Daniel McCormick

Biological performance across the tree of life collapses onto the Universal Thermal Performance Curve (UTPC). Shown are approx. 30,000 performance measurements derived from seven kingdoms, 39 phyla, and 2,710 experiments. Performance is represented by diverse rates including metabolism, individual growth, foraging intensity, voluntary activity, and population growth (see SI Appendix for data grouped by phylum and performance metric). Data are presented on both axes relative to the parameters (Topt, Tc and Pfmax ) estimated by fitting the UTPC equation to each of the 2,710 experiments; the UTPC is overlaid as a yellow line and fits the rescaled data extremely well. Data are colored by the relative density of neighboring points showing very high density of points close to the line and relatively few datapoints further from the line.

Data collapse, and models converge, onto a Universal Thermal Performance Curve (UTPC), which only requires optimal and critical temperatures as parameters. Top panels show empirical data on thermal performance encompassing (A) specific growth rate of proteobacteria (), (B) biochemical rates of photosynthesis in plants (), (C) running speeds of lizards (), and (D) population growth in insects (). Lower panels (E–H) showcase the rescaled data from the processes exposed on top, along with their corresponding alignment to the Universal Thermal Performance Curve (UTPC) equation. Datasets are from Kontopoulos et al. (21) for proteobacteria and from Rezende and Bozinovic (6) for other groups. The upper panels of the raw data show substantial variation in the shape and location of the thermal performance curves. The lower row shows that rescaling the data using the simple model results in the data conforming to a single underlying curve with very little variation from the model.

And our paper is out! One curve to rule them all: a simple universal thermal performance curve for ectotherms that explains at least 2700 datasets across 39 phyla and myriad measures of performance. www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

23.10.2025 10:01 — 👍 14    🔁 5    💬 0    📌 0

Extraordinary.

07.10.2025 19:02 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Yesss!! MetroLink has been approved by An Coimisiún Pleanála after three years in the planning process. 🥳 Still awaiting details and if any modifications were made. More later today.

02.10.2025 08:08 — 👍 87    🔁 23    💬 3    📌 4

I delivered the 700 page business case and cost benefit analysis for MetroLink to Michael O'Leary's office yesterday.

O'Leary said on RTÉ Radio that there’s been no cost-benefit analysis done on Metrolink which was then repeated on multiple news outlets.

15.08.2025 11:37 — 👍 295    🔁 94    💬 11    📌 5

Today marks 1000 days since the railway order application for MetroLink was submitted to An Bord Pleanála.

We marked the occasion by cutting a special MetroLink-themed cake outside ABP's offices to highlight the long delays for critical infrastructure in our planning system.

26.06.2025 14:12 — 👍 45    🔁 15    💬 2    📌 0

The incoming govt says it will ensure that all measures under the Nature Restoration Law will be completely voluntary for farmers. A law that is voluntary is no law at all. It's hard to see how this can comply with EU Regulations, and how it will deliver the necessary results.

16.01.2025 14:56 — 👍 16    🔁 7    💬 0    📌 1

My letter to the Irish Times on the urgent necessity of a directly elected Mayor of Dublin.

07.01.2025 11:18 — 👍 2    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0

If you are a Trinity graduate please consider lending your vote to my friend Hazel Chu, a tireless campaigner and staunch advocate for Climate and Equality.

02.01.2025 18:57 — 👍 5    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0

Brown Thomas Arnotts boss voices ‘deep concerns’ over Dublin city transport plan Retailer says current proposed plan will see €141 million drop in retail activity because of the measures ‘Electric’: Brown Thomas Arnotts’ boss hails strong Christmas Donald McDonald says sales up 5% in store and 20% online in December – ahead of expectations

July: Brown Thomas Arnotts CEO says the City Centre Transport Plan will reduce retail activity and lead to the loss of thousands of jobs

August: City Centre Transport Plan is implemented

December: Brown Thomas Arnotts CEO reports 5% increase in sales

30.12.2024 22:53 — 👍 195    🔁 75    💬 7    📌 11

The Irish capital Dublin might not be as well known for its transit as other English-speaking cities around the world, but it's got a solid rail and tram system now and an even more exciting future. Let's take a closer look!

youtu.be/k5JYPtXWj4k

21.12.2024 15:04 — 👍 115    🔁 24    💬 9    📌 4

Dublin City Council acted 'beyond its powers' with traffic changes on quays, traders say

The alliance of car park owners, Brown Thomas and Arnotts have initiated a judicial review against the new bus gates in the city centre.

They say that Dublin City Council 'acted beyond its powers' when it *checks notes* put up a few traffic signs.

17.12.2024 17:43 — 👍 50    🔁 13    💬 2    📌 4

I regret none of the climate policies we pushed in Ireland. But we underestimated the backlash | Eamon Ryan From rural buses to solar panels, our Green agenda has been transformative. Vested interests and big polluters helped to poison the well of public thinking

"we have no regrets. We had political capital four years ago and we spent it on delivering real climate action that has improved people’s lives"
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

11.12.2024 08:54 — 👍 5    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0

Genuinely sorry to see Malcolm Noonan lose his seat.
A massive supporter of our built heritage he'll be a loss in the architectural community.
Had him on my radio show a few times, always a passionate voice. #ge24

01.12.2024 18:44 — 👍 37    🔁 12    💬 4    📌 1

Marine litter on Irish shores declining - survey Marine litter, including plastic bottles, cans and drink container lids, is in decline along the country's foreshores, according to Coastwatch Ireland.

Lowest level of plastic bottle litter in 35 years, and most bottles were older than the deposit return scheme. From a peak of 100 bottles per kilometre in 2010, it has dropped to just below eight bottles per kilometre in 2024 #spéirghrom #ireland
www.rte.ie/news/2024/11...

23.11.2024 13:25 — 👍 169    🔁 48    💬 3    📌 19

On Friday 29th November, I am asking for your number 1 vote in the General Election.

Choose a Green Voice for Dublin Bay South. Choose Hazel Chu!

#GE24 #DublinBaySouth #DBS #DubBS #ChooseChu

youtu.be/DbcFQsE8tyc

21.11.2024 13:58 — 👍 46    🔁 19    💬 0    📌 1