A man in glasses stands next to a large grey machine in a laboratory
Plants make over a million chemicals to help them thrive in harsh environments. Illinois researchers are using new tools to listen to plants' chemical language, revealing breeding targets for more resilient crops.
DOI: academic.oup.com/plphys/artic...
Read: aces.illinois.edu/news/plants-...
Still processing all I took in at #SciWri25, but I know one thing: Science writers are crazy inspiring and determined people who will never stop seeking and sharing the facts. So grateful to learn from them, thanks to the huge efforts of @sciencewriters.org and @sciencewriting.bsky.social.
A small songbird with olive-green and yellow feathers is perched on a mossy branch against a blurred green background. Photo by J. Tietz/Point Blue Conservation Science.
#BirdSky: what vagrants are you seeing? 🦜
New paper from @illinoisnres.bsky.social, @birdsoftheworld.bsky.social, & @pointblue.bsky.social uncovers the origin of six vagrant warbler spp. in CA's Farallon Islands.
Story: aces.illinois.edu/news/lost-or...
DOI: academic.oup.com/auk/advance-...
Getting super excited to see fellow science writers at #SciWri25 this weekend! If you're an institutional science communicator, be sure to stop by our table at the Saturday Open House (12-1) and say hi. Can't wait!
A baby giraffe stands under its mother's curved neck. A fence is visible in the background. Photo by Kari Morfeld.
Love visiting the 🦒🦒🦒 at your local zoo? They may not be who they say they are. New U. of I. research shows many American zoo/ranch giraffes are hybrids of two or more species, reducing their conservation value.
Story: aces.illinois.edu/news/wild-gi...
DOI: academic.oup.com/jhered/advan...
📣Job alert! 📣
We’re seeking a strategic marketing and communications leader who embraces the land-grant mission, inspires a diverse team, and drives engagement and visibility to advance college goals. There is an expectation to be local/hybrid.
*Apply by Nov. 19.*
illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
Loved this piece on the acknowledgements sections of dissertations. I had to dig mine out to re-read what I wrote. Ah, the sincerity!
@sciencewriters.org: Good choice in including this as an honorable mention in the Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards!
science.anu.edu.au/news-events/...
Only "some" quarters?! 🤯
American universities are navigating rapid changes to federal policy & funding. Within this upheaval, science communicators are doubling down to reinforce awareness of the societal impact of our research enterprise. Join @sciencewriters.org on Sept. 26 to learn how.
www.nasw.org/events/sciwr...
Thanks, @terencecrofts.bsky.social!
Are you an institutional communicator (PIO) and a @sciencewriters.org member? Join us TODAY at noon Eastern for what promises to be a great session on crafting effective science press releases. Featuring @shiplives.bsky.social and @thomassumner.com! Don't miss it!
www.nasw.org/events/craft...
Did you miss our big news last week: #SciWri25 has a new location and dates! Get ready to gather in Chicago Nov 7-9. The virtual portion will take place Oct 22-24. Thank you to everyone for your support during this journey.
Details: www.nasw.org/article...
A worthy cause!
There's a small prairie 10 min. from my home. Those same tall grasses have been growing here for *millions* of years. Is it just me, or is it wild to imagine those vast ancient prairie grasses supplying the fuel to fly planes?✈️ #SAF #scienceiscool
aces.illinois.edu/news/illinoi...
Two men in blue shirts stand in front of a field with green crops and a hand-lettered sign showing test plot information. Two other people are visible in the background among the plants.
Good news! The Soybean Innovation Lab has received a gift of $1M & a year's reprieve to continue building Africa's soybean value chain after USAID's shutdown. Federal funding is needed to fully restore the project, but it's great to see this critical work continue.
aces.illinois.edu/news/1m-gift...
Glad to see my chancellor and university president signed on to this @aacu.org letter. www.aacu.org/newsroom/a-c...
NYT headline: Mass Protests Across the Country Show Resistance to Trump Demonstrators packed the streets in cities and towns to rail against government cutbacks, financial turmoil and what they viewed as attacks on democracy (what they viewed as is highlighted in photo)
If we’re going to survive this we need news organizations to figure out WHAT THEY ARE HERE FOR.
Are they NOT attacks on democracy NYT? Are they only “what some people think” are attacks on democracy? This is the definition of FLACCID.
Looking at you @nytimes.com
Great turnout at the #handsoff rally in Champaign! My anonymized tween for attention… 😶🌫️
Super excited for @kennaculture.bsky.social to share her wisdom with us!!
Are you a @sciencewriters.org member and an institutional communicator/PIO? Have you wanted to get better at media training your experts? Or just see how others are approaching media training? Plan to join us on April 17 for our next virtual meetup! And please share!
www.nasw.org/events/virtu...
I wish I was more shocked at how much this administration hates women
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/h...
This is my friend’s family member. Please share.
Feeling like you’re doing SOMETHING to help in these insane times is a good thing. Check out this article from @vox.com
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Monthly donations to @nrdc.org are being matched right now. I just set mine up. Join me?
Last one and then I am going to focus on my work. @schumer.senate.gov appears to believe that it is the 'far left' that desires a no vote. That characterization is a scapegoat. The union wants a no, Fed Workers want a no, those who believe in Democracy want a no.
Please call/email TODAY! @duckworth.senate.gov - since I can never get through to your office, here’s my message (also emailed)
Literally screaming
March 14th at noon there will be marches at all state capitols for Veterans.
But our work is far from done—science is still under attack.
We’ve got ideas, but we want to hear from you. What’s worrying you most? What should we do next? How can we grow this movement together?
Fill out this quick form to share your thoughts & stay connected: forms.gle/QAxH4wD4Y3sg...
