Fiona Achcar
@fionan-a.bsky.social
Bioinformatician at Glasgow university @uofgsii.bsky.social in the Prof Matt Marti and Thomas Otto labs working on #malaria #parasite (She/her)
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
Yesterday, we put out a report on the most important issues to voters.
We know that immigration now tops the traditional most important issues question (see below from @yougov.co.uk).
But that doesn't tell the full story.
Here is a rundown of the experiments we did to test this out (A THREAD):
We know that immigration now tops the traditional most important issues question (see below from @yougov.co.uk).
But that doesn't tell the full story.
Here is a rundown of the experiments we did to test this out (A THREAD):
November 17, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Yesterday, we put out a report on the most important issues to voters.
We know that immigration now tops the traditional most important issues question (see below from @yougov.co.uk).
But that doesn't tell the full story.
Here is a rundown of the experiments we did to test this out (A THREAD):
We know that immigration now tops the traditional most important issues question (see below from @yougov.co.uk).
But that doesn't tell the full story.
Here is a rundown of the experiments we did to test this out (A THREAD):
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
No no no begs every archivist. You are never going to be able to find anything. Please don’t start using emojis in file names. Who asked for this? What fresh hell is next?
November 12, 2025 at 10:38 AM
No no no begs every archivist. You are never going to be able to find anything. Please don’t start using emojis in file names. Who asked for this? What fresh hell is next?
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
Genuinely delighted to download a PhD thesis from a university repository where the author has neglected to remove the words "BITCH THIS IS YOUR THESIS" from the filename.
October 30, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Genuinely delighted to download a PhD thesis from a university repository where the author has neglected to remove the words "BITCH THIS IS YOUR THESIS" from the filename.
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
If you haven't already seen this I *highly* recommend it. Owen Jones reporting from the West Bank. It's an excellent, heartbreaking documentary. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jHu...
Owen Jones Goes To Palestine
YouTube video by Owen Jones
www.youtube.com
September 21, 2025 at 12:47 PM
If you haven't already seen this I *highly* recommend it. Owen Jones reporting from the West Bank. It's an excellent, heartbreaking documentary. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jHu...
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
Bref, l'extrême-droite et son mégaphone Cnews ont inventé des pillages à Marseille pour déverser leur haine raciste.
#LextremeDroiteMent
#LextremeDroiteMent
#LextremeDroiteMentToutLeTemps
#LextremeDroiteMent
#LextremeDroiteMent
#LextremeDroiteMentToutLeTemps
July 15, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Bref, l'extrême-droite et son mégaphone Cnews ont inventé des pillages à Marseille pour déverser leur haine raciste.
#LextremeDroiteMent
#LextremeDroiteMent
#LextremeDroiteMentToutLeTemps
#LextremeDroiteMent
#LextremeDroiteMent
#LextremeDroiteMentToutLeTemps
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
We ran a randomized controlled trial to see how much AI coding tools speed up experienced open-source developers.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
July 10, 2025 at 7:47 PM
We ran a randomized controlled trial to see how much AI coding tools speed up experienced open-source developers.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
Terrible decisions
Over 130 academics signed letter informing Prime Minister Keir Starmer that foreign aid cuts will cost lives & threatens the fight against disease
Thimoty Hallett, @thomaschurcher.bsky.social Caroline Trotter @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social @imperialsph.bsky.social
www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
Thimoty Hallett, @thomaschurcher.bsky.social Caroline Trotter @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social @imperialsph.bsky.social
www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
Foreign aid cuts will cost lives, scientists warn Keir Starmer
More than 130 academics have signed a letter telling the prime minister that cuts in funding could hinder the global fight against disease
www.thetimes.com
May 23, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Terrible decisions
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
The video of Israel using silenced weapons to murder the 15 aid workers who are clearly in ambulances.
These are blatant War Crimes, Israel must be sanctioned and all aid cut off to them now.
These are blatant War Crimes, Israel must be sanctioned and all aid cut off to them now.
April 5, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
🧵 The Myth of Push-Button Bioinformatics
1/ Some think bioinformatics is just pressing a button:
🔘 RNA-seq Analysis
🔘 Make Fancy Figures
🔘 Submit to GenBank
If only it were that easy... but reality is very different.
1/ Some think bioinformatics is just pressing a button:
🔘 RNA-seq Analysis
🔘 Make Fancy Figures
🔘 Submit to GenBank
If only it were that easy... but reality is very different.
April 5, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🧵 The Myth of Push-Button Bioinformatics
1/ Some think bioinformatics is just pressing a button:
🔘 RNA-seq Analysis
🔘 Make Fancy Figures
🔘 Submit to GenBank
If only it were that easy... but reality is very different.
1/ Some think bioinformatics is just pressing a button:
🔘 RNA-seq Analysis
🔘 Make Fancy Figures
🔘 Submit to GenBank
If only it were that easy... but reality is very different.
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
This is at least six kinds of stupid.
You’re assuming any significant number of birds HAVE immunity (unlikely), that recovered birds recover in any salable way (dubious), that the long-term-sick birds don’t infect humans (improbable), AND that the virus doesn’t mutate (impossible). 🧪
You’re assuming any significant number of birds HAVE immunity (unlikely), that recovered birds recover in any salable way (dubious), that the long-term-sick birds don’t infect humans (improbable), AND that the virus doesn’t mutate (impossible). 🧪
RFK Jr.’s Prescription for Bird Flu on Farms: Let It Spread
The health secretary has suggested allowing the virus to spread, so as to identify birds that may be immune. Such an experiment would be disastrous, scientists say.
www.nytimes.com
March 19, 2025 at 12:26 AM
This is at least six kinds of stupid.
You’re assuming any significant number of birds HAVE immunity (unlikely), that recovered birds recover in any salable way (dubious), that the long-term-sick birds don’t infect humans (improbable), AND that the virus doesn’t mutate (impossible). 🧪
You’re assuming any significant number of birds HAVE immunity (unlikely), that recovered birds recover in any salable way (dubious), that the long-term-sick birds don’t infect humans (improbable), AND that the virus doesn’t mutate (impossible). 🧪
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
Hi friends, If you haven't seen it already, I was part of a mess this week — about science in the United States, and about NIH research aimed at understanding things like Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, autism, and depression.
🧪 Thread with some details. 🧠📈 🧠🤖
1/10
🧪 Thread with some details. 🧠📈 🧠🤖
1/10
Compelling pushback from @jmgrohneuro.bsky.social and the Board of Scientific Counselors at the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) regarding termination of tenure-track investigators driven by DOGE.
1/2
1/2
March 10, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Hi friends, If you haven't seen it already, I was part of a mess this week — about science in the United States, and about NIH research aimed at understanding things like Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, autism, and depression.
🧪 Thread with some details. 🧠📈 🧠🤖
1/10
🧪 Thread with some details. 🧠📈 🧠🤖
1/10
Columbia university's secret disciplinary process for students critical of Israel
https://open.substack.com/pub/dropsitenews/p/columbia-university-gaza-student-disclinary-office?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=4ryvp8
https://open.substack.com/pub/dropsitenews/p/columbia-university-gaza-student-disclinary-office?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=4ryvp8
March 5, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Columbia university's secret disciplinary process for students critical of Israel
https://open.substack.com/pub/dropsitenews/p/columbia-university-gaza-student-disclinary-office?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=4ryvp8
https://open.substack.com/pub/dropsitenews/p/columbia-university-gaza-student-disclinary-office?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=4ryvp8
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
Brutally accurate
And why should we not be spared and coddled? After all [sniffs haughtily] we BRING money to the institution. We SOLVE society’s problems. We are an objective--an APOLITICAL--good!
Whoops.
Whoops.
March 3, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Brutally accurate
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
oh no too bad. www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
Elon's Email Demand Is Being Met With 'Very Rude' Flood of Spam
After Musk demanded federal employees list five accomplishments or be fired, internet users are encouraging people to flood the email with spam
www.rollingstone.com
February 24, 2025 at 10:43 PM
oh no too bad. www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
Masters scholarships for Palestinian students at Sussex. Please disseminate?
www.sussex.ac.uk/broadcast/re...
www.sussex.ac.uk/broadcast/re...
University announces new scholarships for Palestinian students
These scholarships will provide fully-funded support for two Palestinian students, with a particular focus on those impacted by the conflict in Gaza
www.sussex.ac.uk
February 13, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Masters scholarships for Palestinian students at Sussex. Please disseminate?
www.sussex.ac.uk/broadcast/re...
www.sussex.ac.uk/broadcast/re...
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
Joe Sacco eta Art Spiegelman
NEVER AGAIN!... AND AGAIN
"You can´t get the toothpaste back in the tube"
archive.is/RoEEB
NEVER AGAIN!... AND AGAIN
"You can´t get the toothpaste back in the tube"
archive.is/RoEEB
February 9, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Joe Sacco eta Art Spiegelman
NEVER AGAIN!... AND AGAIN
"You can´t get the toothpaste back in the tube"
archive.is/RoEEB
NEVER AGAIN!... AND AGAIN
"You can´t get the toothpaste back in the tube"
archive.is/RoEEB
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
“The impact of the collective executive orders and directives appears devastating.” scim.ag/40ureTO
Trump hits NIH with ‘devastating’ freezes on meetings, travel, communications, and hiring
Researchers facing
scim.ag
January 22, 2025 at 11:28 PM
“The impact of the collective executive orders and directives appears devastating.” scim.ag/40ureTO
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
Looking at bioinformaticians’ profiles these days, you'd think everyone has decades of experience in cutting-edge single-cell and AI-driven bioinformatics. But something’s missing… 👇
January 20, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Looking at bioinformaticians’ profiles these days, you'd think everyone has decades of experience in cutting-edge single-cell and AI-driven bioinformatics. But something’s missing… 👇
He now has been fired. For an email sent to three students he knew well...
Millsaps college suspends tenured professor for sharing his opinion #millsaps #freespeech
https://youtu.be/_aXqgkMT-lE?si=wbWR0wIVCQphPgDl
https://youtu.be/_aXqgkMT-lE?si=wbWR0wIVCQphPgDl
Millsaps College Hates Free Speech - How My College is Betraying Academic Freedom
youtu.be
January 16, 2025 at 8:09 AM
He now has been fired. For an email sent to three students he knew well...
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
📢#Postdoc opportunities: we are looking for two experienced and motivated researcher to join our WT funded projects on the role of the #Toxoplasma #mitochondria during #infection
www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/job/research...
www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/job/research...
January 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM
📢#Postdoc opportunities: we are looking for two experienced and motivated researcher to join our WT funded projects on the role of the #Toxoplasma #mitochondria during #infection
www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/job/research...
www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/job/research...
Millsaps college suspends tenured professor for sharing his opinion #millsaps #freespeech
https://youtu.be/_aXqgkMT-lE?si=wbWR0wIVCQphPgDl
https://youtu.be/_aXqgkMT-lE?si=wbWR0wIVCQphPgDl
Millsaps College Hates Free Speech - How My College is Betraying Academic Freedom
youtu.be
January 13, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Millsaps college suspends tenured professor for sharing his opinion #millsaps #freespeech
https://youtu.be/_aXqgkMT-lE?si=wbWR0wIVCQphPgDl
https://youtu.be/_aXqgkMT-lE?si=wbWR0wIVCQphPgDl
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
Stunning free #science vector art for your next poster, paper or talk 🤩
The #NIH has compiled over 2,000 illustrations including swatches and pattern brushes
bioart.niaid.nih.gov
#rstats #dataviz #phd #illustration
The #NIH has compiled over 2,000 illustrations including swatches and pattern brushes
bioart.niaid.nih.gov
#rstats #dataviz #phd #illustration
December 10, 2024 at 7:52 AM
Stunning free #science vector art for your next poster, paper or talk 🤩
The #NIH has compiled over 2,000 illustrations including swatches and pattern brushes
bioart.niaid.nih.gov
#rstats #dataviz #phd #illustration
The #NIH has compiled over 2,000 illustrations including swatches and pattern brushes
bioart.niaid.nih.gov
#rstats #dataviz #phd #illustration
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
SERVICE UPDATE
We normally don't ask you to "share like and subscribe" but please distribute this.
You are now able to delete the link after it embeds on your post so you can get those precious extra characters, and we will catch your post mentioning research.
#AcademicSky #Medsky #HigherEd
We normally don't ask you to "share like and subscribe" but please distribute this.
You are now able to delete the link after it embeds on your post so you can get those precious extra characters, and we will catch your post mentioning research.
#AcademicSky #Medsky #HigherEd
December 11, 2024 at 3:00 PM
SERVICE UPDATE
We normally don't ask you to "share like and subscribe" but please distribute this.
You are now able to delete the link after it embeds on your post so you can get those precious extra characters, and we will catch your post mentioning research.
#AcademicSky #Medsky #HigherEd
We normally don't ask you to "share like and subscribe" but please distribute this.
You are now able to delete the link after it embeds on your post so you can get those precious extra characters, and we will catch your post mentioning research.
#AcademicSky #Medsky #HigherEd
Reposted by Fiona Achcar
Not checking nuclear markers like MALAT1 or intronic reads in your scRNA-seq data?🚨
We show their power to flag low-quality cells—even in top public datasets. It’s time to prioritize better QC for cleaner, more reliable genomics research!
Read more: bmcgenomics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
1/8
High content of nuclei-free low-quality cells in reference single-cell atlases: a call for more stringent quality control using nuclear fraction - BMC Genomics
The advent of droplet-based single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) has dramatically increased data throughput, enabling the release of a diverse array of tissue cell atlases to the public. However, we...
bmcgenomics.biomedcentral.com
December 3, 2024 at 8:38 AM
Not checking nuclear markers like MALAT1 or intronic reads in your scRNA-seq data?🚨
We show their power to flag low-quality cells—even in top public datasets. It’s time to prioritize better QC for cleaner, more reliable genomics research!
Read more: bmcgenomics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
1/8