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Dan Gruner, Ph.D.

@dsgruner.bsky.social
226 followers 100 following 59 posts

bugs and things. avoiding hellsites since 2022. community ecology & forest entomology. Maryland, USA. Recently overheard, "I gotta do this shit again?!" @dsgruner@ecoevo.social www.grunerlab.org

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Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
UMD Entomology @umdentomology.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
🏝️🐜A new study out by Dr. Evan Economo and colleagues reveals a decline in Fiji’s native ant species. With insects playing a crucial role in ecosystems, this research is key to understanding insect populations and guiding conservation efforts.🐜🏝️
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Colin Carlson @colincarlson.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
🚨 NEW: Climate change is already causing 30,000 deaths per year - a global annual economic loss of $100-350B USD - but the true damage is probably 10x higher. Out TODAY in Nature Climate Change: the first systematic look at the science of "health impact attribution" 🔓 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
"Health losses attributed to anthropogenic climate change," a brief communication in the journal Nature Climate Change. There's a map showing regions of the world, and pie charts of relevant studies as they apply to different health impacts like "heat-related deaths" and "maternal and child health"
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Erin Sikorsky @erinsikorsky.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
The National Academies' response to the EPA's proposed removal of the endangerment finding is out today. It does not mince words about the effect of GHGs on the climate. Kudos to the authors. Key paragraph below; you can read the whole thing here: nas.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?...
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Conrad Hackett @conradhackett.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Disease prevalence in US states before & after vaccine introduction 🧪 From Edward Tufte & graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...
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Sandra M Durán @sandramduran.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
Looking for a #postdoct for a NSF project integrating ecosystem productivity, hyperspectral remote sensing and airborne LiDAR to test prominent hypothesis of the effect of #biodiversity on #forest #productivity @fluxnetecn.bsky.social @ngaps.bsky.social Apply at: jobs.colostate.edu/postings/165...
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Dr. Simon D. A. Clark (they/them) @kelpiesi.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
How do scientists push back against autocratic, anti-science ideologies? The "Anti-Autocracy Handbook: The Scholars’ Guide to Navigating Democratic Backsliding" provides some insights on what can be done, from lower risk to extreme risk groups: (1/11)
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UMD Entomology @umdentomology.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
🔬🪲An approach for long term mgmt of #EAB has been to introduce parasitic wasps to the US for #biocontrol. The Gruner Lab monitors the effectiveness of this approach one log at a time.Watch as Estes debarks trees to assess the presence of EAB larvae & the extent to which they have been parasitized.🪲🔬
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Joshua Weitz @joshuasweitz.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
NIH FY26 #SCIMaP scorecards are now available for * All states * All districts The White House has shared its vision of priorities for this year and years to come. This vision comes with consequences for our health and innovation economy. Explore and share: scienceimpacts.org/fy26
scienceimpacts.org
SCIMaP - Impacts of Federal Cuts to Science and Medical Research
View Projected Impact of the FY2026 Budget Cuts to the NIH
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Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
vermivorax @vermivorax.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
Had to try this out with insects and HOO BOY is this embarrassing.
ChatGPT's response to the prompt "Create a detailed diagram of generalized insect external anatomy, labelling all the major anatomical features such as body regions, mouthparts, and leg segments." It produced a scientific-esque drawing of a wasp-like creature with various incorrect labels. "Compound eye" points to the labrum, "mandible" points to the labial palps, maxilla points to the front tarsi, palpus points to the front pretarsus, coxa and trochanter point to the same on a very deformed middle leg, femur also points to a tarsus, tibia points to the hind pretarsus, head points to the thorax, and thorax points to the wings. The only accurate label is for the abdomen, and then a "cuticle" label that points to the end of the abdomen, which is technically sort of correct but misleading, as the cuticle covers the entire body.
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UMD Science @umdscience.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
Biology's Sean Carroll's latest documentary won an Emmy for outstanding science documentary filmmaking! The documentary follows an evolutionary biologist's quest to find DNA in 2-million-year-old soil from Greenland. Sean shared the challenges and triumphs of this project ➡️ go.umd.edu/hunt-DNA
Film poster for "Hunt for the Oldest DNA." Image courtesy of Tangled Bank and Handful of Films.
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Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
Chris Becker @chrisbecker.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
Also, sign up for PBS Passport! You pay what you want, money goes to your local station, and you get access to tons more great programming on-demand. help.pbs.org/support/solu...
help.pbs.org
What is PBS Passport?
PBS Passport is one of many member benefits from participating PBS stations that gives eligible donors and supporters extended access to an on-demand library of quality public television programming o...
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Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
Since April 4, #SCOTUS has issued 15 rulings on 17 emergency applications filed by Trump (three birthright citizenship apps were consolidated). It has granted relief to Trump ... in all 15 rulings. It has written majority opinions in only 3. Today's order is the 7th with no explanation *at all.*
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Dr. David Miller 🏳️‍🌈 @davidimiller.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
🧪 BREAKING (good news): Senate subcommittee says NO! to Trump's proposed slashes to NASA & NSF funding. Today, the subcommittee said to keep NASA + NSF funding at $33.9 billion, the same as in FY24. See 7:15 below. Full Senate appropriations committee meets tomorrow about it. 🧵 1/3
appropriations.senate.gov
Subcommittee Markup of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act | United States Senate Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate Committee on Appropriations
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Dan Gruner, Ph.D. @dsgruner.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Kilauea Caldera, Halema'uma'u crater, big island of Hawai'i, current status
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Dan Gruner, Ph.D. @dsgruner.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Callous and corrupt, this will deepen the devastating impact of this administration on basic science, scientists, and National Science Foundation staff, for whom there is NO plan www.alxnow.com/2025/06/24/r... 🧪
alxnow.com
Report: National Science Foundation headquarters to be taken over by HUD, displacing 1,800+ employees | ALXnow
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will reportedly take over the National Science Foundation (NSF) headquarters building (2415 Eisenhower Ave.), displacing more than 1,833 NSF emplo...
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Dan Gruner, Ph.D. @dsgruner.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
Do the authors understand irony? Or maybe that's their hidden point of publishing behind a paywall
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Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
UMD Entomology @umdentomology.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
🌞 Summer is prime time for ticks & mosquitoes, but don’t let these pests deter you from your next outdoor adventure🏕️. #UMD entomologist, Dr. Dan Gruner shares w/ NPR's Morning Edition that it's perfectly fine to enjoy outdoor activities, just take precautionary measures.👇 www.npr.org/2025/05/28/n...
npr.org
How to protect your kids from mosquitoes and other bugs this summer
NPR's A Martinez speaks with Dan Gruner, professor of entomology at the University of Maryland, about how to safely protect kids this summer from mosquitoes and other biting insects.
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Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
Meade Krosby @meadekrosby.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Well, it's official. We just received notice that all authors on the Sixth National Climate Assessment have just been released from their roles. The NCA is a vital, Congressionally mandated resource for our nation as we prepare for the impacts of climate change. This is a huge loss.
NCA6 Update
April 28, 2025 
Dear NCA6 Participants, 

Thank you for your participation in the 6th National Climate Assessment. At this time, the scope of the NCA6 is currently being reevaluated in accordance with the Global Change Research Act of 1990. We are now releasing all current assessment participants from their roles. As plans develop for the assessment, there may be future opportunities to contribute or engage. 

Thank you for your service.
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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
The iceberg headed toward the economy
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Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
If this wasn’t posted by @atrupar.com I would have thought it had to be a doctored screenshot. But…it’s not
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Dan Gruner, Ph.D. @dsgruner.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
🌏🧪
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DrArchivalGenomics @ehekkala.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
🧪🧬🦠🌎
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Adam Markham @adammarkham.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
Into a second year of a global mass bleaching event. 🌎🪸
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Hakeem Jefferson @hakeemjefferson.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
A colleague at Stanford’s business school used The Stanford Daily to argue—poorly—against DEI. The piece was riddled with historical errors and left one searching for fact, so I broke my public writing hiatus to respond. I hope you’ll read and share the piece. stanforddaily.com/2025/04/22/w...
stanforddaily.com
What DEI threatens isn’t merit. It’s monopoly.
Political science professor Hakeem Jefferson argues for DEI's importance to de-monopolizing universities.
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Sarah Tuttle @niais.cryptoanarchy.network · 20/04/2025
Happy to walk anyone through this. Our grants are proposed work. We often budget for things like salaries, student tuition, and equipment and consumables (in my field). We work on tight margins - we're often asked to "trim" or modify budgets because program officers try to spread the money.
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Dan Gruner, Ph.D. @dsgruner.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
NSF halts grant awards while staff do second review | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
science.org
NSF halts grant awards while staff do second review
Action comes after DOGE team arrives at science agency
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Reposted by Dan Gruner, Ph.D.
Leslie Rissler @ljrissler.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
Letter from Zoe Lofgren, Ranking member of Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. democrats-science.house.gov/imo/media/do...
democrats-science.house.gov
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Dan Gruner, Ph.D. @dsgruner.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
New dashboard from @joshuasweitz.bsky.social et al. maps nationwide economic impacts of cuts to NIH funding scienceimpacts.org 🧪
scienceimpacts.org
SCIMaP - Impacts of Federal Cuts to Science and Medical Research
Developed by an interdisciplinary research team, this website shows how funding cuts reduce economic activity and employment nationwide
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Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · 16/04/2025
Heck of a closing paragraph.
NSF declined to answer a question from Science about how it plans to maintain two-way communication with such a minimal advisory committee structure. However, an agency spokesperson said, "We are committed to maintaining transparency through this process."
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Pete Rice @nightsky99.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
San Diego. This lady for the win.
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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Yet again the Vice President of the United States JD Vance is blatantly lying. The man is not a “convicted gang member” — he is a father of a disabled child married to a 🇺🇸 citizen, with no criminal record. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
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Chris Gunter 🧬 @girlscientist.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
People let go everywhere you turn at NIH today, carrying in empty boxes. Both the people in the elevator with me. Multiple IC directors. The HR people who are supposed to process all the early retirements. All of the people who respond to data calls that we are legally required to answer.
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Craig Spencer MD MPH @craigspencer.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Thousands of the best experts at FDA, NIH, and all across HHS are being terminated right now. These are the people who make sure the medications you and your children take are safe. These are the people who perform and oversee research on cancer, infant health, and so so so much more.
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Dan Gruner, Ph.D. @dsgruner.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
In the year 2025 in the United States of America, the chief of the Environmental Protection Agency thinks its a great idea to write that "We are driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion"
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Joshua Weitz @joshuasweitz.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Sadly, this is what is unfolding. Parents nationally should ask their representatives why the WH is undermining the chance for their teens and young adult college students to build careers in medicine, science, engineering and technology. joshuasweitz.substack.com/p/welcome-to...
joshuasweitz.substack.com
Welcome to the Incoming Freshman Class of Project 2025 (Science and Research Options Now Limited or Unavailable)
If successful, ongoing efforts to slash federally-funded research mean parents should expect to pay more even as students have fewer options for career-relevant training.
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Itai Yanai @itaiyanai.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
Stop collaborate and listen! 😀Yesterday was a great day for science! Thank you @standupforscience.bsky.social !The real work begins now. People are listening! We need to challenge misunderstandings and show that investment in science is crucial for our health for our economy and for our future!
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Monica G. Turner @monicagturner.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
This Op-ed applies to every state in the US, including mine. Research advances save lives, treat diseases like cancer, and sustain our environment. And yes, research investments in academic science power local and state economies, as well.
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Leslie Rissler @ljrissler.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
www.wired.com/story/nation...
wired.com
National Science Foundation Fires 168 Workers as Federal Purge Continues
Firings at the NSF included permanent employees who had already completed their one-year probationary period, as well as at-will workers.
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Joshua Weitz @joshuasweitz.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
NSF accomplishes its mission primarily by giving grants. In a $10B budget request, NSF asked for $500M in 'Agency Operations and Award Management', so that's already HIGHLY EFFICIENT... >95% of funds go to research and STEM education programs nationwide. nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/00_NSF...
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Matthew Herron @matthewherron.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
I lost my job at the National Science Foundation yesterday, along with 167 of my colleagues, including some dear friends. This was the best job I've ever had, and I thought it would be my last. The PI community has been sympathetic and supportive, without exception. I will miss working for you.
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Dan Gruner, Ph.D. @dsgruner.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Indiscriminately firing 10% of the federal work force is the definition of waste, fraud, and abuse. This will cripple NSF and destroy its functioning, alongside other agencies that provide basic services for the American people www.npr.org/2025/02/18/n...
npr.org
National Science Foundation fires roughly 10% of its workforce
NSF fired 168 employees, leaving the agency less equipped to fund a wide range of scientific research.
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Dezene Huber 🍁 🌻 @dezene.me · 10/12/2024
"...and when I go back, the frogs are gone. All of them." This is incredible, beautiful, sad. Take a few moments with it. 🌎
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Dan Gruner, Ph.D. @dsgruner.bsky.social · 28/10/2024
Yes yes DO support @propublica.org But if you are mad at WaPo for Bezos' cowardice, #CancelAmazonPrime , not the journalism and journalists
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Holly Moeller @mixotrophe.bsky.social · 10/01/2024
As Prof. Priyanga Amarasekare's heartbreaking saga at UCLA drags into another year, I've compiled a thread of articles written about the situation. My sardonic take: Some people didn't like to be accused of racism and decided to destroy her career over their hurt feelings. 1/21
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Dan Gruner, Ph.D. @dsgruner.bsky.social · 26/12/2023
happy holidays from The Atlantic
Jan/Feb 2024 cover of The Atlantic magazine with doomsday essays should 2024 election go poorly
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Diana Plasker @funkminister.bsky.social · 12/12/2023
Hey Science bluesky - with @scifri.bsky.social, I’m hoping to coordinate a community/citizen science effort this summer to document the progress of Beech Leaf Disease, in partnership with an org/PI who can use that data for, well, SCIENCE! Any ideas on who I should reach out to? 🍁 🧪
Two side-by-side photos of someone holding up a beech leaf showing evidence of beech leaf disease including discolored and cupped or curling in bands between veins
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Dan Gruner, Ph.D. @dsgruner.bsky.social · 14/11/2023
NSF is seeking a permanent Program Officer in the Population and Community Ecology cluster, Division of Environmental Biology. If you are a mid-career academic ecologist still in love with science, but not so much with academia, this could be a great position for you! 🌎 www.usajobs.gov/job/759052000
usajobs.gov
Biological Science Administrator (Program Director)
<p>The National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidates for a Biological Science Administrator (Program Director) position for the Population and Community Ecology Cluster within the Direct...
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Dan Gruner, Ph.D. @dsgruner.bsky.social · 31/10/2023
Great resource! Another Eco/Bio imagery source with open attribution license is the media library from University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science ian.umces.edu/media-library/ 🌎
ian.umces.edu
Media Library | Integration and Application Network
The IAN symbol libraries currently contain 3042 custom made vector symbols designed specifically for enhancing science communication products with diagrammatic representations of complex processes. Yo...
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Dan Gruner, Ph.D. @dsgruner.bsky.social · 19/10/2023
So thrilled to share this week's Science cover! 🌎https://www.science.org/toc/science/382/6668
"Copious Cicadas": Cover image from Science magazine, October 20, 2023. The cover features an image by Chris Linder of a newly emerged teneral periodical cicada in Maryland in 2021
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Robert "The Bobby Yaga" McNees @mcnees.bsky.social · 18/10/2023
My daughter can’t finish her math homework, because the assignment includes a question about how much soil you can put in a certain “pot,” and the school Chromebook has a filter installed that keeps getting triggered by an unsafe word.
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