Plants make over a million chemicals to help them thrive in harsh environments. Illinois researchers are using new tools to listen to plants' chemical language, revealing breeding targets for more resilient crops. DOI: academic.oup.com/plphys/artic... Read: aces.illinois.edu/news/plants-...

Still processing all I took in at #SciWri25, but I know one thing: Science writers are crazy inspiring and determined people who will never stop seeking and sharing the facts. So grateful to learn from them, thanks to the huge efforts of @sciencewriters.org and @sciencewriting.bsky.social.

#BirdSky: what vagrants are you seeing? 🦜 New paper from @illinoisnres.bsky.social, @birdsoftheworld.bsky.social, & @pointblue.bsky.social uncovers the origin of six vagrant warbler spp. in CA's Farallon Islands. Story: aces.illinois.edu/news/lost-or... DOI: academic.oup.com/auk/advance-...

Getting super excited to see fellow science writers at #SciWri25 this weekend! If you're an institutional science communicator, be sure to stop by our table at the Saturday Open House (12-1) and say hi. Can't wait!

Love visiting the 🦒🦒🦒 at your local zoo? They may not be who they say they are. New U. of I. research shows many American zoo/ranch giraffes are hybrids of two or more species, reducing their conservation value. Story: aces.illinois.edu/news/wild-gi... DOI: academic.oup.com/jhered/advan...

📣Job alert! 📣 We’re seeking a strategic marketing and communications leader who embraces the land-grant mission, inspires a diverse team, and drives engagement and visibility to advance college goals. There is an expectation to be local/hybrid. *Apply by Nov. 19.* illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...

Loved this piece on the acknowledgements sections of dissertations. I had to dig mine out to re-read what I wrote. Ah, the sincerity! @sciencewriters.org: Good choice in including this as an honorable mention in the Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards! science.anu.edu.au/news-events/...

American universities are navigating rapid changes to federal policy & funding. Within this upheaval, science communicators are doubling down to reinforce awareness of the societal impact of our research enterprise. Join @sciencewriters.org on Sept. 26 to learn how. www.nasw.org/events/sciwr...

Are you an institutional communicator (PIO) and a @sciencewriters.org member? Join us TODAY at noon Eastern for what promises to be a great session on crafting effective science press releases. Featuring @shiplives.bsky.social and @thomassumner.com! Don't miss it! www.nasw.org/events/craft...

Did you miss our big news last week: #SciWri25 has a new location and dates! Get ready to gather in Chicago Nov 7-9. The virtual portion will take place Oct 22-24. Thank you to everyone for your support during this journey. Details: www.nasw.org/article...#SciWri25

A worthy cause!

There's a small prairie 10 min. from my home. Those same tall grasses have been growing here for *millions* of years. Is it just me, or is it wild to imagine those vast ancient prairie grasses supplying the fuel to fly planes?✈️ #SAF #scienceiscool aces.illinois.edu/news/illinoi...

Good news! The Soybean Innovation Lab has received a gift of $1M & a year's reprieve to continue building Africa's soybean value chain after USAID's shutdown. Federal funding is needed to fully restore the project, but it's great to see this critical work continue. aces.illinois.edu/news/1m-gift...

Glad to see my chancellor and university president signed on to this @aacu.org letter. www.aacu.org/newsroom/a-c...

If we’re going to survive this we need news organizations to figure out WHAT THEY ARE HERE FOR. Are they NOT attacks on democracy NYT? Are they only “what some people think” are attacks on democracy? This is the definition of FLACCID. Looking at you @nytimes.com

Great turnout at the #handsoff rally in Champaign! My anonymized tween for attention… 😶‍🌫️

Are you a @sciencewriters.org member and an institutional communicator/PIO? Have you wanted to get better at media training your experts? Or just see how others are approaching media training? Plan to join us on April 17 for our next virtual meetup! And please share! www.nasw.org/events/virtu...

I wish I was more shocked at how much this administration hates women www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/h...

This is my friend’s family member. Please share.

Feeling like you’re doing SOMETHING to help in these insane times is a good thing. Check out this article from @vox.com www.vox.com/future-perfe...

Monthly donations to @nrdc.org are being matched right now. I just set mine up. Join me?

Last one and then I am going to focus on my work. @schumer.senate.gov appears to believe that it is the 'far left' that desires a no vote. That characterization is a scapegoat. The union wants a no, Fed Workers want a no, those who believe in Democracy want a no.

Please call/email TODAY! @duckworth.senate.gov - since I can never get through to your office, here’s my message (also emailed)

Literally screaming

Please call RIGHT NOW

March 14th at noon there will be marches at all state capitols for Veterans.

But our work is far from done—science is still under attack. We’ve got ideas, but we want to hear from you. What’s worrying you most? What should we do next? How can we grow this movement together? Fill out this quick form to share your thoughts & stay connected: forms.gle/QAxH4wD4Y3sg...

GROSS. And dangerous.

So proud of the hundreds that showed up to support science/scientists at the University of Illinois yesterday. Felt a glimmer of hope for the first time in awhile. 🌤️@standupforscience.bsky.social #standupforscience

Tomorrow! 🧫🧬🔬🔭🥼🧪 @standupforscience.bsky.social #StandUpForScience2025

You’ve seen the mouse by now. Now read @sabs.bsky.social’s take. ⬇️

BREAKING: We're sending an open letter to universities across the country, offering support and urging them to reject pressure to punish international students and faculty for exercising their First Amendment rights. Schools must hold firm against the Trump administration's censorship attempts.

Glad to see the American Society of Plant Biologists on this list, but I'd like to see my other former professional societies, the Ecological Society of America and the Weed Science Society of America, sign on as well. 🍃

This Friday! Are you coming?

Happening in CU!

🚨 Are you a researcher who's been asked by your institution not to talk to the public/media about certain topics - esp after Jan 20? Are you a PIO who's had to tell scientists not to talk to the media? Reach out on Signal at mkozlov.01 for a @nature.com story. Your identity will be kept private.

Weedy amaranths may cause mayhem for farmers, but scientists have just published complete genomes for 3 species, including Palmer amaranth. This means greater insight into herbicide resistance that could help researchers design new tools to fight back. Read more: aces.illinois.edu/news/weeds-a...

This is excellent

Proud to be part of @sciencewriters.org! Thank you for your leadership.

Institutional #ScienceWriters - Join the @sciencewriters.org PIO/Institutional Science Writers Committee for a virtual meetup on Feb. 27 at noon EST. @garywerner.bsky.social and I will lead a mental health check-in and go over our recent survey results. See you then! www.nasw.org/events/virtu...

Cool, what could go wrong?

Here is the pre-RFK vaccination schedule for your kids. Please download it before he is confirmed and changes/deletes it. Give it to your pediatrician and say this is the schedule you want your kids on. Making this my pinned post.

Hey! Are you a @sciencewriters.org member who primarily writes for institutions? Join us for our next networking social on Feb. 27! www.nasw.org/events/virtu...

Woo hoo! So glad to see @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social here!

Cool, cool 😳

At least 30 people at my university are being laid off due to the closure of the USAID Innovation Laboratories. The bulk of their mission was to make it easier for folks in food-insecure regions like Sub Saharan Africa to grow protein-rich, locally adapted soybeans. 🫛🫛🫛 youtu.be/PqUESHfuO_8?...

@illinoisnres.bsky.social researchers developed a decision support tool that takes into account environmental, economic, and social suitability for 🌳#agroforestry 🌳 practices throughout the Midwest. Check it out: iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1... My story here: aces.illinois.edu/news/new-agr...

Congress? Hello—federal workers here. We are struggling to fight all of this on our own.

If you went to college, 1. What was your career goal when you started? 2. Your initial major? 3. If you changed majors, what did you change to? 4. What do you do now professionally? For me: 1. Become a social worker or psychologist 2. Social work 3. Changed to biology 4. University science writer