#a keep safe for science

[renerosin]

SIR LEWIS HAMILTON at the Met Gala [2024]

[lilacerull0]

Lila Cerullo + Enzo Scanno: Volumetric Analysis Conducted in a Kitchen

text by me | perhaps the world ends here - joy hario | my brilliant friend - elena ferrante | summer kitchen - donald hall | jacebeleran | letters to donald windham - tennessee williams | x | x | x | my tags

[counterintuitivecomics]

Some colorized bits from my recent free printable zine WHY WE MASK: It's Not "Just A Cold"! I purposefully made the whole thing b&w to make printing as cheap as possible, but it's fun to add color especially to the snot-splosions.

HEY COMICS FRIENDS going to SPX or other cons this weekend - MASK UP, EAT OUTDOORS, and REST if you start feeling run down. COVID-19 levels are BAD bad right now (it's currently the worst September out of the whole pandemic) and the government does not have our backs. This virus causes YEARS worth of horrible vascular, neurological, and immune system damage, and each infection raises your chances of gaining fun new disabilities that could prevent you ever making comics again.

I strongly advice cancelling festivals, cons, indoor dining, anything involving crowds indoors OR outdoors, etc. But I know people depend on income from cons, so: PACK MASKS, NASAL SPRAY, and CPC MOUTHWASH and actually use them! If you develop any COVID-19 symptoms (headaches, dizziness, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, sore throat, sore joints, etc) don't assume it's "just a cold". Stay in your dang hotel room and REST! You can TRY to "push through" to keep tabling but you are NOT gonna like the long-term results (aka Long COVID).

I care about all you comics people and I want you to enjoy many more decades of making and sharing and reading comics with each other. If you're feeling sick at a show this weekend and don't know what to do, drop me a line! No judgements. Take care of yourself and each other out there and remember, no one can rest your body for you but you.

(Image Descriptions are in the Alt Text. Also please feel free to print my zine and hand it out if you do go)co

[hylianengineer]

Sometimes I have Feelings about the fact that I am an actual real-life scientist now. I mean, I've been doing Real Science for years, but "undergrad research assistant" does not have the same ring to it. My job title is "Chemist" now. Fuck yeah.

[a-deadly-serenade]

saw someone ask for more clarification on how to read the SPC's outlook maps, so here's a little guide :)

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) is an agency a part of the National Weather Service (NWS), which in turn is a branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Located in Norman, Oklahoma, the heart of the United States's research into severe weather, the SPC's main goal is to forecast the probability of severe weather happening across the country.

Their convective outlooks are these maps that you might see floating around online:

As you can note by the ledgers present in the bottom corners of these images, each color corresponds to a level of risk on the probability of severe weather occurring within a given area, numbered 1-5.

Light green (not labeled as Marginal or MRGL) = 0/5, chance for thunderstorms, some heavy rain, strong winds, and possibly some small hail.

Darker green (Marginal or MRGL) = 1/5, low, but present risk for severe thunderstorms, including hail, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes.

Yellow (Slight or SLGT) = 2/5, a more present risk for severe thunderstorms, including hail, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes.

Orange (Enhanced or ENH) = 3/5, a higher risk for severe thunderstorms, including hail, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes.

Red (Moderate or MDT) = 4/5, more confidence for the risk of severe thunderstorms, including damaging hail, damaging winds, and possible strong tornadoes.

Pink (High/HIGH) = 5/5, very high probability for the risk of severe thunderstorms, including damaging hail, damaging winds, and possible strong, long-track tornadoes.

--> Helpful links!

SPC Outlook Map

SPC Official Twitter Account

NWS Official Twitter Account

These maps are used to help predict the probability of severe weather happening up to about 3 days in advance. Days 1-3 are their most accurate, however, it is important to note that weather is ever-changing, and even Day 1 outlooks, or the day of, can change throughout as more data comes in via weather models or even on-the-ground storm chasers.

At the bottom of every single outlook map, is a detailed mesoscale analysis done by a meteorologist at the NWS breaking down the schematics by location of the system moving through that day. As an example, this is the discussion for today, March 15, 2025:

These are all extremely helpful tools that are completely FREE to use! If you live in an area that is prone to severe weather, I would highly recommend you get into the habit of becoming more weather aware and familiarizing yourself with these maps to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

Below, I will break down a couple more tabs available for further analysis. These will be under the cut, as just a little extra for those who are especially curious ;)

The SPC additionally publishes the percent risk of these storms coming with damaging winds, damaging hail, and tornadoes. As an example, I will present and explain the risks associated with the storms happening today, March 15, 2025:

As you can see, all the parameters have been met in Alabama and Mississippi that warrant a level 5/5, or a High Risk that severe weather will occur within the pink-shaded area, with the risk descending as you go further North into the Ohio River Valley. Now, let's look at the probability of a tornado occurring within these areas:

As noted by the table at the bottom, there is a 30% chance of a tornado occurring within the pink-shaded area. Not only that, the entire stretch crossing all the way from Louisiana up to Tennesee, is marked by these black dots. These are hatches, and this indicates that the tornadoes that could occur, have a higher probability of being rated an EF2+. Tornadoes are rated on the Enhanced Fujita scale, going from EF0-EF5:

You can also look at the probability of damaging winds:

And damaging hail:

[ad-astra-per-aspera-1389]

oughgh this au is causing me pain. will gaines (frankie and jenny's dad) is the more empathetic one between himself and sig, and he's (as he so would) handling marcus learning to accept will as an adoptive parent after losing his first dad (bc not really a biological father and creator isnt something they can say in public, and it also sounds impersonal) and he's handling it SO WELL. will gaines my beloved fr...

[idontmindifuforgetme]

how did u become this productive and academic and cool.. what age did u start..

Built this way babeyyyy

[curiouscatastrophe]

Spending too many hours culturing bacteria will give you fun side effects

Why am i in my kitchen at home feeling nervous that i dont have an open flame next to me. bitch im making a sandwich. there was never going to be sterile technique you fucking idiot

anyway we should give this experience to stanford pines somehow

[realmermaid333]

Full term abortion doesn't exist !!! That is just induced labor. No medical professional is killing a 9 month old baby for an abortion. That makes no sense. Full term abortion = induced labor

[appleonjust-ice]

okay people call louie weird for eating the various creatures of pnf-404 but like. olimar is just as bad . have you read any of his notes in the treasure hoard

[toshootforthestars]

From the report by Beth Mole, posted 29 Feb 2024:

In a lengthy background document, the agency laid out its rationale for consolidating COVID-19 guidance into general guidance for respiratory viruses—including influenza, RSV, adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, and others, though specifically not measles. The agency also noted the guidance does not apply to health care settings and outbreak scenarios. "COVID-19 remains an important public health threat, but it is no longer the emergency that it once was, and its health impacts increasingly resemble those of other respiratory viral illnesses, including influenza and RSV," the agency wrote. The most notable change in the new guidance is the previously reported decision to no longer recommend a minimum five-day isolation period for those infected with the pandemic coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Instead, the new isolation guidance is based on symptoms, which matches long-standing isolation guidance for other respiratory viruses, including influenza. "The updated Respiratory Virus Guidance recommends people with respiratory virus symptoms that are not better explained by another cause stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both resolution of fever AND overall symptom are getting better," the document states. "This recommendation addresses the period of greatest infectiousness and highest viral load for most people, which is typically in the first few days of illness and when symptoms, including fever, are worst." The CDC acknowledged that the eased isolation guidance will create "residual risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission," and that most people are no longer infectious only after 8 to 10 days. As such, the agency urged people to follow additional interventions—including masking, testing, distancing, hygiene, and improving air quality—for five additional days after their isolation period. "Today’s announcement reflects the progress we have made in protecting against severe illness from COVID-19," CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen said in a statement. "However, we still must use the commonsense solutions we know work to protect ourselves and others from serious illness from respiratory viruses—this includes vaccination, treatment, and staying home when we get sick." Overall, the agency argued that a shorter isolation period would be inconsequential. Other countries and states that have similarly abandoned fixed isolation times did not see jumps in COVID-19 emergency department visits or hospitalizations, the CDC pointed out. And most people who have COVID-19 don't know they have it anyway, making COVID-19-specific guidance moot, the agency argued. In a recent CDC survey, less than half of people said they would test for SARS-CoV-2 if they had a cough or cold symptoms, and less than 10 percent said they would go to a pharmacy or health care provider to get tested. Meanwhile, "The overall sensitivity of COVID-19 antigen tests is relatively low and even lower in individuals with only mild symptoms," the agency said. The CDC also raised practical concerns for isolation, including a lack of paid sick leave for many, social isolation, and "societal costs." The points are likely to land poorly with critics. “The CDC is again prioritizing short-term business interests over our health by caving to employer pressure on COVID guidelines. This is a pattern we’ve seen throughout the pandemic,” Lara Jirmanus, Clinical Instructor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, said in a press release last month after the news first broke of the CDC's planned isolation update. Jirmanus is a member of the People's CDC, a group that advocates for more aggressive COVID-19 policies, which put out the press release. Another member of the group, Sam Friedman, a professor of population health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, also blasted the CDC's stance last month. The guidance will "make workplaces and public spaces even more unsafe for everyone, particularly for people who are high-risk for COVID complications," he said.

But, the CDC argues that the threat of COVID-19 is fading. Hospitalizations, deaths, prevalence of long COVID, and COVID-19 complications in children (MIS-C) are all down. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing severe disease, death, and to some extent, long COVID—we just need more people to get them. Over 95% of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 in the 2023–2024 respiratory season had no record of receiving the seasonal booster dose, the agency noted. Only 22% of adults got the latest shot, including only 42% of people ages 65 and older. In contrast, 48% of adults got the latest flu shot, including 73% of people ages 65 and older. But even with the crummy vaccination rates for COVID-19, a mix of past infection and shots have led to a substantial protection in the overall population. The CDC even went as far as arguing that COVID-19 deaths have fallen to a level that is similar to what's seen with flu. "Reported deaths involving COVID-19 are several-fold greater than those reported to involve influenza and RSV. However, influenza and likely RSV are often underreported as causes of death," the CDC said. In the 2022–2023 respiratory virus season, there were nearly 90,000 reported COVID-19 deaths. For flu, there were 9,559 reported deaths, but the CDC estimates the true number to be between 18,000 and 97,000. In the current season, there have been 32,949 reported COVID-19 deaths to date and 5,854 reported flu deaths, but the agency estimates the real flu deaths are between 17,000 and 50,000. "Total COVID-19 deaths, accounting for underreporting, are likely to be higher than, but of the same order of magnitude as, total influenza deaths," the agency concluded.

(say no to raw dough: CDC)

[swoobatte]

hi just here to kindly inform you that after tonight, the next three are the Harvest Moon (basically three nights where the moon is incredibly close to full in a row). only the 29th is technically full though so it shouldn’t affect you before or after that. The cycles of the moon just generally have a lot to do with the supernatural so i tend to keep track

-@sufficiently-analyzed-magic (vsa)

… I will be sure to let Traveller know. Thank thoust very much.

[luna-loveboop]

Guys

In Zelda’s study

There’s a freaking frog

A hot footed frog

Eat the frog link

[stars-inthe-sky]

#this is such a good generational take #I’ve been thinking recently of how it’s not that I was a more authentic version of myself a decade ago #it’s that I liked that version of myself more #not because she was better but because being her was MORE FUN #but realizing that fun doesn’t equate to authenticity has helped me embrace the me of the 2020s more #being her is sooo much less fun and less hopeful but she’s still me and she’s awesome #anyway I tuned 10 right before the millennium so I only knew clinton era prosperity #and the bush era was more stupid than it was scary - like I was so angry at the islamophobia and the war but that felt rooted in ignorance #more than today’s evil that feels rooted in cruelty #and then obviously obama happened when I was in college #and while we saw the racist backlash with the tea party it still felt fringe #it was a dying gasp #until…it wasn’t #and now it’s been a DECADE #and I’m a real ass adult who has to have a job and maybe have a kid and things feel so bleak #but at least I had that young adulthood under obama #my gen-z colleagues never got that #they don’t get to know who they could be if they didn’t have to deal with this shit every day of adulthood and I’m so angry on their behalf (via @deeplyridiculouslyinlove)

am taking perverse pleasure in reminding people it's 2025. that's a star trek year. silly little science fiction number. except it's happening, and DANG ain't it underwhelming!

[dieverged]

NIMA & LANGUAGES.

During their time traveling, whether it is slipping through the cracks and seams of another world or roaming their own land both familiar and unfamiliar, they take great care in notekeeping things of interest. Do they keep one journal or many? Few can say, and Nima ever reticent hides her truths behind a smile. If you were to chance a glance, a great many notes flood beige pages, intelligible in a messy hand only they can read── Terms and phrases, meanings, often accompanied by questions! Some separated into sections, specifically in the case of Elvish and Orlesian which each have their own pages allotted to them. Their notes are held as loose study guides, picked up from primarily from listening and speaking; both a means of interest, curiosity and fascination, and safety to best camouflage themselves with the world around. A people person through and through, Nima does what they can to envelop themselves in the land and culture of those who are willing to share their insights.

They prioritize verbal chiefly above written, though they do attempt to seek what knowledge they can find and taking notes down as they can; copying scripture as best as they can to piece together as they find out more. As you can imagine, this often results in a fair bit of crosses, scribbles, and disjointed connections that only they make across the entirety of their journals. They always keep an eye, ear, and hand out. Sneaking to grasp at scrolls, literature, tablets and landmarks.

In the presence of a native speaker, someone willing to teach, that is one of the few times where she is willing to allow view of certain pages; unless she is feeling particularly indulgent. Otherwise, while she would certainly enjoy reading various scriptures or practicing her hand, she focuses primarily on speaking── Not proficient by any means, but she uses what she can if she finds the company amenable. Common is her default, otherwise. A lot of the time, she will take various sources and accounts to help her, never afraid to ask questions.

Regarding Elvish, in her travels she has happened upon City and Dalish elves alike, picking up what she can from both. Granted not all have been welcoming and she never overstays, but there have definitely been some who've entertained her queries. Dalish clans more tolerant of humans is where a good portion of her knowledge comes from, and in kind she offers little pieces of information from her various travels, substituting what she lacks from memories forgotten to any interested! Language, culture, history and religion are things she has picked up from City and Dalish alike, scarce though it is, and has made a few ally's in so doing.

The same can be said for Orlesian, the fair few she has met who are willing to engage with her endless intrigue. Orlesian is a language she can speak ... perhaps mildly conversationally? Enough to get her where she needs to be, more or less. She isn't adept at either, and less so for any languages further outside of Fereldan and Orlais aside from phrases she jots down, but she knows enough── With more of a grasp on Orlesian, as the Elvish she practices is often predicated on whether she is able to locate the few friend's she has made who are willing to teach.

This is not specific to just Thedas either; Across the many worlds she slips into, if she is there for long enough whatever the reasons may be, she will do her due diligence to embrace the languages and the cultures therein. She's also kind of a history buff, so the two go hand in hand for her. She enjoys having knowledge at her fingertips, and learning it is as thrilling to her as traveling!

During her Inquisition verses is where she learns a great deal more from the resources they have which she takes full advantage of. Whether she is a companion or Inquisitor, she spends a great deal of time studying. If she is a companion, on the days she is not accompanying the Inquisitor, is when she travels by her lonesome or slips into Skyhold's library for hours at a time. As the inquisitor, she has the benefit of being taught first hand as time allows for it, which it doesn't always ... that's not going to stop her though, lol. Going traveling early in the morn? She'll be in the library til midnight hours. Sneaking in lessons between meetings when she can, which has definitely caught a disapproving sigh or two, but she can't help it!