Midweek reality check: a like is not a sample. Never was. Turns out your citizen science project doesn't need to go viral, it needs 50 people who actually show up and count frog calls correctly. 🐸 www.scicomm.it/citizen-scie...
European Science Communication Institute
@esci.eu
We bridge the gap between science and society. www.esci.eu
Nothing says "productive Monday" like falling down a Nature magazine cover rabbit hole. Turns out science had great cover art way before it was cool. 🔬🎨 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Celebrating Nature’s covers — past, present and future
Nature’s iconic front page uses inspiration, creativity and ingenuity to unite science and technology with art and design.
nature.com
Can you build a cell from scratch? 🧫 A new preprint describes the most lifelike synthetic cell yet. Built from nonliving components, it can grow and divide. @quantamagazine.bsky.social
For the First Time, a Cell Built From Scratch Grows and Divides | Quanta Magazine
Scientists built a synthetic cell that combines more lifelike properties than ever before — proof of concept that it’s possible to bring nonliving materials to life, or something close to it, in the lab.
quantamagazine.org
Science communication in EU projects is often judged by visibility: clicks, posts, newsletter numbers. A new study by Luis Arboledas-Lérida (26 interviews, H2020 & Horizon Europe) shows it's more complex. Two ESCI colleagues, Larissa and Kristine, took part. 🧵
Meet Microbe Hulk: A newly discovered single-celled organism that can transform into a giant, cannibalistic version of itself when food is plentiful. @sciencenews.bsky.social
This microbe turns into a cannibalistic ‘Hulk’
Euplotes gigatrox’s shape-shifting may reveal how early life learned to act in surprisingly complex ways.
sciencenews.org
The ocean is full of surprises 🌊 >500 million newly discovered deep-sea genes expand our view of life's diversity. @uk.theconversation.com
In our deep oceans, evolution is supercharged – this diversity of life could help unlock humanity’s greatest challenges
Deep oceans contain microbes with yet-to-be-discovered properties that could drive future innovations in biotechnology.
theconversation.com
A new way to study black holes? 🌌 Physicists detected a gravitational wave signal from just outside a black hole's event horizon.
'What we found was striking': Physicists detect new kind of signal from a black hole's 'point of no return'
Physicists isolated the ‘last sound’ of a black hole collision, providing an unprecedented glimpse of the region right next to the event horizon — the black hole’s mysterious point of no return.
livescience.com
For our latest video, we followed researchers from the EU-funded project LOCALITY, filming at their facilities & interviewing them to get a glimpse at their work on algae-based textiles. Curious about the result or the topic? Watch the full video ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUrHV5xG0jw&t=64s
Your DNA isn't a fixed instruction manual. 🧬 This @quantamagazine.bsky.social feature explores why our DNA is a dynamic system and why that makes it harder for AI to fully understand.
Why the Human Genome’s Tangled Physicality May Confound AI | Quanta Magazine
Our genetic heritage is not a blueprint or an algorithm, as many biologists have imagined, but something else entirely.
quantamagazine.org
Sometimes the biggest discovery is ruling something out. 🔬 The largest study of its kind suggests many reported microbes living in tumours were likely contamination. @uk.theconversation.com
Largest study yet reveals which cancers have their own microbiomes
Knowing which cancer tumours have their own microbiomes could lead to more personalised treatments.
theconversation.com
Seaweed has great potential as a sustainable food source, but turning it into an everyday ingredient requires collaboration across research, industry & policy. A recent conference explored the journey from wave to plate and the future of the growing seaweed sector. More: https://bit.ly/SeaweedMenu
Open science is good for transparency & generates more citations A preprint reports that #OpenAccess astrophysics papers with openly shared data and code tend to receive substantially more citations, even after accounting for other factors.
Open Science in Astrophysics: Citation Benefits of Open Code, Open Data, and Open Access
We analyze the relationship between open-accessibility in data, code, and paper text in astrophysics using a sample of 53,194 peer reviewed papers published between January 2021 and April 2025, drawn from NASA's Astrophysics Data System (ADS). We measure eleven quantities: open accessibility of text, open-code status, open-data status, number of grants received, code size, programming language, data repository size, citation count, number of authors, paper length, and publication date. We break down citation advantages based on six astrophysical sub-fields: Solar System, Planet, Stellar, ISM, High Energy, and Galaxies+Cosmology, determined by keywords. This is accomplished by tuning a multivariate least-squares regression model with alongside partial correlations and non-parametric tests to isolate the contribution of each facet of openness. After controlling for the aforementioned quantities, we find significant citation advantages associated with all three forms of openness: open data (+32%, p < 10^-24), open access (+26%, p < 10^-67), and open code (+16%, p = 0.003). The open-data citation advantage is present in all six sub-fields, and especially in Galaxies+Cosmology and ISM, which have the strongest cultures of sharing simulation outputs and observational data products. Open-code and open-data sharing rates are highest in Galaxies+Cosmology and HEA (~0.9% and ~2.9%), reflecting their more developed community data infrastructure, and lowest in Solar System and ISM, where data is distributed on platforms not taken into account by this study. Our findings support the long held notion that public access comes with concrete personal incentives for authors in terms of citations.
arxiv.org
Good science communication needs strong networks and shared resources. The @scicommcentre.eu platform brings together tools, training opportunities, and communities of practice for science communicators across Europe. Explore, connect, and contribute to a growing SciComm network. #SciComm
Researchers & policymakers should involve the public much earlier in research and decision-making, a new Nature commentary argues. Inviting the public into the process, could also grow their trust in science. 6 ideas to do so 👇
Six ways to put the public at the heart of science and policy
Trust in elite institutions is on the wane globally. Building public participation into research and government advice can turn the tide.
nature.com
Scientists don't have to wait for journalists to call. Podcasts, videos and social media offer many ways to share your expertise directly with the public. More practical media advice👇
You’ve got 30 seconds: What scientists need to know before going on air - Bhekisisa
Broadcast journalists move quickly. Two editors explain how scientists can recognise the moment, shape the story and get their work on the media agenda.
bhekisisa.org
Your posture, background, visuals and confidence all shape how audiences receive your message. Science communication isn't only about what you say, it's also about how you present it.👇
You’ve got 30 seconds: What scientists need to know before going on air - Bhekisisa
Broadcast journalists move quickly. Two editors explain how scientists can recognise the moment, shape the story and get their work on the media agenda.
bhekisisa.org
Good science communication isn't about simplifying the science, it's about making it memorable. Analogies and everyday language help audiences connect with your message. More tips👇
You’ve got 30 seconds: What scientists need to know before going on air - Bhekisisa
Broadcast journalists move quickly. Two editors explain how scientists can recognise the moment, shape the story and get their work on the media agenda.
bhekisisa.org
What scientists need to know before going on air TV editors often use your first answer. Lead with the one message you want people to remember, then add the details. More media tips👇
You’ve got 30 seconds: What scientists need to know before going on air - Bhekisisa
Broadcast journalists move quickly. Two editors explain how scientists can recognise the moment, shape the story and get their work on the media agenda.
bhekisisa.org
From AI to biotechnology, scientific advances raise questions that science alone can't answer. Ethics, history and the humanities help us understand not just what we can do, but what we should do. A timely Nature commentary👇
Why science needs the humanities more than ever
From AI to biotechnology, today’s scientific breakthroughs raise ethical and social challenges that technical expertise alone cannot solve.
nature.com
How can stand-up comedy help science communication? 🎤🔬 Dr Louise Saul discusses why humour can help make research more accessible.
(Episode 159) Careers and Skills for Data-driven Research (CaSDaR): a comedy podcast with Dr Louise Saul - Research Culture Uncovered
In this episode Nick talks to Dr Louise Saul, Network+ coordinator for CaSDaR (Careers and Skills for Data Driven Research), a UKRI-funded initiative ai...
research-culture.captivate.fm
How is AI changing science journalism? Watch the European Science-Media Hub Summer School sessions exploring AI, journalism, trust, misinformation and the future of science communication.
Error 404 | Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) | European Parliament
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europarl.europa.eu
A milestone worth celebrating 🎉 We completed our last H2020 project, and took a moment to look back on the 28 projects we supported through communication & dissemination. Last week, we reflected on 3 timeless principles that remain essential for effective C&D. Take a look if you missed it 🤓
The past years, we were involved in the communication & dissemination of 28 European research and innovation projects, covering a wide range of topics. While the science differed, some well-established lessons remained as important in our most recent projects as they were in our earliest ones: 👉🧵
Did you know bumble bees can plan ahead when working through a problem? They hold the goal in mind, identify what they need, and execute. They'll even stop to rethink the plan. No training required. 🐝 www.science.org/content/arti...
Bees just did something no other insect has been shown to do
Like humans, bumble bees can plan ahead when working through a problem, even pausing to consider the solution
science.org
How can journalism and science communication strengthen trust in research? In October, ECSJ2026 will bring journalists & researchers together in Hanover to discuss the future of science reporting.
2026 European Conference of Science Journalism in Hanover
The European Science Journalism Conference will take place on 14 and 15 October in Hannover, Germany, alongside the annual WPK Wissenswerte conference on 15 and 16 October. The main topic of the conference will be "Science journalism for a world in crisis”. View the programme Early bird registration will be open until September 30, so register soon to
f.mtr.cool
Team ESCI took part in the Everstener Brunnenlauf in Oldenburg again this year! 🏃♀️🏃♂️ It was a great afternoon of exercise, team spirit, and fresh air… and we're already looking forward to the next one! 🌟
Every spring, thousands of fish migrate through Dutch waterways to reach their spawning grounds, but barriers like sluices can block their journey. 🐟 The Visdeurbel (“fish doorbell”) helps fish pass safely by alerting lock operators when fish are waiting at the gate.
The Fish Doorbell — The Fish Doorbell
Did you spot a fish? Press the Fish Doorbell! This alerts our lock operator to let the fish through. The Fish Doorbell is in Utrecht, NL.
f.mtr.cool
World Oceans Day marks the vital role oceans play in sustaining life on Earth. 🌊 The ocean regulates the climate, produces much of the oxygen we breathe & supports biodiversity worldwide. Yet pollution, warming waters & ecosystem loss continue to threaten marine life.
The ocean we need for the future we want
UNESCO fosters international cooperation in marine sciences to improve ocean management.
f.mtr.cool
On this World Environment Day, science highlights the urgent need to act. Rising temperatures, biodiversity loss & pollution are affecting ecosystems worldwide. Clear #SciComm helps turn research into action for a more sustainable future.
World Environment Day
World Environment Day is the United Nations day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment.
f.mtr.cool
Filming videos about EU-funded projects goes beyond just cameras and lighting. Years of experience taught us that effective science communication begins with making researchers feel confident on camera. Here's how we help them prepare 👇🧵
