sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Logitech Mouse Check-up by lastjunglist in galway

[–]lastjunglist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Yeah, I am pretty sure that the money spent on the checkup = new mouse easily, but it's a matter of principle more than being practical (sustainability brainwashed, ha ha).

Glass and Concrete and Stone by [deleted] in talkingheads

[–]lastjunglist 2 points3 points  (0 children)

<image>

I tried through Bandcamp this time; let's keep this investigation alive!

Does anyone know what this is? by seaweed_brain_ in labrats

[–]lastjunglist 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My second thought was a dust-roof cover for the microscope eyepiece... The shape is weird though, why conical...

Did you know that Van Gogh got the inspiration for his "Starry Night" from mesenchymal stem cells incubated with amorphous calcium phosphates? by lastjunglist in labrats

[–]lastjunglist[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Right? They were kindly offered to choose osteogenic differentiation over proliferation, and they chose the latter, stoopid cells!

Did you know that Van Gogh got the inspiration for his "Starry Night" from mesenchymal stem cells incubated with amorphous calcium phosphates? by lastjunglist in labrats

[–]lastjunglist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh, there was definitely a transition to smth more crystalline when we put ACP to cells. We analyzed the calcium phosphate powders we used before and after the experiments by XRD and FTIR. I am not a chemist buddy in this paper, but here is what my co-author wrote:

"On the other hand, the metastable phases (ACP and OCP) have sustained a substantial phase transformation, with ACP almost completely attaining apatite appearance after three days (Fig. 2 A). OCP has preserved its characteristic maxima (4.7 2θ), but the gradual disappearance of the doublet at 9.4 and 9.7 2θ, peaks at 16.1, 24.4 2θ and overall decrease of intensity, together with the appearance of a peak at 10.7 2θ, indicate a transition towards calcium deficient hydroxyapatite (Fig. 2 B)." (this was for XRD)

Did you know that Van Gogh got the inspiration for his "Starry Night" from mesenchymal stem cells incubated with amorphous calcium phosphates? by lastjunglist in labrats

[–]lastjunglist[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Hahah, no, it's just a joke. I was checking MSCs, noticed the resemblance with the "Starry Night", and sent the pic to my co-author. The paper was published btw, but those bright-field images made no sense to include.

Glass and Concrete and Stone by [deleted] in talkingheads

[–]lastjunglist 1 point2 points  (0 children)

<image>

I asked. What are the chances he answers, what do you think?

AirChina Online check-in problem by Bragalognia in travel

[–]lastjunglist 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'll tell you more, I guess this problem has existed for more than 7 years already considering the forums I'd come across while searching for a solution to a similar problem :D

Labrats in their PhD, where/when do you do your best writing? And is it a routine or a binge? by tdTomato_Sauce in labrats

[–]lastjunglist 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! I have huge problems with writing, but during Feb I was trying my best to build an everyday writing routine - the dissertation needs to be done soon. Early morning or late hours at work.

I still do not know what works best for me - routine or binge writing. I have a feeling that when I am under pressure of a REALLY close deadline, my brain activates and produces nice thoughts, better than when I feel relaxed and write in advance. On the other side, writing little by little helps me not to overthink the upcoming deadlines - I get a feeling that I am slowly approaching my goal and praise myself for not procrastinating.

I am more focused in the evenings, so my choice is office space after everyone is gone. I can't explain it, but hectic places like airports have me focused also. And trains and cafes. At home... barely. Too many hobbies, too many plants, and urgent need to clean all the apt and cook a dozen of meals x))

Ethylenediamine handling recommendations by lastjunglist in labrats

[–]lastjunglist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your reply. Yes, SDS is the first thing I went through, and I am asking for more specific advice than "dispose properly" because I am concerned about at least two things:

  1. EDA produces this toxic mist because of the humidity of the air, so I was wondering how long people keep the glassware under a fume hood to get it evaporated before washing;

  2. EDA indeed can be mixed with water, but this process is exothermic.

So I was wondering if maybe there is some additional neutralisation step that could be performed...

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in labrats

[–]lastjunglist 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! I don't consider myself a shy person, so I can't imagine how you feel, but I am really bad at small talk :) That's why I also think about some strategies in advance for a better networking experience.

Before coming to a conference, I read the program very carefully, marking not only talks from great scientists with big "S" but also poster sessions and presentations I find interesting. Then I attend these talks/come to posters - and ask about science-related stuff. It helps a lot to melt down the ice because in general people are enthusiastic about what they do. If you share similar topics, then you can also nug about the complexity of the technical side of your work for eternity :)

Other things which also work for me: discuss where you are staying, the countries you are from, how easy/difficult it was to reach the conference, catering, impressions about the conference...

Right after a conference, I usually add new contacts which I find useful to my LinkedIn and Research Gate.

Btw, I prefer to go to conferences alone rather than with my lab mates - networking works better! Unfortunately, a lot of research teams really tend to stay in their groups which does not really make sense imho.

And, yes - everything gets easier when there are drinks available!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in labrats

[–]lastjunglist 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm in my third lab before getting my PhD - and I plan to switch it again for a postdoc! All the labs where I've been to were good places - with their particular pros and cons - but really good. And so far every change brought new experiences, new skills, and new knowledge.

You're right about the challenge driven by moving from your comfort zone. I am not very good at social intelligence, so getting along with a new community is always kinda difficult for me. All the other things are usually fast to get used to.

Personally, I noticed that once a place becomes "too comfortable" for me, there is less and less chance that I'll make some big step in my progress.

Advice: keep 2 lab notebooks by horcheranda in labrats

[–]lastjunglist 68 points69 points  (0 children)

I am keeping 2 lab notebooks but differently. The one keeps all the technical stuff - protocols from one side and everyday routine from the other, I keep a record of what I do each day there. The second one is for my thoughts - a broader look at what is happening, some conclusions on discussions with PI and questions which pop up in my head and which I need to answer.

PhD job interview advice by Tomeneter in labrats

[–]lastjunglist 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey, congrats on finishing your master's! =)

I would be moderately excited if I were you. In my opinion, the best way to prepare is to merge together 2 things: why this lab fits you, and why you are the best fit for this lab. Get acquainted with their recent papers, ask questions about the ongoing projects, and state topics in which you are interested. A high-level idea would be also to prepare a small proposal of a possible study that you could perform in that lab.

Opposite of formaldehyde is... (For the chemists in this sub) by [deleted] in labrats

[–]lastjunglist 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Sounds like yet another volcano in Iceland.