Geraint Rees
@profgeraintrees.bsky.social
I’m a neuroscientist, lapsed neurologist, university leader and runner. Not necessarily in that order.
Reposted by Geraint Rees
Human biomass movement may be up to 40 times greater than that of all land animals combined, according to research in Nature Ecology & Evolution. A second Nature Communications paper finds that wild mammal biomass has more than halved since 1850. go.nature.com/4oID33i go.nature.com/3LhSD7n 🧪
November 10, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Human biomass movement may be up to 40 times greater than that of all land animals combined, according to research in Nature Ecology & Evolution. A second Nature Communications paper finds that wild mammal biomass has more than halved since 1850. go.nature.com/4oID33i go.nature.com/3LhSD7n 🧪
End of a wonderful week in the Okavango Delta and so thirtieth book of 2025 finished - extraordinary tale of Anna the Norwegian duck woman
November 10, 2025 at 6:44 AM
End of a wonderful week in the Okavango Delta and so thirtieth book of 2025 finished - extraordinary tale of Anna the Norwegian duck woman
More flying (holiday this time) means twenty-ninth book of 2025 finished. More readable than the first in this series, very enjoyable…
November 2, 2025 at 7:31 PM
More flying (holiday this time) means twenty-ninth book of 2025 finished. More readable than the first in this series, very enjoyable…
Reposted by Geraint Rees
@ucl.ac.uk @profgeraintrees.bsky.social met @tsinghuauniversity.bsky.social President Li Luming and Vice President Wang Hongwei to advance health & AI collaboration.
Discussions focused on the proposed Joint Centre at Changgung Hospital and expanding research collaboration.
#UCLandChina
#UCLHealth
Discussions focused on the proposed Joint Centre at Changgung Hospital and expanding research collaboration.
#UCLandChina
#UCLHealth
October 29, 2025 at 12:12 PM
@ucl.ac.uk @profgeraintrees.bsky.social met @tsinghuauniversity.bsky.social President Li Luming and Vice President Wang Hongwei to advance health & AI collaboration.
Discussions focused on the proposed Joint Centre at Changgung Hospital and expanding research collaboration.
#UCLandChina
#UCLHealth
Discussions focused on the proposed Joint Centre at Changgung Hospital and expanding research collaboration.
#UCLandChina
#UCLHealth
Reposted by Geraint Rees
At the Beijing Health Forum, @profgeraintrees.bsky.social delivered a keynote highlighting @ucl.ac.uk’s healthcare innovation and international partnerships, aligned with the forum theme: Innovation without Borders, Health for Our Shared Future.
#UCLandChina
#UCLHealth
@uclnews.bsky.social
#UCLandChina
#UCLHealth
@uclnews.bsky.social
October 29, 2025 at 12:39 PM
At the Beijing Health Forum, @profgeraintrees.bsky.social delivered a keynote highlighting @ucl.ac.uk’s healthcare innovation and international partnerships, aligned with the forum theme: Innovation without Borders, Health for Our Shared Future.
#UCLandChina
#UCLHealth
@uclnews.bsky.social
#UCLandChina
#UCLHealth
@uclnews.bsky.social
Long pair of flights today so twenty-eighth book of 2025 also finished!
October 26, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Long pair of flights today so twenty-eighth book of 2025 also finished!
On my way back from Beijing, twenty-seventh book of 2025 finished. Just terrific - a highly readable reflection on the China (and the America) of today.
October 26, 2025 at 11:14 AM
On my way back from Beijing, twenty-seventh book of 2025 finished. Just terrific - a highly readable reflection on the China (and the America) of today.
Twenty-sixth book of 2025 finished - what a book! Short, punchy, packed with irony - a guide to the present
October 22, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Twenty-sixth book of 2025 finished - what a book! Short, punchy, packed with irony - a guide to the present
Twenty-fifth book of 2025 finished - just in time for my trip to Beijing this week
October 19, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Twenty-fifth book of 2025 finished - just in time for my trip to Beijing this week
Is academic research becoming too competitive? Nature examines the data www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Is academic research becoming too competitive? Nature examines the data
Applications for European research grants increased in 2025. Scientists say they’re feeling the competition.
www.nature.com
October 18, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Is academic research becoming too competitive? Nature examines the data www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Good luck to everyone taking part in the Royal Parks Half this morning. Not me this year, but was my first half so remember it fondly!
October 12, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Good luck to everyone taking part in the Royal Parks Half this morning. Not me this year, but was my first half so remember it fondly!
Reposted by Geraint Rees
@profgeraintrees.bsky.social chaired a private breakfast roundtable at #Lab25 with Dr Anne Lane @uclb.bsky.social, @chriscurtis94.bsky.social and @uclpolicylab.bsky.social on Euston as a place — and how we unlock inclusive growth through innovation.
What if the next global innovation supercluster wasn’t in Boston or Silicon Valley - but in Euston? 🌍
Our CEO Anne Lane joined leaders from Camden Council, Lendlease, UCL partner hospitals and more for the 'Unlocking Inclusive Growth Through Innovation' breakfast at #Lab25 in Liverpool yesterday.
Our CEO Anne Lane joined leaders from Camden Council, Lendlease, UCL partner hospitals and more for the 'Unlocking Inclusive Growth Through Innovation' breakfast at #Lab25 in Liverpool yesterday.
October 10, 2025 at 8:23 AM
@profgeraintrees.bsky.social chaired a private breakfast roundtable at #Lab25 with Dr Anne Lane @uclb.bsky.social, @chriscurtis94.bsky.social and @uclpolicylab.bsky.social on Euston as a place — and how we unlock inclusive growth through innovation.
Reposted by Geraint Rees
Knowledge exchange activities drive economic growth and boost innovation across the UK. "These results show the real value of universities like UCL working side by side with business, government, the NHS and the public to translate ideas into real-world impact" - @profgeraintrees.bsky.social
#KEF5
#KEF5
UCL has been recognised as one of the top universities in England for knowledge exchange in Research England’s Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF).
Read more: bit.ly/46tDarL
#KEF5
@ucl.ac.uk @profgeraintrees.bsky.social
Read more: bit.ly/46tDarL
#KEF5
@ucl.ac.uk @profgeraintrees.bsky.social
September 23, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Knowledge exchange activities drive economic growth and boost innovation across the UK. "These results show the real value of universities like UCL working side by side with business, government, the NHS and the public to translate ideas into real-world impact" - @profgeraintrees.bsky.social
#KEF5
#KEF5
Reposted by Geraint Rees
Crick chief: UK and Europe have ‘duty’ to welcome US scientists www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Crick chief: UK and Europe have ‘duty’ to welcome US scientists - Research Professional News
New head of flagship biomedical institute notes “tragic opportunity” stemming from US cuts to research
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 25, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Crick chief: UK and Europe have ‘duty’ to welcome US scientists www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Congratulations to my amazing colleagues who have worked so hard to deliver the research, innovation and knowledge exchange that underlies this rating. @ucl.ac.uk is one of the most entrepreneurial universities in the world, sitting at the heart of London's @knowledgequarter.bsky.social
UCL has been recognised as one of the top universities in England for knowledge exchange in Research England’s Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF).
Read more: bit.ly/46tDarL
#KEF5
@ucl.ac.uk @profgeraintrees.bsky.social
Read more: bit.ly/46tDarL
#KEF5
@ucl.ac.uk @profgeraintrees.bsky.social
September 23, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Congratulations to my amazing colleagues who have worked so hard to deliver the research, innovation and knowledge exchange that underlies this rating. @ucl.ac.uk is one of the most entrepreneurial universities in the world, sitting at the heart of London's @knowledgequarter.bsky.social
Twenty-fourth book of 2025 finished - curious part-autobiography, part-biography (of David Starr Jordan, founding President of Stanford)
September 23, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Twenty-fourth book of 2025 finished - curious part-autobiography, part-biography (of David Starr Jordan, founding President of Stanford)
I guess it's not often someone from UCL senior leadership says "Go Durham!" But if you check out this @durham-university.bsky.social page I think you'll find out why #prouddad
www.durham.ac.uk/news-events/...
www.durham.ac.uk/news-events/...
University Challenge 202526 - Durham University
www.durham.ac.uk
September 19, 2025 at 6:52 PM
I guess it's not often someone from UCL senior leadership says "Go Durham!" But if you check out this @durham-university.bsky.social page I think you'll find out why #prouddad
www.durham.ac.uk/news-events/...
www.durham.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Geraint Rees
Could these companies be turning their backs at precisely the wrong moment?, asks @profgeraintrees.bsky.social after US firm Merck put the brakes on a £1 billion London research centre & AstraZeneca said it would pause a £200m investment to expand its research and development arm in Cambridge
Why Merck and AstraZeneca may regret turning their back on Britain
The pair may have gone cold on the UK but start-ups and university spinouts here are using AI to revolutionise drug discovery
www.thetimes.com
September 14, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Could these companies be turning their backs at precisely the wrong moment?, asks @profgeraintrees.bsky.social after US firm Merck put the brakes on a £1 billion London research centre & AstraZeneca said it would pause a £200m investment to expand its research and development arm in Cambridge
Reposted by Geraint Rees
Pet parrots which typically live alone (whilst those in the wild live in large flocks) were given the technology to call each other. They would use it for up to three hours a day, and developed favourite friends 💔
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
September 12, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Pet parrots which typically live alone (whilst those in the wild live in large flocks) were given the technology to call each other. They would use it for up to three hours a day, and developed favourite friends 💔
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
on.ft.com/4pgD6UR AI ‘hit squad’ set up to drive Whitehall efficiency struggles to hire top talent
AI ‘hit squad’ set up to drive Whitehall efficiency struggles to hire top talent
The Incubator for Artificial Intelligence unit spent less than half of its budget last year because of recruitment delays
on.ft.com
September 13, 2025 at 10:18 AM
on.ft.com/4pgD6UR AI ‘hit squad’ set up to drive Whitehall efficiency struggles to hire top talent
Great to see this @ucl.ac.uk spinout doing so well!
The UK-based startup says its algorithms can unlock value even with error-prone quantum computers.
Phasecraft raises $34m to double down on quantum algorithms
sifted.eu
September 2, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Great to see this @ucl.ac.uk spinout doing so well!
Interesting no link to cerebellum size, only neortical size.
Longer thumbs, bigger brains
This study reveals a significant relationship between relatively longer thumbs – a key feature of precision grasping - and larger brains across 95 fossil and extant primates.
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
This study reveals a significant relationship between relatively longer thumbs – a key feature of precision grasping - and larger brains across 95 fossil and extant primates.
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
September 2, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Interesting no link to cerebellum size, only neortical size.
Reposted by Geraint Rees
Longer thumbs, bigger brains
This study reveals a significant relationship between relatively longer thumbs – a key feature of precision grasping - and larger brains across 95 fossil and extant primates.
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
This study reveals a significant relationship between relatively longer thumbs – a key feature of precision grasping - and larger brains across 95 fossil and extant primates.
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
September 2, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Longer thumbs, bigger brains
This study reveals a significant relationship between relatively longer thumbs – a key feature of precision grasping - and larger brains across 95 fossil and extant primates.
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
This study reveals a significant relationship between relatively longer thumbs – a key feature of precision grasping - and larger brains across 95 fossil and extant primates.
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
This is a really interesting finding!
Scientists discover the secret behind the shrew’s amazing ability to shrink their brains 🧠
The clever trick sheds unwanted weight without compromising too much on cognition.
Find the 5-letter word 👇
Study by @cecibaldoni.bsky.social Dechmann Lab #shrewcrew et al
www.ab.mpg.de/743885/news_...
The clever trick sheds unwanted weight without compromising too much on cognition.
Find the 5-letter word 👇
Study by @cecibaldoni.bsky.social Dechmann Lab #shrewcrew et al
www.ab.mpg.de/743885/news_...
Rare seasonal brain shrinkage in shrews is driven by water loss, not cell death
Common shrews are one of only a handful of mammals known to flexibly shrink and regrow their brains. This rare seasonal cycle, known as Dehnel’s phenomenon, has puzzled scientists for decades. A study...
www.ab.mpg.de
September 2, 2025 at 7:21 AM
This is a really interesting finding!
Reposted by Geraint Rees
The Californian Ideology hits harder than ever
Thirty years ago today, Richard Barbrook and Andy Cameron published “The Californian Ideology” in Mute magazine and circulated on the early-adopter email list nettime, writes Nathan Schneider. Its diagnosis of what makes Silicon Valley tick is worth revisiting:
Thirty Years On, the Californian Ideology is Alive and Well | TechPolicy.Press
In the seminal essay, Barbrook and Cameron insisted that there are other ways to build technology, and to do it democratically, writes Nathan Schneider.
www.techpolicy.press
September 2, 2025 at 6:33 AM
The Californian Ideology hits harder than ever