RonRRead
@ronrread.bsky.social
Family guy. Emeritus academic, doc, teacher. Walker among mountains. Watcher of birds. Diatomist. Settler: Songhees/Esquimalt land. Inveterate reader. He/him. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Pinned
RonRRead
@ronrread.bsky.social
· Oct 15
An introductory message. I’m a prairie boy, now living in the mist in the intertidal zone. Life is now governed by wind and tide; my neighbours are bull kelp and otters, and my house rocks me to sleep at night.
Reposted by RonRRead
Results so stunningly clear they inspired this classic xkcd (xkcd.com/2400/):
September 1, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Results so stunningly clear they inspired this classic xkcd (xkcd.com/2400/):
Reposted by RonRRead
In June, I joined a team of Birds Canada experts, volunteers and friends on a grasslands tour. Read my field trip report to learn more about how Birds Canada is using science, innovation and partnership to drive grasslands bird conservation #birds 🌿 www.birdscanada.org/field-trip-r...
Field Trip Report: On the Ground in the Grasslands with Birds Canada
Join us behind the scenes on a Birds Canada grasslands conservation tour in Saskatchewan. From rare bird encounters to innovative partnerships with ranchers, this story gives you an on-the-ground pers...
www.birdscanada.org
August 15, 2025 at 12:31 AM
In June, I joined a team of Birds Canada experts, volunteers and friends on a grasslands tour. Read my field trip report to learn more about how Birds Canada is using science, innovation and partnership to drive grasslands bird conservation #birds 🌿 www.birdscanada.org/field-trip-r...
Reposted by RonRRead
After a four-year investigation, a breakthrough study reveals the cause of sea star wasting disease (SSWD). A strain of the bacterium Vibrio pectenicida is the culprit behind the marine epidemic that has killed billions of sea stars since 2013. Read the study: 🔗https://tinyurl.com/4rcb3xpf
August 4, 2025 at 4:03 PM
After a four-year investigation, a breakthrough study reveals the cause of sea star wasting disease (SSWD). A strain of the bacterium Vibrio pectenicida is the culprit behind the marine epidemic that has killed billions of sea stars since 2013. Read the study: 🔗https://tinyurl.com/4rcb3xpf
Reposted by RonRRead
Build it and they will come:
These birds spent the winter in Argentina for crying out loud! To think that birds I banded made a 9,000 mile round trip and came right back to a field my students and I are stewarding on their behalf is one of the most beautiful feelings I’ve experienced as a scientist. ❤️ 3/3
May 14, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Build it and they will come:
In the same way that the Arab world acted as the keepers of knowledge during the Middle Ages, perhaps Canada will need to act as the keeper of American history until this nightmare is over, if it ever is.
ICYMI:
“Arlington National Cemetery has scrubbed information about prominent Black, Hispanic and female service members and topics such as the Civil War from its website”…in order “to remove all references to diversity, equity and inclusion from its online presence.”
“Arlington National Cemetery has scrubbed information about prominent Black, Hispanic and female service members and topics such as the Civil War from its website”…in order “to remove all references to diversity, equity and inclusion from its online presence.”
Arlington Cemetery website scrubs links about Black and female veterans
Pentagon leaders have ordered that their websites and social media pages remove articles and images that “promote” DEI.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 15, 2025 at 6:50 PM
In the same way that the Arab world acted as the keepers of knowledge during the Middle Ages, perhaps Canada will need to act as the keeper of American history until this nightmare is over, if it ever is.
Reposted by RonRRead
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Public health is political. I am constantly astounded by the apathy, complacency and deliberate ignorance of colleagues in public health and the health social sciences as they line up with the ideologies of vested interests
Public health is political. I am constantly astounded by the apathy, complacency and deliberate ignorance of colleagues in public health and the health social sciences as they line up with the ideologies of vested interests
Five years on from the pandemic, the right’s fake Covid narrative has been turbo-charged into the mainstream | Laura Spinney
Before the next outbreak, we need a serious conversation about how to cope, but first, the more strident, misguided voices must be muted, says author Laura Spinney
www.theguardian.com
March 9, 2025 at 9:53 PM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Public health is political. I am constantly astounded by the apathy, complacency and deliberate ignorance of colleagues in public health and the health social sciences as they line up with the ideologies of vested interests
Public health is political. I am constantly astounded by the apathy, complacency and deliberate ignorance of colleagues in public health and the health social sciences as they line up with the ideologies of vested interests
Reposted by RonRRead
I have work to do but I'm distracted by watching US scientific progress & leadership being irreversibly undermined because a few unelected malcontents are penalizing researchers for following legal requirements set out by congressional orders to augment basic research with benefits to society.
February 12, 2025 at 4:31 PM
I have work to do but I'm distracted by watching US scientific progress & leadership being irreversibly undermined because a few unelected malcontents are penalizing researchers for following legal requirements set out by congressional orders to augment basic research with benefits to society.
Reposted by RonRRead
The AP should stop covering Trump events. Instead send those White House reporters out into the field to report on the harms and repercussions of his policies.
The U.S. public never needed coverage of pseudo-events anyway.
The U.S. public never needed coverage of pseudo-events anyway.
Associated Press: “Today we were informed by the White House that if AP did not align its editorial standards with President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, AP would be barred from accessing an event in the Oval Office.“
February 11, 2025 at 10:34 PM
The AP should stop covering Trump events. Instead send those White House reporters out into the field to report on the harms and repercussions of his policies.
The U.S. public never needed coverage of pseudo-events anyway.
The U.S. public never needed coverage of pseudo-events anyway.
Reposted by RonRRead
Dipping into the archives today for this hydroid, Orthopyxis integra, covered in diatioms from the genus Licmophora. I have to admit, it’s one of my favourite images. 🦑
January 18, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Dipping into the archives today for this hydroid, Orthopyxis integra, covered in diatioms from the genus Licmophora. I have to admit, it’s one of my favourite images. 🦑
Reposted by RonRRead
Wearing diatoms is a popular fashion choice among some groups
January 26, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Wearing diatoms is a popular fashion choice among some groups
Reposted by RonRRead
One of my friends has a grant from the #FDA to look at disparities in clinical trial research and just submitted a manuscript with the findings. She was told today by the collaborators from the #FDA to rescind it.
#Censorhip has started, we are living in authoritarian government.
#Censorhip has started, we are living in authoritarian government.
US FDA drops web pages on improving clinical trial diversity
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has pulled draft guidance from its website requiring companies to test medicines and devices in diverse populations as part of a purge of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at U.S. health agencies.
www.reuters.com
January 25, 2025 at 2:22 AM
One of my friends has a grant from the #FDA to look at disparities in clinical trial research and just submitted a manuscript with the findings. She was told today by the collaborators from the #FDA to rescind it.
#Censorhip has started, we are living in authoritarian government.
#Censorhip has started, we are living in authoritarian government.
Reposted by RonRRead
FOX News blaming Native people for the California fires is unspeakably irresponsible, devoid of anything near journalism, colonizer dodging of responsibility.
January 9, 2025 at 10:11 PM
FOX News blaming Native people for the California fires is unspeakably irresponsible, devoid of anything near journalism, colonizer dodging of responsibility.
Reposted by RonRRead
I can't believe there's people finding out about THE ODYSSEY because of the new Nolan film and complaining about spoilers. Sir please it was written almost 3000 years ago what spoilers are you talking about.
December 24, 2024 at 10:47 AM
I can't believe there's people finding out about THE ODYSSEY because of the new Nolan film and complaining about spoilers. Sir please it was written almost 3000 years ago what spoilers are you talking about.
Reposted by RonRRead
We can all resist fascism.
December 15, 2024 at 6:10 PM
We can all resist fascism.
Reposted by RonRRead
“The reality is that people are dying from COVID in our hospitals, and we really are doing very little to prevent them getting ill and getting infected. And we wouldn't do the same for any other infectious disease,” Vipond said.
www.stalbertgazette.com/local-news/o...
www.stalbertgazette.com/local-news/o...
Over 300 COVID outbreaks hit Alberta acute care facilities last year
Read the full story and comment on stalbertgazette.com
www.stalbertgazette.com
December 15, 2024 at 6:10 PM
“The reality is that people are dying from COVID in our hospitals, and we really are doing very little to prevent them getting ill and getting infected. And we wouldn't do the same for any other infectious disease,” Vipond said.
www.stalbertgazette.com/local-news/o...
www.stalbertgazette.com/local-news/o...
Reposted by RonRRead
December 15, 2024 at 12:48 AM
Reposted by RonRRead
i am convinced that these people are death worshippers who want to spread as much disease and sickness as possible (i also think this is all tied up in eugenic beliefs about the “survival of the fittest” www.nytimes.com/2024/12/13/h...
Kennedy’s Lawyer Has Asked the F.D.A. to Revoke Approval of the Polio Vaccine
Aaron Siri, who specializes in vaccine lawsuits, has been at Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s side reviewing candidates for top jobs at the Department of Health and Human Services.
www.nytimes.com
December 13, 2024 at 12:08 PM
i am convinced that these people are death worshippers who want to spread as much disease and sickness as possible (i also think this is all tied up in eugenic beliefs about the “survival of the fittest” www.nytimes.com/2024/12/13/h...
Reposted by RonRRead
For #ArtAdventCalendar today, the #SketchvsFinal of the Multicolored Tanager illustration. With a limit of 16 hours, I originally didn't expect to even get time to do much with the plants at all - I'm so pleased I got everything I wanted done in time and more! 🎨🪶🐡
December 7, 2024 at 10:30 PM
For #ArtAdventCalendar today, the #SketchvsFinal of the Multicolored Tanager illustration. With a limit of 16 hours, I originally didn't expect to even get time to do much with the plants at all - I'm so pleased I got everything I wanted done in time and more! 🎨🪶🐡
Reposted by RonRRead
There’s literally not a more clear-cut example of someone joining Bluesky with the sole intention to inflict harm and hate onto those who use the platform. Bluesky has a history of banning those who use the platform as an outlet for harassment, so why is that not being done with Singal?
If you were unclear as to why Jesse Singal is here, this is the point, this is the bit.
Trans folks made a space, separate from him, his followers, and the harassment they bring.
He is attempting to import those followers and that harassment of trans women here, because it makes content for him.
Trans folks made a space, separate from him, his followers, and the harassment they bring.
He is attempting to import those followers and that harassment of trans women here, because it makes content for him.
December 7, 2024 at 9:43 PM
There’s literally not a more clear-cut example of someone joining Bluesky with the sole intention to inflict harm and hate onto those who use the platform. Bluesky has a history of banning those who use the platform as an outlet for harassment, so why is that not being done with Singal?
Reposted by RonRRead
Pasteur wasn’t such an old fool.
Distribution of Raw Farm raw milk products has been suspended after bird flu virus was found in milk samples, the California Department of Food and Agriculture said.
California suspends distribution of Raw Farm raw milk products after bird flu detection | CNN
Distribution of Raw Farm raw milk products has been suspended after bird flu virus was found in milk samples, the California Department of Food and Agriculture said.
www.cnn.com
December 2, 2024 at 9:45 PM
Pasteur wasn’t such an old fool.
Reposted by RonRRead
Why are we ignoring the concerning evolution of #H5N1 influenza?👇 🧪
New post on some preliminary – but troubling – signals about the direction H5N1 might be taking: kucharski.substack.com/p/h5n1-influ...
H5N1 influenza: some troubling preliminary signals
A few data sources to keep an eye on
kucharski.substack.com
November 30, 2024 at 9:32 PM
Why are we ignoring the concerning evolution of #H5N1 influenza?👇 🧪
Reposted by RonRRead
Trolls are here too now. For those who are sincerely interested in why many infections in kids are worse these days, here's an article from 2 years ago:
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...
November 30, 2024 at 3:39 PM
Trolls are here too now. For those who are sincerely interested in why many infections in kids are worse these days, here's an article from 2 years ago:
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...
Reposted by RonRRead
It doesn't get better than this. A Rock Wren on a blueschist cobble. This is a snapshot of the bird just before it hopped to the next boulder. When geology and birds come together.
November 24, 2024 at 12:41 AM
It doesn't get better than this. A Rock Wren on a blueschist cobble. This is a snapshot of the bird just before it hopped to the next boulder. When geology and birds come together.
🪶🦉 #bird
Pic #1- The Harlequin from the Commedia dell’arte c. 1670 CE. Pic #2-4- the Harlequin ducks of Clover Point, Victoria BC. They prefer the rocky shore on an incoming tide, and are beautiful to see on the rock, swimming in the water, or whizzing by in flight. #nikond500 #nikkor200_500
Pic #1- The Harlequin from the Commedia dell’arte c. 1670 CE. Pic #2-4- the Harlequin ducks of Clover Point, Victoria BC. They prefer the rocky shore on an incoming tide, and are beautiful to see on the rock, swimming in the water, or whizzing by in flight. #nikond500 #nikkor200_500
November 24, 2024 at 3:21 AM
🪶🦉 #bird
Pic #1- The Harlequin from the Commedia dell’arte c. 1670 CE. Pic #2-4- the Harlequin ducks of Clover Point, Victoria BC. They prefer the rocky shore on an incoming tide, and are beautiful to see on the rock, swimming in the water, or whizzing by in flight. #nikond500 #nikkor200_500
Pic #1- The Harlequin from the Commedia dell’arte c. 1670 CE. Pic #2-4- the Harlequin ducks of Clover Point, Victoria BC. They prefer the rocky shore on an incoming tide, and are beautiful to see on the rock, swimming in the water, or whizzing by in flight. #nikond500 #nikkor200_500
Reposted by RonRRead
Man, now Saudi Arabia has apparently been caught editing official COP29 drafts, maybe granted edit access by the COP presidency, Azerbaijan. Rough.
“We are in the midst of a geopolitical power play by a few fossil fuel states.” -a German minister in Baku
“We are in the midst of a geopolitical power play by a few fossil fuel states.” -a German minister in Baku
November 23, 2024 at 3:26 PM
Man, now Saudi Arabia has apparently been caught editing official COP29 drafts, maybe granted edit access by the COP presidency, Azerbaijan. Rough.
“We are in the midst of a geopolitical power play by a few fossil fuel states.” -a German minister in Baku
“We are in the midst of a geopolitical power play by a few fossil fuel states.” -a German minister in Baku