plants.
Power Companies Are Using AI To Build Nuclear Power Plants
Tech companies are betting big on nuclear energy to meet AIs massive power demands and they're using that AI to speed up the construction of new nuclear power plants.
www.404media.co
November 14, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Problem: AI needs massive amounts of power to thrive. Nuclear makes lots of power. Nuclear takes a long long time to do safely.
Proposed solution that I'm sure will have no unpleasant consequences: Use AI to speed up the construction of new nuclear plants.
Proposed solution that I'm sure will have no unpleasant consequences: Use AI to speed up the construction of new nuclear plants.
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant lost one of its two external power lines on November 14, leaving it dependent on a single line, Energoatom reports. A full disconnection could trigger an eleventh blackout at the Russian-occupied facility, posing serious radiation safety risks.
November 14, 2025 at 6:20 PM
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant lost one of its two external power lines on November 14, leaving it dependent on a single line, Energoatom reports. A full disconnection could trigger an eleventh blackout at the Russian-occupied facility, posing serious radiation safety risks.
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
Check that link out and read the comments after the report as well .. enough to make you spit. Greed soaked. murderous, animal-cruelty loving toffs and their lackeys at it again, is my take .
If the grouse shooting industry are to be believed, Susie probably stamped her own chicks to death before turning the gun on herself.
Oh well. By a happy coincidence, less hen harriers means more red grouse for the toffs to shoot.
@raptorpersuk.bsky.social
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/14/h...
Oh well. By a happy coincidence, less hen harriers means more red grouse for the toffs to shoot.
@raptorpersuk.bsky.social
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/14/h...
Hen Harrier ‘Susie’, whose chicks were stamped to death in 2022, has been found dead on a North Pennines grouse moor with gunshot injuries
If ever there was an example demonstrating the high level of persecution faced by Hen Harriers on UK grouse moors, the lack of consequences for the offenders, and the lack of justice for the victim…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Check that link out and read the comments after the report as well .. enough to make you spit. Greed soaked. murderous, animal-cruelty loving toffs and their lackeys at it again, is my take .
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
My piece on the dramatic changes inside Russian schools since 2022, with weapons training in the classroom and a push from kindergarten to prepare soldiers for future conflicts. “They are preparing kids ideologically & psychologically for war,” said @irgarner.bsky.social www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Putin Is Turning Eighth-Grade Classrooms Into Army Training Grounds
A vast militarization of the education system is gathering pace in Russian classrooms, where students are trained to handle weapons by active soldiers.
www.wsj.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:52 AM
My piece on the dramatic changes inside Russian schools since 2022, with weapons training in the classroom and a push from kindergarten to prepare soldiers for future conflicts. “They are preparing kids ideologically & psychologically for war,” said @irgarner.bsky.social www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
Aerosol transmission of SARSCoV2 virus is the dominant route for transmitting COVID-19.
👏'2025 Faraday Horizon Prize for advancing understanding of the physicochemical properties of exhaled aerosols, and their impact on transmissibility of respiratory pathogens.' @rsc.org
www.rsc.org/standards-an...
👏'2025 Faraday Horizon Prize for advancing understanding of the physicochemical properties of exhaled aerosols, and their impact on transmissibility of respiratory pathogens.' @rsc.org
www.rsc.org/standards-an...
June 25, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Aerosol transmission of SARSCoV2 virus is the dominant route for transmitting COVID-19.
👏'2025 Faraday Horizon Prize for advancing understanding of the physicochemical properties of exhaled aerosols, and their impact on transmissibility of respiratory pathogens.' @rsc.org
www.rsc.org/standards-an...
👏'2025 Faraday Horizon Prize for advancing understanding of the physicochemical properties of exhaled aerosols, and their impact on transmissibility of respiratory pathogens.' @rsc.org
www.rsc.org/standards-an...
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
Exposure to hormone disrupting chemicals, PFAS, heavy metals + nanoplastics linked to rising testicular + prostate cancer + 52% fall in sperm counts, globally, report finds 👇
🚨A report commissioned by @healthandenv.bsky.social highlights link between harmful #ChemicalPollution and rising #infertility and hormonal #cancer rates amongst European men.
🧪Key chemicals of concern include endocrine disruptors, #PFAS, and heavy metals.
More in our news story👉 buff.ly/iRljN9V
🧪Key chemicals of concern include endocrine disruptors, #PFAS, and heavy metals.
More in our news story👉 buff.ly/iRljN9V
November 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Exposure to hormone disrupting chemicals, PFAS, heavy metals + nanoplastics linked to rising testicular + prostate cancer + 52% fall in sperm counts, globally, report finds 👇
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
For all the angst over Chinese car exports to the EU, if you take a look at the nation by nation export figures the country most at risk of being swamped by China's car industry is the UK
November 13, 2025 at 9:22 AM
For all the angst over Chinese car exports to the EU, if you take a look at the nation by nation export figures the country most at risk of being swamped by China's car industry is the UK
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
Hard to keep up with the absurd news coming out of Kyrgyzstan. Tashiev, the head of national security, just unilaterally banned cafes and restaurants from being open past 10pm. Anyone who doesn’t respect these quiet hours will have their electricity cut off
kaktus.media/doc/535201_p...
kaktus.media/doc/535201_p...
"После 22:00 отключить им свет". Ташиев запретил кафе и ресторанам работать в ночное время
Камчыбек Ташиев возмутился тем, что закон о тишине не работает, и запретил кафе и ресторанам работать. В противном случае им отключат свет.
kaktus.media
November 13, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Hard to keep up with the absurd news coming out of Kyrgyzstan. Tashiev, the head of national security, just unilaterally banned cafes and restaurants from being open past 10pm. Anyone who doesn’t respect these quiet hours will have their electricity cut off
kaktus.media/doc/535201_p...
kaktus.media/doc/535201_p...
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
'The prospect of hundreds of job cuts at Lancaster University could damage the city's economy, students have warned.'
'Could'? Surely 'will'.
'Could'? Surely 'will'.
Fears Lancaster University job cuts would hit city's businesses
Lancaster University is seeking to cut 400 full-time posts as part of efforts to save £30m.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 9:10 AM
'The prospect of hundreds of job cuts at Lancaster University could damage the city's economy, students have warned.'
'Could'? Surely 'will'.
'Could'? Surely 'will'.
Reposted by Fabrizio Scarpa
Ukrainian medics are reporting cases of gas gangrene, a condition once closely associated with the trenches of the First World War and long thought to have been all but eradicated in Europe.
November 11, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Ukrainian medics are reporting cases of gas gangrene, a condition once closely associated with the trenches of the First World War and long thought to have been all but eradicated in Europe.