Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Gwen Pearson @bug-gwen.bsky.social · 11h

Hurray, a new Deep Look video about damselflies and dragonflies! youtu.be/vxg8sUiPeco?...

Pick Your Player: Dragonfly vs Damselfly | Deep Look

YouTube video by Deep Look

youtu.be

2 6

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Kathy O'Donnell @kathyodonnell.bsky.social · 1d

If it is correct that Bridget Phillipson is sitting on the new, post Supreme Court ruling EHRC guidance on trans rights (and I think it v. plausible) so as not to lose deputy leadership votes of pro-LGBT+ MPs, then not only is that sickeningly cynical, but guidance must be off-the-scale extreme.

2 43 120

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Nick Brown @steamtraen.eu · 1d

Next time an institution tells you how seriously it takes research misconduct, ask them if it's *this* seriously. www.bmj.com/content/297/...

In 1916 the BMJ published an article about the work done by James Shearer, an American physician working in the British Army as a sergeant (because he had no British qualification). He had described a
"delineator" which was better than x rays for portraying gunshot wounds. This caused a sensation and a lot of interest — but on investigation the work was found to have been invented. The BMJ published a retraction, but Shearer was tried by court martial and sentenced to death by firing squad.

15 210 570

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

matthew @pahuski.com · 1d

Happy Columbo’s Day

Screenshot from Columbo. He his talking to his dog, which is sitting is the drivers seat of a car. “Okay, I’m gonna put you in charge. You take care of the car. You’re a responsible dog. When I get back, if the car’s okay, I’ll give you another cookie.”

31 2.6K 7.6K

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Alison Fisk @alisonfisk.bsky.social · 1d

A stunning 2,000 year-old Roman blue glass amphoriskos.

📷 Getty Museum www.getty.edu/art/collecti...

#Archaeology

Getty Museum photo of a translucent, dark blue, two-handled, glass flask (amphoriskos) against a grey background. The free-blown body is bulbous in shape, with a narrow neck with a flattened rim. The two handles were added afterwards and attach to the body and mouth. The handle on the right has been attached slightly higher up on the body than the other side. Height 10.5 cm. There is some incrustation on the interior of the glass.

4 80 410

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Velvet Glitterman @velvetglitterman.bsky.social · 2d

This is a great idea 🏳️‍⚧️

QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 2d

Thinking globally, but acting locally sparked a movement, that has ultimately spread the Safe Space initiative nationwide

https://www.wearequeeraf.com/how-my-local-action-turned-into-a-national-movement-creating-safe-spaces-for-trans-people/

How my local action turned into a national movement creating safe spaces for Trans+ people

Thinking globally, but acting locally sparked a movement, that has ultimately spread the Safe Space initiative nationwide

www.wearequeeraf.com

11 30

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Helmholtz Institute Würzburg @helmholtz-hiri.bsky.social · 1d

Looking to start your own lab? 🧬🧪 The Helmholtz Institute Würzburg (HIRI) is offering group leader positions in RNA biology, RNA medicine & RNA technology. Apply by October 31 at www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/jobs-tale...

E15 Groups

The Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Researchopens a call for

www.helmholtz-hiri.de

27 18

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

OB Cycler @obcycler.bsky.social · 1d

Don't make us tap the sign.

7 30 140

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Matthew Hodson @matthewhodson.bsky.social · 1d

I have trans women friends who’ve been living authentically for decades - how are they going to start using the gents?
I have a tall cis female friend who’s now scared to use ladies loos because she’s been harassed several times.
This code is both cruel and unworkable.
Please write to your MP.

TransActual @transactualuk.bsky.social · 1d

🚨This is an emergency🚨

This Government is currently sitting on an EHRC Code of Practice that will lead to the segregation and exclusion of trans people in public life.

Use our tool to email your MP: tinyurl.com/scrap-the-bathroom-ban

@transsolidarity.bsky.social
#ScrapTheBathroomBan

Image of a flashing red siren. Text reads: Scrap the Bathroom Ban This is an emergency. Tell your MP to say no to segregation. Write to your MP: tinyurl.com/scrap-the-bathroom-ban

8 140 360

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

TransActual @transactualuk.bsky.social · 1d

🚨This is an emergency🚨

This Government is currently sitting on an EHRC Code of Practice that will lead to the segregation and exclusion of trans people in public life.

Use our tool to email your MP: tinyurl.com/scrap-the-bathroom-ban

@transsolidarity.bsky.social
#ScrapTheBathroomBan

8 300 440

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 1d

“Over the last 70 years, the #ECHR has repeatedly stepped in when domestic courts were unable to provide the protection we now take for granted and cherish,” says the UK’s outgoing judge at the European Court of Human Rights👇

🔗 www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/ecthr-m... via @lawsocietygazette.bsky.social

ECtHR 'more necessary and relevant' now, says outgoing UK judge

Leading silk says he 'hardly recognises' the good work of the ECHR from recent criticism of Strasbourg court.

www.lawgazette.co.uk

1 76 190

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Robin Moira White @robinmoirawhite.bsky.social · 1d

I post this without comment.

18 32 130

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Lilith Ferreyra-Carroll @trasinscneach.bsky.social · 2d

Ireland has a population of 5m and we've a waiting list approaching 15 years. Why? Because their mandatory, archaic and traumatic psychiatric and psychological assessments are a deliberate bottleneck to ensure as few people as possible can access healthcare a nurse can do!

Helen 🏳️‍⚧️✊🏻💕 @mimmymum.bsky.social · 2d

The ‘Transit’ gender clinic in Spain has a 3 WEEK waiting list! 😳😳😳

It covers a population of 8 million, (equivalent to the population of Scotland & Wales combined, or 1/7th of the population of England) It has a total of 43 staff, a majority of whom are part-time, working 6-7 hours per week!

Trans health waiting lists are a political choice

I’m just back from an awesome trans healthcare conference in Norway (blog on that to follow). Here I wanted to share information from a presentation by the founder of the transit trans health…

growinguptransgender.com

6 250 660

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Daniel Bellingradt @dbellingradt.bsky.social · 1d

This ad about the importance of using the best lightning solutions for your workspace is brought to you from 1530 Wittenberg. The desk user M.L. recommends the illuminating dove to help you stay on task. #skystorians #academicchatter

Martin Luther sits at a writing desk, writing, and a heavenly sent dove is illuminating the room. This is a hand coloured part of a bible print from 1530. You may access a digital copy here: https://daten.digitale-sammlungen.de/~db/0011/bsb00113027/images/index.html

6 43 150

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

John Munro @johnmunro.bsky.social · 1d

I stand with Salman Mirza.

Birmingham man takes down flags because he says 'people feel unwelcome'

Salman Mirza says he wants to

www.bbc.co.uk

11 54 240

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Lakota Man 🪶 @lakotaman.bsky.social · 2d

Celebrate with me. #IndigenousPeoplesDay 🪶✊🏾

100 930 4.1K

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Helen 🏳️‍⚧️✊🏻💕 @mimmymum.bsky.social · 2d

The ‘Transit’ gender clinic in Spain has a 3 WEEK waiting list! 😳😳😳

It covers a population of 8 million, (equivalent to the population of Scotland & Wales combined, or 1/7th of the population of England) It has a total of 43 staff, a majority of whom are part-time, working 6-7 hours per week!

Trans health waiting lists are a political choice

I’m just back from an awesome trans healthcare conference in Norway (blog on that to follow). Here I wanted to share information from a presentation by the founder of the transit trans health…

growinguptransgender.com

14 150 390

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Birds Are Dinosaurs 🦢=🦖 @birdsaredinosaurs.bsky.social · Feb 14

Yes, it's a major security vulnerability that Data has passively memorized everyone's passwords and is able to deep fake their voice print to bypass biometrics

I assure you, they will not fix this problem. By Star Trek: First Contact, Data can lock everyone out of the computer in under 5 seconds

Data is at his control panel on the bridge, completely alone. This is because he cut life support to the bridge and then locked all the pathetic squishy organics out of the main computer. Those stupid meat creatures.

6 4 88

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

David Allsopp @doublehelix.bsky.social · 2d

I was reminded recently of the fun fact that the Cadbury's Caramel bunny (voted 3rd sexiest cartoon character of all time) was voiced by Miriam Margolyes (drawing on her experience making adult audio tapes for sex shops)

thebritishcandyconnoisseur.wordpress.com/2020/06/05/f...

The Cadbury Caramel cartoon Bunny, seductively offering candy, wearing a big pink bow round her neck. Alongside middle-aged grey-haired Miriam Margolyes

9 51 170

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Meera Sundaram @meera-sundaram.bsky.social · 2d

Basic, curiosity driven, sometimes very exploratory, research is the seed corn that leads to the biggest scientific advances
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/s...

Nobel Prizes This Year Offer Three Cheers for Slow Science

www.nytimes.com

7 24

Jonathan Pettitt @genotripe.bsky.social · 2d

Just as I’m getting to know this hillside, it’s under threat. Please join the campaign

STOP THE EXPANSION OF BREEDON QUARRY IN BALMULLO, ST ANDREWS (No donation required)

Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?

c.org

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Renee de St. Croix @reneedsc.bsky.social · 3d

“Fast forward to today, and the transformation is astonishing. Paris has quietly—and quickly—become one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world” with pop-up bike-lanes during the pandemic evolving “into a permanent cycling network spanning hundreds of kilometres.” Via @momentummag.bsky.social

New Study Shows How Paris Pedaled Its Way to a Cycling Revolution

Cycling through central Paris meant weaving between buses and scooters—a bold choice reserved for the fearless few.

momentummag.com

31 130

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Anil Dash @anildash.com · 3d

Phew. This one got me. There is so much heart and soul and love behind a campaign like this.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · 3d

UNTIL IT’S DONE, Ep. 4: Sylvia Rivera

In the 1970s, queer New Yorkers had been pushed to the margins of NYC. Our trans neighbors faced immense cruelty. But in Sylvia Rivera, they found a champion.

As we combat Trump’s politics of darkness, her legacy can light the path forward.

1 13 140

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Coleen Murphy @ctmurphy1.bsky.social · 4d

Begging scientists (and media posts about science) to stop using ChatGPT-generated images

140 730

Reposted by Jonathan Pettitt

Vincent J Lynch 🐘🦣🦥 🦇🐋🐢🐍 @devoevomed.bsky.social · 4d

This is so cool! Four amino acid changes in the naked mole rat cGAS turn it from a DNA repair inhibitor into an enhancer

www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

What is going on in armadillos, which have lost the cGAS and STING genes‽ #PetosParadox #EvMed 🧪

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40463121/

A cGAS-mediated mechanism in naked mole-rats potentiates DNA repair and delays aging

Efficient DNA repair might make possible the longevity of naked mole-rats. However, whether they have distinctive mechanisms to optimize functions of DNA repair suppressors is unclear. We find that na...

www.science.org

1 11 24