iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

This year has gifted us abundant jujubes at the farm! #backyardfruits

Small, round, red and cream colored fruits hang from a branch

Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Wild senna (Senna spp.) with ants. Wild senna and ants have a mutualistic relationship where each species benefits. The ants receive sugar from extrafloral nectaries clustered near the top of the plant. The plant receives protection from herbivores. #NativePlants 🌱 #Invertebrates

Plant with green buds at the top and yellow flowers open below. Ants crawl all over the plant.

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Survey results caught my attention: "More than nine in ten insured Americans have delayed care due to cost ... In fact, 95% of those surveyed said a medical emergency would likely put them into serious debt even with insurance." INSURED Americans 😐 www.jgwentworth.com/resources/me...

jgwentworth.com

The true cost of medical emergencies

Medical emergencies can push Americans into debt quickly. Our survey reveals the average financial breaking point, medical debt levels, and how insurance gaps affect healthcare decisions.

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

A recent morning harvest of our early crop of figs. Top to bottom, varieties are: Brown turkey, Italian honey fig, and Celeste. #summerfruits #backyardfruit

Woven basket full of figs from top to bottom: smaller brown, yellow/green, then larger brown varieties

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Early paw paws are ripening. These fruits are from seedling trees of unknown genetics--they were not selected for fruit quality. But they are the earliest ripening pawpaw trees at the farm. This trait may be valuable in a breeding program with early ripening as a goal. #summerfruits #nativefruit 🌱

A hand full of 4 yellow / green egg-shaped fruits of different sizes.

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Sculpture at North Carolina's College of Veterinary Medicine

Sculpture: Granite dog head with stick in mouth-appears to be swimming through a green lawn.

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

How can we better support Monarch butterflies? We can offer fresh, blooming milkweeds to late season travelers by mowing/cutting a portion of land once midseason (June to July in upper south/mid-Atlantic US). Example reports in comments. #pollinators #manageforwildlife 🧪🌍🌱🦋

Black white yellow Monarch butterfly caterpillar on leaf of a common milkweed plant

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Unidentified Bombus on sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) flowers. Haywood County, NC. People truck honey bee colonies up to the NC mountains each July to produce specialty sourwood honey. #nativebees #Blueridge

Two large bumblebees drinking nectar from bell shaped small white flowers

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Reposted by Elizabeth Hilborn

Richard Waite @waiterich.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Also FYI, the majority of Colorado River water used for “farms” in the below graphic is actually for cattle feed (alfalfa and hay). The minority of the agricultural water use is for food people eat directly, like wheat. science.nasa.gov/missions/lan...

Sankey diagram showing Colorado River available water supplies, water consumption by basin, water consumption by sector (biggest sector is agriculture) and water consumption by crop (majority is alfalfa plus hay, ie cattle feed).

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Despite food being the largest source of American's PFAS exposure, FDA declines to set limits on food contamination. PFAS is common in foods, and some exposures, such as eating contaminated freshwater fish, dwarf drinking water exposures. 🧪 🌍🌱 #PFAS #FDA www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

theguardian.com

US Food and Drug Administration rejects petition to set Pfas limits in food

Environmental protection agency and independent studies have found food biggest source of chemical exposure

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

As antimicrobial use among animals is a driver of antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections in people, agricultural fungicide use is a driver of resistant fungal infections. And resistant fungal infections are increasing among people: tinyurl.com/dwp7s3jm 🧪🌍🌱 www.cidrap.umn.edu/antimicrobia...

cidrap.umn.edu

The WHO aims to help nations confront growing threat of fungal disease, antifungal resistance

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Jennifer Ouellette @jenlucpiquant.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Here’s Why Weather Forecasts Have Seemed So Inaccurate Lately. Meteorologists simply aren't able to gather as much data as they used to, and you're suffering for it. gizmodo.com/heres-why-we...

gizmodo.com

Here's Why Weather Forecasts Have Seemed So Inaccurate Lately

Meteorologists simply aren't able to gather as much data as they used to, and you're suffering for it.

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Screwworms are invasive flies in the southern US (so far) whose larvae eat flesh. Dogs and cats can be infested as well as many other wild and domestic animals and humans. CIDRAP has advice for how to recognize infestations and protect your animals. 🧪🌍 www.cidrap.umn.edu/new-world-sc...

cidrap.umn.edu

How to protect outdoor pets from New World screwworm

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) collapse will have global effects. "For too long, understanding and monitoring the AMOC was viewed as an academic pursuit. Instead, it should now be treated as what it truly is: an urgent, global priority." 🧪 🌍 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.com

Amoc collapse could change Europe’s climate 10x faster than expected. We aren’t ready

The system of ocean current that moves heat in the Atlantic Ocean plays a key role in regulating climate. Today’s monitoring of it may be discontinued

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Another example of how our regulatory system is failing consumers and protection of the public health.

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

The persistent drought is affecting wildlife, too. If you have deer neighbors--consider setting out water for the does to drink. They need extra water to make sufficient milk at this critical time with new fawns to feed. Here in central NC, I'm refilling wildlife water buckets daily. #wildlife

Fawn laying in grass. Baby blue eye clearly visible.

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

A proposed OMB Rule affects Medicaid, Science, Transportation, Food assistance, and more Federal grants represent about 36 cents of every dollar a state spends. This rule puts the grant process under political control effective October 1, 2026 Submit comments before 7/13/2026 tinyurl.com/mr2tu3h7

elizabethginexi.substack.com

This new OMB Rule Is Bigger Than Science. Much Bigger.

This image was generated by Google AI (Gemini)

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Dreaming of cherries fresh from your backyard? In the mid-Atlantic area of the US, low care 'pie' cherries are commonly grown. We have two varieties: North Star, a small tree, and Juliet, a bush cherry . Juliet fruit (center in pic) flanked by two North Star fruits. 🌱 #backyardfruit #cherries

Three red cherries on a white plate next to a dime for scale. The middle cherry is slightly larger and a lighter red color.

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Independent science is threatened by political control if these proposed changes are enacted. Elizabeth shows how to submit impactful comments (July 13 deadline).

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elizabethginexi.bsky.social @elizabethginexi.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Calling all Scientists! Research Administrators! Deans! Fans of Science! No one is coming to save us. Here is your assignment. I have written a step by step, easy to understand "how-to" document to help you comment on the proposed OMB rule. elizabethginexi.substack.com/p/what-we-ne...

elizabethginexi.substack.com

What We Need to do NEXT: OMB’s Proposed Federal Financial Assistance Rule (OMB 2026-10817)

What OMB’s Proposed Federal Financial Assistance Rule Means in Practice

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

For those in Eastern US receiving some much-needed rain, watch for turtles on the roads. Due to drought, the soil had been too dry to dig nests. Now, turtles will be active over the next days to weeks. If safe to do so, remove them from the travel lanes, car strikes are reducing populations. 🌍

Close up of box turtle heed and some shell. Photo credit: jatocreate at Pixabay

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Bottom trawling removes both animals and habitat.

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Treskova et al. reported changes in vector borne disease in Lancet Planetary Health (2025) In our recent systematic review of drought and West Nile Virus, we find consistent associations between seasonal drought and West Nile Virus infections. www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13... 🧪 🌍 #climate #disease

mdpi.com

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

A clearwing moth on honey-scented Aronia melanocarpa blooms! Many moths are pollinators as are flies (see smaller insect to the left). Among insects as among other life forms, one cannot cleanly categorize into 'friend' or 'foe'. Assume 'friend' in the absence of other information. 🐝💚 #pollinators

Black clear wing moth with orange-tipped abdomen on Aronia melanocarpa

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Hickories decked out in their best spring attire: left, shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) and right, shellbark hickory (C. laciniosa). IME these species produce the best-flavored and easily accessible hickory nuts in central NC. 🌍 🌱 #foraging #foodforest #nuttree

New green leaves emerge from pastel remnants of bud at the end of a shagbark hickory tree branch

New green leaves emerge from ivory and tan-colored remnants of bud at the end of a shellbark hickory tree branch

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Well here's a little ray of sunshine. Does this mean that I can distill spirits in my home now? A fruit growers dream: fortified wines and apple brandy within reach! www.theguardian.com/law/2026/apr...

theguardian.com

US appeals court declares 158-year-old home distilling ban unconstitutional

Judge said ban, which originated in Reconstruction era to thwart liquor tax evasion, actually reduced tax revenue

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

A serious setback for disease control: on 3/31 CDC eliminated laboratory testing for some pathogens and parasites. This leaves underfunded state health departments responsible for detecting rabies and monkeypox--diseases that require rapid interventions to limit spread. cdc.gov/infectious-d...

cdc.gov

Test Directory

Find information about the CDC Infectious Diseases Laboratory Test Directory.

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John Bistline @bistline.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

This is my favorite climate change chart. Japanese monks, aristocrats, and emperors kept meticulous records of cherry blossom festivals for 1,200 years and accidentally built the world's longest climate dataset.

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Sci NC produced this great piece on bees- "What's killing the bees and who's fighting back". I'm honored to have been included and to be given the opportunity to bring some attention to our native bees too! 🌍 🌱 🐝 youtu.be/8Dn4S_DO4o8 #nativebees #honeybees

youtu.be

Who takes care of sick bees?

YouTube video by Sci NC

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) is blooming now in my North Carolina orchard. An ancient super-food from Eurasia, it is an easy-care edible addition to the sunny or partially-shaded landscape.

Red cornelian cherry fruits hang from a leafy branch.

Bright yellow, lacy petals of cornelian cherry blossoms.

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Farmers take another blow. A reminder that nitrogen fertilizer costs track oil prices in the best of times. This year the supply chain around the Strait of Hormuz is also crippled just as the growing season begins in northern US and Canada. 🌱 #Farming #Agriculture www.klkntv.com/closure-of-t...

klkntv.com

Closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict could impact Nebraska agriculture

Iran borders the Strait, and the country has started attacking other regions around it, disrupting the ships navigating the waterway.

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Welcome to the new year of the horse. Wishing you good health, happiness, peace, and prosperity! #lunarnewyear

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Bruce Lanphear's newest blog: Our chemical regulatory system is broken--for people and the environment. "...the current system of chemical regulation ... is doing exactly what it was designed to do—protect markets first, people second." 🧪 🌍 blanphear.substack.com/p/the-power-...

blanphear.substack.com

A Sign in the Window

What Václav Havel can teach us about toxic chemicals and public health

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Food and drinking water are main sources of exposure to 'forever chemicals' polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Yet US regulators keep approving pesticides containing PFAS for use on food crops. 🧪 🌍 #health www.theguardian.com/environment/... Sci article and commentary links in first comment.

theguardian.com

Health groups sue EPA over insecticide that causes testicular damage in rats

Groups say EPA did not adequately consider adverse health effects to children when it approved the pesticide

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Reduced use of childhood vaccines is associated with high rates of preventable influenza, whooping cough, and measles for 2025-2026. These are record high childhood rates (or near record for flu) compared to previous US reports for the 21st century. 🧪 @cidrap.bsky.social tinyurl.com/228efbfz

tinyurl.com

COMMENTARY: When confusion replaces clarity about vaccines, children pay the price

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

This morning's rainbow moon. Happy New Year!

Hazy rainbow around almost full moon surrounded by bare branches, above its reflection.

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

"Stingless bees from the Amazon granted legal rights..." And now the work begins: Native stingless bees can't compete against European honey bees that have become "Africanized" hybrids. These aggressive "killer" bees must be controlled to allow native bees to survive. 🧪🌍🌱🐝 tinyurl.com/5epkbe8n

tinyurl.com

Stingless bees from the Amazon granted legal rights in world first

Planet’s oldest bee species and primary pollinators were under threat from deforestation and competition from ‘killer bees’

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Unmown pasture with common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) 🌍 🌱 🦋 #nativeplants #pollinators

Open milkweed pod spilling fluff and seed against a sunset

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

Before flowers evolved with attractive colors and scents, what did plants use to attract insect pollinators? Heat may be one ancient strategy. Valencia-Montoya and colleagues report their study of cycads in Science. Journal link in first comment. 🧪🌍🌱🐝 phys.org/news/2025-12... #pollinators

phys.org

Infrared radiation may be one of the most ancient plant signals to pollinating insects

Harvard researchers have discovered that cycads—one of the oldest living lineages of seed plants—heat up their reproductive organs to attract beetle pollinators and the insects possess infrared sensor...

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Perennial grain crops and the Land Institute are profiled in this piece from The Guardian. Perennial crops are indeed an important piece of our future food supply. Because, truly: "Soil is more important than oil" 🧪🌍🌱🐝 🦋 www.theguardian.com/environment/...

theguardian.com

‘Soil is more important than oil’: inside the perennial grain revolution

Scientists in Kansas believe Kernza could cut emissions, restore degraded soils and reshape the future of agriculture

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Debra Houry reminds us that we are losing our essential public health capacity at CDC. Since Dr Houry's resignation as Chief Medical Officer in August 2025, ideologues have increasingly replaced specialists in science, public health, and medicine. #publichealth 🧪🦠

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

New York Times bestseller "The Light Eaters" — Virtual book talk with Zoë Schlanger, Atlantic journalist covering science, health, and the environment. Tues., Dec. 16, 7-8:30pm EST. go.unc.edu/lighteaters Schlanger invites us into the world of plant behavior and intelligence research.🧪🌍🌱

Photograph of author Zoe Schlanger with the date, time and registration information for her book talk "The Light Eaters". All information is included in the post text too!

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

Demand for organic food is rising, but growers need support to fund development of varieties compatible with organic methods to minimize production costs. If this matters to you ask your senators to support the Organic Science and Research Investment Act (SB 1385) fruitgrowers.com/organic-scie...

fruitgrowers.com

Learn more about the Organic Science and Research Investment Act - Serving Agriculture Since 1907

Organic growers across the country may be receiving some much-needed assistance from Washington, D.C, during the coming months.

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Reposted by Elizabeth Hilborn

ProPublica @propublica.org · 11/10/2025

The forever chemical PFNA is so hazardous that the EPA struck an agreement with 8 companies to phase it out nearly two decades ago. Now an EPA report on its harms sits in limbo, and the Trump administration won’t say when it will be released. By @fastlerner.bsky.social

propublica.org

Scientists Completed a Toxicity Report on This Forever Chemical. The EPA Hasn’t Released It.

Agency scientists found that PFNA could cause developmental, liver and reproductive harms. Their final report was ready in mid-April, according to an internal document reviewed by ProPublica, but the ...

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Gwen Pearson @bug-gwen.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

A little break from reality: a delightful insect procession by Nishiyama Kan'ei (Japan, Edo period). Check out the original for more delightful details www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...

Detail of the the front of the painting. Katydids, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, and crickets are playing instruments and dancing, while mantids and other insects are carrying flowers

The full painting; katydids, mantids, and more lead the procession. In the middle is grasshoppers carrying a box, and in the rear are wasps offering up a comb of brood. Many are carrying flowers and dancing

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Elizabeth Hilborn @elizabee.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Today, the Lancet published an updated, evidence-based model diet designed to maximize human health and minimize environmental damage in a developing world. The Guardian piece is linked here: tinyurl.com/mrs9tfcx the referenced study (restricted access) is linked in the first comment. 🧪 🌍🌱

tinyurl.com

‘Planetary health diet’ could save 40,000 deaths a day, landmark report finds

Diet allows modest meat consumption and would also slash food-related climate emissions by half, says report by 70 leading experts from 35 countries

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 01/10/2025

Farewell to Jane Goodall 🌿 A pioneering scientist whose groundbreaking work with primates transformed how we understand ourselves. She showed how research and advocacy can unite, inspiring generations.

nytimes.com

Jane Goodall, Eminent Primatologist Who Chronicled the Lives of Chimps, Dies at 91

Her discoveries in the 1960s about how chimpanzees behaved in the wild broke new ground and represented what was called “one of the Western world’s great scientific achievements.”

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