Microbiome impacts surgical outcomes– comparison of gut microbiome dysbiosis in patients undergoing lumbar microdiscectomy: results from the MISO pilot study - European Spine Journal European Spine Journal - More than 10% of patients undergoing lumbar microdiscectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) develop failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) often without clear...

New paper out, surgery meets the microbiome: link.springer.com/article/10.1...

A person in the US has died from pneumonic plague. It’s not just a disease of history But today it’s rare – and can be effectively treated with antibiotics.

My latest Conversation article is about #plaque !!! theconversation.com/a-person-in-...

I was wondering when I'd see this post! I'd hate to think I'd finally shamed you into silence 😂

Frontiers | Brain development in a facultatively social allodapine bee aligns with caste, but not group living IntroductionThe ‘social brain hypothesis’ proposes that brain development (particularly primates) is driven by social complexity, more than group size. Yet, ...

new paper on bee brain development in social contexts:
doi.org/10.3389/fevo...

Origin of obligate dim-light foraging in nomiine sweat bees (Halictidae: Nomiinae), with the description of a new species of Mellitidia - Arthropod-Plant Interactions Dim-light foraging is exhibited by the majority of the seven bee families (facultative behavior—five families; obligate behavior – four families) and represents an underappreciated aspect of pollinati...

first phylogeny for nocturnal foraging nomiine bees:
doi.org/10.1007/s118...

What is aflatoxin, the toxic chemical behind Coles’ peanut butter recall? Aflatoxin can cause serious damage to the liver, including cancer. But contamination recalls are rare.

My new article for the @theconversation.com is co-authored with @olliemorton.bsky.social and covers the recent recall from #aflatoxin

theconversation.com/what-is-afla...

Enjoy @amandaafrick.bsky.social

The Queensland melioidosis outbreak is still growing. What’s keeping this deadly mud bug active? So far there have been 221 cases of melioidosis and 31 deaths from the disease in 2025. A microbiologist explains what to know about this infection.

My latest @theconversation.com article is an update on the recent #melioidosis outbreak theconversation.com/the-queensla...

New from @empirepoduk.bsky.social
From the Opium Wars to the War on Drugs

#wordle #auspol

A post-voting democracy sausage and a cupcake. Breakfast of champions.

Happy #DemocracySausage day to all those celebrating.

New from @empirepoduk.bsky.social
Victorian Narcos 5:
Jardine and Matheson-
Flooding China With Indian Opium

National Climate Assessment Authors Are Dismissed by Trump Administration The Trump administration told researchers it was “releasing” them from their roles. It puts the future of the assessment, which is required by Congress, in doubt.

www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/c...

Which programming language should I use? A guide for early-career researchers Computer scientists and bioinformaticians address four key questions to help rookie coders to make the right choice.

Computer scientists and bioinformaticians address four key questions to help rookie coders to make the right choice

https://go.nature.com/42UuoT3

www.instagram.com/p/DItiC_4AYt...

Today's #wordle needs to be bought back into common parlance @amandaafrick.bsky.social , I think it would fit the sector well

Wordle 1,399 5/6

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Our "Guide to communicating microbiomes in the media", created in collaboration @lindsaybroadbent.bsky.social aims to help navigate the complexities of communicating microbiome research. Click the link in our bio to read and download the guide.

@olliemorton.bsky.social likes crispy M&Ms

Man after my own heart

Hands Off rally sign: I like my government how I like my coffee, not in my vagina

One of my favorite weird signs at the rally

RFK Jr.’s 18th-Century Idea About Mental Health The health secretary’s clearest plans for psychiatric treatment are a retreat to the past.

RFK Jr.’s clearest proposal so far is his campaign promise to create wellness farms where Americans would reconnect with the soil, an old idea that’s failed many times, @shaylalove.bsky.social reports:

New Book day! 🍂 @willdalrymple.bsky.social

Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, and a weekly newsletter! Head to empirepoduk.com to sign up.

Opinion | I Study Measles. I’m Terrified We’re Headed for an Epidemic. The outbreak in Texas could become much, much worse.

www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/o...

From trading nutrients to storing carbon: 5 things you didn’t know about our underground fungi Most of Australia’s plants rely on a hidden underground network of fungi for water and minerals. They could be in trouble – but we don’t have the data to know.

Mycorrhizal fungi promote native & suppress invasive plants & help prevent soil erosion

Why don't (fed or state) governments monitor fungi?

Soil biology, generally, is not included in biodiversity assessments. Yet soil contains 59% of biodiversity?

Madness.

theconversation.com/from-trading...

Nice work mate! Love a conversation article!

Tom, the first step to overcoming your problem is admitting you have one. I'm staging an intervention for your Conversation addiction.

A new COVID variant is on the rise. Here’s what to know about LP.8.1 LP.8.1, a descendant of Omicron, is driving a growing proportion of COVID infections in Australia and elsewhere.

My latest @conversationaunz.bsky.social is out today and covers the new #COVID strain theconversation.com/a-new-covid-...

Top FDA Vaccine Official Resigns, Citing Kennedy’s ‘Misinformation and Lies’ Dr. Peter Marks, a veteran of the agency, wrote that undermining confidence in vaccines is irresponsible and a danger to public health.

www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/h...

Our @empirepoduk.bsky.social series on The Troubles begins! @anitaanand.bsky.social & I talk to the great Patrick @praddenkeefe.bsky.social about his masterpiece, Say Nothing.

Not to be missed: Patrick is one of the great non-fiction masters of our time.

linktr.ee/empirepoduk