iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

We ran our first EcoRAFT field season in Tanzania’s Usambara Mountains this summer. This was also the first time I’ve taken students to the field and wasn’t sure what to expect. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of students to launch this project! Here is a quick summary of our experience:

news.bryant.edu

Student researchers ‘time travel’ through Tanzanian sediment samples

With the sun beaming above them, four student researchers wade into a lake within the Lwengera River Valley — an area that rests between Tanzania’s...

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Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

The administration’s plan to sell a part of Yosemite National Park to a private developer has me thinking of this passage written Henry David Thoreau

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Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Surely university administrators are being paid to promote the use of AI in the classroom, right? Has anyone looked into this?

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Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

This should be illegal (not that that would matter in the US). As I get ready for another semester, I’m struggling with finding ways to show that I’m hopeful about addressing climate change. What future do my students have? What future do my kids have? It’s all being given away so quickly.

https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/amazon-data-center-largest-pollution-source-texas-usa

https://heatmap.news/energy/trump-gas-plant-permits?utm_campaign=43765774-Breaking%20news%20and%20analysis&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=434426472&utm_content=434426472&utm_source=hs_email

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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 08/08/2026

If you’re just waking up: the U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general at around 4:30am ET in a 50–49 vote.

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D. Earl Stephens @dearlstephens.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

📌It's amazing how little attention is being paid to how expensive everything is right now. That's all we heard about from 2020-2024.

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Marie Vibbert @reasie.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

No science fiction could have prepared us for just how stupid the end of the world can be. "The environment was on the brink of collapse, and so, rather than deal with that, we burned what fuel we had left getting computers to scam each other for money."

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MU-Peter Shimon 🀄 @mu-peter.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

BBC Evolution series should be compulsory viewing for everyone over the age of 5 Why new BBC series Evolution is a giant leap forward for science on TV🧪 www.ft.com/content/c6c0... Adam Rutherford salutes a show that finally links the spectacle of natural history with the science that explains it.

Digital reconstruction of metaspriggina, an ancient precursor to all vertebrate animals that lived in the Cambrian sea about 500mn years ago © BBC Studios/Moonraker

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Jon of The North @krauza.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

You're going to get left behind if you don't use Al." Leave me then. Leave me with my critical thinking skills, my ability to read and write long- form, and books without needing Al summaries.

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Aparna Nair @disabilitystor1.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

"executives with no understanding of the industry" seems to be an endemic problem across industries: higher education, medicine, you name it, a bunch of suits with MBAs and unearned arrogance are destroying everything around us, and for some reason, we're supposed to accept that they know best

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Aelynn 🇨🇦 FanFest@Home @aelynn000.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

In positive news, was just reading about an island in Chile that installed open water solar panels and a bunch of tuna and salmon moved in underneath them because the vibrations of diesel energy had ceased. :) The world could be so good if people were just smarter everywhere.

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David Cooper @davidbcooper.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Staying hydrated just so the data centres get less water.

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Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Dems have to run on this hard. Do not let the RFK types try to spin what his own party just signed off on here. Actual Monsanto, the comic book villain of Adbusters days, was shielded from liability over poisoning Americans. I don't care if it's slopulism: this Supreme Court wants you dead.

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Jesse Wolfhagen @uncertainarch.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

From what I've heard (from folks who know better about this, doing the work on sheep): you can use the presence of AMELY to confirm male, but lack of AMELY does not confirm female (because of preservation).

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Michael Bazaco @mcbazacophd.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Am I being over-sensitive here or does the term “side effects” have an inherent negative connotation and therefore this headline is sci-comm malpractice? The “side effects” are reduced risk of serious cardiac complications and reduced risk of all-cause cardiac events. Benefits. That’s the word.

ca.style.yahoo.com

COVID Vaccine Linked to New Side Effect, Especially in Older Adults

The COVID vaccine was linked to a new side effect for older adults.

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Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Really missing the cooler Afromontane climate of Tanzania’s Usambara Mountains right now…

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Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

“Climate.us today launched the full version of its new independent, nonprofit climate information website, creating a public-backed home for trusted climate science at a time when access to federal climate resources has become increasingly vulnerable to disruption.”

climate.us

Climate.us launches independent website for trusted climate information

Built by members of the team behind NOAA’s Climate.gov, the new nonprofit resource is supported in part by more than 2,500 small donations from people who want reliable climate science information to ...

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Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Wrapping up our first #EcoRAFT field season and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of student researchers. They adapted to living and working in Tanzania so well, you’d think they had all been here many times before.

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Mak Itambu @makariusitambu.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Some interesting wildlife stuff from Mkomazi National Park today, Tanzania

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Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

We’re looking to hire a new laboretorh manager at Bryant University (Smithfield, Rhode Island). The role requires lab safety and management, teaching lab classes, student mentorship, and helping coordinate departmental events.

employment.bryant.edu

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Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

✅ Swarmed by siafu (driver ants) ✅ Vehicles stuck in the mud multiple times ✅ Not your typical study abroad #fieldworkfriday 🌍🏺🧪

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Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

After a ~24-hour flight, the Bryant University EcoRAFT team made it to Dar es Salaam. Amazed at how excited the student researchers are about being in Tanzania for the first time and how eager they are to experience all that Tanzania has to offer. Soon, we’ll head to the Usambaras for fieldwork!

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Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

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Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

I know plenty of “academics” that have started using AI for a lot of tasks (some of them can’t even be bothered to write emails now), but this is next level 👇

open.substack.com

Are academics using AI to write "peer review" reports? Yup, I just caught one.

Welcome to the newest level of AI-in-academic-publishing hellscape

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Ray Woodson @raywoodson5.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

The count on you being exhausted by the firehose of corruption and bullshit. But THIS. THIS is grounds to march on DC and demand the END of this mafia administration. This is the biggest middle finger to America.

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Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

I am honored to have received this year’s Bryant University College of Health and Behavioral Sciences recognition for Research and Publication. This has been a challenging academic year for many reasons, so I am beyond excited to end the year with such an achievement! Full details in the Alt text.

These recognitions are awarded to an individual. Realistically, I couldn’t have received this without the incredible support system I have around me from within and beyond Bryant. From family and friends to colleagues and collaborators from around the world, so many people have helped me along the way.

Additionally, I’ve been more-than-fortunate to have been invited to join many research projects over the years on a range of topics that span a timeframe of nearly 16 million years. Publications are often how we recognize success in academia, yet so much of the scientific process is the unplanned office chat, cross-disciplinary lab analyses, borrowing lab supplies when in a pinch (thanks Christopher Reid), being encouraged to pursue research interests, and of course, the students that help out along the way and often don’t recognize how essential they are to the entire thing.

A big part of this recognition is related to my NSF project Ecological Resilience of Afromontane Forests. This project was something I started with Makarius Itambu while a postdoc at the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology and I am exceptionally grateful for their support over the years and look forward to continuing this project with researchers from the institute.

This funding would also not have been possible without the support of so many people from across Bryant University and assistance from Goshen Consulting. There are so many people that I don’t think I can thank enough, especially Kirsten Hokeness, Joseph Trunzo, Ph.D. and Jennifer Hurrell, Adam Muccino, Wendy Samter, and Rupendra Paliwal, and Hong Yang and Qin Leng, two mentors and friends that I've been working with since I was an undergrad ~20 years ago!

Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of Kelly Patalano. No one is more encouraging and understanding, even when I’m away for fieldwork for weeks at a time. She has to deal with me on a daily basis, but continues to endorse my academic career.

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MU-Peter Shimon 🀄 @mu-peter.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

A hominin presence here ~ 242 Kya Evolving entanglements with highland southern Africa: Site formation, initial chronology, and occupational pulsing during the Middle Pleistocene at Likonong Shelter, Lesotho🏺🧪 K. Pazan, @robertpatalano.bsky.social et al link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Lithics from Likonong: a pick, Basement, layer BL3, ~ 242 ka; b blade, Middle Trench, layer Mulder-E, ~ 144 − 139 ka c core, Upper Trench, layer F, ~ 105 − 88 ka

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Museum of Natural and Cultural History @uomnch.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

🚨Archaeology students!🚨Applications for our two summer field schools close Tuesday, May 5. Both run June 22 - July 17 and provide hands-on experience. Learn more: tinyurl.com/y4sprwm5 🏺🧪🏛️

A University of Oregon instructor wearing a high-visibility vest kneels on the ground looking at something in his hands. Two young Duck students kneel next to him, holding trowels and looking at what he's holding.

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Joshua Foust 🪖🎮 @joshuafoust.com · 09/05/2026

Watching David Attenborough get highly deserved praised for his century is reminding me: There is no crisis of masculinity, as such. We have plenty of positive male role models in our society. They just aren’t being pushed into young men’s feeds by nihilistic ad networks and social platforms.

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Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 09/05/2026

While you can’t afford a trip for your family this summer, you just paid for Sean Duffy’s 7-month road trip at $4.55 per gallon of gas.

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Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Imagine if we spent this on schools, healthcare, mental health, public transit, conservation, third spaces, etc. etc. etc.

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Ari Berman @ariberman.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Texas eliminated 5 Democratic seats with no voter approval. Louisiana suspended election with no voter approval. Tennessee erased last majority-Black district with no voter approval. But VA Supreme Court blocks redistricting map approved by 3 million voters www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

motherjones.com

Republicans don’t need to win elections anymore. They just need their judges.

The Virginia Supreme Court nullifies three million votes, boosting Trump’s effort to rig the midterms.

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Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

So, the secret to a long life is to travel and immerse yourself in nature. Happy 100ty birthday, Sir David Attenborough! 🌎🦍🌸

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Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Here in the U. S., we’re paying companies hundreds of millions of dollars to not build offshore wind, all while our energy costs continue to rise. Meanwhile, China just installed the world’s largest floating wind turbine platform that will power 24,000 households and reduce energy costs.

DOI issued a statement on Monday saying Bluepoint Wind offshore New York and Golden State Wind offshore California “each separately agreed to voluntarily end their offshore wind leases” and not to pursue any new offshore wind projects in the United States. DOI put the value of the lease agreements and potential reimbursements at $765 million for Bluepoint and $120 million for Golden State.

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/two-more-offshore-wind-projects-scrapped-under-trump-administration-pressur/818681/

The Three Gorges Pilot consists of a 16 MW turbine, a semi-submersible floating foundation and a new mooring system. The platform measures approximately 80.8 metres in length and 91 metres in width, with a displacement of 24,100 tonnes. The turbine features a 252-metre rotor diameter, with a swept area equivalent to around seven football fields and a blade tip height of over 270 metres.

The project incorporates several new technologies, including a novel mooring system, an active ballast system, a smart monitoring system, and a 66 kV dynamic subsea cable, the developer said.

https://www.offshorewind.biz/2026/05/06/china-three-gorges-installs-worlds-largest-single-unit-floating-wind-platform-offshore-yangjiang/

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Rachel Maddow @maddow.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

"Clergy with the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization Monday withdrew $1 million from an account with Citizens Bank as it urged the institution to cut ties with two companies that finance and operate immigrant detention centers..." www.wgbh.org/news/politic...

wgbh.org

Faith coalition protests Citizens Bank’s work with detention centers operators

Dozens of clergy and faith activists rallied in front of a Back Bay Citizens branch to announce a $1 million withdrawal, saying it’s prepared to take out $13 million more.

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ed-never-forget.bsky.social @ed-never-forget.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

The same people wanting to remove voting rights from POC want to remove voting rights from women Anyone denying is lying

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Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Common blue violets (Viola sororia) have really been popping in southern New England this week.

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Bob Patalano @robertpatalano.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

But let’s keep building those data centers…

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National Center for Science Education @ncse.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Students want climate education, and it’s been moving right along on the state level. We’ve seen quite a bit of progress over the past few years! In New Jersey, climate change is required to be taught across all subjects K-12. #EarthMonth #EduSky #envsci ⬇️

The text reads: In New Jersey, climate change is required to be taught across all subjects K-12.

Imagery:
A photo of a bicycles on a boardwalk along the Jersey shore.
Clipped black and white photo of a great blue heron.
A common buckeye butterfly.

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