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Megan Barker

@meganbarkerase.bsky.social
375 followers 676 following 64 posts

Teaching faculty member @SFU Biology! Evidence-based teaching, maker projects, Jane Austen, boardgames, data, snacks! Formerly @meganbarkerase on Twitter.

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Reposted by Megan Barker
Ran Blekhman @blekhman.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
I wanted to like QED's new 1% preprint ranking. I really did. But the more I looked at the data, the more uncomfortable it made me. Here is my full peer review. open.substack.com/pub/blekhman...
open.substack.com
My Peer Review of The 1%
I wanted to like QED's new 1% ranking. I don't.
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Zach Weinersmith @zachweinersmith.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Bonus panel here: www.smbc-comics.com/comic/mission #smbc #comics
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Itai Yanai @itaiyanai.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
🔥 Published today, and just in time for summer conferences, here are your guidelines for presenting badly www.nature.com/articles/s41... rdcu.be/fqa92
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Mike Wiser @drmikewiser.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
My primary academic conference is in a few weeks. I have given a good number of conference presentations over the years, and possibly moderated even more often than I've presented. Advice for anyone who wants it, in a thread:
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Joachim Goedhart @joachimgoedhart.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Topology-dependent FRET efficiency in living cells via N-C swapping of fluorescent protein fusions by Takayuki Nakajima and team: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Figure 3. Sensitized emission FRET measurements in living cells
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The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 04/06/2026
An AI data centre proposed for the Lorneville neighbourhood of Saint John, N.B., would raze wetlands and forest and become one of the province’s largest greenhouse gas emitters. Residents are resisting. thenarwhal.ca/lorneville-a...
thenarwhal.ca
New Brunswick residents battle an AI data centre | The Narwhal
The proposed data centre and its on-site gas plant in Lorneville, N.B., would raze wetlands and forest and be one of the province’s largest greenhouse gas emitters
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Physghoul 👻 🎃 @physgal.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
I also hope @aapthq.bsky.social says something. Science education research is especially vulnerable. 👩🏻‍🔬
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Sven T. Stripp @stripplab.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Wow this is convincing 🪶 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
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Terry Godier @terrygodier.com · 05/05/2026
📢 New Essay: The Boring Internet The internet you grew up on isn’t dying. A commercial veneer glued on top of it is. www.terrygodier.com/the-borin…
terrygodier.com
The Boring Internet
The internet you grew up on isn't dying. A commercial veneer glued on top of it is. A visual essay about what actually persists.
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Internet Archive @archive.org · 17/05/2026
As high-profile websites vanish, it’s a reminder that the web has no built-in archival layer. But some publishers are now blocking the Wayback Machine. What’s at stake if the web stops being archived? Our new FAQ explains: preserving the public record matters. 🌐📚 help.archive.org/help/faq-pub...
help.archive.org
FAQ: Publishers Blocking the Wayback Machine – Internet Archive Help Center
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Jeremy Hsu @hsubox.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
New paper alert! We investigate how students in introductory bio conceptualize a fundamental question: what does it mean to be alive? We share instructional implications for supporting more coherent, scientifically aligned understandings. Check it out! journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10....
journals.physiology.org
What is alive? Students’ conceptions of the traits that unite living organisms | Advances in Physiology Education | American Physiological Society
Biology is the study of life, but students often hold misconceptions about what it means to be alive, with children often associating life with movement. These misconceptions can lead to biases in wha...
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Brenna Clarke Gray @brennacgray.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Friends in British Columbia's teaching and learning sector, I believe the Canvas breach is an important moment for us to request a review of how data is handled and how risk assessment in tool selection is done. If you agree, please consider signing this open letter and please share widely:
docs.google.com
OIPC Open Letter
To the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, (CCs to the offices of the Premier, the Minister of Citizen Services, and the Minister of Post-Secondary Education and F...
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Nick Fleisher @nickfleisher.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Canvas, the Strait of Hormuz for American education
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Damon Kiesow @kiesow.net · 26/04/2026
BREAKING NEWS CONSUMER'S HANDBOOK
1. In the immediate aftermath, news outlets will get it wrong.
2. Don't trust anonymous sources.
3. Don't trust stories that cite another news outlet as the source of the information.
4. There's almost never a second shooter.
5. Pay attention to the language the media uses.
• "We are getting reports"... could mean anything.
• "We are seeking confirmation".
".. means they don't have it.
• "[News outlet] has learned".
"... means it has a scoop or is going out on limb.
6. Look for news outlets close to the incident.
7. Compare multiple sources.
8. Big news brings out the fakers. And photoshoppers.
9. Beware reflexive retweeting. Some of this is on you.
ON THE MEDIA
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Pujuan Poppy Deng @poppy-pujuan-deng.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
I am so excited to share our new findings with you! We provide the structural evidence for a direct protein-to-DNA information pathway, showing how a bacterial enzyme 'reads' its own structure to 'write' DNA. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
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Megan Barker @meganbarkerase.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
@odedrechavi.bsky.social the meal to end all meals!!
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Megan Barker @meganbarkerase.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
@agberistain.bsky.social !
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 11/03/2026
It's #NationalProposalDay 💍 There's more to diamonds than meets the eye; this graphic highlights the hidden chemistry: www.compoundchem.com/2015/12/15/d...
Infographic on the chemistry of diamond rings. The four c's of diamonds are highlight: cut, colour, clarity and carat. Metals used in diamond rings are also highlighted.
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Luke Schuler 🍹 @lukospicturehouse.com · 10/03/2026
Many tidings on this blessed Mario Day ⭐ #marioday
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SFU Faculty of Science @sfuscience.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Set your alarms for very early Tuesday morning - or stay up late on Monday! There will be a lunar eclipse from 1:49 - 5:18 am. If the skies are clear, look to the southwest and see the ruby-red moon at its full intensity around 3:30 am.
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Oded Rechavi @odedrechavi.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
It’s finally out! Together with @embopress.org and @reviewcommons.org, we conducted a structured side-by-side comparison of human peer review and our AI scientific review (see thread 👇👇👇🔥).
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Derek Bruff @derekbruff.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Props to POD Network's AI in Education SIG for pointing this out... That Einstein app did a rebrand this week. First image is from the website today, second image from three days ago. Today he's a "personal tutor." Earlier this week he "watches lectures, writes essays... and submits your homework."
From February 25, 2026: Meet Einstein. The personal tutor every student deserves. Einstein connects to your Canvas, knows your strengths and weaknesses, and guides you step by step throughout your entire educational journey.From February 22, 2026: Meet Einstein. Einstein is an AI with a computer. He logs into Canvas every day, watches lectures, reads essays, writes papers, participates in discussions, and submits your homework — automatically.
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Kresten Lindorff-Larsen @lindorfflarsen.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
RNA: simple alphabet, complex grammar — Sandro Bottaro, 2017 The most consistent thing I have learnt about RNA is that my intuition based on proteins tends to fail when applied to RNA
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Zach Weinersmith @zachweinersmith.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Going thru my archives again. I need to do more surrealism. www.smbc-comics.com/comic/things...
smbc-comics.com
Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal - Things Have Changed
Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal - Things Have Changed
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Derek Simon @dartmouthderek.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
You need to hear the goal call in Inuktitut.
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Deidre Lynch @drbibliomane.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
All the buzz about Emerald Fennell's Wuthering H, & Elordi's Heathcliff makes me wonder why nobody has as yet mentioned "Dude Watching with the Brontes" (by the brilliant @katebeaton.bsky.social, who has long since anticipated all we mere mortals have to say): www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id...
harkavagrant.com
Hark, a vagrant: 202
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Kyle Geske @stungeye.com · 10/02/2026
An Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) card game created by an Indigenous designer right here in #Winnipeg. Currently $4,110 pledged of $7,000 goal.
kickstarter.com
Ataage Agindaasonan - An Ojibwe/Anishinaabemowin card game
A fun way to learn a language with access to audio translations and pronunciation breakdowns. Immerse yourself with the game phrases!
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Physghoul 👻 🎃 @physgal.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
In honor of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, here's an interesting article about the experiences of early career women in physics. Though we have made some progress, there is still a lot of work to do to improve the culture/climate in physics. 👩‍🔬⚛️🎢 #IDWGS
iopscience.iop.org
Anecdotes and guidance notes: surviving and thriving as a woman in science
Anecdotes and guidance notes: surviving and thriving as a woman in science, Gaggio, B, Driscoll, E H, Robinson, F C J, Singleton, J, MacManus-Driscoll, J L
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Brer Marsh @brerbear.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
The economic benefit is there for the taking. Cities struggling with deficits (like San Diego) can offset road maintenance and health burdens with this one simple trick, make it safe enough for people to choose to bike.
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Zach Weinersmith @zachweinersmith.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Interesting paper. Short version is they used comic artists as a control vs. illustrators, the argument being that comic artists, during the period studied, were less AI-exposed. There is evidence for this:
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National Trust @nationaltrust.org.uk · 31/01/2026
Want to walk in a place like this? Here are our top spots for snowdrops: buff.ly/s4UXavw 📷: Richard Pink
A path runs along the left side of the image through a woodland garden setting. On the right of the path is a bank which is covered in flowering snowdrops. Their delicate white heads create quite a spectacle! No one is in view and the image feels calm and tranquil
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Megan Barker @meganbarkerase.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
@beristainlab.bsky.social !
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Physghoul 👻 🎃 @physgal.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
BC peeps, now's a good time to consider boycotting Jim Pattison's companies if he lets this sale go through. Pattison owns Save-on-Foods, Quality Foods, Western Foods, and Everything Wine, among other outlets. 🇨🇦
cbc.ca
B.C. billionaire Jim Pattison's Virginia warehouse could become ICE facility | CBC News
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is in talks to buy a Virginia warehouse owned by British Columbia billionaire Jim Pattison and plans to turn it into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (IC...
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Colin Spacetwinks @spacetwinks.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
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Jane Austen’s House @janeaustenshouse.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
✨ 2025 A few clips from a phenomenal year celebrating 250 years of Jane Austen in 2025. Not featured here are the copious amounts of tea and biscuits consumed, all the friends made and the communities built through our shared love of Jane Austen. ✨ We can’t wait to see what 2026 brings!
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Daniel Ansari 🇨🇦 @numcog.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
"This is the world as it is, no matter what we may wish it to be" Excellent piece (gift link) by @sproudfoot.bsky.social: www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/cb0fda6...
theglobeandmail.com
It’s clear Carney is now dealing with the world ‘as it is’
There are no good guys among the superpowers seeking to carve up the globe like so many pieces of pie
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Paris Marx @parismarx.com · 15/01/2026
Quite frankly, it’s outrageous that Mark Carney is cutting Statistics Canada. If he was Stephen Harper or Pierre Poilievre, I feel like this would be getting a lot more backlash. Carney of all people should know the importance of high-quality data and information about the country.
ottawacitizen.com
Statistics Canada to cut 850 jobs in 'dark time' for public service, union says
Federal statistics agency entered its workforce adjustment period Monday, sending notices to thousands of employees.
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Drew Harwell @drewharwell.com · 07/01/2026
X basically industrialized the creation of fake porn of women who don't consent. Others did it first, but Grok made it normalized and centralized: publicly visible, instantly creatable by anyone, regardless of who's being targeted and dehumanized. Only question now is will X suffer any consequences
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Megan Barker @meganbarkerase.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
@sfuscience.bsky.social yikes.
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Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · 06/01/2026
If you made a Venn diagram of every weird person I knew in Silicon Valley during the first dot-com boom, centrifuged it, extracted the pellet, and re-suspended it in high-proof eugenics with a splash of AI, you'd end up with something like this. It'll take a strong stomach to read this "gift" link.
nytimes.com
Can You Optimize Love?
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the jonrev projects @jonrev.com · 07/01/2026
If you have the space, means and collection: a northern Texas warehouse full of proto-Redbox VHS vending machines from the mid-1980s is being evicted. The machines are free and whatever isn't taken will imminently be scrapped. www.facebook.com/commerce/lis...
Photograph. A large woodgrain-lined cabinet designed to hold and vend videotapes. On the right is the CRT screen interface and cash/coin insert. Instructional and "VIDEO VENDOR" signage overhead.
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Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Hiiiiii Bluesky 👋 It's been a while. While I haven't been posting here, I have been writing about teaching and grading. Lots to say about grades! ✏ Here's a thread of recent blog posts...
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Megan Barker @meganbarkerase.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social ?
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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 31/12/2025
"The Human's world ends soon," said the cat. "Again?" said the dog. "They are fond of endings and beginnings. Even if nothing changes." The dog whined. "Same procedure as last year?" said the cat. "Please." The cat lay on the dog's head and purred, muffling the fireworks. #CrossRepost
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Paul Fairie @paulisci.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
A List of Predictions Made in 1926 About 2026 🧵
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Jeff VanderMeer @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
Great post about generative AI. Happy Holidays. Don't say I never gave you anything. anthonymoser.github.io/writing/ai/h...
I do understand: you want permission. There’s a machine in the corner wrapped in human skin that makes things out of shit and blood to look like whatever you want (as long as you don’t look too closely). You gave one to your teacher and they didn’t notice. Your boss told you to use it after they laid off half the team and it was fine. You fed one to your kids and they liked it. You want to know you can use it sometimes without me thinking less of you. You don’t need me to believe it’s useful, you just want me to be polite about it.
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The Haunted Bookshop @thehauntedbookshop.com · 27/12/2025
I was thinking about what gifts people used to give to readers (besides gift editions of famous poets' work and illustrated histories of wars and such), and while I was thinking about it, somebody brought a book to the counter.... (1/10)
A book bound in red cloth with gilt titles and decoration, turned so you can see the ragged cutting on the right edges of the pages
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