iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

After my partner died of cancer, the fact I write about new treatments for it in my work has been complicated. Inspired by this, I am launching an Instagram account called The Widowers Guide to the Science of Cancer today - you can see the first post here: www.instagram.com/p/Dd-__vcALl... 🧪

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Yes, absolutely, and it's a tricky line to tread!

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

True - but I think we can't let the perfect be the enemy of the good here

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Ellie Mae O'Hagan @elliemaeohagan.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

OK now I'm back at work I want to talk about GB Grid. I think the govt did the best it could at communicating this announcement but it's quite technical and you need to understand the energy system to fully get it, so it's almost impossible to sum up in a soundbite. Let me explain as far as I can:

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Environmentalists' positions on removing carbon dioxide from air are increasingly split: the US National Resources Defense Council says "There is no longer a plausible route to climate stability without carbon dioxide removal", while many argue against carbon capture. www.nrdc.org/resources/en... 🧪

nrdc.org

Environmental Leadership Can Shape the Future of Carbon Removal

There is no longer a plausible route to climate stability without carbon dioxide removal; environmentalists must advocate for environmentally and socially responsible CDR growth.

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Last year the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) evaluated that there's sufficient evidence to assign perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as being carcinogenic to humans. www.iarc.who.int/news-events/... Thornton-Cleveley residents will be a bellwether for how PFAS affects us all. 🧪

iarc.who.int

<em>IARC Monographs</em> Volume 135: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Enjoyed my cycle ride into town and back earlier, and I didn't even know!

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

For the sake of impartiality, those reporting on the Jim Ratcliffe/Ineos decision to close UK chemical plants, please also mention that they decided to close the Grangemouth refinery just as refining profit margins went through the roof

Headline saying "Refining margins soar while Europe’s fuel capacity shrinks"

Headline saying "Sir Jim Ratcliffe suspends production at key UK plants blaming high gas prices"

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Astronomers describe the weather on the brown dwarf SIMP 0136, which is 20 light years from Earth: Scalding hot, with a patchwork of hotter, thinner-cloud regions, alongside cooler areas with thicker, vertically extended clouds www.eurekalert.org/news-release... 🧪🤯🪐 Loving the exoplanet weather!

eurekalert.org

Scientists discover how to decode weather on faraway, deep-space worlds

Scientists from Trinity College Dublin have developed a powerful way to unravel the changing weather patterns on distant worlds. Using this approach, they discovered that the weather on a well-studied...

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

If you're interested in hearing more, you can get tickets for the talk here: britishscienceassociation-tickets.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...

britishscienceassociation-tickets.ticketsolve.com

Ticketbooth

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I'm referring to the @reutersinstitute.bsky.social digital news report for my "Trust, Truth and Tiktok" session at the British Science Festival tomorrow. In doing so I've noticed something weird: the BBC is more highly trusted in Ireland and Australia than it is in the UK! Why could that be? 🤔

59% of people trust the BBC in the UK, compared to 67% in Ireland and 64% in Australia.

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Leana Hosea @leanahosea.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Lancashire: mercury-contaminated sludge left by a chemical firm. Documents suggest leaking between underground storage chambers. Subsidence in the area has led to yawning craters in the ground. Could groundwater be at risk from cavern 107? www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/2654827...

lancashiretelegraph.co.uk

How 47,000 tonnes of mercury-contaminated waste were buried beneath rural Lancashire

Beneath rural Lancashire lies 47,000 tonnes of mercury-contaminated waste, raising questions over its long-term safety and what happens if it…

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Jack Stilgoe @jackstilgoe.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

For AI governance, 'pacing', 'pausing' and 'slowing down' are the wrong metaphors. Only used by people who want this to be seen as a race. This is about steering, not braking. But...

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

It will be great to speak about trust and science journalism at the University of Southampton, where I did my chemistry degree, next Thursday at 7pm, with Deborah Cohen. Come and watch! Book seats at: britishscienceassociation-tickets.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/... 🧪 FYI @absw.bsky.social

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Jenny Chase @solarchase.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

The global power fleet (excluding hydro) withdrew 29.8 billion cubic meters of freshwater worldwide in 2025, BloombergNEF research finds, and a more-rapid energy transition would significantly reduce this at least from existing power assets by 2050.

A screenshot of two BloombergNEF charts of freshwater withdrawal for non-hydro power plants in two BloombergNEF power system scenarios to 2050, Economic Transition and Net Zero. In both scenarios the power withdrawal drops, more rapidly in Net Zero. In 2050, the Economic Transition figure is down to just under 20 billion cubic meters, while for Net Zero is is still about 12 billion. The full research note published in September 2026 is under the paywall here: https://www.bnef.com/insights/40317/

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Nessa Carson @supersciencegrl.co.uk · 11/09/2026

Sideshow Bob ahead of us there on the motorway 😂 #TheBartThe

A British motorway as seen from a car. An Eddie Stobart haulage lorry is seen ahead, but one of the back loading doors has been replaced leaving only the words "die Bart"

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Discovering the recipe for a positive future for humanity is a tricky proposition, but I'd like to propose (almost completely) recyclable/reusable wind turbines within a circular economy as one ingredient ❤️ www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/uk-fi...

newcivilengineer.com

‘UK first’ sees decommissioning of ScottishPower wind farm demonstrate turbine circularity | New Civil Engineer

Hagshaw Hill Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire opened in the mid-‘90s and was decommissioned in 2023 before being repowered and brought back onstream in late

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

In the interest of promoting trusted sources of science news, I've put together a starter pack of Association of British Science Writers members on Bluesky, which you can access here: go.bsky.app/F6bdkUY 🧪 Hope you find it useful!

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

More good news for this drug, approved in prostate cancer last month, and which earned a standing ovation at the ASCO Meeting in June. It inhibits the RAS kinase enzyme, considered 'undruggable' despite being the most commonly mutated oncogene in human cancers. 🧪 www.eurekalert.org/news-release...

eurekalert.org

Daraxonrasib demonstrates initial antitumor activity in RAS-mutant lung cancer

Daraxonrasib, an oral RAS inhibitor therapy, achieved durable responses in pretreated patients with RAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a Phase 1/2 trial led by The University of Texas MD...

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Great day running Friday's @absw.bsky.social student event on interviewing scientists, with @stellarplanet.bsky.social among the amazing interviewees. Top advice from the @physicsworld.bsky.social team and super-smart attendees. Plus my head hurt from smiling at the fun and games after!

ABSW student member Ushika Kidd prepares interview questions, sat on the floor with her notebook and computer

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Hannah Wakeford @stellarplanet.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Excited to be at the @ioppublishing.bsky.social house in Bristol for a science writing workshop led by @andyextance.bsky.social for the Association of British Science Writers student group. #SciComm

Screen in an open plan room with the title. Science writing and interviews.

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Sarah Finch @sarahfinch.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

How many wake-up calls do we need? Strong words from Palau president: “We are not asking for your goodwill... We are telling you what international law requires... End fossil fuel expansion. Your corporate profits cannot be allowed to extinguish our future.” www.theguardian.com/environment/...

theguardian.com

Global heating will hit at least 1.8C, UN warns, and there are ‘no good outcomes’

But scientists say the world could get back to 1.5C through deep, rapid emissions cuts and removing carbon from the atmosphere

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The Media Sovereignty Act Campaign @mediafreedomact.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

The billionaire media campaigns tirelessly against taxing the the rich and making polluters pay. It's high time we ended this blight on our democracy. The Media Sovereignty Act brings news into UK ownership and diversifies control over the media. Sign the petition: mediasovereignty.org/petition/

Sunday Telegraph today campaigning against a wealth tax.

Sunday Telegraph today campaigning against windfall taxes.

Sunday Times today campaigning against green taxes.

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Great! No aspersions cast, it was just a thematically related question. I'm impressed you've read that lot, I certainly haven't read them! I haven't read a textbook in a long time. I have slim volume on how the immune system works that I dip into occasionally when I need to.

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Dr. Wendy Bohon @drwendyrocks.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

It was lovely to work on this article with @meghansmiller.bsky.social and @ahusker.bsky.social. Hopefully it will help answer some of the ongoing questions about the recent destructive earthquakes. theconversation.com/are-earthqua...

theconversation.com

Are earthquakes becoming more common? Here’s what the numbers say

Scientists have been able to catalogue the largest earthquakes for a very long time.

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

A useful critical take on the additional benefits of the Shingrix vaccine. I wouldn't exactly call it a killer blow, but there is a concern that GSK is pursuing "Science for Profit", where it manipulates results for its own benefit, as described in this paper journals.plos.org/plosone/arti... 🧪

journals.plos.org

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Fascinating finding and I love the idea that getting vaccinated could do away with the need for blood pressure meds. But what I love even more is that this replicates and confirms a previous finding. Unusual that confirmatory studies get so much attention! 🧪 www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

theguardian.com

Shingles vaccine linked to lower risk of heart attack and stroke, study finds

Researchers say benefits of two-dose Shingrix vaccine could be comparable to taking daily blood pressure medication

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Beyond the huge settlement, I hope that the changes are effective: www.theguardian.com/technology/2... It's notable that throughout this year's World Happiness Report there is a consistent theme about the proven negative impact of social media on young people: www.worldhappiness.report

theguardian.com

Meta agrees to major changes to Facebook and Instagram as it settles US trial over teen addiction for up to $17bn

US tech giant agrees to establish further protections for teens such as daily usage limits and blocks on nighttime use

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ABSW @absw.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Student science writers: build your byline in Bristol! 🔬 Interview researchers, write an article for the ABSW website with guidance from Physics World and ABSW, then enjoy networking and Blood on the Clocktower. 📅 4 Sept | 🎟️ £15 members / £40 non-members No experience needed! ✨

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Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 25/08/2026

The FDA has approved a new molecular glue protein degrader drug, iberdomide, for patients with multiple myeloma after clinical trials revealed that the oral pill is both safe and effective. Andy Extance reports: @andyextance.bsky.social #ChemSky www.chemistryworld.com/news/protein...

chemistryworld.com

Protein degrader approval offers hope to relapsed multiple myeloma patients

Highly potent molecular glue drug iberdomide doubles the number of patients reaching fewer than one myeloma cell per 100,000 in bone marrow

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Patrick Galey @patrickgaley.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Hello Blue Skiers, I have a request, would be v grateful if you could share: I need to speak with doctors and hospital workers who were impacted by extreme heat conditions this summer in England. Thank you!

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Some interesting stats in this: $100/day or $1000/month for an AI powered news site doesn't sound all that cheap to run, especially when it's 'not yet clear' 'there's much audience for these AI-agent-written news sites' - what will come from this 'experimental phase'? www.wired.com/story/ai-new...

wired.com

Oh Lord, AI Reporters Are Actually Breaking Big News

Last week, an AI newsroom beat mainstream journalists—including WIRED—to a story about OpenAI and hacking. It’s just the beginning.

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Eva Amsen @evaamsen.com · 21/08/2026

UK students interested in science writing: this event is for you!

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Sarah Finch @sarahfinch.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The government must say NO to Rosebank. There is simply no room for any more oil and gas in the remaining 1.5°C carbon budget. And there is more than enough oil and gas in existing and under-construction fields to meet ongoing demand within 1.5°C scenarios. Read our submission here ⬇️

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Please tag any young people in the comments below who you think would like to learn how to interview scientists and write articles based on the interview. I am looking forward the event - where I will be both helping with the training and being the 'storyteller' for the game in the evening.

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

This will be the world's largest plant producing hydrogen from water and renewable energy to decarbonise our economy. With many projects being delayed for often dubious reasons, completing it would be a big achievement. However, I don't believe it just yet. renewablesnow.com/news/constru... 🧪

renewablesnow.com

Construction completed at Saudi Arabia's Neom green hydrogen project

Construction of Saudi Arabia's flagship green hydrogen project, Neom, has been completed, while the FEED for the twice-as-large <a href="https://renewablesnow.com/news/topsoe-to-supply-green-ammonia-t...

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Aha, that's great, it's the first law of thermodynamics! That's why it bugs me!

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

What do you think of the "They're 300% efficient" line? I always get hung up on the fact something can't be more than 100% efficient. I've tried to say it to people a few times but I've never been able to make my point clearly enough. I *can* see what they're getting at - the heat is sort of free.

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

That politicians in the UK say that net zero is too expensive are obviously missing out the huge benefit floating wind farms like the Celtic Sea projects will bring to former shipbuilding areas, which need the work. Meanwhile, overseas investors cash in. www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/j...

business-live.co.uk

Japanese firm takes stake in offshore windfarm project in the Celtic Sea

Sumitomo Corporation has acquired a third stake in the Gwynt Glas project

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Sarah Finch @sarahfinch.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

🚨 Nature loss isn't just an environmental crisis: it's a national security issue. On 3 Sept, MPs will debate UK intelligence experts' warning on the threat of ecosystem collapse. Write to your MP and urge them to speak at the debate. @zero-hour.bsky.social www.zerohour.uk/nsa-debate

zerohour.uk

Write to your MP about the National Security Assessment

The Gov's latest national security assessment makes one thing clear: nature is not separate from national security, it underpins it. Act now.

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Loving this footage of previously unknown 'Kelvin-Helmholtz instability' whirlpools on the sun. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqdq... For more on this, read here: nso.edu/press-releas... 🧪

youtube.com

NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope: Kevlin-Helmholtz on Solar Surface (Full View)

YouTube video by National Solar Observatory

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

As a society we give financial institutions the right to create wealth by lending money. Now is the time for us all to make our voices heard on whether this is a good use of that right. I really don't like Google risking $200B on Anthropic's future demand, pulling in Morgan Stanley in the process.

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Andy Extance @andyextance.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

This a very weird and worrying network of borrowing and financial finagling involving Crypto companies, Google, Anthropic, banks and investment firms. I'd like governments to rule out bailing them out if it goes wrong. (Paywall, hope you can read on the first click) www.ft.com/content/549f...

ft.com

Inside Google’s $200bn Wall Street finance machine for Anthropic

Private credit, chip leases and data centre guarantees underpin a vast new model for AI spending

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