Patrick Walter

Fund scholars who tackle urgent issues — from misinformation to error spotting Scientists who are not tied down by fixed research agendas can pivot nimbly to work where they are most needed. It’s time to build career paths with these researchers in mind.

Meta scientists talk about ‘pivot penalty’ which hampers career progression. This World View argues that scientists who are not tied down by fixed research agendas can pivot nimbly to work where they are most needed. They need to be supported

#AcademicSky

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

I'm oklpl

UK chemistry industry professionals

Please fill in this short survey to help CAMS help us all by modernizing what graduates are taught with respect to data handling. Which can be as simple as organizing yourself and naming files sensibly! #chemsky

forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...

URichmond is hiring two tenure-track faculty. One in biochemistry/chemical biology and the other in experimental physical chemistry. This is a terrific place to work - our focus is on our talented undergraduates and we have robust research resources. chemistryjobs.acs.org/job/assistan...

If the UK wants growth fuelled by R&D, universities need relief now The spending review has left universities struggling with deficits with few options but to hope for good news

'Straitened times call for difficult choices,' writes @patdwalter.bsky.social. 'You can be sure that university leaders and groups are already lobbying the government hard on behalf of higher education. The government now needs to listen. #ChemSky #EduSky #ScienceSky

A guide to navigating AI chemistry hype If you plan to use machine learning for research, consider ChatGPT’s shortcomings and inquire about AI tools’ training data and benchmarking performance

Having written many stories about exciting new chemistry AI technologies, I wondered how easy it would be for people to try for themselves.

This story is the outcome of that curiosity – read on for two interesting takeaways and a piece of snark.

cen.acs.org/physical-che...

Very interesting. I'm glad it's not just me that consistently misspells chemistry. It's a long-running joke at Chemistry World.

Can scientific curiosity and pressure to work long hours be balanced with well-being? Younger researchers must beware the trap that sees their scientific fervour take over their lives

Can there still be room for this kind of all-consuming search for new knowledge, while protecting the physical and mental health of researchers? Asks @patdwalter.bsky.social.

A year on from the announcement of the dichloromethane ban, US research labs brace for change Trump administration appears to be backing the Biden rule so universities are moving to comply

A ban on most uses of DCM was finalised by the US EPA in May 2024, with consumer use of DCM to be phased out within one year and most industrial and commercial uses within two. With the Trump administration appearing poised to continue with the plan, research labs are bracing for change. #ChemSky

I'm very pleased to see this collection live – links to individual stories to follow below...

What have you done to poor Tomislav's name New Scientist? Your website's symbol selection just can't cope!

The Woman Who Saw Birds as Individuals Len Howard opened her cottage—and our eyes—to the birds

Wonderful story of a woman who lived with birds and chronicled their lives and personalities. Gwen Howard is a name I'd never come across before and her books from the first half of the 20th century have disappeared into obscurity but could perhaps do with being resurrected nautil.us/the-woman-wh...

Research centres weather unprecedented blackout in Spain and Portugal Backup batteries and diesel generators guaranteed the stability and security of scientific systems

On Monday, an unprecedented blackout caused chaos across Spain and Portugal. Nevertheless, research centres stayed strong and showcased survival skills and resilience. Yours truly, reporting for @chemistryworld.com: www.chemistryworld.com/news/researc...

Still a bigger draw than the statue outside the station.

are you a molecular machinist? have you been wondering, like us, what exactly a molecular machine is? please help us figure it out! read this article and answer the polls to help our IUPAC team: Carson, @aprahamian.bsky.social, @deanast.bsky.social, @sgoldup.bsky.social, and Pierangelo! 🔗

Molecular machines won a Nobel prize nine years ago, but we still can’t decide what one is World authority on chemistry nomenclature aims to clean up molecular machine terminology

Ambiguities in chemical nomenclature can lead to misinterpretations that impact everything from data integration and intellectual property disputes to regulatory compliance and product safety. That's why Iupac is working to standardise the definitions of a molecular machine, and you can help!

Ill-fitting lab coats raise safety and inclusivity concerns The protective garments are not only uncomfortable but can pose a danger to researchers

A few firms are developing lab coats in a wider range of sizes and with features that enhance comfort: cen.acs.org/safety/lab-s... #chemsky #phdsky #academicsky 🧪

Simple blood test could enable detection of Parkinson’s disease before symptoms emerge Test on tRNA fragment ratios shows promise

'Neurodegenerative diseases today are where cancer was 50 years ago, namely when you are able to diagnose it, it’s too late,’ says Hermona Soreq. She's part of a team who have now developed a new test for #Parkinson's based on tRNA that can diagnose it early www.chemistryworld.com/news/simple-...

Thanks, much appreciated the compliment and the retweet (rebloot?)

You don't have to be a science teacher to make use of this great offer. ALL of you should buy a whole bunch of these (£2.50 a book!) and just have them ready to give away as thoughtful presents for the science illiterates in your life. Or complete strangers. Just buy them and give them away!

Taking one for the team there. Sterling work.

They break it, we all pay for it GK Chesterton's legacy goes beyond his Father Brown detective novels and explains why tearing down institutions harms us all

'Chesterton’s fence is the principle that anyone looking to reform a system should understand why this ‘fence’ is there before they attempt to alter or remove it,' writes @patdwalter.bsky.social. But, 'this idea of thinking first and moving cautiously appears increasingly old-fashioned'.

On the off chance it'll brighten your day I got it for my son's 11th birthday! I'm looking forward to reading it with him

Hmmmm bsky.app/profile/jwis...

Canada goose fights off bald eagle in rare, symbolism-laden battle on ice Photographer captures 20-minute clash between birds emblematic of Canada and US amid high trade tensions

Ha! www.theguardian.com/environment/...

A screenshot of Google's AI Overview answer to the question "is haggis an animal". It says "Yes, the haggis is a small, furry mammal native to Scotland" and goes on to give the typical "asymmetrical legs" details.

The Scottish have won the AI Wars.

The Continuing Crisis, Part VII: An Overview

Another “Continuing Crisis” post, this one covering some larger principles and explaining why I’m doing these in general:

Could ‘woolly’ mice put mammoths on the path to de-extinction? Scepticism that mice with mammoth gene edits could ever produce a viable animal in elephants

This woolly 'mousemoth' is so cute! Colossal Biosciences wants to resurrect the woolly mammoth to tend the Arctic tundra & has taken the first steps by editing genes in mice that are similar to mammoth ones. The mammoth probably won't return though... www.chemistryworld.com/news/could-w...

I mean, I was already signed up to the anti-great man view of history. Current events are really supercharging this concept for me...

Are the Trump team’s actions affecting your research? How to contact Nature Use this form to share information with Nature’s news team, or to make suggestions for future coverage.

Are the actions of the current US administration affecting your science? If so, Nature would be pleased to learn of your experiences. www.nature.com/articles/d41...