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Shraddha Chakradhar

@scchak.bsky.social
3.9K followers 1.2K following 42 posts

Science journalist and editor. India-born Kentuckian now in Massachusetts. She/her. How to say my name: bit.ly/2TTMIqV

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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Tomorrow! The newest @theopennotebook.bsky.social book, "The Best Science Stories and How They Work" comes out and I am so excited. I'm biased because I'm a contributor in this one, but for those of you who like to think of stories as puzzles (ahem, editors) this book is a treasure! Pre-order 👇🏽
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Check out the byline on this one! Dipped my toes back into reporting with paleontology (a first) for @cnn.com (also a first). My sources' enthusiasm was so infectious, the story, on work from @nhm-london.bsky.social, kinda wrote itself. Now to avoid the nightmares 🦂 www.cnn.com/2026/06/10/s...
cnn.com
The largest scorpion to walk the Earth was more than 3 feet long | CNN
Scientists describe a baseball bat-size scorpion — the world’s largest — and suggest that the 400 million-year-old creature was also amphibious.
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Alex Ip 葉清霖 @alexip718.com · 18/05/2026
If you're reading this, my cat and I have boarded a one-way flight out of the United States. The Trump administration wrongfully denied my work permit renewal; after months of demanding that they follow the law, we have run out of legal recourse, and I have no choice but to leave the country. (🧵)
giveinmay.org
Support Alex's Emergency Relocation + Next Steps on Give In May
Alex is leaving the US after his work permit renewal was wrongfully denied by Trump's USCIS.
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Got to do a cool thing last week! I appeared on the first science and tech news roundtable on @wgbh.org's "Under the Radar with Callie Crossley." I talked about the approval of a gene therapy for deafness & the promise of two pancreatic cancer drugs. Listen here: www.wgbh.org/news/nationa...
wgbh.org
Science news: Return of the river-herring run, Musk vs. Altman and new pancreatic cancer drugs
Under the Radar breaks down the latest science and technology headlines, including communities fighting back against data centers, overheated sharks and more
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
We need good, responsible science journalism more than ever & @theopennotebook.bsky.social has a wealth of free resources to help writers up their game. Over the next 2 weeks, we hope 25 new monthly donors will join me in TON's Page Turners Collective. Sign up here: www.theopennotebook.com/donate/
theopennotebook.com
Support The Open Notebook - Support Science Journalism
Please help support The Open Notebook, a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to foster a supportive, diverse, and inclusive global community that enables journalists who cover science to learn and...
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Hanaa’ Tameez @hanaatameez.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
The @washingtonpost.com layoffs disproportionately affected union members of color, per data from the @postguild.bsky.social. 50% of Hispanic/Latino guild members,​ 45% of Black members, and​ 43% of Asian members were laid off, compared to 37% of white members. www.niemanlab.org/2026/02/wash...
niemanlab.org
Washington Post layoffs disproportionately affected union members of color, preliminary Guild data shows
"We cannot ignore what this means for equity, representation, and the future of this organization."
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 02/02/2026
Is Jeff Bezos going to destroy the Washington Post? It sure looks like it | Margaret Sullivan
theguardian.com
Is Jeff Bezos going to destroy the Washington Post? It sure looks like it | Margaret Sullivan
He has the chance to be the steward of a national treasure, but he’s blowing it
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Sisi Wei @sisiwei.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Two BIG updates on @theopennotebook.bsky.social: 1. We had a $7,500 match fund and YOU MET THE MATCH!!! 2. Inspired by you, the board is stepping up, and pledging an additional $800 match for any donations TON gets today on 12/31. Give today: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
theopennotebook.com
The Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open Notebook
For 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...
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Reposted by Shraddha Chakradhar
Laura Dattaro @ldattaro.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
This is one of those stories where every interview had me like 🤯🤯🤯. For @nature.com Outlook, I dove into the surprising field of cancer neuroscience. Edited by the amazing @scchak.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41... #neuroskyence
nature.com
Pancreatic cancer is evasive. Is the nervous system the reason why?
A growing body of research suggests tumours rely on proteins and genes that are unique to the nervous system to persist in the body.
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
There's much more in the collection, including an infographic outlining some of the grim statistics surrounding the disease and a Q&A with a surgeon who's developing a breathalyzer-type test to quickly detect pancreatic cancer. Check them out here: www.nature.com/immersive/pa...
nature.com
Nature Outlook: Pancreatic cancer
Research offers glimmers of hope for a deadly disease.
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Something novel that has emerged from studying pancreatic cancer biology is how these tumors use survival techniques from nerve cells to stay rooted in the body. As @ldattaro.bsky.social writes, this cancer might be less fatal if it weren't for the nervous system: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Pancreatic cancer is evasive. Is the nervous system the reason why?
A growing body of research suggests tumours rely on proteins and genes that are unique to the nervous system to persist in the body.
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Researchers are trying to answer fundamental questions about pancreatic cancer, about why it's so aggressive and impervious to many drugs. New modeling efforts, from mini versions of the pancreas to designer mice, are aiding that work, writes @rachelnuwer.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
The pancreatic cancer models helping to drive innovation in the field
Cellular, animal and computational models of the disease are providing fresh insights into biology and treatment.
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
A big bottleneck in treating pancreatic cancer is the fact that the disease is often caught at advanced stages. But with new blood-based tests and more focused screening, scientists are looking to change that, @cassandrawillyard.bsky.social writes: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Early detection could improve pancreatic cancer’s poor survival rates
The disease is often caught too late to affect a person’s prognosis — scientists are looking to change that.
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Thrilled to share this collection of stories I edited for Nature Outlook, all about pancreatic cancer. The disease is the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related deaths, but the (still low) survival rate has doubled in the past decade. And there may be more reason for hope www.nature.com/immersive/pa...
nature.com
Nature Outlook: Pancreatic cancer
Research offers glimmers of hope for a deadly disease.
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
I know this isn't the point of this post but few things infuriate (and eventually humble) me more than having to get my toddlers' thumbs into the thumbholes of their mittens.
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Less than $500 to help @theopennotebook.bsky.social meet its birthday fundraiser goal! Don't you want to be the person to help put us over the top? Do it here: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
@theopennotebook.bsky.social is 15 🎉 What better birthday present than to give generously to a resource many of us in science journalism use all the time? All gifts made today will be matched, so it's also a chance to double your impact! Donate here: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers... #TON15
theopennotebook.com
The Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open Notebook
For 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
And this has become such a common refrain for all the friends, neighbors, family members hesitant to embrace EVs: "The overwhelming majority of car trips are below 50 miles, and most new E.V.s can easily drive well over 50 miles, even in poor conditions..."
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
In 2022, we took our then-new-to-market VW ID4 from Boston to Indianapolis to Chicago and back to Boston. We definitely had to plan our route (thanks, A Better Route Planner) but almost always had fast chargers. Can't wait for our next trip to see the changes: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
See How E.V. Road Trips Went From Impossible to Easy
There are a lot more fast chargers than there used to be. Look up what that could mean for a route near you.
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
As with so many resources from @theopennotebook.bsky.social, I wish this was around when I was starting out in this field. And as with *all* things from TON, it's completely free. Navigate (ha!) yourself around the site or join a launch webinar to learn more on October 23: tinyurl.com/4zz2meny
umsystem.zoom.us
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Science Reporting Navigator . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Come learn about the Science Reporting Navigator and ask questions! Built to help you integrate science context, interviews and data into any story - even on deadline. With easy to access templates, g...
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
With this tool, reporters of -any beat- can learn to incorporate fundamentals of science journalism - evidence from a scientific paper, talking to scientists, etc - into their stories. And they get to do this in an interactive, choose-your-own-adventure way: www.theopennotebook.com/science-repo...
theopennotebook.com
Science Reporting Navigator - The Open Notebook
Bring Scientific Evidence into Any Beat Every story is a science story. From education and public health to transportation and local policy, science intersects with every beat journalists cover. The S...
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
If you ever doubted that @theopennotebook.bsky.social is a one stop shop for learning the tools of the science journalism trade, today's launch of The Science Reporting Navigator -created with @rjionline.bsky.social - should put it to rest 🧪 www.theopennotebook.com/science-repo...
theopennotebook.com
Science Reporting Navigator - The Open Notebook
Bring Scientific Evidence into Any Beat Every story is a science story. From education and public health to transportation and local policy, science intersects with every beat journalists cover. The S...
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The Open Notebook @theopennotebook.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Every Story is a Science Story. That’s why, with @rjionline.bsky.social, TON has been hard at work developing a free tool to make it easier for journalists on any beat to strengthen their stories by incorporating science. And today, that tool - the Science Reporting Navigator - is live! 🧪
theopennotebook.com
Introducing the Science Reporting Navigator - The Open Notebook
The Science Reporting Navigator stands ready to walk you through complex reporting scenarios to integrate science into any beat. The Open Notebook and the Reynolds Journalism Institute are thrilled to...
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The Xylom @thexylom.com · 25/09/2025
EXCLUSIVE: A new analysis by The Xylom's @alexip718.com shows for the first time just how much America’s top research institutions have grown to depend on H-1B skilled workers — and how this delicate balance might be disrupted by U.S. President Donald Trump’s crackdown on legal immigration.
thexylom.com
The Most Detailed Maps of H-1B Visa Holders Joining America's Top Research Institutions
A new analysis by The Xylom shows for the first time just how much America’s top research institutions have grown to depend on the specialized knowledge of H-1B skilled workers — and how this…
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Laura Hazard Owen @laurahazardowen.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
. @hanaatameez.bsky.social puts data behind journalism's DEI vibe shift. From # of jobs posted, to products launched then shut down, to exhibiting at conferences — the racial reckoning is in retreat. www.niemanlab.org/2025/09/from...
niemanlab.org
From reckoning to retreat: Journalism’s DEI efforts are in decline
Diversity-related newsroom jobs haven't totally disappeared — but they also haven't stuck.
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Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
We dug deep to answer this important question: How Many Federal Health Workers Have RFK Jr. and the Trump Administration Cut? @bxroberts.org @anniewaldman.bsky.social @pratheekrebala.bsky.social
projects.propublica.org
Gutted: How Deeply Trump Has Cut Federal Health Agencies
More than 20,500 workers have left or been pushed out of federal health agencies, a ProPublica analysis found. Staffers say the cuts will leave their agencies less equipped to conduct studies, perform...
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Alexandra Witze @alexwitze.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
If you like the work @theopennotebook.bsky.social does (are you human? if so, you do), then join us at our first-ever town hall on August 26, at 2 pm ET. Learn more about the work The Open Notebook does to support science #journalism worldwide:
linkedin.com
This year, The Open Notebook turns 15! | The Open Notebook
This year, The Open Notebook turns 15! That's 15 years of supporting journalists and we’re thrilled to celebrate with our first-ever Town Hall on Aug. 26. Will you join us? https://lnkd.in/gqSwcCCM
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
I refer folks to @theopennotebook.bsky.social all.the.time. Just yesterday, I told one of @science.org's fantastic interns about TON's (free! email!) Master Classes. And that's just one of many (did I mention free?) resources. Help them keep it that way? Donate here: www.theopennotebook.com/donate/
theopennotebook.com
Support The Open Notebook - Support Science Journalism
Please help support The Open Notebook, a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to foster a supportive, diverse, and inclusive global community that enables journalists who cover science to learn and...
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Reposted by Shraddha Chakradhar
The Xylom @thexylom.com · 27/06/2025
One of our biggest supporters, @siricarpenter.bsky.social's fundraising appeal has directly led to nearly $2,000 in donations to our newsroom We're returning the favor: can you help @theopennotebook.bsky.social reach their $3,000 summer fundraiser? www.theopennotebook.com/donate/
theopennotebook.com
Support The Open Notebook - Support Science Journalism
Please help support The Open Notebook, a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to foster a supportive, diverse, and inclusive global community that enables journalists who cover science to learn and...
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
@annikainampudi.bsky.social's first byline for @science.org, on how Black inmates at the Stateville Penitentiary were experimented on by scientists wanting to better understand side effects to a crucial malaria drug: www.science.org/content/arti...
science.org
Historical records expose role of Black inmates in unethical malaria studies decades ago
Science chats with James Tabery, about the overlooked role of Black prisoners in understanding the genetics of drug reactions
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
"Federal workers aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet...We’re real people with families who are hurting and, in the worst cases, dying. Why don’t people out there see that? Why doesn’t anyone care?” Such a powerful read. (CW: suicide, mental health trauma) www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
washingtonpost.com
White House officials wanted to put federal workers ‘in trauma.’ It’s working.
Federal workers describe struggling with panic attacks, depression, suicidal thoughts. “Why doesn’t anyone care?”
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Experts share scathing reviews of last week's HHS report on gender-affirming care for youth: "...a rejection of decades of science, evidence, and direct experiences by young people, their doctors, and their families.” @phiejacobs.bsky.social's story for @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
science.org
Researchers slam HHS report on gender-affirming care for youth
Critics say the report, which declines to disclose its authors, contradicts decades of scientific research
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Trans Journalists Association @transjournalists.org · 02/05/2025
While this report presents itself as an apolitical “review of evidence and best practices,” it deserves the same scrutiny and careful fact-checking as any government-produced document. Journalists should quote it only with appropriate context and after thorough vetting.
transjournalists.org
The Trans Journalists Association urges caution in covering the HHS report on gender care
With the recent release of a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report on gender-related medical care for trans youth, the Trans Journalists Association urges newsrooms and journalists repor...
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
"In our time, in our newsrooms and our coverage, in our companies and other institutions, we need to have the courage not to abandon [DEI] commitments..." A timely, perhaps evergreen, reminder from @dicktofel.bsky.social: dicktofel.substack.com/p/amid-the-w...
dicktofel.substack.com
Amid the War on “DEI,” a Call to Reaffirm Values
Why we need to stick with inclusion, equity and diversity
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
We are so excited to have a place to gather in-person this year. Hope to see many of you in November! Bonus: With today's news, we are reopening proposal submissions for a short time. Send in your ideas for sessions you'd like to organize at the meeting (virtual or in-person)!
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Hanaa’ Tameez @hanaatameez.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
SOURCE REQUEST 🚨 I'm working on a @niemanlab.org story about what’s come of media companies' 2020 DEI promises. How have newsrooms' DEI priorities changed over the last 5 years? What impact have DEI initiatives had on journalism/journalists? DM me here, on Signal, or email (hanaa@niemanlab.org).
Scan this QR code with your phone to chat with me on Signal.
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Jeffrey Mervis @policyhound.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
"Panch" is resigning today as NSF director; Appointed during Trump's first term, he couldn't stomach Trump 2.0 www.science.org/content/arti...
science.org
Exclusive: NSF director to resign amid grant terminations, job cuts and controversy
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Slipping back into interviewing/reporting for my chapter in this book was a TRIP - and the fact that I had to interview the ever-thoughtful @ashleythesmart.bsky.social for it had me shaking. So if nothing else, get excited to see how that turned out 😀
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Science Magazine @science.org · 16/04/2025
The dismissals throw into jeopardy the future of the key reference that health care providers rely on to guide patients to the safest and most effective contraceptives. scim.ag/4lxVpDh
scim.ag
CDC team that updated go-to physician reference on contraceptive science is fired
Scientists combed the literature, synthesizing evidence of safety for busy providers
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Reposted by Shraddha Chakradhar
Meredith Wadman @meredithwadman.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
The #TraumaticBrainInjury unit at the Centers for Disease Control was wiped out in last week's firings. @science.org looks at what was lost. www.science.org/content/arti...
science.org
CDC firings gut research on traumatic brain injuries
Last week’s mass layoffs removed small team studying concussions
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Science Magazine @science.org · 09/04/2025
Exclusive: Weeks after President Donald Trump’s administration ordered NIH to pull $250 million in biomedical research grants to Columbia University, the agency is freezing all remaining grant money owed to the university until further notice. scim.ag/4if5Rg1
scim.ag
NIH freezes all research grants to Columbia University
Amid negotiations with Trump, the university could risk losing nearly $700 million
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Paul Voosen @voosen.me · 09/04/2025
@science.org confirms that yesterday the Trump admin wiped out the technical staff of the U.S. National Climate Assessment and the Global Change Research Program. When USGCRP's acting director, who is on a time-limited contract, leaves, it will leave the congressionally mandated office empty.
science.org
Trump administration fires staff for flagship U.S. climate assessment
Move could open the door to using high-profile report to attack climate science
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Randall Munroe @xkcd.com · 08/04/2025
Tariffs xkcd.com/3073
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
...it's why the organization works so hard to cultivate international relationships, particularly with those in the Global South. It's also why supporting @theopennotebook.bsky.social's work is more crucial than ever. You can do so here: www.theopennotebook.com/the-page-tur...
theopennotebook.com
The Page Turners Collective: Give Monthly to Support Our Work Every Day - The Open Notebook
By joining the Page Turners Collective, our community of monthly recurring donors, you become a cornerstone of our efforts to nurture and support science journalism around the world.
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
I was honored to speak at @ajspi.bsky.social's @sciencesmedias.bsky.social event, and it really drove home for me that science journalism transcends borders. We are all in this together. That has been part of @theopennotebook.bsky.social's calculus about making its resources free from day 1 (contd)
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WIRED @wired.com · 18/03/2025
They're called public records for a reason. Starting today, WIRED will *stop paywalling* articles that are primarily based on public records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, becoming the first publication to partner with @freedom.press to offer this for our new coverage.
freedom.press
Wired is dropping paywalls for FOIA-based reporting. Others should follow
As the administration does its best to hide public records from the public, Wired magazine is stepping up to help stem the secrecy
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
This initiative is a powerful reminder that all journalists need tools to cover science. It's also a great example of the wide reach that @theopennotebook.bsky.social has and why I'm proud to be a monthly donor in its Page Turners' Collective. Join me: www.theopennotebook.com/the-page-tur...
theopennotebook.com
The Page Turners Collective: Give Monthly to Support Our Work Every Day - The Open Notebook
By joining the Page Turners Collective, our community of monthly recurring donors, you become a cornerstone of our efforts to nurture and support science journalism around the world.
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Alexa Robles-Gil @alexaroblesgil.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
A few weeks ago in Boston, I met the organizers behind the Stand Up for Science (@standupforscience.bsky.social) rally and spoke with them about their motivations in the buildup to the event. Read more in @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
science.org
‘I really wanted something to happen.’ The students behind the Stand Up for Science protests
New group hopes to turn out researchers for 7 March demonstrations against Trump administration policies
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Shraddha Chakradhar @scchak.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
💯 "Whatever happened to shame? Bring back the natural, useful emotion of feeling even just a little bit obligated to other people that causes us to act in ways that do not fuck other people over." Being desi means extra shame+obligations. Happy to share, though! defector.com/there-are-ot...
defector.com
There Are Other People In The World | Defector
Pay attention to the things around you! Be aware of the space you take up, and the space other people take up, and when those two things might come into conflict!
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John Travis @john-travis.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Any conservative/Trump-voting federal scientists who have been fired and are willing to discuss their views on that whatever they may be?--or can others suggest people in that situation we should reach out to? Contact the News from Science team www.science.org/content/page...
science.org
Got a tip?
Got a tip for Science’s news department? Our reporters would like to hear from you. Here are ways to contact us.
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