DrArchivalGenomics
@ehekkala.bsky.social
🧪ancient DNA sleuth, ex-Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Scientist-Archive explorer. Fond of Museums, Madagascar, Mummies, Crocodiles & Conservation. #BeKind ❤️ posts mine (🌏🌍🌎)
Pinned
DrArchivalGenomics
@ehekkala.bsky.social
· Nov 22
Hi! I study DNA from museum specimens and fossils to see how animals are responding to change in the environment. This is a cave in Madagascar where bones of extinct species can help us in our research #ScienceIsForEveryone #ScienceSelfie
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
Sweeping trade protections adopted for sharks and rays at #CITESCOP20.
“It’s taken 20 to 30 years to get recognition that sharks and rays — keystone predators in marine ecosystems globally — need that protection,” says WCS’s @lukedavid301.bsky.social.
🌏 www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solu...
“It’s taken 20 to 30 years to get recognition that sharks and rays — keystone predators in marine ecosystems globally — need that protection,” says WCS’s @lukedavid301.bsky.social.
🌏 www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solu...
What new protections will mean for these widely hunted sharks
The sharks and rays are widely hunted, their parts used in commercial products like makeup and moisturizers and in culinary delicacies.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Sweeping trade protections adopted for sharks and rays at #CITESCOP20.
“It’s taken 20 to 30 years to get recognition that sharks and rays — keystone predators in marine ecosystems globally — need that protection,” says WCS’s @lukedavid301.bsky.social.
🌏 www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solu...
“It’s taken 20 to 30 years to get recognition that sharks and rays — keystone predators in marine ecosystems globally — need that protection,” says WCS’s @lukedavid301.bsky.social.
🌏 www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solu...
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
...twice as many hoverflies, ~50% more butterflies, and a richer variety of bats compared to human-made ponds or free-flowing streams. The research is critically important to support rebounding beaver populations and address declining insect numbers: www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/11/beav.... 🌎
Beaver-engineered habitats are outperforming ours
Two studies find that beaver-engineered wetlands attract twice as many hoverflies, nearly 50% more butterflies, and a richer variety of bats compared to human-made ponds or free-flowing streams.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org
November 29, 2025 at 5:26 AM
...twice as many hoverflies, ~50% more butterflies, and a richer variety of bats compared to human-made ponds or free-flowing streams. The research is critically important to support rebounding beaver populations and address declining insect numbers: www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/11/beav.... 🌎
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
Today at #CITESCoP20, governments voted to allow commercial international trade in saiga horn under newly established quotas from Kazakhstan.
We strongly opposed this outcome.
🌏 newsroom.wcs.org/News-Release...
We strongly opposed this outcome.
🌏 newsroom.wcs.org/News-Release...
CITES CoP20 Decision Allows International Trade in Saiga Horn, Strongly Opposed by WCS
Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Nov. 28, 2025 – Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) today voted to allow international commercial trade in sai...
newsroom.wcs.org
November 29, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Today at #CITESCoP20, governments voted to allow commercial international trade in saiga horn under newly established quotas from Kazakhstan.
We strongly opposed this outcome.
🌏 newsroom.wcs.org/News-Release...
We strongly opposed this outcome.
🌏 newsroom.wcs.org/News-Release...
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
Opening up a legal trade of saiga horn, as #CITESCOP20 parties did today, sends the exact wrong message at the worst possible time, says Khash-Erdene Bayarsaikhan of WCS Mongolia. bit.ly/4os6zto 🌏
November 29, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Opening up a legal trade of saiga horn, as #CITESCOP20 parties did today, sends the exact wrong message at the worst possible time, says Khash-Erdene Bayarsaikhan of WCS Mongolia. bit.ly/4os6zto 🌏
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
One for #seabirdersaturday #seabirds 🧪🌍
As I'm planning next years field season, I wonder if anyone on here would like to run a small island project on Skúvoy with me. I will be catching and samling great skuas, but there will be good opportunities to investigate other aspects of seabird island ecology 🌍🧪 #seabirds
November 29, 2025 at 1:09 PM
One for #seabirdersaturday #seabirds 🧪🌍
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
Good news on okapi from #CITESCOP20: the Parties have elected to put it on Appendix I, the highest level of international protection, which will prohibit all international commercial trade in okapi or their parts as well as sub-products. bit.ly/4rxdDb6 🌍
November 29, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Good news on okapi from #CITESCOP20: the Parties have elected to put it on Appendix I, the highest level of international protection, which will prohibit all international commercial trade in okapi or their parts as well as sub-products. bit.ly/4rxdDb6 🌍
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
🧪 This had *7 months* between submission & acceptance yet apparently nobody noticed... it's FIGURE 1 ffs
"Runctitiononal features"? "Medical fymblal"? "1 Tol Line storee"? This gets worse the longer you look at it. But it's got to be good, because it was published in Nature Scientific Reports last week: www.nature.com/articles/s41... h/t @asa.tsbalans.se
November 28, 2025 at 2:35 PM
🧪 This had *7 months* between submission & acceptance yet apparently nobody noticed... it's FIGURE 1 ffs
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
#VaccinesWork
Graph shows the effect of decreased vaccination (incidence numbers were even lower in prior years)
🧪
Graph shows the effect of decreased vaccination (incidence numbers were even lower in prior years)
🧪
The magnitude of the change over time is striking.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
November 28, 2025 at 3:52 PM
#VaccinesWork
Graph shows the effect of decreased vaccination (incidence numbers were even lower in prior years)
🧪
Graph shows the effect of decreased vaccination (incidence numbers were even lower in prior years)
🧪
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
“cats meow more frequently when greeting male [vs female] caregivers. The team hypothesized that men ‘require more explicit vocalizations to notice & respond to the needs of their cats.’
In other words…many cats have concluded that men don’t always listen, & adjusted their behavior accordingly.”🧪
In other words…many cats have concluded that men don’t always listen, & adjusted their behavior accordingly.”🧪
That, or like my cat Bam Bam, you just bite your male owner.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/s...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/s...
To Get a Man’s Attention, Meow Harder
www.nytimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:15 PM
“cats meow more frequently when greeting male [vs female] caregivers. The team hypothesized that men ‘require more explicit vocalizations to notice & respond to the needs of their cats.’
In other words…many cats have concluded that men don’t always listen, & adjusted their behavior accordingly.”🧪
In other words…many cats have concluded that men don’t always listen, & adjusted their behavior accordingly.”🧪
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
The impulse to use generative AI as a tool for computational ecology is just another form of statistical machismo (and will destroy the world).
We're a little more nuanced in the actual article, and encourage all ecologists to think about the possible footprint of _every_ computation.
🧪
We're a little more nuanced in the actual article, and encourage all ecologists to think about the possible footprint of _every_ computation.
🧪
AI and the carbon footprint of ecological research | ÉPICBiodiversity
epic-biodiversity.org
November 28, 2025 at 6:46 PM
The impulse to use generative AI as a tool for computational ecology is just another form of statistical machismo (and will destroy the world).
We're a little more nuanced in the actual article, and encourage all ecologists to think about the possible footprint of _every_ computation.
🧪
We're a little more nuanced in the actual article, and encourage all ecologists to think about the possible footprint of _every_ computation.
🧪
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
Making new Paleo Friends! 🧪
Many thanks to Dr. Silvia Pineda-Munoz at @climateages.bsky.social for covering our research!
Check out her great article on our Spinosaurus results here:
climateages.com/how-aquatic-...
Or dive into the original paper below!
doi.org/10.1016/j.cu...
Check out her great article on our Spinosaurus results here:
climateages.com/how-aquatic-...
Or dive into the original paper below!
doi.org/10.1016/j.cu...
How Aquatic Was Spinosaurus, Really? - Climate Ages
Image made with CANVA with Artwork by PaleoGeekSquared Image made with CANVA with Artwork by PaleoGeekSquared From museum drawers to machine learning, scientists reveal a...
climateages.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Making new Paleo Friends! 🧪
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
This paper is the second in a series we've been working on that explores the challege of democracy and environmental action. Our first shows that the evidence is strong that democratic states are better at environmental management than non-democratic ones. 🧪
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Does democratic regression threaten biodiversity conservation and climate action? Exploring the relationships, implications, and opportunities for democratization as a conservation strategy
A global democratic recession is underway, but its repercussions for the pursuit of progress on the joint crises of climate change and biodiversity lo…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:42 PM
This paper is the second in a series we've been working on that explores the challege of democracy and environmental action. Our first shows that the evidence is strong that democratic states are better at environmental management than non-democratic ones. 🧪
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
Proposal Writing Workshop: Using NASA ROSES as an Example
For those attending the winter American Astronomical Society (#AAS247) Meeting, an all-day proposal writing workshop will be sponsored by the NASA Science Mission Directorate and hosted by Dr. Christina Richey. 🧪 👩🔬
For those attending the winter American Astronomical Society (#AAS247) Meeting, an all-day proposal writing workshop will be sponsored by the NASA Science Mission Directorate and hosted by Dr. Christina Richey. 🧪 👩🔬
November 28, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Proposal Writing Workshop: Using NASA ROSES as an Example
For those attending the winter American Astronomical Society (#AAS247) Meeting, an all-day proposal writing workshop will be sponsored by the NASA Science Mission Directorate and hosted by Dr. Christina Richey. 🧪 👩🔬
For those attending the winter American Astronomical Society (#AAS247) Meeting, an all-day proposal writing workshop will be sponsored by the NASA Science Mission Directorate and hosted by Dr. Christina Richey. 🧪 👩🔬
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
A study published in Communications Biology reveals that narwhals frequently hit underwater sound recorders while foraging in Greenland. This behavior suggests potential risks from human activities, emphasizing the need for careful conservation management. go.nature.com/49CqTEK 🧪 #MarineLife🦑
November 28, 2025 at 8:30 PM
A study published in Communications Biology reveals that narwhals frequently hit underwater sound recorders while foraging in Greenland. This behavior suggests potential risks from human activities, emphasizing the need for careful conservation management. go.nature.com/49CqTEK 🧪 #MarineLife🦑
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
Boy if I were a fly on the wall & saw what went on at this thing.
Rand Paul gave a talk titled “Why Isn’t Tony Fauci in Prison?”
A pediatrician spoke about controlling inflammation in kids by preventing their exposure to vaccines, tap water & bad vibes.
🧪🎁🔗 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/o...
Rand Paul gave a talk titled “Why Isn’t Tony Fauci in Prison?”
A pediatrician spoke about controlling inflammation in kids by preventing their exposure to vaccines, tap water & bad vibes.
🧪🎁🔗 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/o...
Opinion | I Went to an Anti-Vaccine Conference. Medicine Is in Trouble.
www.nytimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Boy if I were a fly on the wall & saw what went on at this thing.
Rand Paul gave a talk titled “Why Isn’t Tony Fauci in Prison?”
A pediatrician spoke about controlling inflammation in kids by preventing their exposure to vaccines, tap water & bad vibes.
🧪🎁🔗 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/o...
Rand Paul gave a talk titled “Why Isn’t Tony Fauci in Prison?”
A pediatrician spoke about controlling inflammation in kids by preventing their exposure to vaccines, tap water & bad vibes.
🧪🎁🔗 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/o...
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
Well... shit. This one is new to me.
I look forward to hearing more about this from #SpaceWeather folks!
Apparently, the Jetblue incident that kicked this off happened a month ago: www.cnn.com/2025/10/30/u...
🧪🔭
I look forward to hearing more about this from #SpaceWeather folks!
Apparently, the Jetblue incident that kicked this off happened a month ago: www.cnn.com/2025/10/30/u...
🧪🔭
November 29, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Well... shit. This one is new to me.
I look forward to hearing more about this from #SpaceWeather folks!
Apparently, the Jetblue incident that kicked this off happened a month ago: www.cnn.com/2025/10/30/u...
🧪🔭
I look forward to hearing more about this from #SpaceWeather folks!
Apparently, the Jetblue incident that kicked this off happened a month ago: www.cnn.com/2025/10/30/u...
🧪🔭
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
Forensics: Law. No exception for rape and incest. South Carolina lawmakers debate abortion bill that could imprison people who receive the procedure. 🧪 Up to 30 years.
abcnews.go.com/Health/south-carolina-lawmakers-debate-abortion-bill-imprison-people/story
abcnews.go.com/Health/south-carolina-lawmakers-debate-abortion-bill-imprison-people/story
abcnews.go.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Forensics: Law. No exception for rape and incest. South Carolina lawmakers debate abortion bill that could imprison people who receive the procedure. 🧪 Up to 30 years.
abcnews.go.com/Health/south-carolina-lawmakers-debate-abortion-bill-imprison-people/story
abcnews.go.com/Health/south-carolina-lawmakers-debate-abortion-bill-imprison-people/story
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
While birds and bats both developed adaptations for flight, the way they went about it is so fundamentally different it affects their possible ecological adaptation. Specifically, birds can easily shift to a walking lifestyle, bats can't. 🧪
Link: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Link: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 29, 2025 at 8:03 AM
While birds and bats both developed adaptations for flight, the way they went about it is so fundamentally different it affects their possible ecological adaptation. Specifically, birds can easily shift to a walking lifestyle, bats can't. 🧪
Link: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Link: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
How Parasitic Cuckoos Lay Host-Matching Eggs Yet Remain A Single Species
#SciComm🧪 by @grrlscientist.bsky.social
#Evolution #ornithology🪶 #birds🦉 #ecology #genomics🧬 www.forbes.com/sites/grrlsc...
#SciComm🧪 by @grrlscientist.bsky.social
#Evolution #ornithology🪶 #birds🦉 #ecology #genomics🧬 www.forbes.com/sites/grrlsc...
November 29, 2025 at 10:51 AM
How Parasitic Cuckoos Lay Host-Matching Eggs Yet Remain A Single Species
#SciComm🧪 by @grrlscientist.bsky.social
#Evolution #ornithology🪶 #birds🦉 #ecology #genomics🧬 www.forbes.com/sites/grrlsc...
#SciComm🧪 by @grrlscientist.bsky.social
#Evolution #ornithology🪶 #birds🦉 #ecology #genomics🧬 www.forbes.com/sites/grrlsc...
Ugh.
Interesting investigation into a dodgy Elsevier journal -- with the additional nugget that the CEO of Elsevier's parent company made more than €15 million in total compensation last year.
english.elpais.com/science-tech...
english.elpais.com/science-tech...
The fall of a prolific science journal exposes the billion-dollar profits of scientific publishing
One of the 15 publications that put out the most studies globally has been expelled from the indexing system for irregularities. Its publisher, Elsevier, has a 38% profit margin that reached $1.5 bill...
english.elpais.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Ugh.
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
Note to Republicans:
Former president Duterte held by the ICC for crimes against humanity, of murder and attempted murder, committed on the territory of the Republic of the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 in the context of the ‘war on drugs’ campaign.
Former president Duterte held by the ICC for crimes against humanity, of murder and attempted murder, committed on the territory of the Republic of the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 in the context of the ‘war on drugs’ campaign.
Duterte
www.icc-cpi.int
November 29, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Note to Republicans:
Former president Duterte held by the ICC for crimes against humanity, of murder and attempted murder, committed on the territory of the Republic of the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 in the context of the ‘war on drugs’ campaign.
Former president Duterte held by the ICC for crimes against humanity, of murder and attempted murder, committed on the territory of the Republic of the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 in the context of the ‘war on drugs’ campaign.
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
Dictators need war to stay in power.
November 29, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Dictators need war to stay in power.
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
ICE caught bringing in more people they abducted to Alligator Auschwitz in Florida on Thanksgiving morning
November 27, 2025 at 9:33 PM
ICE caught bringing in more people they abducted to Alligator Auschwitz in Florida on Thanksgiving morning
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
Until this happened I tried to to tell myself we had made it through one trump presidency and would make it through this one. It was the ultimate betrayal. I will never forget it. We all should’ve known then it was a whole different ballgame this time around.
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
Trump and Vance attack Zelenskyy in remarkable Oval Office exchange
The president and vice president each had harsh words for the Ukrainian president.
www.politico.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Until this happened I tried to to tell myself we had made it through one trump presidency and would make it through this one. It was the ultimate betrayal. I will never forget it. We all should’ve known then it was a whole different ballgame this time around.
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
Reposted by DrArchivalGenomics
Kidnapping operations are expected to ramp up in New York City, as part of President Donald Trump's nationwide enforcement crackdown in major cities.
November 28, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Kidnapping operations are expected to ramp up in New York City, as part of President Donald Trump's nationwide enforcement crackdown in major cities.