Roli Roberts
@roliroberts.bsky.social
Senior Editor at @plosbiology.org; Scientist, Humanist, Optimist and Recovering Academic. All opinions my own.
Pinned
Roli Roberts
@roliroberts.bsky.social
· Dec 16
IT'S OFFICIAL! From today, @plos.org and its journals are no longer posting on Twitter/X. If you want to carry on hearing about great science in our journal, follow @plosbiology.org on Bluesky here: bsky.app/profile/plos...
Reposted by Roli Roberts
1. The European Parliament’s attempt to ban plant-based foods from being sold as “sausages”, “burgers” etc is a direct response to livestock industry lobbying. This is a short thread on how utterly bleeding ridiculous it is. 🧵1/6
December 3, 2025 at 10:26 AM
1. The European Parliament’s attempt to ban plant-based foods from being sold as “sausages”, “burgers” etc is a direct response to livestock industry lobbying. This is a short thread on how utterly bleeding ridiculous it is. 🧵1/6
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Data centres are energy hungry but what if we could use their waste heat to heat our homes?
That's exactly what happens in places like Finland: Cities are tapping the vast amounts of waste heat generated by data centres, and feeding it into district-heating networks.
That's exactly what happens in places like Finland: Cities are tapping the vast amounts of waste heat generated by data centres, and feeding it into district-heating networks.
December 3, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Data centres are energy hungry but what if we could use their waste heat to heat our homes?
That's exactly what happens in places like Finland: Cities are tapping the vast amounts of waste heat generated by data centres, and feeding it into district-heating networks.
That's exactly what happens in places like Finland: Cities are tapping the vast amounts of waste heat generated by data centres, and feeding it into district-heating networks.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
ICE raids are cruel, inhumane, and do nothing to serve public safety.
My responsibility is to be the mayor to each and every person that calls this city their home. That includes millions of immigrants— of which I am one.
My responsibility is to be the mayor to each and every person that calls this city their home. That includes millions of immigrants— of which I am one.
December 2, 2025 at 2:18 AM
ICE raids are cruel, inhumane, and do nothing to serve public safety.
My responsibility is to be the mayor to each and every person that calls this city their home. That includes millions of immigrants— of which I am one.
My responsibility is to be the mayor to each and every person that calls this city their home. That includes millions of immigrants— of which I am one.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Lecturing on Watergate this morning and trying to decide how to communicate "no, Congress used to care when presidents did crimes!" without derailing the lecture and/or sobbing
December 1, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Lecturing on Watergate this morning and trying to decide how to communicate "no, Congress used to care when presidents did crimes!" without derailing the lecture and/or sobbing
Reposted by Roli Roberts
What do these corporations have in common?
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
November 28, 2025 at 8:00 PM
What do these corporations have in common?
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Imagine posing for a photographer friend who sells your image to iStock and a year later, you see this is what The Washington Post has done with the image of you walking on a beautiful fall day
November 29, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Imagine posing for a photographer friend who sells your image to iStock and a year later, you see this is what The Washington Post has done with the image of you walking on a beautiful fall day
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Does anyone want a survivorship bias shortbread
November 29, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Does anyone want a survivorship bias shortbread
Reposted by Roli Roberts
I'm old.
If you're not, listen to this.
Get a guitar or some drums, or a trumpet. Pick up a brush, a pencil, some clay or a welder.
Just make shit. It doesn't have to be good (eventually it will be) just make music, art or write or whatever.
It's literally never been more important.
If you're not, listen to this.
Get a guitar or some drums, or a trumpet. Pick up a brush, a pencil, some clay or a welder.
Just make shit. It doesn't have to be good (eventually it will be) just make music, art or write or whatever.
It's literally never been more important.
November 27, 2025 at 4:21 AM
I'm old.
If you're not, listen to this.
Get a guitar or some drums, or a trumpet. Pick up a brush, a pencil, some clay or a welder.
Just make shit. It doesn't have to be good (eventually it will be) just make music, art or write or whatever.
It's literally never been more important.
If you're not, listen to this.
Get a guitar or some drums, or a trumpet. Pick up a brush, a pencil, some clay or a welder.
Just make shit. It doesn't have to be good (eventually it will be) just make music, art or write or whatever.
It's literally never been more important.
Final day at #EMBOplantEvo, and we're getting vascular - today we shift focus onto Tracheophyta...
November 27, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Final day at #EMBOplantEvo, and we're getting vascular - today we shift focus onto Tracheophyta...
Impressed by the range of model organisms mentioned at #EMBOplantEvo - Physcomitrium, Chlamydomonas, Marchantia, various Streptophytes, Draparnaldia, Closterium, Ricciocarpus, Ectocarpus (not a plant!). Arabidopsis barely gets a look-in, and Marchantia is *everywhere*...
November 26, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Impressed by the range of model organisms mentioned at #EMBOplantEvo - Physcomitrium, Chlamydomonas, Marchantia, various Streptophytes, Draparnaldia, Closterium, Ricciocarpus, Ectocarpus (not a plant!). Arabidopsis barely gets a look-in, and Marchantia is *everywhere*...
We're halfway through #EMBOplantEvo here in chilly but beautiful Vienna. I'm representing @plosbiology.org, so do flag me down for chat about science, PLOS, PLOS Biology, or science publishing in general.
November 26, 2025 at 1:06 PM
We're halfway through #EMBOplantEvo here in chilly but beautiful Vienna. I'm representing @plosbiology.org, so do flag me down for chat about science, PLOS, PLOS Biology, or science publishing in general.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Fabulous farewell - lunch with @fern_way @cdelwiche & @JMNelson101 #EMBOplantevo
November 29, 2024 at 11:24 AM
Fabulous farewell - lunch with @fern_way @cdelwiche & @JMNelson101 #EMBOplantevo
Reposted by Roli Roberts
This year’s @embo.org Workshop is held at the @viennabiocenter.bsky.social. Open to 120 participants, it is over-enrolled with 180 attendees! Thank you to the organizers @isabelmonte.bsky.social, Aino Komatsu, @moodytomato.bsky.social, and Liam Dolan for making this event possible. #EMBOplantEvo
November 25, 2025 at 3:29 PM
This year’s @embo.org Workshop is held at the @viennabiocenter.bsky.social. Open to 120 participants, it is over-enrolled with 180 attendees! Thank you to the organizers @isabelmonte.bsky.social, Aino Komatsu, @moodytomato.bsky.social, and Liam Dolan for making this event possible. #EMBOplantEvo
Reposted by Roli Roberts
We are thrilled to now be on BlueSky!
We prioritize studies addressing critical health challenges—from major diseases to health equity—that bridge scientific rigor with real-world impact, connecting researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to advance global health 🧬🧪
#OpenScience #MedSky
We prioritize studies addressing critical health challenges—from major diseases to health equity—that bridge scientific rigor with real-world impact, connecting researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to advance global health 🧬🧪
#OpenScience #MedSky
November 20, 2025 at 2:31 PM
We are thrilled to now be on BlueSky!
We prioritize studies addressing critical health challenges—from major diseases to health equity—that bridge scientific rigor with real-world impact, connecting researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to advance global health 🧬🧪
#OpenScience #MedSky
We prioritize studies addressing critical health challenges—from major diseases to health equity—that bridge scientific rigor with real-world impact, connecting researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to advance global health 🧬🧪
#OpenScience #MedSky
Yay! PLOS Medicine, PLOS' flagship medical journal, is on BlueSky!!!
We are thrilled to now be on BlueSky!
We prioritize studies addressing critical health challenges—from major diseases to health equity—that bridge scientific rigor with real-world impact, connecting researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to advance global health 🧬🧪
#OpenScience #MedSky
We prioritize studies addressing critical health challenges—from major diseases to health equity—that bridge scientific rigor with real-world impact, connecting researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to advance global health 🧬🧪
#OpenScience #MedSky
November 20, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Yay! PLOS Medicine, PLOS' flagship medical journal, is on BlueSky!!!
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Europe's electricity system is changing rapidly and often in places that don't make the headlines.
Look at Estonia - not that long ago and fossil fuels dominated around 90% of electricity generation.
Today solar and wind eat more and more into the share of fossil fuel-generated electricity.
Look at Estonia - not that long ago and fossil fuels dominated around 90% of electricity generation.
Today solar and wind eat more and more into the share of fossil fuel-generated electricity.
November 18, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Europe's electricity system is changing rapidly and often in places that don't make the headlines.
Look at Estonia - not that long ago and fossil fuels dominated around 90% of electricity generation.
Today solar and wind eat more and more into the share of fossil fuel-generated electricity.
Look at Estonia - not that long ago and fossil fuels dominated around 90% of electricity generation.
Today solar and wind eat more and more into the share of fossil fuel-generated electricity.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
mr president sir theres a story coming about how you intervened to help a sex criminal. no sir, not that sex criminal you helped….no not that one either…sir, please stop guessing sex criminals that you helped. ill give you a hint sir, hes a trafficker. no sir, not that trafficker a different one
NEW: When Andrew Tate landed in the US, Customs & Border Protection seized his electronic devices. But @propublica.org found that a White House official told DHS to return the devices, emphasizing that the request came from the White House.
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
The White House Intervened on Behalf of Accused Sex Trafficker Andrew Tate During a Federal Investigation
Federal authorities were chided for seizing electronic devices from Tate and his brother, and told to return them, records and interviews show. Experts said the intervention was highly inappropriate.
www.propublica.org
November 18, 2025 at 1:10 PM
mr president sir theres a story coming about how you intervened to help a sex criminal. no sir, not that sex criminal you helped….no not that one either…sir, please stop guessing sex criminals that you helped. ill give you a hint sir, hes a trafficker. no sir, not that trafficker a different one
Reposted by Roli Roberts
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 16, 2025 at 11:43 PM
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
There were 93 homicides in London last year: population 9 million
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
November 16, 2025 at 5:28 PM
There were 93 homicides in London last year: population 9 million
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Hey Megyn Kelly,
14-year-old Eloise would like a word:
“If my voice makes you uncomfortable, good…
because the minute adults start defending predators by defending the age of a child, you’re not protecting the truth, you’re protecting the predator.”
Sound up! 🔥🔊
1/2
14-year-old Eloise would like a word:
“If my voice makes you uncomfortable, good…
because the minute adults start defending predators by defending the age of a child, you’re not protecting the truth, you’re protecting the predator.”
Sound up! 🔥🔊
1/2
November 15, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Hey Megyn Kelly,
14-year-old Eloise would like a word:
“If my voice makes you uncomfortable, good…
because the minute adults start defending predators by defending the age of a child, you’re not protecting the truth, you’re protecting the predator.”
Sound up! 🔥🔊
1/2
14-year-old Eloise would like a word:
“If my voice makes you uncomfortable, good…
because the minute adults start defending predators by defending the age of a child, you’re not protecting the truth, you’re protecting the predator.”
Sound up! 🔥🔊
1/2
Reposted by Roli Roberts
In the global electrification race China is marching ahead.
The US and Europe risk falling behind clinging on to yesterday's technologies.
The US and Europe risk falling behind clinging on to yesterday's technologies.
November 14, 2025 at 1:51 PM
In the global electrification race China is marching ahead.
The US and Europe risk falling behind clinging on to yesterday's technologies.
The US and Europe risk falling behind clinging on to yesterday's technologies.
As I try to do every year, I've just donated £52 to @wikipedia.org - at just £1 per week to help secure availability of fact-checked information to a post-truth world of 8.2 billion people, this is my favourite yearly transaction.
November 14, 2025 at 3:36 PM
As I try to do every year, I've just donated £52 to @wikipedia.org - at just £1 per week to help secure availability of fact-checked information to a post-truth world of 8.2 billion people, this is my favourite yearly transaction.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
I just walked out of federal court where I pleaded NOT GUILTY to the charges against me.
I will continue to stand up to authoritarianism and call this out for what it is: a political prosecution.
I will continue to stand up to authoritarianism and call this out for what it is: a political prosecution.
November 12, 2025 at 9:05 PM
I just walked out of federal court where I pleaded NOT GUILTY to the charges against me.
I will continue to stand up to authoritarianism and call this out for what it is: a political prosecution.
I will continue to stand up to authoritarianism and call this out for what it is: a political prosecution.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
What you want from a functional, thriving superpower is every reporter in the country spending all day combing through a cache of documents that all say, more or less, “hi [rich ruling class person], it was good seeing you last week for all the child sex crimes!”
November 13, 2025 at 3:13 AM
What you want from a functional, thriving superpower is every reporter in the country spending all day combing through a cache of documents that all say, more or less, “hi [rich ruling class person], it was good seeing you last week for all the child sex crimes!”