Amanda Montañez
@unamandita.bsky.social
Graphics editor at Scientific American. Medical illustrator-turned-datavizzer, New Yorker, parent. She/her. These views are mine, get your own. https://amandamontanez.com/
WHAT. p.s. feeling extremely vindicated for the time i saw a raccoon out the window of a restaurant in Toronto and said "whoa that's a really fat dog" www.scientificamerican.com/article/racc...
City Raccoons Are Evolving to Look More Like Pets
City-dwelling raccoons seem to be evolving a shorter snout—a telltale feature of our pets and other domesticated animals
www.scientificamerican.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:37 PM
WHAT. p.s. feeling extremely vindicated for the time i saw a raccoon out the window of a restaurant in Toronto and said "whoa that's a really fat dog" www.scientificamerican.com/article/racc...
Reposted by Amanda Montañez
Clinicians are noticing a steady climb in diagnoses of ARFID, a type of eating disorder that presents as a food avoidance so persistent and pervasive it can cause severe malnutrition in kids and adults. More @sciam.bsky.social: www.scientificamerican.com/article/what...
ARFID Is More Than Picky Eating—And the Condition Is on the Rise
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, or ARFID, can cause malnutrition and weight loss in children and adults even when body image is not a factor
www.scientificamerican.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Clinicians are noticing a steady climb in diagnoses of ARFID, a type of eating disorder that presents as a food avoidance so persistent and pervasive it can cause severe malnutrition in kids and adults. More @sciam.bsky.social: www.scientificamerican.com/article/what...
🚨new shape just dropped🚨 (by @dodecalemma.bsky.social with graphics by me) www.scientificamerican.com/article/math...
This New Shape Breaks an ‘Unbreakable’ 3D Geometry Rule
The noperthedron has a surprising property—which disproves a long-standing conjecture
www.scientificamerican.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
🚨new shape just dropped🚨 (by @dodecalemma.bsky.social with graphics by me) www.scientificamerican.com/article/math...
In which @danvergano.bsky.social explains why China may beat the US to the moon apparently without even trying (with graphic by me) 🧪https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nasas-bet-on-spacexs-starship-may-give-moon-race-to-china/
NASA’s Moon Mission Is a Mess, and It May Cost Us the New Space Race
Former NASA officials warn that the U.S. looks poised to lose its self-declared race to beat China to the moon
www.scientificamerican.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:08 PM
In which @danvergano.bsky.social explains why China may beat the US to the moon apparently without even trying (with graphic by me) 🧪https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nasas-bet-on-spacexs-starship-may-give-moon-race-to-china/
Reposted by Amanda Montañez
With all the fuss over tylenol, we're missing a bigger issue: we don't know enough about medication safety in pregnancy because so few drug studies include pregnant people. And that harms both women and their fetuses. My latest @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/what...
There's a Dangerous Gap in Drug Research in Pregnancy
Less than 1 percent of clinical trials include pregnant or breastfeeding people. Experts say that needs to change
www.scientificamerican.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM
With all the fuss over tylenol, we're missing a bigger issue: we don't know enough about medication safety in pregnancy because so few drug studies include pregnant people. And that harms both women and their fetuses. My latest @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/what...
fascinating story about the convergence of traditional Chinese medicine and AI...and tongues! by @luyieve.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/ai-s...
This AI Spots Disease by Reading Your Tongue’s Color
Inspired by principles from traditional Chinese medicine, researchers used AI to analyze tongue color as a diagnostic tool—with more than 96 percent accuracy
www.scientificamerican.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:50 PM
fascinating story about the convergence of traditional Chinese medicine and AI...and tongues! by @luyieve.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/ai-s...
ever since becoming a parent i have wanted to do this exact data viz project (but no time because, you know, parenthood lol). so thank you, @mellymeldubs.bsky.social. because sometimes animals are ladies!! pudding.cool/2025/07/kids...
Bears Will Be Boys
A data analysis of animal gender in children’s books
pudding.cool
October 1, 2025 at 3:22 PM
ever since becoming a parent i have wanted to do this exact data viz project (but no time because, you know, parenthood lol). so thank you, @mellymeldubs.bsky.social. because sometimes animals are ladies!! pudding.cool/2025/07/kids...
Reposted by Amanda Montañez
We've reached 6,000 confirmed exoplanets! I talked with @aussiastronomer.bsky.social about where things go from here. (A great graphic by @unamandita.bsky.social visualizes the amazing jumps in planet finds since the first ones were confirmed in the 1990s.)
Want to Get Away? NASA Now Offers More Than 6,000 Alien Worlds to Daydream About
It’s a crowded galaxy, the latest exoplanet tally shows
www.scientificamerican.com
September 19, 2025 at 4:27 PM
We've reached 6,000 confirmed exoplanets! I talked with @aussiastronomer.bsky.social about where things go from here. (A great graphic by @unamandita.bsky.social visualizes the amazing jumps in planet finds since the first ones were confirmed in the 1990s.)
Reposted by Amanda Montañez
Confused by patchwork COVID vaccine guidelines across states? @sciam.bsky.social has a map with the latest info from the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. We'll keep tracking updates. 📊 @unamandita.bsky.social ✏️ @jaimieseaton.bsky.social. www.scientificamerican.com/article/covi...
What State-by-State Rules Mean for Your COVID Shot
With federal vaccine guidance under fire, states are forging their own immunization paths
www.scientificamerican.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Confused by patchwork COVID vaccine guidelines across states? @sciam.bsky.social has a map with the latest info from the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. We'll keep tracking updates. 📊 @unamandita.bsky.social ✏️ @jaimieseaton.bsky.social. www.scientificamerican.com/article/covi...
Reposted by Amanda Montañez
Congratulations, you've just lived through the three hottest summers on record 🫠
But with greenhouse gas emissions still piling up in the atmosphere, those records probably won't stand for terribly long. 🧪
(graphic by @unamandita.bsky.social)
But with greenhouse gas emissions still piling up in the atmosphere, those records probably won't stand for terribly long. 🧪
(graphic by @unamandita.bsky.social)
We’ve Lived through the Three Hottest Summers on Record
Climate-fueled heat has caused thousands of excess deaths over the past three summers, which were the three hottest on record
www.scientificamerican.com
September 17, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Congratulations, you've just lived through the three hottest summers on record 🫠
But with greenhouse gas emissions still piling up in the atmosphere, those records probably won't stand for terribly long. 🧪
(graphic by @unamandita.bsky.social)
But with greenhouse gas emissions still piling up in the atmosphere, those records probably won't stand for terribly long. 🧪
(graphic by @unamandita.bsky.social)
An important story and nice collaboration between @sciam.bsky.social interns @humbertobasilio.bsky.social and @luyieve.bsky.social
🚨 An environmental injustice we already knew but data confirms: children from marginalized communities in the U.S. attend the schools most exposed to heat waves. They’re often the same kids without air-conditioning at school — and very likely at home too, sources say
My story for @sciam.bsky.social
My story for @sciam.bsky.social
Kids from Marginalized Communities Are Learning in the Hottest Classrooms
The first national study of its kind shows that children from marginalized communities are more exposed to extreme heat events
www.scientificamerican.com
September 5, 2025 at 6:55 PM
An important story and nice collaboration between @sciam.bsky.social interns @humbertobasilio.bsky.social and @luyieve.bsky.social
Reposted by Amanda Montañez
LAST CHANCE!
📸 Join the #SciAmInTheWild photo challenge!
🎁 You could win an Unlimited subscription to Scientific American—plus exclusive prizes for your next adventure.
⌛ Hurry! Contest ends September 5 at 11:59 p.m. ET
⚠️ Terms & Conditions apply. See rules for entry: sciam.com/180contest
📸 Join the #SciAmInTheWild photo challenge!
🎁 You could win an Unlimited subscription to Scientific American—plus exclusive prizes for your next adventure.
⌛ Hurry! Contest ends September 5 at 11:59 p.m. ET
⚠️ Terms & Conditions apply. See rules for entry: sciam.com/180contest
September 3, 2025 at 8:50 PM
LAST CHANCE!
📸 Join the #SciAmInTheWild photo challenge!
🎁 You could win an Unlimited subscription to Scientific American—plus exclusive prizes for your next adventure.
⌛ Hurry! Contest ends September 5 at 11:59 p.m. ET
⚠️ Terms & Conditions apply. See rules for entry: sciam.com/180contest
📸 Join the #SciAmInTheWild photo challenge!
🎁 You could win an Unlimited subscription to Scientific American—plus exclusive prizes for your next adventure.
⌛ Hurry! Contest ends September 5 at 11:59 p.m. ET
⚠️ Terms & Conditions apply. See rules for entry: sciam.com/180contest
Reposted by Amanda Montañez
Scientific American has been an advocate for science since 1845, and right now is the most critical moment in that two-century history. So this weekend we're asking you to stand up for science by supporting us, and we're giving you a giant discount: Just $18! www.scientificamerican.com/getsciam/
Subscribe to Scientific American
Subscribe to Scientific American Magazine
www.scientificamerican.com
August 28, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Scientific American has been an advocate for science since 1845, and right now is the most critical moment in that two-century history. So this weekend we're asking you to stand up for science by supporting us, and we're giving you a giant discount: Just $18! www.scientificamerican.com/getsciam/
@meghanbartels.bsky.social just answered all my covid vax questions, and probably yours too 💉https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/who-is-eligible-for-the-covid-vaccine-in-2025-and-how-to-get-it/
COVID Vaccines Are Still Saving Lives—But They Will Be Harder to Get This Year
Many questions still surround COVID vaccine access this fall, but here’s what we know so far
www.scientificamerican.com
August 27, 2025 at 9:41 PM
@meghanbartels.bsky.social just answered all my covid vax questions, and probably yours too 💉https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/who-is-eligible-for-the-covid-vaccine-in-2025-and-how-to-get-it/
This edition of #SciAmInTheWild brought to by this horse who is clearly a fan of @sciam.bsky.social. You can do one too! sciam.com/180contest
August 21, 2025 at 9:08 PM
This edition of #SciAmInTheWild brought to by this horse who is clearly a fan of @sciam.bsky.social. You can do one too! sciam.com/180contest
Reposted by Amanda Montañez
Took this photo at Taughannock Falls in the FingerLakes while on vacation last week! #sciaminthewild
Happy 180th (!!!) birthday @sciam.bsky.social!
Happy 180th (!!!) birthday @sciam.bsky.social!
August 13, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Took this photo at Taughannock Falls in the FingerLakes while on vacation last week! #sciaminthewild
Happy 180th (!!!) birthday @sciam.bsky.social!
Happy 180th (!!!) birthday @sciam.bsky.social!
Reposted by Amanda Montañez
To celebrate its 180th birthday (!!) @sciam.bsky.social is running a photo contest (details here: sciam.com/180contest) to take #SciAmInTheWild. Where do you read about science?
August 13, 2025 at 5:31 PM
To celebrate its 180th birthday (!!) @sciam.bsky.social is running a photo contest (details here: sciam.com/180contest) to take #SciAmInTheWild. Where do you read about science?
For anyone who has ever mistyped their credit card number, immediately gotten an "invalid number" message, and thought "but how did they KNOW?"...here is the answer, you're welcome www.scientificamerican.com/article/what...
The Math Hack You Didn’t Know Was in Your Credit Card
Find out how this simple algorithm from the 1960s keeps your wallet safe
www.scientificamerican.com
August 12, 2025 at 7:43 PM
For anyone who has ever mistyped their credit card number, immediately gotten an "invalid number" message, and thought "but how did they KNOW?"...here is the answer, you're welcome www.scientificamerican.com/article/what...
Has anyone ever written a dissertation on how kids are so good at information visualization because honestly this shit blows my mind sometimes
August 7, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Has anyone ever written a dissertation on how kids are so good at information visualization because honestly this shit blows my mind sometimes
Reposted by Amanda Montañez
mRNA Vaccine Tech Could Transform Medicine and Cure Diseases. RFK, Jr. Just Pulled Its Funding.
mRNA Vaccines Are a Game-Changer—Here’s Why
Speed and flexibility have made mRNA a blockbuster technology
www.scientificamerican.com
August 6, 2025 at 7:20 PM
mRNA Vaccine Tech Could Transform Medicine and Cure Diseases. RFK, Jr. Just Pulled Its Funding.
Reposted by Amanda Montañez
From deep oceans to distant galaxies, every Scientific American cover is an invitation to explore. Now show us where curiosity takes you!
🤳 Enter the #SciAmInTheWild photo contest
🎁 Prizes include gadgets and gear to elevate your next adventure
⚠️ Terms & Conditions apply: sciam.com/180contest
🤳 Enter the #SciAmInTheWild photo contest
🎁 Prizes include gadgets and gear to elevate your next adventure
⚠️ Terms & Conditions apply: sciam.com/180contest
August 5, 2025 at 5:40 PM
From deep oceans to distant galaxies, every Scientific American cover is an invitation to explore. Now show us where curiosity takes you!
🤳 Enter the #SciAmInTheWild photo contest
🎁 Prizes include gadgets and gear to elevate your next adventure
⚠️ Terms & Conditions apply: sciam.com/180contest
🤳 Enter the #SciAmInTheWild photo contest
🎁 Prizes include gadgets and gear to elevate your next adventure
⚠️ Terms & Conditions apply: sciam.com/180contest
PSA for NYers: Amy Sherald exhibit at the Whitney is phenomenal and closes next weekend
August 2, 2025 at 6:12 PM
PSA for NYers: Amy Sherald exhibit at the Whitney is phenomenal and closes next weekend
Reposted by Amanda Montañez
For 180 years, Scientific American covers have invited readers on voyages of discovery—from deep oceans to distant galaxies. Now it’s your turn! Capture your own moment of exploration with our photo challenge.
Terms & Conditions apply. See official rules: sciam.com/180contest #SciAmInTheWild
Terms & Conditions apply. See official rules: sciam.com/180contest #SciAmInTheWild
August 1, 2025 at 12:57 PM
For 180 years, Scientific American covers have invited readers on voyages of discovery—from deep oceans to distant galaxies. Now it’s your turn! Capture your own moment of exploration with our photo challenge.
Terms & Conditions apply. See official rules: sciam.com/180contest #SciAmInTheWild
Terms & Conditions apply. See official rules: sciam.com/180contest #SciAmInTheWild
Ok can we all agree Spotify has gotten out of hand
July 31, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Ok can we all agree Spotify has gotten out of hand
ok i am aggressively not a sports person, but this story by @dodecalemma.bsky.social is so cool! and the graphics were fun to work on :) www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
The Surprising Math and Physics behind the 2026 World Cup Soccer Ball
Here’s how the new tetrahedron-based design for the “Trionda” soccer ball may affect next year’s big game
www.scientificamerican.com
July 25, 2025 at 9:35 PM
ok i am aggressively not a sports person, but this story by @dodecalemma.bsky.social is so cool! and the graphics were fun to work on :) www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...