Daniel Hoffmann 🌼
@danielhoffmann1.bsky.social
Using quantitative computational modeling as scientific instrument. Prof at Uni Duisburg-Essen. Science & art addict. Posts my own.
#computationalmodeling #bayes #bioinformatics #immunesystem #cancer #infections #education #HTseq #art #poeticnaturalism
#computationalmodeling #bayes #bioinformatics #immunesystem #cancer #infections #education #HTseq #art #poeticnaturalism
Even if the total amount of applied pesticides decreases, their ecological impact may still increase. This study looks at both. I would not call the results encouraging.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Increasing applied pesticide toxicity trends counteract the global reduction target to safeguard biodiversity
The 15th United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) obligates all countries to reduce pesticide risks by 50% by 2030. In this study, we derived the trends of total applied toxicity (TAT) globally ...
www.science.org
February 10, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Even if the total amount of applied pesticides decreases, their ecological impact may still increase. This study looks at both. I would not call the results encouraging.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Daniel Hoffmann 🌼
The duty-free tobacco sector undermines public health, decreases government revenue and increases illicit trade.
Our new #TobaccoTactics page examines the role of tobacco companies, global policy responses, and arguments used by the duty-free tobacco lobby.
www.tobaccotactics.org/article/the-...
Our new #TobaccoTactics page examines the role of tobacco companies, global policy responses, and arguments used by the duty-free tobacco lobby.
www.tobaccotactics.org/article/the-...
The Duty-Free Tobacco Sector and Lobby - Tobacco Tactics
What is the Duty-Free Tobacco Sector? The duty-free industry is comprised of global, regional, and national operators that sell goods to international travellers which are exempt from paying certain l...
www.tobaccotactics.org
February 10, 2026 at 11:29 AM
The duty-free tobacco sector undermines public health, decreases government revenue and increases illicit trade.
Our new #TobaccoTactics page examines the role of tobacco companies, global policy responses, and arguments used by the duty-free tobacco lobby.
www.tobaccotactics.org/article/the-...
Our new #TobaccoTactics page examines the role of tobacco companies, global policy responses, and arguments used by the duty-free tobacco lobby.
www.tobaccotactics.org/article/the-...
A giant knife blade of rock, Forcan Ridge in the Scottish Highlands cuts into the sky. The 3rd "Light and Time" duet (4 planned) pairs a splendid engraving by @johnaltringham.bsky.social & a poem by me on the mountain as part of a cycle that is shaping it.
Free at open.substack.com/pub/blots/p/...
Free at open.substack.com/pub/blots/p/...
Light and Time (3)
Wood engravings by John Altringham and poems by Daniel Hoffmann
open.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:01 AM
A giant knife blade of rock, Forcan Ridge in the Scottish Highlands cuts into the sky. The 3rd "Light and Time" duet (4 planned) pairs a splendid engraving by @johnaltringham.bsky.social & a poem by me on the mountain as part of a cycle that is shaping it.
Free at open.substack.com/pub/blots/p/...
Free at open.substack.com/pub/blots/p/...
"The anti-propaganda vaccine of critical thinking" is planned as a series of posts with hopefully helpful tips.
mathstodon.xyz/deck/@Daniel...
mathstodon.xyz/deck/@Daniel...
Daniel Hoffmann 🌼 (@[email protected])
The anti-propaganda vaccine of critical thinking (1): starting with Schopenhauer
Recently I was trolled on bluesky by a professional propagandist. He probably did not know that I have taught last sem...
mathstodon.xyz
February 9, 2026 at 8:18 PM
"The anti-propaganda vaccine of critical thinking" is planned as a series of posts with hopefully helpful tips.
mathstodon.xyz/deck/@Daniel...
mathstodon.xyz/deck/@Daniel...
A spectacular geological formation on the Isle of Skye has inspired the second "Light and Time" duet of a wood engraving by @johnaltringham.bsky.social, and then a poem by me. Enjoy!
Free at open.substack.com/pub/blots/p/...
Free at open.substack.com/pub/blots/p/...
Light and Time (2)
Wood engravings by John Altringham and poems by Daniel Hoffmann
open.substack.com
February 8, 2026 at 10:46 AM
A spectacular geological formation on the Isle of Skye has inspired the second "Light and Time" duet of a wood engraving by @johnaltringham.bsky.social, and then a poem by me. Enjoy!
Free at open.substack.com/pub/blots/p/...
Free at open.substack.com/pub/blots/p/...
One reason for loving science is how graciously we sometimes deal with errors. www.science.org/doi/full/10....
February 7, 2026 at 3:45 PM
One reason for loving science is how graciously we sometimes deal with errors. www.science.org/doi/full/10....
One reason for loving science is how graciously we sometimes deal with errors. www.science.org/doi/full/10....
February 7, 2026 at 3:45 PM
One reason for loving science is how graciously we sometimes deal with errors. www.science.org/doi/full/10....
Some viruses (e.g. HIV) mutate quickly, making persistent immunization difficult. In this study researchers have engineered a vaccine with HIV antigens mounted on a DNA origami scaffold. Better at generating broadly neutralizing antibodies. www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1...
February 7, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Some viruses (e.g. HIV) mutate quickly, making persistent immunization difficult. In this study researchers have engineered a vaccine with HIV antigens mounted on a DNA origami scaffold. Better at generating broadly neutralizing antibodies. www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1...
The wood engravings of @johnaltringham.bsky.social speak to me, often in the form of a poem. So I was happy when John agreed on a project, in which we show his and my work side-by-side. Share our joy in creating & savouring nature-inspired art.
Free at blots.substack.com/p/light-and-...
Free at blots.substack.com/p/light-and-...
Light and Time (1)
Wood engravings by John Altringham and poems by Daniel Hoffmann
blots.substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:31 AM
The wood engravings of @johnaltringham.bsky.social speak to me, often in the form of a poem. So I was happy when John agreed on a project, in which we show his and my work side-by-side. Share our joy in creating & savouring nature-inspired art.
Free at blots.substack.com/p/light-and-...
Free at blots.substack.com/p/light-and-...
I highly recommend the work by the Tobacco Control Research Group (@tcrgbath.bsky.social):
www.bath.ac.uk/research-gro...
such as:
www.tobaccotactics.org
For instance until recently it was beyond my imagination that addiction-perpetuating propaganda can be framed as "harm reduction".
www.bath.ac.uk/research-gro...
such as:
www.tobaccotactics.org
For instance until recently it was beyond my imagination that addiction-perpetuating propaganda can be framed as "harm reduction".
Tobacco Control Research Group
Our multidisciplinary, international research group examines how companies influence health and policy; and evaluates and provides evidence for policy change.
www.bath.ac.uk
February 5, 2026 at 9:36 AM
I highly recommend the work by the Tobacco Control Research Group (@tcrgbath.bsky.social):
www.bath.ac.uk/research-gro...
such as:
www.tobaccotactics.org
For instance until recently it was beyond my imagination that addiction-perpetuating propaganda can be framed as "harm reduction".
www.bath.ac.uk/research-gro...
such as:
www.tobaccotactics.org
For instance until recently it was beyond my imagination that addiction-perpetuating propaganda can be framed as "harm reduction".
An interesting contribution to the difficult discussion on assisted dying for people with dementia. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reading was the key to breaking through the fog of my parents’ dementia | Jo Glanville | The Guardian
It was hard to communicate with my mother or father, until reading a book out loud led to a discovery, says journalist and radio producer Jo Glanville
www.theguardian.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:52 AM
An interesting contribution to the difficult discussion on assisted dying for people with dementia. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Why cherry pick when FDA has a website: "While e-cigarettes can generally be a lower-risk alternative for adults who smoke cigarettes, the use of e-cigarettes is not risk-free. These products deliver harmful chemicals and contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. ..." www.fda.gov/tobacco-prod...
E-Cigarettes, Vapes, and other ENDS
Get an overview of FDA regulation of vapes, e-cigarettes, and other electronic nicotine delivery systems. You can also find statistics about current use.
www.fda.gov
February 1, 2026 at 8:28 PM
Why cherry pick when FDA has a website: "While e-cigarettes can generally be a lower-risk alternative for adults who smoke cigarettes, the use of e-cigarettes is not risk-free. These products deliver harmful chemicals and contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. ..." www.fda.gov/tobacco-prod...
Health benefits of exercise are quantitative with even small amounts helping already to reduce health risks. Avoid sitting for hours. Readable summary of recent research. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
The surprisingly big health benefits of just a little exercise
‘Exercise snacks’ and other forms of everyday movement can greatly reduce the risk of heart disease and death.
www.nature.com
February 1, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Health benefits of exercise are quantitative with even small amounts helping already to reduce health risks. Avoid sitting for hours. Readable summary of recent research. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
The first cranes parading with their spring formation, what a lovely noise!
January 31, 2026 at 2:29 PM
The first cranes parading with their spring formation, what a lovely noise!
A few years ago I drafted this near-future science fiction short story. It looks as if the piece can soon be re-interpreted as historical tragic comedy. substack.com/home/post/p-... (all my substack pieces are free)
Reality: AI as super-human chemist
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reality: AI as super-human chemist
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Out of the loop - by Daniel Hoffmann - Blots
A very short story
substack.com
January 31, 2026 at 1:18 PM
A few years ago I drafted this near-future science fiction short story. It looks as if the piece can soon be re-interpreted as historical tragic comedy. substack.com/home/post/p-... (all my substack pieces are free)
Reality: AI as super-human chemist
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reality: AI as super-human chemist
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
This robotic hand is creepy, literally, because it can leave its arm and crawl around. It can also grip in both directions and can turn fingers into thumbs. A little taste of things to come. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
January 31, 2026 at 8:10 AM
This robotic hand is creepy, literally, because it can leave its arm and crawl around. It can also grip in both directions and can turn fingers into thumbs. A little taste of things to come. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
E-cigarettes may lead to changed gene expression, cell composition, inflammation/immune responses in the lung. Small scale experiments with mice. elifesciences.org/articles/106...
Single-cell transcriptomics identifies altered neutrophil dynamics and accentuated T-cell cytotoxicity in tobacco-flavored e-cigarette-exposed mouse lungs | eLife
Profiling cell-specific immune responses reveals altered neutrophil function and enhanced T-cell mediated cell death following acute in vivo exposure to tobacco-flavored e-cigarette aerosol using single-cell technology.
elifesciences.org
January 31, 2026 at 7:58 AM
E-cigarettes may lead to changed gene expression, cell composition, inflammation/immune responses in the lung. Small scale experiments with mice. elifesciences.org/articles/106...
When it comes to liver cancer not all liver cells are created equal: certain driver mutations lead to liver cancer depending on location ("zone") of the mutated cells in the liver. The zone determines cell metabolism, and whether mutated cells die or become a tumor. www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1...
January 31, 2026 at 6:03 AM
When it comes to liver cancer not all liver cells are created equal: certain driver mutations lead to liver cancer depending on location ("zone") of the mutated cells in the liver. The zone determines cell metabolism, and whether mutated cells die or become a tumor. www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1...
Pesticides on conventionally grown apples in EU: "If the same apples were sold as processed baby food, 93% of the samples would be banned ... as their pesticide residues exceed the stricter limits set for children under three." Organic is better for all. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Pesticide cocktails’ polluting apples across Europe, study finds | Pesticides | The Guardian
Pan Europe found several pesticide residues in 85% of apples, with some showing traces of up to seven chemicals
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Pesticides on conventionally grown apples in EU: "If the same apples were sold as processed baby food, 93% of the samples would be banned ... as their pesticide residues exceed the stricter limits set for children under three." Organic is better for all. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Additional damage after myocardial infarction is caused by signals from brain, an insight that could be exploited therapeutically. doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
January 30, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Additional damage after myocardial infarction is caused by signals from brain, an insight that could be exploited therapeutically. doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
You are infected with 90% probability with Epstein-Barr virus. It's often harmless but not always. This huge biobank study finds associations betwen features of virus, viral load, host genomes, and various diseases. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Scraps of viral DNA in biobank samples reveal secrets of Epstein–Barr virus
Viral DNA that is usually dismissed when sequencing the human genome could help to uncover useful information about complex diseases.
www.nature.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:44 AM
You are infected with 90% probability with Epstein-Barr virus. It's often harmless but not always. This huge biobank study finds associations betwen features of virus, viral load, host genomes, and various diseases. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Nature or nurture? A more constructive question: how are gene effects modified by the environment? Article presents massive biobank based analysis www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A cross-population compendium of gene–environment interactions - Nature
A large cross-population atlas of gene–environment interactions reveals how age, sex and lifestyle shape genetic effects, heritability, prediction accuracy and disease biology, with implications for p...
www.nature.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:19 AM
Nature or nurture? A more constructive question: how are gene effects modified by the environment? Article presents massive biobank based analysis www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Computational model predicts functional consequences of genomic variants with relatively high accuracy for mouse and human. Such tools can in the future help with personalized genome based diagnoses. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Advancing regulatory variant effect prediction with AlphaGenome | Nature
AlphaGenome, a deep learning model that inputs 1-Mb DNA sequence to predict functional genomic tracks at single-base resolution across diverse modalities, outperforms existing models in variant effect prediction and enables comprehensive genomic analysis.
www.nature.com
January 30, 2026 at 7:56 AM
Computational model predicts functional consequences of genomic variants with relatively high accuracy for mouse and human. Such tools can in the future help with personalized genome based diagnoses. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Tooth decay is caused by the oral microbiome which is shaped in part by mutations in human enzyme genes. So tooth decay can be considered an indirect genetic disease. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Human and bacterial genetic variation shape oral microbiomes and health | Nature
Human genetic loci that associate with composition of the oral microbiome are identified using saliva-derived DNA, where the same host genetics also shapes oral health and genetic variation in oral bacteria.
www.nature.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Tooth decay is caused by the oral microbiome which is shaped in part by mutations in human enzyme genes. So tooth decay can be considered an indirect genetic disease. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The story of Rachel Carson's "Silent spring" was that DDT and other "pesticides" have unintended, sometimes fatal consequences. That story is still true as this article shows for "pesticide" effects on soil ecology. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Pesticide residues alter taxonomic and functional biodiversity in soils | Nature
A wide survey of pesticide effects on soil biodiversity across 373 sites in Europe reveals that pesticide residues occur in 70% of sites and have major effects on soil biodiversity and functional ecology.
www.nature.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:49 PM
The story of Rachel Carson's "Silent spring" was that DDT and other "pesticides" have unintended, sometimes fatal consequences. That story is still true as this article shows for "pesticide" effects on soil ecology. www.nature.com/articles/s41...