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Ada McVean

@adamcvean.bsky.social
1K followers 314 following 401 posts

Freelance Science Journalist 🐢 🥼 BSc/MSc from McGill 🧬 "eh-duh" not "ah-duh", she/her 🏳️‍🌈 Words at Chemistry World, C&EN, Science, FanSided, Skeptical Inquirer, McGill OSS, Maisonneuve, etc.

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Reposted by Ada McVean
Stellbound: Stellraiser II @antlervel.vet · 01/10/2026
Real fuckin minefield for sexual assault survivors lately huh.
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
If I had JKRs money, I'd buy you a green dress.
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The hardest part of being a dog walker, in my experience, is strangers thinking you own a frenchie.
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Previously, "thrifting briefly glimpsed, and almost immediately revoked, a kind of utopia. This was one in which a poor person could provide for themselves and even access luxury and exercise personal taste... maisonneuve.org/article/hole...
maisonneuve.org
Holes in the Fabric
Thrifting culture is in sharp decline, revealing the death of an idealized Montreal.
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 04/09/2026
An off-the-shelf polystyrene-based ion exchange resin could help to upcycle the chlorine waste captured from the tail gas streams from chloralkali plants. Read: @adamcvean.bsky.social #ChemSky www.chemistryworld.com/news/waste-c...
chemistryworld.com
Waste chlorine upcycled into valuable materials using simple resin
Polystyrene-based resin could capture chlorine lost in industrial waste streams
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
I love the quotes I chose, especially the one I snuck in at the end.
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The chloralkali process is responsible for ~1% of the electricity consumed in Europe. One. Percent. Any way to make that process more efficient could have a big impact, such as this method for Cl2 upcycling I covered for @chemistryworld.com!
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Honestly, couldn’t summarize it any better than this! www.chemistryworld.com/careers/how-... @chemistryworld.com
chemistryworld.com
How to write thesis acknowledgements
Tips for deciding who and how to thank those who have supported you through your PhD or dissertation
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Reposted by Ada McVean
C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News) @cenmag.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Ada Yonath, a structural biologist and Nobel laureate who pioneered the technique of cryo bio-crystallography, died Aug. 31, at the age of 87, according to a release from the Weizmann Institute of Science. #chemsky 🧪
cen.acs.org
Ada Yonath, Nobel laureate and crystallographer, dies at 87
She was awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her contributions to mapping the structure of the ribosome
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
In the trenches of thesis writing, acknowledgements are easy to overlook. Unlike other parts of a dissertation, who you thank, how, and why are yours to decide. But how do you do that? I asked people who have written acknowledgments and advise students on writing them. Here's what they said:
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 18/08/2026
‘There really wasn’t lots of information out there, I felt like the first to ask: “How do we do this?”’ Anna Slater told Manisha Lalloo earlier this year. Join us for a webinar to discuss the support needed for pregnant chemists in September: @rsc.org #ChemSky www.chemistryworld.com/webinars/wor...
chemistryworld.com
Working safely through pregnancy: a conversation for chemists and lab leaders
How safe is the lab when you're pregnant? Join our conversation on 9 September
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Karen K. Ho @karenho.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
If the criticism is "why don't journalists write about X?" the answers usually are: -a word count limit of 600 or less -a publishing quota deterring longer stories -an editor shot down the pitch or cut that detail or angle -a beat reporter was laid off -freelance rates of $250 to $350
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 11/08/2026
Now, scientists have analysed the siblings’ Domitian with Raman spectroscopy to identify the chemical make-up of the pigments and establish if it’s possible the artwork could have been painted by Leonardo da Vinci. www.chemistryworld.com/news/is-this...
chemistryworld.com
Is this painting of a Roman emperor a lost Leonardo da Vinci?
Pigment analysis sheds light on Renaissance painting mystery
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Rare Spoons W?
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Just unpacked some knick-knacks from inside a relic 👩‍🔬
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
London Pride 🏳️‍🌈
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Reposted by Ada McVean
404 Media @404media.co · 18/06/2026
If you think chatbots can have feelings and can be sentient, let us take you through the work of a Microsoft AI researcher who used the real time strategy game Age of Empires II to build a basic neural network using digital goats to prove that "we anthropomorphise too readily."
404media.co
If AI Is Sentient Then So Is ‘Age of Empires II’
“The point of the paper is to formally show that we anthropomorphise too readily."
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 04/06/2026
Many animals are thought to use the Earth’s magnetic field as an internal compass. The question of how pigeons do this is contested – it could be light sensitive proteins in the eye, or iron in their beaks. In this new theory, it’s more of a gut feeling.
chemistryworld.com
Pigeons navigate with ‘gut feeling’ powered by paramagnetic liver cells, study suggests
Homing pigeons might owe their navigational knowhow to iron nanoparticles in their liver
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Jason Rasgon @vectorgen.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
This is fucking insanity www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
insidehighered.com
Report: NIH, NASA Restrict Co-Authoring With Foreign Scientists
The National Institutes of Health and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration are targeting collaborations between U.S. scientists and foreign researchers, Science reports.
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 22/05/2026
‘Science needs to be right for us to move on & progress and so there’s not really another way to do it, other than to publish diverging opinions where they exist,’ chemist Ryan Julian tells @adamcvean.bsky.social www.chemistryworld.com/news/study-p...
chemistryworld.com
Study points to ammonia contamination in water microdroplets saga
Replication effort attributes mass spectrometry peaks to ammonium not hydroxyl species
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
What stage of capitalism is selling your past and present likeness to AI?
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Reposted by Ada McVean
💖 Birdhism Jen @birdhism.com · 15/05/2026
Striped cuckoo (Tapera naevia) chicks utilize specialized, cryptic plumage that mimics the texture and color of pinecones for camouflage. #birds
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Scientific American @sciam.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
A hailstorm of these proportions is 'unusual' but not unheard of in the state at this time of year, one expert says
scientificamerican.com
A giant hailstorm just killed an emu at a Missouri zoo
A hailstorm of these proportions is 'unusual' but not unheard of in the state at this time of year, one expert says
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
When you drug test for cannabis, that typically means (at first) a urine test test that detects carboxy-THC, one of THC's major metabolites. You may, logically, expect that higher consumers of cannabis would have higher carboxy-THC values in their pee. That's not true. 🍀🥬🚭🚬
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 27/04/2026
The 70-90% desistance numbers myth has always been bullshit but it's nice to see research confirming that it is. phys.org/news/2026-04...
phys.org
Common claim that most transgender youth renounce that identity is not supported by statistics, research finds
The frequently cited claim that 60% to 90% of transgender and gender-diverse children and young adults ultimately identify as cisgender—or their gender assigned at birth—is not supported by statistica...
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Meanwhile, over on Twitter...
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Found a spell? message? washed up on the shores of Georgian Bay today
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Reposted by Ada McVean
C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News) @cenmag.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Sci-Hub, a pirate website that illegally hosts tens of millions of scientific papers, has launched an artificial intelligence–based chatbot that mines the database and answers questions based on what it retrieves. Read more: cen.acs.org/policy/publi... #chemsky 🧪
Sci Hub has created a new AI chatbot. Is it any good? 
by Dalmeet Singh Chawla.
A rotating image of the Sci-Bot logo.
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Jonathan Jarry @jonathanjarry.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Why do some athletes consume cannabis? And how long does it take for cannabis to leave the system before a big competition? @adamcvean.bsky.social wrote an excellent article on this. Highly recommended! fansided.com/the-sports-w...
fansided.com
The sports world can't agree on weed, and athletes pay for it
The first Olympic gold medal ever awarded for snowboarding was also the first Olympic medal ever stripped due to a failed cannabis drug test. Ross Rebagliati wa
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
In 1998, Ross Rebagliati won the first Olympic medal for snowboarding. 3 days later he was medal-less and in police custody. His urine had tested positive for cannabis. The IOC knew then that weed wasn't performance enhancing. So why, 28 years later, are athletes still facing cannabis prohibition?
fansided.com
The sports world can't agree on weed, and athletes pay for it
The first Olympic gold medal ever awarded for snowboarding was also the first Olympic medal ever stripped due to a failed cannabis drug test. Ross Rebagliati wa
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Peter Lucier @peterlucier.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Maya Angelou on the joys of being edited
I’ve had the same editor since 1967. Many times he has said to me over the years or asked me, Why would you use a semicolon instead of a colon? And many times over the years I have said to him things like: I will never speak to you again. Forever. Goodbye. That is it. Thank you very much. And I leave. Then I read the piece and I think of his suggestions. I send him a telegram that says, OK, so you’re right. So what? Don’t ever mention this to me again. If you do, I will never speak to you again
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Reposted by Ada McVean
C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News) @cenmag.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Bathwater could be an untapped source of forensic DNA, according to experiments using samples from both tests and real forensic investigations. #chemsky 🧪
cen.acs.org
How bathwater forensics can provide DNA data
Analysis of bathwater samples via short tandem repeat profiling can provide identifying information
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 10/04/2026
‘Getting something that is highly chemical resistant often costs more money,’ says Merck’s Eric Margelefsky who helped develop a strategy to evaluate material compatibility. @adamcvean.bsky.social www.chemistryworld.com/news/how-to-...
chemistryworld.com
How to choose reactor materials and test for compatibility
Merck & Co team describes simple testing strategies and criteria for decision-making
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 09/04/2026
The new membrane shows better selectivity & permeability than state-of-the-art materials, with a smaller environmental impact. @adamcvean.bsky.social www.chemistryworld.com/news/water-b...
chemistryworld.com
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
I covered new work that may stop useful forensic DNA evidence from going down the drain for @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/analytical-c...
cen.acs.org
How bathwater forensics can provide DNA data
Analysis of bathwater samples via short tandem repeat profiling can provide identifying information
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
New way to compliment the journalists in your life just dropped
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Material compatibility concerns aren't exclusive to industrial chemistry, and neither are effective testing methods. ‘We have microscopes, we have the electrochemical things, but anybody could get some metal coupons and do some simple studies.‘ @chemistryworld.com
chemistryworld.com
How to choose reactor materials and test for compatibility
Merck & Co team describes simple testing strategies and criteria for decision-making
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 07/04/2026
A Japanese team’s discovery of lab equipment impacting nickel catalysts adds to a growing list of supposedly inert equipment playing unexpected roles in chemical reactions. www.chemistryworld.com/news/expect-...
chemistryworld.com
Expect the unexpected: why the chemistry community should pay more attention to ‘inert’ materials
A Japanese team's discovery that stainless steel ball mills can activate nickel catalysts adds to a growing list of examples where supposedly inert lab equipment plays an unexpected role in chemical r...
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 01/04/2026
Meet the science sleuths: researchers who volunteer to examine research articles for signs of fraud, manipulation and fabrication. www.chemistryworld.com/careers/how-...
chemistryworld.com
How to be a science sleuth
Research integrity experts share their tips for spotting and reporting fraudulent papers
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
When scaling up a reaction, how do you choose compatible materials? Especially when working with novel chemistry? On industrial scales, mistakes can be deadly and $$$. Material compatibility tests are the name of the game. I wrote about how Merck & Co does them for @chemistryworld.com!
chemistryworld.com
How to choose reactor materials and test for compatibility
Merck & Co team describes simple testing strategies and criteria for decision-making
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 07/04/2026
Choosing a reactor made from the wrong materials can be a costly and potentially dangerous mistake. @adamcvean.bsky.social speaks to the Merck & Co team to understand simple testing strategies and criteria for decision-making. www.chemistryworld.com/news/how-to-...
chemistryworld.com
How to choose reactor materials and test for compatibility
Merck & Co team describes simple testing strategies and criteria for decision-making
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Skyla Dawn Cameron @skyladawn.ca · 05/04/2026
Breaking Canadian news: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Yukon man grows pineapple at home — and it only took 9 years | CBC News
When Alex Oberg finally cut into the fruit for a taste, it was a bit sour. 'We maybe could have waited a little bit longer,' he said.
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Ada McVean @adamcvean.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
tell me you used ai to write your house listing without telling me you used ai to write your house listing
Listing Description
op 5 Reasons You Will Love This Home: 1) Beautifully maintained raised bungalow offering a spacious, family-friendly layout with four bedrooms and a fully finished basement, the sun-filled main level flows seamlessly into a large basement family room, providing ample space for both everyday living and entertaining 2) Set on a meticulously landscaped 75'X135' lot, this property backs onto a park, offering exceptional privacy with no rear neighbours, while the expansive backyard features mature trees, vibrant gardens, a large deck, and a 10'×20' shed on a concrete pad, perfect for outdoor relaxation, family gatherings, and gardening enthusiasts 3) Move in with confidence thanks to numerous updates, including a durable metal roof, newer windows and doors, upgraded insulation, and a new electrical panel installed in March 2026, enhancing both safety and long-term value 4) Located in the charming town of Creemore, this home combines small-town racter with everyday convenience, enjoy walking distance to local shops, dining, and historic streets, while being just a short drive to Barrie, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, and the GTA 5) Thoughtfully designed for comfort and functionality, this home features a well-appointed main level and a finished basement with a convenient walk-up to the garage, whether you're raising a family, hosting guests, or enjoying a quiet lifestyle, every space is designed to feel warm and inviting. 1,099 above grade sq. ft. plus a finished basement. 42486014)
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 31/03/2026
By incorporating liquid metals into sensors, researchers have created a fire detection and warning system that is ultrafast, flame-retardant & reusable. @adamcvean.bsky.social www.chemistryworld.com/news/liquid-...
chemistryworld.com
Liquid metal nanoparticles enable ultrafast fire detection
MXenes and liquid metal nanoparticles create fireproof system that can sound the alarm in seconds
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Michael DeForge @michaeldeforge.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
I guess boycotting Harry Potter feels pretty trivial to me, because I'm an adult. if someone told me I shouldn't eat Gerber's baby food, I'd be like, that is no problem. I'm way ahead of you
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Jonathan Jarry @jonathanjarry.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
17 radiologists were given X-ray scans to look at. Unbeknownst to them, half were real, half AI generated. Only 41% raised the concern that some may be AI. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
These medical X-rays are all deepfakes — and they fool even radiologists
Radiologists and large language models alike have a hard time picking out real medical images from fake ones.
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Reposted by Ada McVean
404 Media @404media.co · 26/03/2026
NEW: Wikipedia has banned AI-generated content.
404media.co
Wikipedia Bans AI-Generated Content
“In recent months, more and more administrative reports centered on LLM-related issues, and editors were being overwhelmed.”
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 26/03/2026
The IOC has announced a trans and intersex athlete ban requiring an invasive SRY genetic test for female athletes. In the 20+ years trans women were eligible, only one ever competed and none ever medaled. This is solving for a problem that doesn't exist. www.nbcnews.com/sports/olymp...
nbcnews.com
Transgender women banned from Olympics by new IOC policy
The new policy limits eligibility in women’s events to biological females based on genetic screening beginning at the 2028 Games.
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Reposted by Ada McVean
Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
146 workers died in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire on this day in 1911. The bosses responsible were never held accountable for the awful working conditions that sparked the blaze. Remember this today as politicians and their corporate backers attack workplace safety.
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