#data science technical terms

[markscherz]

I'm sorry... snake paper? Are things heating up in the snake researcher fandom?

16 February 2024: A team of researchers (including a generally well-respected anaconda expert) found minimal and partly contradictory genetic differences in green anacondas over an enormous area, summarily dismissed all previous work on the taxonomy of green anacondas, and gave the mitochondrial lineage concerned a new name, along the way making some huge fumbles that show plainly that they have no idea how taxonomy works or what certain technical terms mean. They published the work in a journal from a suspect publishing house that is known to rush, skip, or ignore peer review as and when it suits them. And apparently there was some suspicious funding involved, though I don’t know much about that. They made a media storm with ‘a new anaconda!’ but within minutes there were people raising huge red flags about the paper, for the reasons enumerated above and others.

The response from ‘the community’ has been swift and harsh, but mostly fair, in my view. The discussion on ResearchGate reflects this pretty well. There are some bad takes about keeping ‘wokism’ out of science; I would argue that it remains critical to incorporate native peoples, knowledge, and languages into taxonomic work—just not the way this was done, in flagrant and intentional conflict with the established methods and protocols. There are also responses in the discussion by the lead author that show that he is evidently impervious to all of this criticism, and stands by the belief that the work and taxonomic reasoning is sound.

19 March 2024: two papers were published simultaneously in Bionomia, that both enumerate and rebut the problems of the original paper. And I know there are more on the way, though I don’t know if they are all going to be completed now that two responses have already been published.

The one thing I would weigh in on from my perspective is that it is the *taxonomy*, and not necessarily the evidence presented in the paper, that is the biggest problem. Species are described based on mitochondrial data alone all the time. Some of the results are quite interesting. But the taxonomy of the paper is a mess, full of contradictions, cherry-picking, and terminological errors. In the hands of competent taxonomists, the work might have been much more difficult to dispute. But also, no competent taxonomist would have assigned a new name to this lineage; there are too many existing names that would have priority, if it is worth recognising.

Undoing public perception of there being a new anaconda species will take years, if it can ever really be achieved. Always easier for media stories to go around than corrections.

TL;DR big snake paper made big mistakes, and within a month was dismissed. It has probably done lasting damage to perception of anaconda diversity.

[seeingivy]

death by a thousand cuts

satoru gojo x f!reader

**part of my satoru as taylor swift songs series

an: a wild taylor as gojo has appeared. enjoy. satoru as taylor swift anon who is always in the asks, this is for you. i see you and i hear you.

--

“holy shit. there’s no way you’re on his fucking linked in during class?” megumi whispers. 

you feel your eyes widen as you look to your left to find a very, deeply distraught megumi staring at you. and it’s almost like clockwork, the way he abandons his accounting spreadsheet – and quickly slides into the messages app on his laptop. 

the three consecutive buzzes of your phone thrum under your thigh come before you see nobara and yuuji turn their heads back, two rows ahead of you in the lecture hall, and looking awfully more distraught than megumi. 

“you’re kidding.” nobara mouths. 

“freak!” yuuji whispers, earning you a set of weird glances from the group at your right. 

you glare at the two of them, before turning to megumi and bringing your foot down on top of his. megumi winces, giving you a very characteristic and unbothered eye roll, before he returns to finishing up his spreadsheet. 

you pull your hood up over your ears, cheeks warm and pink from embarrassment, before you focus back on the screen. 

you know that he’s right. that there is really no point at looking at his account – not when you have all of the details memorized. 

Satoru Gojo  Senior Data Science Student @ Tokyo Technical Institute 

three work experiences. data analytics intern for the justice project. hackathon project lead. meadow investments development engineer. 

two degrees under his education. because he’s dual enrolled and set to get a bachelor’s in computer science and a masters in engineering by the end of his term next year. 

and one organization. alpha kappa psi, the business fraternity. 

the only reason you were at the scene of the crime.  

it was all miwa’s fault. and partially yours, for being so willing to come to her aid – at all times. when she asked you to accompany her to the bid party – just because she wanted to support mechamaru fresh in their new relationship and didn’t do too well in social situations – you had all but obliged. at the most, you would get a cheap shot and brownie points to get miwa to run the errands for the entire month. 

except when it came to it, miwa wasn’t nervous at all, only because mechamaru had spent the past few weeks hyping her up to his pledge class. which left you alone, stuck to roam around until she was ready to leave at the end of the night. 

the floor was sticky with beer, there was an almost rancid, putrid smell lingering in the air that you couldn’t pinpoint, and you were stuck with sixty of your peers – shitfaced to a point you didn’t even know was humanly possible. 

and with miwa long gone, doing god knows what with mechamaru and you were stuck leaning against the fridge, bored out of your mind. that’s when he found you – pawing your way through the food. 

his smell was the first thing that caught your attention, second to the fact that he was hovering over your shoulder, cheeks brushing against each other. it was almost minty and stark – almost eradicating the lingering smell of weed that was burning your nose. 

the skin on his cheek was soft, featherlike when it brushed against yours. 

“whatcha doing, dollface?” 

you immediately curl your nose, turned off by the unnecessary sweetness. you had your fill of dirty frat boys during orientation week, three years ago, and knew damn well that you had to steer clear of whatever was happening here. 

“playing where’s waldo, genius. i’m obviously looking for food.” you state. 

you reach for the closest box, a perfectly cut slice of cake, encased in a wrap. the plastic is covered in messy scribbles on the top – spelling out satoru in loopy letters. 

“you’re just going to eat someone else’s cake?” he asks. 

“how do you know it’s not mine?” 

“intuition.” 

it’s only then that you stop yourself to look up at this stranger whispering in your ear, only to find glimmering blue eyes, peering over the top of a set of sunglasses. the sunglasses are god awful – even worse with the combination of the tanktop and the snapback he’s wearing backwards.  

you swear there’s a faded, glittery pink lipstick mark indented at the top of his cheek. 

“you-you’d be shocked.” you stutter, as you pull the box out of the fridge and place it on the counter. 

he momentarily walks away – which is when you take the second to ogle him in full. a toned back, a tattoo on the top of his shoulder that you can’t entirely make out. white hair, veiny arms, and a silver necklace hanging against his collarbone. 

he returns back, two forks in hand, before making a dramatic display of handing you one. 

“for you, my sweet lady.” 

“i’m not sure why you brought two forks. who said i was going to share with you?” 

he grins, leaning his head back to laugh like a little kid, before he scoots closer to you – the sweet scent coming back. 

“c’mon.” 

he reaches for your hand, before lifting it to place it against his chest. you can feel his heart beating under the feeling of your fingertips, his eyes wide and expectant as he waits for and answer. 

“do me a favor, yeah? let me share my cake with a pretty girl at a party. there’s only a limited amount of joys in this life.” 

you scoff, before pulling your hand back. 

“you’re corny.” 

he shrugs. 

“you’ll get used to it.” 

you groan, as you slam your computer shut – the image of his shiny headshot staring back at you getting burned into your eyes. 

stupid. stupid, stupid, stupid. 

one stupid joke, a slice of cake, and somehow you woke up in his bed the next day being spooned by him. and one thing led to the next because he was somehow taking you to brunch, then settling his head in between your legs before dinner, and then back at your house the next day. 

it was an arrangement at that point. the dinners, what happened in between, and the morning after. 

you’re not sure what the terms and conditions are in a predicament like yours – with a guy like satoru. you know for a fact that he still flirts with other girls, because you’d see him walking with a different one every time you stopped at the coffee shop. but then he’d invite you to dinner, honey sweet words falling from his lips before he tucked you in for bed each night. 

friends with benefits. but he buys you gifts and takes you to dinner. and calls you beautiful. comes to your house after frat parties, with the faintest scent of a flowery perfume on his neck that you swear you’re imagining. 

letting him walk out of your apartment was your own personal tourture, of death by a thousand cuts, because every step farther away from you was closer to someone else. 

and that sinking, deep rooted dread, only got worse as time went on. 

you feel a hard smack against your head. 

“do your fucking homework.” 

--

satoru gojo has distinct features that you always find yourself staring at. a mole on his shoulder, a scar on his pointer finger, and the rings he wore. sometimes, you find yourself asking them about him. 

you reach forward, locking your fingers in on the chain around his neck, and using it to pull him closer. it's of a little postage stamp, though the silver looks rusted – like he’s worn it to death. he’s quick to oblige, a warm kiss on your cheek, before you yank again. 

“what, baby?” he whines. 

“where’d you get your necklace?” 

he leans back, looking down at the chain, before his eyes meet yours again. there’s a dim fluorescent glow coming in from the blinds of the window, sun far gone in the horizon, and it’s the only thing that makes this bearable. 

that his piercing blue eyes somewhat subdued from the lack of light. 

“you want it, princess?” 

“what? no. i just like it. i wasn’t –” 

it’s a boyish giggle that comes out of satoru’s mouth as he quickly unfastens the clasp from his neck before tangling it in his fist. 

you’re not an idiot – because it’s his freezing cold fingers pulling your shirt over your head – before he pulls you into his lap. 

this was one of satoru’s favorite things to do. pull you close, till you’re straddling him in his lap, and you can feel his breath tickling against his collarbone as he whispers sweet nothings to you. 

you wonder if he can see your blush in the dim light. if that’s part of why he likes it – seeing the effect he has on you. 

he reaches forward, pulling your hair to the side and pressing a kiss to your collarbone, before he fastens his silver necklace around your neck. 

“you know. when i said i liked your necklace, i said i liked it on you. i wasn’t asking for it.” 

“but i like seeing you wear it more.”

satoru’s eyes are focused as he fixes the tangles in the chain, letting the little charm hang right in the little divot where your collarbone ends. and then he brings his hands in around your face, nearly squishing the softness of your cheeks together, before he presses a kiss to your forehead. 

“will you wear my hoodie?” he jokes. 

you scoff. 

“are we in sixth grade? also, it quite literally says ‘yuuta’s big’ on the sleeve. that’s not obvious at all.”  

satoru rolls his eyes. 

“you would love yuuta, though. he’s your pseudo little brother, because you’re with me, you know?” 

you shake your head, as you crawl out of his lap, and reach for the water bottle on the side table. you try to ground yourself, head spinning as you try to decipher what that means – and tap your feet on the floor. 

you can feel him at your side, his observant blue eyes burning holes into your skin, as you note the steady, almost cautious tone in his voice. 

“you okay? something i said?” 

you shake him off. 

“yeah, yeah. sorry. got out of the mood there for a second, just have a lot to do this week.” 

satoru hums, before bringing his hands around your torso, leaning his entire weight against you as he settles his chin into the crook of your neck. 

“you ever think you work too hard, pretty girl?” 

“working hard or hardly working?” you joke. even his corny jokes were rubbing off on you. 

you hear satoru scoff, before he starts rubbing circles into the bare skin of your stomach, as the goosebumps start to trickle over your skin. 

“oh, don’t be like that. you’re the smartest person i know.” 

“is this a clever way to get into my pants?” 

“no. it’s me telling you that i think you’re very intelligent, you’re very driven, and you don’t have to worry about if you’re working hard enough. i know the only breaks you take are to go to that dumb movie theater downtown with your grumpy friend or when you scream my name every –” 

“satoru.” you whine. 

“don’t say my name like that. it turns me on.” 

you grin. 

“satoru.” you hum, teasing him. 

“fuck off.” 

he pauses, before pressing a lingering kiss to the side of your neck. 

“but really. you’re a clever, you’re pretty, and irritatingly very accomplished. slow down so i can catch up, okay?” 

“that’s rich coming from you. mister three internships, two degrees in four years.” 

it’s quiet. 

“how’d you know that?” satoru asks. 

you can hear the smile in his voice. and the dread pooling in your stomach. 

“what?” 

“how’d you know it was two degrees?” 

“you-you told me.” 

“no, i didn’t. i just got accepted a few weeks ago, i haven’t even told some of my friends yet.” 

you groan, before bringing your hands up to your face. you bury your eyes into the sockets of your eyes, getting caught embarrassedly red handed. 

“where?” 

you sigh. 

“i stalked you on linked in.” 

satoru grins wide, before pulling you back onto the bed and into his embrace. you can hear his giggling in your ear as you try to pull away. 

“oh, baby you didn’t.” 

“i had to make sure i didn’t apply where you worked!” 

“no, you didn’t. we don’t even work in the same field.” 

“you don’t know! i could change my mind!” 

satoru laughs, before leaning forward to press a quick kiss to your lips. 

“you have a crush on me! angel, you should have just said so!” 

you give him a hard push, before crossing your arms over your chest. 

“quit teasing. so i’m a stalker! so what? i just want to make sure i’m not putting out for a loser. you could be coding some AI for the government for all i know and i don’t want to be –” 

“okay, okay. relax. i’m just teasing, i just think it’s cute you keep tabs on me.” 

you glare. 

“i don’t like you.” you state. 

he rolls his eyes, before flopping his head down on your pillow and tapping the space next to him. you crawl into the space, before nestling yourself into his arms. you can feel your brain spiraling – instant regret for saying too much, being too weird, too harsh, and not saying what you felt – as you focus on the feeling of his hands running through your hair. 

“i can tell that the hamster in your brain is working overtime. just go to bed, okay?” 

“okay, lock the door when you leave?” 

“i don’t have plans tomorrow morning. if you could humble yourself to eat breakfast with me, i’d actually like that.” 

you frown, stomach jolting in your guts. 

he had never stayed for an arbitrary reason – like spending the night just to sleep next to you. you shut your eyes, burying your face deeper into the sweet smell of his skin, and throw the thought away. 

“mimosas?” 

“you want to drink that early in the morning?” 

“it’s saturday. gives me a good kick to start my day.” 

“aren’t mimosas made with champagne? i hate champagne. and it makes you really handsy.” 

you smile. 

“you like when i’m handsy.” 

“i mean, yes. but we can just do pancakes and go to the library together so we can do work. i’ll keep you accountable and find you snacks when you get inevitably cranky. then when you come home all tired, we can be as handsy as we want. it’s more satisfying when you have to work for it.” 

you groan, burying the complications of spending yet another day with him in the back of your head as you try to flutter your eyes shut – in futile attempts to quiet the thoughts racketing around in your mind. 

“okay, okay whatever. we’ll see tomorrow, i just – i’m really tired right now and –” 

“shut up, dollface. just sleep.” 

--

you get invited to the alpha kappa psi formal. miwa – who found out from mechamaru, whose pledge class brother is very close with satoru’s little yuuta – said that satoru wanted you there. 

then why didn’t he ask you? 

you bite the bullet anyways, borrowing one of kugisaki’s pale blue slip dresses – and attend as mechamaru’s pledge brother – todo’s date – to get in. 

he’s a strange guy, who doesn’t pay you too much attention. it’s one polite wave and a cardstock ticket he hands you before you don’t see him again for the rest of the night. and you’re stuck with miwa and mechamaru, who are bigger fans of pda than you are. 

“how’s satoru, y/n?” mechamaru asks. 

“ah. he’s good. you know as much as i do, right?” 

you can feel yourself sweating. 

would satoru leave if you said too much? if you embarrassed him in front of one of his brothers? did they know you guys had an…arrangement? was it an arrangement? were you seeing each other? why did they think he invited you? 

“dunno. aren’t you guys really good friends?” mechamaru asks. 

“um, yeah.” 

“yeah, he was telling us you studied together at the library the other day. figured he’d want you to meet suguru and ieiri.” 

suguru and ieiri. 

“yeah. i’m gonna go get a drink. do you guys want anything?” 

“i’m good, love. we’ll be here.” miwa states, giving a reassuring squeeze to your bicep before you drag your heels to the makeshift bar. 

you walk over to the bar, straight to the open bottle of rosé that has your name on it, as you lean against the wall. you pour way too much into your flute, nearly spilling it over the back of your hand, as you curse. 

“do you want help?” 

you look up to find a boy looking at you, wide eyes, with his bangs sweeping down the side of his face. he has tired eyes, but it’s a seemingly bright smile he offers you. 

“sorry, yeah. i’ll clean it up, i swear.” 

“no, no. no problem.” 

he hands you a handkerchief from his pocket, before he pulls your hand in his and wipes the excess pink stain on it. you cringe at the stain on the cloth before he tucks it back into his pocket. 

“i’m sorry about that. that’s really kind of you, i just –” 

“no problem! you seemed…kind of frustrated there. happy to help.” 

you shoot him a polite smile, before nervously sipping – maybe a little too fast for comfort. but the warm feeling is enough to temporarily curb the nerves, which is perfect for your sake. 

“are you a brother?” you ask. 

“yeah! is this your first formal?” 

“yeah. i’m seeing someone in your frat and he asked me to come. well, he didn’t ask me to come, he told someone else he wanted me to come so i came as one of the other brother’s date. but not really his date, because i haven't seen him since then. or the guy i’m talking to.” 

he leans back, eyes wide. 

“right. do you like him? if…if you mind me asking.”  

“my date? i can’t even remember his name. he’s like a tall, muscular guy. man bun?” 

“no, yeah. his name is todo, i figured that’s who you were talking about. i mean the other guy.” 

“oh. well, yeah. but he’s so…i don’t know. he’s a frat guy. and a chronic flirt. the first time i met him he had a lipstick stain on his cheek. and he smells like girly perfume every time he comes to see me, so –” 

he sucks his teeth in. 

“idiot.” he murmurs. 

“what?” 

“no! oh my god, not you! i meant…me! just thought of something. gotta run for a second, i’ll be back.” 

“wait, you didn’t even tell me your –” 

you watch as he rushes off, in a speed walking fervor, as mechamaru and miwa join you at your side. they give you a polite smile, which you return, as you swirl the glass in your hand. 

“mechamaru. do you know that guy who just walked away? tired looking, the long hair?” 

“oh, yuuta. yeah, what about him?” 

“yuuta?” 

“yeah, you’ve never met him? he’s like gojo’s pride and joy.” 

you sink against the wall, embarrassment coursing through you, as you down the rest of your glass. and then three more, which is accompanied by weary looks from miwa. and after finishing off the entire bottle – an hour and a half into the party without seeing satoru – you’re set on leaving. 

and it’s only on your rageful stomp out the door, well past tipsy, that you find the godawful man of the hour, leaning against the wall. 

it’s enough to fill you with a rage. because he’s leaning against the wall, shirt slightly unbuttoned, and smiling brightly at whichever girl he’s talking to. you’re almost positive that it’s probably her flowery perfume that you’re smelling on his neck at the time, that she’s who he sees when he’s not with you, and it’s like pins and needles in your stomach. 

and you almost make your escape, before he catches you on your way out. 

“y/n? wait, y/n!” 

you’re one step out the door, before he grabs your bicep, and pulls back, giving you a bright grin. 

“i didn’t know you were here yet. i’ve been waiting, come here, c’mhere.” satoru mumbles, quickly rushing you over to the group of three people standing by the door, who all turn their heads for you. 

you groan as you turn to the group of them. it’s the same tired eyes as before – that you now know belong to yuuta – and two strangers you’ve never seen before. a guy almost as tall as satoru, with swooping bangs and a manbun, and the girl – who you can’t stand to look at, with perfect beach waves swooping past her shoulders. 

and what you can’t help but notice is a sparkling, silver postage stamp necklace around her neck. the same one around yours, that you had been fidgeting with since satoru gave it to you weeks ago. 

“here’s your drink, satoru.” the girl states, handing him a glass of white wine that he takes. 

it’s enough to make your rage bubble to the surface. 

“the lady of the hour, guys! this is y/n, she’s my –” 

you scoff. 

“are you kidding?” 

“hm?” 

“lady of the hour? for what, your jokes?” 

you watch as satoru’s face drops, before he sets the glass of wine down on the closest table. 

“huh? what do you mean? i wanted to introduce you to ieiri, i know you’re going to love her.” 

 you can feel the tears accumulating in your eyes, that you’re almost positive that satoru notices, because his face visibly droops even more, this time replaced with genuine concern that sends a pang in your chest that has you wrestling your wrist out of his hold. 

“you…you’re so mean, satoru.” 

“baby, what?” 

“don’t…why are you calling me that? every morning you wake up next to me and you’re still not my baby. that’s not exactly fair. you smell like a different girl and you still…you still flirt with other people.” you whisper. 

his eyes go wide. 

“no, i –” 

“every time you walk away i’m half convinced you’re just going to someone else you’re stringing along like me. i’m sitting there thinking about how you’ve walked hundreds of steps away from me hundreds of times and it feels like a thousand little cuts every time you do and it kills me that you don’t even care.” 

you can feel that whatever is coming out is word vomit, like it’s started and now it won’t ever stop. 

“i see you everywhere, because you literally come everywhere with me just to leave. any song you’ve sang is now our song, any movie, literally anything you’ve even touched. i can’t even wear certain clothes without thinking about how you complimented me in them and i’m stuck thinking about how you probably say that to everyone. you don’t even drink wine and you’re over here drinking some with this random girl at this party, when that’s my thing that we drink wine together. you gave her the same necklace as me, and you apparently asked me to come to but didn’t even tell me about to my face? then you sick your little frat brother to ask me if i like you just so you can….i don’t know, i don’t know what you’d do with that information!” 

you watch as satoru pinches the bridge of his nose, only to turn to the three of them at his side, who are all shaking their heads dismissively. 

“suguru. i fucking told you he had to be leaving something out.” 

“well, i didn’t realize it was going to be like this, shoko. no wonder she won’t date him.” 

you swallow hard, as you seem to sink deeper in the pits of your own embarrassment, which seems to be a record low. 

“fuck. you…you said her name is shoko?” 

geto offers you a smile. 

“that’s right.” 

“like satoru’s hometown friend? the…the lesbian?” 

“that would be me.” she confirms. 

you cringe. 

“oh my god. i’m really sorry, i’m really drunk. i drank an entire bottle of wine after i accidentally talked to yuuta and i just –” 

“well, i’d get drunk if i were you too. he smells like other girls? and flirts with them?” shoko asks. 

“i do not! i don’t even know what you’re talking about. i didn’t even know she even liked me back till twenty minutes ago.” 

“the necklace is a nice gesture. satoru, geto, and i all have these matching postage stamp necklaces from this shitty place in our hometown. we got them together when we graduated so we wouldn’t forget about what was important when we all go to college.” 

you turn to satoru. 

“and you just gave that to me?” 

“well, i knew you’d take care of it.” 

“that’s like…that’s like sentimental, satoru. you literally gave me your childhood best friends memento and that’s so-” 

“well, obviously that seems like a little much if you think we’re just friends with benefits!” 

you scoff. 

“you’re the one who wanted to be friends with benefits.” you clarify.

“what are you talking about? you literally cringe away from any affection i give you!” satoru retorts. 

“because you flirt with other girls!” 

“not since you! why would i flirt with other people?” 

“you tell me. i smell the perfume.” 

satoru groans. 

“that’s your perfume, dipshit. you left your hoodie at my house and it smells like you so sometimes i sleep next to it and then i smell like it. how do you not recognize your own smell?” 

you pause. 

“you do what?” 

“not in a fucking weird way. i just miss you when you’re busy. you smell nice, it’s –” 

“hopeless.” yuuta states, earning him a nod from suguru. 

“you didn’t even ask me to come here with you.” you state. 

“shoko had to be my date so she could come. i had to make yuuta drag maki in through a window because geto was his plus one. i just wanted you here so you could meet my childhood friends, who i care about. they’ve heard about you for so long that i just thought –” 

“you talk to your friends about me?”��

“an insufferable amount. though most of his agony seems self inflicted now, because he’s a fucking idiot.” shoko confirms. 

“okay, let’s get y/n some water, yeah?” yuuta suggests, before shuffling the two of them off, to which satoru sends a grateful smile before turning back to you. 

he crouches down a little, just so your eyes are level, as you frown at him. 

“is this what that hamster in your brain is doing up there? overthinking literally everything?” 

“you –”

“if you asked, i would have clarified for you. we’ve always been exclusive and if you talked to someone else while we were talking, i’m going to have to kill him.” 

“don’t be stupid.” 

“i’ll just send a threat! sign his emails up for scientology. he was talking to my girl!” 

you glare at him. 

“you…you’re so stupid, satoru. you confuse me so much and i just…you take up too much space. you’re everywhere – literally no part of me that you haven’t taken up and i just…” 

satoru frowns, before pulling his hands around your face, and angling up by your chin to look at him. 

“don’t give up now. it just got good.” he whispers. 

“satoru.” 

“cmon. let me lick all thousand of your cuts clean.” 

“ew. you’re…you’re so gross, satoru.” 

“okay, that was just a dirty joke. but let me make it up to you, really. i didn’t realize you…you were thinking all that. i thought you just liked me because i was sexy and because i eat your –” 

“satoru!” 

“please. let me into that hamster ball in your brain. i deserve some space.” 

“it’s all boarded up. the hamster ball house burned down.” you groan. 

he leans back, like he’s inspecting your face, before he presses a kiss to your forehead. 

“dunno. i’m seeing some flickering lights in there. i can tell your hamster in there really wants me.” 

“quit….quit calling me a hamster! you’re so…ugh. i have a headache and i’m drunk and i’m really confused and i just –” 

satoru mimics a little salute, before he loops his hand around your waist and walks you towards the little bar. 

“okay, test run. i’m on boyfriend duty. if this goes well enough, you give me a chance tomorrow.” 

you squint your eyes at him. 

“okay, water first. then i have two baby aspirin for you in my pocket. three kisses on the cheek if you won’t insult me after and a compliment if you won’t kill me.” 

“really?” 

“yuuta told me you downed a whole bottle. since you’re too mad to be handsy, you have a headache. but don’t worry, i came prepared. meaning i forced yuuta to find some baby aspirin or else. and also, kisses because you smell good and you’re wearing this pretty blue dress that’s the same color as my eyes and you’re about to meet my favorite people ever and you’re my favorite person ever, so this is a big deal.” satoru responds.

he’s rambling so hard that you feel like you can see the hamster in his mind working overtime. 

--

“what’s the verdict?” 

satoru’s voice is like a thousand bullets in your head as you smack him in the face, trying to silence the chattering coming out of his mouth. 

“satoru. what…what time is it?” 

“six in the morning. but it’s the next day and i need to know how my test run went.” 

“your….what?” 

satoru whines. 

“no, no don’t tell me you’re too drunk to remember? my test run! to be your boyfriend?” 

you groan, flickering your eyes open to the alarm clock on your bed, spelling out the time. 6:07 am. 

“no, i remember. you need the answer at six in the morning when i’m hungover?” 

“this is agony! i really get this whole thousand cuts thing now, this hurts. tell me.” 

you push his face into the pillow, before mumbling it as quietly as you can. 

“you pass.” 

“huh?” 

“you heard me. you passed. just…shut up, please.” 

it’s his giggles you hear before sleeping and a warm kiss on your forehead, before you pass out again. 

--

satoru as taylor swift songs masterlist

taglist: @invisible-mori @porridgesblog  @k0z3me  @kayleegomez @yihona-san06  @bsenpai  @sweetenertea  @skzismyhome @mykyoon  @violetmatcha  @rebeccawinters  @luna0713hunter @shotenvinsoot  @itzmeme @gojoswifeyyys-world @cutiejg @chilichopsticks @torureadz @dreamxiing @mamamamamarga

[blueiscoool]

Research Discovers Ancient Egyptian Mummies Smell Nice

At first whiff, it sounds repulsive: sniff the essence of an ancient corpse.

But researchers who indulged their curiosity in the name of science found that well-preserved Egyptian mummies actually smell pretty good.

“In films and books, terrible things happen to those who smell mummified bodies,” said Cecilia Bembibre, director of research at University College London’s Institute for Sustainable Heritage. “We were surprised at the pleasantness of them.”

“Woody,” “spicy” and “sweet” were the leading descriptions from what sounded more like a wine tasting than a mummy sniffing exercise. Floral notes were also detected, which could be from pine and juniper resins used in embalming.

The study published Thursday in the Journal of the American Chemical Society used both chemical analysis and a panel of human sniffers to evaluate the odors from nine mummies as old as 5,000 years that had been either in storage or on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

The researchers wanted to systematically study the smell of mummies because it has long been a subject of fascination for the public and researchers alike, said Bembibre, one of the report’s authors. Archeologists, historians, conservators and even fiction writers have devoted pages of their work to the subject — for good reason.

Scent was an important consideration in the mummification process that used oils, waxes and balms to preserve the body and its spirit for the afterlife. The practice was largely reserved for pharaohs and nobility and pleasant smells were associated with purity and deities while bad odors were signs of corruption and decay.

Without sampling the mummies themselves, which would be invasive, researchers from UCL and the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia were able to measure whether aromas were coming from the archaeological item, pesticides or other products used to conserve the remains, or from deterioration due to mold, bacteria or microorganisms.

“We were quite worried that we might find notes or hints of decaying bodies, which wasn’t the case,” said Matija Strlič, a chemistry professor at the University of Ljubljana. “We were specifically worried that there might be indications of microbial degradation, but that was not the case, which means that the environment in this museum, is actually quite good in terms of preservation.”

Using technical instruments to measure and quantify air molecules emitted from sarcophagi to determine the state of preservation without touching the mummies was like the Holy Grail, Strlič said.

“It tells us potentially what social class a mummy was from and and therefore reveals a lot of information about the mummified body that is relevant not just to conservators, but to curators and archeologists as well,” he said. “We believe that this approach is potentially of huge interest to other types of museum collections.”

Barbara Huber, a postdoctoral researcher at Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology in Germany who was not involved in the study, said the findings provide crucial data on compounds that could preserve or degrade mummified remains. The information could be used to better protect the ancient bodies for future generations.

“However, the research also underscores a key challenge: the smells detected today are not necessarily those from the time of mummification,” Huber said. “Over thousands of years, evaporation, oxidation, and even storage conditions have significantly altered the original scent profile.”

Huber authored a study two years ago that analyzed residue from a jar that had contained mummified organs of a noblewoman to identify embalming ingredients, their origins and what they revealed about trade routes. She then worked with a perfumer to create an interpretation of the embalming scent, known as “Scent of Eternity,” for an exhibition at the Moesgaard Museum in Denmark.

Researchers of the current study hope to do something similar, using their findings to develop “smellscapes” to artificially recreate the scents they detected and enhance the experience for future museumgoers.

“Museums have been called white cubes, where you are prompted to read, to see, to approach everything from a distance with your eyes,” Bembibre said. “Observing the mummified bodies through a glass case reduces the experience because we don’t get to smell them. We don’t get to know about the mummification process in an experiential way, which is one of the ways that we understand and engage with the world.”

[shimmershifts]

I know it’s possible to shift without intending to, but is it possible to shift if you specifically intend NOT to shift? Or shift to a reality you don’t want to shift to? How important is intention when it comes to shifting?

i don't think anybody currently knows what makes us shift, but i do suspect it's not intention (or, at least not intention alone, and intention is not necessarily a required ingredient.) we only really have anecdotal experiences (which are not technically valid evidence in a scientific context) to go off of in terms of what has and hasn't happened with shifting. personally, i have shifted without intending to, and to realities that i didn't want or intend to shift to. i've never specifically intended NOT to shift, so i haven't had the experience of shifting then, but that's no reason to declare it impossible. you can't prove a negative, even if we did have science and evidence.

speaking more as an "ideas guy" so to speak, compare it to something we feel familiar with, like moving your leg. you can intend to move your leg, and then move it, but it's not really the intention itself that made your leg move. it was a complicated series of chemical interactions between molecules, messages transmitted between neurons, a harmony of tendons and muscles and bones that all worked together to move your leg. but a few thousand years ago, humans didn't know any of that. we didn't know about molecules or neurons or how that played into moving legs, so it would be very easy for the humans of that time to simply say "i intended to move my leg, and then it moved. intention and will is what moved my leg." however, there are plenty of cases where intention does not move your leg. what if your spinal cord is severed, and you're paralyzed? then you might intend to move your leg, and nothing happens. what if someone gently bumps a tool against your knee, activating reflexes that move your leg on your behalf, without any intention at all? prior to developing the scientific understanding, tools to collect evidence and methods of analyzing the data, there was no way for humans to say what actually made our legs move. actually, we might currently be wrong about what makes our legs move and get proved wrong at a later date.

the same can be said with shifting: we don't know what makes us shift. but id personally hazard a guess that it's not intention, even if only due to the anecdotal experiences so many people have where intention didn't make them shift, they shifted without intention, or to somewhere they didn't intend.

[covid-safer-hotties]

i really hope this isnt annoying bc im sure youve answered this 300 times by now, i just need something i can show my mom bc she continues to believe covid is just a flu now and refuses to mask when visiting my grandmother in a LONG TERM CARE HOME so...youve said before that covid has aids-like affects on the body, i know about permanent damage it has on the brain and organs, but if you could, could you talk a little more about it, or link me somrthing that goes into details about it? thank you so much for everything that you do. youre a true hero and everything is so appreciated. i hope youre having a great day ❤️

My site is a good place to start. Data Report also runs a forum that is a little less technical. I'm adding more studies and sources of info to my site every day! Check in a couple of times a week to see the latest news and science about covid!

Followers, if you've got anything good to add, reblog this and add your input and/or sign up for the covid archive and add your studies there!

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Dust from asteroid Bennu shows: Building blocks of life and possible habitats were widespread in our solar system

International study analyzes material from asteroid Bennu that was brought to Earth by NASA's OSIRIS-REx space mission

It took two years for NASA’s OSIRIS-REx space probe to return from asteroid Bennu before dropping off a small capsule as it flew past Earth, which was then recovered in the desert of the U.S. state of Utah on September 24, 2023. Its contents: 122 grams of dust and rock from asteroid Bennu. The probe had collected this sample from the surface of the 500-metre agglomerate of unconsolidated material in a touch-and-go maneuver that took just seconds. Since the capsule protected the sample from the effects of the atmosphere, it could be analyzed in its original state by a large team of scientists from more than 40 institutions around the world.

The partners in Germany were geoscientists Dr. Sheri Singerling, Dr. Beverley Tkalcec and Prof. Frank Brenker from Goethe University Frankfurt. They examined barely visible grains of Bennu using the transmission electron microscope of the Schwiete Cosmochemistry Laboratory, set up at Goethe University only a year ago with the support of the Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Foundation, the German Research Foundation and the State of Hesse. Its goal: to reconstruct the processes that took place on Bennu’s protoplanetary parent body more than four billion years ago and ultimately led to the formation of the minerals that exist today. The Frankfurt scientists succeeded in doing this by analyzing the mineral grains’ exact structure and determining their chemical composition at the same time. They also carried out trace element tomography of the samples at accelerators such as DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron) in Hamburg.

“Together with our international partner teams, we have been able to detect a large proportion of the minerals that are formed when salty, liquid water – known as brine – evaporates more and more and the minerals are precipitated in the order of their solubility,” explains Dr. Sheri Singerling, who manages the Schwiete Cosmo Lab. In technical terms, the rocks that form from such precipitation cascades are called evaporites. They have been found on Earth in dried-out salt lakes, for example.

“Other teams have found various precursors of biomolecules such as numerous amino acids in the Bennu samples,” reports Prof. Frank Brenker. “This means that Bennu’s parent body had some known building blocks for biomolecules, water and – at least for a certain time – energy to keep the water liquid.” However, the break-up of Bennu’s parent body interrupted all processes very early on and the traces that have now been discovered were preserved for more than 4.5 billion years.

“Other celestial bodies such as Saturn's moon Enceladus, or the dwarf planet Ceres have been able to evolve since then and are still very likely to have liquid oceans or at least remnants of them under their ice shells,” says Brenker. “Since this means that they have a potential habitat, the search for simple life that could have evolved in such an environment is a focus of future missions and sample studies.”

OSIRIS-REx NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, provided overall mission management, systems engineering, and the safety and mission assurance for OSIRIS-REx. Dante Lauretta of the University of Arizona, Tucson, is the principal investigator. The university leads the science team and the mission’s science observation planning and data processing. Lockheed Martin Space in Littleton, Colorado, built the spacecraft and provided flight operations.

[mass-convergence]

sorry if you've gotten this question before, but would you say meteorology is a good option to pursue in terms of job/school ?

Haven’t gotten this question before actually!

So I’m going to first say: I think that’s kind of a personal decision but I can give you all my experience with it and some broader stuff about meteorology as a career/academic pursuit. And this is from an American perspective. Will talk about the National Weather Service (NWS) a bit so just a little disclaimer that I’m not speaking as an official representative of the agency - this is my personal experience with the job and are my own opinions.

Bottom Line Up Front: I love being a meteorologist and if you’re very into weather, looking for a job that helps people, and/or want to be in a field that’s ever changing - meteorology is great. I won’t dissuade anyone from being a meteorologist.

That being said - it’s also a pretty hard field to get into both with education and then career wise. The job market is very competitive and the private sector and broadcast stuff can be very hit or miss. Pretty much any career will require at least a Bachelor’s Degree and a meteorology degree is like a physics degree on steroids.

And now here’s an entire novel going into specifics, some advice, and probably way too many personal anecdotes.

Education

For pretty much any meteorology job (except for maybe broadcast?) you’re going to need a four year degree from an accredited university. The biggest/most famous universities in the US for that are Penn State (I think they’re more focused on the broadcast met stuff and private companies since Accuweather is based out of Pennsylvania), University of Oklahoma (more research and severe weather oriented but you’ve got the National Weather Center and plenty of opportunities to shadow the SPC and NWS Norman), and Mississippi State (I think they’re focused a lot on broadcast meteorology). However a lot of state schools/universities have meteorology or atmospheric science degrees.

If you’re trying to get a job with the National Weather Service: pay close attention to the classes offered because as of now in June 2025 - if/when the hiring freeze gets lifted - USAJobs is incredibly particular about educational requirements and they look at the class names on your transcript to determine if you meet them. Most meteorology programs should meet the requirements, class names and all, but there are some schools that are weird.

Also I highly suggest either a double major or minoring in another field like Geographic Information Systems/Sciences or Computer Science because the job market is super competitive and those will give you a leg up as well as another career path in case you can’t find a met job. GIS and comp sci mesh very well with meteorology - you do a lot of work with computers and data viz. Not trying to scare anyone off from meteorology but there are not a ton of jobs and there’s a lot of competition.

I’d also highly suggest taking a communications course, especially if you want to go into something more public facing. A lot of jobs involve talking to clients or partners in local government or presenting forecasts to the public. They generally don’t know what a trough or ridge or CAPE or [insert technical term here] are. You need to be able to translate it so the public understands because a forecast is only good if people actually understand what you’re saying.

As for academics: I wont sugarcoat it … it’s hard. You’re basically getting a physics degree. The atmosphere is a fluid and so you’re going to be doing a lot of shit with fluid dynamics and also statistics. Be prepared to do a ton of math, specifically calculus, diff eq, statistics, etc. The meteorology program at U of Oklahoma basically guarantees you a math minor (you just have to take one more class to get it).

I absolutely struggled with the calculus and math parts of my meteorology degree, to the point that I had to repeat my spring semester of Junior year like three times. I also had undiagnosed ADHD and I was stubborn af about asking for help so my experience isn’t by any means typical. Please for the love of god: Ask for help if you need it, most professors will help you and get a good study group. Anyway: most people graduate in 4 or 5 years. Also depending on what career path you go into: You’ll never have to derive equations ever again. The classes are important though for understanding the mechanisms of how the atmosphere works so you’ll definitely use the concepts you’ve learned.

Now that you’ve got a bachelor’s you’ve got a choice whether to continue on to graduate school or try your luck at finding a job. I highly recommend going to graduate school and getting at least a Master’s. Again: It’s a super competitive field and the NWS technically only requires a bachelor’s degree but unless you’ve done a ton of volunteer work with them and participated in their “Pathways” program — you’ll need at least some graduate education. That being said: I never got my Master’s but I did complete two years of grad school and that was good enough to land me a job. Part of the reason I got this job was because of my experience with GIS and interest in fire weather.

Careers

As I mentioned several times already: the job market is very competitive. You’ve got a lot of meteorologists and not a ton of jobs. There are four main sectors you can go into: Academic, public, private, and broadcast.

Academic:

Basically your research roles. These definitely require at least a Master’s degree, PhD would be even better. You’re generally working for a university or the government or some hybrid of the two. I’ve worked in a few research jobs as an undergrad and graduate student. They’re pretty fun. Lots of data crunching or software development (this is definitely a field where a comp sci degree will be very helpful). Sometimes you get to go out into field campaigns like the current one called ICECHIP which is studying hail formation and has the goal of improving radar detection of hail. Just be aware: A lot of these projects are at the whims of government funding. I don’t recommend trying to get into climate research for the next few years if you’re in the US.

Public (I have a lot to say about this so sorry for the wall of text):

I know the most about this as I work in the public sector. So you’ve got a few paths to choose from here with the main ones being emergency management, state government, and federal government (including military). Though with emergency management you’d be better off getting a degree or certification in that since those jobs focus on a lot more than meteorology.

State government: I’m thinking mainly in the western US where they hire meteorologists for wildfire reasons. I know Washington had a meteorology position open with the Dept of Natural Resources a while back. Cal Fire also hires their own meteorologists to work on fire weather stuff. I’m sure states probably hire meteorologists in the southern US for hurricane reasons but I don’t know enough about that to really comment. A lot of states have a state climatologist mainly for agricultural reasons - that position is more through a university rather than an official government role though.

As for federal … as of June 2025 … main jobs here would be with NOAA/NWS, FAA, and the military. Though the USDA - specifically the Forest Service - has meteorologist positions as well. Again: for fire weather and apparently avalanche forecasting.

I’m not biased at all but a meteorologist position with the National Weather Service is like the best job in the meteorology career field in the US. Good job security, pay, benefits, and job satisfaction. I really feel like I’m making a difference and helping people with this job. I love it.

Downsides: work-life balance can be a pain in the ass because NWS offices are staffed 24/7/365, burn out, and also you wouldn’t think this job would be traumatizing but it definitely can be. For the work-life balance … you’ll be doing rotating shift work which basically means one week you could be working day shift, another week you could be working evenings, and the next week you could be on overnights (or mids as we call it). There’s no “night shift” position like you’d find in the medical field for instance. It can take a toll on your mental and physical health.

Burnout… yeah … especially now. Without getting too into it: It’s not much of a secret that this agency has been chronically understaffed and underfunded for the past like decade. Even before this year there were some offices that were getting to the point that they couldn’t maintain 24 hour operations. It’s only gotten worse in the past few months but there are some indications that things are taking a turn for the better and hopefully that trend continues.

As for the potentially traumatizing deal. The NWS is in charge of issuing severe weather warnings, including tornado warnings. These offices are also local so the staff usually lives in the area that’s impacted. And they handle damage surveys. It can kind of fuck you up if you’re on shift during a major severe weather outbreak and tornadoes are touching down and you’re getting reports of communities being destroyed, people being injured or killed, and people on social media can be absolute dicks to you about it as if it’s your fault a tornado killed a bunch of people. I describe my experience with issuing warnings and stuff as screaming into a void and hoping people listen and heed the warnings. But whether or not people actually do and whether or not a storm hurts or kills someone is completely out of my hands. It’s not like you’re a doctor or firefighter where you’re like actually doing something directly to save a life and you know you’ve saved a life. However, actually ending up in a situation with a huge tornado outbreak or hurricane is very location dependent (offices in the southeastern US have it the worst tbh). Some people go most of their careers not dealing with that stuff but it’s something to keep in mind.

That being said: I love working here. My office is super great and we get along well. I may be super burnt out right now but I do feel like I’m making a real difference and helping people and saving lives. You sometimes get that one person who calls or finds out where you work and you get a story about how a warning or forecast your office issued helped them personally. Also every shift is different, it’s not the same 9-5 humdrum office job. It’s not always fast paced but severe weather operations does get the adrenaline going and is honestly my favorite part of the job. You also get to wear many hats. You’re forecasting for everything … aviation, severe weather, fire weather, flooding, winter weather, heatwaves, etc. You’re also collaborating with local and state governments as well as other federal agencies. You launch weather balloons and take phone calls from the public. It’s a wide range of job duties and it keeps things interesting. Seriously I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Anyway, 10/10, highly recommend getting a job with the NWS if you live in the states. Even with the current shit going on.

I know fuck all about the military but yeah the US Air Force has meteorology positions. There are civilian positions but you can also enlist and go through basic training or do ROTC in college. There are forecasting positions for the air bases with a lot of aviation forecasting. Also there are the hurricane hunters. Aside from the Air Force I’m pretty sure the Navy and Army also have their own meteorology positions. NOAA has its own uniformed service known as NOAA Corps. They run research vessels and their own Hurricane Hunter aircraft. They also support the Coast Guard and Merchant Marine.

Private Sector:

These are your insurance agencies, airlines, consulting companies, AccuWeather, utilities, etc.

If you go this route, please do your research on the company you’re interested in because it can be hit or miss. I interviewed at a place where the starting salary was $40k … the job was in San Jose, CA. Literally they asked me how I’d handle a $40k a year salary given the location (not sure if this was some weird “sell yourself”/negotiating thing but whatever it was, it was a huge red flag). I mean I probably could have found a nice bridge to live under until I got a raise.

Accuweather is probably the largest private sector meteorology company and that’s all I’ll say on that. There are also companies like CoreLogic which deal with insurance stuff. Private sector work definitely goes more into contracting with other companies and issuing private forecasts. They can get hired out to events like concerts (the NWS has to be requested by local or state government, it can’t be “hired” by a private event).

Airlines tend to have their own aviation meteorologists on staff for flight planning purposes. And some larger electrical utility companies have dedicated meteorology positions rather than contracting out to a private company.

Main advice here is to get a good network going while in college. Diversify your resume and really make sure you’re getting experience and education in a second field like computer science or GIS and not just strictly meteorology. Keep your social media accounts very very tame. Reach out to companies. You know … Basic job advice stuff.

Broadcast:

This can be super duper hit or miss depending on the TV market. Larger markets will pay well but you’ll probably not get a job like that immediately. I’ve seen TV stations in smaller markets offering positions at like $20-30k per year. Plus this is probably the most public facing role out of all the jobs and you’ve got to be prepared for that.

(Not really) honorable mention for storm chasing — it’s not a valid or sustainable career path. There are approximately one-shit-zillion storm chasers with YouTube channels out there and everyone’s got a gimmick. People are doing stupider and stupider shit to stand out and putting themselves and others in danger. It’s a fun hobby and you can potentially make some money off of it but there’s no such thing as a “professional storm chaser” and I stand by this. If you want to stream to YouTube or sell photos or whatever — fine. But the second you hinge your livelihood on storm chasing, I believe that can influence reckless decisions because you’re now focused on making money and content instead of chasing storms.

TL;DR (I don’t blame you; I rambled):

You’ll definitely need bachelor’s degree

You’ll very likely need a graduate degree

Be prepared to do a lot of math and physics

The job market is very competitive

You’ll most likely be working at a university, for the government, or at a news station

The NWS is the GOAT of meteorology jobs in the US (my 100% unbiased opinion)

It can be a super rewarding career path because you get to help people and also every day is different

“Professional storm chaser” is not a thing, please do not try to become one.

[xaltius]

Unlocking the Power of Data: Essential Skills to Become a Data Scientist

In today's data-driven world, the demand for skilled data scientists is skyrocketing. These professionals are the key to transforming raw information into actionable insights, driving innovation and shaping business strategies. But what exactly does it take to become a data scientist? It's a multidisciplinary field, requiring a unique blend of technical prowess and analytical thinking. Let's break down the essential skills you'll need to embark on this exciting career path.

1. Strong Mathematical and Statistical Foundation:

At the heart of data science lies a deep understanding of mathematics and statistics. You'll need to grasp concepts like:

Linear Algebra and Calculus: Essential for understanding machine learning algorithms and optimizing models.

Probability and Statistics: Crucial for data analysis, hypothesis testing, and drawing meaningful conclusions from data.

2. Programming Proficiency (Python and/or R):

Data scientists are fluent in at least one, if not both, of the dominant programming languages in the field:

Python: Known for its readability and extensive libraries like Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, and TensorFlow, making it ideal for data manipulation, analysis, and machine learning.

R: Specifically designed for statistical computing and graphics, R offers a rich ecosystem of packages for statistical modeling and visualization.

3. Data Wrangling and Preprocessing Skills:

Raw data is rarely clean and ready for analysis. A significant portion of a data scientist's time is spent on:

Data Cleaning: Handling missing values, outliers, and inconsistencies.

Data Transformation: Reshaping, merging, and aggregating data.

Feature Engineering: Creating new features from existing data to improve model performance.

4. Expertise in Databases and SQL:

Data often resides in databases. Proficiency in SQL (Structured Query Language) is essential for:

Extracting Data: Querying and retrieving data from various database systems.

Data Manipulation: Filtering, joining, and aggregating data within databases.

5. Machine Learning Mastery:

Machine learning is a core component of data science, enabling you to build models that learn from data and make predictions or classifications. Key areas include:

Supervised Learning: Regression, classification algorithms.

Unsupervised Learning: Clustering, dimensionality reduction.

Model Selection and Evaluation: Choosing the right algorithms and assessing their performance.

6. Data Visualization and Communication Skills:

Being able to effectively communicate your findings is just as important as the analysis itself. You'll need to:

Visualize Data: Create compelling charts and graphs to explore patterns and insights using libraries like Matplotlib, Seaborn (Python), or ggplot2 (R).

Tell Data Stories: Present your findings in a clear and concise manner that resonates with both technical and non-technical audiences.

7. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Abilities:

Data scientists are essentially problem solvers. You need to be able to:

Define Business Problems: Translate business challenges into data science questions.

Develop Analytical Frameworks: Structure your approach to solve complex problems.

Interpret Results: Draw meaningful conclusions and translate them into actionable recommendations.

8. Domain Knowledge (Optional but Highly Beneficial):

Having expertise in the specific industry or domain you're working in can give you a significant advantage. It helps you understand the context of the data and formulate more relevant questions.

9. Curiosity and a Growth Mindset:

The field of data science is constantly evolving. A genuine curiosity and a willingness to learn new technologies and techniques are crucial for long-term success.

10. Strong Communication and Collaboration Skills:

Data scientists often work in teams and need to collaborate effectively with engineers, business stakeholders, and other experts.

Kickstart Your Data Science Journey with Xaltius Academy's Data Science and AI Program:

Acquiring these skills can seem like a daunting task, but structured learning programs can provide a clear and effective path. Xaltius Academy's Data Science and AI Program is designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and practical experience to become a successful data scientist.

Key benefits of the program:

Comprehensive Curriculum: Covers all the core skills mentioned above, from foundational mathematics to advanced machine learning techniques.

Hands-on Projects: Provides practical experience working with real-world datasets and building a strong portfolio.

Expert Instructors: Learn from industry professionals with years of experience in data science and AI.

Career Support: Offers guidance and resources to help you launch your data science career.

Becoming a data scientist is a rewarding journey that blends technical expertise with analytical thinking. By focusing on developing these key skills and leveraging resources like Xaltius Academy's program, you can position yourself for a successful and impactful career in this in-demand field. The power of data is waiting to be unlocked – are you ready to take the challenge?

[mitvpusolapur]

Top B.Tech Courses in Maharashtra – CSE, AI, IT, and ECE Compared

B.Tech courses continue to attract students across India, and Maharashtra remains one of the most preferred states for higher technical education. From metro cities to emerging academic hubs like Solapur, students get access to diverse courses and skilled faculty. Among all available options, four major branches stand out: Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information Technology (IT), and Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE).

Each of these streams offers a different learning path. B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering focuses on coding, algorithms, and system design. Students learn Python, Java, data structures, software engineering, and database systems. These skills are relevant for software companies, startups, and IT consulting.

B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence covers deep learning, neural networks, data processing, and computer vision. Students work on real-world problems using AI models. They also learn about ethical AI practices and automation systems. Companies hiring AI talent are in healthcare, retail, fintech, and manufacturing.

B.Tech in IT trains students in systems administration, networking, cloud computing, and application services. Graduates often work in system support, IT infrastructure, and data management. IT blends technical and management skills for enterprise use.

B.Tech ECE is for students who enjoy working with circuits, embedded systems, mobile communication, robotics, and signal processing. This stream is useful for telecom companies, consumer electronics, and control systems in industries.

Key Differences Between These B.Tech Programs:

CSE is programming-intensive. IT includes applications and system-level operations.

AI goes deeper into data modeling and pattern recognition.

ECE focuses more on hardware, communication, and embedded tech.

AI and CSE overlap, but AI involves more research-based learning.

How to Choose the Right B.Tech Specialization:

Ask yourself what excites you: coding, logic, data, devices, or systems.

Look for colleges with labs, project-based learning, and internship support.

Talk to seniors or alumni to understand real-life learning and placements.

Explore industry demand and long-term growth in each field.

MIT Vishwaprayag University, Solapur, offers all four B.Tech programs with updated syllabi, modern infrastructure, and practical training. Students work on live projects, participate in competitions, and build career skills through soft skills training. The university also encourages innovation and startup thinking.

Choosing the right course depends on interest and learning style. CSE and AI suit tech lovers who like coding and research. ECE is great for those who enjoy building real-world devices. IT fits students who want to blend business with technology.

Take time to explore the subjects and talk to faculty before selecting a stream. Your B.Tech journey shapes your future, so make an informed choice.

[worldwideinvestigationservices]

Unlocking Mysteries: How Forensic Biology & Serology Solve Crimes

In the corners that have not been explored, that's where you find the answers, which you may be looking for. From the set of fields Forensic Biology & Serology forensic science which took a couple of years to evolve, has today undoubtedly given to investigators methods, which they could easily and very precisely be sure of. Bio and Serology are the areas of the criminalistics science, which concern not only with the answer to the questions of where and when but also with the so-called "who." The world has witnessed the incidence of the wrong people being jailed or their executions just because of wrongful conviction, which only high-quality forensic evidence-based justice systems can help avoid.

This article will explain to you the process by which Forensic Biology and Serology combine their efforts to clarify the situation, using the usual real-life procedures that are also easy to grasp for beginners who are not educated in forensic science.

What is Forensic Biology & Serology?

The term Forensic Biology & Serology relates to the scientific study of biological evidence used in criminal investigations.

Bio forensics is the branch of the science of forensics that deals with the identification of the DNA, cells, tissues, bones, and hair of the individuals who are the possible perpetrators or victims of a crime.

Serology applies to us finding the source of a stain such as blood, saliva, or semen.

When a crime is committed, there is usually potential evidence at the scene. The expertise of the analyst in the use of Serology and Forensic Biology can reveal who was the victim of the crime, identify culprits, and in the process, they can also prove the innocence of some of the victims. The technological advancement of the crime scene investigation domain has led to, for example, micro quantities of biological material being beneficial to the investigation.

Thanks to the modern developments in forensic science, skin cells, tiny traces of blood, etc., that used to be impossible to get prints, are now potential sources of evidence that can be used in an investigation.

If you've lost ransomware data, recovering it can be a challenging process, but there are strategies to help. First, ensure that the infected system is isolated to avoid further damage. Utilize backups to restore your files, or reach out to professionals who may offer decryption tools. In complex cases, you may need to apply forensic techniques to track down traces of compromised data. Forensic Biology & Serology methods, while traditionally used in criminal investigations, can sometimes be adapted to analyze digital evidence and identify the origin or alteration of files, helping you recover lost data securely.

How Forensic Biology Aids in Criminal Investigations

In most cases, the invisible that can solve the mystery to itself can indeed be seen through the use of a microscope. Forensic Biology and Serological research can bring out those hidden traces of evidence.

DNA Profiling: A Mute Testimony

DNA is one of the biggest game-changers in the domain of crime investigation. Each individual possesses a unique set of genes and by employing contemporary methodologies, DNA technology can take DNA samples from extremely inconspicuous sources such as a hair, or some saliva, for example.

According to the domain of Biology and Serology in Forensics, DNA profiling is like unimpeachable evidence, which, however, is exclusively based on science. If it's a case of convict to evidence relation or alienating suspects, DNA has become one of the most effective forensic evidence due to its reliability.

Instances when DNA obtained from deteriorated samples can still be used for identification and in the pursuit of justice, even some decades after a crime has taken place are the results of these technical advances.

Biological Traces Detection

A lot of times, pieces of evidence are not visible to the naked eye. Crime scene units who are engaged in the field of Forensic Science: Biology & Serology with the use of chemicals, nature light, and microscopic studies, can retrieve latent biological elements.

Tools such as flushing, an example of blood on a washed territory, or fine saliva droplets can be detected through the use of these devices ensuring that there will be no traces that can be ignored and in the end could be crucial to being missed out.

The Importance of Serology in Crime-Solving

While Forensic Biology delves into DNA and cellular structures, Serology is a source of the valuable information that helps in solving crimes.

Blood Typing and Pattern Analysis

If DNA testing is not possible or gives an inconclusive result, blood typing can still be informative in finding a solution to the case.

The examination of the blood can give information on many points, for example, a struggle, or what direction the blow was delivered, etc.

People, skilled in Serological and Biological Forensics are capable to understand the patterns and provide the necessary information that can positively or negatively corroborate a witness's words.

Identifying Bodily Fluids

In investigation of sexual assaults and physical aggressions, finding out the presence of bodily fluids and their type are important matters.

The respective domain of Forensic Serology and Biology carries out the necessary testing to detect the sexual assault, namely the presence of sperm, vaginal secretions as well as the saliva and be sure about the perpetrated crime.

Through the analysis of these fluids, the time and areas of contact between different individuals are established, thereby the investigation is further supported in regard to the integrity.

Real-World Impact: Success Stories from Forensic Biology & Serology

Through the careful use of Biological and Serological Forensic Analysis, many cases have been solved in a methodical way over the years.

Here are a few cases:

Solving Cold Cases: Once with no evidence, these were cases left to be forgotten and abandoned, now they are minutely reopened. Old biological samples, that have been kept for years, are re-examined by modern methods which leads to the detection and conviction of unknown suspects.

Exonerating the Innocent: The analysis done in the projects at Forensic Biology and Serology has been a factor in correcting mistakes that were made in the past and that have wrongfully accused a certain party, thus, upholding the belief that forensic science is not just about guilt or innocence, but also the truth.

Such true-to-life examples underline the importance of forensic science as a foundation for criminal justice in today's world.

Building a Career in Forensic Biology & Serology

For those who find fascination in science and justice, following a career in Forensic Biology & Serology can be a very meaningful and exciting path.

Specialists are in demand for the various roles such as:

Forensic Biologists: They are the professionals who are responsible for the examination of the tissue, DNA, and cellular material that are collected in laboratory operations.

Forensic Serologists: They are the individuals in the field of forensic science that are specialized in recognizing and studying the body fluids found at a crime scene.

Crime Scene Technicians: These are field experts who are responsible for collecting and preserving biological evidence. 

Conclusion: Science and Justice Move as One

With the help of some of the forensic branches like Forensic DNA & Serology, precision and science that exists through the latter, secrets are revealed, and justice is reached with a fervour

The rising technologies besides the one mentioned above, are proving the competences of forensic experts, that they are faster, more accurate and are making it difficult for the offenders to be hidden.

Every little drop of blood or exiguous DNA segment can really bring on some implications, and at last, through science, that is making the real difference is being exposed.

[craigshapiro]

2025 Predictions: Disruption, M&A, and Cultural Shifts

1. NVIDIA’s Stock Faces a Correction

After years of market dominance driven by AI and compute demand, investor expectations will become unsustainable. A modest setback—whether technical, regulatory, or competitive—will trigger a wave of profit-taking and portfolio rebalancing among institutional investors, ending the year with NVIDIA’s stock below its January 2025 price.

2. OpenAI Launches a Consumer Suite to Rival Google

OpenAI will aggressively debut “Omail,” “Omaps,” and other consumer products, subsidizing adoption with cash incentives (e.g., $50/year for Omail users). The goal: capture original user-generated data to train models while undercutting Google’s monetization playbook. Gen Z, indifferent to legacy tech brands, will flock to OpenAI’s clean, ad-light alternatives.

3. Rivian Gains Momentum as Tesla’s Talent Exodus Begins

Despite fading EV subsidies, Rivian becomes a credible challenger as Tesla grapples with defections. Senior Tesla executives—disillusioned with Elon Musk’s polarizing brand—will migrate to Rivian, accelerating its R&D and operational maturity. By late 2025, Rivian’s roadmap hints at long-term disruption, though Tesla’s scale remains unmatched.

4. Ethereum and Vitalik Surge to New Heights

Ethereum solidifies its role as crypto’s foundational layer, driven by institutional DeFi adoption and regulatory clarity. Vitalik Buterin transcends “crypto-founder” status, becoming a global thought leader on digital governance and AI ethics. His influence cements ETH’s position as the “defacto choice” of decentralized ecosystems.

5. Amazon Acquires Anthropic in a $30B AI Play

Amazon, needing cutting-edge AI to compete with Microsoft/OpenAI and Google, buys Anthropic but preserves its independence (a la Zappos). Anthropic’s “long-term governance” model becomes a differentiator, enabling multi-decade AI safety research while feeding Amazon’s commercial ambitions.

6. Netflix Buys Scopely to Dominate Interactive Entertainment

With streaming growth plateauing, Netflix doubles down on gaming. The $10B Scopely acquisition adds hit mobile titles (Star Trek Fleet Command, Marvel Strike Force) to its portfolio, creating a subscription gaming bundle that meshes with its IP-driven content engine.

7. Amazon + Equinox + Whole Foods = Wellness Ecosystems

Amazon merges Equinox’s luxury fitness brand with Whole Foods’ footprint, launching “Whole Life” hubs: members work out, sauna, grab chef-prepared meals at the hot bar, and shop for groceries—all under one subscription.

8. Professional Sports Become the Ultimate Cultural Currency

Athletes supplant Hollywood stars as cultural icons, with leagues monetizing 24/7 fandom via microtransactions (NFT highlights, AI-personalized broadcasts). Even as streaming fragments TV rights, live sports’ monopoly on real-time attention fuels record valuations.

9. Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Goes Mainstream

Dismissed as a biohacking meme in 2023, Blueprint pivots from $1,000/month “vampire face cream” to a science-backed longevity brand. Partnering with retail giants, it dominates the $50B supplement market and other longevity products (hair loss, ED, etc).

10. Jayden Daniels Redefines QB Training with Neurotech

The Commanders’ rookie stuns the NFL with pre-snap precision honed via AR/VR simulations that accelerate cognitive processing. His startup JaydenVision, licenses the tech to the league—making “brain reps” as routine as weightlifting by 2026.

*BONUS*

11. YouTube Spins Out, Dwarfing Google’s Valuation

Alphabet spins off YouTube into a standalone public company. Unleashed from Google’s baggage, YouTube capitalizes on its creator economy, shoppable videos, and AI-driven content tools. Its market cap surpasses $1.5T—eclipsing Google’s core search business.

[eelhound]

"At the basis of the contemporary obsessions with so-called ‘Big Data’ lies the double ontological assumption that: (1) the language of information technology is capable of grasping the whole of the existent; (2) more extremely, the whole of the existent coincides with the reach of the language of information technology. The record-shattering investments in Big-Data systems and technology rest on the belief that there can’t possibly be anything ontologically relevant that couldn’t, at least potentially, be reduced (and reduced truthfully) to the serial units of the language of data.

Similarly, through substituting the terms ‘information technology’ with ‘finance’, we  can understand the contemporary role played by financial capitalism, not merely as a translator of the world into its own linguistic structure, but as the creator of a world that coincides exactly with such structure. Financial capital does not apply value to preexisting things, let alone merely translating them into its own linguistic system of evaluation; conversely, it is the world (or whatever is left of it, tolerated only in its most larval state) that is expected to mobilize itself according to the grid of finance, if it wishes to be allowed within the gates of presence that finance so closely guards.

And again, we find the same process at work if we observe a number of hegemonic strands of contemporary science, particularly in its ‘practical’ articulations such as those belonging to the field of neuroscience. Neuroscientific language presents itself as valid and trustworthy, because: (1) it can at least potentially grasp in an exhaustive fashion the whole of the object of its research; (2) more extremely, there is no emotion, feeling, thought-process and so on, apart from those that are already contained, however potentially, within the linguistic system of neuroscience itself.

Functioning as a form of scientific sentimentalism, neuroscientific metaphysics claims that mental processes that can’t even potentially fit within its language are nothing but mere fantasies or superstitions. Equally, this same process applies to the ontological discourse of citizenship: in the current post/anti-humanist age, citizenship isn’t predicated of a person, but rather personhood becomes an implicit benefit of citizenship status. Following Technic’s rejection of the very notions of life and death, as discussed above, the already abysmal ‘bare life’ that used to apply to stateless people, now resolves into a vanishing of presence towards absolute ontological nothingness.

As the recent debate on migration and asylum amply demonstrates, whatever falls out of citizenship’s linguistic series falls entirely out of the world. And again, the same is true of identity more generally, as suggested by the recent, obsessive proliferation of categories of identity, most noticeably in the fields of gender and sexuality. Whatever aspect of a living person refuses or is unable to be totally reduced to a set of serial units of language (a case of ontological refusal), or into the specific linguistic series that are at work in a particular society (a case of historical refusal), is instantly stripped of any legitimate claim to presence in the world.

While absolute existence lies beyond the grasp of any form of societal control, presence in the world in the age of Technic becomes the prime object of production and of policing."

- Federico Campagna, from Technic and Magic: The Reconstruction of Reality, 2018.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Mike Luckovich

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

May 8, 2024

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

MAY 09, 2024

Today, in Racine, Wisconsin, President Joe Biden announced that Microsoft is investing $3.3 billion dollars to build a new data center that will help operate one of the most powerful artificial intelligence systems in the world. It is expected to create 2,300 union construction jobs and employ 2,000 permanent workers. 

Microsoft has also partnered with Gateway Technical College to train and certify 200 students a year to fill new jobs in data and information technology. In addition, Microsoft is working with nearby high schools to train students for future jobs. 

Speaking at Gateway Technical College’s Racine campus, Biden contrasted today’s investment with that made by Trump about the same site in 2018. In that year, Trump went to Wisconsin for the “groundbreaking” of a high-tech campus he claimed would be the “eighth wonder of the world.” 

Under Republican governor Scott Walker, Wisconsin legislators approved a $3 billion subsidy and tax incentive package—ten times larger than any similar previous package in the state—to lure the Taiwan-based Foxconn electronics company. Once built, a new $10 billion campus that would focus on building large liquid-crystal display screens would bring 13,000 jobs to the area, they promised. 

Foxconn built a number of buildings, but the larger plan never materialized, even after taxpayers had been locked into contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars for upgrading roads, sewer system, electricity, and so on. When voters elected Democrat Tony Evers as governor in 2022, he dropped the tax incentives from $3 billion to $80 million, which depended on the hiring of only 1,454 workers, reflecting the corporation’s current plans. Foxconn dropped its capital investment from $10 billion to $672.8 million.  

In November 2023, Microsoft announced it was buying some of the Foxconn properties in Wisconsin.

Today, Biden noted that rather than bringing jobs to Racine, Trump’s policies meant the city lost 1,000 manufacturing jobs during his term. Wisconsin as a whole lost 83,500. “Racine was once a manufacturing boomtown,” Biden recalled, “all the way through the 1960s, powering companies—invented and manufacturing Windex…portable vacuum cleaners, and so much more, and powered by middle-class jobs.

“And then came trickle-down economics [which] cut taxes for the very wealthy and biggest corporations…. We shipped American jobs overseas because labor was cheaper. We slashed public investment in education and innovation. And the result: We hollowed out the middle class. My predecessor and his administration doubled down on that failed trickle-down economics, along with the [trail] of broken promises.” 

“But that’s not on my watch,” Biden said. “We’re determined to turn it around.” He noted that thanks to the Democrats’ policies, in the past three years, Racine has added nearly 4,000 jobs—hitting a record low unemployment rate—and Wisconsin as a whole has gained 178,000 new jobs. 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act have fueled “a historic boom in rebuilding our roads and bridges, developing and deploying clean energy, [and] revitalizing American manufacturing,” he said. That investment has attracted $866 billion in private-sector investment across the country, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs “building new semiconductor factories, electric vehicles and battery factories…here in America.” 

The Biden administration has been scrupulous about making sure that money from the funds appropriated to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure and manufacturing base has gone to Republican-dominated districts; indeed, Republican-dominated states have gotten the bulk of those investments. “President Biden promised to be the president of all Americans—whether you voted for him or not. And that’s what this agenda is delivering,” White House deputy chief of staff Natalie Quillian told Matt Egan of CNN in February. 

But there is, perhaps, a deeper national strategy behind that investment. Political philosophers studying the rise of authoritarianism note that strongmen rise by appealing to a population that has been dispossessed economically or otherwise. By bringing jobs back to those regions that have lost them over the past several decades and promising “the great comeback story all across…the entire country,” as he did today, Biden is striking at that sense of alienation.

“When folks see a new factory being built here in Wisconsin, people going to work making a really good wage in their hometowns, I hope they feel the pride that I feel,” Biden said. “Pride in their hometowns making a comeback. Pride in knowing we can get big things done in America still.” 

That approach might be gaining traction. Last Friday, when Trump warned the audience of Fox 2 Detroit television that President’s Biden’s policies would cost jobs in Michigan, local host Roop Raj provided a “reality check,” noting that Michigan gained 24,000 jobs between January 2021, when Biden took office, and May 2023.

At Gateway Technical College, Biden thanked Wisconsin governor Tony Evers and Racine mayor Cory Mason, both Democrats, as well as Microsoft president Brad Smith and AFL-CIO president Liz Schuler.

The picture of Wisconsin state officials working with business and labor leaders, at a public college established in 1911, was an image straight from the Progressive Era, when the state was the birthplace of the so-called Wisconsin Idea. In the earliest years of the twentieth century, when the country reeled under industrial monopolies and labor strikes, Wisconsin governor Robert “Fighting Bob” La Follette and his colleagues advanced the idea that professors, lawmakers, and officials should work together to provide technical expertise to enable the state to mediate a fair relationship between workers and employers. 

In his introduction to the 1912 book explaining the Wisconsin Idea, former president Theodore Roosevelt, a Republican, explained that the Wisconsin Idea turned the ideas of reformers into a workable plan, then set out to put those ideas into practice. Roosevelt approvingly quoted economist Simon Patten, who maintained that the world had adequate resources to feed, clothe, and educate everyone, if only people cared to achieve that end. Quoting Patten, Roosevelt wrote: “The real idealist is a pragmatist and an economist. He demands measurable results and reaches them by means made available by economic efficiency. Only in this way is social progress possible.”

Reformers must be able to envision a better future, Roosevelt wrote, but they must also find a way to turn those ideals into reality. That involved careful study and hard work to develop the machinery to achieve their ends. 

Roosevelt compared people engaged in progressive reform to “that greatest of all democratic reformers, Abraham Lincoln.” Like Lincoln, he wrote, reformers “will be assailed on the one side by the reactionary, and on the other by that type of bubble reformer who is only anxious to go to extremes, and who always gets angry when he is asked what practical results he can show.” “[T]he true reformer,” Roosevelt wrote, “must study hard and work patiently.” 

“It is no easy matter actually to insure, instead of merely talking about, a measurable equality of opportunity for all men,” Roosevelt wrote. “It is no easy matter to make this Republic genuinely an industrial as well as a political democracy. It is no easy matter to secure justice for those who in the past have not received it, and at the same time to see that no injustice is meted out to others in the process. It is no easy matter to keep the balance level and make it evident that we have set our faces like flint against seeing this government turned into either government by a plutocracy, or government by a mob. It is no easy matter to give the public their proper control over corporations and big business, and yet to prevent abuse of that control.”

“All through the Union we need to learn the Wisconsin lesson,” Roosevelt wrote in 1912.

“We’re the United States of America,” President Biden said today, “And there’s nothing beyond our capacity when we work together.”

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[aimerscomputer]

Diploma in Computer Application

A Diploma in Computer Application (DCA) is a popular short-term course that offers a solid foundation in computer fundamentals and applications. It's designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills to work in various IT-related roles.

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Foundation for Further Studies: A DCA can serve as a stepping stone for higher education in computer science, information technology, or related fields.

Core Subjects in a DCA Course

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Operating Systems: Understanding and using various operating systems like Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

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Database Management Systems: Introduction to database concepts and SQL.

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How to Choose a Good DCA Institute

When selecting a DCA institute, consider the following factors:

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By pursuing a Diploma in Computer Application, you can enhance your digital literacy, boost your career prospects, and stay relevant in the ever-evolving technological landscape.

[transmutationisms]

Can you longpost on epigenetics? I get that it's thorny ground wrt the medical field, but I study plants (though I'm also learning connections between botany, racism, and empire). Gene expression is the hot thing for horticulturists atm. I got the canon "history of genetics" in college, & read Mayr's "One Long Argument." I even read Lysenko critiquing Morgan, and I thought "he's almost describing epigenetics (and that's a good thing)!" Are there contemporary alternatives to epigenetic models?

like, alternatives for what application or explanatory potential? when i talk about epigenetics i'm making basically two critiques:

methodological—it's far more difficult than most people estimate to actually identify a list of differentially expressed genes (you need lots of samples, which is a tremendous amount of data; results vary based on the parameters you give the computer for where to differentiate one discrete gene from the next; many DEGs will only 'differentiate' at fairly low rates); even if you do manage to come up with a list of DEGs you're highly confident in, it's incredibly hard to identify what most of these genes actually do in the organism (genes seldom work alone, but express in the context of other genes and biochemical cascades; hierarchical gene ontologies are plagued by high degrees of uncertainty and are a bitch and a half to make; text mining solutions are worse; all of this is hampered by linguistic and financial barriers that make it difficult to share research); even if you by some miracle have identified strongly expressed DEGs and also know with confidence what they do, altering their expression, eg through up- or down-regulation, is also incredibly difficult (like, no we can't just whip up a pharmacological or biological agent for this most of the time lol) and can have unintended effects on other genes or biological processes. so, the lofty promises of epigenetics as a field are usually pretty fucking far from materialising into anything concretely useful or beneficial;

historical—people who claim that epigenetics is an inherently liberatory science (i think i talked about this wrt catherine malabou, though she's far from the only person to make this claim) are ignorant, wilfully or not, of the past and present relationship between epigenetics, theories of environmental influence, and eugenics (in this context sometimes called euthenics—bad term), and the biopolitical efforts to control and improve populations through management of their surroundings. these run the gamut from efforts predating the science of genetics (1790s french revolutionaries trying to create an ordered and productive citizenry by controlling the nation's sensory inputs and the social environment) to discourses situated between contested uses of the term 'natural selection' & the later 'modern synthesis' of evolution & genetics (1892 charlotte perkins gilman's 'the yellow wallpaper', in which a degenerative madness arises from prolonged exposure to insalubrious environmental surroundings) to later efforts relying more on the scientific prestige of technical genetic language (late 20th century onward attempts to make the 'thrifty gene' hypothesis into an epigenome of 'obesity' that therefore implies a future ability to eliminate fatness). the bottom line here is that the idea of biological malleability is not inherently liberatory and can and does support eugenic arguments; we can't rely on nature or biology to ground or justify our political positions, and science is produced and wielded by humans who place it in our own ideological and political epistemologies.

my argument is not & never has been that gene expression doesn't vary; it is pretty well established at this point that it does: between individuals, between environmental conditions, over one individual's lifetime; as a result of chronic & acute illness; etc. what we do with that information, though, is politically weighted as much as anything else; notions of biological 'improvement' are never neutral (this goes for plants as much as animals; think about agricultural reform & technologies, the use of plant breeding treatises to inform human eugenic discourses, & so forth); and anyway, again, knowing that gene expression varies and changes doesn't mean we automatically have concrete & certain information about this or that gene, how it functions, & what its differential expression means for an organism or population.

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

More than 10,000 supernovae counted in stellar census

Since 2018 the Zwicky Transient Facility, an international astronomical collaboration based at the Palomar Observatory in California, has scanned the entire sky every two to three nights. As part of this mission, the ZTF's Bright Transient Survey has been counting and cataloging supernovae—flashes of light in the sky that are the telltale signs of stars dying in spectacular explosions.

On Dec. 4, ZTF researchers—including astronomers at the University of Washington—announced that they have identified more than 10,000 of these stellar events, the largest number ever identified by an astronomical survey.

"There are trillions of stars in the universe, and about every second, one of them explodes," said Christoffer Fremling, an astronomer at Caltech who leads the Bright Transient Survey. "ZTF detects hundreds of these explosions per night and a handful are then confirmed as supernovae. Systematically doing this for seven years has led to the most complete record of confirmed supernovae to date."

The Bright Transient Survey is currently the primary discovery pipeline for cosmic flashes—also known as astronomical transients—in the world. To determine which transients are supernovae, ZTF shares a stream of nightly transient detections with the wider astronomical community so that other telescopes around the world can conduct follow-up observations of candidate transients.

This includes conducting a spectral analysis, in which instruments on observatory telescopes split the light from a transient object into its individual colors to reveal its distance from Earth and other properties.

"Classifying 10,000 supernovae is a tremendous achievement and will enable unprecedented scientific studies of explosive transients," said ZTF team member Eric Bellm, a UW research associate professor of astronomy and scientist with the UW's DiRAC Institute. "Reaching this milestone required careful technical work on scheduling and processing the ZTF discovery images, human and machine vetting of the alerts and obtaining timely follow-up spectra."

For the Bright Transient Survey, a 60-megapixel wide-field camera mounted on Palomar's Samuel Oschin telescope scanned the entire visible sky every two nights. To detect new astronomical events, astronomers subtracted images of the same portion of the sky from subsequent scans. Next, members of the ZTF team studied the subtracted images and triggered follow-up spectral observations by a second telescope at Palomar or other observatories.

Bellm, UW research scientist Melissa Graham and Mario Jurić, UW professor of astronomy and director of the DiRAC Institute, all contributed to the Bright Transient Survey. Bellm managed alerts of new transients and scheduled imaging for the survey. Jurić helped set up the ZTF's automated system to alert team members around the world of new transients.

Developing automated analysis pipelines and alert systems are critical for the field as more powerful imaging technologies and new generations of observatories continue to transform astronomy into a "big data" endeavor. Fritz Zwicky, a 20th century astronomer who first coined the term "supernova," identified 120 supernovae in 52 years. The Bright Transient Survey by the ZTF—named for Zwicky—found 10,000 in a fraction of that time.

"The Bright Transient Survey program serves as an exemplar for the kinds of science we hope to do with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in the near future," said Bellm.

Under construction in Chile, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory is the future home of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, or LSST, a mission that will take deep images of the sky nightly and detect even more cosmic transients than ZTF. UW scientists with the DiRAC Institute have been heavily involved in planning for the launch of the LSST. Collaborations like the ZTF have been a proving ground for developing and testing methods for use in the LSST.

For the Bright Transient Survey, Graham conducted follow-up spectral analyses of transients at Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico. These efforts were especially valuable in catching some of the fainter, fading supernovae that would have been missed at Palomar.

"As UW astronomers, we are so fortunate to have access to the Apache Point Observatory for our research," said Graham. "One of the most impactful—and fun—parts of obtaining optical spectra is being surprised by rare transients with peculiar characteristics, which often reveal more about supernova physics than hundreds of ordinary objects. Figuring out how to do this work with the even larger number of LSST supernovae is the next big challenge."

Most of the transients in the Bright Transient Survey are classified as one of two common types of supernovae: Type Ia, when a white dwarf steals so much material from another nearby star that it explodes, or Type II, when massive stars collapse and die under their own gravity. Thanks to the treasure trove of data from the Bright Transient Survey, astronomers are now better equipped to answer questions about how stars grow and die, as well as how dark energy drives the expansion of the universe.

After its expected 2025 commissioning, the Vera Rubin C. Observatory could discover millions more supernovae.

"The machine learning and AI tools we have developed for ZTF will become essential when the Vera Rubin Observatory begins operations," said ZTF team member Daniel Perley, an astronomer at Liverpool John Moores University. "We have already planned to work closely with Rubin to transfer our machine learning knowledge and technology."

ZTF will continue to scan the night sky for the next two years.

"The period in 2025 and 2026 when ZTF and Vera Rubin can both operate in tandem is fantastic news for time-domain astronomers," said Mansi Kasliwal, an astronomy professor at Caltech who will lead ZTF in the next two years. "Combining data from both observatories, astronomers can directly address the physics of why supernovae explode and discover fast and young transients that are inaccessible to ZTF or Rubin alone. I am excited about the future."

TOP IMAGE: SN 1987a, a Type II supernova remnant first observed in 1987, is visible in this image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2017. The bright ring around the exploded star is material it had ejected approximately 20,000 years before its demise. Credit: NASA/ESA/Robert Kirshner/Max Mutchler/Roberto Avila

LOWER IMAGE: Key moments in the discovery of supernovae, including the recent discovery of more than 10,000 of these cosmic events by the Zwicky Transient Facility. Credit: Caltech