Roli Roberts
@roliroberts.bsky.social
Senior Editor at @plosbiology.org; Scientist, Humanist, Optimist and Recovering Academic. All opinions my own.
Pinned
Roli Roberts
@roliroberts.bsky.social
· Dec 16
IT'S OFFICIAL! From today, @plos.org and its journals are no longer posting on Twitter/X. If you want to carry on hearing about great science in our journal, follow @plosbiology.org on Bluesky here: bsky.app/profile/plos...
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Good morning to all those people who wasted the last decade saying, "there's no point tackling climate change in the UK, because China."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
China’s CO2 emissions have been flat or falling for past 18 months, analysis finds
World’s biggest polluter on track to hit peak emissions target early but miss goal for cutting carbon intensity
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Good morning to all those people who wasted the last decade saying, "there's no point tackling climate change in the UK, because China."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Roli Roberts
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Tell me you don’t understand risk pools without telling me you don’t understand risk pools
November 10, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Tell me you don’t understand risk pools without telling me you don’t understand risk pools
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Grid scale batteries are changing our electricity system.
November 9, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Grid scale batteries are changing our electricity system.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Getting Rosalind Franklin’s story right is crucial, because she has become a role model for women going into science
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure
Franklin was no victim in how the DNA double helix was solved. An overlooked letter and an unpublished news article, both written in 1953, reveal that she was an equal player.
www.nature.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Getting Rosalind Franklin’s story right is crucial, because she has become a role model for women going into science
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Tonight was a very bad night.
November 10, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Tonight was a very bad night.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
An Asgard archaeon with internal membrane compartments
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
November 7, 2025 at 10:44 AM
An Asgard archaeon with internal membrane compartments
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Other work by the Ladybird artists
‘November Farm Work’
Farm Crops in Britain - Puffin Picture Book, 1955
Artist: SR Badmin
‘November Farm Work’
Farm Crops in Britain - Puffin Picture Book, 1955
Artist: SR Badmin
November 6, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Other work by the Ladybird artists
‘November Farm Work’
Farm Crops in Britain - Puffin Picture Book, 1955
Artist: SR Badmin
‘November Farm Work’
Farm Crops in Britain - Puffin Picture Book, 1955
Artist: SR Badmin
Reposted by Roli Roberts
The number of people who go bankrupt every year because of medical bills.
Norway - 0
UK - 0
France - 0
Spain - 0
Portugal - 0
Denmark - 0
Australia - 0
Iceland - 0
Italy - 0
Finland - 0
Ireland - 0
Germany - 0
Netherlands - 0
Sweden - 0
Japan - 0
Canada - 0
United States - 643k
Norway - 0
UK - 0
France - 0
Spain - 0
Portugal - 0
Denmark - 0
Australia - 0
Iceland - 0
Italy - 0
Finland - 0
Ireland - 0
Germany - 0
Netherlands - 0
Sweden - 0
Japan - 0
Canada - 0
United States - 643k
November 3, 2025 at 5:53 PM
The number of people who go bankrupt every year because of medical bills.
Norway - 0
UK - 0
France - 0
Spain - 0
Portugal - 0
Denmark - 0
Australia - 0
Iceland - 0
Italy - 0
Finland - 0
Ireland - 0
Germany - 0
Netherlands - 0
Sweden - 0
Japan - 0
Canada - 0
United States - 643k
Norway - 0
UK - 0
France - 0
Spain - 0
Portugal - 0
Denmark - 0
Australia - 0
Iceland - 0
Italy - 0
Finland - 0
Ireland - 0
Germany - 0
Netherlands - 0
Sweden - 0
Japan - 0
Canada - 0
United States - 643k
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
November 3, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
Reposted by Roli Roberts
UK immigration policy directly undermines its R&D policy. Joined up government? This incoherent policy soup is a shambles.
NEW from me:
Political hostility, high visa fees and (in the case of the UK) stagnant incomes are making the UK and US less attractive destinations for top international talent.
That steep decline in the appeal of moving to the US after 2016 is 👀
Political hostility, high visa fees and (in the case of the UK) stagnant incomes are making the UK and US less attractive destinations for top international talent.
That steep decline in the appeal of moving to the US after 2016 is 👀
October 31, 2025 at 3:30 PM
UK immigration policy directly undermines its R&D policy. Joined up government? This incoherent policy soup is a shambles.
How prevalent is #ImageManipulation in biomedical science? This paper in @plosbiology.org shows that in a random-ish subfield (animal studies of stroke) a staggering 40% (!) of papers had image duplication and/or manipulation... and journals were slow to correct journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
High prevalence of articles with image-related problems in animal studies of subarachnoid hemorrhage and low rates of correction by publishers
Unchallenged erroneous articles can undermine scientific progress and mislead future research. This study shows that image-related issues affect 40% of reviewed articles on early brain injury in anima...
journals.plos.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:35 PM
How prevalent is #ImageManipulation in biomedical science? This paper in @plosbiology.org shows that in a random-ish subfield (animal studies of stroke) a staggering 40% (!) of papers had image duplication and/or manipulation... and journals were slow to correct journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Reposted by Roli Roberts
The German company that makes the mechanical ladder used in the Louvre heist has used the image to advertise, with the text 'When you need to move fast'
10/10 response, no notes
10/10 response, no notes
October 24, 2025 at 8:27 AM
The German company that makes the mechanical ladder used in the Louvre heist has used the image to advertise, with the text 'When you need to move fast'
10/10 response, no notes
10/10 response, no notes
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Today, Mike Johnson will keep the House adjourned for the 81st day out of the last 93.
12 days of work in over 3 months.
With full pay and benefits.
The senate has been working, so this is not about the shutdown.
It is about avoiding a vote to release the Epstein files.
12 days of work in over 3 months.
With full pay and benefits.
The senate has been working, so this is not about the shutdown.
It is about avoiding a vote to release the Epstein files.
October 24, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Today, Mike Johnson will keep the House adjourned for the 81st day out of the last 93.
12 days of work in over 3 months.
With full pay and benefits.
The senate has been working, so this is not about the shutdown.
It is about avoiding a vote to release the Epstein files.
12 days of work in over 3 months.
With full pay and benefits.
The senate has been working, so this is not about the shutdown.
It is about avoiding a vote to release the Epstein files.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Today, the White House Press Secretary told the country that this ridiculous damn ballroom is “the president’s main priority”…not reopening the government, not lowering the cost of groceries, not lowering the cost of housing, not lowering the cost of healthcare….building a ballroom
October 23, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Today, the White House Press Secretary told the country that this ridiculous damn ballroom is “the president’s main priority”…not reopening the government, not lowering the cost of groceries, not lowering the cost of housing, not lowering the cost of healthcare….building a ballroom
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Episode eleventy billion in "was putting the internet into random household objects good or nah?"
The AWS outage bricked people's $2,700 smartbeds, leaving them in a reclining position or with the heat up. People were unable to use them, basically. A GitHub repo exists that lets people operate their beds without reliance on the normal infrastructure
www.404media.co/the-aws-outa...
www.404media.co/the-aws-outa...
The AWS Outage Bricked People’s $2,700 Smartbeds
When Amazon Web Services went offline, people lost control of their cloud-connected smart beds, getting stuck in reclined positions or roasting with the heat turned all the way up.
www.404media.co
October 23, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Episode eleventy billion in "was putting the internet into random household objects good or nah?"
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Absolutely cannot wait to join Rob Delaney to discuss our books & what The Story of a Heart tells us about compassion, care, medical innovation & the NHS 🫀💗🩺
Thank you @intelligence2.bsky.social for arranging this dream conversation.
Please join us!
📆 13 Nov
📍 Kiln Theatre, London
⏰ 7pm
Thank you @intelligence2.bsky.social for arranging this dream conversation.
Please join us!
📆 13 Nov
📍 Kiln Theatre, London
⏰ 7pm
October 22, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Absolutely cannot wait to join Rob Delaney to discuss our books & what The Story of a Heart tells us about compassion, care, medical innovation & the NHS 🫀💗🩺
Thank you @intelligence2.bsky.social for arranging this dream conversation.
Please join us!
📆 13 Nov
📍 Kiln Theatre, London
⏰ 7pm
Thank you @intelligence2.bsky.social for arranging this dream conversation.
Please join us!
📆 13 Nov
📍 Kiln Theatre, London
⏰ 7pm
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Why does everyone keep calling it “The Epstein Ballroom?” Please stop repeating “The Epstein Ballroom” because it is not called “The Epstein Ballroom!” Don’t tell the news that it’s called “The Epstein Ballroom” and please don’t repost this!!!!!
October 22, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Why does everyone keep calling it “The Epstein Ballroom?” Please stop repeating “The Epstein Ballroom” because it is not called “The Epstein Ballroom!” Don’t tell the news that it’s called “The Epstein Ballroom” and please don’t repost this!!!!!
Reposted by Roli Roberts
We're facing a political emergency: a high likelihood of an shamelessly authoritarian government in 2029. So we urgently need this basic safeguard: a codified constitution.
This week's column explains what we're missing and why it's so important.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column explains what we're missing and why it's so important.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
We must act now: without a written constitution, Reform UK will have carte blanche to toxify our nation | Goerge Monbiot
It means breaking with hundreds of years of tradition, but it can’t wait. As hard-right figures spread division and laud autocrats, a fail-safe is vital, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:44 AM
We're facing a political emergency: a high likelihood of an shamelessly authoritarian government in 2029. So we urgently need this basic safeguard: a codified constitution.
This week's column explains what we're missing and why it's so important.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column explains what we're missing and why it's so important.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Updating my LEGO White House
October 23, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Updating my LEGO White House
Reposted by Roli Roberts
I have been traveling and today I present to you...the thing I saw in the Frankfurt airport.
Is it efficient? Undeniably. Does it probably work better than the normal way? Oh certainly. Produce less of a mess? Probably?
But the existence of Condiment Udders gives me a deep, aghast disquiet.
Is it efficient? Undeniably. Does it probably work better than the normal way? Oh certainly. Produce less of a mess? Probably?
But the existence of Condiment Udders gives me a deep, aghast disquiet.
October 22, 2025 at 2:26 PM
I have been traveling and today I present to you...the thing I saw in the Frankfurt airport.
Is it efficient? Undeniably. Does it probably work better than the normal way? Oh certainly. Produce less of a mess? Probably?
But the existence of Condiment Udders gives me a deep, aghast disquiet.
Is it efficient? Undeniably. Does it probably work better than the normal way? Oh certainly. Produce less of a mess? Probably?
But the existence of Condiment Udders gives me a deep, aghast disquiet.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
China has electrified faster than almost any other country - electricity’s share of its energy use is up 10% in a decade.
Since 2019 it’s built 40% of global wind & solar, boosting their share in power generation by nearly 20% points.
Energy independence meets industrial strategy.
Since 2019 it’s built 40% of global wind & solar, boosting their share in power generation by nearly 20% points.
Energy independence meets industrial strategy.
October 21, 2025 at 2:05 PM
China has electrified faster than almost any other country - electricity’s share of its energy use is up 10% in a decade.
Since 2019 it’s built 40% of global wind & solar, boosting their share in power generation by nearly 20% points.
Energy independence meets industrial strategy.
Since 2019 it’s built 40% of global wind & solar, boosting their share in power generation by nearly 20% points.
Energy independence meets industrial strategy.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
If I were ever elected president, the first thing I’d do is take a sledgehammer to that ballroom.
October 21, 2025 at 11:57 PM
If I were ever elected president, the first thing I’d do is take a sledgehammer to that ballroom.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
The White House is asking people not to share pictures of the East Wing because it’s even worse today.
October 21, 2025 at 10:54 PM
The White House is asking people not to share pictures of the East Wing because it’s even worse today.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
