Matthew Vannette
@matthewvannette.bsky.social
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Physics Professor Experimental Condensed Matter Ask about the hippo. svsu.edu/~mvannett
Pro tip when applying for a faculty position: make sure you include all required documents, and address the ad's expectations. When small, out of the way departments get >130 applicants for 1 spot, you have to know the market is tight.
#academicsky
1 day ago
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Matthew Vannette
I Have Opinions...
11 days ago
He's not challenging "orthodoxy", he's ignoring data. Stop dancing around his disinformation campaign and call it what it is -- an all out attack on Science and America's place in the scientific world.
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One of the things about Trump saying Khashoggi was not very well liked is he's laying groundwork for the US killing of journalists that he doesn't like. Before his dementia got really bad, he often tried to normalize abhorrent behavior so he could do it. It's a default mode of thinking for him.
13 days ago
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Colleagues and I were discussing how many physics/physical science majors don't know about integral tables. They want Wolfram alpha or something. One posited the lack of physical textbooks is a cause. What else is lost with rented copies of e-books and online HW subscriptions?
17 days ago
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A great victory in the lab at a regional state funded PUI is getting a poorly constructed circuit working at all. It's a step toward a less-poorly constructed circuit working. Then you can get data. The Vannette Lab had a great victory today.
#Academicsky
#Physics
20 days ago
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AP News calling VA Governor for Spanberger. NJ Lt. Gov. looks strong for Sherrill
apnews.com
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Associated Press News: Breaking News | Latest News Today
Read the latest headlines, breaking news, and videos at APNews.com, the definitive source for independent journalism from every corner of the globe.
https://apnews.com/
27 days ago
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Another failing of AI. Pattern recognition is not thinking or understanding. Ask my introductory physics students.
phys.org/news/2025-10...
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AI models for drug design fail in physics
State-of-the-art AI programs can support the development of drugs by predicting how proteins interact with small molecules. However, a new study by researchers at the University of Basel published in ...
https://phys.org/news/2025-10-ai-drug-physics-1.html
about 1 month ago
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It seems when we don't get good rest, our brain may force the issue. Sleep is necessary for quality thinking. Don't disregard it
#AcademicSky
.
medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10...
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Attention lapses due to sleep deprivation coincide with a flushing of fluid from the brain, research reveals
Nearly everyone has experienced it: After a night of poor sleep, you don't feel as alert as you should. Your brain might seem foggy, and your mind drifts off when you should be paying attention.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-attention-lapses-due-deprivation-coincide.html
about 1 month ago
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Asked a class today what they feel marks a faculty member who does not value their time. Going over time. Reading from slides. Auto graded homework. Assignments without feedback. Notably absent were difficult assignments, expecting effort, and dense readings. Does
#AcademicSky
have thoughts?
about 1 month ago
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Another bit of data regarding misplaced "trust" in the LLM AI hype. Only a little bit of poison in the training is enough to corrupt the system, even when it is very large.
techxplore.com/news/2025-10...
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https://techxplore.com/news/2025-10-size-doesnt-small-malicious-corrupt.html
about 2 months ago
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This is a really neat innovation. Passive thermal regulation for buildings that is more effective at higher temperature.
phys.org/news/2025-10...
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Silver-nanoring coating points to 'self-regulating' smart windows—without power or tinting
A new Danish research breakthrough could make buildings far more energy-efficient in the future. Researchers from Aarhus University's Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) have developed a ligh...
https://phys.org/news/2025-10-silver-nanoring-coating-smart-windows.html
2 months ago
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reposted by
Matthew Vannette
Brendan Nyhan
2 months ago
Trump's higher ed ransom note is here - everyone would have to acquiesce to their unprecedented demands or not be "given priority for grants," plus they can demand "reimbursement" for "violations"
www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
A mechanism to enforce fealty. An attack on academic freedom and democracy
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The Dept of Energy is apparently trying to prevent the use of the word "green." I propose swapping it for 550. In the spectrum 550 nm light is green.
2 months ago
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Fellow faculty, we must speak about the destruction of our rights in our classrooms. All 4 of the 1A rights are being dismantled. On Monday, in my physics lectures, I will begin by showing the text of the 1A and explain what each part means and how it is being destroyed. 1/
2 months ago
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The call to federalize DC is a call to bring the one police force that stood against the Jan 6 insurrection under Trump's control. Who will be there to prevent the coup in Jan 2029?
4 months ago
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Hopefully someone has archived the climate reports already. If you have a non-US government source, would you post a link?
phys.org/news/2025-08...
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US to rewrite its past national climate reports
US President Donald Trump's administration is revising past editions of the nation's premier climate report—its latest move to undermine the scientific consensus on human-caused global warming.
https://phys.org/news/2025-08-rewrite-national-climate.html
4 months ago
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It doesn't seem like the Robot Drummer is trashing hotel rooms or anything (yet). They also haven't implemented it IRL.
techxplore.com/news/2025-08...
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Robotic drummer gradually acquires human-like behaviors
Humanoid robots, robots with a human-like body structure, have so far been primarily tested on manual tasks that entail supporting humans in their daily activities, such as carrying objects, collectin...
https://techxplore.com/news/2025-08-robotic-drummer-gradually-human-behaviors.html
4 months ago
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Science relies on being honest with each other and with ourselves. Fraudulent science may become more prevalent than real science. All so someone can have the good reputation needed for tenure. It's unclear how to balance publishing expectations with what's feasible.
phys.org/news/2025-08...
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Organized scientific fraud is growing at an alarming rate, study uncovers
From fabricated research to paid authorships and citations, organized scientific fraud is on the rise, according to a new Northwestern University study.
https://phys.org/news/2025-08-scientific-fraud-alarming-uncovers.html
4 months ago
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This is an example of bad "science" writing. The author has a clear agenda, and is pushing a narrative without any supporting information. I think MedicalXpress should label this as Opinion.
medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07...
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Red states lead the charge toward healthier living
Ever since Donald Trump rode down his golden escalator at Trump Tower in 2015, a political and cultural realignment has been underway in America, culminating in his second presidential victory. Many i...
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-red-states-healthier.html
4 months ago
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I hope we all remember that regulations on business practices do not hinder innovation. They hinder exploitation. This is why hardcore capitalists do not want to be regulated. They make money by exploiting everything and everyone around them.
4 months ago
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Those I follow on here don't really talk about this, but there are many in my region saying we need to find common ground. To them I say there is no common ground with a fascist. A line exists for us all. Know where yours is.
8 months ago
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Doing Things the Stupid Way ought to be this administration's tagline. DOGE wrong about Social Security, says former SSA chief
www.npr.org/2025/03/24/n...
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Former head of Social Security says Elon Musk and DOGE are wrong about the agency
Michael Astrue, former commissioner of Social Security Administration under George W. Bush and Barack Obama, told NPR Elon Musk is wrong about Social Security and that there is no widespread fraud.
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/24/nx-s1-5337999/elon-musk-doge-social-security-cuts
8 months ago
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After a long hiatus, back to Bluesky. Sharing this one. It's appropriate that a Scot solved it as James Clerk Maxwell won the Adams prize in 1856 on the structure of Saturn's rings. His was the only submission b/c he was the only one who made any progress.
phys.org/news/2025-03...
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Surprisingly, some Dyson spheres and ringworlds can be stable
In the realm of science fiction, Dyson spheres and ringworlds have been staples for decades. But it is well known that the simplest designs are unstable against gravitational forces and would thus be ...
https://phys.org/news/2025-03-dyson-spheres-ringworlds-stable.html
9 months ago
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Back at things, I guess. A new vulnerability in LLMs has been exposed. This one is hard to detect because it works on the reasoning level, not training or user query.
techxplore.com/news/2025-02...
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DarkMind: A new backdoor attack that leverages the reasoning capabilities of LLMs
Large language models (LLMs), such as the models supporting the functioning of ChatGPT, are now used by a growing number of people worldwide to source information or edit, analyze and generate texts. ...
https://techxplore.com/news/2025-02-darkmind-backdoor-leverages-capabilities-llms.html
10 months ago
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It's a bit misleading to say "37 dimensions" and leave it at that. They don't mean "34 more dimensions than we live in." They're using dimensions to mean possible results of a measurement. At least, as near as I can make out from the paper.
phys.org/news/2025-02...
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Extending a paradox: Quantum mechanics experiment measures a pulse of light in 37 dimensions
A team of physicists affiliated with multiple institutions in China has measured a pulse of light in 37 dimensions. In their paper published in Science Advances, the group explains that their experime...
https://phys.org/news/2025-02-paradox-quantum-mechanics-pulse-dimensions.html
10 months ago
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This one is worth a read. I have talked about confusion in number scales among the general population. Here they are talking about scientists not understanding the measurement process. If you teach undergrads, maybe work this into your course.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
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Discourse on measurement | PNAS
Measurement literacy is required for strong scientific reasoning, effective experimental design, conceptual and empirical validation of measurement...
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2401229121
10 months ago
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Chicken vindaloo spicy enough to drain your sinuses, including your inner ears, has got to be healthy.
10 months ago
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This is pretty neat considering a significant obstacle to recycling is profitability. But why say "photonic energy" in the article when "light" would work? To sound science-y?
phys.org/news/2025-01...
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Chemists discover common plastic pigment promotes depolymerization
It turns out that the black plastic lid atop your coffee cup has a superpower. And the Stache Lab at Princeton Chemistry, which uncovered it, is exploiting that property to recycle at least two major ...
https://phys.org/news/2025-01-chemists-common-plastic-pigment-depolymerization.html
10 months ago
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The Executive Branch keeps saying there is a "mandate," as is mentioned in this article. Reminder that there is no mandate. Trump administration puts senior USAID officials on leave : Goats and Soda
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
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Trump administration puts senior USAID officials on leave
On Monday, top officials at U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were put on leave for allegedly not abiding by President Trump's executive order to freeze much of U.S. foreign aid.
https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2025/01/27/nx-s1-5276382/trump-usaid-leave-executive-order
10 months ago
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More of this, please.
add a skeleton here at some point
10 months ago
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New Provost appointed a new Assoc. Provost. The announcement highlighted DEI work and dedication to its principles. Win at a regional state school.
10 months ago
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This is one of the intended consequences of the DEI purge. Unless we have a diverse group of people participating in the studies, our understanding will be severely limited. FDA initiative for diversity in cancer studies disappears : Shots - Health News
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
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The FDA pulls key DEI initiative for cancer studies from its website
A Food and Drug Administration project to promote diversity in clinical studies of cancer treatments was removed from the agency's website, as the Trump administration halts DEI initiatives.
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/01/25/nx-s1-5274115/fda-diversity-dei-cancer-studies
10 months ago
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This is what politicized science looks like. ~4 years of insufficient evidence to say COVID-19 pandemic was the result of a lab leak. Less than 2 days in charge, and Ratcliffe pushes this out. We had a term for this type of thing in grad school - bullshit.
bbc.com/news/article...
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Covid-19: CIA says lab leak most likely source of outbreak
But the US intelligence agency cautions it has "low confidence" in this new determination.
https://bbc.com/news/articles/cd9qjjj4zy5o
10 months ago
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For anyone who needs this - we're in the "exhaust the outrage" phase. Everything is infuriating. It's important to breathe and allow yourself to check out now and again. Resistance is a marathon, not a sprint. Be aware of your reserves. We'll need energy for the long term.
10 months ago
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Started my adventure into more active public engagement today. Other scientists at regional state universities, I encourage you to reach out to your local paper about contributing op-eds regarding scientific literacy. Mine isn't great, but it's a start.
www.ourmidland.com/opinion/voic...
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OPINION: Understanding how numbers scale is crucial to a healthy democracy
Society's difficulty in understanding numbers makes us vulnerable to manipulation, especially in monetary and tax policy.
https://www.ourmidland.com/opinion/voices/article/understanding-numbers-scale-crucial-healthy-20051009.php
10 months ago
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reposted by
Matthew Vannette
Reader of Banned Books
11 months ago
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"Through seas of knowledge, we our course advance, discovering still new worlds of ignorance." That is painted in the Detroit Public Library Main Branch on the third floor.
11 months ago
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Starting my Henry Marsh Inst. for Public Policy year. Most bios of my classmates talked about service work, business, military experience. I thought I should state my background. Education, teaching, and research focus. I have a lot to learn this year.
11 months ago
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Student after the first lecture today: It's been 2 years since I had a class with you. This was expected, another burner. See you on Thursday. It might be discouraging, except the one above and another stayed after to discuss a result in some detail. With each other and not me.
11 months ago
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Two more AI related red flags. Offload your thinking and you end up not being able to think.
phys.org/news/2025-01...
And...
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Increased AI use linked to eroding critical thinking skills
A study by Michael Gerlich at SBS Swiss Business School has found that increased reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) tools is linked to diminished critical thinking abilities. It points to cognit...
https://phys.org/news/2025-01-ai-linked-eroding-critical-skills.html
11 months ago
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Turns out a very small amount of bad information is enough to cause problems with LLM output. For context in the article, 0.001% is 1 part per 100,000 or 10 ppm. I see no reason the reault should be limited to medical information.
medicalxpress.com/news/2025-01...
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Test of 'poisoned dataset' shows vulnerability of LLMs to medical misinformation
By conducting tests under an experimental scenario, a team of medical researchers and AI specialists at NYU Langone Health has demonstrated how easy it is to taint the data pool used to train LLMs.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-01-poisoned-dataset-vulnerability-llms-medical.html
11 months ago
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For me and my sensibilities, Barbariccia's trumpet at the end of Canto XXI of Inferno is why the work is part of The Divine _Comedy_. Dante was a truly great poet.
11 months ago
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As one who went to college during Alanis Morissette's heyday, I am pretty confident TurboTax using Ooh La La by Run the Jewels in a commercial is ironic.
11 months ago
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I do enjoy the snow this time of year.
11 months ago
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Clearing driveways and sidewalks is a good activity for thinking. Plus, if you do it early enough, the quiet scrape of the shovel is all you really hear.
11 months ago
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My favorite part about coming up with new homework problems is seeing how the answer comes out. Projectile onto an elastic semi-cylinder some distance away. Where does it land on it's second bounce? Straightforward, but you need to be disciplined with the steps.
12 months ago
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This is interesting. Chatbots showing cognitive decline with age. Not sure what to make of it.
medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12...
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https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12-ai-chatbots-dementia-cognitive-decline.html
12 months ago
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I've wondered for a while now why we call the American political right "conservative." They are regressive and want to dismantle our system. The Democrats are conservative. Keep things basically as they are. I tend to support them because I'm not going any further to the right.
12 months ago
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Just read a Politico article about the proposed end to birthright citizenship. The argument hangs on "subject to the jurisdiction" of the US. If a person is not "subject to the jurisdiction" can they be held accountable to the laws?
www.politico.com/news/2024/12...
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Trump’s plan to end birthright citizenship could be decided by the Supreme Court
His early messaging is setting the stage for one of the first major legal battles of his second term.
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/14/trump-birthright-citizenship-supreme-court-00194336
12 months ago
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