Shraddha Chakradhar

Shraddha Chakradhar

@scchak.bsky.social

Science journalist and editor. India-born Kentuckian now in Massachusetts. She/her. How to say my name: http://bit.ly/2TTMIqV

3.9K followers1.1K following42 posts

Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

Tomorrow! The newest @theopennotebook.bsky.social book, "The Best Science Stories and How They Work" comes out and I am so excited. I'm biased because I'm a contributor in this one, but for those of you who like to think of stories as puzzles (ahem, editors) this book is a treasure! Pre-order 👇🏽

The Open Notebook@theopennotebook.bsky.social

You’ll be able to find "A Field at a Crossroads: Genetics and Racial Mythmaking" by @ashleythesmart.bsky.social for @undark.org, plus @scchak.bsky.social’s annotations, in our new book, available for pre-order now. www.theopennotebook.com/the-best-sci...

Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

Check out the byline on this one! Dipped my toes back into reporting with paleontology (a first) for @cnn.com (also a first). My sources' enthusiasm was so infectious, the story, on work from @nhm-london.bsky.social, kinda wrote itself. Now to avoid the nightmares 🦂 www.cnn.com/2026/06/10/s...

cnn.comThe largest scorpion to walk the Earth was more than 3 feet long | CNNScientists describe a baseball bat-size scorpion — the world’s largest — and suggest that the 400 million-year-old creature was also amphibious.

Shraddha Chakradhar reposted

Alex Ip 葉清霖
@alexip718.com

If you're reading this, my cat and I have boarded a one-way flight out of the United States. The Trump administration wrongfully denied my work permit renewal; after months of demanding that they follow the law, we have run out of legal recourse, and I have no choice but to leave the country. (🧵)

giveinmay.orgSupport Alex's Emergency Relocation + Next Steps on Give In MayAlex is leaving the US after his work permit renewal was wrongfully denied by Trump's USCIS.
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

Got to do a cool thing last week! I appeared on the first science and tech news roundtable on @wgbh.org's "Under the Radar with Callie Crossley." I talked about the approval of a gene therapy for deafness & the promise of two pancreatic cancer drugs. Listen here: www.wgbh.org/news/nationa...

wgbh.orgScience news: Return of the river-herring run, Musk vs. Altman and new pancreatic cancer drugsUnder the Radar breaks down the latest science and technology headlines, including communities fighting back against data centers, overheated sharks and more
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

We need good, responsible science journalism more than ever & @theopennotebook.bsky.social has a wealth of free resources to help writers up their game. Over the next 2 weeks, we hope 25 new monthly donors will join me in TON's Page Turners Collective. Sign up here: www.theopennotebook.com/donate/

theopennotebook.comSupport The Open Notebook - Support Science JournalismPlease help support The Open Notebook, a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to foster a supportive, diverse, and inclusive global community that enables journalists who cover science to learn and...

Shraddha Chakradhar reposted

Hanaa’ Tameez
@hanaatameez.bsky.social

The @washingtonpost.com layoffs disproportionately affected union members of color, per data from the @postguild.bsky.social. 50% of Hispanic/Latino guild members,​ 45% of Black members, and​ 43% of Asian members were laid off, compared to 37% of white members. www.niemanlab.org/2026/02/wash...

niemanlab.orgWashington Post layoffs disproportionately affected union members of color, preliminary Guild data shows"We cannot ignore what this means for equity, representation, and the future of this organization."

Shraddha Chakradhar reposted

Sisi Wei
@sisiwei.bsky.social

Two BIG updates on @theopennotebook.bsky.social: 1. We had a $7,500 match fund and YOU MET THE MATCH!!! 2. Inspired by you, the board is stepping up, and pledging an additional $800 match for any donations TON gets today on 12/31. Give today: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...

theopennotebook.comThe Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open NotebookFor 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...
Sisi Wei@sisiwei.bsky.social

Right now, if you donate to @theopennotebook.bsky.social, your donation is DOUBLED. That means 2x the impact of helping journalists learn how to tackle misinfo, use the skills of science journalism, and more.

Shraddha Chakradhar reposted

Laura Dattaro
@ldattaro.bsky.social

This is one of those stories where every interview had me like 🤯🤯🤯. For @nature.com Outlook, I dove into the surprising field of cancer neuroscience. Edited by the amazing @scchak.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41... #neuroskyence

nature.comPancreatic cancer is evasive. Is the nervous system the reason why?A growing body of research suggests tumours rely on proteins and genes that are unique to the nervous system to persist in the body.
View full thread
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

Something novel that has emerged from studying pancreatic cancer biology is how these tumors use survival techniques from nerve cells to stay rooted in the body. As @ldattaro.bsky.social writes, this cancer might be less fatal if it weren't for the nervous system: www.nature.com/articles/d41...

nature.comPancreatic cancer is evasive. Is the nervous system the reason why?A growing body of research suggests tumours rely on proteins and genes that are unique to the nervous system to persist in the body.
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

A big bottleneck in treating pancreatic cancer is the fact that the disease is often caught at advanced stages. But with new blood-based tests and more focused screening, scientists are looking to change that, @cassandrawillyard.bsky.social writes: www.nature.com/articles/d41...

nature.comEarly detection could improve pancreatic cancer’s poor survival ratesThe disease is often caught too late to affect a person’s prognosis — scientists are looking to change that.
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

Researchers are trying to answer fundamental questions about pancreatic cancer, about why it's so aggressive and impervious to many drugs. New modeling efforts, from mini versions of the pancreas to designer mice, are aiding that work, writes @rachelnuwer.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41...

nature.comThe pancreatic cancer models helping to drive innovation in the fieldCellular, animal and computational models of the disease are providing fresh insights into biology and treatment.
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

I know this isn't the point of this post but few things infuriate (and eventually humble) me more than having to get my toddlers' thumbs into the thumbholes of their mittens.

This post is unavailable.
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

@theopennotebook.bsky.social is 15 🎉 What better birthday present than to give generously to a resource many of us in science journalism use all the time? All gifts made today will be matched, so it's also a chance to double your impact! Donate here: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers... #TON15

theopennotebook.comThe Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open NotebookFor 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

In 2022, we took our then-new-to-market VW ID4 from Boston to Indianapolis to Chicago and back to Boston. We definitely had to plan our route (thanks, A Better Route Planner) but almost always had fast chargers. Can't wait for our next trip to see the changes: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

nytimes.comSee How E.V. Road Trips Went From Impossible to EasyThere are a lot more fast chargers than there used to be. Look up what that could mean for a route near you.
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

And this has become such a common refrain for all the friends, neighbors, family members hesitant to embrace EVs: "The overwhelming majority of car trips are below 50 miles, and most new E.V.s can easily drive well over 50 miles, even in poor conditions..."

Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

With this tool, reporters of -any beat- can learn to incorporate fundamentals of science journalism - evidence from a scientific paper, talking to scientists, etc - into their stories. And they get to do this in an interactive, choose-your-own-adventure way: www.theopennotebook.com/science-repo...

theopennotebook.comScience Reporting Navigator - The Open NotebookBring Scientific Evidence into Any Beat Every story is a science story. From education and public health to transportation and local policy, science intersects with every beat journalists cover. The S...
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

As with so many resources from @theopennotebook.bsky.social, I wish this was around when I was starting out in this field. And as with *all* things from TON, it's completely free. Navigate (ha!) yourself around the site or join a launch webinar to learn more on October 23: tinyurl.com/4zz2meny

umsystem.zoom.usWelcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Science Reporting Navigator . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.Come learn about the Science Reporting Navigator and ask questions! Built to help you integrate science context, interviews and data into any story - even on deadline. With easy to access templates, g...

Shraddha Chakradhar reposted

The Open Notebook
@theopennotebook.bsky.social

Every Story is a Science Story. That’s why, with @rjionline.bsky.social, TON has been hard at work developing a free tool to make it easier for journalists on any beat to strengthen their stories by incorporating science. And today, that tool - the Science Reporting Navigator - is live! 🧪

theopennotebook.comIntroducing the Science Reporting Navigator - The Open NotebookThe Science Reporting Navigator stands ready to walk you through complex reporting scenarios to integrate science into any beat. The Open Notebook and the Reynolds Journalism Institute are thrilled to...

Shraddha Chakradhar reposted

The Xylom
@thexylom.com

EXCLUSIVE: A new analysis by The Xylom's @alexip718.com shows for the first time just how much America’s top research institutions have grown to depend on H-1B skilled workers — and how this delicate balance might be disrupted by U.S. President Donald Trump’s crackdown on legal immigration.

thexylom.comThe Most Detailed Maps of H-1B Visa Holders Joining America's Top Research InstitutionsA new analysis by The Xylom shows for the first time just how much America’s top research institutions have grown to depend on the specialized knowledge of H-1B skilled workers — and how this…

Shraddha Chakradhar reposted

Charles Ornstein
@charlesornstein.bsky.social

We dug deep to answer this important question: How Many Federal Health Workers Have RFK Jr. and the Trump Administration Cut? @bxroberts.org @anniewaldman.bsky.social @pratheekrebala.bsky.social

projects.propublica.orgGutted: How Deeply Trump Has Cut Federal Health AgenciesMore than 20,500 workers have left or been pushed out of federal health agencies, a ProPublica analysis found. Staffers say the cuts will leave their agencies less equipped to conduct studies, perform...

Shraddha Chakradhar reposted

Alexandra Witze
@alexwitze.bsky.social

Replying to @alexwitze.bsky.social

If you like the work @theopennotebook.bsky.social does (are you human? if so, you do), then join us at our first-ever town hall on August 26, at 2 pm ET. Learn more about the work The Open Notebook does to support science #journalism worldwide:

linkedin.comThis year, The Open Notebook turns 15! | The Open NotebookThis year, The Open Notebook turns 15! That's 15 years of supporting journalists and we’re thrilled to celebrate with our first-ever Town Hall on Aug. 26. Will you join us? https://lnkd.in/gqSwcCCM
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

I refer folks to @theopennotebook.bsky.social all.the.time. Just yesterday, I told one of @science.org's fantastic interns about TON's (free! email!) Master Classes. And that's just one of many (did I mention free?) resources. Help them keep it that way? Donate here: www.theopennotebook.com/donate/

theopennotebook.comSupport The Open Notebook - Support Science JournalismPlease help support The Open Notebook, a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to foster a supportive, diverse, and inclusive global community that enables journalists who cover science to learn and...

Shraddha Chakradhar reposted

The Xylom
@thexylom.com

One of our biggest supporters, @siricarpenter.bsky.social's fundraising appeal has directly led to nearly $2,000 in donations to our newsroom We're returning the favor: can you help @theopennotebook.bsky.social reach their $3,000 summer fundraiser? www.theopennotebook.com/donate/

theopennotebook.comSupport The Open Notebook - Support Science JournalismPlease help support The Open Notebook, a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to foster a supportive, diverse, and inclusive global community that enables journalists who cover science to learn and...
The Open Notebook@theopennotebook.bsky.social

We are interrupting our regularly scheduled summer fundraising activities to ask for your support for our friends at @thexylom.com, who are facing an existential crisis. The Xylom needs to raise $7,500 this month to avoid shutting down operations. fundrazr.com/the_xylom?re...

fundrazr.comUrgent! Every Dollar Counts!We grow science with words, and are the only Asian American-run science newsroom: independent, nonprofit, led by Gen-Z! The Xylom needs to raise $7,500 by the end of the month to stay afloat. Please h...
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

@annikainampudi.bsky.social's first byline for @science.org, on how Black inmates at the Stateville Penitentiary were experimented on by scientists wanting to better understand side effects to a crucial malaria drug: www.science.org/content/arti...

science.orgHistorical records expose role of Black inmates in unethical malaria studies decades agoScience chats with James Tabery, about the overlooked role of Black prisoners in understanding the genetics of drug reactions
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

"Federal workers aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet...We’re real people with families who are hurting and, in the worst cases, dying. Why don’t people out there see that? Why doesn’t anyone care?” Such a powerful read. (CW: suicide, mental health trauma) www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...

washingtonpost.comWhite House officials wanted to put federal workers ‘in trauma.’ It’s working.Federal workers describe struggling with panic attacks, depression, suicidal thoughts. “Why doesn’t anyone care?”
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

Experts share scathing reviews of last week's HHS report on gender-affirming care for youth: "...a rejection of decades of science, evidence, and direct experiences by young people, their doctors, and their families.” @phiejacobs.bsky.social's story for @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...

science.orgResearchers slam HHS report on gender-affirming care for youthCritics say the report, which declines to disclose its authors, contradicts decades of scientific research

Shraddha Chakradhar reposted

Trans Journalists Association
@transjournalists.org

While this report presents itself as an apolitical “review of evidence and best practices,” it deserves the same scrutiny and careful fact-checking as any government-produced document. Journalists should quote it only with appropriate context and after thorough vetting.

transjournalists.orgThe Trans Journalists Association urges caution in covering the HHS report on gender careWith the recent release of a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report on gender-related medical care for trans youth, the Trans Journalists Association urges newsrooms and journalists repor...
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

We are so excited to have a place to gather in-person this year. Hope to see many of you in November! Bonus: With today's news, we are reopening proposal submissions for a short time. Send in your ideas for sessions you'd like to organize at the meeting (virtual or in-person)!

National Association of Science Writers (NASW)@sciencewriters.org

BIG NEWS: #SciWri25 has a new location and dates! Get ready to gather in Chicago Nov 7-9. The virtual portion will take place Oct 22-24. Thank you to everyone for your support during this journey. Details: www.nasw.org/article...

nasw.orgScienceWriters2025 to be held in Chicago November 7-9The National Association of Science Writers and the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing are excited to announce that ScienceWriters2025 will take place in Chicago, November 7–9, at the Marriott Chicago O’Hare.

Shraddha Chakradhar reposted

Hanaa’ Tameez
@hanaatameez.bsky.social

SOURCE REQUEST 🚨 I'm working on a @niemanlab.org story about what’s come of media companies' 2020 DEI promises. How have newsrooms' DEI priorities changed over the last 5 years? What impact have DEI initiatives had on journalism/journalists? DM me here, on Signal, or email (hanaa@niemanlab.org).

Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

Slipping back into interviewing/reporting for my chapter in this book was a TRIP - and the fact that I had to interview the ever-thoughtful @ashleythesmart.bsky.social for it had me shaking. So if nothing else, get excited to see how that turned out 😀

Siri Carpenter@siricarpenter.bsky.social

I'm so freaking excited about @theopennotebook.bsky.social's next book (coming in 2026 by @uchicagopress.bsky.social). Today I'm editing contributions by @maryroach.bsky.social, @scchak.bsky.social, @raminskibba.bsky.social, and others. Fellow humans, they are SO GOOD! Cannot wait for this book.

Shraddha Chakradhar reposted

Paul Voosen
@voosen.me

@science.org confirms that yesterday the Trump admin wiped out the technical staff of the U.S. National Climate Assessment and the Global Change Research Program. When USGCRP's acting director, who is on a time-limited contract, leaves, it will leave the congressionally mandated office empty.

science.orgTrump administration fires staff for flagship U.S. climate assessmentMove could open the door to using high-profile report to attack climate science
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

I was honored to speak at @ajspi.bsky.social's @sciencesmedias.bsky.social event, and it really drove home for me that science journalism transcends borders. We are all in this together. That has been part of @theopennotebook.bsky.social's calculus about making its resources free from day 1 (contd)

The Open Notebook@theopennotebook.bsky.social

Gifts from our community have enabled TON to provide thousands of science journalists with in-depth, nuts-and-bolts resources and training. On this final day of our spring fundraiser, if you value what we do, help us keep providing training and other resources for the science journalism community. 🧪

theopennotebook.comThe Page Turners Collective: Give Monthly to Support Our Work Every Day - The Open NotebookBy joining the Page Turners Collective, our community of monthly recurring donors, you become a cornerstone of our efforts to nurture and support science journalism around the world.
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

...it's why the organization works so hard to cultivate international relationships, particularly with those in the Global South. It's also why supporting @theopennotebook.bsky.social's work is more crucial than ever. You can do so here: www.theopennotebook.com/the-page-tur...

theopennotebook.comThe Page Turners Collective: Give Monthly to Support Our Work Every Day - The Open NotebookBy joining the Page Turners Collective, our community of monthly recurring donors, you become a cornerstone of our efforts to nurture and support science journalism around the world.

Shraddha Chakradhar reposted

WIRED
@wired.com

They're called public records for a reason. Starting today, WIRED will *stop paywalling* articles that are primarily based on public records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, becoming the first publication to partner with @freedom.press to offer this for our new coverage.

freedom.pressWired is dropping paywalls for FOIA-based reporting. Others should followAs the administration does its best to hide public records from the public, Wired magazine is stepping up to help stem the secrecy
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

This initiative is a powerful reminder that all journalists need tools to cover science. It's also a great example of the wide reach that @theopennotebook.bsky.social has and why I'm proud to be a monthly donor in its Page Turners' Collective. Join me: www.theopennotebook.com/the-page-tur...

theopennotebook.comThe Page Turners Collective: Give Monthly to Support Our Work Every Day - The Open NotebookBy joining the Page Turners Collective, our community of monthly recurring donors, you become a cornerstone of our efforts to nurture and support science journalism around the world.
The Open Notebook@theopennotebook.bsky.social

We have some exciting news! We’re partnering with the Reynolds Journalism Institute to build a resource to help journalists integrate more science directly into their daily work. It’s an extension of the ongoing work at TON to support local journalists. 🧪

theopennotebook.comEvery Story Is a Science Story—That's Why We're Building a Resource to Help Journalists Integrate More Science into Their Coverage - The Open NotebookWe’re excited to announce that The Open Notebook is partnering with the Reynolds Journalism Institute to build a resource that will help journalists integrate more science directly into their daily wo...

Shraddha Chakradhar reposted

Alexa Robles-Gil
@alexaroblesgil.bsky.social

A few weeks ago in Boston, I met the organizers behind the Stand Up for Science (@standupforscience.bsky.social) rally and spoke with them about their motivations in the buildup to the event. Read more in @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...

science.org‘I really wanted something to happen.’ The students behind the Stand Up for Science protestsNew group hopes to turn out researchers for 7 March demonstrations against Trump administration policies
Shraddha Chakradhar
@scchak.bsky.social

💯 "Whatever happened to shame? Bring back the natural, useful emotion of feeling even just a little bit obligated to other people that causes us to act in ways that do not fuck other people over." Being desi means extra shame+obligations. Happy to share, though! defector.com/there-are-ot...

defector.comThere Are Other People In The World | DefectorPay attention to the things around you! Be aware of the space you take up, and the space other people take up, and when those two things might come into conflict!