I HAVE to know what's going on with the Iris photography shops. At first I thought it was a cult/scam. Then a fad. But now I NEED to know more. Fancy shops everywhere offering the new 'astrology'... What's the story eh?

First time in a long time I've contemplated the night sky. Maybe 10-15 years ago I used to play spot the satellite. It's so busy up there now, they're impossible to avoid. Have to admit, I miss the feeling of ancient, immovable awe.

Collapse of critical Atlantic current is no longer low likelihood, study finds - Scientists say ‘shocking’ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic impacts #climatecrisis #AMOC www.theguardian.com/environment/...

For @theguardian.com I explained why influencers are warning of sunscreen, and why if you're out on this gloriously sunshiny bank holiday you should definitely still wear it. I also did not heed my own advice at the end and almost gave myself sun stroke 🤠😎🏖️ www.instagram.com/reel/DNxhzIq...

Tomato Europe and Potato Europe are at one again 🍅🫱🏻‍🫲🏼🥔 www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

Introducing...your sneak peek at the cosmos captured by NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory! Can you guess these regions of sky? This is just a small peek...join us at 11am US EDT for your full First Look at how Rubin will #CaptureTheCosmos! 🔭🧪 #RubinFirstLook ls.st/rubin-first-look-livestream

Fab ex-student @madifinlay.bsky.social: "there's a character that I hope resonates!"🤔😂 "So what happens to our universe depends on dark energy & dark matter, two things you cosmologists have invented? You don't even know what they are!" "Well you could put it like that." 10/10⭐ for Cosmo Park! 🔭🧪

OUT NOW 🪐 Cosmo Park by Madeleine Finlay & Tom Dearie flyingeyebooks.com/book/cosmo-p... This rollercoaster ride through the galaxy is a bright and thrilling comic, following a narrative that is packed full of science facts and concepts about cosmology within an exciting and funny adventure story.

Cosmo Park is out tomorrow 👀 ✨🚀 I can't wait to share Kara's intergalactic cosmological adventure, illustrated so wonderfully and entertainingly by Tom Dearie. There's cats! Villains! Exploding stars! End of the universe rollercoasters! #science #space www.waterstones.com/book/cosmo-p...

How does your microbiome get set up? What do antibiotics do to it? Great fun producing the first of our listener question episodes with @iansample.bsky.social talking to @jameskinross.bsky.social about the bugs in our guts. www.theguardian.com/science/audi...

Just finished @australia.theguardian.com's incredible six-parter on Gina Rinehart, Australia's richest person. I'm quite bad at getting to the end of series, but woah this was absolutely fascinating reporting. www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...

Gotta love this line in @fionaharvey.bsky.social story “There’s quite a few scientists that say we don’t need to get to net zero by 2050.” [Shadow UK energy minister Andrew] Bowie and his office were unable to name such scientists when pressed. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

It's very easy to criticise and break, it's very hard to rebuild and remake.

Cutting your own hair is ultimately a test of how well you can hold your nerve

New hues, cancer clues, and alien life in view. www.theguardian.com/science/audi... @iansample.bsky.social and I chat the exciting science stories of the last week! @elliebury.bsky.social

Theatres should sometimes put plays on at like 5.30/6pm so I can go after work, have time afterwards to ~discuss~ over a drink, and be in bed before midnight.

This whole dire-wolf thing is very telling about *us* as a species, and not in a good way.

The more times you read it the more bananas this gets.

And the tardigrade have it! Beloved by scientists and guardian readers alike. The wonderful, resilient Water Bear

Every year I plant lovely spring flowering bulbs for the bees and bugs even though I know all the ungrateful swines want is the comfrey and dandelions.

Imagine a vote where every candidate is BRILLIANT. Imagine a vote with no corruption, lobby groups or dodgy polls. Imagine a vote that boosts your mental health. Imagine no longer – the polling booths are open for Invertebrate of the Year 2025. Vote here! www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Time to vote for your favourite invertebrate!! www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Carbs are life 🍝🥔🥪🍚 But what happens to our bodies when we cut them out? I find out from @j-t-gonzalez.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/science/audi...

The rise and fall of DNA testing company 23andMe – podcast www.theguardian.com/science/audi... Enjoyed being on the @theguardian.com podcast to talk about the genohype & spin that fuelled the DTC industry. 🙏 With @madifinlay.bsky.social & @jmbooyah.bsky.social The end of an era?

Such an interesting study and topic ... Do we make memories about specific events as children? If we do, where do they go? What's the point of them?

Not long until it's here! Literal rollercoaster rides, as well as big blasts, disco skating rinks and a very mischievous cat 🐈 A scientific space adventure 🌌 ... Available for pre-order now 👀

Good morning

Really enjoyed this episode of 99% invisible ... An argument that's been rumbling on for a fair few years now. What should the rules be for naming plants and animals? open.spotify.com/episode/63QF...

@iansample.bsky.social and I chatted moon landers (inc ones that can hop!), the latest on Musk's Royal Society fellowship (hearing from @scurry.bsky.social ) and the link between sperm quality and longevity! www.theguardian.com/science/audi...

And off they go! www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Beavers are back, baby! Absolute pleasure to speak to env reporter Helena Horton about some good news (!!). These industrious architects could soon be coming to a waterway near you www.theguardian.com/science/audi... @elliebury.bsky.social

"Dear Lord, what a sad little life Jane."

My cats are predominantly indoors (supervised garden time), but vet said we should be applying flea treatment each month anyway. Every month for years I've forgotten. They've never had fleas. As owners we need to rethink the risks and benefits.

More "forever chemicals" found in birds than before... Not good news. 🧪 🪶🌍 phys.org/news/2025-02...

I need (for reasons I hope are obvious!) recommendations for good, uplifting books. Read anything beautiful, funny, positive, inspiring that made you go 'Yes! The world! Humanity!'?

I do love cats (we're talking cat jumpers, cat socks, cat mugs)!! But I do also love wildlife... No choice is perfect when it comes to indoors/outdoors, but us cat owners can definitely help make our moggies less rampant killers. Prof Robbie tells explains some of the scientifically proven methods!

🧵"So this is how liberty dies..." Trump’s first 3 weeks have been a relentless flood of actions. It's incredibly hard to keep up. I’ve gone through 69 actions & mapped out the pattern - showing how they fall within 5 broad domains consistent with authoritarian states 1/9

You've been murdered: who do you want on the case? He'll solve the case and learn something about himself while doing it

Is an asteroid about to thump into Earth? We asked MIT’s Prof Richard Binzel, inventor of the Torino hazard scale, to explain all. There is a silver lining… @madifinlay.bsky.social @elliebury.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/science/audi...

Mirror life is SO fascinating…but we probably don’t want to create it. Great chat with Prof Kate Adamala at UMinn🧪 @elliebury.bsky.social @madifinlay.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/science/audi...

Barbara Kingsolver is not only a genius, but a kind-hearted genius. 💚 An icon. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/b...

Super jazzed to share the cover for my comic book... Cosmo Park! On a wild adventure with her cat Sandro, Kara journeys through the big topics in astrophysics. For US ppl, get 25% off with Barnes & Noble by pre-ordering by 7th Feb with Code: PREORDER25 www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cosmo-park...

The final ✨🍃nature moment🍃✨ of the year - and it finishes as it began: 31st: Listened to the rain as it fell through the trees. Light patters, the sound of movement.

27th: Chilly evening walk, two greyhounds looking rather smart trotting along in fleece-lined quilted jackets

Truly terrible move by BBC World Service to axe its flagship science news show #ScienceInAction, the world's best, smartest science journalism in audio for a global audience. Host @peaseroland.bsky.social is the most insightful, informed, energetic journo in the BBC Science Universe. bit.ly/3PTLg50

21st: Big, fluffy black cat pottering around in the back garden. On his daily patrol. One of my own cats watching, furious, from the window.

20th: Amazing pink and blue sky over the city as the evening drew in.

A bit behind after a social media break! 15th: Admired the outline of my favourite tree against the evening sky. (Yes, of course I have a favourite tree and so should you)

What's weather whiplash? What's behind it? And how is it driving the ferociousness of the fires in LA? I spoke to Prof Albert van Dijk for the Guardian Science Weekly podcast. www.theguardian.com/science/audi...

14th Daffodils in the garden on their way up. Delightful to meet them again, and feel a small tug towards spring.