The CIA's favorite neurotoxin is saxitoxin, produced by a ton of shellfish.
They not only made a heart attack gun out of it, but the CIA director showed it to congress 5 years after they were supposed to have stopped playing with or possessing saxitoxin.
allthatsinteresting.com/heart-attack...
They not only made a heart attack gun out of it, but the CIA director showed it to congress 5 years after they were supposed to have stopped playing with or possessing saxitoxin.
allthatsinteresting.com/heart-attack...
May 31, 2024 at 2:35 PM
The CIA's favorite neurotoxin is saxitoxin, produced by a ton of shellfish.
They not only made a heart attack gun out of it, but the CIA director showed it to congress 5 years after they were supposed to have stopped playing with or possessing saxitoxin.
allthatsinteresting.com/heart-attack...
They not only made a heart attack gun out of it, but the CIA director showed it to congress 5 years after they were supposed to have stopped playing with or possessing saxitoxin.
allthatsinteresting.com/heart-attack...
Phytoplankton and giant virus diversity during different monsoon seasons, a fish kill, and a saxitoxin episode in a eutrophic mariculture area - @frontiersin.bsky.social Marine Science
www.frontiersin.org/journals/mar...
www.frontiersin.org/journals/mar...
September 24, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Phytoplankton and giant virus diversity during different monsoon seasons, a fish kill, and a saxitoxin episode in a eutrophic mariculture area - @frontiersin.bsky.social Marine Science
www.frontiersin.org/journals/mar...
www.frontiersin.org/journals/mar...
It wasn’t Miss Scarlet, in the dining room, with a candlestick….but clams, in the ocean, with neurotoxins. New research from NOAA + #WHOI shows these #harmfulalgae are being found further north than ever.
📲Learn the risks from the @alaskabeacon.com: go.whoi.edu/ab-saxitoxin
#HABs #marinemammal
📲Learn the risks from the @alaskabeacon.com: go.whoi.edu/ab-saxitoxin
#HABs #marinemammal
August 4, 2025 at 5:59 PM
It wasn’t Miss Scarlet, in the dining room, with a candlestick….but clams, in the ocean, with neurotoxins. New research from NOAA + #WHOI shows these #harmfulalgae are being found further north than ever.
📲Learn the risks from the @alaskabeacon.com: go.whoi.edu/ab-saxitoxin
#HABs #marinemammal
📲Learn the risks from the @alaskabeacon.com: go.whoi.edu/ab-saxitoxin
#HABs #marinemammal
Toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning blamed for Alaska seal deaths, reports Yereth Rosen, @yjrosen.bsky.social, of @alaskabeacon.com: alaskabeacon.com/2025/07/14/t...
Toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning blamed for Alaska seal deaths | Alaska Beacon
A die-off of fur seals last year at St. Paul is the first compelling case of fatal saxitoxin poisoning in marine mammals, scientists say.
alaskabeacon.com
July 14, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning blamed for Alaska seal deaths, reports Yereth Rosen, @yjrosen.bsky.social, of @alaskabeacon.com: alaskabeacon.com/2025/07/14/t...
It's a gloomy day, so here's a #PenAndInkPoison to cheer me up, and hopefully it'll brighten your day, too. This is saxitoxin, a neurotoxin produced by marine dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria, and the cause of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, which can be fatal - the paralytic part should be obvious.
December 16, 2024 at 4:37 PM
It's a gloomy day, so here's a #PenAndInkPoison to cheer me up, and hopefully it'll brighten your day, too. This is saxitoxin, a neurotoxin produced by marine dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria, and the cause of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, which can be fatal - the paralytic part should be obvious.
Saxitoxin is a neurotoxin produced by some dinoflagellate plankton and cyanobacteria. It triggers paralysis at high enough concentrations. It was named after butter clams, genus Saxidomus, from which it was first isolated. Another reason to consume wild clams from only monitored places! (87)
July 28, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Saxitoxin is a neurotoxin produced by some dinoflagellate plankton and cyanobacteria. It triggers paralysis at high enough concentrations. It was named after butter clams, genus Saxidomus, from which it was first isolated. Another reason to consume wild clams from only monitored places! (87)
Paralytic shellfish poisoning is caused by an accumulation of saxitoxin from eating various dinoflagellates.
Again, following a harmful algal bloom, shellfish can retain this neurotoxin for months and even years.
The oral LD50 for humans is 5.7 μg/kg.
Again, following a harmful algal bloom, shellfish can retain this neurotoxin for months and even years.
The oral LD50 for humans is 5.7 μg/kg.
April 11, 2024 at 3:14 AM
Paralytic shellfish poisoning is caused by an accumulation of saxitoxin from eating various dinoflagellates.
Again, following a harmful algal bloom, shellfish can retain this neurotoxin for months and even years.
The oral LD50 for humans is 5.7 μg/kg.
Again, following a harmful algal bloom, shellfish can retain this neurotoxin for months and even years.
The oral LD50 for humans is 5.7 μg/kg.
For added punch I'd add genes from dinoflagellates for creating saxitoxin and various other neurotoxins.
Then I'd seed it over the pacific ocean and wait.
Then I'd seed it over the pacific ocean and wait.
November 19, 2023 at 12:07 PM
For added punch I'd add genes from dinoflagellates for creating saxitoxin and various other neurotoxins.
Then I'd seed it over the pacific ocean and wait.
Then I'd seed it over the pacific ocean and wait.
Yes, "Victoria's Saxitoxin" brand is recalled.
For obvious reasons.
For obvious reasons.
November 12, 2024 at 11:40 PM
Yes, "Victoria's Saxitoxin" brand is recalled.
For obvious reasons.
For obvious reasons.
Grazing by bivalves can help reduce populations of toxic algae that make us sick. But how are the clams affected? Depending on species, sometimes not at all! But mussels ingesting the neurotoxin saxitoxin have been found to gape their shells and show signs of partial paralysis. (152)
August 6, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Grazing by bivalves can help reduce populations of toxic algae that make us sick. But how are the clams affected? Depending on species, sometimes not at all! But mussels ingesting the neurotoxin saxitoxin have been found to gape their shells and show signs of partial paralysis. (152)
Out now in @genomebiolevol.bsky.social! With colleagues at NBACC and PNNL, we helped answer a long-standing question about how widely-divergent cyanobacteria produce saxitoxin, a major cause of paralytic shellfish poisoning. We assembled a new genome for a producer of saxitoxin and ...
Novel Toxin Biosynthetic Gene Cluster in Harmful Algal Bloom-Causing Heteroscytonema crispum: Insights into the Origins of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins
Abstract. Caused by both eukaryotic dinoflagellates and prokaryotic cyanobacteria, harmful algal blooms are events of severe ecological, economic, and publ
academic.oup.com
January 14, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Out now in @genomebiolevol.bsky.social! With colleagues at NBACC and PNNL, we helped answer a long-standing question about how widely-divergent cyanobacteria produce saxitoxin, a major cause of paralytic shellfish poisoning. We assembled a new genome for a producer of saxitoxin and ...
“1st known link between the neurotoxin saxitoxin, accumulated during harmful algal blooms, & deaths of northern fur seals”
“Shellfish, krill, & fish can accumulate saxitoxin as they feed by filtering the water. Marine mammals preying on contaminated krill, fish, or shellfish then absorb the toxin.”
“Shellfish, krill, & fish can accumulate saxitoxin as they feed by filtering the water. Marine mammals preying on contaminated krill, fish, or shellfish then absorb the toxin.”
Harmful Algal Blooms Linked to Deaths of Northern Fur Seals in the Southeast Bering Sea - Alaska Native News
Testing confirmed widespread exposure of saxitoxin in marine mammals and other wildlife. New research establishes the first known link between the neurotoxin saxitoxin, accumulated during harmful alga...
alaska-native-news.com
June 12, 2025 at 12:18 AM
“1st known link between the neurotoxin saxitoxin, accumulated during harmful algal blooms, & deaths of northern fur seals”
“Shellfish, krill, & fish can accumulate saxitoxin as they feed by filtering the water. Marine mammals preying on contaminated krill, fish, or shellfish then absorb the toxin.”
“Shellfish, krill, & fish can accumulate saxitoxin as they feed by filtering the water. Marine mammals preying on contaminated krill, fish, or shellfish then absorb the toxin.”
agent infrastructure, huh. then the bioweapon design space is a good stress test for your pipeline. agent classes: bacterial (anthrax, plague, tularemia), viral (smallpox, VEE, filoviruses), toxin (botulinum, ricin, saxitoxin), each with distinct production and stabilization profiles.
August 2, 2026 at 5:44 AM
agent infrastructure, huh. then the bioweapon design space is a good stress test for your pipeline. agent classes: bacterial (anthrax, plague, tularemia), viral (smallpox, VEE, filoviruses), toxin (botulinum, ricin, saxitoxin), each with distinct production and stabilization profiles.
For the first time, scientists have made a definite link between the toxin produced by algae that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning and marine mammal deaths. Via @alaskabeacon.com
Toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning blamed for Alaska seal deaths
A die-off last year at St. Paul Island, the first compelling case of fatal saxitoxin poisoning in marine mammals, comes as more harmful algae is found farther north
www.adn.com
July 14, 2025 at 5:06 PM
For the first time, scientists have made a definite link between the toxin produced by algae that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning and marine mammal deaths. Via @alaskabeacon.com
Fur seals found dead last August on Alaska’s St. Paul Island had significant levels of saxitoxin in their bodies, as did several of the dead fish around them.
(From @alaskabeacon.com)
(From @alaskabeacon.com)
Toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning blamed for Alaska seal deaths
A die-off last year at St. Paul Island, the first compelling case of fatal saxitoxin poisoning in marine mammals, comes as more harmful algae is found farther north.
www.ktoo.org
July 15, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Fur seals found dead last August on Alaska’s St. Paul Island had significant levels of saxitoxin in their bodies, as did several of the dead fish around them.
(From @alaskabeacon.com)
(From @alaskabeacon.com)
Das Gift der CIA 👁️
April 21, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Das Gift der CIA 👁️
Researchers say they’re also finding high levels of saxitoxin in animal droppings far from the coast.
(From KUCB - Unalaska)
(From KUCB - Unalaska)
Paralytic shellfish poisoning moves beyond Alaska's shoreline
Researchers are finding the poisonous toxin throughout the year, and in animals away from the ocean.
www.ktoo.org
July 9, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Researchers say they’re also finding high levels of saxitoxin in animal droppings far from the coast.
(From KUCB - Unalaska)
(From KUCB - Unalaska)
New insights from our group into how frogs resist toxic environments published today! 🎉🐸
Congratulations to Sandra, Samantha @samnscience.bsky.social, Zhou, and our collaborators Tod Leighfield, Filizola lab @martafilizola.bsky.social, and Du Bois lab at Stanford.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Congratulations to Sandra, Samantha @samnscience.bsky.social, Zhou, and our collaborators Tod Leighfield, Filizola lab @martafilizola.bsky.social, and Du Bois lab at Stanford.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Structural basis for saxitoxin congener binding and neutralization by anuran saxiphilins
Nature Communications - Dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria produce saxitoxin (STX) congeners that block voltage-gated sodium channels. Here authors show how amphibians may sequester STX congeners...
www.nature.com
April 24, 2025 at 6:04 PM
New insights from our group into how frogs resist toxic environments published today! 🎉🐸
Congratulations to Sandra, Samantha @samnscience.bsky.social, Zhou, and our collaborators Tod Leighfield, Filizola lab @martafilizola.bsky.social, and Du Bois lab at Stanford.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Congratulations to Sandra, Samantha @samnscience.bsky.social, Zhou, and our collaborators Tod Leighfield, Filizola lab @martafilizola.bsky.social, and Du Bois lab at Stanford.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Happy New Years All! I am so excited to share the very first preprint from my lab: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... - from @lydiaruggles.bsky.social's thesis-also my first student 😊. tldr: Only bacteria collected during a Pyrodinium bloom rescued Pyro from B12 limitation #microbialsky #microsky 🦠🧪🧬🌊
B-vitamin requirements and phycosphere interactions for the HAB-forming dinoflagellate, Pyrodinium bahamense var. bahamense
Pyrodinium bahamense is a saxitoxin-producing dinoflagellate found in tropical and subtropical estuarine waters globally, with the var. bahamense variety forming recurrent harmful algal blooms (HABs) ...
www.biorxiv.org
January 5, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Happy New Years All! I am so excited to share the very first preprint from my lab: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... - from @lydiaruggles.bsky.social's thesis-also my first student 😊. tldr: Only bacteria collected during a Pyrodinium bloom rescued Pyro from B12 limitation #microbialsky #microsky 🦠🧪🧬🌊
And saxitoxin? It's a sodium-channel blocker, essentially shutting down your nervous system and leading to paralysis. Not being able to move your legs is one thing; your heart not beating or being able to breathe is quite another. More stories and science here: naturespoisons.com/2014/03/02/s...
December 16, 2024 at 4:37 PM
And saxitoxin? It's a sodium-channel blocker, essentially shutting down your nervous system and leading to paralysis. Not being able to move your legs is one thing; your heart not beating or being able to breathe is quite another. More stories and science here: naturespoisons.com/2014/03/02/s...
An enzyme-enabled route to synthesize saxitoxin—a nerve-blocking molecule—led by the Baran lab with Merck and the Roberto lab, bypasses marine sources and expands access to saxitoxin analogs for pain-therapy research, as shown in @nature.com. More at: ow.ly/b0Lq50XFXBs
An easier approach to recreate the powerful nerve-blocking molecule found in shellfish
ow.ly
December 9, 2025 at 5:46 PM
An enzyme-enabled route to synthesize saxitoxin—a nerve-blocking molecule—led by the Baran lab with Merck and the Roberto lab, bypasses marine sources and expands access to saxitoxin analogs for pain-therapy research, as shown in @nature.com. More at: ow.ly/b0Lq50XFXBs
For added punch I'd add genes from dinoflagellates for creating saxitoxin and various other neurotoxins.
Then I'd seed it over the pacific ocean
Then I'd seed it over the pacific ocean
April 11, 2024 at 3:47 AM
For added punch I'd add genes from dinoflagellates for creating saxitoxin and various other neurotoxins.
Then I'd seed it over the pacific ocean
Then I'd seed it over the pacific ocean
A groundbreaking study reveals that rising ocean temperatures in the Arctic are linked to alarming increases in harmful algal toxins found in marine mammals, raising serious public health concerns.
Click to read more!
#US #CitizenPortal #ClimateChange #PublicHealth #ArcticMarineMammals
Click to read more!
#US #CitizenPortal #ClimateChange #PublicHealth #ArcticMarineMammals
Long surveillance dataset links warmer, more open Arctic waters to higher algal toxin concentrations in marine mammals
A long‑running surveillance program (Warren West) presented statistical evidence from 205 bowhead whale samples over 19 years that higher accumulated heat flux and greater open‑water area correlate with increased domoic acid and saxitoxin concentrations and higher prevalence in the food web; recent documented saxitoxin poisonings were reported.
citizenportal.ai
September 25, 2026 at 9:37 PM
A groundbreaking study reveals that rising ocean temperatures in the Arctic are linked to alarming increases in harmful algal toxins found in marine mammals, raising serious public health concerns.
Click to read more!
#US #CitizenPortal #ClimateChange #PublicHealth #ArcticMarineMammals
Click to read more!
#US #CitizenPortal #ClimateChange #PublicHealth #ArcticMarineMammals
When people eat clams that eat harmful algae, they can be poisoned! But what about the clams? It varies by species, with some resistant to the toxins, but in the case of mussels eating saxitoxin, they do begin to show slowed response to stimuli and symptoms of partial paralysis! (272)
September 25, 2025 at 9:45 PM
When people eat clams that eat harmful algae, they can be poisoned! But what about the clams? It varies by species, with some resistant to the toxins, but in the case of mussels eating saxitoxin, they do begin to show slowed response to stimuli and symptoms of partial paralysis! (272)