Karen R. Lips
@karenrlips.bsky.social
Ecology, global change, wildlife disease, tropical biology, science policy & diplomacy.
Pinned
Karen R. Lips
@karenrlips.bsky.social
· Dec 10
The Waiting
Karen Lips is researcher and lives for several years in a tiny little shack in Costa Rica to observe frogs. When she leaves the cloud forest for a short time and…
vimeo.com
🧪🌎. Our short film "The Waiting" 🐸🎥🐸🎬 is been awarded as a Vimeo Staff Pick, so since yesterday it's publicly accessable on Vimeo! vimeo.com/1036802517?s...
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
A major reorganization and significant downsizing has left scientists wondering about the future of the US National Academies. www.science.org/content/arti...
Can a smaller U.S. National Academies remain relevant?
Loss of federal support leads to staff layoffs and fewer committees of outside experts
www.science.org
November 21, 2025 at 10:02 PM
A major reorganization and significant downsizing has left scientists wondering about the future of the US National Academies. www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
☕📰 Weekend read: In a new expert opinion article in Science, IIASA Population and Just Societies Program Director, Anne Goujon, explores why the future of global population trends is more uncertain today than at any point in recent decades.
📖 Read the full article: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
📖 Read the full article: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
November 21, 2025 at 3:03 PM
☕📰 Weekend read: In a new expert opinion article in Science, IIASA Population and Just Societies Program Director, Anne Goujon, explores why the future of global population trends is more uncertain today than at any point in recent decades.
📖 Read the full article: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
📖 Read the full article: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
Greater noctule #bats use echolocation to track migrating #birds and consume them on the wing! www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Greater noctule bats prey on and consume passerines in flight
Despite billions of passerines seasonally migrating during the night at high altitudes, only three bat species have been found to consistently tap into this rich prey resource. However, it remains unk...
www.science.org
October 10, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Greater noctule #bats use echolocation to track migrating #birds and consume them on the wing! www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
The demographic future that we do not know about | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
The demographic future that we do not know about
The demographic future of the planet has rarely been as questioned as it is today. For much of the 20th century, the demographic transition theory provided a clear narrative: With modernization and de...
www.science.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:12 PM
The demographic future that we do not know about | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
🧪 NSF spending held at $8.17 billion. Yet the agency awarded 20% fewer grants while increasing their size. This defensive pivot limits future obligations ahead of substantial budget cuts proposed for 2026. #AcademicSky
Despite Trump chaos, NSF avoided feared dip in research financing
Number of new grants fell by 20%, but got larger, as funder braced for potential budget cut
www.science.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:14 PM
🧪 NSF spending held at $8.17 billion. Yet the agency awarded 20% fewer grants while increasing their size. This defensive pivot limits future obligations ahead of substantial budget cuts proposed for 2026. #AcademicSky
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
"proposed changes would allow federal govt more power to weigh economic impact against habitat designations, remove safeguards against future events—incl impacts from climate crisis—and rescind the “blanket rule” that automatically grants 'threatened' species the same protections as 'endangered'."
Trump officials reveal plan to roll back regulations in Endangered Species Act
Experts fear plan, one of many attempts Trump’s made to dismantle wildlife protection, will speed up extinction crisis
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:31 PM
"proposed changes would allow federal govt more power to weigh economic impact against habitat designations, remove safeguards against future events—incl impacts from climate crisis—and rescind the “blanket rule” that automatically grants 'threatened' species the same protections as 'endangered'."
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
The Interior Department proposed reviving a suite of changes to Endangered Species Act regulations first made during the Republican's first term. Those changes were reversed under former President Biden. n.pr/49Yn5Oc
Trump administration seeks to roll back protections for imperiled species and habitat
The Interior Department proposed reviving a suite of changes to Endangered Species Act regulations first made during the Republican's first term. Those changes were reversed under former President Biden.
n.pr
November 19, 2025 at 11:54 PM
The Interior Department proposed reviving a suite of changes to Endangered Species Act regulations first made during the Republican's first term. Those changes were reversed under former President Biden. n.pr/49Yn5Oc
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
This is a "reindeer cyclone", a defensive behavior that has been observed in herds of reindeer, even in captivity.
The fawns and older animals are at the center, the strongest animal in the outer lanes.
The point is to confuse the brains of predators accustomed to stalking a single outlier.
The fawns and older animals are at the center, the strongest animal in the outer lanes.
The point is to confuse the brains of predators accustomed to stalking a single outlier.
February 24, 2025 at 11:47 PM
This is a "reindeer cyclone", a defensive behavior that has been observed in herds of reindeer, even in captivity.
The fawns and older animals are at the center, the strongest animal in the outer lanes.
The point is to confuse the brains of predators accustomed to stalking a single outlier.
The fawns and older animals are at the center, the strongest animal in the outer lanes.
The point is to confuse the brains of predators accustomed to stalking a single outlier.
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
Scientists (especially early career researchers): How has your career been impacted over the last year of policy changes and funding cuts? Contact me here or on Signal if you have a story to share.
November 18, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Scientists (especially early career researchers): How has your career been impacted over the last year of policy changes and funding cuts? Contact me here or on Signal if you have a story to share.
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
Read the full story here: www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
First, the frogs died. Then people got sick.
An emerging area of research is uncovering hidden links between nature and human health.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Read the full story here: www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
🐸From vanishing frogs to rising malaria: @washingtonpost.com features @karenrlips.bsky.social who first identified the wave of frog die-offs caused by fungus. Her work revealed that losing frogs led to a fivefold increase in malaria: a powerful One Health insight linking biodiversity & human health.
November 17, 2025 at 1:35 PM
🐸From vanishing frogs to rising malaria: @washingtonpost.com features @karenrlips.bsky.social who first identified the wave of frog die-offs caused by fungus. Her work revealed that losing frogs led to a fivefold increase in malaria: a powerful One Health insight linking biodiversity & human health.
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
Study finds China's higher education boom led to expansion of US STEM masters programs www.science.org/content/arti...
A flood of Chinese graduate students in STEM was a boon to U.S. students
Study shows the influx allowed U.S. programs to expand enrollment and also benefited local businesses
www.science.org
October 31, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Study finds China's higher education boom led to expansion of US STEM masters programs www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
The deadly fever in Ethiopia has been identified as Marburg disease.
It’s the first time a Marburg outbreak has been identified in Ethiopia.
#IDsky 🧪
www.afro.who.int/countries/et...
It’s the first time a Marburg outbreak has been identified in Ethiopia.
#IDsky 🧪
www.afro.who.int/countries/et...
Ethiopia confirms first outbreak of Marburg virus disease
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the South Ethiopia Region, the first of its kind in the country, following laboratory testing of samples from a clus...
www.afro.who.int
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
The deadly fever in Ethiopia has been identified as Marburg disease.
It’s the first time a Marburg outbreak has been identified in Ethiopia.
#IDsky 🧪
www.afro.who.int/countries/et...
It’s the first time a Marburg outbreak has been identified in Ethiopia.
#IDsky 🧪
www.afro.who.int/countries/et...
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
NSF announced today it is moving a half-mile down the street to be neighbors of the US Patent Office in Alexandria, Va. Here's our earlier story on the possibility. www.science.org/content/arti...
NSF could be moving down the street
Government sets requirements for new space that sound like nearby patent office campus
www.science.org
November 15, 2025 at 1:07 AM
NSF announced today it is moving a half-mile down the street to be neighbors of the US Patent Office in Alexandria, Va. Here's our earlier story on the possibility. www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
The discovery is part of a new area of research in which ecologists and economists find hidden ways many plants and animals — including wolves, bats, birds and trees — underpin human well-being
They are learning that without saving nature, we can’t save ourselves 3/5
They are learning that without saving nature, we can’t save ourselves 3/5
November 14, 2025 at 10:04 PM
The discovery is part of a new area of research in which ecologists and economists find hidden ways many plants and animals — including wolves, bats, birds and trees — underpin human well-being
They are learning that without saving nature, we can’t save ourselves 3/5
They are learning that without saving nature, we can’t save ourselves 3/5
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
In biblical times, frogs were seen as a plague
Today, thanks to new research, we know they’re actually guardians against disease 1/5
Today, thanks to new research, we know they’re actually guardians against disease 1/5
November 14, 2025 at 10:02 PM
In biblical times, frogs were seen as a plague
Today, thanks to new research, we know they’re actually guardians against disease 1/5
Today, thanks to new research, we know they’re actually guardians against disease 1/5
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
Kilimanjaro, Africa: 🏔️ #LandUse change from rapid #populationgrowth, NOT #climatechange, drove a 75% species loss on lower slopes (1911-2022). #Agroforestry and #ProtectedAreas offer hope for mitigation 🌍
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Gain and loss: Human and environmental wellbeing – drivers of Kilimanjaro’s decreasing biodiversity
Tropical mountains such as Kilimanjaro are biodiversity hotspots providing ecosystem services for millions of people, but many are under great pressure. Effective policies to halt biodiversity loss re...
journals.plos.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Kilimanjaro, Africa: 🏔️ #LandUse change from rapid #populationgrowth, NOT #climatechange, drove a 75% species loss on lower slopes (1911-2022). #Agroforestry and #ProtectedAreas offer hope for mitigation 🌍
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
Global deforestation hasn’t slowed in any significant way in the four years since 127 countries pledged to halt and reverse forest loss and degradation by 2030.
The newly published 2025 Forest Declaration Assessment shows that nations are 63% off track from meeting their zero-deforestation target.
The newly published 2025 Forest Declaration Assessment shows that nations are 63% off track from meeting their zero-deforestation target.
Global goal of zero deforestation by 2030 is severely off track
Global deforestation hasn’t slowed in any significant way in the four years since 127 countries pledged to halt and reverse forest loss and degradation by 2030. The newly published 2025 Forest…
news.mongabay.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Global deforestation hasn’t slowed in any significant way in the four years since 127 countries pledged to halt and reverse forest loss and degradation by 2030.
The newly published 2025 Forest Declaration Assessment shows that nations are 63% off track from meeting their zero-deforestation target.
The newly published 2025 Forest Declaration Assessment shows that nations are 63% off track from meeting their zero-deforestation target.
Reposted by Karen R. Lips
BioAgora, together with sister projects @coop4cbd.eu & RESPIN, will co-organise a side event at #COP30 in Belém, Brazil 🇧🇷.
📅 Science-Policy for Biodiversity & Climate: Experiences from Europe, Latin America & Africa
📍 Blue Zone
🕓 16:45-18:15 (local time)
Read more 👉 bioagora.eu/news/bioagor...
📅 Science-Policy for Biodiversity & Climate: Experiences from Europe, Latin America & Africa
📍 Blue Zone
🕓 16:45-18:15 (local time)
Read more 👉 bioagora.eu/news/bioagor...
November 13, 2025 at 5:18 AM
BioAgora, together with sister projects @coop4cbd.eu & RESPIN, will co-organise a side event at #COP30 in Belém, Brazil 🇧🇷.
📅 Science-Policy for Biodiversity & Climate: Experiences from Europe, Latin America & Africa
📍 Blue Zone
🕓 16:45-18:15 (local time)
Read more 👉 bioagora.eu/news/bioagor...
📅 Science-Policy for Biodiversity & Climate: Experiences from Europe, Latin America & Africa
📍 Blue Zone
🕓 16:45-18:15 (local time)
Read more 👉 bioagora.eu/news/bioagor...