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Helen Fones

@quietscientist.bsky.social
344 followers 368 following 334 posts

UKRI Future Leader's Fellow / Senior Lecturer and chief Science Do-er of the Fones lab, Exeter. Pro: Evidence-based thinking, kindness, pet rats, coffee.

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Reposted by Helen Fones
Puff the Magic Hater @mskellymhayes.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Notice how the popular media narrative has moved on, while people on the ground in Minneapolis are still struggling and crying out that things are as bad as ever. This is how fascist regimes operate — overreach, recalibration, normalization. Get louder, not quieter.
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Reposted by Helen Fones
Chenxin Li, PhD @chenxinli2.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
#MicroscopeMonday Cross-section of a Kalanchoe marnieriana leaf, with what appears to be emerging but dormant foliar embryo (a dome) near the top. Kalanchoe marnieriana is a facultative cloning plant, which normally does not produce plantlets but do produce plantlets when leaves are detached.
Cross-section of a Kalanchoe marnieriana leaf, with what appears to be emerging but dormant foliar embryo near the top. Kalanchoe marnieriana in a pot.
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Reposted by Helen Fones
Micah @rincewind.run · 09/02/2026
every single person writing credulously about "elon will put people on the moon" should have to pin this post to their monitor
Mastodon post from @rodhilton

He talked about electric cars. I don't know anything about cars, so when people said he was a genius I figured he must be a genius.

Then he talked about rockets. I don't know anything about rockets, so when people said he was a genius I figured he must be a genius.

Now he talks about software. I happen to know a lot about software & Elon Musk is saying the stupidest shit I've ever heard anyone say, so when people say he's a genius I figure I should stay the hell away from his cars and rockets.
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Reposted by Helen Fones
ProPublica @propublica.org · 09/02/2026
1/ ProPublica collected handwritten letters in mid-January from children held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the same facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was taken. Hundreds of kids are still detained. We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
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Helen Fones @quietscientist.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
#RatOfTheWeek: Walter! He's the second of our two new rescues. A lovely, soft, gentle boy, currently being introduced to our other boys and acting like he's not twice their size. Sweetheart ❤️ #Rats #pets #PetRats #FancyRats #SkyRats #RatsOfBluesky
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highly praised and little read @hannah.posts.rat.pictures.ap.brid.gy · 22/10/2025
The author of this norwegian knitting pattern was sadly attacked by a werewolf in the middle of writing the gauge instructions
STRIKKEFASTHET
22 m x 29 omg glattstrikk, 27 omg mønster = 10 x 10 cm
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Reposted by Helen Fones
Yasin Dagdas @plantophagy.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
They’re electing a prime minister, yet the main headline is still her gender, not her ideas or what she stands for 😤 www.bbc.com/news/live/cy...
bbc.com
Sanae Takaichi wins historic vote to become Japan's first female prime minister
Sanae Takaichi, who calls herself Japan's Margaret Thatcher, stitched up a late night deal to bring her within two votes of the PM chair.
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autumn coded @hoovybaby.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Wake up, babe, the least subtle visual metaphor in history just dropped
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Reposted by Helen Fones
Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
🇺🇸 🔥 That. Was. Impressive. We are watching America reassert itself and its values from the grassroots up. The world saw you and we have huge hope invested in you.
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Reposted by Helen Fones
Ákos T Kovács @evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
A leaf-surface fungus mediates interactions between leafcutter bees and the plants they cut to line their nests -in Ecology esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
A leaf‐surface fungus mediates interactions between leafcutter bees and the plants they cut to line their nests
Many insects damage leaves, a phenomenon that is foundational to their impacts on terrestrial ecosystems. Leaf traits, including chemistry, shape these interactions. In turn, leaf-surface (phylloplan....
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Reposted by Helen Fones
Yasin Dagdas @plantophagy.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Isn’t it amazing that plants have transcription factors that literally move from one cell to another to shape development? As a non-developmental biologist, I find this mind-blowing 🤯 genesdev.cshlp.org/content/25/1...
genesdev.cshlp.org
WUSCHEL protein movement mediates stem cell homeostasis in the Arabidopsis shoot apex
A biweekly scientific journal publishing high-quality research in molecular biology and genetics, cancer biology, biochemistry, and related fields
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Reposted by Helen Fones
Ed Davey @eddavey.libdems.org.uk · 20/10/2025
Then fix it.
Screenshot from BBC: Rachel Reeves blames Brexit deal for long-term damage to economy.

Rachel Reeves made the comment about the 2020 deal at a key meeting of the world's leading finance ministers and central bankers.
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Helen Fones @quietscientist.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
#RatOfTheWeek - we just collected two new ratties who were in need of a new forever home. He's one of them, Cyril. Settling well into his new life. #rats #pets #petrats #fancyrats #skyrats #ratsofbluesky #ratsky
A roan top eared rat in a fluffy tunnel; just his face shows.Now he's taking and stretching out one paw towards us.Here he's having a cuddle and eating a treatAnd here, he's observing and exploring his new home - sitting up in an alert posture, whiskers forward.
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Reposted by Helen Fones
Microbiology Society @microbiologysociety.org · 16/10/2025
Did you know food-derived natural products may reveal how antimicrobial resistance plasmids spread in Enterobacterales? Celebrate World Food Day by reflecting on how our diet affects the world. Read more in Microbiology: doi.org/10.1099/mic.... #MicrobioJ #WorldFoodDay
doi.org
Natural products from food sources can alter the spread of antimicrobial resistance plasmids in Enterobacterales
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global public health. Notably, resistance to carbapenem and extended-spectrum β-lactam antibiotics in Gram-negative bacteria is a major…
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Helen Fones @quietscientist.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
#RatOfTheWeek - one of our past boys who deserves to be remembered - Grindle! He had the softest fur and the softest brain - such a daft, sweet, cuddly soul. And very very cute with it! #rats #pets #petrats #fancyrats #skyrats #RatsOfBluesky
Grindle. A dark grey rat with a crooked white blaze running at an angle from the left side of his pink nose up to the center of his forehead. He had pink dumbo ears and white whiskers and he's looking at the camera with his shiny black eyesHere he's sitting up in a hand. His back feet are sticking out towards the camera and he's holding a piece of cucumber like it's a steering wheel for an invisible go kart.Here he's snuggled into his human's cardigan for a cuddle.
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Reposted by Helen Fones
Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
The "no-one talks about immigration" line is so obviously nonsense. Not only is it one of the single most reported on issues in the media, it is also one of the most talked about in politics, with "immigration" alone referenced more than 1,700 times in the last 12 months in House of Commons. 1/
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Helen Fones @quietscientist.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Quality science reporting from the Mirror here 🤣🤦😭 Virus or fungus? At least pick one! #science #ScienceCommunication #misinformation #embarrassing
"Cases of the Candidozyma auris virus have been increasing and spreading in hospitals. This dangerous fungus, once limited to a small number of isolated cases, has now spread to every continent, except Antarctica."
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Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
Ed Davey, "Nigel Farage helped cause the small boat problems, because before Brexit we had 27 return agreements with the EU" - maybe call them Brexit boats?
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Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
Ed Davey, "I'm afraid Nigel Farage should be apologising for helping cause this problem in the first place" "Before Brexit we didn't have a small boats problem because we had 27 return agreements with EU countries and we could return people" -Maybe we should call them Farage's Brexit Boats
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
I have defended the BBC again and again. No more.
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Helen Fones @quietscientist.bsky.social · 20/09/2025
#RatOfTheWeek - Ace again! Seen here taking his medicine (in chocolate spread) like a trooper! We thought he might be off to the rainbow bridge but once again the vet has done magic! Long life and good health, Acey boy! 🥰 (& same to his vet 😃). #pets #rats #petrats #fancyrats #skyrats #ratsofbluesky
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Reposted by Helen Fones
Tatsuya Nobori @tatsuyanobori.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
RNA-binding proteins orchestrating immunity in plants onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
RNA‐binding proteins orchestrating immunity in plants
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play a central role in plant immunity by controlling the form, function and fate of RNA and are directly targeted by pathogens to promote susceptibility. This review exami...
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Helen Fones @quietscientist.bsky.social · 14/09/2025
#RatOfTheWeek - Pingu! This is not just bliss, this is chocolate spread bliss... Daddy's fingers aren't quite clean so they must be licked - it would be a sin to leave a single molecule unlicked! Too busy & happy to care if he looks ridiculous🤣 #rats #pets #petrats #fancyrats #skyrats #RatsOfBluesky
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
Could we please stop pretending that the flags being hung from streetlamps or painted on roundabouts are innocent expressions of patriotic pride? This is the far right marking out its territory. It uses these flags to intimidate its traditional victims and opponents. 🧵1/3
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Helen Fones @quietscientist.bsky.social · 07/09/2025
I think Dusty makes a good #RatOfTheWeek this week. He loves flowers, he doesn't care who knows it, and he won't let a treacherous 'ramp' stop him from picking them, either! #rats #pets #petrats #fancyrats #skyrats #ratsofbluesky #cute
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Jane @localnotail.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
On the same day in the Telegraph:
The Telegraph

Rayner tax scandal - £40k tax dodge - Statement

Angela Rayner dodges £40,000 stamp duty

Deputy Prime Minister reduces tax bill for Hove flat by declaring it as her main residence

[Photo: Angela Rayner pictured at the weekend in Hove, where she has just bought a flat Credit: Dan Charity/The Sun on Sunday]

Robert Mendick Chief Reporter. Amy Gibbons Political Correspondent

29 August 2025 8:57am BSTThe Telegraph

Money > Property > Second homes

How to avoid tax on your second home

From stamp duty to council tax, shield your wealth from Labour's tightening net

[Photo of houses around a bay - Areas such as Cornwall have added a premium to council tax bills for second homes Credit: iStockphoto]

Fran Ivens Senior Money Writer

29 August 2025 1:21pm BST
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Reposted by Helen Fones
Matthew Wright @matthew-wright.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
A little bit of perspective on Angela Rayner: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/arti...
theguardian.com
Nadhim Zahawi admits he paid nearly £5m to HMRC after ‘careless mistake’
Tory former minister says he made error over tax paid on sales of YouGov shares after previously saying he was being ‘smeared’
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Marina Purkiss @marina-purkiss.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
Imagine the message it would send if Gary Lineker won 'Presenter of the Year' at this year's National Television Awards Standing up for compassion & the right to speak out And, the feathers it would ruffle My lovely followers, you know what to do: nationaltvawards.com/vote 🗓️ Deadline: 12th Sep
nationaltvawards.com
Vote | National Television Awards
Choose your winners in this year’s National Television Awards
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Helen Fones @quietscientist.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
I was never expecting*great* things, but I am nevertheless incredibly disappointed by this government. On this, and other matters. But perhaps especially this.
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Helen Fones @quietscientist.bsky.social · 31/08/2025
#RatOfTheWeek shall be Muffin, who doesn't get anywhere near enough Rat of the Week attention. He's such a good boy. Here he is, taking on a DIY project and also, being cute. Which, frankly, is his forte. Little round buddy.
Muffin, a black dumbo rat, stands on a table trying to choose the correct size spanner. He's got his paw on a number 16. His bright black eyes are looking directly at the cameraHere Muffin is eating a treat. That's his favourite activity, for sure.
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Sarah, manic pixie dream MILF @goatsarah.org · 29/08/2025
I want to explain a few things and then it might be clearer why UK trans people are upset. In 2001 I married my wife, Sylvia. In 2005 I started medical transition. (1/13)
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Liz Webster 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧🇪🇺 @lizwebster.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
🚨 It’s out in Farmers Weekly: Labour accused of bypassing Parliament to embed US trade deal SI 2025/753 hard-wires US quotas into UK law before MPs even get a vote. Democracy & farming standards undermined by stealth. #SaveBritishFarming #StopTheDeal 👇 www.fwi.co.uk/news/eu-refe...
fwi.co.uk
Labour accused of bypassing parliament to embed US trade deal - Farmers Weekly
Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government is facing sharp criticism from farmers and opposition MPs for fast-tracking key parts of the UK-US Economic
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Lindsey Wailes (looking for work!) @linwail.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Hey everyone! I am currently on the lookout for 3D Animator roles! ✨I have almost 5 years experience in the Games Industry 🎨Looking for Animation, Concept Art, QA, and other similar roles. 💼 Open to Remote or near Boston/Rhode Island Thank you! #animator #animation
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Helen Fones @quietscientist.bsky.social · 24/08/2025
#RatOfTheWeek - Waffle! He loves a spoon full of tasty and he loves a snuggle. He's obsessed with licking us, and he's just an all round Good Boy #Rats #Pets #PetRats #FancyRats #SkyRats #RatsOfBluesky
Waffle, an agouti and white top eared rat, sits up on his hind legs to lick a treat from a spoon Waffle, an agouti and white top eared rat, sits up on his bum with his hind legs in the air, licking a treat from a spoon. He looks undignified but he doesn't care.Waffle is inside someone's jumper for snuggles. Just his little face is poking out through a hole (made by one of his accomplices)
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Marc Somssich @somssich.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
Great to see this really cool story (see quoted post) published in @newphyt.bsky.social! nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... Congratulations @laravdijck.bsky.social, @parkergroup.bsky.social! Plant-Scopoletin-Fungal Endophyte-Iron #PlantScience #Coumarin #PlantImmunity #PlantNutrition
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Cooperation between a root fungal endophyte and host‐derived coumarin scopoletin mediates Arabidopsis iron nutrition
Iron acquisition is a critical challenge for plants, especially in iron-deficient soils. Recent research underscores the importance of root-exuded coumarins in modulating the root microbiome communi...
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Lara Van Dijck @laravdijck.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
Super excited to share that my PhD research paper is finally out! @newphyt.bsky.social doi.org/10.1111/nph.... @parkergroup.bsky.social
doi.org
Cooperation between a root fungal endophyte and host‐derived coumarin scopoletin mediates Arabidopsis iron nutrition
Iron acquisition is a critical challenge for plants, especially in iron-deficient soils. Recent research underscores the importance of root-exuded coumarins in modulating the root microbiome communi.....
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Craig Winstanley @cwinstan.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
Here, ‘widely assumed’ & ‘than people imagine’ are referring to hacks who work for the many right wing propaganda media outlets continually spouting this nonsense (& their readers/viewers). They widely assume & imagine utter rubbish.
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
Labour won’t defend migration. Too scared of Reform, too terrified to lead. While they play dog whistle politics, inequality is the real problem. Not small boats. But private jets.
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Helen Fones @quietscientist.bsky.social · 17/08/2025
#RatOfTheWeek - it's Dusty! He's far, far too cute for his own good. When we adopted him he was alleged to be a scary biter! But he's the loveliest natured boy. He loves to sit in my hands & flop backwards as i scritch between his shoulders... #Rats #pets #petrats #skyrats #RatsOfBlueSky #fancyrats
Dusty, a nearly completely white faded roan rat with jet black eyes, sits up on his back feet in a man's lap, with his front paws holding the man's hand.Dusty is being held between a woman's hands. His hips are supported by her palms and his tail hands between her wrists. His back paws are drawn in and their pink soles are visible. He's leaning back, so his back and neck lie along the woman's fingers, and his head is turned back. With each of his front paws, he holds one of the woman's thumbs. If I now scritch his shoulders, he'll gradually lean further and further back until he's totally prone, relaxed and almost floppy. When he's done, he just swizzles round, drops through my hands and trots off - Dust is entirely in charge!Dusty, a nearly completely white faded roan rat with jet black eyes, sits up on his back feet in a man's lap, with his front paws holding the man's finger, which he's licking.
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Helen Fones @quietscientist.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
www.bbc.com/news/article... Nice article, BBC - young man tries to do something for a cause that he believes in - you might have included a link to his fundraiser! www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
bbc.com
Telford musician to rap while climbing the Wrekin for charity
Tim Rogers, also known as Trademark Blud, is hoping to raise £500 for Recharge Telford.
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Reposted by Helen Fones
Tatsuya Nobori @tatsuyanobori.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
How can we better understand the plant immune system? In my new @cp-cellhostmicrobe.bsky.social piece, I propose “immune cell states” as a framework for uniting molecular and cellular perspectives. www.cell.com/cell-host-mi...
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Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
He’s doing it again. Cosplaying Reform is a validation of Reform.
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Helen Fones @quietscientist.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
Had so much fun with my new camera, I decided to set up an Instagram things to share photos - and a little original artwork too. I'm at www.instagram.com/quiet_scient... if anyone's interested. #photography #wildlifephotography #rats #art #sciart #birds #butterflies
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Helen Fones @quietscientist.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
This adorable old man is my #RatOfTheWeek. He's brave and strong and aced his adventure at the vet's this week. He's cuddly and loving and affectionate. He also has the best whiskers. How can anyone not think he's The Best? ❤️🐀 Farley. #rats #pets #PetRats #FancyRats #SkyRats #RatsOfBluesky
Farley, a ginger and white top eared rat, looks at the camera over his human's forearm. He's backlit, so his whiskers stand out like a massive halo.Farley, a ginger and white top eared rat, is nestled in the crook of his human's elbow. He's looking up at the camera.Farley, a ginger and white top eared rat, is cuddled up in his human's hand.Farley, a ginger and white top eared rat, sits in his human's lap, head reading in his human's hand, snuggling.
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Helen Fones @quietscientist.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
Been having lots of fun since I got my new camera, so I have started posting some #wildlife and flowers - and #rats of course - over on instagram www.instagram.com/quiet_scient... in case anyone's interested :) #photography #photos
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