Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
@dsgruner.bsky.social
bugs and things. avoiding hellsites since 2022. community ecology & forest entomology. Maryland, USA.
Recently overheard, "I gotta do this shit again?!"
@[email protected]
https://www.grunerlab.org/
Recently overheard, "I gotta do this shit again?!"
@[email protected]
https://www.grunerlab.org/
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
🏝️🐜A new study out by Dr. Evan Economo and colleagues reveals a decline in Fiji’s native ant species. With insects playing a crucial role in ecosystems, this research is key to understanding insect populations and guiding conservation efforts.🐜🏝️
“Insects are essential for the environment,” said @umdentomology.bsky.social's Evan Economo. “As scientists, we need to play our part in their protection.”
Read about Evan's novel approach to studying ant populations, which revealed signs of decline in 79% of species found only in Fiji ⤵️ #BugSky
Read about Evan's novel approach to studying ant populations, which revealed signs of decline in 79% of species found only in Fiji ⤵️ #BugSky
New Study Shows Island Ant Communities in Sharp Decline | College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences | University of Maryland
UMD entomologist Evan Economo’s novel approach to studying ant populations revealed signs of decline in
go.umd.edu
September 17, 2025 at 3:58 PM
🏝️🐜A new study out by Dr. Evan Economo and colleagues reveals a decline in Fiji’s native ant species. With insects playing a crucial role in ecosystems, this research is key to understanding insect populations and guiding conservation efforts.🐜🏝️
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
🚨 NEW: Climate change is already causing 30,000 deaths per year - a global annual economic loss of $100-350B USD - but the true damage is probably 10x higher. Out TODAY in Nature Climate Change: the first systematic look at the science of "health impact attribution" 🔓 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
September 17, 2025 at 11:57 AM
🚨 NEW: Climate change is already causing 30,000 deaths per year - a global annual economic loss of $100-350B USD - but the true damage is probably 10x higher. Out TODAY in Nature Climate Change: the first systematic look at the science of "health impact attribution" 🔓 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
The National Academies' response to the EPA's proposed removal of the endangerment finding is out today. It does not mince words about the effect of GHGs on the climate. Kudos to the authors.
Key paragraph below; you can read the whole thing here: nas.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?...
Key paragraph below; you can read the whole thing here: nas.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?...
September 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The National Academies' response to the EPA's proposed removal of the endangerment finding is out today. It does not mince words about the effect of GHGs on the climate. Kudos to the authors.
Key paragraph below; you can read the whole thing here: nas.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?...
Key paragraph below; you can read the whole thing here: nas.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?...
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
Disease prevalence in US states before & after vaccine introduction 🧪
From Edward Tufte & graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...
From Edward Tufte & graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...
September 4, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Disease prevalence in US states before & after vaccine introduction 🧪
From Edward Tufte & graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...
From Edward Tufte & graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
Looking for a #postdoct for a NSF project integrating ecosystem productivity, hyperspectral remote sensing and airborne LiDAR to test prominent hypothesis of the effect of #biodiversity on #forest #productivity @fluxnetecn.bsky.social @ngaps.bsky.social Apply at: jobs.colostate.edu/postings/165...
September 6, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Looking for a #postdoct for a NSF project integrating ecosystem productivity, hyperspectral remote sensing and airborne LiDAR to test prominent hypothesis of the effect of #biodiversity on #forest #productivity @fluxnetecn.bsky.social @ngaps.bsky.social Apply at: jobs.colostate.edu/postings/165...
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
How do scientists push back against autocratic, anti-science ideologies?
The "Anti-Autocracy Handbook: The Scholars’ Guide to Navigating Democratic Backsliding" provides some insights on what can be done, from lower risk to extreme risk groups:
(1/11)
The "Anti-Autocracy Handbook: The Scholars’ Guide to Navigating Democratic Backsliding" provides some insights on what can be done, from lower risk to extreme risk groups:
(1/11)
August 21, 2025 at 9:51 AM
How do scientists push back against autocratic, anti-science ideologies?
The "Anti-Autocracy Handbook: The Scholars’ Guide to Navigating Democratic Backsliding" provides some insights on what can be done, from lower risk to extreme risk groups:
(1/11)
The "Anti-Autocracy Handbook: The Scholars’ Guide to Navigating Democratic Backsliding" provides some insights on what can be done, from lower risk to extreme risk groups:
(1/11)
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
🔬🪲An approach for long term mgmt of #EAB has been to introduce parasitic wasps to the US for #biocontrol. The Gruner Lab monitors the effectiveness of this approach one log at a time.Watch as Estes debarks trees to assess the presence of EAB larvae & the extent to which they have been parasitized.🪲🔬
August 21, 2025 at 4:24 PM
🔬🪲An approach for long term mgmt of #EAB has been to introduce parasitic wasps to the US for #biocontrol. The Gruner Lab monitors the effectiveness of this approach one log at a time.Watch as Estes debarks trees to assess the presence of EAB larvae & the extent to which they have been parasitized.🪲🔬
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
NIH FY26 #SCIMaP scorecards are now available for
* All states
* All districts
The White House has shared its vision of priorities for this year and years to come. This vision comes with consequences for our health and innovation economy.
Explore and share: scienceimpacts.org/fy26
* All states
* All districts
The White House has shared its vision of priorities for this year and years to come. This vision comes with consequences for our health and innovation economy.
Explore and share: scienceimpacts.org/fy26
SCIMaP - Impacts of Federal Cuts to Science and Medical Research
View Projected Impact of the FY2026 Budget Cuts to the NIH
scienceimpacts.org
August 17, 2025 at 11:36 PM
NIH FY26 #SCIMaP scorecards are now available for
* All states
* All districts
The White House has shared its vision of priorities for this year and years to come. This vision comes with consequences for our health and innovation economy.
Explore and share: scienceimpacts.org/fy26
* All states
* All districts
The White House has shared its vision of priorities for this year and years to come. This vision comes with consequences for our health and innovation economy.
Explore and share: scienceimpacts.org/fy26
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
Had to try this out with insects and HOO BOY is this embarrassing.
August 15, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Had to try this out with insects and HOO BOY is this embarrassing.
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
Biology's Sean Carroll's latest documentary won an Emmy for outstanding science documentary filmmaking!
The documentary follows an evolutionary biologist's quest to find DNA in 2-million-year-old soil from Greenland. Sean shared the challenges and triumphs of this project ➡️ go.umd.edu/hunt-DNA
The documentary follows an evolutionary biologist's quest to find DNA in 2-million-year-old soil from Greenland. Sean shared the challenges and triumphs of this project ➡️ go.umd.edu/hunt-DNA
July 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Biology's Sean Carroll's latest documentary won an Emmy for outstanding science documentary filmmaking!
The documentary follows an evolutionary biologist's quest to find DNA in 2-million-year-old soil from Greenland. Sean shared the challenges and triumphs of this project ➡️ go.umd.edu/hunt-DNA
The documentary follows an evolutionary biologist's quest to find DNA in 2-million-year-old soil from Greenland. Sean shared the challenges and triumphs of this project ➡️ go.umd.edu/hunt-DNA
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
Also, sign up for PBS Passport! You pay what you want, money goes to your local station, and you get access to tons more great programming on-demand. help.pbs.org/support/solu...
July 18, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Also, sign up for PBS Passport! You pay what you want, money goes to your local station, and you get access to tons more great programming on-demand. help.pbs.org/support/solu...
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
Since April 4, #SCOTUS has issued 15 rulings on 17 emergency applications filed by Trump (three birthright citizenship apps were consolidated).
It has granted relief to Trump ... in all 15 rulings.
It has written majority opinions in only 3.
Today's order is the 7th with no explanation *at all.*
It has granted relief to Trump ... in all 15 rulings.
It has written majority opinions in only 3.
Today's order is the 7th with no explanation *at all.*
Here we go again: Over an acerbic dissenting opinion by Justice Sotomayor (joined in full by Justices Kagan and Jackson), #SCOTUS, with no explanation, grants a stay in the Department of Education RIFs case—effectively clearing the way for the Trump administration to dismantle much of the agency:
www.supremecourt.gov
July 14, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Since April 4, #SCOTUS has issued 15 rulings on 17 emergency applications filed by Trump (three birthright citizenship apps were consolidated).
It has granted relief to Trump ... in all 15 rulings.
It has written majority opinions in only 3.
Today's order is the 7th with no explanation *at all.*
It has granted relief to Trump ... in all 15 rulings.
It has written majority opinions in only 3.
Today's order is the 7th with no explanation *at all.*
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
🧪 BREAKING (good news): Senate subcommittee says NO! to Trump's proposed slashes to NASA & NSF funding.
Today, the subcommittee said to keep NASA + NSF funding at $33.9 billion, the same as in FY24.
See 7:15 below. Full Senate appropriations committee meets tomorrow about it.
🧵 1/3
Today, the subcommittee said to keep NASA + NSF funding at $33.9 billion, the same as in FY24.
See 7:15 below. Full Senate appropriations committee meets tomorrow about it.
🧵 1/3
Subcommittee Markup of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act | United States Senate Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate Committee on Appropriations
www.appropriations.senate.gov
July 10, 2025 at 12:23 AM
🧪 BREAKING (good news): Senate subcommittee says NO! to Trump's proposed slashes to NASA & NSF funding.
Today, the subcommittee said to keep NASA + NSF funding at $33.9 billion, the same as in FY24.
See 7:15 below. Full Senate appropriations committee meets tomorrow about it.
🧵 1/3
Today, the subcommittee said to keep NASA + NSF funding at $33.9 billion, the same as in FY24.
See 7:15 below. Full Senate appropriations committee meets tomorrow about it.
🧵 1/3
Kilauea Caldera, Halema'uma'u crater, big island of Hawai'i, current status
July 9, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Kilauea Caldera, Halema'uma'u crater, big island of Hawai'i, current status
Callous and corrupt, this will deepen the devastating impact of this administration on basic science, scientists, and National Science Foundation staff, for whom there is NO plan www.alxnow.com/2025/06/24/r... 🧪
Report: National Science Foundation headquarters to be taken over by HUD, displacing 1,800+ employees | ALXnow
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will reportedly take over the National Science Foundation (NSF) headquarters building (2415 Eisenhower Ave.), displacing more than 1,833 NSF emplo...
www.alxnow.com
June 25, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Callous and corrupt, this will deepen the devastating impact of this administration on basic science, scientists, and National Science Foundation staff, for whom there is NO plan www.alxnow.com/2025/06/24/r... 🧪
Do the authors understand irony? Or maybe that's their hidden point of publishing behind a paywall
June 19, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Do the authors understand irony? Or maybe that's their hidden point of publishing behind a paywall
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
🌞 Summer is prime time for ticks & mosquitoes, but don’t let these pests deter you from your next outdoor adventure🏕️. #UMD entomologist, Dr. Dan Gruner shares w/ NPR's Morning Edition that it's perfectly fine to enjoy outdoor activities, just take precautionary measures.👇
www.npr.org/2025/05/28/n...
www.npr.org/2025/05/28/n...
How to protect your kids from mosquitoes and other bugs this summer
NPR's A Martinez speaks with Dan Gruner, professor of entomology at the University of Maryland, about how to safely protect kids this summer from mosquitoes and other biting insects.
www.npr.org
May 28, 2025 at 3:35 PM
🌞 Summer is prime time for ticks & mosquitoes, but don’t let these pests deter you from your next outdoor adventure🏕️. #UMD entomologist, Dr. Dan Gruner shares w/ NPR's Morning Edition that it's perfectly fine to enjoy outdoor activities, just take precautionary measures.👇
www.npr.org/2025/05/28/n...
www.npr.org/2025/05/28/n...
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
Well, it's official. We just received notice that all authors on the Sixth National Climate Assessment have just been released from their roles.
The NCA is a vital, Congressionally mandated resource for our nation as we prepare for the impacts of climate change. This is a huge loss.
The NCA is a vital, Congressionally mandated resource for our nation as we prepare for the impacts of climate change. This is a huge loss.
April 28, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Well, it's official. We just received notice that all authors on the Sixth National Climate Assessment have just been released from their roles.
The NCA is a vital, Congressionally mandated resource for our nation as we prepare for the impacts of climate change. This is a huge loss.
The NCA is a vital, Congressionally mandated resource for our nation as we prepare for the impacts of climate change. This is a huge loss.
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
The iceberg headed toward the economy
“The consequence will be empty shelves in US stores in a few weeks and Covid-like shortages for consumers and for firms using Chinese products as intermediate goods,” Torsten Slok, chief economist at Apollo, wrote in a note to clients Friday. www.cnbc.com/2025/04/28/e...
Empty shelves, trucking layoffs lead to a summer recession in Apollo's shocking trade fight timeline
U.S. consumers could start to notice trade-related shortages in their local stores next month, according to Apollo.
www.cnbc.com
April 29, 2025 at 12:54 AM
The iceberg headed toward the economy
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
If this wasn’t posted by @atrupar.com I would have thought it had to be a doctored screenshot. But…it’s not
lmao Hannity's Trump accomplishments ticker got even more pathetic
April 29, 2025 at 2:18 AM
If this wasn’t posted by @atrupar.com I would have thought it had to be a doctored screenshot. But…it’s not
🌏🧪
A new carnivorous caterpillar that wears the remains of its prey has been dubbed the bone collector.
A carnivorous 'bone collector' caterpillar dresses in the remains of its prey
A new carnivorous caterpillar that wears the remains of its prey has been dubbed the bone collector. The odd insect is only found on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
bit.ly
April 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
🌏🧪
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
🧪🧬🦠🌎
If you, like me, had you NSF granted terminated, here’s what I learned from a hopeful meeting with my VP of research:
1. We have 30 days to act! Meet with your admin asap
2. APPEAL: Everyone can appeal! It must go through your institution, there’s a template, sent registered mail. My VP told me ⬇️
1. We have 30 days to act! Meet with your admin asap
2. APPEAL: Everyone can appeal! It must go through your institution, there’s a template, sent registered mail. My VP told me ⬇️
I’m so angry & heart broken. My NSF CAREER grant was stolen today; dream project supporting science teachers/students as climate justice action researchers, tackling urban heat. Truly transformative, the culmination of my life’s work, we won’t stop, not in this climate crisis. Gonna fight like hell!
April 24, 2025 at 1:53 AM
🧪🧬🦠🌎
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
Into a second year of a global mass bleaching event.
🌎🪸
🌎🪸
Coral reefs around the world have been subjected to unprecedented heat stress since early 2023. A new report finds heat-related coral bleaching has damaged corals in more than 80 countries, making it the most extensive bleaching event ever recorded, with no clear end in sight.
Ongoing global coral bleaching event affects 84% of world’s reefs
Coral reefs around the world have been subjected to unprecedented heat stress since early 2023. A new report finds heat-related coral bleaching has damaged corals in more than 80 countries, making it…
news.mongabay.com
April 24, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Into a second year of a global mass bleaching event.
🌎🪸
🌎🪸
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
A colleague at Stanford’s business school used The Stanford Daily to argue—poorly—against DEI. The piece was riddled with historical errors and left one searching for fact, so I broke my public writing hiatus to respond.
I hope you’ll read and share the piece.
stanforddaily.com/2025/04/22/w...
I hope you’ll read and share the piece.
stanforddaily.com/2025/04/22/w...
What DEI threatens isn’t merit. It’s monopoly.
Political science professor Hakeem Jefferson argues for DEI's importance to de-monopolizing universities.
stanforddaily.com
April 23, 2025 at 12:23 AM
A colleague at Stanford’s business school used The Stanford Daily to argue—poorly—against DEI. The piece was riddled with historical errors and left one searching for fact, so I broke my public writing hiatus to respond.
I hope you’ll read and share the piece.
stanforddaily.com/2025/04/22/w...
I hope you’ll read and share the piece.
stanforddaily.com/2025/04/22/w...
Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
Happy to walk anyone through this. Our grants are proposed work. We often budget for things like salaries, student tuition, and equipment and consumables (in my field). We work on tight margins - we're often asked to "trim" or modify budgets because program officers try to spread the money.
Ok so yeah, this has quickly become the #1 misunderstanding about the canceled grants
the grants are not “subsidies” or “entitlements” to Harvard or Princeton or whatever
they aren’t going into universities’ endowments
they are competitive contracts won by these universities to do research
the grants are not “subsidies” or “entitlements” to Harvard or Princeton or whatever
they aren’t going into universities’ endowments
they are competitive contracts won by these universities to do research
There is a PR narrative quickly emerging about “entitlement” of elite universities, as if this $ is some sort of subsidy
Harvard & others must counter this quickly
The $ doesn’t flow into Harvard’s coffers - this is grant money, most of which goes to research the govt has agreed has social value
Harvard & others must counter this quickly
The $ doesn’t flow into Harvard’s coffers - this is grant money, most of which goes to research the govt has agreed has social value
April 20, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Happy to walk anyone through this. Our grants are proposed work. We often budget for things like salaries, student tuition, and equipment and consumables (in my field). We work on tight margins - we're often asked to "trim" or modify budgets because program officers try to spread the money.