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Kimberly Prather PhD

@kprather.bsky.social
26K followers 3.7K following 1.1K posts

Atmospheric Chemistry professor, air quality, clouds-climate, health, viruses, bioaerosols, public speaker, environmental justice. ❤️ ❤️ gardening, cooking, empathy. airborne.ucsd.edu kprather.scrippsprofiles.ucsd.edu

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Reposted by Kimberly Prather PhD
Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
A lot of what’s happening doesn’t seem to be spreading anymore by mainstream media. A tree that stood for an estimated 150–250 years was destroyed today to make way for Trump’s border wall.
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1965: 20-1 CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1990: 75-1 CEO-to-worker pay ratio today: 325-to-1 Trickle-down economics was always a sham. Nothing has ever trickled down.
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
My surgeon says my smooth recovery isn't one thing: I closely followed protocols, plus a great surgery team, infection prevention before/during/after surgery, a strong pain plan, no tourniquet, and tranexamic acid (TXA) which stops clots from breaking down so there's less bleeding. #KneeReplacement
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Thanks! Infections are most common in knee replacement due to the fact biofilms can grow on the hardware they insert…
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Yes most infections come from the patient based on sequencing data…
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Antibiotics in nose for 3 days before, 3 showers with special soap before going in, more washes in room before surgery, more stuff shoved up nose…and surgeons wear space suits to limit release of microbes.
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
6/6 Infection is the biggest risk, so choose a team that takes prevention seriously, from the OR to the front desk. Everyone's path differs by age, fitness, and strength. Mine has gone well, and I feel blessed. Happy to answer questions.
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
5/6 Rest in week one. Scar tissue builds slower than you fear (or you are told). Time on the stationary bike kept my knee loose (check with your PT on what's right for you). When the knee gets too tight, I stop pushing and let the swelling settle. Then everything gets easier.
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
4/6 Pain: I stayed ahead of it. I took opioids for the first few nights, on top of the rest of my plan, including Journavx. Within days I was sleeping 6 to 7 hours a night and walking. The hardest parts were exhaustion and stiffness. I had zero bruising.
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
3/6 What helped most: family support and a great surgeon w/ team that works as one. Surgeon, PA, nurse, and scheduler are all linked. Good leaders set the standard, and it filters down to everyone. Mine uses the latest techniques: no tourniquet, strong infection prevention, modern pain management.
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
2/6 Where I am now: my knee feels solid, I'm walking without a cane, I drove for the first time today, and I'm bending at 120° (beyond goal of 90°). Fully straightening is my next focus. I still tire easily, so full recovery will take time, but I'm heading in the right direction.
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
1/6 Update four weeks after my total knee replacement surgery: zero regrets. I was terrified going in. The photos and horror stories almost made me bail. But I had major instability and bone-on-bone wear bowing my legs, and it was only going to get worse. A thread on what helped. 🧵
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Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Way to go, California! Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill yesterday banning law enforcement (ICE) from using electric shock gloves.
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Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
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Steven Beschloss @stevenbeschloss.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
We have one last chance to get this right on Nov. 3. Can I beseech you to do everything you can?
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Scripps Institution of Oceanography @scrippsocean.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Research led by @ucsandiego.bsky.social & Scripps Oceanography atmospheric chemist @kprather.bsky.social contributed to a federal health consultation report concluding that environmental odors can negatively affect people’s health and well-being. Learn more. ⤵️ bit.ly/4yeqLVt
scripps.ucsd.edu
New Federal Health Assessment of Tijuana River Valley Air Pollution Builds on UC San Diego Findings
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a federal public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that works jointly with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released a new healt...
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Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Eight U.S. Navy sailors assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during its extended deployment, according to a letter from acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao obtained by CNN. None died.
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
scripps.ucsd.edu/news/new-fed...
scripps.ucsd.edu
New Federal Health Assessment of Tijuana River Valley Air Pollution Builds on UC San Diego Findings
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a federal public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that works jointly with the Centers for Disea...
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Steven Beschloss @stevenbeschloss.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The solidarity of news organizations in support of CNN, MS NOW & Politico has been encouraging. But how about that same solidarity when Trump abuses a journalist with comments of piggie or ugly or whatever? That means sticking up for your peers & even walking out if this abuser refuses to apologize.
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Patricia @powermacuser1.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Trump’s final appeal in his rape case was denied. He is the first President in US history who’s been found guilty of sexual assault in a federal civil court. Felon!
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Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 21/09/2026
LOLOL there's no microphone because the pool is boycotting him.
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halifaxharpie.bsky.social @halifaxharpie.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
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El Howieson @elhowieson.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
😱😱😱😱
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꧁༺𝓜𝔃𝓜𝓲𝓪𝓜𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓪 ༻꧂ @mzmiamaria.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
🤣🤣🤣 Brilliant
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God @thegodshow.com · 19/09/2026
Trump fucked up America’s supply chain so badly that soon his voters will be eating the cats and eating the dogs.
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Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Fox News is now defending CNN, which is obviously the smart thing to do. Even they realize the tides always turn. They said, “Don’t ban them. Or one day, they’ll ban us.” The MAGA movement is really falling apart.
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Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Save the date! No Kings is October 17th. And don’t forget to vote early! 🗳️
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Amanda Marcotte @amandamarcotte.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Why read past headlines: I spoke with @atrupar.com about his experiences being dogpiled by the White House and their rabid cult followers. He is resilient and insightful. www.salon.com/2026/09/16/w...
salon.com
White House doesn’t want voters to see the real Trump - Salon.com
Natalie Harp’s enormous bag and unflattering photos of Trump's rear end fuel attacks on a reporter
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
5. A question for those who've been through this total knee replacement surgery: how many weeks after surgery did you stop using walker? And when you did, did you switch to a cane first or go straight to walking on your own? I rarely hear about that stage. Would love to hear how it went for you.
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
4. Formal outpatient PT begins next week, and I'll keep up with my exercises at home in between. This early stage matters a great deal for long-term results, so healing is my full-time job right now. Full recovery from a knee replacement takes months, and I'm giving it the time it needs.
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
3. A few small wins this week: I slept well last night, this morning I made my own coffee for the first time, and I can now pedal on my DeskCycle, which is a big step for range of motion. I'm learning to listen to my body and pace myself carefully.
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
2. Other moments remind me how early this is. I still walk more smoothly w/ walker, so it stays close. Stairs are manageable, and the pain is mild: a little in my shin and along the outside of my knee when I stretch. Mornings are still very stiff, and range of motion needs work. Fun….
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
1. Two weeks ago today I had my total knee replacement, and I'm doing great, all things considered. Recovery comes with ups and downs. Some moments feel surprisingly good. I've even caught myself walking a few steps without my walker.
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Apologies for this hot take, but it seems like taking a partisan hack who's a complete dipshit with no experience in the field and making them the head of your network news division might *not* have been a brilliant idea?
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Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
BREAKING: SCOTUS denies the Trump administration’s request to enforce the new U.S. Postal Service rule for the 2026 elections. Justices Alito and Thomas dissent. More to come at Law Dork. www.lawdork.com
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
No. 26A305
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, ET AL. U.
CALIFORNIA, ET AL.
ON APPLICATION FOR STAY
[September 14, 2026]
The application for stay presented to JUSTICE JACKSON and by her referred to the Court is denied. The Government is unlikely to succeed on the merits of its challenge to the District Court's preliminary injunction. And the equitable factors applicable for obtaining emergency relief from this Court do not favor a stay.
JUSTICE KAVANAUGH, concurring.
In my view, based on the briefing the Court has received at this interim stage, there is at least a fair prospect that the final rule falls within the Postal Service's statutory authority. See 39 U. S. C. §401(2). But applying the rule in the 2026 elections would be arbitrary and capricious in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act because state and local election officials do not have sufficient time to reasonably implement the rule before the elections. See 39
U. S. C. §3001(m); 5 U. S. C. §706(2)(A). For that reason, I concur in the denial of the application for stay.
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Soooo true…
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Steven Beschloss @stevenbeschloss.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I said this years ago. It's been obvious. It remains obvious. It's a tragedy for our country.
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God @thegodshow.com · 14/09/2026
he's a pedophile in the epstein files and all he has to say is 5,000 dollars and every idiot just falls for it
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
And?
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I hope this is true. Who can we believe??
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David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Do not underestimate the scale of this climate crisis. We are watching feedback loops accelerate, ice sheet collapse, ocean heat content, methane release, that could lock in irreversible warming. We have all witnessed the data, and it is not slowing down.
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David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
If you work at an oil major, I urge you to think hard about what the next decade will feel like. Do you want to greenlight another decades-long extraction project without reckoning with its full climate cost? Or use this moment to demand a different path?
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Alondra Nelson @alondra.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Researchers across the country are turning to side hustles to fund their work. Behind the cuts sits a bigger shift: whether American science can still sustain durable research capacity. @lindseydcameron.bsky.social and I examine the stakes in a new piece @science.org: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
science.org
The wrong platform for science
Daniel Blumstein recently sat in a Colorado meadow waiting for yellow-bellied marmots to appear, as the ecologist and evolutionary biologist had done many times before, the New York Times reported. Bu...
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Happened again…and these same GOPs are the biggest critics of same sex marriage…
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Lesson from my knee replacement: don't ignore signs your body is breaking down, even if the pain seems manageable. I almost bailed on surgery because it didn't hurt as much as my X-rays said it should. My new bionic knee is super straight! Pondering when to do #2, which looks awful by comparison.
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
I was simply sharing my experience with acute pain (replacing opioids) and not trying to diminish anyone.
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
4) I will continue to give updates. The internet is mostly filled with horror stories that had me scared to death. It’s not easy for sure but far better than I expected. This bionic knee is so stable. One key is having strength in upper body and your good leg. I used a deskcycle and it def helped.
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
3) Walking with the walker is almost normal. Pain med is Journavx — non-opioid, from research that began with fire walkers in Pakistan who felt no pain. Now: PT and healing. Massive thanks to surgeon Dr. Ball and his team. Feeling blessed. 🙏
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
2) For anyone facing this: max pain was a 7/10, briefly, on day 3 — and that was an Ace wrap gone too tight with swelling, not the knee. Took it off and it dropped. Otherwise stiffness more than pain. Sleep is still hard as body is fighting hard to heal, but I can get on my side now.
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Kimberly Prather PhD @kprather.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
1) Day 5 post-TKR — I’ve graduated to the family room! 🎉 Pain seems to be gone and swelling is down. Still stiff. Told this could happen days 3–5, and it did, right on schedule.
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