Wondering what happens if a seal sneezes on a whale? We were! 🦭🤧🐋 We sequenced viromes from 16 species of marine mammals stranded in Scotland. Of >100 viruses detected, ~10% appeared in multiple species (one in both seals & cetaceans!), mirroring known interspecies interactions in Scottish waters.

Not all bat viruses spread the same way 🦇 A new study from @averyholmes.bsky.social & colleagues looked at six viruses in vampire bats in Peru & found contrasting patterns of circulation. Some reflect bat movement, others were influenced by human activity. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Excited to share my first paper! Co-circulating viruses in bats show diverse spatial movement patterns, perhaps due to different infection biology. Not all viruses move like their hosts, or like other viruses; Use them for inference with awareness and care!🧪 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Happy #BatMas everyone! Follow this thread ⬇️ or check out the hashtag to find out about a new bat species everyday, for 25 days! 🦇🌎🧪 #BatSky🧵

The ocean is such a weird and wonderful place. When baby eels first hatch, they are bizarre transparent little guys. But scientists think they may change shape to pretend to be other (more dangerous/less tasty) creatures like jellyfish or salps. Like raaaaar don't eat me I'm scary. Adorable. 🧪🦑

Question for those with greater experience: What are actions that one can take as an early career researcher to help make science more inclusive and accessible to everyone, everywhere? These challenges feel so large, especially as a student, but I’m sure there are still things everyone can do?

“When governments decide which words can and cannot be spoken and dictate what research can and cannot be published, they are not defending the truth. They are erasing it. We in Europe have seen where this road leads. We cannot allow history to repeat itself.”

Silence will not shield scientists from the consequences of an increasingly hostile political landscape. UK and other non-US scientists must act to support our US colleagues. Here's what I think we should be doing... 🧵 1/35