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Diana Kwon

@dianakwon.bsky.social

Journalist covering life sciences, health, and academia. Bylines in Scientific American, Nature, Knowable & others. www.dianakwon.com

579 Followers  |  484 Following  |  24 Posts  |  Joined: 09.10.2024
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Posts by Diana Kwon (@dianakwon.bsky.social)

Thank you!

27.01.2026 22:07 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Hi @parri.bsky.social, thanks so much for sharing. Would you be willing to comment on your experience for this piece? If so please let me know via PM or email!

27.01.2026 21:27 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Feel free to message me via Bluesky, or to email me at: diana.kwon89[at]gmail[dot]com

26.01.2026 16:25 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Looking for sources for a @nature.com story about how researchers are coping in the midst of current events: If you're a PhD or other academic who's struggling to focus with everything that's happening in the world and would like to be interviewed for this story, please get in touch ASAP!

26.01.2026 16:25 β€” πŸ‘ 69    πŸ” 75    πŸ’¬ 5    πŸ“Œ 2
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PhD students’ taste for risk mirrors their supervisors’ Learned risk-taking behaviours can persist for years after leaving the lab β€” and even after taking on a new research topic.

A researchers’ propensity for risky projects is passed down to their doctoral students β€” and stays with trainees after they leave the laboratory

go.nature.com/4sHq58H

16.01.2026 09:48 β€” πŸ‘ 38    πŸ” 12    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The infection enigma: why some people die from typically harmless germs
www.nature.com/articles/d41... @nature.com @dianakwon.bsky.social

14.01.2026 19:01 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

(Reposting to edit a typo!)

19.12.2025 08:29 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Disruptions in This Sixth Sense May Drive Mental Illness Disruptions in interoception may underlie anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental health ailments

My latest feature for @sciam.bsky.social explores the research connecting problems with interoception to a wide variety of mental illnesses, including anxiety disorders, eating disorders, & PTSD. This work is ultimately circling in on a central message: the body & mind are inextricably intertwined.

19.12.2025 08:29 β€” πŸ‘ 58    πŸ” 19    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 5
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Disruptions in This Sixth Sense May Drive Mental Illness Disruptions in interoception may underlie anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental health ailments

New writeup on interoception in Scientific American focusing on its role in mental health:
www.scientificamerican.com/article/inte...

16.12.2025 20:59 β€” πŸ‘ 33    πŸ” 13    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 4
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Disruptions in This Sixth Sense May Drive Mental Illness Disruptions in interoception may underlie anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental health ailments

My latet feature for @sciam.bsky.social, explores the research connecting problems with interoception to a wide variety of mental illnesses, including anxiety disorders, eating disorders, & PTSD. This work is ultimately circling in on a central message: the body & mind are inextricably intertwined.

18.12.2025 19:56 β€” πŸ‘ 19    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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New organoid atlas unveils four neurodevelopmental signatures The comprehensive resource details data on microcephaly, polymicrogyria, epilepsy and intellectual disability from 352 people.

A new stem cell biobankβ€”with a comprehensive database of the donors’ genetics, health history and moreβ€”provides scientists with a platform to probe mechanisms of neurodevelopmental conditions and validate therapeutics.

By @dianakwon.bsky.social

#neuroskyence

www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/new...

18.12.2025 15:56 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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How to stop the revolving door of German academia Germany is one of the most popular destinations for students and scholars worldwide, but those pursuing academic careers face significant hurdles to success.

Germany's a popular destination for international students and researchers. But those pursuing academic careers in the country face an intensely hierarchical system with few permanent positions.

My latest for @nature.com

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

29.11.2025 14:37 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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How to stop the revolving door of German academia Germany is one of the most popular destinations for students and scholars worldwide, but those pursuing academic careers face significant hurdles to success.

German academia: great place to work? You should think twice before giving it a try: Permanent positions are very rare, most scholars have to drop out after some precarious years. @dianakwon.bsky.social has written a great piece about this for @nature.com and also talked to yours truly. #IchBinHanna

28.11.2025 12:17 β€” πŸ‘ 195    πŸ” 95    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 14
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How genetically encoded sensors have lit up neuroscience Tools that track specific molecules in neurons have enabled researchers to probe previously unexplored aspects of neurobiology β€” although important caveats remain.

Got the last word in this great perspective on the state of fluorescent indicators in @nature.com by @dianakwon.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...

14.11.2025 15:12 β€” πŸ‘ 17    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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How genetically encoded sensors have lit up neuroscience Tools that track specific molecules in neurons have enabled researchers to probe previously unexplored aspects of neurobiology β€” although important caveats remain.

β€œThis new class of genetically encoded sensors has really opened up this world.” New @nature.com, what's new in the world of genetically encoded neurochemical sensors. by @dianakwon.bsky.social πŸ§ͺ 🧠
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

11.11.2025 17:48 β€” πŸ‘ 14    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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New dopamine sensor powers three-color imaging in live animals The tool leverages a previously unused segment of the color spectrum to track the neurotransmitter and can be used with two additional sensors to monitor other neurochemicals at different wavelengths.

A new dopamine sensor enables neuroscientists to simultaneously monitor the activity of two additional signaling chemicals in the brains of living mice and zebrafish.

By @dianakwon.bsky.social

#neuroskyence

www.thetransmitter.org/methods/new-...

25.07.2025 12:16 β€” πŸ‘ 32    πŸ” 8    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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How your brain controls ageing β€” and why zombie cells could be key Research is revealing the cellular mechanisms that link mental well-being and longevity.

Older cells that have outlived their purpose don’t necessarily die β€” in fact, these β€œzombie cells” can use more energy than their younger counterparts. Their revved-up metabolism may drive some of the wear and tear of aging, @dianakwon.bsky.social reports in @nature.com

03.07.2025 19:19 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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The brain's master conductor role in our aging process
New feature @nature.com by @dianakwon.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

17.06.2025 13:50 β€” πŸ‘ 107    πŸ” 27    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 2
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How Stress Shapes Cancer’s Course Studies show psychological strain can accelerate tumors β€” could beta blockers slow them down?

Studies show psychological strain can accelerate tumors β€” could beta blockers slow them down? @knowablemag.bsky.social‬
vist.ly/3n535it

23.05.2025 15:02 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1

People with #cancer may experience a wide range of stressors, both related and unrelated to the disease. A growing body of evidence suggests that these may influence how a tumor grows and spreads.

Learn more in @dianakwon.bsky.social's recent report, republished by @brainfactsorg.bsky.social πŸ‘‡

27.05.2025 19:42 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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How artificial intelligence is transforming pathology Some researchers say that deep-learning β€˜foundation’ models will revolutionize the field β€” but others are not so sure.

AIs can classify illnesses, predict treatment outcomes & identify markers of disease. Chatbots can assist physicians and researchers seeking to decipher the data hidden in stained slices of tissue. New by @dianakwon.bsky.social @nature.com, the growing use of #AI in #digitalpathology πŸ§ͺ

23.05.2025 17:22 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Is it OK for AI to write science papers? Nature survey shows researchers are split Poll of 5,000 researchers finds contrasting views on when it’s acceptable to involve AI and what needs to be disclosed.

What do scientists think about using AI to write papers? @richvn.bsky.social & I put together a survey to find out--and more than 5,000 researchers took part.

Our survey reveals a divided landscape: Researchers don't always agree on what they view as appropriate.

My latest for @nature.com

19.05.2025 09:26 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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How we’re battling Trump’s science cuts across small-town America Neuroscientist Jessica Cantlon is urging scientists to use the power of local newspapers in the fight against US research-funding cuts.

Brilliant. The "Science Homecoming" project helps scientists place articles in local papers about how Trump & Musk's cuts to science harm their communities. πŸ§ͺ on @nature.com

24.04.2025 18:51 β€” πŸ‘ 143    πŸ” 61    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 1
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How stress shapes cancer’s course Studies show psychological strain can accelerate tumors β€” could beta blockers slow them down?

The link between stress and cancer goes back more than 2,000 years--but the research has long been messy and full of contradictions. Recent studies are starting to reveal how, exactly, psychological factors can influence tumor biology.

Learn more in my latest for @knowablemag.bsky.social!

10.04.2025 21:20 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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How stress shapes cancer’s course Studies show psychological strain can accelerate tumors β€” could beta blockers slow them down?

β€œI don’t think anyone appreciated the magnitude by which even mild stress, if it’s chronic, can have such a negative influence on cancer growth.”

Studies show psychological strain can accelerate tumors β€” could beta blockers slow them down?

πŸ“ @dianakwon.bsky.social for @knowablemag.bsky.social

08.04.2025 21:04 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

The connection between stress and cancer is messy, the research difficult to do. But a clearer picture is emerging, which this @knowablemag.bsky.social story by @dianakwon.bsky.social. conveys with grace and restraint! I learned a lot, editing her story.

08.04.2025 23:17 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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RNA function follows form – why is it so hard to predict? AlphaFold’s highly accurate structural models transformed protein biology,but RNA lags behind.

Predicting 3D structures for proteins with A.I. is a lot easier than for RNA
www.nature.com/articles/d41... @nature.com feature by @dianakwon.bsky.social

24.03.2025 15:19 β€” πŸ‘ 141    πŸ” 23    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 1
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Schizophrenia Is More Complex Than We Thought, Which Means New Avenues for Treatment As a complex picture of schizophrenia emerges, so do new ways to treat the disorder

β€œThere is no schizophrenia. There are schizophrenias."

Researchers are discovering that schizophrenia, which can involve alterations in both the brain and the bodyβ€”particularly in the immune systemβ€”doesn't look the same in everyone with the condition.

My latest feature for @sciam.bsky.social:

19.03.2025 18:42 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I'm just sending out a survey from Nature's news team asking about ethical ways to use generative AI tools to write or review research papers.
To reassure anyone who received this email and is finding this post: this is a genuine survey! Please message me if you have questions.

18.03.2025 16:29 β€” πŸ‘ 17    πŸ” 9    πŸ’¬ 7    πŸ“Œ 2
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Pioneering journal eLife faces major test after loss of impact factor The open-access title’s bold publishing model has bought long-bubbling conflicts to the fore.

Reactions to eLife losing its impact factor, and then announcing it'll send Web of Science a partial feed of its papers β€” only those deemed β€˜solid’ or above β€” so they'll be indexed. | by @dianakwon.bsky.social in Nature
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

18.12.2024 15:22 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 1