Merkel lab
@merkellab.bsky.social
Group Leader, theoretical soft matter & biophysics
CNRS, Center for Theoretical Physics, Marseille
http://www.merkellab.net
Opinions are my own.
CNRS, Center for Theoretical Physics, Marseille
http://www.merkellab.net
Opinions are my own.
Reposted by Merkel lab
LLMs are cognitive viruses that can depress collective cognitive competence. But by the same token, immunization is possible.
arxiv.org/abs/2609.03344
arxiv.org/abs/2609.03344
Large-Language Models as a Cognitive Virus
Large-language models (LLMs) are rapidly becoming part of human culture, reshaping how information is produced, transmitted, and used. Here we propose that their diffusion can be understood through a ...
arxiv.org
September 7, 2026 at 8:20 AM
LLMs are cognitive viruses that can depress collective cognitive competence. But by the same token, immunization is possible.
arxiv.org/abs/2609.03344
arxiv.org/abs/2609.03344
Reposted by Merkel lab
"Kids are told AI is 'inevitable' and acting accordingly. This is harming their cognitive development and foreclosing their life opportunities. Generative AI is cognitive cancer and we are doing next to nothing to stop it from spreading."
The 50 Percent Problem
Empirical evidence of the educational harm of generative AI
buildcognitiveresonance.substack.com
August 24, 2026 at 3:35 PM
"Kids are told AI is 'inevitable' and acting accordingly. This is harming their cognitive development and foreclosing their life opportunities. Generative AI is cognitive cancer and we are doing next to nothing to stop it from spreading."
Reposted by Merkel lab
Fires in France have now burned over 91,000 acres, by far the most of any year since the satellite record started in 2006. Current area burned is about 34x larger than this date in a typical (median) year:
July 28, 2026 at 3:45 AM
Fires in France have now burned over 91,000 acres, by far the most of any year since the satellite record started in 2006. Current area burned is about 34x larger than this date in a typical (median) year:
Reposted by Merkel lab
I've created a new dashboard for The Climate Brink that is updated daily with ERA5 global mean surface temperature data. It includes daily anomalies, monthly and annual forecasts, and a bunch of interactive data visualizations: dashboard.theclimate...
February 9, 2026 at 5:47 PM
I've created a new dashboard for The Climate Brink that is updated daily with ERA5 global mean surface temperature data. It includes daily anomalies, monthly and annual forecasts, and a bunch of interactive data visualizations: dashboard.theclimate...
Reposted by Merkel lab
Renewables are now the world's largest source of electricity – and the main source of new supplies
July 24, 2026 at 11:17 AM
Renewables are now the world's largest source of electricity – and the main source of new supplies
Reposted by Merkel lab
"Climate change will manifest as a series of disasters viewed through phones with footage that gets closer and closer to where you live until you’re the one filming it."
July 16, 2026 at 12:03 PM
"Climate change will manifest as a series of disasters viewed through phones with footage that gets closer and closer to where you live until you’re the one filming it."
Reposted by Merkel lab
@johanduchene.bsky.social @sholtodavid.bsky.social
Spent the last hour looking, found ten more apparently manipulated Western blots in Thermo Fisher's antibody verification data (across eight different catalogued products). Thread below.
www.thermofisher.com/antibody/pro...
Spent the last hour looking, found ten more apparently manipulated Western blots in Thermo Fisher's antibody verification data (across eight different catalogued products). Thread below.
www.thermofisher.com/antibody/pro...
May 21, 2026 at 10:19 PM
@johanduchene.bsky.social @sholtodavid.bsky.social
Spent the last hour looking, found ten more apparently manipulated Western blots in Thermo Fisher's antibody verification data (across eight different catalogued products). Thread below.
www.thermofisher.com/antibody/pro...
Spent the last hour looking, found ten more apparently manipulated Western blots in Thermo Fisher's antibody verification data (across eight different catalogued products). Thread below.
www.thermofisher.com/antibody/pro...
📣 We are organising the workshop "Phases of Collective Cellular Behavior: Rheology, Order & Feedback" from 5.-9. October 2026 at the MPI-PKS in Dresden, Germany.
This workshop at the interface between physics and biology is about the collective behaviour of cells.
More info: www.pks.mpg.de/colcel26
This workshop at the interface between physics and biology is about the collective behaviour of cells.
More info: www.pks.mpg.de/colcel26
May 7, 2026 at 4:10 PM
📣 We are organising the workshop "Phases of Collective Cellular Behavior: Rheology, Order & Feedback" from 5.-9. October 2026 at the MPI-PKS in Dresden, Germany.
This workshop at the interface between physics and biology is about the collective behaviour of cells.
More info: www.pks.mpg.de/colcel26
This workshop at the interface between physics and biology is about the collective behaviour of cells.
More info: www.pks.mpg.de/colcel26
Reposted by Merkel lab
Another fascinating - and totally serendipitous - example of how human biological sex isn't always binary, despite executive orders that it is. In this case an XX/XY mosaic individual was a fertile female. Other XX/XY mosaics can be phenotypically male.
A fascinating case report.
The DNA of a female murder victim was genotyped and it turns out that she has been a chimera: a mixture of 46XX/46XY cell lines.
The analysis (STR-based) found:
1. The maternal chromosome was identical between the two cell lines.
www.fsigenetics.com/article/S187...
1/6
The DNA of a female murder victim was genotyped and it turns out that she has been a chimera: a mixture of 46XX/46XY cell lines.
The analysis (STR-based) found:
1. The maternal chromosome was identical between the two cell lines.
www.fsigenetics.com/article/S187...
1/6
Forensic analysis of a parthenogenetic 46, XX/46, XY congenital chimera: A case report
In forensic identification, chimerism is an extremely rare phenomenon in which DNA
samples can easily be misidentified as mixtures from two individuals. If only a single
cell population from the chime...
www.fsigenetics.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Another fascinating - and totally serendipitous - example of how human biological sex isn't always binary, despite executive orders that it is. In this case an XX/XY mosaic individual was a fertile female. Other XX/XY mosaics can be phenotypically male.
Reposted by Merkel lab
How likely is an #AMOC shutdown? Here's our latest study based on 768 runs with 38 standard climate models (the CMIP6 models). Note these do not include any meltwater from Greenland mass loss, so might underestimate the risk a bit. 2/2
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
December 5, 2025 at 11:42 AM
How likely is an #AMOC shutdown? Here's our latest study based on 768 runs with 38 standard climate models (the CMIP6 models). Note these do not include any meltwater from Greenland mass loss, so might underestimate the risk a bit. 2/2
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
Reposted by Merkel lab
Collapse of key Atlantic current could bring extreme drought to Europe for centuries, study finds. @swinda.bsky.social
That's an under-appreciated impact of #AMOC shutdown, of particular concern given the recent results showing much higher likelihood of this. 1/2
www.livescience.com/planet-earth...
That's an under-appreciated impact of #AMOC shutdown, of particular concern given the recent results showing much higher likelihood of this. 1/2
www.livescience.com/planet-earth...
December 5, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Collapse of key Atlantic current could bring extreme drought to Europe for centuries, study finds. @swinda.bsky.social
That's an under-appreciated impact of #AMOC shutdown, of particular concern given the recent results showing much higher likelihood of this. 1/2
www.livescience.com/planet-earth...
That's an under-appreciated impact of #AMOC shutdown, of particular concern given the recent results showing much higher likelihood of this. 1/2
www.livescience.com/planet-earth...
Reposted by Merkel lab
Wovor Menschen (laut der CDU nahen Adenauer Stiftung) in Deutschland Angst haben: Russischer Aggression, Fremdenfeindlichkeit, Rechtsruck, AfD, Klimawandel, Desinformation.
Grüße an eine vollkommen falsche politische und mediale Debatte. www.kas.de/documents/d/...
Grüße an eine vollkommen falsche politische und mediale Debatte. www.kas.de/documents/d/...
December 7, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Wovor Menschen (laut der CDU nahen Adenauer Stiftung) in Deutschland Angst haben: Russischer Aggression, Fremdenfeindlichkeit, Rechtsruck, AfD, Klimawandel, Desinformation.
Grüße an eine vollkommen falsche politische und mediale Debatte. www.kas.de/documents/d/...
Grüße an eine vollkommen falsche politische und mediale Debatte. www.kas.de/documents/d/...
"[...] Iran’s president [...] announced that Tehran [...] would need to be abandoned and re-established elsewhere, because, after years of climate-fuelled drought, its water has finally run out."
The article includes ideas on what to do against climate inaction.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The article includes ideas on what to do against climate inaction.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Another Cop wrecked by fossil fuel interests and our leaders’ cowardice – but there is another way | Genevieve Guenther
The fingerprints of Russia and Saudi Arabia are all over the decision text in Brazil. But a group of nations led by Colombia and the Netherlands offer hope, says End Climate Silence founding director ...
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:29 PM
"[...] Iran’s president [...] announced that Tehran [...] would need to be abandoned and re-established elsewhere, because, after years of climate-fuelled drought, its water has finally run out."
The article includes ideas on what to do against climate inaction.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The article includes ideas on what to do against climate inaction.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Merkel lab
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Merkel lab
Un document concis et clair du @hc-climat.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Un document concis et clair du @hc-climat.bsky.social
Reposted by Merkel lab
suggested the university was “explicitly trading my academic freedom for access to the Chinese student market,”
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
UK university halted human rights research after pressure from China
Exclusive: Leading professor at Sheffield Hallam was told to cease research on supply chains and forced labour in China after demands from authorities
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:31 AM
suggested the university was “explicitly trading my academic freedom for access to the Chinese student market,”
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by Merkel lab
Appreciate Quanta for shining a light on our joint work with Simon Gsell, Sham Tlili (@shamtlili.bsky.social), and Matthias Merkel (@merkellab.bsky.social).
Biophysicists are realizing that there is an undervalued element at play in early development: Aside from genes, mechanical forces also steer the growth of embryos. @annademming.bsky.social reports: www.quantamagazine.org/genes-have-h...
Genes Have Harnessed Physics to Help Grow Living Things | Quanta Magazine
The same pulling force that causes “tears” in a glass of wine also shapes embryos. It’s another example of how genes exploit mechanical forces for growth and development.
www.quantamagazine.org
October 11, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Appreciate Quanta for shining a light on our joint work with Simon Gsell, Sham Tlili (@shamtlili.bsky.social), and Matthias Merkel (@merkellab.bsky.social).
Reposted by Merkel lab
Woah! Such an important study published in Nature today! Quick thread with some of their key figures!
🧵
🧵
June 19, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Woah! Such an important study published in Nature today! Quick thread with some of their key figures!
🧵
🧵
Reposted by Merkel lab
Zusammen mit dem Monitoring-Bericht zur Energiewende hat Katherina Reiche in der letzten Woche einen Zehn-Punkte-Plan vorgestellt. Dieser weist sprachlich wie inhaltlich große Ähnlichkeiten zu einem Papier von RWE und Eon aus dem Frühjahr auf. Ein längerer Thread mit Links und Beispielen. (1/19)
September 23, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Zusammen mit dem Monitoring-Bericht zur Energiewende hat Katherina Reiche in der letzten Woche einen Zehn-Punkte-Plan vorgestellt. Dieser weist sprachlich wie inhaltlich große Ähnlichkeiten zu einem Papier von RWE und Eon aus dem Frühjahr auf. Ein längerer Thread mit Links und Beispielen. (1/19)
In case you missed it, according to the International Association of Genocide Scholars, Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
You may have been aware of it - some people still are not.
The text of the resolution: genocidescholars.org/wp-content/u...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
You may have been aware of it - some people still are not.
The text of the resolution: genocidescholars.org/wp-content/u...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
Israel committing genocide in Gaza, world’s top scholars on the crime say
International Association of Genocide Scholars resolution backed by 86% of members who voted
www.theguardian.com
September 21, 2025 at 11:04 AM
In case you missed it, according to the International Association of Genocide Scholars, Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
You may have been aware of it - some people still are not.
The text of the resolution: genocidescholars.org/wp-content/u...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
You may have been aware of it - some people still are not.
The text of the resolution: genocidescholars.org/wp-content/u...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
Reposted by Merkel lab
The EU credibility is at stake. We must do more on Gaza.
Our @baseickhout.bsky.social to Commission President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu.
Our @baseickhout.bsky.social to Commission President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu.
September 10, 2025 at 3:45 PM
The EU credibility is at stake. We must do more on Gaza.
Our @baseickhout.bsky.social to Commission President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu.
Our @baseickhout.bsky.social to Commission President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu.
Reposted by Merkel lab
No individual billionaire, corporation, or country should be allowed to block the will and wellbeing of 8 billion people and the future of our planet.
The Planet Can’t Afford Billionaires
Read more: time.com/7305649/the-...
The Planet Can’t Afford Billionaires
Read more: time.com/7305649/the-...
September 9, 2025 at 1:01 PM
No individual billionaire, corporation, or country should be allowed to block the will and wellbeing of 8 billion people and the future of our planet.
The Planet Can’t Afford Billionaires
Read more: time.com/7305649/the-...
The Planet Can’t Afford Billionaires
Read more: time.com/7305649/the-...
Reposted by Merkel lab
MEPs, together, drawing a red line for Gaza.
Killing civilians is a red line.
Starving people is a red line.
Bombing hospitals and shelters is a red line.
Israel’s assault on Gaza is unlawful, disproportionate, and devastating.
We call on @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu and the EU to take action!
Killing civilians is a red line.
Starving people is a red line.
Bombing hospitals and shelters is a red line.
Israel’s assault on Gaza is unlawful, disproportionate, and devastating.
We call on @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu and the EU to take action!
September 10, 2025 at 10:43 AM
MEPs, together, drawing a red line for Gaza.
Killing civilians is a red line.
Starving people is a red line.
Bombing hospitals and shelters is a red line.
Israel’s assault on Gaza is unlawful, disproportionate, and devastating.
We call on @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu and the EU to take action!
Killing civilians is a red line.
Starving people is a red line.
Bombing hospitals and shelters is a red line.
Israel’s assault on Gaza is unlawful, disproportionate, and devastating.
We call on @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu and the EU to take action!