The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

We need to talk about astrology

Granted • 18608 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🔬 Science Astrology Personality Traits Genetics Research Findings Cognitive Biases
  1. Astrology does not have scientific backing and can lead to harmful stereotypes and discrimination.
  2. Studies have shown that zodiac signs do not correspond to personality traits, and astrology cannot predict life outcomes.
  3. Belief in astrology may indicate a lack of critical thinking skills and could lead to acceptance of other unfounded beliefs.

AI keeps getting better at talking about consciousness

The Intrinsic Perspective • 13599 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🔬 Science AI Consciousness Philosophy Neurotechnology Biology
  1. Artificial Intelligence is advancing in discussing consciousness, raising questions about its implications
  2. There is a scientific imbalance between the understanding of creating AI and understanding consciousness
  3. Debates on AI consciousness highlight challenges in defining consciousness and its relation to AI capabilities

We’re entering a golden age of engineering biology

Noahpinion • 16647 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🔬 Science Biology AI Genetics Automation Medicine
  1. The advancements in deep learning, cost-effective data collection through lab automation, and precision DNA editing with technologies like CRISPR are converging to transform biology from a scientific field to an engineering discipline.
  2. Historically, biology has been challenging due to its immense complexity, requiring costly trial-and-error experiments. However, with current advancements, we are now at a critical point where predictability and engineering in biological systems are becoming a reality.
  3. The decreasing cost of DNA sequencing, breakthroughs in deep learning models for biology, sophisticated lab automation, and precise genetic editing tools like CRISPR are paving the way for a revolutionary era in engineering biology, with vast potential in healthcare, agriculture, and industry.

Prime Time

Doomberg • 6766 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🔬 Science Energy Technology Policy Climate Nuclear
  1. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to significantly increase power demand, potentially impacting the journey towards electrifying everything.
  2. The nuclear industry is experiencing a resurgence as evidenced by Amazon's move to power a data center with nuclear energy, reflecting a larger trend of increasing nuclear capacity globally.
  3. There is growing concern about whether the uranium fuel supply chain can meet the demand created by the rapid pivot towards nuclear energy, highlighting the importance of understanding the nuclear fuel cycle.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Declining trust in Zeus is a technology

Experimental History • 20553 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🔬 Science Research History Technology Innovation Experts
  1. Randomized-controlled trials are a relatively recent method in the history of scientific evidence.
  2. Challenging old beliefs, such as trust in ancient gods like Zeus, can lead to important scientific advancements.
  3. There is a need for more transparency and accessibility in expert knowledge to earn public trust in institutions and experts.

Who Does Polygenic Selection Help?

Astral Codex Ten • 11562 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🔬 Science Genetics Medical Ethics Biology Healthcare
  1. Polygenic selection can help prevent genetic diseases like schizophrenia by choosing embryos with lower risk during IVF, leading to healthier children
  2. Despite the complex nature of genetic selection, it can have positive effects on individuals and society by preventing diseases and improving overall health outcomes
  3. Analogies like preventing fetal alcohol syndrome through prenatal care or choosing healthier IVF embryos demonstrate the ethical and practical benefits of polygenic selection

Neuroscience is pre-paradigmatic. Consciousness is why

The Intrinsic Perspective • 28015 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🔬 Science Neuroscience Consciousness Research Brain Theory
  1. Neuroscience is considered pre-paradigmatic due to the lack of a well-accepted theory of consciousness.
  2. Consciousness is viewed as the primary function of the brain, influencing all cognitive functions and behaviors.
  3. Anomalies in neuroscience, especially the mystery of consciousness, indicate a ripe field for a paradigm shift.

Lit mag Guernica implodes, LLMs beat neuroscientists, CS vs. Philosophy deathmatch, AI pollution reaches science

The Intrinsic Perspective • 4805 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🔬 Science AI Neuroscience Ethics Language Models
  1. AI data pollution in science is a concerning issue, with examples of common AI stock phrases being used in scientific literature without real contribution.
  2. AI language models outperformed human neuroscientists in predicting future neuroscientific results, raising questions on the importance of understanding linguistic modifications versus actual predictions.
  3. Literary magazine Guernica faced backlash after a controversial essay led to writers withdrawing pieces, staff resigning, and social media condemnation, stressing the importance of careful reading and understanding context.

Links For February 2024

Astral Codex Ten • 7433 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🔬 Science Psychology Medicine Technology History Biology
  1. Blind mathematicians often work in geometry and topology, suggesting unique perceptions.
  2. The Basilica of the Holy House in Italy intriguingly ties angelic folklore with historical architecture.
  3. Starting a journey from Seattle and heading east ends in Russia, the first country reached while traversing the Atlantic Ocean.

Some Unintuitive Properties Of Polygenic Disorders

Astral Codex Ten • 14247 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🔬 Science Genetics Simulation
  1. Schizophrenia, considered 80% genetic, shows varied risk in identical twins, proving genetics' complex role.
  2. Nazi eugenics program didn't reduce schizophrenia rates in Germany, showcasing environmental influences.
  3. Simplistic simulations demonstrate the nuanced interplay between genetic and environmental factors in polygenic disorders.

A slightly tipsy investigation into my wife's superpower

Experimental History • 7657 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🔬 Science Research Psychology Education Culture Health
  1. Some people have unique sensory abilities that others may not understand or share, like detecting the lingering smell of eggs on plates even after washing.
  2. Being open-minded and receptive to new ideas is important to avoid rigidity in thinking and to continuously learn and grow.
  3. Academic professions, like journal publishing and university rankings, can sometimes involve questionable practices that prioritize profit over knowledge or ethics.

Evolution Explains Polygenic Structure

Astral Codex Ten • 8465 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🔬 Science Evolution Genetics Mental health Research
  1. Genes for severe conditions like schizophrenia are likely small in effect and numerous, not large and few.
  2. Evolution would have eliminated genes with large negative effects, leaving only genes with small effects.
  3. The presence of genes with very small effects may be due to various factors like insufficient time for removal or counterbalancing advantages.

The Year of the Big-Balled Rat

Marcus on AI • 2682 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🔬 Science GenAI AI Impact
  1. GenAI is causing issues in science, with errors in research papers being linked to AI
  2. Using AI for writing and illustration might have negative impacts on the quality and credibility of scientific research
  3. The use of LLMs in research articles could lead to a decline in reputation for journal publishers and potential consequences for the science community

The Smoking Gun

Nepetalactone Newsletter • 10633 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🔬 Science Research Health Impact
  1. The evidence strongly supports that COVID-19 was made in a lab.
  2. There is a debate within the community on various strategies to address pandemic-related issues.
  3. The focus should shift towards examining the origins of the virus and preventing future lab leaks.

Not so fast, Mr. Fourier!

lcamtuf’s thing • 2332 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🔬 Science Computing Signal Processing Mathematics Algorithms Engineering
  1. The discrete Fourier transform (DFT) is a crucial algorithm in modern computing, used for tasks like communication, image and audio processing, and data compression.
  2. DFT transforms time-domain waveforms into frequency domain readings, allowing for analysis and manipulation of signals like isolating instruments or applying effects like Auto-Tune in music.
  3. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) optimizes DFT by reducing the number of necessary calculations, making it more efficient for large-scale applications in computing.

Compressed for Time

Doomberg • 6641 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🔬 Science Energy Technology Chemicals
  1. Jafurah in Saudi Arabia is a huge natural gas project with massive investments to increase production significantly by 2030.
  2. Technological advancements have made natural gas production economically viable, with potential for further investment and development.
  3. Natural gas can serve as a direct substitute for oil in various applications, contributing to energy efficiency and market dynamics.

How To Turn Yourself Into A Lion

Everything Is Amazing • 1843 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🔬 Science Mental health
  1. Staring at illusions can trick your brain into seeing things that aren't really there, which can be similar to a psychedelic experience without the drugs.
  2. Intense staring at mirrors or a stranger's face can lead to hallucinatory experiences, revealing how our minds fill in gaps when visual information is lacking.
  3. Regularly staring at screens can contribute to eye problems, but taking breaks to look at far distances can help relax eye muscles and prevent vision issues.

Avoiding Epistemological Nihilism

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 3657 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🔬 Science Research Data Analysis
  1. Social scientists often resort to statistical relationships when randomized experiments are not feasible, which can lead to flawed conclusions due to selection effects and confounding variables.
  2. Flawed data is often worse than having no data at all, as it can mislead individuals into making decisions based on inaccurate information.
  3. To form reasonable opinions on social, political, and economic issues, it is essential to prioritize well-grounded ideas backed by theoretical reasoning and empirical data over blindly following data from flawed social science research.

What a COVID-19 Food Fight Says About Scientific Discourse

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1089 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🔬 Science Discourse Partisanship Debate Journalism COVID-19
  1. One strategy in science partisanship is to associate opponents with unpopular political figures to discredit their views without engaging with the substance.
  2. Another strategy is to argue that certain debates are harmful to scientific goals, leading to avoiding critique that might impact funding or research opportunities.
  3. Partisanship in science can also involve associating legitimate arguments with totally unacceptable views, like labeling individuals with terms that discredit their opinions.

Bill introduced in New Hampshire State to halt geoengineering

2nd Smartest Guy in the World • 3970 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🔬 Science Geoengineering Climate Weather Military Environment
  1. Bill introduced in New Hampshire to prevent deliberate geoengineering activities like cloud seeding and stratospheric aerosol injection.
  2. Weather modification history includes declassified projects like 'Project Popeye' during the Vietnam War.
  3. There have been a large number of weather modification-related patents issued since the ban on military use in 1978.

Why Go Imperial In A World Gone Metric?

Everything Is Amazing • 1320 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🔬 Science History Standards
  1. Imperial and Metric systems both have their advantages and stories behind them, with Metric offering precision in calculations and Imperial reflecting historical ways of measuring based on human experience.
  2. The history of measurement systems shows the challenges in implementing consistent standards, like how France struggled in the 18th century with different measures and Napoleon faced resistance in enforcing the Metric system in the early 19th century.
  3. While Metric is efficient for scientific and engineering accuracy, Imperial measurements still offer unique perspectives and connections to everyday experiences that make both systems valuable.

The Unstoppable Momentum of Outdated Science: 2024 Update

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 2316 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🔬 Science Scientific Integrity Climate Science
  1. Climate research and policy are still heavily based on outdated and misleading scenarios like RCP8.5, which are causing a disconnect from reality and hindering progress.
  2. Studies in various fields can continue to gain momentum, even if they are based on flawed or outdated foundations, leading to a waste of resources and efforts.
  3. There is a pressing need for a significant reset in climate research to address the widespread usage of obsolete scenarios like RCP8.5, despite the acknowledged divergence from real-world data.

Fraud, Distortion, and Truth in Science

Sensible Medicine • 4540 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🔬 Science Fraud Truth
  1. Fraud in science is a serious problem, but the bigger issue is the lack of commitment to doing high-quality work.
  2. Many scientific conclusions lack truth and usefulness due to flawed methodologies and inadequate controls.
  3. The scientific field is filled with low credibility studies and a focus on personal gain rather than truth and welfare.

The Story of Titanium

Construction Physics • 26933 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
🔬 Science Materials Research Engineering Manufacturing Medical
  1. Titanium is abundant in the earth's crust but took time to be utilized due to its bonding properties.
  2. The development of titanium as an industrial material was heavily supported by government research and funding.
  3. The story of titanium showcases the importance of serendipity in scientific discoveries and the critical role of manufacturing in technology advancement.

Why It Might Not Sink In Until You've Written It Down

Everything Is Amazing • 1477 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🔬 Science Memory Note Taking Biology Inspiration
  1. Writing something down helps you remember it better, so it's not just about typing but also about physically writing.
  2. Observing nature can lead to interesting discoveries, like how birds charm worms using vibrations to catch them.
  3. Unexpected collaborations and interactions can lead to exciting outcomes, like gaining exposure to a wider audience through social media.

Open Thread 313

Astral Codex Ten • 2202 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🔬 Science Research Genetics Psychology Fiction Education
  1. Genes matter 2x as much as the environment in schizophrenia, not 4x as previously thought
  2. A study on political reasoning errors failed to replicate, questioning a larger literature on the topic
  3. Humans merging with AI may not be unprecedented, as evidenced by a medieval Italian man merging with a knife

The Pet Theory Economy

Nepetalactone Newsletter • 1965 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🔬 Science Genomics Virology Health Policy
  1. In the Pet Theory Economy, people defend and promote their theories as if their livelihoods depend on it, driven by the need for traffic and novelty.
  2. Challenging someone's theory is seen as interference with their ability to make a living, leading to a circular logic where blame is shifted.
  3. Focusing on various aspects of issues is valid; one should not be limited to a single perspective or group and should question narratives that feed into a narrow Pet Theory economy.