ScienceUpFirst

@scienceupfirst.bsky.social

777 Followers 83 Following

An initiative of the Canadian Association of Science Centres. We are a broad networks of experts and researchers addressing misinformation on social media in clear and creative ways. Consult our referenced posts and vetted resources: ScienceUpFirst.com

A pink background with flowers. In the foreground is a glass container with foundation in it. A text around it reads: “Your foundation says SPF 30 but are you actually getting that? Probably not (sorry!). Read the caption to find out why.”
A black background. A text in the centre reads: “Climate change is caused by burning fossil fuel.”
A yellow supplement pill appears in the centre of the slide. The text around it reads: “YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS NEW SUPPLEMENT. It preserves your cognitive function, and boosts your immune system, and slows your aging, and gives you energy, and gives you beautiful skin, nails, and hair, and strengthens your bones, and lowers stress, and… Sound familiar? What’s up with all the ‘miracle’ supplements with little to no scientific backing, and why are companies allowed to sell misleading products?”
A purple background with a pink circle in the middle. A text reads: "Did you know? 79-80% of women and gender-diverse people with a uterus will develop fibroids during their lifetime. Swipe to learn the signs, symptoms, and torment options."
Infographic comparing the signs of heat exhaustion (fatigue, cramps, sweating, nausea) and those of heat stroke (temperature >39.5°C, confusion, loss of consciousness, red and dry skin). Colors: orange for heat exhaustion, red for heat stroke. #ScienceUpFirst
A heat index chart titled “‘It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity’… Actually, it’s both!” showing how relative humidity and air temperature combine to create perceived heat. The table has relative humidity percentages (40%–100%) on the left and air temperature (28°C–42°C) across the top. Each cell shows the “feels like” temperature in °C, colour-coded: yellow for Caution, light orange for Extreme Caution, orange for Danger, and red for Extreme Danger. A note says "Don't forget: these numbers are for shady spots. Full sun? Add up to 8°C more." The hashtag #ScienceUpFirst is in the top right.
Two stick figures are talking. One says “Fossil fuels are non-renewable so we should develop wind and solar energy.” The other one standing right next to a muddy and slippery looking slope answers “If we develop renewable energy, we'll shut down all oil and gas production…”
On a yellow and purple background with different shapes, a text reads: “Have you ever heard: ‘I smoke weed because it helps with my mood’ and wondered ‘Could it help me too?’ Here is what the science says about Cannabis and your mood.”
A message says "Pick an emoji and keep scrolling." From top to bottom, there are multiple emojis to choose from: an alarm clock, an angry face, a pile of books, a magnifying glass, a heart. Over the course of multiple slides they all lead to different strategies to not fall for misinformation online.
A pastel pink background. The text reads: “Talking about Ebola in 2026. What is Ebola? How does Ebola spread? 2026 Ebola outbreak. Why are experts concerned? Do travel bans work? What can be done? Takeaway.” #ScienceUpFirst
Text is overlaid on a background of different shades of green and blue. There is a yellow butterfly on a blade of grass in the upper left corner. The text reads: “What are GMOs? A definition. GMO (Genetically Modified Organism). They describe plants, animals or even microorganisms who had their genetic material, a.k.a their DNA, intentionally modified either naturally or artificially. A lot of people think GMOs are rotten, but let's dig deeper.” A shovel in the bottom right corner points towards the next slide.
The background is a picture of grass with a hand covered in bugs holding a thumbs up while wearing an insect repelling patch. The text above reads: “Ticks and mosquitoes don't care about your wristband (or patches, or stickers). Those have little to no evidence behind them. Don't get bitten by bad advice!” #ScienceUpFirst
A man wearing a tin foil hat is looking at a small globe of earth through a magnifying glass. The text in the centre reads: “No one is immune to conspiracy theories, not even You! So, if our brains are built for conspiratorial thinking… Can we avoid it?”
A pink background with what looks like pills is shown. At the foreground is an IUD device and a contraceptive pill. Above it, the text reads: "Emergency contraception. Myths busted." #ScienceUpFirst
A speech bubble features a message about measles with an old perspective "Back in the day, measles wasn't a big deal... We never heard of people dying from it or being sick." Contrasted below is bold text stating measles was and still is a big deal. The background has red virus illustrations.
A character on the left says "Prove to me the moon landing isn't fake." The one on the right is holding up pictures and says "Here are photos from the mission." The title above reads "Moving the goalpost" #ScienceUpFirst
A table of content is presented. The headline reads “Hantavirus Round-Up (May 2026 edition)” Below it are listed the different topics covered on different slides: “What are Hantaviruses? What is the Andes virus? May 2026 Cruise Ship Outbreak. Hantavirus outbreak vs COVID-19 pandemic. Final thoughts” #ScienceUpFirst
A poster with bold text. A woman yawns in the corner. "PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) is so last year. Times have changed. Now it's called: PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome). Because it was never about cysts. Read the caption to learn about PCOS's new name.”
A beach is shown but blue skies and a plane flying above with a sign that says “Please, please, please…” A wooden post planted in the sand says ‘Don’t use homemade sunscreen.” #ScienceUpFirst
A superhero with the male symbol on his chest and red pills falling out of his hands is flying towards the reader. The text above reads: “3 myths from the manosphere and how to debunk them. The text to the side of the superhero reads “Featuring popular myths on status + money + women, the alpha male, the emotional woman.” #ScienceUpFirst
A headline at the top of the slide reads “The straw man fallacy.” There are two characters shown underneath. One is using a reusable grocery bag and says “Using less single-use plastics can reduce pollution.” The second character looks like a scarecrow and says “Oh, so now we can't use any plastic at all? Should we throw out our phones too?” #ScienceUpFirst
On a dark blue background there can be seen multiple beauty products. In the foreground, lipstick is shown. Above it is text that reads: “Should you worry about endocrine disruptors in beauty products? Probably not.” Above it is a label that says “Contains facts!” #ScienceUpFirst
On the left is a character that says “Sorry, I need more proof to believe the moon landing was real.” On the right is a character that looks like a scientist holding different kinds of proofs, such as a moon rock, peer-reviewed journals, missions logs, and Apollo 13 reels. There is a rocket taking off towards the moon in the background. The text above reads “Misinformer tactic: Moving the goalposts.” #ScienceUpFirst
Multiple smartphones with different influencers are shown. The text above it reads: “Share what’s true, not what’s trending.” #ScienceUpFirst
A colourful venn diagram is overlaid on a creamy white background. A text at the top reads “We sometimes hear:” and right under it a speech bubble reads “Do my kids really need vaccines if they eat healthy?” The left side of the venn diagram reads: “Eating well contributes to better health and well-being.” The right side of the venn diagram reads: “Vaccines are the best way to prevent severe outcomes, including death, for many diseases.” The middle of the venn diagram reads: “Both things are true.” The text below reads: “While good nutrition is important, it cannot prevent infectious diseases. More information in the caption.” #ScienceUpFirst
Anxious about needles? Remember the CARD system. (Comfort, Ask, Relax, Distract)
Canada is stepping into the spotlight by advancing RNA medicine. From foundational research decades ago to exciting breakthroughs today, let’s look at how RNA-based medicine is creating a whole new symphony beyond vaccines
An RNA strand in the centre of a sunburst. Text in graphic: "3 things you might not know about RNA therapies. Hint: They are more than mRNA vaccines!" #ScienceUpFirst
An explosion from the centre with the initials RNA coming out of it. Strands of RNA on the sides. Text in graphic: "It’s everywhere! You breathe it, you eat it, it’s already in you. RNA isn’t new or unnatural. It’s part of every living thing." #ScienceUpFirst
A woman on the left side fanning herself. Text in graphic: "Perimenopause isn’t just about hot flashes. It can change your sex life too." #ScienceUpFirst #PWHR
A vintage science textbook style illustration. A blue head with a smug face and crown at the top labelled "authority. There's a speech bubble coming from the king's mouth that has a paper with a red x over it labeled "claim". In the middle are four heads staring at the top figure with approval ignoring the bottom row of papers with green check marks on them labeled "contrary evidence". Appeal to authority bias. Accepting a claim as true just because an "authority" says so, instead of looking at the actual evidence." #ScienceUpFirst
A purple and orange background. In the bottom corner, a hand is shown holding a smartphone. In the center is a search bar, similar to those found on AI platforms, with the number “230 million” displayed. Below that, a text box appears as a response: “That's the number of people who ask ChatGPT a question about their health every single week (1). Here's what you should know before you use Al for your mental health.” #ScienceUpFirst
A black background with a yellow frame, a red arrow pointing downward and a dollar sign. The text in the center reads: “One Small Drop in Measles Vaccination. Billions in Consequences for Public Health.” #ScienceUpFirst
A rainbow infinity sign. A CAMH logo in the lower left corner. Text in graphic: "8 myths about autism" #ScienceUpFirst
A half-white and half-purple background. An overlaid text reads: “Can a single test really tell you if you're in MENOPAUSE Or PERIMENOPAUSE? No. Read on to learn more.” #ScienceUpfirst
A woman sitting and holding her temples in the lower third looking stressed, a red arrow on the right of her. Text in graphic: "“Try this workout to balance your hormones!” “Always tired? Blame your hormones.” , “Use these 5 food hacks to fix your hormonal imbalance in 30 days!” . Sound familiar? Here’s what the internet gets wrong about hormone balancing." #ScienceUpFirst #PWHRCanada
A colourful dot background with ripped banners, top one is navy blue with darker blue flames and says "feeling burnt out on bad stories?" bottom one is yellow and says "well, we've got some good news for you!" A rounded rectangle juts out from the lower left with a hand pointing right that says "Swipe to smile". #ScienceUpFirst
Two abortion pills in the centre. Text: "Are abortion pills safe? The short answer is yes. And that’s why Health Canada continues to approve their use." #ScienceUpFirst #PWHRCanada
A pregnant person holding a pill and glass of water in the upper half. Text in graphic "Health misinformation can have immediate consequences. Last September, the Trump administration claimed, without evidence, that Tylenol during pregnancy increases autism risk. Within a month, its use in emergency departments for pregnant people dropped by up to 20%. Here’s what that means." #ScienceUpFirst
Colourful blobby corners and a light blue centre with text and a rainbow infinity sign. Text: "No vaccines don't cause autism. See the caption for more information." #ScienceUpFirst
A hand holding an Ozempic needle in the lower right. Text in graphic: "4 facts about glp-1 medications like Ozempic". #ScienceUpFirst
The image is in the style of a science textbook infographic. A woman looking thoughtful with a syringe and vial above her head. The image is divided in half vertically. The left is labeled action and her thought bubble says "If I vaccinate and something happens, it’s my fault." The right is labeled inaction and her thought bubble says "If I don’t vaccinate and they get sick… that’s just bad luck." Text in graphic: "Omissions bias: The tendency to see harm caused by action as worse than harm caused by doing nothing, even when the outcome is the same or worse." #ScienceUpFirst
A person in a yellow vest is very upset and is screaming at another character that is hidden behind a large speech bubble coming from the first person. Each successive picture shows the bubble getting smaller. The last picture illustrates the second person pushing the text bubble down and saying "Are you done? Can we talk?"
A circle of faces looking at a book that says #1 bestseller most are happy, two aren't. The unhappy are labeled "disagree but join in" there's a coloured circle joining them labeled "popular opinion". Text in graphic: "Bandwagonning: A cognitive bias that is used to convince someone that something is true (or untrue) simply because lots of people think it is."
Two pie charts in the centre displaying 8 million Canadians and 26 million Americans. Text: "The base rate fallacy.Here's who tuned in for the men's gold medal Olympic games. 8 million is 21% of Canadians but 26 million is just 7.6% of Americans. They won this one but it's still our game." #ScienceUpFirst
An illustration divided in half vertically. On the left is earth with a thermometer above it, mountains, snowy mountains and desert. On the left is a thundercloud, cloudy sun and a snowflake. Text in graphic: "Climate versus weather" #ScienceUpFirst
A hand reaches out of the ocean on the left side and a hand on the upper right with a firehose blasts that drowning hand in a full spray of water. Text in graphic: "Misinformer Tactic: Firehose of Falsehood" #ScienceUpFirst
A black background with a representation of a molecule and a large bicep being flexed. The foreground text reads: “How much protein should you consume every day?” A decision tree then begins to the right with the question “Do you know your weight in kg?” branching off into a “yes” or “no.”
A light yellow and green checkerboard background. A tablet in the centre. Text in graphic: "Trying to cut back on your screen time? Skip the ‘social media detox’ – Try these 5 evidence-based tips instead." #ScienceUpFirst