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Benjamin Plackett

@benjplackett.bsky.social
59 followers 63 following 9 posts

Freelance science journalist. Stories in @cenmag.bsky.social, @DiscoverMag.bsky.social, @sciam.bsky.social, @nature.com and more. Former @absw.bsky.social board member. NYU Sherpie 30 :بنجامين بلاكيت

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Reposted by Benjamin Plackett
Heike Klüver @heikekluever.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Why do people turn to populist parties? 🤔 📣 Our new study just published at @ejprjournal.bsky.social shows it’s not just real inequality - it’s perceived inequality that drives populism. 📌 Blog: hu-govlab.de/en/perceived... 📊 Study: tinyurl.com/msnndnpn 🏛️ Funded by: @scripts-berlin.eu
hu-govlab.de
Perceived Inequality as Fertile Ground for Populism - HUMBOLDT-GOV.LAB
Why are more and more people turning to populist parties? A new study by Lukas F. Stoetzer, Johannes Giesecke, and Heike Klüver shows that not only actual social inequality matters, but also how unequ...
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Reposted by Benjamin Plackett
Jeffrey Perkel (he/him) @jperkel.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
"There’s no two ways about it: tardigrades are badass." New @nature.com, a fun read by @benjplackett.bsky.social on the researchers who are working to make water bears a model organism for systems neuroscience. 🧪 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Tardigrade-obsessed: meet the researchers trying to turn water bears into neuroscience models
For water-bear enthusiasts, it’s the creature’s legs that make it stand out.
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Benjamin Plackett @benjplackett.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
RFK Jr and his MAHA crew are alleging a replication crisis in health research. Meet the scientists have been working on solutions for years. My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social cen.acs.org/research-int...
cen.acs.org
Amid White House claims of a research ‘replication crisis,’ scientists offer solutions
Efforts have been underway for years to improve the replicability of research studies, but some are skeptical of the US government’s motivations to help
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Reposted by Benjamin Plackett
ABSW @absw.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
#abswss25 #SummerSchool Don't miss the 6 workshops 🔗 zurl.co/tUAAn 🎥Becoming a science YouTuber🎥 Ins and outs of how to make a video and upload it, with a focus on what it's like to be a YouTuber. 🎯Producer: @benjplackett.bsky.social 📢Workshop leader: @tomrocksmaths.bsky.social
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Reposted by Benjamin Plackett
Bec Crew @beccrew.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
Start-ups are dominating the cancer clinical trials space, and China has overtaken the US for most trial starts. go.nature.com/3EoPuQi by @benjplackett.bsky.social
go.nature.com
Clinical trials by the numbers
Emerging companies and an evolving market are changing the dynamics of cancer trials.
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Benjamin Plackett @benjplackett.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Even the most liberal of institutions are at. NYU, my Alma Mater, cancels a talk on the public health consequences of USAID cuts amid fears of “anti government tone”. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
theguardian.com
NYU canceled talk on USAID cuts for being ‘anti-governmental’, doctor says
University called Dr Joanne Liu, ex-head of Doctors Without Borders, after planning to speak on Gaza and federal cuts
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Benjamin Plackett @benjplackett.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
The gall of it is impressive. www.reuters.com/world/us-off...
reuters.com
US officials object to European push to buy weapons locally
U.S. officials have told European allies they want them to keep buying American-made arms, amid recent moves by the European Union to limit U.S. manufacturers' participation in weapons tenders, five sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
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Reposted by Benjamin Plackett
Bianca Nogrady @biancanogrady.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Nine pays its #freelancers a pittance, but refuses to negotiate on higher rates or regular rate increases. Sign our petition, help #freelance #journalists #photographers and #cartoonists fight for fair rates. @withmeaa.bsky.social @theageaustralia.bsky.social @brisbanetimes.bsky.social
megaphone.org.au
Help freelancers at Nine Publishing win fair rates
Off the back of strike action last year, Nine management committed to engage in discussions about freelance rates and conditions with MEAA representatives. Despite this commitment, Nine management ha...
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Benjamin Plackett @benjplackett.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Horizon judges recognise “excellent” proposals from U.K. based scientists but aren’t funding them at the same rate as other member countries. The U.K. contributes €2.43 billion per year.
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Reposted by Benjamin Plackett
C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News) @cenmag.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Researchers have exploited bacteria they found in sewage plants to detoxify tetrachloroethene, a common chemical used to dry-clean clothes that can contaminate air and water. cen.acs.org/environment/... #chemsky🧪 #biosky
cen.acs.org
Pollutant-eating sewage bacteria offer hope for environmental cleanup
Insights into their genes may help scientists engineer bacteria to tackle PFAS
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Benjamin Plackett @benjplackett.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Mesdames et messieurs, I cannot believe it's come to this, but Aix Marseille Université is specifically allocating funding for US scientists who can no longer carry out their work in the US. The scheme is called "safe place for science". Les détails: www.univ-amu.fr/fr/public/ac...
univ-amu.fr
Safe Place For Science : Aix Marseille Université prête à accueillir les scientifiques américains | Aix Marseille Université
Dans un contexte où certains scientifiques aux États-Unis peuvent se sentir menacés ou entravés dans leurs recherches, notre université annonce mettre en place le programme Safe Place For Science dédi...
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Benjamin Plackett @benjplackett.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
You've watched the Emmy-winning show "Dropout", now read the story behind Erika Cheung's decision to blow the whistle on dodgy science and a duplicitous boss: www.nature.com/articles/d41... @nature.com
nature.com
How blowing the whistle on the Theranos scandal transformed Erika Cheung’s career
Cheung, a laboratory assistant straight from university, raised the alarm over dodgy science and a duplicitous boss.
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Reposted by Benjamin Plackett
Waggoner Lab @labwaggoner.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
How blowing the whistle on the Theranos scandal transformed @erikamcheung.bsky.social's career @nature.com @benjplackett.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
How blowing the whistle on the Theranos scandal transformed Erika Cheung’s career
Cheung, a laboratory assistant straight from university, raised the alarm over dodgy science and a duplicitous boss.
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Benjamin Plackett @benjplackett.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
As Trump and Putin seek to carve up Ukraine, let's remind ourselves of the facts. When it comes to scientists' experiences, Ukrainian researchers overwhelmingly want colleagues in the West to show solidarity: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
The future of research collaborations involving Russia
As sanctions take effect following its invasion of Ukraine, Russia risks its standing in the research world.
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Benjamin Plackett @benjplackett.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
I'm looking for #scientists (ideally #chemists) whose #career trajectory was changed as a result of the #pandemic. I'm also looking for #science uni #students whose experience was interrupted. Anyone know of such a person?
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Reposted by Benjamin Plackett
C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News) @cenmag.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, China, and Egypt follow Ethiopia as the countries with the highest rate of retractions, according to a new study: cen.acs.org/research-int...
cen.acs.org
Ethiopia has highest rate of scientific paper retraction
Countries with the highest retraction numbers in new analysis had sharp rise in publication output
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Benjamin Plackett @benjplackett.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
How hosting Ukrainian refugees has taught British universities how to support scholars fleeing other conflicts: www.nature.com/articles/d41... @nature.com
nature.com
How hosting Ukrainian scientists offers a template for supporting other scholars at risk
Ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, displaced academics describe their experiences settling into UK universities.
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