Immunoprof (she/they)
@immunoprof.bsky.social
My thoughts are my own and do not reflect my employer or family members. They can speak for themselves.
Need a feed reset? Enjoy this whole set of comments. 👩🍳🤌
I have been doing entirely too much earnest posting about deep things recently, I need to do a proper thread about hippo testicles or something just to keep myself sane.
Oh by the way hippos have migratory testicles.
Oh by the way hippos have migratory testicles.
a statue of a hippopotamus with its mouth open and teeth showing .
Alt: A hippo being tossed a watermelon, which it crushes in its massive jaws.
media.tenor.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Need a feed reset? Enjoy this whole set of comments. 👩🍳🤌
Ironically, today’s class discussion on Ebola highlighted the improvements in infrastructure due to lessons learned from the 2014-2016 outbreaks. Things got better with surveillance, the formation of an “Africa CDC,” better treatments (mAbs) and a vaccine. But sure, just exercise and eat better. 🤦♀️
November 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Ironically, today’s class discussion on Ebola highlighted the improvements in infrastructure due to lessons learned from the 2014-2016 outbreaks. Things got better with surveillance, the formation of an “Africa CDC,” better treatments (mAbs) and a vaccine. But sure, just exercise and eat better. 🤦♀️
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
Trump and RFK Jr's CDC just added a page that is full of disinformation about vaccines and autism.
November 20, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Trump and RFK Jr's CDC just added a page that is full of disinformation about vaccines and autism.
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
Investigators say faulty wiring and two blackouts led the ship's pilots to lose control of propulsion and steering.
Single faulty wire led cargo ship to crash into Baltimore bridge: Report
Investigators say faulty wiring and two blackouts led the ship's pilots to lose control of propulsion and steering.
bit.ly
November 19, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Investigators say faulty wiring and two blackouts led the ship's pilots to lose control of propulsion and steering.
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
In 48 other states, new moms have access to Medicaid for up to one year after they give birth. Not in Wisconsin.
There, the limit remains two months. And it’s only because of one man: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.
By @megomatz.bsky.social
There, the limit remains two months. And it’s only because of one man: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.
By @megomatz.bsky.social
He Vowed to “Protect the Unborn.” Now He’s Blocking a Bill to Expand Medicaid for Wisconsin’s New Moms.
Splitting with anti-abortion members of his own party, Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has refused to join 48 other states in ensuring that vulnerable women have access to potentially lifesaving ...
www.propublica.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:15 AM
In 48 other states, new moms have access to Medicaid for up to one year after they give birth. Not in Wisconsin.
There, the limit remains two months. And it’s only because of one man: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.
By @megomatz.bsky.social
There, the limit remains two months. And it’s only because of one man: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.
By @megomatz.bsky.social
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
Good news everyone!
Alaska Earthquake Center’s 15-month Gen 3 overhaul modernizes how AK quakes are detected/shared. The open-source system links 250 stations, improves real-time mapping and workflows, and sets up tools that can help communities understand shaking sooner
🧪⚒️
#Earthquake
#Seismology
Alaska Earthquake Center’s 15-month Gen 3 overhaul modernizes how AK quakes are detected/shared. The open-source system links 250 stations, improves real-time mapping and workflows, and sets up tools that can help communities understand shaking sooner
🧪⚒️
#Earthquake
#Seismology
A Complete Overhaul—Under the Hood | Alaska Earthquake Center
You might not notice as you browse through our interactive map and events list, but the Alaska Earthquake Center has completely rebuilt the engine that drives this information.
earthquake.alaska.edu
November 19, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Good news everyone!
Alaska Earthquake Center’s 15-month Gen 3 overhaul modernizes how AK quakes are detected/shared. The open-source system links 250 stations, improves real-time mapping and workflows, and sets up tools that can help communities understand shaking sooner
🧪⚒️
#Earthquake
#Seismology
Alaska Earthquake Center’s 15-month Gen 3 overhaul modernizes how AK quakes are detected/shared. The open-source system links 250 stations, improves real-time mapping and workflows, and sets up tools that can help communities understand shaking sooner
🧪⚒️
#Earthquake
#Seismology
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
I am a bisexual epidemiology student at Northwestern, so I'm making a little thread today...
(International Day of LGBTQIA+ People In STEM?! long name)
...about the epidemiology of bisexuality.
I fear it's not going to be particularly inspiring.
(International Day of LGBTQIA+ People In STEM?! long name)
...about the epidemiology of bisexuality.
I fear it's not going to be particularly inspiring.
Happy International Day of LGBTQIA+ People In STEM!
How are you celebrating it?
#LGBTQSTEMDay #PrideInSTEM
How are you celebrating it?
#LGBTQSTEMDay #PrideInSTEM
November 18, 2025 at 11:13 PM
I am a bisexual epidemiology student at Northwestern, so I'm making a little thread today...
(International Day of LGBTQIA+ People In STEM?! long name)
...about the epidemiology of bisexuality.
I fear it's not going to be particularly inspiring.
(International Day of LGBTQIA+ People In STEM?! long name)
...about the epidemiology of bisexuality.
I fear it's not going to be particularly inspiring.
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
Happy International Day of LGBTQIA+ People In STEM!
How are you celebrating it?
#LGBTQSTEMDay #PrideInSTEM
How are you celebrating it?
#LGBTQSTEMDay #PrideInSTEM
November 18, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Happy International Day of LGBTQIA+ People In STEM!
How are you celebrating it?
#LGBTQSTEMDay #PrideInSTEM
How are you celebrating it?
#LGBTQSTEMDay #PrideInSTEM
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
Wild wolf pulling crab traps out of water to eat bait inside [via Science.org] 🧪🥼🐺🧠⁉️
No, it does not indicate "tool use." But if they were to wait until a crab's caught within a human-made crab trap... 🤔
www.science.org/content/arti...
#wild #wolf #food #hunt #crab #bait #tool
No, it does not indicate "tool use." But if they were to wait until a crab's caught within a human-made crab trap... 🤔
www.science.org/content/arti...
#wild #wolf #food #hunt #crab #bait #tool
Have wild wolves learned to use tools?
Video captures a lone female pulling crab traps out of the water, but does it count as tool use?
www.science.org
November 17, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Wild wolf pulling crab traps out of water to eat bait inside [via Science.org] 🧪🥼🐺🧠⁉️
No, it does not indicate "tool use." But if they were to wait until a crab's caught within a human-made crab trap... 🤔
www.science.org/content/arti...
#wild #wolf #food #hunt #crab #bait #tool
No, it does not indicate "tool use." But if they were to wait until a crab's caught within a human-made crab trap... 🤔
www.science.org/content/arti...
#wild #wolf #food #hunt #crab #bait #tool
Another example of capitulation by academic/professional groups. Fuck this timeline.
Abstracts submitted to LPSC 2026 are required to comply with White House (non-legally binding) executive orders forbidding mention of topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
At least USRA/LPI isn't hiding it.
But is this what our community wants? Or deserves? I don't think so.
At least USRA/LPI isn't hiding it.
But is this what our community wants? Or deserves? I don't think so.
November 18, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Another example of capitulation by academic/professional groups. Fuck this timeline.
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
“In our study population, pregnant women experienced a 37% higher firearm homicide rate compared with nonpregnant women. Firearms were the leading mechanism of pregnancy-associated homicide, accounting for 79% of the weapons used for homicide. This pattern was consistent across states….”🧪🛟
For pregnant women—“every 1% increase in state-level firearm ownership was signf’ly associated w/a 6% increase in all-cause homicide & 8% increase in firearm homicide…
results suggest…even incremental increases in firearm avail may contribute to measurable increases in homicide risk in preg women”🧪🛟
results suggest…even incremental increases in firearm avail may contribute to measurable increases in homicide risk in preg women”🧪🛟
New paper reminds us yet again: HOMICIDE is the leading cause of death for pregnant women.
Gun violence & partner violence are related.
All-cause homicide & firearm homicide of pregnant women are higher, in states w/ higher calculated firearm ownership (1/x 🧵
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Gun violence & partner violence are related.
All-cause homicide & firearm homicide of pregnant women are higher, in states w/ higher calculated firearm ownership (1/x 🧵
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
November 17, 2025 at 10:05 PM
“In our study population, pregnant women experienced a 37% higher firearm homicide rate compared with nonpregnant women. Firearms were the leading mechanism of pregnancy-associated homicide, accounting for 79% of the weapons used for homicide. This pattern was consistent across states….”🧪🛟
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
12,000 years ago in what is today northern Israel, someone made a tiny clay image of a woman. Mating with a goose. Today that figurine got its own prestigious scientific paper.
The lesson: make weird art. Express whatever is in you, however you want. In AD 14,000 they will thank you
🏺🧪🎨🎭🪿
The lesson: make weird art. Express whatever is in you, however you want. In AD 14,000 they will thank you
🏺🧪🎨🎭🪿
A 12,000-year-old clay figurine of a woman and a goose marks symbolic innovations in Southwest Asia | PNAS
Paleolithic representations of human–animal interaction are rare, with only a few
painted or engraved examples recorded in Upper Paleolithic contex...
www.pnas.org
November 17, 2025 at 10:19 PM
12,000 years ago in what is today northern Israel, someone made a tiny clay image of a woman. Mating with a goose. Today that figurine got its own prestigious scientific paper.
The lesson: make weird art. Express whatever is in you, however you want. In AD 14,000 they will thank you
🏺🧪🎨🎭🪿
The lesson: make weird art. Express whatever is in you, however you want. In AD 14,000 they will thank you
🏺🧪🎨🎭🪿
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
❤️🩹🧪🧬🥼🦠💉 #ScienceMatters
Between the end of February and mid-August, funding ceased for 383 studies that were testing treatments for conditions including cancer, heart disease and brain disease. https://to.pbs.org/47KbPDE
NIH cuts affected over 74,000 patients enrolled in experiments, report finds
Between the end of February and mid-August, funding lapsed for 383 studies that were testing treatments for conditions like cancer, heart disease and brain disease.
www.pbs.org
November 17, 2025 at 11:17 PM
❤️🩹🧪🧬🥼🦠💉 #ScienceMatters
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
An animal study in Nature Neuroscience shows that high estrogen levels can enhance learning capabilities. #Neuroskyence 🧪
Estrogen modulates reward prediction errors and reinforcement learning - Nature Neuroscience
Dopamine encoding of reward prediction errors naturally fluctuates over females’ reproductive cycles with estrogenic signaling due to reduced expression of dopamine reuptake proteins.
go.nature.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:53 PM
An animal study in Nature Neuroscience shows that high estrogen levels can enhance learning capabilities. #Neuroskyence 🧪
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
Reading from AI summaries (via LLMs) rather than doing your own minimal reading impairs learning and produces shallower knowledge.
"...learning from LLM syntheses (vs. web links) can, at times, limit the development of deeper, more original knowledge."
🧪
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
"...learning from LLM syntheses (vs. web links) can, at times, limit the development of deeper, more original knowledge."
🧪
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Experimental evidence of the effects of large language models versus web search on depth of learning
Abstract. The effects of using large language models (LLMs) versus traditional web search on depth of learning are explored. A theory is proposed that when
academic.oup.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Reading from AI summaries (via LLMs) rather than doing your own minimal reading impairs learning and produces shallower knowledge.
"...learning from LLM syntheses (vs. web links) can, at times, limit the development of deeper, more original knowledge."
🧪
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
"...learning from LLM syntheses (vs. web links) can, at times, limit the development of deeper, more original knowledge."
🧪
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Starting another ADHD hobby. The problem when my profession and hobbies overlap is that I *know* the optics in a student microscope are terrible. Bought an ancient Bausch & Lomb (sold by Leica) StereoZoom 5 on eBay and am refurbishing. Hope to get better optics for the same price.
November 18, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Starting another ADHD hobby. The problem when my profession and hobbies overlap is that I *know* the optics in a student microscope are terrible. Bought an ancient Bausch & Lomb (sold by Leica) StereoZoom 5 on eBay and am refurbishing. Hope to get better optics for the same price.
Unboxing microscope parts. Mini is quality control.
November 18, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Unboxing microscope parts. Mini is quality control.
Congrats Dr. Turner! Fragile masculinity is such a sad and pathetic existence. Don’t let the haters diminish your achievements.
POV: you are a young woman celebrating a recent academic success
November 17, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Congrats Dr. Turner! Fragile masculinity is such a sad and pathetic existence. Don’t let the haters diminish your achievements.
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
This is a good companion piece to the NYT piece today on the attack on the DOJ, and a sign of what the lawyers who did not resign or get fired are willing to do.
Trump's illegal murders in the Caribbean just got worse. An internal DOJ memo on the bombings says the victims are waging war on the US, but per NYT, it extensively cites the WH's *own claims* to this effect as evidence!
It gets even darker than that. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
It gets even darker than that. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
Trump Boat Bombings Take Dark, Unnerving Turn with Leaked Memo Stunner
A new Trump administration memo argues that those carrying out the boat attacks can’t be prosecuted. Why? Because the administration says so!
newrepublic.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:33 PM
This is a good companion piece to the NYT piece today on the attack on the DOJ, and a sign of what the lawyers who did not resign or get fired are willing to do.
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
Reboosting for weekday folks. Hopefully useful for high school guidance counselors, students looking for grad programs, faculty wanting to see how their campus works, etc
I updated collegetables.info with latest IPEDS data, also added visualizations on graduation rates and "demographic cliff."
Check also the naive Bayesian #rstats collegetables.info/predict.html page that may help students find good options.
All free, open source, etc.
Check also the naive Bayesian #rstats collegetables.info/predict.html page that may help students find good options.
All free, open source, etc.
November 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Reboosting for weekday folks. Hopefully useful for high school guidance counselors, students looking for grad programs, faculty wanting to see how their campus works, etc
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
Listen.
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 17, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Listen.
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
When DHS dared to call its anti-immigrant racial profiling weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina, “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” I knew I was going to have to write about it.
Tonight, at Law Dork, here it is: www.lawdork.com/p/gregory-bo...
Tonight, at Law Dork, here it is: www.lawdork.com/p/gregory-bo...
November 17, 2025 at 12:41 AM
When DHS dared to call its anti-immigrant racial profiling weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina, “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” I knew I was going to have to write about it.
Tonight, at Law Dork, here it is: www.lawdork.com/p/gregory-bo...
Tonight, at Law Dork, here it is: www.lawdork.com/p/gregory-bo...
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
Arrival of the USS Gerald R Ford, the nation's most advanced aircraft carrier, comes as US strikes alleged drug boats.
Major US carrier arrives in Caribbean as Trump puts Venezuela in crosshairs
Arrival of the USS Gerald R Ford, the nation's most advanced aircraft carrier, comes as US strikes alleged drug boats.
bit.ly
November 16, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Arrival of the USS Gerald R Ford, the nation's most advanced aircraft carrier, comes as US strikes alleged drug boats.
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
Reposted by Immunoprof (she/they)
I really did not enjoy Jay Bhattacharya & Matthew Memoli’s screed against pandemic & virology research for the flagship blog of a “free-market think tank." Instead of getting mad, I accepted @jeremyfaust.bsky.social's kind invitation to take a factual & scientific blowtorch to it.
We've got a MASSIVE DEEP-DIVE rebuttal to the NIH leadership’s recent essay. They're arguing for a head-in-the-sand approach to pandemic preparedness.
The great @angierasmussen.bsky.social joins me in an extraordinarily detailed, line-by-line fact check.
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/a-rebuttal...
The great @angierasmussen.bsky.social joins me in an extraordinarily detailed, line-by-line fact check.
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/a-rebuttal...
A rebuttal to NIH leadership's screed against pandemic preparedness.
Dr. Angela Rasmussen joins Inside Medicine for a tag-team response to a poorly reasoned essay by NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and his deputy, Dr. Matthew Memoli.
insidemedicine.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:28 PM
I really did not enjoy Jay Bhattacharya & Matthew Memoli’s screed against pandemic & virology research for the flagship blog of a “free-market think tank." Instead of getting mad, I accepted @jeremyfaust.bsky.social's kind invitation to take a factual & scientific blowtorch to it.