Phoebe Lostroh
@profphoebe.bsky.social
Microbiologist, feminist, dog and cat lover, LGBTQIA+ communities, Grinnell College and UWC grad; she/her 🏳️🌈🥖🌹https://tinyurl.com/Virosphere
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
🧑🌾 SPOTTED in Jackson County, Wisconsin…
December 21, 2025 at 6:44 PM
🧑🌾 SPOTTED in Jackson County, Wisconsin…
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
Current issue of @theonion.com nails it again.
December 21, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Current issue of @theonion.com nails it again.
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
And there it is...
December 22, 2025 at 2:55 AM
And there it is...
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
When I was in grad school, I had whooping cough. It progressed so far, that I actually developed the tell-tale "whoop," which is just the sound you make as you desperately try to breath in oxygen in-between coughs. It was terrible and scary. Now imagine an infant going through that.
"At just 2 weeks old, Feleena Owens was struggling to breathe.
The newborn was coughing so badly, her skin turned a sickly gray-blue color. Her face contorted as she tried to gulp air. 'I think the longest she would stop breathing was about 10, 11 seconds,' said her mother."
The newborn was coughing so badly, her skin turned a sickly gray-blue color. Her face contorted as she tried to gulp air. 'I think the longest she would stop breathing was about 10, 11 seconds,' said her mother."
Whooping cough cases soar as vaccination rates drop
In an NBC News data investigation of 31 states, about 70% of counties and jurisdictions fell below the target vaccination rate needed for community protection.
www.nbcnews.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:46 PM
When I was in grad school, I had whooping cough. It progressed so far, that I actually developed the tell-tale "whoop," which is just the sound you make as you desperately try to breath in oxygen in-between coughs. It was terrible and scary. Now imagine an infant going through that.
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
This is obscene. Why can't other politicians say that?
The 25 richest families are collectively $358.7 billion richer than a year ago, with a combined fortune totaling $2.9 trillion.
The 25 richest families are collectively $358.7 billion richer than a year ago, with a combined fortune totaling $2.9 trillion.
December 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM
This is obscene. Why can't other politicians say that?
The 25 richest families are collectively $358.7 billion richer than a year ago, with a combined fortune totaling $2.9 trillion.
The 25 richest families are collectively $358.7 billion richer than a year ago, with a combined fortune totaling $2.9 trillion.
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Vaults. They are cell biology's greatest puzzle! This preprint from Martin Beck's lab shows them docked on ER membranes with a ribosome inside. What on earth is going on there??
#CellBiology #WTFology
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
#CellBiology #WTFology
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
The vault associates with membranes in situ
The eukaryotic vault particle is a giant ribonucleoprotein complex that assembles into an iconic barrel-like cage. Its cellular function has remained elusive despite extensive characterization. Using ...
www.biorxiv.org
December 16, 2025 at 4:21 PM
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Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
This is incredible news. Today, Virginia officials will unveil a statue of Barbara Johns at the Capitol to replace one of Confederate General Robert E. Lee that had stood for more than a century. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Statue of Black teen who fought segregation replaces Robert E. Lee at U.S. Capitol
Barbara Rose Johns was only 16 when she led a walkout in 1951 to protest horrendous conditions at her segregated high school for Black students in rural Farmville, Virginia.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:43 AM
This is incredible news. Today, Virginia officials will unveil a statue of Barbara Johns at the Capitol to replace one of Confederate General Robert E. Lee that had stood for more than a century. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
people love to be like ‘blue states good! red states bad!’ but it is a fact that both new york senators voted in favor of this so 🤷♀️
Here are the 28 Dem Senators who voted to advance the first federal ban on trans athletes & a federal definition of sex that would make trans & intersex people non-existent: Angela Alsobrooks (MD), Tammy Baldwin (WI), Richard Blumenthal (CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE), Chris Coons (DE), ->
By a vote of 76-23, S 1071 passes the motion to proceed to the motion to concur. Won't know who voted for this until the roll call is uploaded, but safe to say it passed with the support of at least 24 members of the Democratic caucus. (Rand Paul probably voted nay and Steve Daines has been absent).
December 16, 2025 at 12:47 PM
people love to be like ‘blue states good! red states bad!’ but it is a fact that both new york senators voted in favor of this so 🤷♀️
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
We are parents of a trans kid and our family takes this very, very personally. If you intentionally make life harder for our beloved daughter, it’s EXTREMELY hard to think of you as an ally, to say the least. @amyklobuchar.com - you still send us requests for money, while hurting our kid. Disgusted.
Here are the 28 Dem Senators who voted to advance the first federal ban on trans athletes & a federal definition of sex that would make trans & intersex people non-existent: Angela Alsobrooks (MD), Tammy Baldwin (WI), Richard Blumenthal (CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE), Chris Coons (DE), ->
By a vote of 76-23, S 1071 passes the motion to proceed to the motion to concur. Won't know who voted for this until the roll call is uploaded, but safe to say it passed with the support of at least 24 members of the Democratic caucus. (Rand Paul probably voted nay and Steve Daines has been absent).
December 16, 2025 at 2:33 PM
We are parents of a trans kid and our family takes this very, very personally. If you intentionally make life harder for our beloved daughter, it’s EXTREMELY hard to think of you as an ally, to say the least. @amyklobuchar.com - you still send us requests for money, while hurting our kid. Disgusted.
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
CNN has suddenly discovered Tennessee's Patriot Front compound that was a subject of an extensive NewsChannel 5 investigation back in March. Here is my report: 1/ www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...
'This isn't your granddad's KKK.' Inside the hate group expanding its presence in Tennessee
They are the largest hate group in America, wrapping themselves in the red-white-and-blue of the flag, marching into the middle of American cities and claiming to be patriots.
www.newschannel5.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:34 PM
CNN has suddenly discovered Tennessee's Patriot Front compound that was a subject of an extensive NewsChannel 5 investigation back in March. Here is my report: 1/ www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
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The abrupt removal of Mary T. Bassett as director of the Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, is not the neutral transition Harvard presents. It is a profound betrayal of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s stated commitments to health, dignity, and justice.
The abrupt removal of Mary T. Bassett as director of the Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, is not the neutral transition Harvard presents. It is a profound betrayal of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s stated commitments to health, dignity, and justice.
By Removing Bassett, Harvard Chan Is Abandoning Its Mission | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson
To remove Bassett and “focus” FXB on children’s health suggests a chilling reversal: Harvard has moved from naming structural inequities to disciplining anyone who insists on exposing them.
www.thecrimson.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:05 AM
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Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
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The abrupt removal of Mary T. Bassett as director of the Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, is not the neutral transition Harvard presents. It is a profound betrayal of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s stated commitments to health, dignity, and justice.
The abrupt removal of Mary T. Bassett as director of the Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, is not the neutral transition Harvard presents. It is a profound betrayal of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s stated commitments to health, dignity, and justice.
By Removing Bassett, Harvard Chan Is Abandoning Its Mission | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson
To remove Bassett and “focus” FXB on children’s health suggests a chilling reversal: Harvard has moved from naming structural inequities to disciplining anyone who insists on exposing them.
www.thecrimson.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:24 PM
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The abrupt removal of Mary T. Bassett as director of the Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, is not the neutral transition Harvard presents. It is a profound betrayal of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s stated commitments to health, dignity, and justice.
The abrupt removal of Mary T. Bassett as director of the Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, is not the neutral transition Harvard presents. It is a profound betrayal of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s stated commitments to health, dignity, and justice.
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
Rob Reiner religion note: One of his last film projects was “God & Country,” a documentary released last year based on Katherine Stewart’s book.
The film turned a critical lens toward Christian nationalism.
Disclosure: I know this, because I’m in it. www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
The film turned a critical lens toward Christian nationalism.
Disclosure: I know this, because I’m in it. www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
Rob Reiner's 'God & Country' explores the politicization of Christianity
The new documentary looks at the rise of Christian Nationalism as a political movement through the eyes of theologians and conservative thinkers.
www.wbur.org
December 15, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Rob Reiner religion note: One of his last film projects was “God & Country,” a documentary released last year based on Katherine Stewart’s book.
The film turned a critical lens toward Christian nationalism.
Disclosure: I know this, because I’m in it. www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
The film turned a critical lens toward Christian nationalism.
Disclosure: I know this, because I’m in it. www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
"When same-sex marriage was still years away, there was America’s Uncle, straight as can be, demanding a future in which LGBTQ families be given a full stake in the American Dream and hurry the fuck up on that, please and thank you."
charlotteclymer.substack.com/p/americas-u...
charlotteclymer.substack.com/p/americas-u...
America's Uncle
He brought us comfort and humor.
charlotteclymer.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:53 PM
"When same-sex marriage was still years away, there was America’s Uncle, straight as can be, demanding a future in which LGBTQ families be given a full stake in the American Dream and hurry the fuck up on that, please and thank you."
charlotteclymer.substack.com/p/americas-u...
charlotteclymer.substack.com/p/americas-u...
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
“At Texas A&M, internal emails show staff are using AI software to search syllabi and course descriptions for words that could raise concerns under new system policies restricting how faculty teach about race and gender.”
www.texastribune.org/2025/12/15/t...
www.texastribune.org/2025/12/15/t...
Texas universities deploy AI for course audits
Records obtained by The Texas Tribune show how universities are using the technology to reshape curriculum under political pressure, raising concerns about academic freedom.
www.texastribune.org
December 15, 2025 at 1:32 PM
“At Texas A&M, internal emails show staff are using AI software to search syllabi and course descriptions for words that could raise concerns under new system policies restricting how faculty teach about race and gender.”
www.texastribune.org/2025/12/15/t...
www.texastribune.org/2025/12/15/t...
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
More evidence that universal pre-school is good for students and good for the economy in short (and long) term.
Woah.
Argentina's 1990s preschool expansion program appears to have been a smashing success.
The program increased high school completion by a whole 11.9 percentage points.
The authors estimate that for every $1 spent, the preschool expansion generated about $11 in benefits.
Argentina's 1990s preschool expansion program appears to have been a smashing success.
The program increased high school completion by a whole 11.9 percentage points.
The authors estimate that for every $1 spent, the preschool expansion generated about $11 in benefits.
December 15, 2025 at 1:53 PM
More evidence that universal pre-school is good for students and good for the economy in short (and long) term.
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
Rob Reiner was one of the key people behind the effort to go to court to overturn California's anti-marriage equality Proposition 8 when it passed in 2008.
Working with Chad Griffin, they founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights and got Ted Olson and David Boies to team up to fight Prop 8.
Working with Chad Griffin, they founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights and got Ted Olson and David Boies to team up to fight Prop 8.
December 15, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Rob Reiner was one of the key people behind the effort to go to court to overturn California's anti-marriage equality Proposition 8 when it passed in 2008.
Working with Chad Griffin, they founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights and got Ted Olson and David Boies to team up to fight Prop 8.
Working with Chad Griffin, they founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights and got Ted Olson and David Boies to team up to fight Prop 8.
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
Sounds about right.
December 15, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Sounds about right.
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
I spoke with three Californians — U.S. citizens —who described the abuse and mistreatment they endured after being wrongfully detained by ICE.
Here are their stories.
youtu.be/T8Rwsj-1BPQ?...
Here are their stories.
youtu.be/T8Rwsj-1BPQ?...
U.S. Citizens Wrongly Detained by ICE: It Could Happen to You
YouTube video by Sen. Adam Schiff
youtu.be
December 15, 2025 at 3:09 AM
I spoke with three Californians — U.S. citizens —who described the abuse and mistreatment they endured after being wrongfully detained by ICE.
Here are their stories.
youtu.be/T8Rwsj-1BPQ?...
Here are their stories.
youtu.be/T8Rwsj-1BPQ?...
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
Doubly offensive because the architects are never the ones sitting out on the beam
I guess it's fitting that it's a reimagined, worse version of someone else's artwork
December 12, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Doubly offensive because the architects are never the ones sitting out on the beam
Reposted by Phoebe Lostroh
Anti-vaxxism is an ideology with maybe the dumbest combination of pointless and evil that has ever existed bsky.app/profile/nyti...
More than 250 people who were exposed to measles, including dozens of unvaccinated school-aged children, are quarantining in South Carolina as the state wrestles to contain an outbreak that has sickened more than 110 people.
Hundreds Quarantined in South Carolina as Measles Outbreak Shows No Sign of Slowing
The outbreak shows no signs of slowing, likely because of the affected area’s “lower-than-hoped-for vaccination coverage,” a state health official said.
nyti.ms
December 12, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Anti-vaxxism is an ideology with maybe the dumbest combination of pointless and evil that has ever existed bsky.app/profile/nyti...