Siobhan Harkin
@seani1.bsky.social
Biochemistry/toxicology background. Access to education for all is my life long passion. Outdoors except when there's snooker on.
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
Biochemist Dr. Ida Stephens Owens mapped how human genes control drug metabolism.
The first Black woman to earn a PhD from Duke (1967), she spent ~50 years at NIH. She identified the UGT1A gene complex, decoding how enzymes detoxify drugs & harmful toxins. She was born #OTD in 1939.🧵
#WomenInSTEM
The first Black woman to earn a PhD from Duke (1967), she spent ~50 years at NIH. She identified the UGT1A gene complex, decoding how enzymes detoxify drugs & harmful toxins. She was born #OTD in 1939.🧵
#WomenInSTEM
September 13, 2026 at 11:11 PM
Biochemist Dr. Ida Stephens Owens mapped how human genes control drug metabolism.
The first Black woman to earn a PhD from Duke (1967), she spent ~50 years at NIH. She identified the UGT1A gene complex, decoding how enzymes detoxify drugs & harmful toxins. She was born #OTD in 1939.🧵
#WomenInSTEM
The first Black woman to earn a PhD from Duke (1967), she spent ~50 years at NIH. She identified the UGT1A gene complex, decoding how enzymes detoxify drugs & harmful toxins. She was born #OTD in 1939.🧵
#WomenInSTEM
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
September 13, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
How could an associate professor in divinity at Cambridge be expected to know that lying is bad?
thecritic.co.uk/mone...
thecritic.co.uk/mone...
September 5, 2026 at 8:44 AM
How could an associate professor in divinity at Cambridge be expected to know that lying is bad?
thecritic.co.uk/mone...
thecritic.co.uk/mone...
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
Tetanus is returning.
In the 1930s, Tetanus was widespread in the US. The development & deployment of vaccines reduced annual cases from ~ 600 in the 1940s to 17 in 2020. Mortality dropped 99%.
There is no cure for tetanus.
We have forgotten how life was before vaccines.
🧪 archive.today/c6QVx
In the 1930s, Tetanus was widespread in the US. The development & deployment of vaccines reduced annual cases from ~ 600 in the 1940s to 17 in 2020. Mortality dropped 99%.
There is no cure for tetanus.
We have forgotten how life was before vaccines.
🧪 archive.today/c6QVx
Tetanus is making a comeback. There’s an easy way to fight back.
It's easy to dismiss, but more Americans died from tetanus last year than any year in nearly two decades.
www.nationalgeographic.com
July 7, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Tetanus is returning.
In the 1930s, Tetanus was widespread in the US. The development & deployment of vaccines reduced annual cases from ~ 600 in the 1940s to 17 in 2020. Mortality dropped 99%.
There is no cure for tetanus.
We have forgotten how life was before vaccines.
🧪 archive.today/c6QVx
In the 1930s, Tetanus was widespread in the US. The development & deployment of vaccines reduced annual cases from ~ 600 in the 1940s to 17 in 2020. Mortality dropped 99%.
There is no cure for tetanus.
We have forgotten how life was before vaccines.
🧪 archive.today/c6QVx
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
Since I did do my PhD in cyanobacteria growth and treatment optimization modeling AND work in the water treatment industry, I’m gonna share my theory as to what’s happening here and how to fix it.
People are focusing on the painted bottom of the pool increasing residual heat, and while that 1/19
People are focusing on the painted bottom of the pool increasing residual heat, and while that 1/19
RIP Mark Rothko. You would have loved how the hydrogen peroxide bleach is only turning the Reflecting Pool blue around the perimeter
June 17, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Since I did do my PhD in cyanobacteria growth and treatment optimization modeling AND work in the water treatment industry, I’m gonna share my theory as to what’s happening here and how to fix it.
People are focusing on the painted bottom of the pool increasing residual heat, and while that 1/19
People are focusing on the painted bottom of the pool increasing residual heat, and while that 1/19
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
A drug up to 40 times more potent than fentanyl and 500 times stronger than heroin is increasingly being detected in the US. Bellingcat produced the most detailed account yet of how nitazenes are infiltrating US borders and destroying lives. www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/06...
Super-Potent Synthetic Opioids Spread Across US Amid Fentanyl Crackdown - bellingcat
New deadly drugs up to 40 times more potent than fentanyl and 500 times stronger than heroin have been found in 48 of 50 American states.
www.bellingcat.com
June 18, 2026 at 9:39 AM
A drug up to 40 times more potent than fentanyl and 500 times stronger than heroin is increasingly being detected in the US. Bellingcat produced the most detailed account yet of how nitazenes are infiltrating US borders and destroying lives. www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/06...
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
Most people walk past Prague's main post office without a second thought.
Few realise it stands on the site of a vast botanical garden once filled with exotic plants from across the world.
robjcameron.substack.com/p/the-city-b...
Few realise it stands on the site of a vast botanical garden once filled with exotic plants from across the world.
robjcameron.substack.com/p/the-city-b...
June 13, 2026 at 6:49 AM
Most people walk past Prague's main post office without a second thought.
Few realise it stands on the site of a vast botanical garden once filled with exotic plants from across the world.
robjcameron.substack.com/p/the-city-b...
Few realise it stands on the site of a vast botanical garden once filled with exotic plants from across the world.
robjcameron.substack.com/p/the-city-b...
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
Artist David Hockney dies aged 88 www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4...
Artist David Hockney dies aged 88
The painter was one of the most celebrated and influential British artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 12, 2026 at 10:17 AM
Artist David Hockney dies aged 88 www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4...
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
The family of the Belfast stabbing victim have released a statement saying - like the family of Henry Nowak last week - that the attack should not be used to "divide people or fuel hostility"
They condemned disorder and praised the "valuable contribution" by migrants
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
They condemned disorder and praised the "valuable contribution" by migrants
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
June 10, 2026 at 12:42 PM
The family of the Belfast stabbing victim have released a statement saying - like the family of Henry Nowak last week - that the attack should not be used to "divide people or fuel hostility"
They condemned disorder and praised the "valuable contribution" by migrants
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
They condemned disorder and praised the "valuable contribution" by migrants
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
Marjane Satrapi, author of 'Persepolis,' dies at 56
Marjane Satrapi, author of 'Persepolis,' dies at 56
The French-Iranian 'died of sadness a little over a year after the death of Mattias Ripa, her husband and the love of her life,' people close to her said.
www.lemonde.fr
June 4, 2026 at 8:26 AM
Marjane Satrapi, author of 'Persepolis,' dies at 56
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
Every summer I repost this article on how to spot drowning. Please read it and pass on. In the last few years I’ve had SIX messages from people who saved a kid’s life after clicking on the link from my feed.
slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com/technology/2...
Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning
Drowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect.
slate.com
May 23, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Every summer I repost this article on how to spot drowning. Please read it and pass on. In the last few years I’ve had SIX messages from people who saved a kid’s life after clicking on the link from my feed.
slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
This war is so damn confusing. It’s why we shouldn’t let drunks and dementia patients run it.
April 20, 2026 at 3:21 AM
This war is so damn confusing. It’s why we shouldn’t let drunks and dementia patients run it.
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
Massive
"Pancreatic cancer mRNA vaccine shows lasting results in an early trial: Scientists caution that more research is needed, but nearly all of the patients who responded to the personalized vaccine are still alive six years later."
Pancreatic cancer mRNA vaccine shows lasting results in an early trial
Scientists caution that more research is needed, but nearly all of the patients who responded to the personalized vaccine are still alive six years later.
www.nbcnews.com
April 19, 2026 at 1:52 AM
Massive
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
The Pope reckoning
April 17, 2026 at 12:07 PM
The Pope reckoning
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
I don't know, guys. The president started a war with no plan and crashed the world economy, is building immense monuments to himself, is making billions off the presidency, and is now attacking the Pope while presenting himself as Jesus. Maybe the political class should abandon the inside voice.
April 13, 2026 at 4:17 AM
I don't know, guys. The president started a war with no plan and crashed the world economy, is building immense monuments to himself, is making billions off the presidency, and is now attacking the Pope while presenting himself as Jesus. Maybe the political class should abandon the inside voice.
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
I’m not sure it has broken through to the general public that the president is a megalomaniac crazy person. Hopefully posts like this help.
April 13, 2026 at 2:44 AM
I’m not sure it has broken through to the general public that the president is a megalomaniac crazy person. Hopefully posts like this help.
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
I have a father and mother in law in Iran. I have a sister in law. A niece. She's 14. She likes silly pink headbands and purses and dresses, just like kids her age all over the world. There are 93 million people like her in Iran. People who do all the normal mundane life things as the rest of us.
April 7, 2026 at 5:29 PM
I have a father and mother in law in Iran. I have a sister in law. A niece. She's 14. She likes silly pink headbands and purses and dresses, just like kids her age all over the world. There are 93 million people like her in Iran. People who do all the normal mundane life things as the rest of us.
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
“How lucky is the United States that everytime they look for democracy in other countries they find oil instead”- Spain Deputy Gabriel Rufián
April 6, 2026 at 9:23 AM
“How lucky is the United States that everytime they look for democracy in other countries they find oil instead”- Spain Deputy Gabriel Rufián
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
From Catherine Belton, on why Vance is going to Budapest
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
April 5, 2026 at 7:37 PM
From Catherine Belton, on why Vance is going to Budapest
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
My latest column: Ireland’s data centre policy will drive significantly greater fossil fuel use, contradicting multiple statutory and policy targets which require rapid reductions instead.
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
April 2, 2026 at 7:37 AM
My latest column: Ireland’s data centre policy will drive significantly greater fossil fuel use, contradicting multiple statutory and policy targets which require rapid reductions instead.
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
Trump’s proposed swingeing budget cuts for every branch of science has been described as an “extinction level event for science”.
Looks like he’s taking the US back to the Stone Age too, only without the bombing,
Looks like he’s taking the US back to the Stone Age too, only without the bombing,
Massive budget cuts for US science proposed again by Trump administration
Budget proposal would also curb federal payments for scientific publishing.
www.nature.com
April 5, 2026 at 8:23 AM
Trump’s proposed swingeing budget cuts for every branch of science has been described as an “extinction level event for science”.
Looks like he’s taking the US back to the Stone Age too, only without the bombing,
Looks like he’s taking the US back to the Stone Age too, only without the bombing,
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
This week, Brexit finally killed our family business. We cleared out our warehouse, handed back the keys, paid the final bills and said goodbye to our last employee.
What was once a thriving firm died a slow, sad death, all thanks to Farage, Johnson and the gullible idiots they conned. 1/18
What was once a thriving firm died a slow, sad death, all thanks to Farage, Johnson and the gullible idiots they conned. 1/18
Starmer announces that the UK is pursuing closer EU relations:
“Brexit did deep damage to our economy. And the opportunities to strengthen our security and cut the cost of living are simply too big to ignore. We want to be more ambitious. Closer economic cooperation. Closer security cooperation.”
“Brexit did deep damage to our economy. And the opportunities to strengthen our security and cut the cost of living are simply too big to ignore. We want to be more ambitious. Closer economic cooperation. Closer security cooperation.”
April 1, 2026 at 3:47 PM
This week, Brexit finally killed our family business. We cleared out our warehouse, handed back the keys, paid the final bills and said goodbye to our last employee.
What was once a thriving firm died a slow, sad death, all thanks to Farage, Johnson and the gullible idiots they conned. 1/18
What was once a thriving firm died a slow, sad death, all thanks to Farage, Johnson and the gullible idiots they conned. 1/18
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
🔥 🚨 🔥 🚨 🔥 🚨 🔥
French Senator
Claude Malhuret says what the majority of the world is thinking
French Senator
Claude Malhuret says what the majority of the world is thinking
April 3, 2026 at 1:26 AM
🔥 🚨 🔥 🚨 🔥 🚨 🔥
French Senator
Claude Malhuret says what the majority of the world is thinking
French Senator
Claude Malhuret says what the majority of the world is thinking
Reposted by Siobhan Harkin
This is not hyperbole. This is a visualisation of the scenario that is currently slowly unfolding in which vaccines become unavailable. ( Please refrain from calling antivaxers medieval - Persian Muslim polymath Ibn Sina (Avicenna) proposed a scientific formalization of quarantine in 1025 CE.)
Researchers at Stanford University modeled how many people could die or be disabled in 25 years if vaccines for polio, measles, rubella or diphtheria were no longer available.
We decided to illustrate it.
We decided to illustrate it.
The Horrors That Could Lie Ahead if Vaccines Vanish
Researchers at Stanford University modeled how many people could die or be disabled in 25 years if vaccines for polio, measles, rubella or diphtheria were no longer available.
projects.propublica.org
April 3, 2026 at 6:22 AM
This is not hyperbole. This is a visualisation of the scenario that is currently slowly unfolding in which vaccines become unavailable. ( Please refrain from calling antivaxers medieval - Persian Muslim polymath Ibn Sina (Avicenna) proposed a scientific formalization of quarantine in 1025 CE.)