Tomorrow! The newest @theopennotebook.bsky.social book, "The Best Science Stories and How They Work" comes out and I am so excited. I'm biased because I'm a contributor in this one, but for those of you who like to think of stories as puzzles (ahem, editors) this book is a treasure! Pre-order 👇🏽

The Open Notebook@theopennotebook.bsky.social · 3w ago

You’ll be able to find "A Field at a Crossroads: Genetics and Racial Mythmaking" by @ashleythesmart.bsky.social for @undark.org, plus @scchak.bsky.social’s annotations, in our new book, available for pre-order now. www.theopennotebook.com/the-best-sci...

Check out the byline on this one! Dipped my toes back into reporting with paleontology (a first) for @cnn.com (also a first). My sources' enthusiasm was so infectious, the story, on work from @nhm-london.bsky.social, kinda wrote itself. Now to avoid the nightmares 🦂 www.cnn.com/2026/06/10/s...

The largest scorpion to walk the Earth was more than 3 feet long | CNN

Scientists describe a baseball bat-size scorpion — the world’s largest — and suggest that the 400 million-year-old creature was also amphibious.

cnn.com

If you're reading this, my cat and I have boarded a one-way flight out of the United States. The Trump administration wrongfully denied my work permit renewal; after months of demanding that they follow the law, we have run out of legal recourse, and I have no choice but to leave the country. (🧵)

Support Alex's Emergency Relocation + Next Steps on Give In May

Alex is leaving the US after his work permit renewal was wrongfully denied by Trump's USCIS.

giveinmay.org

Got to do a cool thing last week! I appeared on the first science and tech news roundtable on @wgbh.org's "Under the Radar with Callie Crossley." I talked about the approval of a gene therapy for deafness & the promise of two pancreatic cancer drugs. Listen here: www.wgbh.org/news/nationa...

Science news: Return of the river-herring run, Musk vs. Altman and new pancreatic cancer drugs

Under the Radar breaks down the latest science and technology headlines, including communities fighting back against data centers, overheated sharks and more

wgbh.org

We need good, responsible science journalism more than ever & @theopennotebook.bsky.social has a wealth of free resources to help writers up their game. Over the next 2 weeks, we hope 25 new monthly donors will join me in TON's Page Turners Collective. Sign up here: www.theopennotebook.com/donate/

Support The Open Notebook - Support Science Journalism

Please help support The Open Notebook, a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to foster a supportive, diverse, and inclusive global community that enables journalists who cover science to learn and...

theopennotebook.com

The @washingtonpost.com layoffs disproportionately affected union members of color, per data from the @postguild.bsky.social. 50% of Hispanic/Latino guild members,​ 45% of Black members, and​ 43% of Asian members were laid off, compared to 37% of white members. www.niemanlab.org/2026/02/wash...

Washington Post layoffs disproportionately affected union members of color, preliminary Guild data shows

"We cannot ignore what this means for equity, representation, and the future of this organization."

niemanlab.org

Is Jeff Bezos going to destroy the Washington Post? It sure looks like it | Margaret Sullivan

Is Jeff Bezos going to destroy the Washington Post? It sure looks like it | Margaret Sullivan

He has the chance to be the steward of a national treasure, but he’s blowing it

theguardian.com

Two BIG updates on @theopennotebook.bsky.social: 1. We had a $7,500 match fund and YOU MET THE MATCH!!! 2. Inspired by you, the board is stepping up, and pledging an additional $800 match for any donations TON gets today on 12/31. Give today: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...

The Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open Notebook

For 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...

theopennotebook.com

Sisi Wei@sisiwei.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Right now, if you donate to @theopennotebook.bsky.social, your donation is DOUBLED. That means 2x the impact of helping journalists learn how to tackle misinfo, use the skills of science journalism, and more.

This is one of those stories where every interview had me like 🤯🤯🤯. For @nature.com Outlook, I dove into the surprising field of cancer neuroscience. Edited by the amazing @scchak.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41... #neuroskyence

Pancreatic cancer is evasive. Is the nervous system the reason why?

A growing body of research suggests tumours rely on proteins and genes that are unique to the nervous system to persist in the body.

nature.com

Thrilled to share this collection of stories I edited for Nature Outlook, all about pancreatic cancer. The disease is the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related deaths, but the (still low) survival rate has doubled in the past decade. And there may be more reason for hope www.nature.com/immersive/pa...

Nature Outlook: Pancreatic cancer

Research offers glimmers of hope for a deadly disease.

nature.com

I know this isn't the point of this post but few things infuriate (and eventually humble) me more than having to get my toddlers' thumbs into the thumbholes of their mittens.

bergelsonlab@bergelsonlab.bsky.social · 8mo ago

today's toddler-inspired mentorship metaphor: if you're trying to help someone who wants to get their thumb in the thumbhole of their mittens, it's good to first make sure they know which finger is their thumb. #AcademicSky

Less than $500 to help @theopennotebook.bsky.social meet its birthday fundraiser goal! Don't you want to be the person to help put us over the top? Do it here: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...

@theopennotebook.bsky.social is 15 🎉 What better birthday present than to give generously to a resource many of us in science journalism use all the time? All gifts made today will be matched, so it's also a chance to double your impact! Donate here: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers... #TON15

The Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open Notebook

For 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...

theopennotebook.com

In 2022, we took our then-new-to-market VW ID4 from Boston to Indianapolis to Chicago and back to Boston. We definitely had to plan our route (thanks, A Better Route Planner) but almost always had fast chargers. Can't wait for our next trip to see the changes: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

See How E.V. Road Trips Went From Impossible to Easy

There are a lot more fast chargers than there used to be. Look up what that could mean for a route near you.

nytimes.com

If you ever doubted that @theopennotebook.bsky.social is a one stop shop for learning the tools of the science journalism trade, today's launch of The Science Reporting Navigator -created with @rjionline.bsky.social - should put it to rest 🧪 www.theopennotebook.com/science-repo...

Science Reporting Navigator - The Open Notebook

Bring Scientific Evidence into Any Beat Every story is a science story. From education and public health to transportation and local policy, science intersects with every beat journalists cover. The S...

theopennotebook.com

Every Story is a Science Story. That’s why, with @rjionline.bsky.social, TON has been hard at work developing a free tool to make it easier for journalists on any beat to strengthen their stories by incorporating science. And today, that tool - the Science Reporting Navigator - is live! 🧪

Introducing the Science Reporting Navigator - The Open Notebook

The Science Reporting Navigator stands ready to walk you through complex reporting scenarios to integrate science into any beat. The Open Notebook and the Reynolds Journalism Institute are thrilled to...

theopennotebook.com

EXCLUSIVE: A new analysis by The Xylom's @alexip718.com shows for the first time just how much America’s top research institutions have grown to depend on H-1B skilled workers — and how this delicate balance might be disrupted by U.S. President Donald Trump’s crackdown on legal immigration.

The Most Detailed Maps of H-1B Visa Holders Joining America's Top Research Institutions

A new analysis by The Xylom shows for the first time just how much America’s top research institutions have grown to depend on the specialized knowledge of H-1B skilled workers — and how this…

thexylom.com

. @hanaatameez.bsky.social puts data behind journalism's DEI vibe shift. From # of jobs posted, to products launched then shut down, to exhibiting at conferences — the racial reckoning is in retreat. www.niemanlab.org/2025/09/from...

From reckoning to retreat: Journalism’s DEI efforts are in decline

Diversity-related newsroom jobs haven't totally disappeared — but they also haven't stuck.

niemanlab.org

We dug deep to answer this important question: How Many Federal Health Workers Have RFK Jr. and the Trump Administration Cut? @bxroberts.org @anniewaldman.bsky.social @pratheekrebala.bsky.social

Gutted: How Deeply Trump Has Cut Federal Health Agencies

More than 20,500 workers have left or been pushed out of federal health agencies, a ProPublica analysis found. Staffers say the cuts will leave their agencies less equipped to conduct studies, perform...

projects.propublica.org

If you like the work @theopennotebook.bsky.social does (are you human? if so, you do), then join us at our first-ever town hall on August 26, at 2 pm ET. Learn more about the work The Open Notebook does to support science #journalism worldwide:

This year, The Open Notebook turns 15! | The Open Notebook

This year, The Open Notebook turns 15! That's 15 years of supporting journalists and we’re thrilled to celebrate with our first-ever Town Hall on Aug. 26. Will you join us? https://lnkd.in/gqSwcCCM

linkedin.com

I refer folks to @theopennotebook.bsky.social all.the.time. Just yesterday, I told one of @science.org's fantastic interns about TON's (free! email!) Master Classes. And that's just one of many (did I mention free?) resources. Help them keep it that way? Donate here: www.theopennotebook.com/donate/

Support The Open Notebook - Support Science Journalism

Please help support The Open Notebook, a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to foster a supportive, diverse, and inclusive global community that enables journalists who cover science to learn and...

theopennotebook.com

One of our biggest supporters, @siricarpenter.bsky.social's fundraising appeal has directly led to nearly $2,000 in donations to our newsroom We're returning the favor: can you help @theopennotebook.bsky.social reach their $3,000 summer fundraiser? www.theopennotebook.com/donate/

Support The Open Notebook - Support Science Journalism

Please help support The Open Notebook, a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to foster a supportive, diverse, and inclusive global community that enables journalists who cover science to learn and...

theopennotebook.com

The Open Notebook@theopennotebook.bsky.social · last yr.

We are interrupting our regularly scheduled summer fundraising activities to ask for your support for our friends at @thexylom.com, who are facing an existential crisis. The Xylom needs to raise $7,500 this month to avoid shutting down operations. fundrazr.com/the_xylom?re...

@annikainampudi.bsky.social's first byline for @science.org, on how Black inmates at the Stateville Penitentiary were experimented on by scientists wanting to better understand side effects to a crucial malaria drug: www.science.org/content/arti...

Historical records expose role of Black inmates in unethical malaria studies decades ago

Science chats with James Tabery, about the overlooked role of Black prisoners in understanding the genetics of drug reactions

science.org

"Federal workers aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet...We’re real people with families who are hurting and, in the worst cases, dying. Why don’t people out there see that? Why doesn’t anyone care?” Such a powerful read. (CW: suicide, mental health trauma) www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...

White House officials wanted to put federal workers ‘in trauma.’ It’s working.

Federal workers describe struggling with panic attacks, depression, suicidal thoughts. “Why doesn’t anyone care?”

washingtonpost.com

Experts share scathing reviews of last week's HHS report on gender-affirming care for youth: "...a rejection of decades of science, evidence, and direct experiences by young people, their doctors, and their families.” @phiejacobs.bsky.social's story for @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...

Researchers slam HHS report on gender-affirming care for youth

Critics say the report, which declines to disclose its authors, contradicts decades of scientific research

science.org

While this report presents itself as an apolitical “review of evidence and best practices,” it deserves the same scrutiny and careful fact-checking as any government-produced document. Journalists should quote it only with appropriate context and after thorough vetting.

The Trans Journalists Association urges caution in covering the HHS report on gender care

With the recent release of a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report on gender-related medical care for trans youth, the Trans Journalists Association urges newsrooms and journalists repor...

transjournalists.org

"In our time, in our newsrooms and our coverage, in our companies and other institutions, we need to have the courage not to abandon [DEI] commitments..." A timely, perhaps evergreen, reminder from @dicktofel.bsky.social: dicktofel.substack.com/p/amid-the-w...

Amid the War on “DEI,” a Call to Reaffirm Values

Why we need to stick with inclusion, equity and diversity

dicktofel.substack.com

We are so excited to have a place to gather in-person this year. Hope to see many of you in November! Bonus: With today's news, we are reopening proposal submissions for a short time. Send in your ideas for sessions you'd like to organize at the meeting (virtual or in-person)!

National Association of Science Writers (NASW)@sciencewriters.org · last yr.

BIG NEWS: #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...

SOURCE REQUEST 🚨 I'm working on a @niemanlab.org story about what’s come of media companies' 2020 DEI promises. How have newsrooms' DEI priorities changed over the last 5 years? What impact have DEI initiatives had on journalism/journalists? DM me here, on Signal, or email (hanaa@niemanlab.org).

"Panch" is resigning today as NSF director; Appointed during Trump's first term, he couldn't stomach Trump 2.0 www.science.org/content/arti...

Exclusive: NSF director to resign amid grant terminations, job cuts and controversy

science.org