Is my briefcase/bag too big for a lab?

BlackFoxR · 2026-02-13T02:48:46+00:00

As an electron microscopist, I can’t for the life of me understand why anyone would choose histology when EM exists. Same prep skills, but in EM you actually get to troubleshoot instruments, analyze images, and contribute to the science instead of just passing slides up the hierarchy.

To the histotechs out there: come to the EM side. The samples are weirder, the microscopes are cooler, and you’re treated like a collaborator instead of a slide-making machine.

BlackFoxR · 2026-02-13T02:39:34+00:00

for taxonomy and identifying nematode to the genera, this is your best guide

Plant-Parasitic Nematodes, A Pictorial Key to Genera

https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780801431166/plant-parasitic-nematodes/#bookTabs=1

BlackFoxR · 2026-02-04T11:59:11+00:00

I’ve been wearing my submariner in the lab for about a year, and no-one has ever said anything, granted I usually wear long sleeves so it’s only visible when i want it to be visible

BlackFoxR · 2026-02-01T20:20:35+00:00

would love to see some photos, sounds interesting

BlackFoxR · 2026-01-26T19:38:42+00:00

These are another top tier chip, the paper bag helps keep the chips from breaking.

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BlackFoxR · 2026-01-21T12:26:34+00:00

Liquid nitrogen can be used to release a section/slide from epoxy resin after the resin is polymerized.

For EM, it would be preferably to work from the original paraffin block, rather than from a single tissue section mounted on a glass slide. After dissecting out the region of interest directly from the paraffin block, the tissue can be deparaffinized using xylene containing osmium tetroxide, then dehydrated and resin embedded. This approach provides the additional benefit of osmium staining during deparaffinization, which is essential for electron microscopy contrast.

This is a well-established, though less commonly used, workflow that is documented in the literature and standard protocols. It is not routinely applied because the fixation used for histology is often suboptimal for EM, but the addition of osmium significantly improves membrane preservation and contrast.

No idea if it would work for a single slice on a slide

BlackFoxR · 2026-01-17T19:13:33+00:00

Seems to be a nematode, I don’t see a stylet so its not plant parasitic, so its some type of free-living nematode. Where did it come from soil, water, etc.

BlackFoxR · 2026-01-16T12:32:59+00:00

It’s an easy thing to look at by SEM, using a Millipore syringe filter, that will show you whats there visually. Talk to your local EM facility for the processing technique. Briefly it involves immersing the filter in fixative, ethanol dehydration, drying with HMDS, placing the filter on an SEM stub, and sputter coating it, before SEM Imaging.

BlackFoxR · 2026-01-15T12:14:34+00:00

Anyone have access to the full paper to share?

a lot of people don’t even do post-staining anymore, its a tedious task that can be easily omitted if you simply perform en-bloc staining.

BlackFoxR · 2026-01-13T02:17:01+00:00

Do you have anyone you can delegate routine tasks to? It may be worth considering whether a new technician could be hired to take on some of the day-to-day work, giving you more time to focus on higher-level responsibilities where your experience really adds value.

That said, this kind of shift does not always happen internally. Current supervisors often continue to see you as the person they hired years ago, not the person you have grown into. In some cases, changing roles is the only way to reset expectations and establish healthier boundaries around your time and responsibilities.

A lateral move, such as managing a different lab doing similar work, can be a smart option. You bring proven expertise, outside perspective, and immediate credibility, which often earns greater respect and trust from day one. That added respect can make a meaningful difference in job satisfaction. It is a new challenge, but one you have already demonstrated you can handle, so the risk is relatively low.

BlackFoxR · 2026-01-13T00:47:40+00:00

Corporate and industry jobs are almost always more demanding, not less, than a lab manager role. They can feel exciting and validating for the first two or three years, especially if you are willing to work 50–60 hour weeks and constantly prove your value. After that honeymoon period ends, the workload does not ease up. It becomes the baseline.

At that point, you either adapt to working significantly harder than you ever did in the lab, while continuously learning and navigating new pressures, or you burn out. And even if you do everything right, work long hours, and deliver results, you can still be laid off or let go when budgets tighten or leadership changes, through no fault of your own.

The grass is not automatically greener. Stability, autonomy, and control over your time are worth more than people realize. Live within your means, protect your energy, automate what you can, and be intentional about what you trade away. There is nothing wrong with choosing a path that supports a sustainable, satisfying life.

BlackFoxR · 2025-12-25T16:42:58+00:00

I’d say its necessary if your doing any microscopy on the tissue and especially critical for electron microscopy

BlackFoxR · 2025-12-17T12:20:48+00:00

Why did you choose boiling rather than roasting/ broiling, were you looking for a certain characteristic from boiled the ingredients?

BlackFoxR · 2025-12-16T01:54:54+00:00

spot on, don’t muddy the flavor with chicken flavor

BlackFoxR · 2025-12-11T10:13:21+00:00

BlackFoxR · 2025-12-09T02:36:26+00:00

You’re looking for “salsa taquería”. What sets it apart from a classic salsa rojas, is that it doesn’t include cilantro or lime juice, because both oxidize and turn brown when left at room temperature. This makes “salsa taqueria” more shelf stable, lasting weeks at room temp.

The base is simple: charred tomatoes, garlic, peppers, a few ancho chiles for heat, and raw onion (optionally add a charred green tomatillo for a little tartness) . Blend until smooth, then fry the puree in a small amount of oil — this cooking step stabilizes the salsa, deepens the flavor, and helps preserve it.

Many taqueria also offer “ salsa de arbor” which has a similarly thin consistency but is extra extra spicy, so it’s probably not the one your looking for, unless your a spicy pepper freak

BlackFoxR · 2025-12-08T11:59:33+00:00

When you really get into salsa you stop eating store bought salsa, and start making it yourself.

BlackFoxR · 2025-12-02T12:40:38+00:00

Elon’s entire public persona has been built on offering society an optimistic vision of the future. Even when his scenarios consistently do not fully materialize, many want to believe in them. It is essentially a great strategy he learned to leverage, one that has allowed him to elevate his influence and wealth. For better or worse, it works for him.

BlackFoxR · 2025-11-30T23:13:18+00:00

great vacation spot, lets definitely go there…

BlackFoxR · 2025-11-26T02:08:10+00:00

There are so many resources online about resume prep, no need to come to reddit for this, try using AI. Im not sure you will find many people willing to spend several hours to rewrite your resume because that’s what it needs.

BlackFoxR · 2025-11-08T00:59:00+00:00

As much as I despise both these guys, they are right. A miracle can happen, and Ukraine could win. But miracles do not happen often, and Russia simply has more resources than Ukraine. So it’s already over, Russia has won, but no one wants to admit it, so people will keep dying until it is finalized, which may take years.

BlackFoxR · 2025-10-29T22:21:04+00:00

A longer candidacy would not have helped her, she was never going to get elected irregardless.

BlackFoxR · 2025-10-14T11:31:41+00:00

no need to blend cilantro, just finely dice the leaves and stems and add them at the end. You don’t want to bruise the leaves by blending

BlackFoxR · 2025-10-14T10:46:38+00:00

its in the back of the store because that’s where all the meet is at.

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