Megan Lynch (she/her)

Scientists: If research were funded by need and scientific interest rather than by what corporations and AI bros want, what project would you pitch right now?

(Feel free to explain it in simple terms for those outside your field and those outside science.)

#Science #AcademicChatter

@sundogplanets@mastodon.social Thought you'd like a good news sky story.

"Over 80 people celebrated the launch of the ecovillage’s new smart, dark sky lighting system that sets a precedent for community lighting nationwide. With special downlit poles and bollards, dimmable warm coloured LEDs and limited light-up hours, the system minimises artificial light pollution and disturbance to nocturnal creatures, like bats and moths."

https://www.thevillage.ie/our-new-dark-sky-lighting-sets-an-irish-precedent/ #DarkSky #Ireland

Limestone Glades of Nashville

CW: There *will* be swearing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpjBJSXcqCA #Nashville #Tennessee #Botany

There's a traditional Icelandic instrument made of driftwood...this tradition developed because the Vikings deforested Iceland.

There are current Icelandic plant science projects working on reforesting the island.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jfuhkoneZE

Replacing a turfgrass circle with Pennsylvania native plants

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/z01zz-pXrP4 #Pennsylvania #Gardening #Biodiversity

72-year-old West Michigan woman graduates medical school, sets records beginning residency at 73

"Dawn Zuidgeest-Craft, the mother of ABC’s Ginger Zee, may become the world’s oldest graduating medical student."

I'm 60, got my MSc last year, and I'm still looking for a funded PhD in botany/horticulture, but this lady has me beat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4n7MFZfcbI #NontraditionalStudent #Aging #HigherEd

Austin officials highlight unequal tree cover as temperatures climb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnmHz0--67E #Texas #UrbanForest #Class #Race

How Ukrainian farmers grow watermelons near the front line

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCASqlOEH0M #Ukraine #Horticulture #War

I miss having access to a good dissection microscope.

This is a wasp I found on the floor, dead. I used a 10x, then 14x loupe on my phone camera to take photos.

If I'd had my wits about me, I would have done it all from the same position so I could have used Focus Stacker on them.

I don't know my insects so I do not know which species this is.

#Albania #Wasp #Entomology

Why Maine's Blueberry Farmers Are Losing Millions

When trying to contrast wild fruit with fruit created by plant breeders, they use a photo of a 'Granny Smith' apple. Which was not bred but was a chance seedling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8GIaxQ54mk #FruitToot #Maine #Horticulture

"What Makes Eugene One of America’s Best Bike Cities"

University of Oregon putting UC Davis to shame here. Their cycle parking isn't perfect, but definitely a bit more accessible that UC Davis' "lightning bolt" racks that @ucaccessnow@sfba.social had to fight them on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLKiNj10mps #BikeTooter #UCAccessNow #CycleParkingAudit #Oregon

Which bird took out the top spot in the Aussie Bird Count? | ABC NEWS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd3lyBEYtYE #Australia #Birds #CommunityScience

Sacramento County health officials report 3 new poisonous mushroom hospitalizations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyEgsN91PyI #DavisCA #Sacramento #Mycology

"Trying to Silence Us": Students & Faculty Slam Censorship of Pro-Palestine Voices at Graduations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnXSK-facyc #HigherEd #USpol

"The University of Trieste has opened applications for its 42nd Cycle PhD Programmes (Academic Year 2026/2027). Discover available doctoral programmes, eligibility criteria, scholarships, deadlines, and how to apply before 31 August 2026."

https://phd.units.it/it/biodiversita-evoluzione-adattamento/come-iscriversi #PhD #Italy

"Unexpected predator raids Burmese python nests in the Everglades"

"Researchers arrived at a python nest to remove the eggs before they hatched and prevent the dispersal of hatchlings. When they arrived, they observed at least four vultures circling the site and actively feeding on the eggs."

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article315842703.html #Florida #InvasiveSpecies #Herpetology #Birds

Event seemingly aimed at UC Davis undergrads.

"Hands on the Land and the Society for Conservation Biology Davis Chapter would like to invite you to their How to Apply to Graduate School Workshop! If you're curious about graduate school or think you might apply in the future, this is a great opportunity to learn about the process from current graduate students. This event is free and there will be pizza!" #FirstGen #GradSchool #HigherEd