Michelle W. Martin
@michellem.bsky.social
190 followers 360 following 36 posts
Science journalist, print and audio, Board Member Northwest Science Writers Association; work found in Boulder Daily Camera, The Denver Post, AARP, Alaska Airlines Magazine, KBCS
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Reposted by Michelle W. Martin
Happening this evening! Follow along on Zoom or with our livestream!

youtube.com/@standupfors...
Reposted by Michelle W. Martin
A paper in Nature Microbiology reports that the use of AI to mine proteomes of archaea led to the discovery of archaeasins, antimicrobials that kill drug-resistant bacteria in laboratory and animal models, offering a promising source of future antibiotics. #medsky 🧪
Deep learning reveals antibiotics in the archaeal proteome - Nature Microbiology
Use of artificial intelligence to mine proteomes of archaea led to the discovery of archaeasins, antimicrobials that kill drug-resistant bacteria in laboratory and animal models, offering a promising source of future antibiotics.
go.nature.com
Reposted by Michelle W. Martin
Besides compelling new evidence for the potential benefit of lithium protection vs Alzheimer's in multiple animals models, another discovery was that lithium orotate at doses much less than 1/1000th of lithium carbonate could be effective, and why, in people
erictopol.substack.com/p/lithium-an...
Reposted by Michelle W. Martin
Not sure how many scientists here have tried Claude Code or similar command line coding assistants. I had a complicated family property tax problem that was best solved by a brute force Monte Carlo simulation approach, so I spent a few days coding up and analyzing a model with Claude Code.
Well, if you're having doubts about generative AI b/c of it's environmental impact, ethically fraught training and messing with human intimacy, here's yet another angle to consider: reliability (apart from hallucinations) amandaguinzburg.substack.com/p/diabolus-e...
Diabolus Ex Machina
This Is Not An Essay
amandaguinzburg.substack.com
Reposted by Michelle W. Martin
Holy crap this is great! Really shows the stakes. Kudos to @johnmoralestv.bsky.social

John: You’ll have to let us know if you got any angry messages.
Cuts have consequences, illustrated. As seen on TV 📺
Hey, audio folks, great job opp!
🚨Cool job alert: @propublica.org is looking for a host to help us launch a new weekly podcast — could it be you?

🎙️ pay range: $150,000 to $175,000
🎙️ open to remote candidates
🎙️ 2-year role with the possibility of extension

job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
Host, Audio
Remote, United States
job-boards.greenhouse.io
Reposted by Michelle W. Martin
An important moment in climate accountability — first wrongful death case against oil companies filed. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/c...
Oil Companies Are Sued Over Death of Woman in 2021 Heat Wave
www.nytimes.com
Reposted by Michelle W. Martin
Latest wildfire smoke forecast from weather.gc.ca/firework/fir... shows a significant Canadian smoke incursion into MN, WI, and MI on Fri, advancing into the E U.S. on Sat. The pink colors: AQI> 182 (Red, Unhealthy). Left image: 7 pm EDT Fri. Right: 7 pm Sat. The HRR Smoke model is similar.
“You are not giving up, and neither am I … The pain you feel is because of what you love.” Rebecca Solnit in her new book, No Straight Road Takes you There
"Uncertainty is the most rational position to embrace, and unlike optimism or pessimism, it does not entrench us in complacency or inaction."

No Straight Road Takes You There by Rebecca Solnit review – an activist’s antidote to despair @theguardian.com @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social
No Straight Road Takes You There by Rebecca Solnit review – an activist’s antidote to despair
Hope is no casual platitude in this inspiring collection of essays; it’s the realistic mindset with which to approach existential challenges
www.theguardian.com
Reposted by Michelle W. Martin
Two days remain to comment on the US FWS and NMFS rule change that undermines the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This proposal rescinds the definition of “harm,” limiting protections to actions that directly injure or kill listed species, leaving their habitats vulnerable. Please submit comments! 🧪
Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (collectively referred to as the Services or we) are proposing to rescind the regulatory definition of "harm" ...
www.federalregister.gov
Reposted by Michelle W. Martin
NEW: As the Trump admin is flying Afrikaners here today to be resettled as "refugees," @Sec_Noem is terminating Temporary Protected Status for Afghanistan — meaning they may start deporting women and allies who protected our troops to the Taliban to be persecuted or killed!
DHS Terminating Temporary Protected Status for Afghanistan
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem today announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Afghanistan. The TPS designation for the country expires on May 20, 2025, and the termination will be effective on July 12, 2025.

At least 60 days before a TPS designation expires, the Secretary, after consultation with appropriate U.S. government agencies, is required to review the conditions in a country designated for TPS to determine whether the conditions supporting the designation continue to be met, and if so, how long to extend the designation.

“This administration is returning TPS to its original temporary intent,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “We’ve reviewed the conditions in Afghanistan with our interagency partners, and they do not meet the requirements for a TPS designation. Afghanistan has had an improved security situation, and its stabilizing economy no longer prevent them from returning to their home country. Additionally, the termination furthers the national interest as DHS records indicate that there are recipients who have been under investigation for fraud and threatening our public safety and national security. Reviewing TPS designations is a key part of restoring integrity in our immigration system.”

After consultation with interagency partners, Secretary Noem determined that conditions in Afghanistan no longer meet the statutory requirements. The Secretary’s decision was based on a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services review of the country conditions and in consultation with the Department of State. The Secretary determined that, overall, there are notable improvements in the security and economic situation such that requiring the return of Afghan nationals to Afghanistan does not pose a threat to their personal safety due to ongoing-armed conflict or extraordinary and temporary conditions. She further determined that permitting Afghan nationals to remain t…
Reposted by Michelle W. Martin
Reposted by Michelle W. Martin
Yes, did this a few times. Such a great thing. Play list is on FB, not on Sky. For those with access, link to read play titles and playwright and science writers names. www.facebook.com/InfinityBoxT...
"Centrifuge" is tonight and tomorrow in Seattle!
Five short science talks each followed by a 10-minute world premier science play--put together in a whirlwind week.
Click 4 Tix
click4tix.net
Reposted by Michelle W. Martin
Insurance companies aren’t ditching climate work because it’s a brutal bottom line reality that affects their customers and profits significantly. There is ZERO reason for government agencies to do so. At this late stage of warming it should be factored into *everything* always.
There’s so much happening right now, I thought I’d put together a running thread on the dismantling of #climate and research and knowledge infrastructure in the United States 🧵
Reposted by Michelle W. Martin
The unitary executive theory is animating all of Trump's legal moves, becoming a catch-all defense for the idea that Trump is basically a king. Fittingly, the idea of an unaccountable president started with Nixon. But unlike in 1974, the Supreme Court is on board. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The dangerous legal theory behind Trump’s power grabs
There was no "unitary executive" until some dudes made the idea up to save Nixon.
www.motherjones.com
Reposted by Michelle W. Martin
A federal judge on Thursday blocked key parts of a sweeping anti-voting executive order issued by President Donald Trump in March. Voting rights advocates described the order as “an astonishing and unprecedented voter suppression” effort.
www.motherjones.com