The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Philosophic Premises of Quantum Mechanics – Part I

Fields & Energy β€’ 359 implied HN points β€’ 12 Nov 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics Quantum Mechanics Philosophy History Theory
  1. Quantum mechanics is often misunderstood, with some believing it challenges objective reality. However, the issues stem from outdated philosophies rather than quantum theory itself.
  2. During the Weimar period in Germany, there was a strong cultural push against reason and causality. This opposition influenced the development of quantum mechanics during that time.
  3. Many scientists who shaped quantum mechanics were caught between supporting the new ideas and adhering to older principles of causality, leading to mixed interpretations of their findings.

Paul Stamets on Fungi, Heterodoxy and Systems

rebelwisdom β€’ 687 implied HN points β€’ 07 Mar 23
πŸ”¬ Science Biology Ecology Evolution Psychology
  1. Fungi play a critical role in ecosystems, being essential for survival and offering various benefits to humans.
  2. Mycelium networks demonstrate resilience and adaptability, showing how diversity and innovation can emerge from minorities and unconventional thinking.
  3. Psilocybin mushrooms provide not just physical effects, but also potential societal and spiritual benefits, connecting different cultures and promoting collaboration over conflict.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

A Dark Horse.

News Items β€’ 216 implied HN points β€’ 31 Jan 24
πŸ”¬ Science Genomics Biomedical
  1. Ultima Genomics is launching a machine that can read a human genome for as little as $100.
  2. The Human Genome Project was a significant scientific effort that initially cost ~$3 billion, but now it's only $100.
  3. Advances in technology have greatly reduced the cost of sequencing a human genome.

Imbalanced data? Why "Do Nothing" should be the default

Mindful Modeler β€’ 419 implied HN points β€’ 19 Sep 23
πŸ”¬ Science Data science Machine Learning Classification Model Evaluation
  1. For imbalanced classification tasks, 'Do Nothing' should be the default approach, especially when dealing with calibration, strong classifiers, and class-based metrics.
  2. Addressing imbalanced data should be considered in scenarios where misclassification costs vary, metrics are impacted by imbalance, or weaker classifiers are used.
  3. Instead of using oversampling methods like SMOTE, adjusting data weighting, using cost-sensitive machine learning, and threshold tuning are more effective ways to handle class imbalance.

Dead Trees Tell No Lies

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind β€’ 419 implied HN points β€’ 05 Oct 23
πŸ”¬ Science Geology Environmental Science Natural History
  1. Certain dead trees in the Pacific Northwest help scientists learn about a major earthquake that happened about 1,100 years ago. The trees died due to seismic events, not fire or disease.
  2. Researchers used growth rings from these trees to narrow down the date of the earthquake to around 923 or 924 CE. This discovery helps understand what could happen in future earthquakes.
  3. The study shows how dedicated scientists work hard to solve mysteries in nature. Their findings can help with planning and improving safety in areas prone to earthquakes.

BA.2.86 growth rates

Logging the World β€’ 418 implied HN points β€’ 23 Aug 23
πŸ”¬ Science Statistics Genetics Epidemiology Research Mathematics
  1. New COVID variant BA.2.86 has mutations that suggest fast growth, but estimating its growth rate is tricky.
  2. Statisticians use models and likelihood functions to estimate parameters like growth rates, but uncertainty exists in the estimates.
  3. The work of statistician C.R. Rao, like the Fisher information, shows fundamental limits to parameter estimation and the role of geometry in statistics.

Genius in turbulent times

Logging the World β€’ 418 implied HN points β€’ 05 Jul 23
πŸ”¬ Science Mathematics History Biology Diversity
  1. Genius can be found in lesser-known figures like Kolmogorov, who made significant contributions to mathematics and other fields.
  2. Kolmogorov's work on probability theory and the Kolmogorov-Arnold theorem had a lasting impact on mathematics and even underpins modern AI algorithms.
  3. Kolmogorov's life was not only marked by academic achievements but also by navigating personal challenges, such as opposing Lysenkoism and living as an openly gay man in Stalinist Russia.

Single molecule imaging of the central dogma reveals myosin-2A gene expression is regulated by contextual translational buffering

Axial β€’ 22 implied HN points β€’ 10 Dec 24
πŸ”¬ Science Molecular Biology Cell Biology
  1. Researchers created a special cell line to study how the MYH9 gene works, focusing on its role in myosin-2A production. This new approach allows them to see all stages of gene activity with high precision.
  2. The study found that changes in the cell cycle can affect how MYH9 is expressed, especially during cell division, helping to control when myosin-2A is made.
  3. They also discovered a 'buffering' system that adjusts protein production based on how much RNA is available, showing how cells adapt their response to different situations.

Interracial Dating Paper FAQ

sebjenseb β€’ 196 implied HN points β€’ 10 Feb 24
πŸ”¬ Science Research Genetics Data Analysis Psychology Relationships
  1. Assortative mating occurs between races, with individuals who date outside their race being more similar to each other in terms of intelligence, height, and risk-taking behaviors.
  2. Current literature suggests that interracial relationships may have a higher likelihood of ending or experiencing domestic violence issues, and mixed-race children might be more prone to mental/behavioral problems, possibly due to self-selection rather than social factors.
  3. Attractiveness was a weak predictor of interracial dating across all races, indicating that mate value or race exchanges based on mate value were not significant factors in interracial dating.

Consciousness is Organic - redux

Field Guide to the Anthropocene β€’ 196 implied HN points β€’ 09 Feb 24
πŸ”¬ Science Consciousness Climate Evolution Biodiversity Ecology
  1. Consciousness is organic - a reminder that our minds are intertwined with the natural world, emphasizing the need to live in harmony with the environment.
  2. The concept of planetary intelligence explores the collective knowledge and responsibility of civilizations on a global scale, urging a shift towards more mindful and balanced technological growth.
  3. The human mind is identified as a key threat in the Anthropocene era, highlighting the necessity for self-improvement to address the planet's pressing issues.

Imagine I’m jogging in the Great North Woods

Pinch of Dirt β€’ 235 implied HN points β€’ 13 Jan 24
πŸ”¬ Science Environment Animals Health Space Discovery
  1. Imagining jogging in serene environments like the Great North Woods can provide a peaceful escape from city life.
  2. Awareness is growing about the environmental impact of chemicals like PFAS, leading outdoor companies to phase them out.
  3. Controversies arise over moon lander payloads with human remains, prompting discussions on ethics and space pollution.

A Survey of Cancer Predisposition Genes

Holodoxa β€’ 199 implied HN points β€’ 05 Feb 24
πŸ”¬ Science Genetics Cancer Research
  1. Inherited risk of cancer has been known for a long time, with important discoveries made in the 20th century connecting genotypes and phenotypes.
  2. Alfred Knudson's two-hit model was a breakthrough in understanding inherited cancer risk and the sequential genetic changes needed for cancer development.
  3. There are around 100 cancer predisposition genes (CPGs) that have been extensively reviewed and evaluated to understand their role as tumor suppressors or proto-oncogenes.

Kidney Anatomy as a Metaphor for Wilms Tumor Genetics

Holodoxa β€’ 179 implied HN points β€’ 19 Feb 24
πŸ”¬ Science Genetics
  1. Wilms tumor (WT) is a common pediatric kidney cancer with favorable outcomes to surgery plus chemotherapy. Genetic studies of WT reveal a complex architecture intertwined with kidney development, offering insights into cancer growth.
  2. Precision approaches like patient-derived xenograft models and liquid biopsies show promise in improving care for WT. These methods go beyond DNA sequencing for diagnosis and treatment.
  3. Research on WT genetics indicates overlap with kidney development genes and involvement of various predisposition genes. The disease's complexity calls for innovative cooperative efforts among investigators and medical professionals.

How to make an S300?

kamilkazani β€’ 314 implied HN points β€’ 25 Nov 23
πŸ”¬ Science
  1. The Kalinin Plant in Russia historically produced missiles for air defense systems like the S300.
  2. The shift to manufacturing Kalibr missiles from the S300 at the Kalinin Plant indicates changing focus.
  3. Transition from manual machining to CNC equipment in Russian war production revolutionized the manufacturing process.

Analysing Qualitative User Data

UX Psychology β€’ 396 implied HN points β€’ 26 May 23
πŸ”¬ Science Data Analysis User Insights
  1. Qualitative data analysis involves examining non-numerical data, like interviews or observations, to find patterns and insights. This process requires a more nuanced approach compared to quantitative data analysis.
  2. Qualitative coding offers benefits like unveiling new insights, enhancing study validity, and providing contextual understanding of users' behaviors and motivations.
  3. There are different types of qualitative data analysis methods such as content analysis, thematic analysis, discourse analysis, and grounded theory. Choosing the right method depends on your research question, the type of data collected, and available resources.

Anomalies of the Aegean

α΄‹ΚŸα΄€α΅Ύs β€’ 393 implied HN points β€’ 22 May 23
πŸ”¬ Science Evolution History Research
  1. Researchers found evidence of pre-sapiens hominin activity on Aegean Islands before Homo sapiens existed.
  2. Study suggests hominins sailed the Mediterranean half a million years ago, challenging human dispersal theories.
  3. The research highlights the need to rethink what we know about human migration not just in Greece, but globally.

A Cult of Lost Technology

α΄‹ΚŸα΄€α΅Ύs β€’ 393 implied HN points β€’ 16 May 23
πŸ”¬ Science Archaeology Physics Space Exploration
  1. Ancient structures like Stonehenge and the pyramids across the world raise questions about lost technology and potential ancient civilizations' advanced knowledge.
  2. Nazi scientists explored antigravity technology based on different physics approaches than the West, leading to speculation on advanced tech development during World War II.
  3. The concept of a cargo cult relates to ancient cultures integrating advanced technologies into their beliefs, like indigenous tribes using airdrops as inspiration for rituals.

Repunits and prime numbers

A Piece of the Pi: mathematics explained β€’ 42 implied HN points β€’ 18 Nov 24
πŸ”¬ Science Mathematics Number Theory
  1. Repunits are numbers made only of the digit 1 and can appear in different bases. For example, the number 31 can be written as 111 in base 5 and base 2.
  2. Mersenne primes are special numbers of the form 2^p - 1 that can be prime, where p is also a prime. However, it's rare for these to actually be prime numbers.
  3. One interesting link is between Mersenne primes and perfect numbers, which are those that equal the sum of their divisors. Each Mersenne prime corresponds to a perfect number, like how 31 corresponds to the perfect number 496.

Thanks to STAT for putting me on the STATUS list

Science Forever β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 24
πŸ”¬ Science Research Integrity Academic Publishing Data Integrity
  1. Holden Thorp was named by STAT News to the STATUS list of top 50 leaders in the life sciences for his work in research integrity.
  2. Thorp has challenged the stigma around corrections and retractions in scientific publishing, advocating for increasing public trust in the scientific enterprise.
  3. Recognition also goes to the team at Science, including Valda Vinson, Lauren Kmec, Meagan Phelan, and Lisa Chong, for their contributions to research policies and Thorp's work.

Understanding Gravitational-Wave Observatories: A Pillar of Modern Fundamental Science

Space Ambition β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 19 Apr 24
πŸ”¬ Science Astronomy Physics Technology Research Innovation Education
  1. Gravitational-wave observatories like LIGO help us understand the universe better. They can detect tiny ripples in spacetime caused by huge cosmic events like black hole mergers.
  2. Investing in fundamental science is cost-effective and leads to unexpected technological benefits. For example, the innovations developed for LIGO can also help in industries like manufacturing and quantum computing.
  3. Fundamental science projects prepare us for future challenges, much like a university education does. They provide a foundation that helps scientists and engineers create new technologies and solutions down the line.

Can Anything Good Come from Gaza? How Western Science is Collapsing.

The Seneca Effect β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 11 Feb 24
πŸ”¬ Science Research Publication Peer Review Complex Systems
  1. The attempt to improve science by 'free-access publishing' has led to unintended consequences, like the proliferation of mediocre papers.
  2. The concentration of scientific power in a few elite institutions is not enough to drive innovation and creativity, mirroring the limitations faced by the Roman Empire.
  3. The collapse of science, exemplified by issues in scientific publishing, aligns with systemic collapses and may indicate the need for renewal through unconventional sources and unconventional ideas.

Green Goo (Republished)

De Novo β€’ 110 implied HN points β€’ 12 Dec 24
πŸ”¬ Science Biotechnology Ecology Synthetic Biology Genetics Environmental Science
  1. Synthetic biology can create engineered organisms, which may outcompete natural organisms and harm ecosystems. We need to be careful about the kinds of organisms we create and the possible consequences.
  2. Creating mirror-image organisms could lead to unexpected environmental problems. If these organisms take over, they could cause damage far beyond what we're prepared for.
  3. We should invest in ways to contain engineered organisms and be aware of the risks of releasing them into nature. It's important to proceed cautiously when considering big changes to global ecosystems.

Why It's Great News That The Earth Sucks

Everything Is Amazing β€’ 963 implied HN points β€’ 20 Jun 23
πŸ”¬ Science Geology Oceanography Environment Extraterrestrial Life Technology
  1. The Earth has fascinating and dangerous underwater sinkholes, like the Great Blue Hole and the Yongle Blue Hole.
  2. Exploring the geological impact on our lives can reveal intriguing connections to our world's history and future.
  3. Scientists finding deep-sea features like the Taam ja' Blue Hole may provide insights into life on other planets.

1.2 A New Understanding

Fields & Energy β€’ 319 implied HN points β€’ 08 Nov 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics Quantum Electromagnetism
  1. Reality is made up of two separate things: fields and particles. They work together to create the world we see.
  2. Electromagnetism is guided by fields that act like waves, while energy behaves like particles at the quantum level.
  3. This new approach shows that instead of thinking of light as just photons, we should view it as energy guided by fields.

2.6 Isaac Newton

Fields & Energy β€’ 199 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jan 24
πŸ”¬ Science Physics Astronomy Mathematics History Education
  1. Isaac Newton built his laws of motion and gravitation on the earlier work of scientists like Galileo and Kepler. This helped him connect how things move on Earth with how planets move in space.
  2. Newton discovered that gravity acts in a certain way: the force gets weaker as you move further away from an object. He showed this through thinking about how an apple falls and how the moon orbits the Earth.
  3. To explain the gravitational pull of larger bodies, Newton used advanced math concepts, making his ideas more accurate. He proved that the gravity of a round object is the same as if all its mass was concentrated in one point at its center.

Space Debris: the Global Flagship Conference Takeaways from Saudi Arabia

Space Ambition β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 23 Feb 24
πŸ”¬ Science Space Exploration Technology development Environmental Policy International cooperation Sustainability
  1. The recent Space Debris Conference in Saudi Arabia gathered over 50 countries to discuss the growing issue of space debris. This problem arises from the increasing number of satellites and other objects in Earth's orbit.
  2. Experts stressed the need for global cooperation and innovative technologies to tackle space debris. They highlighted that ignoring this issue could lead to serious threats for future space missions and satellites.
  3. Saudi Arabia is taking a proactive role in addressing space debris, signing agreements with key organizations to enhance tracking and safety measures. Their commitment shows a strong dedication to ensuring safe and sustainable space exploration.

A new chapter on generalization

Mindful Modeler β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 16 Apr 24
πŸ”¬ Science Machine Learning Generalization Statistics Interpretability Data Analysis
  1. Many COVID-19 classification models based on X-ray images during the pandemic were found to be ineffective due to various issues like overfitting and bias.
  2. Generalization in machine learning goes beyond just low test errors and involves understanding real-world complexities and data-generating processes.
  3. Generalization of insights from machine learning models to real-world phenomena and populations is a challenging process that requires careful consideration and assumptions.