Kat Kerlin
@katkerlin.bsky.social
Environmental science writer, press officer, pro #scicomm -er for UC Davis. Covering climate change, ecology, conservation, water and wildlife. My other brain is full of paint. she/her
Pinned
For 4 days I followed @ucdavis.bsky.social scientists into the High Sierra to learn secrets from a tree, a bird and a changing world. I came back with this story, a new @unfoldpodcast.bsky.social episode, tons of pics and even watercolors.🌲🪺 🎨 Enjoy! www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
Reposted by Kat Kerlin
Why Is Federally Funded Research So Important? UC Davis VC for Research Simon Atkinson explains @ucdavisresearch.bsky.social www.ucdavis.edu/magazine/why...
Why Is Federally Funded Research So Important?
America’s lucrative, long-running investment in basic science and research is under threat, and the consequences could be far-reaching for local and national economies and for the United States’ leade...
www.ucdavis.edu
November 17, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Why Is Federally Funded Research So Important? UC Davis VC for Research Simon Atkinson explains @ucdavisresearch.bsky.social www.ucdavis.edu/magazine/why...
Biodiversity isn't just pretty; it's vital for people's health. Case in point: This awesome story about the decline of frogs, the rise of a disease and the vital research from @ucdavis.bsky.social and others discovering that link. 👏 @dinograndoni.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com bit.ly/4r1hblm
First, the frogs died. Then people got sick.
An emerging area of research is uncovering hidden links between nature and human health.
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Biodiversity isn't just pretty; it's vital for people's health. Case in point: This awesome story about the decline of frogs, the rise of a disease and the vital research from @ucdavis.bsky.social and others discovering that link. 👏 @dinograndoni.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com bit.ly/4r1hblm
The remaining carbon budget for 1.5C will be gone by 2030 without dramatic emissions cuts. Global Carbon Report 2025 preprint released for #COP30. www.ucdavis.edu/climate/blog...
Fossil Fuel CO2 Emissions Hit Record High in 2025
Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels are projected to rise by 1.1% in 2025 – reaching a record high, according to new research by the Global Carbon Project.
www.ucdavis.edu
November 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The remaining carbon budget for 1.5C will be gone by 2030 without dramatic emissions cuts. Global Carbon Report 2025 preprint released for #COP30. www.ucdavis.edu/climate/blog...
Reposted by Kat Kerlin
The Bodega Marine Lab and @ucdavis.bsky.social were on @jeopardyofficial.bsky.social last night! 🎉
We’ll take "Ways to Make a Marine Scientist’s Day” for $1,000, please, and give a big shoutout to our @whiteabalone.bsky.social team!
📺: Season 42, E9434 - Week 10, Episode 49
We’ll take "Ways to Make a Marine Scientist’s Day” for $1,000, please, and give a big shoutout to our @whiteabalone.bsky.social team!
📺: Season 42, E9434 - Week 10, Episode 49
November 14, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The Bodega Marine Lab and @ucdavis.bsky.social were on @jeopardyofficial.bsky.social last night! 🎉
We’ll take "Ways to Make a Marine Scientist’s Day” for $1,000, please, and give a big shoutout to our @whiteabalone.bsky.social team!
📺: Season 42, E9434 - Week 10, Episode 49
We’ll take "Ways to Make a Marine Scientist’s Day” for $1,000, please, and give a big shoutout to our @whiteabalone.bsky.social team!
📺: Season 42, E9434 - Week 10, Episode 49
Reposted by Kat Kerlin
Our new study just came out taking a look at how drought influences human-wildlife conflict reports in California! Check it out here: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
November 12, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Our new study just came out taking a look at how drought influences human-wildlife conflict reports in California! Check it out here: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Scientists show "it is possible to generate useful amounts of power from the night sky," potentially for things like ventilating greenhouses and homes. New study from @ucdavis.bsky.social. www.ucdavis.edu/news/mechani...
Mechanical Power by Linking Earth’s Warmth to Space
Engineers at the University of California, Davis, have invented a device that can generate mechanical power at night by linking the natural warmth around us to the cold depths of space. The invention ...
www.ucdavis.edu
November 12, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Scientists show "it is possible to generate useful amounts of power from the night sky," potentially for things like ventilating greenhouses and homes. New study from @ucdavis.bsky.social. www.ucdavis.edu/news/mechani...
Conflict between humans & wildlife is expected to increase with drought and climate change, finds @ucdavis.bsky.social @uclaioes.bsky.social study. "If we can make it worse, then we can make it better,” says @kendallcalhoun.bsky.social. @justineasmith.bsky.social www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
How Climate Change Brings Wildlife to the Yard
As climate change increases the frequency of droughts, UCLA and UC Davis researchers found one overlooked side effect: People report more conflicts with wildlife during drought, when resources are sca...
www.ucdavis.edu
November 12, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Conflict between humans & wildlife is expected to increase with drought and climate change, finds @ucdavis.bsky.social @uclaioes.bsky.social study. "If we can make it worse, then we can make it better,” says @kendallcalhoun.bsky.social. @justineasmith.bsky.social www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
For 4 days I followed @ucdavis.bsky.social scientists into the High Sierra to learn secrets from a tree, a bird and a changing world. I came back with this story, a new @unfoldpodcast.bsky.social episode, tons of pics and even watercolors.🌲🪺 🎨 Enjoy! www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
November 10, 2025 at 11:17 PM
For 4 days I followed @ucdavis.bsky.social scientists into the High Sierra to learn secrets from a tree, a bird and a changing world. I came back with this story, a new @unfoldpodcast.bsky.social episode, tons of pics and even watercolors.🌲🪺 🎨 Enjoy! www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
This was one of the most rewarding reporting experiences I've ever gotten to have, and I'm so thrilled to see the story and podcast out in the world now! @ucdavis.bsky.social
A lone Jeffrey pine found over 12,000 feet up a Sierra peak sparked a 240-mile trek by UC Davis scientists to study how a bird’s seed and a single tree reveal the impacts of climate change, and why fieldwork still matters in understanding our changing world. Read more: ucdav.is/4oXjDaK
November 10, 2025 at 8:44 PM
This was one of the most rewarding reporting experiences I've ever gotten to have, and I'm so thrilled to see the story and podcast out in the world now! @ucdavis.bsky.social
Have CA schools missed the bus on providing shade to increasingly hot playgrounds? 🥵 About 85% of elementary schools have lost tree canopy. @ucdavis.bsky.social @ucdavisplants.bsky.social teams with @uclaioes.bsky.social to investigate. @latimes.com www.latimes.com/environment/...
Most of California's public K-12 students go to school on campuses with virtually no shade
A team of researchers has mapped the tree canopies at public schools across California. What they've found so far is that many kids face a dangerous lack of shade and greenery.
www.latimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Have CA schools missed the bus on providing shade to increasingly hot playgrounds? 🥵 About 85% of elementary schools have lost tree canopy. @ucdavis.bsky.social @ucdavisplants.bsky.social teams with @uclaioes.bsky.social to investigate. @latimes.com www.latimes.com/environment/...
New species of spider discovered, just in time for Halloween. But climate change and habitat loss creep around the corner, haunting this newly named trapdoor spider. @ucdavis.bsky.social paper explains. www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
New Species of Spider Discovered, Just in Time for Halloween
UC Davis scientists have discovered a new species of trapdoor spider in California's coastal sand dunes.
www.ucdavis.edu
October 29, 2025 at 5:54 PM
New species of spider discovered, just in time for Halloween. But climate change and habitat loss creep around the corner, haunting this newly named trapdoor spider. @ucdavis.bsky.social paper explains. www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
Reposted by Kat Kerlin
California playgrounds and open spaces are getting hotter, but few have much shading and many are actually losing tree cover, a team led by the UC Davis Urban Science Lab finds www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
California Schools Are Losing Tree Canopy
About 85% of elementary schools studied in California experienced some loss of trees between 2018 and 2022, found a UC Davis study.
www.ucdavis.edu
October 27, 2025 at 9:46 PM
California playgrounds and open spaces are getting hotter, but few have much shading and many are actually losing tree cover, a team led by the UC Davis Urban Science Lab finds www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
Reposted by Kat Kerlin
In Focus: What’s at Stake with Federal Research Funding Cuts www.ucdavis.edu/curiosity/ne...
What’s at Stake with Federal Research Funding Cuts
Federal research funding cuts threaten UC Davis discoveries in health, agriculture and technology that improve lives worldwide.
www.ucdavis.edu
October 15, 2025 at 7:55 PM
In Focus: What’s at Stake with Federal Research Funding Cuts www.ucdavis.edu/curiosity/ne...
Reposted by Kat Kerlin
Federal research funding turns lab work into real help. More funding means faster treatments, cleaner air and water, safer families and stronger businesses. When funding freezes, progress slows and costs rise. Learn about how UC Davis research improve lives by visiting ucdav.is/FLTL.
October 15, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Federal research funding turns lab work into real help. More funding means faster treatments, cleaner air and water, safer families and stronger businesses. When funding freezes, progress slows and costs rise. Learn about how UC Davis research improve lives by visiting ucdav.is/FLTL.
You don't have to tell me about the power of siblings. My big sis is the best ever. But it's very cool to see this bond is so important in other species, too, like these songbirds, according to a new @ucdavis.bsky.social study from @sonjawild.bsky.social. www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
These Songbirds Learn More From Siblings Than From Parents
The powerful role of siblings is highlighted in this UC Davis study of a songbird species with limited parental care.
www.ucdavis.edu
October 9, 2025 at 6:21 PM
You don't have to tell me about the power of siblings. My big sis is the best ever. But it's very cool to see this bond is so important in other species, too, like these songbirds, according to a new @ucdavis.bsky.social study from @sonjawild.bsky.social. www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
Reposted by Kat Kerlin
The existence of small, starless clumps of dark matter can help astronomers learn more about the mystery stuff that makes up a quarter of the universe @ucdlands.bsky.social www.ucdavis.edu/news/astrono...
Astronomers Find Mystery Dark Object in Distant Universe
Using a global network of telescopes, astronomers have detected the lowest-mass dark object yet found in the universe. Finding more such objects and understanding their nature could rule out some theo...
www.ucdavis.edu
October 9, 2025 at 3:47 PM
The existence of small, starless clumps of dark matter can help astronomers learn more about the mystery stuff that makes up a quarter of the universe @ucdlands.bsky.social www.ucdavis.edu/news/astrono...
"Resilience shows up in sediment cores and microbial communities, in carbon storage and stress responses, and also in career pivots, broken funding pipelines, and the uncertainty that shadows early-career science today." Great ✍️by @ucdmarinescience.bsky.social storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/69cd...
Resilience from the Ground Up
What Early-Career Scientists Are Learning from Seagrass, Sediment, and Oysters
storymaps.arcgis.com
October 8, 2025 at 5:11 PM
"Resilience shows up in sediment cores and microbial communities, in carbon storage and stress responses, and also in career pivots, broken funding pipelines, and the uncertainty that shadows early-career science today." Great ✍️by @ucdmarinescience.bsky.social storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/69cd...
Carson Jeffres has loved and studied fish for 40 years. Here, he reflects on salmon, identity and CA's past and future as a Salmon Society. It "has been difficult to have hope, but some changes are happening now." @ucdavis.bsky.social @ucdaviswater.bsky.social californiawaterblog.com/2025/10/05/c...
California: A Salmon Society?
By Carson Jeffres Consider for a moment the identity of the Pacific Northwest as a Salmon Society. When you fly into an airport in the Pacific Northwest, salmon are on the floors and wal…
californiawaterblog.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Carson Jeffres has loved and studied fish for 40 years. Here, he reflects on salmon, identity and CA's past and future as a Salmon Society. It "has been difficult to have hope, but some changes are happening now." @ucdavis.bsky.social @ucdaviswater.bsky.social californiawaterblog.com/2025/10/05/c...
As the climate warms and nutrient levels shift, what can cool, clear mountain lakes expect? Study from @ucdavis.bsky.social @ucdavistahoe.bsky.social @ucdaviscaes.bsky.social www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
Lake Tahoe Algae Experiment Suggests Seasonal Shifts Ahead
As the climate warms and nutrient inputs shift, algal communities in cool, clear mountain lakes like Lake Tahoe will likely experience seasonal changes, according to a study from the University of Cal...
www.ucdavis.edu
October 6, 2025 at 4:20 PM
As the climate warms and nutrient levels shift, what can cool, clear mountain lakes expect? Study from @ucdavis.bsky.social @ucdavistahoe.bsky.social @ucdaviscaes.bsky.social www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
Hey! @ucdavisnews.bsky.social is on Bsky. Go follow us for research and other news from UC Davis!
October 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Hey! @ucdavisnews.bsky.social is on Bsky. Go follow us for research and other news from UC Davis!
Drastic changes to the National Flood Insurance Program could dismantle a half-century of U.S. policy on dealing with natural disasters, Nicholas Pinter of @ucdavis.bsky.social tells the @latimes.com. www.latimes.com/environment/...
180,000 Californians rely on federally backed flood insurance. Trump could overhaul the system
The Trump administration is looking to overhaul FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program. That leaves insurance at risk for 180,000 policyholders in California.
www.latimes.com
September 29, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Drastic changes to the National Flood Insurance Program could dismantle a half-century of U.S. policy on dealing with natural disasters, Nicholas Pinter of @ucdavis.bsky.social tells the @latimes.com. www.latimes.com/environment/...
Nicholas Spada at @ucdavis.bsky.social’ Air Quality Research Center "is one of only a handful of scientists in the world proficient at using a nuclear method for detecting toxic substances in air particles to understand their impact on human health and the environment." www.wired.com/story/the-la...
The LA Fires Spewed Out Toxic Nanoparticles. He Made It His Mission to Trace Them
Nicholas Spada is one of the only scientists in the world using a nuclear x-ray process to study deadly nanoparticles in wildfire smoke. What he’s uncovered in California is a nightmare.
www.wired.com
September 29, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Nicholas Spada at @ucdavis.bsky.social’ Air Quality Research Center "is one of only a handful of scientists in the world proficient at using a nuclear method for detecting toxic substances in air particles to understand their impact on human health and the environment." www.wired.com/story/the-la...
How rapidly reducing methane emissions "is really pulling the emergency brake" on climate change. @tessahill.bsky.social @ucdavis.bsky.social and Fatima Denton discuss new report from @climatecrisisag.bsky.social with @wedonthavetime.bsky.social at #ClimateWeekNYC www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
Pulling the E-Brake on Methane Emissions
As global emissions continue to climb, there is a growing call for rapidly reducing methane.
www.ucdavis.edu
September 25, 2025 at 9:56 PM
How rapidly reducing methane emissions "is really pulling the emergency brake" on climate change. @tessahill.bsky.social @ucdavis.bsky.social and Fatima Denton discuss new report from @climatecrisisag.bsky.social with @wedonthavetime.bsky.social at #ClimateWeekNYC www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
Valley fever is affecting people and dogs across the arid West as researchers seek solutions."Their paths are different but bound by the same invisible spores,"writes @amymquinton.bsky.social @ucdavis.bsky.social. www.ucdavis.edu/health/news/...
Valley Fever Is Spreading Across the Arid West, Affecting People and Dogs
A soil fungus fuels valley fever, now reaching beyond California and Arizona due to climate change. UC Davis doctors and veterinarians trace the threat.
www.ucdavis.edu
September 23, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Valley fever is affecting people and dogs across the arid West as researchers seek solutions."Their paths are different but bound by the same invisible spores,"writes @amymquinton.bsky.social @ucdavis.bsky.social. www.ucdavis.edu/health/news/...
Research on the tenacious little killifish sheds light on how exposure to crude oil and flame retardants impacts later generations. From @andrewwhitehead.bsky.social @ucdavis.bsky.social
2 new papers now out in #ES&T on the persistent and multi-generational impacts of flame retardants on behavior and brain biology
Press release from @ucdavis.bsky.social @ucdaviscaes.bsky.social that ties this with our work on multi-gen impacts of oil spills www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
Press release from @ucdavis.bsky.social @ucdaviscaes.bsky.social that ties this with our work on multi-gen impacts of oil spills www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
Maternal Exposure to Crude Oil, Flame Retardants Can Affect Later Generations
A tiny fish with transparent embryos is helping University of California, Davis, researchers shed light on how exposure to crude oil and flame retardants can affect behavior, skeletal growth, cardiac ...
www.ucdavis.edu
August 27, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Research on the tenacious little killifish sheds light on how exposure to crude oil and flame retardants impacts later generations. From @andrewwhitehead.bsky.social @ucdavis.bsky.social