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Ruth Thornton

@rthornton28.bsky.social
76 followers 73 following 173 posts

Journalist, biologist, photographer. I write about the natural world and our place in it.

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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
For the history buffs among you, this is the famous (notorious?) castle where King Richard the Lionheart was held for more than a year after he was captured by the Austrians as he was returning from one of the crusades. #Austria #Dürnstein #Wachau #CastleRuins
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
I’ve been out and about traveling in Austria this week enjoying both the rich culture and beautiful nature here, so thought I’d share! First up: the ruins of Dürnstein castle along the Danube in the gorgeous Wachau region!
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
I’m traveling this week, so here’s another photo from a trip to China years ago. #TravelPhotography #China #GreatWall
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
It’s been way too long since I shared one of my photos here, so here’s one I took a few years ago at Südtirol’s beautiful Lago di Braies. #LandscapePhotography #LagoDiBraies #Dolomites #Südtirol
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Insecticides are bad news not only for insects - turns out they’re not good for humans either! Experts are pointing to chemical exposure - including common insecticides - as one of many factors that are contributing to a 62% decrease in global sperm counts. www.thenewlede.org/2026/10/stud...
thenewlede.org
Study links common insecticides to lower sperm concentration in men
Higher exposure to common neonicotinoid insecticides was associated with lower sperm quality in men, according to a new study that adds to a growing body of evidence about the reproductive health risk...
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Things are far from perfect yet, but we’ve come a long way. To Jane, Dolly and Gloria: May you RIP, and thank you for paving the way for us younger women.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
I have found myself often over the past few weeks reflecting on how different they were from each other and yet how much each of them influenced feminism in her own unique way - and how they reflect the wide variety of what it means to be a modern woman and what is possible for us now.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
In the past year, we lost three remarkable women who contributed significantly (in very different ways) to women’s ability to fully participate in science, journalism and society in general - Jane Goodall, Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem. rhettayersbutler.substack.com/p/a-year-ago...
rhettayersbutler.substack.com
A year ago, Jane Goodall died at 91. Her message is more important than ever
I wasn’t able to produce a full-length feature the past few weeks, so here are three short pieces that are quite different from one another.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
The takeaway: protecting insects isn’t just about saving bugs. It’s about protecting the food webs and ecosystems that depend on them. #Insects #BiodiversityCrisis #InsectDecline #InsectApocalypse #Conservation #Wildlife
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
But with insects declining by an estimated 1% to 2% each year, scientists are worried about the impacts reverberating throughout the web of life in ways we don’t fully understand.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Some birds use ants to clean themselves. Lizards and snakes lay eggs in ant nests. Birds use insect and spider silk to build nests. Dung beetles recycle nutrients and help reduce disease.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
A new study found that nearly three-quarters of vertebrates – animals with a spine like birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians - eat insects, while many other species rely on insects for shelter, nest building, grooming, pest control and nutrient recycling.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Insects are much more than pollinators — and their decline could have consequences far beyond flowers and farms. ruththornton.com/conservation...
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Read about how the decline of insects could hurt other animals and end with a message of hope on how saving insects could pay quick dividends to help wildlife conservation. #Insects #BiodiversityCrisis #InsectDecline #InsectApocalypse #Conservation #Wildlife
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Not only do they feed three-quarters of wildlife species, but chimpanzees also use them to cleanse woods, herons bait fish with grasshoppers and some birds nest near wasps to deter predators.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Think most insects are pests? Think again - a new study shows that many insects actually benefit other animals, some in unexpected ways. ruththornton.com/conservation...
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
I haven't heard much about increasing whole grains and legumes in our diets, and more lining of corporate and politicians' pockets. All of that not only worsens Americans' health but also that of the environment.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Corporate funders are seemingly having even more of a voice now, there’s been no decrease in pesticide use (the opposite actually; same with air pollution, water pollution, etc), and the new nutrition guidance benefits the cattle and dairy industries (with alarming consequences for biodiversity).
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
It turned out even worse than I had feared though, with pseudo-science completely overwhelming any semblance of scientific understanding of nutrition and health.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
When I first heard about MAHA I thought there was lots of potential to get the country on a healthier path (buth human and environmental). Even back then I was dubious given the anti-science stance of its biggest promoters. drjessicaknurick.substack.com/p/inside-the...
drjessicaknurick.substack.com
Inside the MAHA Summit
What Nine Hours of MAHA Revealed
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Coral reefs are disappearing worldwide as climate change is heating up oceans. Interested in news about conservation, nature or biodiversity? Subscribe to my newsletter Nature Signals! #CoralReefs #ClimateChange #Biodiversity #Conservation ruththornton.com/stateofnatur...
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
But Mr. Olah believes that if there is a chance the models experience suffering, the responsible thing is to avoid causing them harm.’
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
‘“To be clear,” Mr. Olah [one of Anthropic’s billionaire co-founders] told me, “we don’t know if A.I. models are conscious. I don’t know. I’m genuinely uncertain. The thing that I care about is that we get to the right answer, whatever it is.”
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I find it very sad and also infuriating and alarming that people seem more ready to assign consciousness to AI than to animals! www.nytimes.com/2026/09/29/u...
nytimes.com
Religious Scholars Met With Anthropic. What They Heard Stunned Them.
In a series of private meetings, the company consulted religious scholars to help instill morality into its A.I. models — and make the case that Claude could be conscious.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
For any journalists out there, or anyone interested in journalism (which, really, should be everyone in a functioning democracy), this is a great free newsletter! rq1.substack.com/p/how-nonpro...
rq1.substack.com
How nonprofit newsrooms are exploited by funders — and their own sense of calling
Plus: Audiences aren’t too keen on AI news anchors, journalists say government funding doesn’t compromise their independence, and disillusionment in the profession is prevalent
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
That’s just one of the stories in my latest post – including a video of the raccoon creating the toy! ruththornton.com/stateofnatur... (Photo by Jorge Armín Escalante Pasos on Wikimedia Commons) #Conservation #AnimalBehavior #Raccoons
ruththornton.com
The State of Nature Update #30 – Ruth Thornton
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
But learning about what these animals are capable of could aid in conservation efforts, perhaps even saving the species before it’s too late. Research like this isn’t just “nice to have” if we want to avoid more biodiversity loss, it’s essential!
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Then she taught her mom and sibling how to do it too. This was observed in a critically endangered pygmy raccoon, found only on Cozumel Island. Unfortunately this enterprising youngster died soon after from malnutrition and pollution.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
It may seem that a young raccoon crafting a toy for herself is not a big deal. But think about how complex these steps actually are! She had to dig a receipt out trash, dunk it in water to be able to roll it into a ball that stuck together and finally realize this was a toy she could play with.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
But, as a couple of readers have commented, anyone who has ever closely observed pets or other animals should surely realize they have more complex emotions than many people give them credit for. What do you think?
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
One of the most popular stories I covered in my latest post was about whether birds actually enjoy flying. Turns out that, at least as far as researchers can document scientifically, they probably do. ruththornton.com/stateofnatur...
ruththornton.com
The State of Nature Update #30 – Ruth Thornton
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
#Conservation #Biodiversity #Cats
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
But we don’t even know that much about cats, it turns out - at least the wild varieties!! That’s why it’s so important to fund research of wildlife, plants and the ecosystems that support them! We do know how to protect species and habitats, it just takes some will to do it.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
It’s continually amazing to me how little we know about life on Earth! Perhaps that’s not surprising about insects - they’re small, hard to study and many people don’t like them (which I’m actively trying to change with my newsletter Nature Signals, BTW…). mongabay1.substack.com/p/a-new-cat-...
mongabay1.substack.com
A new cat species was just discovered. Several more may follow
The recent description of the tilcayo (Leopardus tilcayo) from Bolivia comes amid a broader reassessment of wild cat taxonomy, with genetic research suggesting that several additional species may be w...
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Did you know that the billions of birds that migrate every fall fly mostly at night? #Biodiversity #Science #Conservation #Wildlife #AnimalBehavior #BirdMigration #CoralReefs #ClimateChange ruththornton.com/stateofnatur...
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
From migration and animal cognition to climate resilience, these stories offer a glimpse at the challenges facing animals around the world, the science helping us understand them and what we can do to protect biodiversity.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Finally, we head underwater, where scientists are searching for corals capable of tolerating extreme heat as oceans continue to warm due to climate change.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Then there’s the science of animal behavior: researchers have found intriguing evidence that galah cockatoos may experience joy when they fly, while an endangered pygmy raccoon was observed making a toy from a discarded receipt and apparently teaching her family how to do the same.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
A recent BirdLife International report also finds that one in nine migratory bird species are threatened with extinction.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Those are just a few of the questions I explore in the latest State of Nature Update, which looks at new stories from the world of biodiversity science. I dive into the challenges facing billions of migrating birds—including the surprising danger posed by artificial light and buildings.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Do birds enjoy flying? Can raccoons pass on new skills? Can corals survive a hotter ocean? #Biodiversity #Science #Conservation #Wildlife #AnimalBehavior #BirdMigration #CoralReefs #ClimateChange ruththornton.com/stateofnatur...
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Remember to close the webpage once you’re done so everyone who wants to can vote! #Nature #FatBearWeek #GrizzlyBears
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Bears are matched up in daily elimination rounds, and the voting continues until Sept. 29th, when the winner will be crowned. You may have to be patient to get your vote in, however - it’s been the most popular voting season yet, overwhelming the website and causing errors for many.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Have you voted for your favorite bear yet? Voting is open to choose the fattest (and therefore most ready for winter!) brown bear of the year at Katmai National Park, Alaska! Vote here: explore.org/fat-bear-week
explore.org
Fat Bear Week 2026 - Explore.org
Explore.org is the world's leading philanthropic live nature cam network and documentary film channel. Our mission is to champion the selfless acts of others, create a portal into the soul of humanity...
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
A black swallowtail enjoying one of the native flowers in my “prairie garden.” #Butterfly #NaturePhotography #Nature #NativeFlowers
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Try not to waste paper. Or paper products. Or wood products. It all comes from trees and forest practices. Support politicians who support conservation. They’re out there. And we need systemic change. #Forests #ForestConservation #ForestFires #Biodiversity
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Spend some time learning about the tradeoffs! (I promise it’ll pay off in the next 10-20 years!) For example - I did a story analyzing whether FSC certification is worth it. Spoiler alert: it’s not perfect, but it’s the best label out there. Buy it when you see it!
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
So, what can you do? First: Educate yourself! (yeah, sorry, you’re going to have to put some effort in. Life’s unfair.) There’s plenty of good, trustworthy information out there. Please, please, please educate yourself!
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
We actually don’t need to give up paper and wood products for good. But we should probably “tweak” how we consume them. Logging to maximize short-term profit is destructive to ecosystems, basically by definition.
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Ruth Thornton @rthornton28.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
All of that is significantly changed by our forestry practices. But forest practices aren’t necessarily “bad” either. There are logging techniques that aren’t as destructive to forest ecosystems and the ecological balance. We actually don’t need to give up paper and wood products for good.
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