AskPippa🇨🇦

I'm a science & medical writer curious about the world. I like to share what I find out. Remember Ask Pippa, science for kids in the Toronto Star? That was me. Also the Medical Post, Medscape, SciAm, Vice and more.  

#scicomm #journalism #medicine #science #technology #ScienceFiction #PublicHealth #scifi #vaccine #immunology #oncology #pediatrics #cardiology #diabetes #virus #cancer #epidemiology #Medmastodon #IDmastodon #plastic #climate #biodiversity #space

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pippawysong/
My outdated science website for kids: www.AskPippa.ca
A medical outreach program I developed: https://sci-why.blogspot.com/2014/07/quarantine-tent-looks-to-past-in.html

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npub1rfn6xhepp3ljgwwezr3szyhzupn7laswdkrjnsv73uqmypmc2twq5dvzgx

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askpippa_at_c.im@momostr.pink

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relay.damus.io

nos.lol

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npub1rfn6xhepp3ljgwwezr3szyhzupn7laswdkrjnsv73uqmypmc2twq5dvzgx

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Published at

2026-04-12T23:43:49Z

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Last Notes

2026-03-24 17:36:27 UTC

Engineers solve the Trolley Problem.
#philosophy #humour #engineering
https://s3.c.im/media_attachments/files/116/285/346/252/607/625/original/9a2507905c381771.png

2026-03-14 19:21:44 UTC

If you are a US citizen and plan to vote, now is the time to get a passport. A copy of your US birth certificate is a good idea too. Or, you might not be able to register and #vote.
#elections #USelections
https://apnews.com/article/save-act-documents-requirements-citizenship-voting-congress-dfb43bcdd0255d3665da588a60286b4e?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-ca

2025-12-03 22:59:39 UTC

Just came across a great sounding charity that provides donations of essential items to refugees in Toronto: HENS (Home Essentials Newcomer Support). If you're parting with useable kitchen items (dinnerware, cutlery, microwave ovens, toasters, etc.), clothing, bedding and bathroom items, and some other stuff, this is the place.
(Better than a place like Valu Village which is a for-profit chain owned by a corporation and is listed on the stock market)
https://henstoronto.com/#mission

2025-11-19 22:55:26 UTC

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I'm unclear how this works. Sure, the heat can be harnessed to heat someone's home, but who pays for the electricity needed to run the computers in the hub?

2025-11-05 23:55:20 UTC

Such a simple solution. A study n Norway found that a single black blade on a windmill causes birds to see a grey smudge in the air that they know they need to fly around.
https://s3.c.im/media_attachments/files/115/499/777/934/218/384/original/207678e439757a83.png

2025-11-04 22:50:39 UTC

Bacteria that can 'eat', or break down PET #plastic. It's not the first one. Bacteria that can do this have an enzyme called PETase that can break down plastic polymers. It helps these bacteria deconstruct plastic molecules to get yummy carbon. Eventually, perhaps these bacteria can be used to help the planet with it's plastic problem -- similar to how some bacteria (or archaea) are used to help clean up oil spills.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251104013023.htm

2025-10-07 02:25:21 UTC

Ha! Saw this. Be mechanical!
https://s3.c.im/media_attachments/files/115/330/506/697/997/903/original/317efff72c823bf8.png

2025-10-02 14:35:05 UTC

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These are exactly the reasons I don't use Edge.
" the more the Edge browser is promoted in one way or another in Windows 11 (or indeed Windows 10), the more people are likely to be put off." AND
"adding more AI capabilities – as part of its overall Copilot AI drive – to the browser, which may be a turn-off for some."
"the various ads and promos for the browser are very much backfiring."

2025-10-02 14:15:45 UTC

I still haven't solved my problem with @Libreoffice. Each time I try to open a document, there is a delay with a "waiting for printer" message appearing, which I have to cancel before the document will open. Looking online, it turns out it's been an issue for at least a couple of years. Something possible with printer or Windows settings? Can anyone walk me through a fix? (Pretty please)
And yes, I updated LibreOffice.

2025-09-11 18:43:51 UTC

So I just had to read a study that I found especially painful to get through. Rigid and dense sentences, dense jargon, turgid style. I literally dozed off in parts. Then, the punchline! The end has a line “…the authors used ChatGPT 3.5 in order to improve the language and readability.” Um no, it didn’t work. If you really need help with style editing, hire a science writer/editor.

2025-09-04 20:16:02 UTC

https://s3.c.im/media_attachments/files/115/147/854/660/679/712/original/5e9b86045561c17a.png

2025-08-28 18:31:31 UTC

So, why is it every time I launch LibreOffice, a black window appears saying "Waiting for printer to respond" and won't go away until I hit Cancel. And then the document finally opens?
If there is a setting to change, I don't know how to find it. Hints welcome.

2025-08-23 14:36:45 UTC

Ha!
https://s3.c.im/media_attachments/files/115/078/573/318/514/560/original/117df63d9f05f79b.png

2025-08-22 14:14:40 UTC

If you're in search of new #SF to read, and exposure to new writers, consider signing up for the Story Bundle email list. Each month they offer a bundle of books for super low prices -- like $5. I know authors who agreed to have their books included in these bundles and say it helps get their names out there and with future sales of their books.
This month offers a Space opera bundle as well as an #African SF bundle.
#sciencefiction #SFmastodon
https://www.storybundle.com/space

2025-08-19 20:50:36 UTC

Meanwhile, teens are rebelling.
#vaccine https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/more-teens-are-getting-vaccines/

2025-08-12 19:18:20 UTC

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So sad. btw the photo is poignant. Wow.

2025-08-07 17:03:13 UTC

There is a whole industry around fraudulent and bad #science! Medical studies are certainly prone to this because of the publish or perish system. I've even seen listings for fake medical conferences in Toronto!
This article explains it's not only a multi-million dollar industry but there is basically a cabal of bad scientists running much of it.
"These expanding operations—ranging from paid authorships and citations to entirely fake journals—are now proliferating at a faster rate than legitimate scientific output... even more insidious: a largely unknown, underground network of scientists committing organized scientific fraud. “These networks are essentially criminal organizations, acting together to fake the process of science,”
@npub1egl…078m #medmstodon #research #ethics #universities #medical
https://thedebrief.org/scientific-fraud-exposed-the-multi-million-dollar-shadow-industry-creating-junk-science-to-propel-academic-careers/

2025-07-25 21:50:20 UTC

Several years ago, my Swiss army knife went missing from checked luggage. When I mentioned it on social media, loads of people described things that went missing from their checked luggage. In this article, this woman not only found several items missing but things not belonging to her were added.
When my knife went missing, I contacted the transportation authority to say what had happened -- because I was concerned if something can be removed, something can be added to your luggage. Something I consider a security and safety risk.
Years ago a woman travelled from Melbourne Australia to Thailand. A luggage handler in Melbourne added a bag of dope into her luggage which a partner in Sydney was supposed to remove. He missed it. Thailand has zero tolerance for drugs -- and locked her up with a life sentence. They didn't care how it got into her luggage.
If people write this CBC reporter with their concerns about things being added or removed from luggage, maybe this topic will get the attention I think it deserves. Someday, it could be an explosive.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/air-canada-mystery-baggage-1.7592756

2025-07-23 14:55:19 UTC

I once interviewed an urban coyote expert. He did #coyote counts in cities across North America (I believe #Toronto hired him at one point). He said every major city has a coyote population, though mostly we don't see them. They are generally shy creatures that come out at times when people are not around. Coyotes are scavengers, but when it comes to prey they go after easy small things - like mice and rats.
It turns out it would be a mistake for cities to eliminate coyotes because the mouse and rat population would significantly surge.
The key thing is to educate people. Leave the coyotes alone, don't feed them or try to make friends (otherwise they get too used to people and that's when trouble can happen - like becoming bold enough go after small pets).
#wildlife #urbanwildlife
This is the urban coyote expert: https://urbancoyoteresearch.com/researcher/stanley-d-gehrt-phd

2025-06-23 18:34:05 UTC

"Paracetamol (acetaminophen) production could be revolutionized by the discovery that a common bacterium can turn everyday #plastic waste into the painkiller. The new method leaves virtually no carbon emissions and is more sustainable than the current production of the medicine, researchers say."
#pharmaceutical #pharmacy #drugs #medicine @npub1egl…078m #medmastodon
https://phys.org/news/2025-06-upcycling-plastic-painkillers-microbes-everyday.html

2025-05-16 02:07:22 UTC

First Nations people in #Alberta don't want the province to separate from #Canada.
"Our agreement was with the federal government way before Alberta was even created.... And they [the province] have no right touching anything that does not belong to them."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/onion-lake-lawsuit-sovereignty-act-1.7535319

2025-05-08 14:59:18 UTC

Some in the crowd believe that forcing an early Apocalypse will bring a grand eternal life sooner -- and may be actively pursuing that. But impatience has no rewards. Personally, I'm fond of this life and think we should treat our planet (and each other) with respect. Let's fix #climatechange, clean up the #environment, reduce #microplstics and find ways to bring back a kinder politic.

2025-05-07 15:22:12 UTC

Researchers in Alberta are developing saltwater batteries.
"“With current options for energy storage like lithium batteries being too expensive for long-duration storage, Aqua-Cell Energy is everything lithium is not,” he says. “Our flow battery pumps saltwater through a battery stack where electricity is applied to store energy in the saltwater.”
He shares that when this process is run in reverse, it generates usable electricity.
“Our technology is the world’s most environmentally friendly #battery storage option … and using low-cost saltwater as the electrolyte allows for affordable long duration energy storage of upwards of 12 hours.” "
#energy #electricity #cleanenergy #engineering #solar #sustainable #tech
https://uwaterloo.ca/news/global-futures/turning-saltwater-solar-power

2025-04-26 22:20:44 UTC

Don't take anything for granted. VOTE!
#Canada #Elections2025

2025-04-17 16:07:37 UTC

This explains why the US has an #egg shortage and other countries don't. It's about bird flu, and the size of egg-laying farms. When massive US farms are hit with flu, it means huge numbers of egg-laying chickens die - resulting in far fewer eggs.
Other countries tend to have much smaller chicken farms. So when one is hit with bird flu, it doesn't really impact the overall supply.
#eggs #birdflu
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/18/nx-s1-5330454/egg-shortages-record-prices-usda-canada

2025-04-06 16:30:13 UTC

I wonder if a way to start slowing fixing things is to have moderates and progressives join up and flood the parties where they can vote for nicer people to run for office. Also get directly involved and, in numbers, take back things like library and school boards, etc. And, continue to fight misinformation. https://www.npr.org/2022/02/08/1079191067/how-did-the-republican-party-become-the-party-of-trump

2025-04-04 14:58:55 UTC

Watch for auroras tonight.
#space #astronomy #atmosphere #solar
https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/science/space/speedy-solar-wind-brings-chance-of-auroras-to-prairies-northern?utm_medium=weathernetwork&utm_source=bluesky

2025-02-18 14:48:20 UTC

As seen on a current webpage on the US CDC site. Changes have begun.
https://www.cdc.gov/yrbs/index.html

2025-02-05 16:52:43 UTC

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I started using it a couple months ago and am impressed with how smoothly it works. I'm recommending it to other writer friends.
2 features I would *like* to see in the word processor: embedding links in words; a comments mode.

2025-02-01 16:08:55 UTC

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Both union and non-union are being asked to quit or being 'downsized'.

2025-02-01 15:55:05 UTC

If you're a US federal employee and being asked to quit -- don't do anything, or agree to anything until you've talked to an employment lawyer.

2025-01-16 19:15:23 UTC

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Did other, earlier studies suggest that when nicotine content is lowered, people just smoke more cigarettes to get the desired dose/hit?

2024-12-07 20:07:57 UTC

This seems to be a good summary. Add a correction if you see something inaccurate.
https://s3.c.im/media_attachments/files/113/613/345/613/221/131/original/89d656c7b1c54abd.png

2024-12-07 16:34:09 UTC

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The article oversimplifies things, but that's ok. But yes, people aren't consistent following any one system. And the ideas for these systems don't really take human nature into account. Underneath it all, we're selfish biologic beings and much of what we do is based on how it benefits us. Help someone because it makes you feel good (a personal benefit); let the trolley (ethics and psychology) kill a crowd of strangers because that individual is MY loved one. Follow the social contract (Rousseau), mostly, because it's better for me (and my family) to live in a safe, organized society rather then a place where everyone is fighting all the time (Hobbes).
Ethical ideals are based on defining what is 'good' or 'bad', right or wrong, and are relative to different cultures/societies.
This has more details. https://learn.saylor.org/mod/book/view.php?id=31021

2024-12-02 17:44:37 UTC

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The trap is set.
Touch that belly and it's a 4-paw scratch attack!
https://s3.c.im/media_attachments/files/113/584/469/472/309/747/original/daa906869fdcda0d.jpeg

2024-11-30 16:26:35 UTC

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When our cat does this, it's a trap. Touch that cute little belly and it's an all-4 paw scratch!

2024-11-25 19:30:44 UTC

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It used to be much thicker. I’m seeing more water and less substance in other products too, such as Astro yogurt— much bigger water puddles form after you scoop some out (some of the smaller brands aren’t like that). It certainly is one of the things that motivates me to make more soups etc from scratch.
Sad — Habitant was one of our faves since I was a teen.

2024-11-25 19:10:14 UTC

Disappointed that Habitant Pea soup has turned into mostly water and fewer peas. #shrinkflation
https://s3.c.im/media_attachments/files/113/545/164/653/930/170/original/e15614df126be30d.jpg

2024-11-19 17:55:02 UTC

I really don't know much about #crypto. But this article is looking at possible changes to regulations, more widespread use, etc. Are we in for a big disruptive change in global economics, as well as local? Will it affect personal investments, the cost of goods, etc. Will it all crash or are we on the verge of something new?
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/3-big-changes-coming-to-cryptocurrency-in-2025/ar-AA1ubRdL

2024-11-08 22:13:10 UTC

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I wonder if Canada could offer Ukraine support with some of its satellites? The country has a long history of designing and building satellites.

2024-11-07 20:39:16 UTC

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Ha! So I guess that means watching all those movies is good for me! #BrainExercise #brain

2024-11-05 21:18:07 UTC

A article in #JAMA summarizes studies of the effects of #abortion bans n the #medical profession, especially in Texas. Fewer people enrolling in Texas medical schools, especially for #obgyn; obgyns leaving the states with the strongest bans; increased maternal deaths; downward effects on number of new doctors entering practice in the US.
@npub1egl…078m #medmastodon #health #healthcare #reproduction #medicine
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2825887?guestAccessKey=3e2726ce-9ac9-4d18-afd5-89a4866eb1dc&adv=000003918894

2024-10-09 22:02:29 UTC

This says it all.
#wetlands #flooding
https://s3.c.im/media_attachments/files/113/279/719/024/006/666/original/308f59ae4a5b04d9.png

2024-09-30 23:02:29 UTC

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Well, I'm glad I didn't use my last name and listed a wrong birthday.

2024-09-29 17:12:57 UTC

How id I not know about this #comic strip before?
#philosophy
https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/util

2024-09-10 21:16:50 UTC

Recently, I had conversations with 2 people who turned out to be vaccine skeptics. They stopped getting #COVID vaccines after their first jab or two. So, I told them about the 30+ year history behind mRNA vaccine development. That it has been (and continues to be) worked on for treating cancer as well as for other diseases. And that mRNA vaccines were part-way developed for #SARS during the 2002-2004 outbreak (but work stopped because the infection petered out for various reasons) and for Zika. And that when the pandemic came along, most of the pieces of for creating an #mRNA #vaccine for COVID were already in place -- which is why the the vaccines came out relatively quickly. And that they underwent clinical trials before they were approved for release.
Both conversations ended with "Wow, I didn't know any of that. You've given me something to think about."
I'll take it as a win.
Sometimes it's #history more than #science that can help get a message across.
Sources:
1.Timeline: https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/decades-making-mrna-covid-19-vaccines
2. One of the best summaries of the mRNA vaccine and its history. https://www.statnews.com/2020/11/10/the-story-of-mrna-how-a-once-dismissed-idea-became-a-leading-technology-in-the-covid-vaccine-race/
#publichealth @npub1egl…078m #medmastodon #IDmastodon

2024-09-04 16:03:27 UTC

https://s3.c.im/media_attachments/files/113/080/125/750/251/907/original/7d6941aa74710855.png

2024-09-03 16:46:33 UTC

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The article says you can't uninstall it. But it says it's opt-in?

2024-08-31 23:00:20 UTC

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maybe promote tips in Portuguese on how to the platform!

2024-08-25 18:04:33 UTC

Fake spiderweb material traps and can cause the death of pollinators and birds. It's better to avoid using it.
https://s3.c.im/media_attachments/files/113/023/979/602/513/172/original/95ace0579312899b.png

2024-07-25 21:22:15 UTC

Our cat prefers spring water.
(Getting ahead of #caturday).
#cats #catsofmastodon
https://s3.c.im/media_attachments/files/112/849/220/891/881/308/original/0022c96fa5d52764.png