Robert Vander Velde
@robvander.bsky.social
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
i bet my lectures on the genetics of sex determination would not be approved under this, given that a key part of how i teach it is how it's incredibly variable because sex + GSD systems have evolved multiple times...
i mean, if i were cis, *maybe* it'd pass, but as a trans person? lol nope
i mean, if i were cis, *maybe* it'd pass, but as a trans person? lol nope
November 11, 2025 at 6:43 PM
i bet my lectures on the genetics of sex determination would not be approved under this, given that a key part of how i teach it is how it's incredibly variable because sex + GSD systems have evolved multiple times...
i mean, if i were cis, *maybe* it'd pass, but as a trans person? lol nope
i mean, if i were cis, *maybe* it'd pass, but as a trans person? lol nope
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
When you see someone share their premium increase this week, bite your tongue about universal healthcare. Americans KNOW this is a shitty deal forced on them. They still need their meds and doctors.
You don't pull over at a car accident and say "well *my* car is fine".
You don't pull over at a car accident and say "well *my* car is fine".
November 1, 2025 at 1:35 PM
When you see someone share their premium increase this week, bite your tongue about universal healthcare. Americans KNOW this is a shitty deal forced on them. They still need their meds and doctors.
You don't pull over at a car accident and say "well *my* car is fine".
You don't pull over at a car accident and say "well *my* car is fine".
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
I am seeing the posts about American healthcare premiums going up 5x and more. And I want to gather my Canadians and folks who have universal healthcare and let you know that Americans know their system is broken. You don't need to tell them that right now.
November 1, 2025 at 1:31 PM
I am seeing the posts about American healthcare premiums going up 5x and more. And I want to gather my Canadians and folks who have universal healthcare and let you know that Americans know their system is broken. You don't need to tell them that right now.
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
NEWS: The UK is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal, sources familiar with the matter told CNN. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
Exclusive: UK suspends some intelligence sharing with US over boat strike concerns in major break | CNN Politics
The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes ...
edition.cnn.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:06 PM
NEWS: The UK is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal, sources familiar with the matter told CNN. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
Trump has threatened to bomb or invade 7 countries with a shot to play in the 2026 World Cup. He *has* bombed one (Iran) and said he'd deny them visas. He's preparing for war with another (Venezuela). He has summarily executed citizens from at least 3. He has imposed tariffs on nearly all of them.
FIFA head says 'you will see' at World Cup draw if Trump receives new peace prize
FIFA has announced the creation of a peace prize, which it plans to award for the first time at the World Cup draw on Dec. 5 in Washington.
www.npr.org
November 10, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Trump has threatened to bomb or invade 7 countries with a shot to play in the 2026 World Cup. He *has* bombed one (Iran) and said he'd deny them visas. He's preparing for war with another (Venezuela). He has summarily executed citizens from at least 3. He has imposed tariffs on nearly all of them.
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
"SARS-CoV-2 is too well-adapted to humans [hence, insert your favorite conspiracy theory]".
That was never right because, for one, SARS-CoV-2 is a pandemic virus so it necessarily had to be "well-adapted".
Now, a new study shows the same is true for BANAL-236 - a related virus isolated from bats.
That was never right because, for one, SARS-CoV-2 is a pandemic virus so it necessarily had to be "well-adapted".
Now, a new study shows the same is true for BANAL-236 - a related virus isolated from bats.
November 10, 2025 at 8:09 PM
"SARS-CoV-2 is too well-adapted to humans [hence, insert your favorite conspiracy theory]".
That was never right because, for one, SARS-CoV-2 is a pandemic virus so it necessarily had to be "well-adapted".
Now, a new study shows the same is true for BANAL-236 - a related virus isolated from bats.
That was never right because, for one, SARS-CoV-2 is a pandemic virus so it necessarily had to be "well-adapted".
Now, a new study shows the same is true for BANAL-236 - a related virus isolated from bats.
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
My wife and I pay for life insurance even though we have never died. I pay for fire insurance even though my house has never burned down. That's not because we want to throw money at insurance companies. It's because THAT'S HOW INSURANCE WORKS.
November 10, 2025 at 3:44 PM
My wife and I pay for life insurance even though we have never died. I pay for fire insurance even though my house has never burned down. That's not because we want to throw money at insurance companies. It's because THAT'S HOW INSURANCE WORKS.
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 9:23 AM
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
Regardless of fox’s actual rabies status.
This is your reminder vaccinate for rabies. Always. Even if indoor only.
The ONLY way to test for rabies is euthanize the animal and remove brain tissue. There is no live test for rabies and your state/local health department will not play
This is your reminder vaccinate for rabies. Always. Even if indoor only.
The ONLY way to test for rabies is euthanize the animal and remove brain tissue. There is no live test for rabies and your state/local health department will not play
Apparently missing out on some exciting rabid fox neighborhood drama
Got this photo via two different group chats
Got this photo via two different group chats
November 9, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Regardless of fox’s actual rabies status.
This is your reminder vaccinate for rabies. Always. Even if indoor only.
The ONLY way to test for rabies is euthanize the animal and remove brain tissue. There is no live test for rabies and your state/local health department will not play
This is your reminder vaccinate for rabies. Always. Even if indoor only.
The ONLY way to test for rabies is euthanize the animal and remove brain tissue. There is no live test for rabies and your state/local health department will not play
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
It’s like getting mad at a bear for knocking over your trash and scattering it around the yard. I expect the bear to do it but I am disappointed if my neighbor does the same thing
There was a discussion on here about people that only get mad at Dems, and while I certainly think that’s not the way to live, there’s really so much you can say about the GOP. Like what am I supposed to do, say how disappointed I am Tommy Tuberville voted yes on this funding bill?
November 10, 2025 at 1:48 AM
It’s like getting mad at a bear for knocking over your trash and scattering it around the yard. I expect the bear to do it but I am disappointed if my neighbor does the same thing
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
There was a discussion on here about people that only get mad at Dems, and while I certainly think that’s not the way to live, there’s really so much you can say about the GOP. Like what am I supposed to do, say how disappointed I am Tommy Tuberville voted yes on this funding bill?
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 AM
There was a discussion on here about people that only get mad at Dems, and while I certainly think that’s not the way to live, there’s really so much you can say about the GOP. Like what am I supposed to do, say how disappointed I am Tommy Tuberville voted yes on this funding bill?
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
This is one of my favourite photos on this subject. "Four men struggle to put a fridge on an American style truck… and it doesn't even fit safely."
November 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM
This is one of my favourite photos on this subject. "Four men struggle to put a fridge on an American style truck… and it doesn't even fit safely."
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
A white hot dog photographed back in the winter of 2020 in Yellowstone.
We actually had two different long-tailed weasels scampering around in this spot at the same time!
We actually had two different long-tailed weasels scampering around in this spot at the same time!
November 9, 2025 at 2:47 PM
A white hot dog photographed back in the winter of 2020 in Yellowstone.
We actually had two different long-tailed weasels scampering around in this spot at the same time!
We actually had two different long-tailed weasels scampering around in this spot at the same time!
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
I've said it before: everything giant pandas do makes more sense if you imagine they are six drinks in on a Friday night.
But I feel like we haven't fully celebrated their triumphant return. See, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is no longer Endangered.
A conservation success story!
But I feel like we haven't fully celebrated their triumphant return. See, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is no longer Endangered.
A conservation success story!
a panda bear is sitting on a wooden platform with toys
Alt: a panda bear is sitting on a wooden platform with toys, it barrels through them, falls, and manages to roll down every part of the stairs, as if on purpose. Just agent of chaos behavior.
media.tenor.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:04 PM
I've said it before: everything giant pandas do makes more sense if you imagine they are six drinks in on a Friday night.
But I feel like we haven't fully celebrated their triumphant return. See, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is no longer Endangered.
A conservation success story!
But I feel like we haven't fully celebrated their triumphant return. See, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is no longer Endangered.
A conservation success story!
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
This is the WHO, right? This is what the WHO is for.
But somebody threw a tantrum and decided to take the US ball and go home. Somebody…. somebody….
who was that…. OH YEAH. THESE SAME GUYS.
But somebody threw a tantrum and decided to take the US ball and go home. Somebody…. somebody….
who was that…. OH YEAH. THESE SAME GUYS.
US to demand countries share data on ‘pathogens with epidemic potential’ in return for health aid
Draft template seen by the Guardian has no reference to countries receiving benefits for sharing information, such as guaranteed access to medicines developed as a result
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:55 AM
This is the WHO, right? This is what the WHO is for.
But somebody threw a tantrum and decided to take the US ball and go home. Somebody…. somebody….
who was that…. OH YEAH. THESE SAME GUYS.
But somebody threw a tantrum and decided to take the US ball and go home. Somebody…. somebody….
who was that…. OH YEAH. THESE SAME GUYS.
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
That’s why table salt, sodium chloride (NaCl), doesn’t explode when you put it in water, while SODIUM explodes in water.
Claiming thimerosal is mercury is like saying water (H2O) is the same as hydrogen gas (H2).
Or glucose (C6H12O6) is the same as diamonds (C atoms).
2/
Claiming thimerosal is mercury is like saying water (H2O) is the same as hydrogen gas (H2).
Or glucose (C6H12O6) is the same as diamonds (C atoms).
2/
November 8, 2025 at 8:45 PM
That’s why table salt, sodium chloride (NaCl), doesn’t explode when you put it in water, while SODIUM explodes in water.
Claiming thimerosal is mercury is like saying water (H2O) is the same as hydrogen gas (H2).
Or glucose (C6H12O6) is the same as diamonds (C atoms).
2/
Claiming thimerosal is mercury is like saying water (H2O) is the same as hydrogen gas (H2).
Or glucose (C6H12O6) is the same as diamonds (C atoms).
2/
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
Thimerosal has formula C9H9HgNaO2S. It is not mercury.
The systematic name for thimerosal is
Ethyl(2-mercaptobenzoato-(2-)-O,S) mercurate(1-) sodium.
Chemicals aren’t the sum of their parts. Chemical bonds change everything about behavior.
1/
The systematic name for thimerosal is
Ethyl(2-mercaptobenzoato-(2-)-O,S) mercurate(1-) sodium.
Chemicals aren’t the sum of their parts. Chemical bonds change everything about behavior.
1/
November 8, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Thimerosal has formula C9H9HgNaO2S. It is not mercury.
The systematic name for thimerosal is
Ethyl(2-mercaptobenzoato-(2-)-O,S) mercurate(1-) sodium.
Chemicals aren’t the sum of their parts. Chemical bonds change everything about behavior.
1/
The systematic name for thimerosal is
Ethyl(2-mercaptobenzoato-(2-)-O,S) mercurate(1-) sodium.
Chemicals aren’t the sum of their parts. Chemical bonds change everything about behavior.
1/
Does Tom Brady's dog count?
last fall, a couple weeks after my Cloning and De-extinction lecture it was announced that one of the cloned black-footed ferrets had successfully given birth.
last spring, a couple weeks after the same lecture, the dire wolf debacle broke.
this semester's lecture is today. now accepting bets?
last spring, a couple weeks after the same lecture, the dire wolf debacle broke.
this semester's lecture is today. now accepting bets?
November 8, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Does Tom Brady's dog count?
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
A territorial female red-winged blackbird attacks a great blue heron that was perching on the fishing pier at Izaak Walton Nature Area in Longmont, Colorado.
#BirdOfTheDay #Fighting #EastCoastKin
#bird #birds #birdphotography #photography #photograph #photographs #photo #photos #nature
#BirdOfTheDay #Fighting #EastCoastKin
#bird #birds #birdphotography #photography #photograph #photographs #photo #photos #nature
November 7, 2025 at 9:42 AM
A territorial female red-winged blackbird attacks a great blue heron that was perching on the fishing pier at Izaak Walton Nature Area in Longmont, Colorado.
#BirdOfTheDay #Fighting #EastCoastKin
#bird #birds #birdphotography #photography #photograph #photographs #photo #photos #nature
#BirdOfTheDay #Fighting #EastCoastKin
#bird #birds #birdphotography #photography #photograph #photographs #photo #photos #nature
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
Cornell agreed to pay $30m, hand over admissions data with demographic breakdowns, produce annual "campus climate" surveys to check on antisemitism and changes "since October of 2023," and—here's the dumbest part they agreed to—that the govt can open new investigations whenever it wants.
Appeasers.
Appeasers.
Cornell has reached an agreement with the federal government to restore our funding:
statements.cornell.edu/2025/2025110...
statements.cornell.edu/2025/2025110...
An agreement to restore Cornell’s federal research funding | University Statements | Cornell University
statements.cornell.edu
November 7, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Cornell agreed to pay $30m, hand over admissions data with demographic breakdowns, produce annual "campus climate" surveys to check on antisemitism and changes "since October of 2023," and—here's the dumbest part they agreed to—that the govt can open new investigations whenever it wants.
Appeasers.
Appeasers.
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
it should be in September or maybe early October like the Canadians! it's a harvest festival and it would also mean not having the bizarre 'go and see your family twice within a month' thing with Christmas
November 5, 2025 at 11:02 PM
it should be in September or maybe early October like the Canadians! it's a harvest festival and it would also mean not having the bizarre 'go and see your family twice within a month' thing with Christmas
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
So a recent Veritasium video on natural selection explains kin selection and does the unavoidable thing of saying that a parent shares "half of its genes with the child". This is wrong, because for any 2 humans, we share almost all of our genes. We share more than 95% with chimpanzees ffs. >>
November 4, 2025 at 3:44 PM
So a recent Veritasium video on natural selection explains kin selection and does the unavoidable thing of saying that a parent shares "half of its genes with the child". This is wrong, because for any 2 humans, we share almost all of our genes. We share more than 95% with chimpanzees ffs. >>
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
They think they’re adding something to the conversation by saying “homophobes aren’t scared,” first of all, yes they are, and second of all, read the dictionary if it helps; “phobia” is not only about terror-fear, it also encompasses revulsion, hatred and strong aversion
November 4, 2025 at 5:06 PM
They think they’re adding something to the conversation by saying “homophobes aren’t scared,” first of all, yes they are, and second of all, read the dictionary if it helps; “phobia” is not only about terror-fear, it also encompasses revulsion, hatred and strong aversion
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
The FPbase spectra viewer just had it's biggest software refactor in 6 years. It *should* be largely invisible to the end user (hopefully just faster and less buggy). Please let me know if you find any issues as you use it!
www.fpbase.org/spectra/
www.fpbase.org/spectra/
FPbase Fluorescence Spectra Viewer
An interactive fluorescence spectra viewer to evaluate the spectral properties of fluorescent proteins, organic dyes, filters, and detectors.
www.fpbase.org
November 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The FPbase spectra viewer just had it's biggest software refactor in 6 years. It *should* be largely invisible to the end user (hopefully just faster and less buggy). Please let me know if you find any issues as you use it!
www.fpbase.org/spectra/
www.fpbase.org/spectra/
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
One of the most useful resources for anyone who uses fluorescence methods.
The FPbase spectra viewer just had it's biggest software refactor in 6 years. It *should* be largely invisible to the end user (hopefully just faster and less buggy). Please let me know if you find any issues as you use it!
www.fpbase.org/spectra/
www.fpbase.org/spectra/
FPbase Fluorescence Spectra Viewer
An interactive fluorescence spectra viewer to evaluate the spectral properties of fluorescent proteins, organic dyes, filters, and detectors.
www.fpbase.org
November 4, 2025 at 5:01 PM
One of the most useful resources for anyone who uses fluorescence methods.