Jen Christiansen

Chart breaks down textile fiber types into 2 main categories: Natural (plant and animal products) and human-made fibers (naturally-derived polymers and synthetic polymers)

List of natural fibers broken down into two categories (plant-based and animal-based), with sources and examples listed. For example, “Bast (obtained from stems) includes flax/linen, hemp, jute, ramie, and some bamboo textiles.

List of human-made fibers broken down into two categories; naturally-derived polymers (chemically transformed polymers from natural raw materials) and synthetic polymers (made from petrochemical-derived plastics). For example, cellulose-based naturally derived polymers include acetate, triacetate, lyocell, rayon, modal, viscose, cupro, and bamboo.

Then read a companion article that focuses on increasing the joy and purposefulness that comes with embracing sustainable fashion as both art form & practicality. It includes this handy taxonomy of textile fiber types. #SustainableFashion #SciArt #Fashion www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...

A chart maps the stages of clothing production—and beyond. The categories are: design and concept, fiber production, yarn and fabric production, textile production, consumption, and end of life.

As fashion attention shifts to fall, are you struggling with sustainability concerns amidst the impulse to freshen up your wardrobe? @sciam.bsky.social has you covered. Click through for a thorough visual guide that will make you a more informed consumer. www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-be...

Column: The Corporation for Public Broadcast is ‘winding down.’ What does that mean for public radio and TV? The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced it is “wind-down” operations. What does this mean for public radio and TV?

Column: The Corporation for Public Broadcast is ‘winding down.’ What does that mean for public radio and TV?

I talk with media studies professor and public media expert Josh Shepperd for an explainer. In short, it's dire

Gift 🔗

Statement: CHICAGO – In response to being notified via e-mail late yesterday by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that liaison organizations will be excluded from the process of reviewing scientific evidence and informing vaccine recommendations, 8 medical association liaison organizations issued the following joint statement: “We are deeply disappointed and alarmed that our organizations are being characterized as ‘biased’ and therefore barred from reviewing scientific data and informing the development of vaccine recommendations that have long helped ensure our nation’s vaccine program is safe, effective, and free from bias. We represent physicians who care for patients throughout their lifespan, who share a common goal and responsibility to keep patients healthy and protect public health. We bring to the table real-world clinical experience on how vaccine recommendations are implemented in practice. “For decades, liaisons from our organizations have reviewed published and unpublished data and literature related to vaccine efficacy, effectiveness, and safety and provided unbiased input for ACIP’s consideration. To remove our deep medical expertise from this vital and once transparent process is irresponsible, dangerous to our nation’s health, and will further undermine public and clinician trust in vaccines. We strongly urge the Administration to reconsider excluding our organizations from participating in the ACIP vaccine review process so we can continue to feel confident in its vaccine recommendations for our patients.” The statement was jointly issued by the following organizations: American Academy of Family Physicians American Academy of Pediatrics American College of Physicians American Geriatrics Society American Medical Association American Osteopathic Association Infectious Diseases Society of America National Medical Association

Statement:Medical Association Liaisons to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on Being Barred from Nation’s Vaccine Review

".. irresponsible, dangerous to our nation’s health, and will further undermine public and clinician trust in vaccines."

For 180 years, Scientific American covers have invited readers on voyages of discovery—from deep oceans to distant galaxies. Now it’s your turn! Capture your own moment of exploration with our photo challenge.

Terms & Conditions apply. See official rules: sciam.com/180contest #SciAmInTheWild

Celebrating 180 Years of Scientific American Since 1845, SciAm has chronicled the science shaping our world. Explore our legacy in this special anniversary package.

Scientific American is turning 180! 🎉

Celebrate with us:

🎂 Explore our anniversary collection

🧩 Solve digital jigsaw puzzles of vintage covers

🏆 Stay tuned for a contest announcement tomorrow!

sciam.com/180 #SciAm180

Why Ticks and Lyme Disease Are Soaring This Summer A vector ecologist explains the complexities of tracking tick-borne diseases like Lyme in a climate-changed world

Ticks have been on my mind this summer (cue a shiver and Lyme disease paranoia). Grateful to my @sciam.bsky.social colleague Jen Schwartz for this Q&A with an expert on the topic ➡️ www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-... 🧪

Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency Serious? Trump’s Diagnosis Explained After photos showed President Donald Trump with swollen ankles and bruised hands, the White House revealed he has chronic venous insufficiency—a blood vessel disease that affects circulation in the le...

After photos showed President Trump with swollen ankles and bruised hands, the White House revealed he has chronic venous insufficiency. Here's what that means: www.scientificamerican.com/article/what...

Forget Jaws. These Bacteria in Beach Water Can Make You Seriously Ill Illnesses from stealthy pathogens known as Vibrio are advancing northward along numerous coasts, potentially ruining your summer vacation

For this @sciam.bsky.social article on illness from Vibrio bacteria along the U.S. east coast (yup, the genus that includes V. cholerae), cartographer @pinakographos.bsky.social and I pay homage to John Snow's classic cholera map with contemporary data. 📊 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/vibr...

The Counter-Cartographer Who Mapped Hope: Louise E. Jefferson's Revolutionary Vision Re-membering the story of a pioneering Black American mapmaker

From Savavi: “The visual techniques Jefferson developed for representing complex global relationships influenced broader conversations about how educational materials could challenge racist assumptions while building international solidarity.” open.substack.com/pub/sakisava...

Discovering Louise E. Jefferson reminded me why seeking cartographers who center human dignity rather than imperial dominance matters deeply. Her work proves that whoever controls the maps controls ho... TikTok video by saki

Today I learned about cartographer Louise E. Jefferson thanks to a TikTok by Saki Savavi. www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8hhVbr1/

Early-Career Researchers Reflect on the Emotional and Societal Fallout of Trump’s Funding Cuts Canceled grants and slashed budgets are disproportionately affecting junior health researchers, dealing a major blow to the future of science and society in the U.S.

Thousands of federal grants have been terminated, effectively cutting lifesaving research and the careers of people behind the work. Read their stories, thoughtfully written by @rachelnuwer.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social. www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...

Hi 👋. Just a heads-up: Scientific American is having a digital and unlimited access subscription sale through July 17 (40%) off. —> www.scientificamerican.com/getsciam/

This is so, so good. Thank you for writing it, @cogley.bsky.social

Scientific American's early AOL topic page.

Our excellent graphics editor @jenchristiansen.com gives a great History of Scientific American talk to each new class of interns here. Today we all learned that SciAm is older than STAMPS (in the U.S. at least).

Also, please look at this screenshot of our early AOL page.

Thanks for your kind words!

Digital Trial Offer Get digital access to Scientific American for 90 days for just $1!

My colleagues and I know paywalls can be frustrating! SciAm has a 90 days for $1 deal if you've run out of free views: www.scientificamerican.com/getsciam/90-...

Digital Trial Offer Get digital access to Scientific American for 90 days for just $1!

Hi! I know paywalls can be frustrating but they're often what pays the salaries of journalists like Jen and me. SciAm has a 90 days for $1 deal I highly recommend if you've run out of free views: www.scientificamerican.com/getsciam/90-...

Here’s Your Cheat Sheet for Vaccine Recommendations Backed by Science These graphics will guide you through science-based vaccine guidelines for children and adults

Vaccination schedules on the CDC website have already started changing under RFK Jr. So we published a guide to the evidence-based vaccine recommendations in place *before* all 17 members of the advisory panel were abruptly dismissed by the new admin. www.scientificamerican.com/article/see-... 🧪

What's Really Warming the World? What's Really Warming the World? Climate deniers blame natural factors; NASA data proves otherwise

10 years ago today, we dropped a thing that people still ask me about regularly.

The question "What's Really Warming the World?" still has the same answer.

With Blacki Migliozzi, in conversation with NASA GISS geniuses @climateofgavin.bsky.social and @drkatemarvel.bsky.social
🎁🔗

Why Climate Goals Aren’t a Lost Cause—Even If We Overshoot Them Earth will likely warm by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius, but we can’t give up on trying to get temperatures back down

Missing a climate goal doesn’t mean we should give up. An illustrated guide to the concept of overshoot by @angela-morelli.bsky.social @tomgab.bsky.social & @andyreisinger.bsky.social for Scientific American. www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-... 🧪📊 #sciart

Ditch Fast Fashion and Give Your Wardrobe a Sustainable Glow-Up Trade impulse clothing purchases for botanical dyes, upcycled apparel, creative mending, flexible sizing, and more

Then read a companion article written by Jessica Hullinger that focuses on increasing the joy and purposefulness that comes with embracing sustainable fashion as both artform and practicality. www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-... #fashion #SustainableFashion #SciArt

A Fashionista’s Scientific Guide to Building a Sustainable Wardrobe Outsmart greenwashing with tips for more sustainable clothing

Making sustainable clothing choices isn’t always easy. So I pitched a story with the goal of helping all of us cut through greenwashing. See www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-be... for stages of clothing production, data on environmental & human impact, and consumer tips #SustainableFashion 📊

A nice thing to print up and have on hand if you are heading to a public place with others to express your opinions:

gem7.neocities.org/pubs/protest...

Screenshot text: Our world itself has changed, as has our understanding of it, its processes and inner systems -- but never before has the pace of this change been so fast. In the context of this acceleration, we want to explore the concept of resilience -- the ability to bounce back, to endure, to adapt. What does this process of transformation look like? What can we gain from it? And how can information design help us see clearer?

I'm incredibly excited about participating in the Visualizing Resilience conference this week in Finland. Looks like June 6 streaming tickets are still available for folks that can’t make it in person:
vizknowledge.aalto.fi/index.html

Screenshots of websites pages arranged in a collage

Antique and color posters

Closeup of antique poster

Closeup of color poster

New: I recreated Tomas Wright’s 1742 astronomical treatise, Clavis Cælestis, and its accompanying sheets titled A Synopsis of the Universe. New posters are available in antique style and modern colors.

Explore: www.c82.net/clavis-caele...
How it was made: www.c82.net/blog/?id=99

Hand holding up a book titled _Reefs of Time: What fossils reveal about coral survival_ in front of a brick academic building with “Burton Hall” chiseled above the door.

Reefs of Time by @lisasgardiner.bsky.social arrived ahead of its Jun10 pub date.🤩 I knew I wouldn’t see my fellow Smith College geology major on campus this weekend at reunion, so I spent time with her new title at our old haunt (the science building 🧪🪨🪸) instead. Congrats on your latest book, Lisa!

I miss her.

Square painting of a gray cat with yellow eyes in spare, bold and expressive brushstrokes. The painting is on an orange wall, next to a tree branch supporting shelves. One shelf holds a blooming Maranta Leuconeura plant.

When our kitty died a few months ago 💔 we commissioned a portrait from artist Kat Corrigan. We hung it yesterday, by her climbing tree. (Now a home to plants, since I needed something alive in the corner.) Kat was so kind. Highly recommend. katcorrigan.com

A Map of Nothing Cosmic voids are vast spaces that contain few or no galaxies—less than one-tenth of the average matter density found in the Universe. They may have been form...

My "Map of Nothing" featured in @sciam.bsky.social has been shortlisted for the 2024 Information is Beautiful Awards. Nothing is the new something.

Work with @jenchristiansen.com.

www.informationisbeautifulawards.com/showcase/712...