Katie Fleeman

Humans beat robots, hands down We can readily manipulate all kinds of objects; for them, versatility is a huge struggle. They need better mechanics — and a lot more of the intelligence that goes into handling things.

PS - for background on another limitation, check out David Levin's 2018 article on robotic hands

knowablemagazine.org/content/arti...

Need laundry folded? Don’t ask a robot For this chore, the human touch still beats machines. But maybe not for long.

“It’s not the fabric itself that is the challenge. It’s the amount of variations that can be created by the way fabric can be crumpled, and all the different kinds of clothing items that exist.” —robotics researcher David Held | via @knowablemag.bsky.social
knowablemagazine.org/content/arti...

How plant-eaters snag their essential amino acids Early in evolution, we animals lost the ability to manufacture nine of the 20 building blocks needed to make proteins. Herbivores evolved an impressive array of tricks to ensure their dietary needs…

“It’s really easy to make a wolf, because wolves eat basically what their body looks like. Their diet mirrors their body. But it’s really, really hard to make a moose, because a moose’s diet does not.” How do plant-eaters get their protein fix? @katarinazimmer.bsky.social @knowablemag.bksy.social👇🧪

How plant-eaters snag their essential amino acids Early in evolution, we animals lost the ability to manufacture nine of the 20 building blocks needed to make proteins. Herbivores evolved an impressive array of tricks to ensure their dietary needs ar...

Early animals took an evolutionary risk: They gave up the ability to synthesize 9 of the 20 amino acids that living things need to make protein. Scientists are now learning how they ensure they get these amino acids from their diet.

@knowablemag.bsky.social:

knowablemagazine.org/content/arti...

Achieving lasting remission for HIV People infected with HIV must take antiretroviral drugs for life. But promising trials using engineered antibodies suggest that ‘functional cures’ may be in reach.

It was a pleasure to work with writer Andrea Teagle on this @knowablemag.bsky.social article about progress toward a functional cure for HIV. 🧪https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/health-disease/2025/lasting-remission-hiv-with-broadly-neutralizing-antibodies

Can tinkering with plant pores protect crops against drought? It’s not an open-and-shut case. But researchers are finding out plenty by genetically altering the numbers of these openings, as well as simulating future atmospheres, and more.

It’s not an open-and-shut case. But researchers are finding out plenty by genetically altering the numbers of these openings, as well as simulating future atmospheres, and more.

✍️ Tim Vernimmen

knowmag.org/4paZ4Iq

A drone hovers over two blue whales, a mother and baby, as they swim side by side.

From collecting whale snot to capturing surprising behaviors, aerial drones are giving scientists a new view of life at sea. ✍️ Gennaro Tomma

knowmag.org/4hWOLVv

Great article, glad it's getting more reach through @thewire.in!

What Happens to the Weavers? Lessons for AI From the Industrial Revolution Handled right, AI has potential to bring back middle-skill jobs lost to the rise of computers, economists argue. Or, like the mechanised mills of the past, it could toss whole sectors out of work.

Handled right, AI has potential to bring back middle-skill jobs lost to the rise of computers, economists argue. Or, like the mechanised mills of the past, it could toss whole sectors out of work.

📝 Learn more about this in our recent article republished by The Wire.

How plant-eaters snag their essential amino acids Early in evolution, we animals lost the ability to manufacture nine of the 20 building blocks needed to make proteins. Herbivores evolved an impressive array of tricks to ensure their dietary needs…

Early in evolution, we animals lost the ability to manufacture nine of the 20 building blocks needed to make proteins. Herbivores evolved an impressive array of tricks to ensure their dietary needs are met.

✍️ Katarina Zimmer

knowmag.org/49VWwcC

I've been trying to be more plant-based in my own diet -- bookmarking for inspo!

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Science stories for the holiday season The holidays can mean meals with friends and family, twinkling lights and gift giving — and they can bring stress, reflection and anticipation of the new year. Whether you need a party conversation…

'Tis the season for some holly jolly science. @KnowableMag.bsky.social has curated a few of our favorite wintery reads, perfect for a chilly night by the fire (or a day on the beach if you're in the southern hemisphere?) and put it altogether in a lovely @Flipboard.com storyboard. Enjoy 🎁

2025 Charleston Conference Whova Web Portal November 3 – 21, 2025, Charleston, SC

The EO targeting IMLS was a case study at the @chashub.bsky.social Long of the Law Plenary -- registrants can watch the replay: whova.com/portal/webap... #chsconf2025

Libraries and museums get federal funding back after Trump cuts Earlier this year, the Trump administration gutted the Institute of Museum and Library Services, leading to canceled federal grants. Now, after a court order, those grants are being reinstated.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is reinstating all grants that were previously terminated by the Trump administration, @npr.org reports. www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n... #chsconf2025

Loveeeee ❤️💚

Science stories for the holiday season The holidays can mean meals with friends and family, twinkling lights and gift giving — and they can bring stress, reflection and anticipation of the new year. Whether you need a party conversation st...

Here's a superb seasonal science Storyboard from our friends at @knowablemag.bsky.social, with stories on everything from how snowflakes grow to why being a Grinch is bad for your health.

flipboard.com/@knowablemag...

PS: You can listen to the conversation on the Against the Grain podcast, too: www.charleston-hub.com/podcast/atgt...

How Collective Action Shaped Open Access in Latin America SciELO—Scientific Electronic Library Online—has been operating for 28 years. In this interview, co-founder Abel Packer discusses the past, present, and future of the pioneering open access publishing…

“The field of scientific communication is in some ways tremendously conservative. When you introduce any innovation, you need to immediately show that it has advantages, that you will gain in prestige, visibility & impact.” | How Collective Action Shaped #OA in #LatAm Katina Mag @chashub.bksy.social

Science stories for the holiday season The holidays can mean meals with friends and family, twinkling lights and gift giving — and they can bring stress, reflection and anticipation of the new year. Whether you need a party conversation…

Meals with friends and family. Twinkling lights. Gift giving.

Stress. Reflection. Anticipation of the new year.

This holiday season, whether you need a party conversation starter, tips to make the most of it, or a distraction from it all, we have you covered.

🎁 Explore on on @flipboard.com:

Digital illustration shows a yellow, crinkly cell with many red-orange particles emanating from it.

Two of our recent pieces look at where we’ve been and where we’re going in treating this epidemic.

1️⃣ HIV medications: Did fears about side effects come to pass?
knowmag.org/3XzILJa

2️⃣ Achieving lasting remission for HIV
knowmag.org/4896VPq

Earlier this week marked #WorldAIDSDay, a global movement to unite people in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Due to advances in research and progress in treatment, an infection isn’t the death sentence it once was. And there are other reasons for optimism.

Can tinkering with plant pores protect crops against drought? It’s not an open-and-shut case. But researchers are finding out plenty by genetically altering the numbers of these openings, as well as simulating future atmospheres, and more.

“Though we cannot hear it, plants are constantly emitting and absorbing gases through millions of little mouths on the surface of their leaves and stems.”

👉 By @timvernimmen.bsky.social for @knowablemag.bsky.social

#PlantScience #botany 🧪

Can tinkering with plant pores protect crops against drought? It’s not an open-and-shut case. But researchers are finding out plenty by genetically altering the numbers of these openings, as well as simulating future atmospheres, and more.

For my latest @knowablemag.bsky.social story, I asked @leakey77.bsky.social and @proftlawson.bsky.social if we should tell plants to keep their mouths shut. knowablemagazine.org/content/arti...

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today instead of buying barely discounted crap, get a paid subscription to an independent media outlet! a little $ goes a long way towards supporting a free press. 🗞️

drop links to your own or your faves in the replies so ppl can easily sign up (bonus if you add a couple words about why it’s good!):

Some good news for the IMLS:
Federal Court Delivers Judgment to Prevent Dismantling of IMLS buff.ly/zmr4y0Y

Why Don’t People Return Their Shopping Carts? A (Somewhat) Scientific Investigation - by Hannah B. Waldfogel - Behavioral Scientist For reasons I can’t fully explain, people’s failure to return their carts bothers me more than it probably should. But then I realized I can do something about it.

“Do your part, return your cart.” A scientific inquiry into why people do -- or do not -- return their shopping carts. (Yeah, I was reeeeeally hoping most of these would be like "crying baby," but...) behavioralscientist.org/why-dont-peo... via@behscientist.bsky.social

University Presses and Libraries, Teaming Up to Innovate Stories from three institutions show how university presses and libraries can collaborate to advance open access scholarly communication, foster diversity, and broaden access to knowledge.

“What works well across all three of these projects is a mission-driven commitment to equity, discoverability, and innovation.”

University Presses and Libraries, Teaming Up to Innovate, via Katina Magazine @chashub.bsky.social

katinamagazine.org/content/arti...

Achieving lasting remission for HIV People infected with HIV must take antiretroviral drugs for life. But promising trials using engineered antibodies suggest that ‘functional cures’ may be in reach.

“I do think that this kind of treatment has the opportunity to really shift the dial, because they are long-acting drugs [with effects that can persist even after they’re no longer in the body.] So far, we haven’t seen anything that works like that.” via @KnowableMag.bsky.social