Mélodie B. Plourde
@melodiebplourde.bsky.social
Science rules! 🔬🧬🌳🌄☕🍫🌌🚵🏻♀️🦫🐸
En recherche à l'UQTR
En recherche à l'UQTR
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
Please never confuse evolutionary psychology with evolutionary biology. No one is more critical of evo psych just-so stories and sloppy science than evolutionary biologists. (Note that we have our own problems and assholes in evo bio too, but not the same problems and assholes.)
The “evolutionary psychology” in question is the claim that women are ruining science because women’s brains evolved to be incapable of science. Obviously the kind of nonsense just-so story that gives evolutionary psychology a bad name but sadly gets little pushback from the field
February 14, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Please never confuse evolutionary psychology with evolutionary biology. No one is more critical of evo psych just-so stories and sloppy science than evolutionary biologists. (Note that we have our own problems and assholes in evo bio too, but not the same problems and assholes.)
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
In terms of what cures are being lost:
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
February 13, 2026 at 5:44 AM
In terms of what cures are being lost:
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
There are many levels of "naked": underwear only, no clothing at all & the highest level of (human) nakedness: only wearing socks.
Then we have the glass frogs of Family Centrolenidae, who take it to the next level: visible organs.
This is part of their Cloak of Invisibility!
(📷: Jaime Culebra)
Then we have the glass frogs of Family Centrolenidae, who take it to the next level: visible organs.
This is part of their Cloak of Invisibility!
(📷: Jaime Culebra)
February 11, 2026 at 3:02 PM
There are many levels of "naked": underwear only, no clothing at all & the highest level of (human) nakedness: only wearing socks.
Then we have the glass frogs of Family Centrolenidae, who take it to the next level: visible organs.
This is part of their Cloak of Invisibility!
(📷: Jaime Culebra)
Then we have the glass frogs of Family Centrolenidae, who take it to the next level: visible organs.
This is part of their Cloak of Invisibility!
(📷: Jaime Culebra)
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
I don't understand why people can't see that as more money rises to the top 1%, homelessness rises. There is a DIRECT CORRELATION. Stop voting for politicians who promise to lower taxes, because they only lower taxes on the wealthy.
All happening in a country with $2 trillion annual GDP.
Homelessness among OW, ODSP recipients on rise in Hamilton, paper finds
Human rights group Maytree calls for hiked social assistance rates and other reforms to help people get off the streets
www.thespec.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:12 PM
I don't understand why people can't see that as more money rises to the top 1%, homelessness rises. There is a DIRECT CORRELATION. Stop voting for politicians who promise to lower taxes, because they only lower taxes on the wealthy.
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
A Quebec teenager was just charged after allegedly using socials “to promote the violent ideology of Atomwaffen Division, a terrorist entity.”
Atomwaffen is a militant accelerationist neo-Nazi terror group.
But the government won’t renew funding for many anti-hate programs, warns @antihate.ca:
Atomwaffen is a militant accelerationist neo-Nazi terror group.
But the government won’t renew funding for many anti-hate programs, warns @antihate.ca:
February 10, 2026 at 8:49 PM
A Quebec teenager was just charged after allegedly using socials “to promote the violent ideology of Atomwaffen Division, a terrorist entity.”
Atomwaffen is a militant accelerationist neo-Nazi terror group.
But the government won’t renew funding for many anti-hate programs, warns @antihate.ca:
Atomwaffen is a militant accelerationist neo-Nazi terror group.
But the government won’t renew funding for many anti-hate programs, warns @antihate.ca:
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
Working on a story for Science about cuts to Canada's government researchers and labs. If you are affected by this please reach out (either on here or via my website). Anonymity is an option. 🧪
February 10, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Working on a story for Science about cuts to Canada's government researchers and labs. If you are affected by this please reach out (either on here or via my website). Anonymity is an option. 🧪
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
Dossier | Coupes forestières en zone sensible | Un refus renversé en 19 minutes (2 articles): ✱ Tant pis pour les lois et les caribous.
Dossier | Coupes forestières en zone sensible | Un refus renversé en 19 minutes (2 articles)
✱ Tant pis pour les lois et les caribous.
www.lapresse.ca
February 10, 2026 at 10:50 AM
Dossier | Coupes forestières en zone sensible | Un refus renversé en 19 minutes (2 articles): ✱ Tant pis pour les lois et les caribous.
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
#HappyMicroscpyMonday #microscopycommunity- interested in MINFLUX or Nanoscopy? Join us on Thursday Feb 12 for presentations by Christina Pyrgaki (MSKCC) & Thomas Stroh (the Neuro, McGill University)
Learn more: buff.ly/tJN8mOK
Learn more: buff.ly/tJN8mOK
February 9, 2026 at 5:04 PM
#HappyMicroscpyMonday #microscopycommunity- interested in MINFLUX or Nanoscopy? Join us on Thursday Feb 12 for presentations by Christina Pyrgaki (MSKCC) & Thomas Stroh (the Neuro, McGill University)
Learn more: buff.ly/tJN8mOK
Learn more: buff.ly/tJN8mOK
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
I continue to hold out hope that govt will one day recognize that the feast/famine cycle of public servants is a terrible way to run a country because government is not a business.
February 9, 2026 at 5:38 PM
I continue to hold out hope that govt will one day recognize that the feast/famine cycle of public servants is a terrible way to run a country because government is not a business.
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
I remade an old render with a more exact version. The most efficient packing possible of 17 squares into a larger square. I use it as an inspiring example: just because something looks stupid doesn't mean it's not the best that you can do.
February 6, 2026 at 4:28 AM
I remade an old render with a more exact version. The most efficient packing possible of 17 squares into a larger square. I use it as an inspiring example: just because something looks stupid doesn't mean it's not the best that you can do.
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
UBI does indeed greatly impact the power differential within households. I think much of the resistance to UBI stems from abusers, both within households and within businesses.
In Kenya, a UBI reduced instances of women being kicked, dragged, or beaten by 51%. In the Dauphin pilot, violent crime dropped by 37% and less domestic abuse was a big part of that. Also, divorce rates didn't increase but relationships improved by empowering women.
academic.oup.com/ser/article/...
academic.oup.com/ser/article/...
Exit, voice and loyalty in the family: findings from a basic income experiment
Abstract. This article investigates how a basic income could transform families and gender power relations within them. We draw on Hirschman’s exit, voice
academic.oup.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:02 PM
UBI does indeed greatly impact the power differential within households. I think much of the resistance to UBI stems from abusers, both within households and within businesses.
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
Est-ce que le Québec va laisser des centaines de millions de dollars sur la table?
ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/222...
ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/222...
Transport collectif : le Québec coupe, les millions pleuvent sur Vancouver
Vancouver profitera d’un financement fédéral prévisible évalué à 1,5 milliard de dollars sur 10 ans, afin de développer des projets de transport collectif.
ici.radio-canada.ca
February 3, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Est-ce que le Québec va laisser des centaines de millions de dollars sur la table?
ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/222...
ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/222...
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
Le nationalisme de l'enfantillage.
Y voyant une «intrusion», Québec a refusé d’inclure ses musées provinciaux dans la mesure de gratuité lancée par Ottawa.
Le laissez-passer Un Canada fort… sans le Québec
www.ledevoir.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Le nationalisme de l'enfantillage.
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
BALADO | Le 2 février est la Journée mondiale des zones humides. Il y a près de 10 ans, le gouvernement québécois s’était engagé à protéger les milieux humides. Mais les compensations versées par les industries ne semblent pas suffire à la tâche. #JeVotePourLaScience
Le recul des milieux humides québécois
Le 2 février est la Journée mondiale des zones humides, ce qui nous rappelle l’importance écologique des tourbières, marais et autres marécages. Or, il y a près de 10 ans, le gouvernement québécois s’était engagé à protéger les milieux humides. Mais les compensations versées par ls industries ne semblent pas suffire à la tâche. C’est le sujet de notre émission cette semaine.
www.sciencepresse.qc.ca
January 30, 2026 at 12:01 PM
BALADO | Le 2 février est la Journée mondiale des zones humides. Il y a près de 10 ans, le gouvernement québécois s’était engagé à protéger les milieux humides. Mais les compensations versées par les industries ne semblent pas suffire à la tâche. #JeVotePourLaScience
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
Quilicura, Chile, one of the communities I wrote about in EMPIRE OF AI, has launched a brilliant initiative to inspire more responsible AI prompting. Today, don't use AI; ask the townspeople instead: quili.ai. So heartened to see this creative act of resistance.
January 31, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Quilicura, Chile, one of the communities I wrote about in EMPIRE OF AI, has launched a brilliant initiative to inspire more responsible AI prompting. Today, don't use AI; ask the townspeople instead: quili.ai. So heartened to see this creative act of resistance.
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
In case we thought that ecological disasters were a special talent of modernity, let’s talk about how the 13th-century peat trade of Norfolk made it permanently vulnerable to flooding, including 3 catastrophic floods just since 2013.
#medievalstorytime
#medievalstorytime
January 29, 2026 at 7:28 PM
In case we thought that ecological disasters were a special talent of modernity, let’s talk about how the 13th-century peat trade of Norfolk made it permanently vulnerable to flooding, including 3 catastrophic floods just since 2013.
#medievalstorytime
#medievalstorytime
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
I am seriously getting concerned about scientific writing. Students struggle a lot to write, it was getting worse and worse and suddenly you see perfect (but boring) littérature reviews… Writing is thinking.
“A lot of people say to me: 'Aren't you afraid that they're going to get behind?' And my response is: 'I know that when my students leave my class that they know how to think and they know how to write.” - @heymrsbond.com
Inspiring. That’s the gig, folks, that’s what educating is for!!!
Inspiring. That’s the gig, folks, that’s what educating is for!!!
Forth Worth teacher Chanea Bond says sticking with pen and paper keeps generative artificial intelligence out of her American literature classes. n.pr/4c3cdzs
January 28, 2026 at 12:48 PM
I am seriously getting concerned about scientific writing. Students struggle a lot to write, it was getting worse and worse and suddenly you see perfect (but boring) littérature reviews… Writing is thinking.
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
The emergence of Nadine and her stormy-weather friend:
January 28, 2026 at 1:28 PM
The emergence of Nadine and her stormy-weather friend:
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
No-till farming helps Canada post record grain exports. Canadian farmers are harvesting record spring wheat and canola crops, driven largely by widespread no-till and zero-till farming that locks in soil moisture and cuts erosion. Reuters #ShareGoodNewsToo
January 28, 2026 at 1:50 PM
No-till farming helps Canada post record grain exports. Canadian farmers are harvesting record spring wheat and canola crops, driven largely by widespread no-till and zero-till farming that locks in soil moisture and cuts erosion. Reuters #ShareGoodNewsToo
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
#SANTÉ | 🧠👁️ Voir clair plus longtemps
D’ici 2050, 1 personne sur 2 sera myope. Des travaux menés à l’UdeM montrent comment la lumière naturelle, la gestion des écrans et de nouvelles lentilles peuvent ralentir la #myopie chez les jeunes.
#prévention #enfants #vue #umontreal #recherche
D’ici 2050, 1 personne sur 2 sera myope. Des travaux menés à l’UdeM montrent comment la lumière naturelle, la gestion des écrans et de nouvelles lentilles peuvent ralentir la #myopie chez les jeunes.
#prévention #enfants #vue #umontreal #recherche
Comment ralentir la myopie chez les enfants et les adolescents?
Véritable épidémie mondiale, la myopie ne cesse de progresser. Le professeur Langis Michaud fait le point sur les avancées de ces 25 dernières années.
liens.umontreal.ca
January 27, 2026 at 5:18 PM
#SANTÉ | 🧠👁️ Voir clair plus longtemps
D’ici 2050, 1 personne sur 2 sera myope. Des travaux menés à l’UdeM montrent comment la lumière naturelle, la gestion des écrans et de nouvelles lentilles peuvent ralentir la #myopie chez les jeunes.
#prévention #enfants #vue #umontreal #recherche
D’ici 2050, 1 personne sur 2 sera myope. Des travaux menés à l’UdeM montrent comment la lumière naturelle, la gestion des écrans et de nouvelles lentilles peuvent ralentir la #myopie chez les jeunes.
#prévention #enfants #vue #umontreal #recherche
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
The impact that this will have (that @raphaelwimmer.bsky.social rightly criticizes) is intentional; they are trying to poison science. They are trying to undermine critical thought, truth, creativity - basically everything of value in human society.
It is an epistemological and cognitive plague. ⚗️🧪
It is an epistemological and cognitive plague. ⚗️🧪
OpenAI just released Prism, a LaTeX editor with embedded ChatGPT for free.
Writing a paper has never been easier.
Clogging the scientific publishing pipeline has never been easier.
It took me 54 seconds to write up an experiment I did not actually conduct.
prism.openai.com
Writing a paper has never been easier.
Clogging the scientific publishing pipeline has never been easier.
It took me 54 seconds to write up an experiment I did not actually conduct.
prism.openai.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:43 AM
The impact that this will have (that @raphaelwimmer.bsky.social rightly criticizes) is intentional; they are trying to poison science. They are trying to undermine critical thought, truth, creativity - basically everything of value in human society.
It is an epistemological and cognitive plague. ⚗️🧪
It is an epistemological and cognitive plague. ⚗️🧪
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
If you are looking for a distraction, this seems cool. Sticky ends++. If it works as advertised, seems like it could be a game-changer.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Construction of complex and diverse DNA sequences using DNA three-way junctions - Nature
Sidewinder enables high-fidelity DNA assembly by separating the information that guides assembly from the final assembled sequence.
www.nature.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:20 PM
If you are looking for a distraction, this seems cool. Sticky ends++. If it works as advertised, seems like it could be a game-changer.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Mélodie B. Plourde
Moderna have announced that they won't run new phase three trials now with massive impacts for new vaccine development- why- its because of RFK Jr and his anti-vaccine campaigns and cancelling mRNA vaccine research which affect the sales the company can then make 🧪🧵 #PublicHealth
Moderna Won’t Run Phase III Vaccine Trials as Skepticism Grows in US: Bloomberg
Growing opposition to vaccines in the U.S., driven by recent government policy changes, makes it difficult to see a return on investment in vaccine development, Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said this w...
www.biospace.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:50 AM
Moderna have announced that they won't run new phase three trials now with massive impacts for new vaccine development- why- its because of RFK Jr and his anti-vaccine campaigns and cancelling mRNA vaccine research which affect the sales the company can then make 🧪🧵 #PublicHealth