Cecilia Noecker
@cecilianoecker.bsky.social
Assistant Professor at Minnesota State Mankato (she/her). Interested in microbial ecology and evolution, metabolism, genomics, computational biology, equitable education, & more. Views my own. noeckerlab.github.io
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
good advice from YLE yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/i/179508318/...
November 21, 2025 at 6:21 PM
good advice from YLE yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/i/179508318/...
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
It’s widely known (and, I think, pretty uncontroversial) that learning requires effort — specifically, if you don’t have to work at getting the knowledge, it won’t stick.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other.
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
November 21, 2025 at 12:49 PM
It’s widely known (and, I think, pretty uncontroversial) that learning requires effort — specifically, if you don’t have to work at getting the knowledge, it won’t stick.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
For the first time in my career, I can’t tell people to trust what the CDC website says. And that is an incredibly sad and devastating place for this country to be.
CDC has overhauled its website to assert that “the claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim”
November 20, 2025 at 4:22 AM
For the first time in my career, I can’t tell people to trust what the CDC website says. And that is an incredibly sad and devastating place for this country to be.
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
CDC has overhauled its website to assert that “the claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim”
November 20, 2025 at 2:26 AM
CDC has overhauled its website to assert that “the claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim”
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
I’ve released a tool to sketch and edit phylogenetic trees!
yawak.jp/PhyloWeaver/
Load a Newick file and intuitively add/remove/resize branches.
Useful for quick conceptual trees, extracting subtrees, or turning ideas into Newick.
yawak.jp/PhyloWeaver/
Load a Newick file and intuitively add/remove/resize branches.
Useful for quick conceptual trees, extracting subtrees, or turning ideas into Newick.
PhyloWeaver – Interactive phylogenetic tree editor
Edit and visualize phylogenetic trees directly in your browser. PhyloWeaver lets you interactively rearrange tree topologies and export high-quality figures for publications and presentations.
yawak.jp
November 18, 2025 at 1:59 AM
I’ve released a tool to sketch and edit phylogenetic trees!
yawak.jp/PhyloWeaver/
Load a Newick file and intuitively add/remove/resize branches.
Useful for quick conceptual trees, extracting subtrees, or turning ideas into Newick.
yawak.jp/PhyloWeaver/
Load a Newick file and intuitively add/remove/resize branches.
Useful for quick conceptual trees, extracting subtrees, or turning ideas into Newick.
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
Important new analysis identifying the scope of clinical trials disrupted because of NIH shenanigans.
> 74 thousand trial participants affected
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
1/4
> 74 thousand trial participants affected
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
1/4
Clinical Trials Affected by Research Grant Terminations at the National Institutes of Health
This cross-sectional study summarizes the number of trials with terminated grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and calculates the proportion of affected trials among those with previou...
jamanetwork.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Important new analysis identifying the scope of clinical trials disrupted because of NIH shenanigans.
> 74 thousand trial participants affected
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
1/4
> 74 thousand trial participants affected
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
1/4
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
"The number of international students applying to study at U.S. colleges next year has fallen 9 percent so far, according to data collected from students who applied using the Common Application by Nov. 1." (via @washingtonpost.com) www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
November 17, 2025 at 1:57 PM
"The number of international students applying to study at U.S. colleges next year has fallen 9 percent so far, according to data collected from students who applied using the Common Application by Nov. 1." (via @washingtonpost.com) www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
Prohibited activities include advising Chinese graduate students. For reference, a recent Georgetown report estimated 16% of STEM graduate students in the US are Chinese nationals.
This would take out entire fields at the knees, which is perhaps the point.
This would take out entire fields at the knees, which is perhaps the point.
“The prohibited activities would include joint research, co-authorship on papers, and advising a foreign graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. The language is retroactive, meaning any interactions during the previous 5 years could make a scientist ineligible for future federal funding.”
U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations
Researchers speak out against proposal that would bar funding for U.S. scientists working with Chinese partners or training Chinese students
www.science.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Prohibited activities include advising Chinese graduate students. For reference, a recent Georgetown report estimated 16% of STEM graduate students in the US are Chinese nationals.
This would take out entire fields at the knees, which is perhaps the point.
This would take out entire fields at the knees, which is perhaps the point.
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
NSF is open again!
A few comments:
*Please be patient.
During a shutdown NSF employees cannot open computers or respond to emails.
*Merit review will continue. However panels won’t resume until after Dec 8th.
*POs remain excited and committed to advancing science and the scientific workforce.
A few comments:
*Please be patient.
During a shutdown NSF employees cannot open computers or respond to emails.
*Merit review will continue. However panels won’t resume until after Dec 8th.
*POs remain excited and committed to advancing science and the scientific workforce.
November 13, 2025 at 5:58 PM
NSF is open again!
A few comments:
*Please be patient.
During a shutdown NSF employees cannot open computers or respond to emails.
*Merit review will continue. However panels won’t resume until after Dec 8th.
*POs remain excited and committed to advancing science and the scientific workforce.
A few comments:
*Please be patient.
During a shutdown NSF employees cannot open computers or respond to emails.
*Merit review will continue. However panels won’t resume until after Dec 8th.
*POs remain excited and committed to advancing science and the scientific workforce.
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
“I am a full-time college student from a low-income family, and I rely on these benefits to buy groceries — as do many of my close friends.“
Mia Vesely | I use SNAP benefits, and many other college students do too
Senior columnist Mia Vesely discusses the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and dispels the notion that such programs are misused or unessential.
www.thedp.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:09 PM
“I am a full-time college student from a low-income family, and I rely on these benefits to buy groceries — as do many of my close friends.“
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
Amazing journal cover for the new Trends In Microbiology special issue on geographic diversity in microbiology
www.cell.com/trends/micro...
www.cell.com/trends/micro...
November 12, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Amazing journal cover for the new Trends In Microbiology special issue on geographic diversity in microbiology
www.cell.com/trends/micro...
www.cell.com/trends/micro...
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
I heard from a bunch of federal employees last night and this morning. They aren't happy.
"I would rather be an actual pawn. At least pawn sacrifices are calculated and achieve something. All this for a fucking meaningless vote."
"I would rather be an actual pawn. At least pawn sacrifices are calculated and achieve something. All this for a fucking meaningless vote."
'A Slap in the Face': Federal Employees Feel Betrayed by Democrats' Shutdown Cave
"I would rather be an actual pawn. At least pawn sacrifices are calculated and achieve something."
www.gravityisgone.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:46 PM
I heard from a bunch of federal employees last night and this morning. They aren't happy.
"I would rather be an actual pawn. At least pawn sacrifices are calculated and achieve something. All this for a fucking meaningless vote."
"I would rather be an actual pawn. At least pawn sacrifices are calculated and achieve something. All this for a fucking meaningless vote."
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
SNAP surveys SNAP users. Already half of them are saying they are skipping meals.
November 6, 2025 at 9:21 PM
SNAP surveys SNAP users. Already half of them are saying they are skipping meals.
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
I had student meetings yesterday for my class. It was a writing class so most meetings started with my comments on their papers, but I told them they could ask about anything. Some asked for advice for gap years, how to choose the next career step, even audio books :) my favorite question was...🧵
November 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM
I had student meetings yesterday for my class. It was a writing class so most meetings started with my comments on their papers, but I told them they could ask about anything. Some asked for advice for gap years, how to choose the next career step, even audio books :) my favorite question was...🧵
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
This was horrific to watch. Agents entering a daycare, wrestling with and abducting a teacher in front of small screaming children. I just… what the fuck are we doing here.
this morning, ICE went into a Spanish language immersion daycare and took a teacher from the building in front of screaming and crying kids and parents at dropoff and the daycare had to shut down for the day (near Lane Tech, where they were yesterday). Really hoping today's "theme" is not "daycare."
November 5, 2025 at 2:53 PM
This was horrific to watch. Agents entering a daycare, wrestling with and abducting a teacher in front of small screaming children. I just… what the fuck are we doing here.
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
Imagine having a kid in this daycare who watches as their teacher is bodily dragged away by masked goons.
Federal agents pulling a woman out of Rayito Del Sol, a daycare by Lane Tech high school
November 5, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Imagine having a kid in this daycare who watches as their teacher is bodily dragged away by masked goons.
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
New-to-me but very helpful visualizations how all the actions of the past ten months are affecting the CDC www.cdcdataproject.org
The CDC Data Project
In the proposed FY26 budget, programs that help Americans live safer, healthier, longer lives are on the chopping block.
www.cdcdataproject.org
November 4, 2025 at 7:41 PM
New-to-me but very helpful visualizations how all the actions of the past ten months are affecting the CDC www.cdcdataproject.org
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
We are really proud of this report from our 3 colloquia convened by the AAM and supported by the Moore Foundation. A few experts even said they would use it as their introductory textbook for this area. Please check it out!
How did life begin, and why does it matter? Scientists are tracing early microbial life–from LUCA to multicellularity–to unlock insights for biotech, climate science and even space exploration. Read the article: asm.org/articles/202...
Early Microbial Evolution | ASM.org
How did life begin, and why does it matter? Scientists are tracing early microbial life—from LUCA to multicellularity—to unlock insights for biotech, climate science and even space exploration.
asm.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:14 PM
We are really proud of this report from our 3 colloquia convened by the AAM and supported by the Moore Foundation. A few experts even said they would use it as their introductory textbook for this area. Please check it out!
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
Once again, @mcsweeneys.net does not miss.
------------------------------------------------
"In 2004, you saw some college guy using me and thought, 'What a lazy cheater.'
Now you’d think, 'At least he’s not asking Gemini.'
In a few years, you’ll say, 'Wow, look, a human being who can read.'"
------------------------------------------------
"In 2004, you saw some college guy using me and thought, 'What a lazy cheater.'
Now you’d think, 'At least he’s not asking Gemini.'
In a few years, you’ll say, 'Wow, look, a human being who can read.'"
Hi, It’s Me, Wikipedia, and I Am Ready for Your Apology
“Wikipedia, the constantly changing knowledge base created by a global free-for-all of anonymous users, now stands as the leading force for the dum...
www.mcsweeneys.net
October 28, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Once again, @mcsweeneys.net does not miss.
------------------------------------------------
"In 2004, you saw some college guy using me and thought, 'What a lazy cheater.'
Now you’d think, 'At least he’s not asking Gemini.'
In a few years, you’ll say, 'Wow, look, a human being who can read.'"
------------------------------------------------
"In 2004, you saw some college guy using me and thought, 'What a lazy cheater.'
Now you’d think, 'At least he’s not asking Gemini.'
In a few years, you’ll say, 'Wow, look, a human being who can read.'"
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
Is the human microbiome a source for hospital-associated infections (HAI) and are any genetic changes associated with HAI? In our new preprint, we longitudinally reconstruct the evolutionary processes within the human microbiome leading up to HAI: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Colonization, translocation, and evolution of opportunistic pathogens during hospital-associated infections
Many commensal bacteria that peacefully reside in the human microbiome are also able to cause acute opportunistic infections. Emerging evidence suggests that within-host evolution contributes to infec...
doi.org
October 27, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Is the human microbiome a source for hospital-associated infections (HAI) and are any genetic changes associated with HAI? In our new preprint, we longitudinally reconstruct the evolutionary processes within the human microbiome leading up to HAI: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
Around 10% of your Nanopore reads (SQK-RBK114) are incorrectly trimmed. Here is why, and how our new tool Barbell solves it:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Want to get started? github.com/rickbeeloo/b...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Want to get started? github.com/rickbeeloo/b...
October 23, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Around 10% of your Nanopore reads (SQK-RBK114) are incorrectly trimmed. Here is why, and how our new tool Barbell solves it:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Want to get started? github.com/rickbeeloo/b...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Want to get started? github.com/rickbeeloo/b...
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Scaling back DEI programmes and the loss of scientific talent
Nature Cell Biology - Programmes that support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in science are under attack in the USA. Data indicate that diversity in the scientific workforce increases...
www.nature.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
USPS PRO TIP: To make sure your mail-in ballot, tax return or legal document gets a postmark on time under the latest USPS changes, you may want to send it early or visit a post office and ask for a manual postmark at the counter in person
Your ballot or other mail may not get postmarked by USPS the day it's dropped off
Close to a deadline for mailing your ballot, tax return or legal document? To make sure it gets a postmark on time under the latest USPS changes, you may want to send it early or visit a post office.
www.npr.org
October 23, 2025 at 11:44 AM
USPS PRO TIP: To make sure your mail-in ballot, tax return or legal document gets a postmark on time under the latest USPS changes, you may want to send it early or visit a post office and ask for a manual postmark at the counter in person
Reposted by Cecilia Noecker
On Sept 17th, 2025, @aaas.org and @researchamerica.bsky.social hosted Jay Bhattacharya—NIH Director—as the keynote for the National Health Research Forum.
Less than two weeks later, he spoke at the MAHA Action hour alongside Oz, Russel Brand, Tony Lyons, and Callie Means.
I have a call to action:
Less than two weeks later, he spoke at the MAHA Action hour alongside Oz, Russel Brand, Tony Lyons, and Callie Means.
I have a call to action:
October 21, 2025 at 11:53 PM
On Sept 17th, 2025, @aaas.org and @researchamerica.bsky.social hosted Jay Bhattacharya—NIH Director—as the keynote for the National Health Research Forum.
Less than two weeks later, he spoke at the MAHA Action hour alongside Oz, Russel Brand, Tony Lyons, and Callie Means.
I have a call to action:
Less than two weeks later, he spoke at the MAHA Action hour alongside Oz, Russel Brand, Tony Lyons, and Callie Means.
I have a call to action: