Matilda's Lab
matildaslab.bsky.social
Matilda's Lab
@matildaslab.bsky.social
Science nerd Dad who engages his kids with science through music, drawing and writing by making it fun.
Sharing my content too help others share their own journeys of discovery.
https://linktr.ee/chrismacalister
When faced with dangerous cold, many mammals will huddle together to maintain warmth.
Note we know that cockroachs will also use this technique, but not for warmth. For them it preserves hydration in arid conditions.
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
#sciencenews
When the air gets dry, cockroaches cuddle: Binghamton University study reveals survival strategy
When conditions get too dry, Madagascar hissing cockroaches like to "cuddle". Under certain conditions, the large insects gather in groups, with many participants in physical contact with on...
www.eurekalert.org
December 1, 2025 at 6:27 AM
The newsletter's a day late this week, due to travel.
In the 100th issue, I get a little bit older. We have farming bats, the real mortal danger of being a famous singer, how your brain changes 4 times throughout life, a dino-croc and a metal-croc.
open.substack.com/pub/matildas...
Matilda's Lab Newsletter #100
In the 100th issue, I get a little bit older. We have farming bats, the real mortal danger of being a famous singer, how your brain changes 4 times throughout life, a dino-croc and a metal-croc.
open.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Featured post time. I would be enjoying the night sky here in the Scottish highlights if it weren't so cloudy.
matildaslab.wordpress.com/2021/10/14/a...
#scicomm #historyofscience
Astronomy
I appreciate that some of the instalments of this history of science may not sound all that sciency, but I hope that I’ve managed to explain their significance to this story as we’ve me…
matildaslab.wordpress.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The Batman effect. An unexpected appearance (not necessarily by Batman) can make us become life to others.

www.eurekalert.org/news-release...

#sciencenews
The batman effect: The mere sight of the 'superhero' makes us more altruistic
A study from the Università Cattolica in Milan campus shows the impact of an unexpected event on our prosocial behavior.
www.eurekalert.org
November 26, 2025 at 10:57 PM
For today's featured blog post, we have the Ace of Crocs:
matildaslab.wordpress.com/2021/10/02/l...
#scicomm #lemmy #paleontology
Lemmy & Lemmysuchus obtusidens
Matilda’s Lab ©2021.
matildaslab.wordpress.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:48 PM
I'm on holiday this week, which has given me a chance to finish off the most recent Matilda's Lab lesson. It's all tens.
matildaslab.wordpress.com/2025/11/25/w...
#scicomm
Why do we count in tens?
The link between the number ten and numbers of fingers on both hands is too strong to overlook. The ease of working with tens is no coincidence, we’ve engineered our maths to work this way; b…
matildaslab.wordpress.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:02 PM
A new theory of molecular evolution. Mutations aren't simply random. Beneficial ones are more likely to occur.
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
#sciencenews
A new theory of molecular evolution
A University of Michigan study proposes a new theory of molecular evolution.
www.eurekalert.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:48 PM
You can learn how to spot AI faces, in 5 minutes (for now).
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
#sciencenews
Five minutes of training could help you spot fake AI faces
The research tested faces created by the most advanced system available 
www.eurekalert.org
November 23, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Shout at thieving seagulls, science says that it works.
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
#sciencenews
Shouting at seagulls could stop them stealing your food
Shouting at seagulls makes them more likely to leave your food alone, research shows. 
www.eurekalert.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Map of life update: Last week, I thought that I was done with my Mylobatiformes. I was mistaken. I found 2 more, included this week.
Remember, the full maps can be seen here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/
November 19, 2025 at 12:32 PM
It's another of those mind control stories that fascinate me so much.
Self guided hypnosis for menopause.
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#sciencenews
Self-guided hypnosis significantly reduces menopausal hot flashes
Can a simple daily audio hypnosis session help women find relief from one of menopause’s most disruptive symptoms – hot flashes – without medication? A new clinical trial led by Bayl...
www.eurekalert.org
November 18, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Today's featured post. The kind of dedication that feels all too relevant at the moment.
matildaslab.wordpress.com/2021/09/24/j...
#scicomm #johnoliver #biology
John Oliver & Torrenticola oliveri
Matilda’s Lab ©2021.
matildaslab.wordpress.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:46 PM
COP maybe trying to address the carbon issue, but they've been pulled up because their website produces a lot more carbon that others.
Personally, I see this less as hypocrisy and yet another symptom of the problem.
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
#sciencenews
COP webpages emit seven times more carbon than average sites
Websites produced for COP conferences emit up to 10 times more carbon than average internet pages, new research suggests.
www.eurekalert.org
November 17, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Here's the flavour of today's featured blog post:
matildaslab.wordpress.com/2021/09/22/f...
#scicomm #sciart #sciencecartoon
Flavours
Matilda’s Lab ©2021.
matildaslab.wordpress.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:37 PM
They say that insanity is repeating the same process but expecting different results. When it comes to the brain, that's just another day at the office.
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
#sciencenews
The flexible brain: How circuit excitability and plasticity shift across the day
Did you know your brain might be more receptive to learning new things depending on the time of day? This study examined how a 24-hour cycle alters brain plasticity and neuronal excitability in rats.
www.eurekalert.org
November 17, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Is there life on Enceladus, in orbit around Saturn? The supporting evidence continues to get stronger.
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
#sciencenews
Saturn’s icy moon may host a stable ocean fit for life, study finds
New findings from NASA’s Cassini mission show that Enceladus, one of Saturn’s moons and a top contender for extra-terrestrial life, is losing heat from both poles – indicating that i...
www.eurekalert.org
November 16, 2025 at 8:55 PM