The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Physics for Everyone, Lecture 2: The Gestalt of Physics, Tools for Seeing

Critical Mass • 12 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🔬 Science Physics Scientific Method Modeling Estimation Measurement Education
  1. Order-of-magnitude thinking uses powers of ten and rough estimates to keep your intuition tied to reality and avoid being fooled by big numbers with false precision.
  2. Approximation (the “super cow” idea) means building simplified models that include only the features you need so messy real-world problems become solvable without misleading yourself.
  3. Dimensional analysis tracks basic units like length, time, and mass to guess the form of answers, catch impossible results, and often derive relationships with minimal detailed information.

News! & Longer Living Through Chemistry

Unsettled Science • 545 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🔬 Science Research Health Chemistry Lifestyle Wellness
  1. A new Substack newsletter is being launched due to challenges faced in a joint project. Leaving the previous newsletter was not an easy decision but necessary to move forward.
  2. There is a mention of an anti-aging pill in the news. It's important to think carefully about whether to take such a pill or not.
  3. The focus is on exploring longer life through chemistry. This suggests that science might hold keys to better health and longevity.

Dark Forest Cosmology

Fake Noûs • 112 implied HN points • 23 Aug 25
🔬 Science Astrophysics Cosmology Philosophy Technology Fiction
  1. The Dark Forest Theory suggests that intelligent civilizations hide in the universe to avoid being destroyed by others. It's based on the idea that revealing one's location could lead to danger.
  2. This theory tries to explain why we haven't found evidence of other intelligent life, saying that advanced civilizations choose to stay silent instead.
  3. However, there are problems with the theory, like the assumption that civilizations can't find each other easily, despite having advanced technology. If they can destroy each other, they could likely also find each other's locations.

Issue 07 is Coming on Monday

Asimov Press • 161 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
🔬 Science Biology Chemistry History Health Environment
  1. The upcoming issue will explore the unclear history of aspirin, revealing that many established facts might be incorrect. A deep dive into its origins promises to be fascinating and informative.
  2. There's a discussion about the potential resurgence of leech therapy, highlighting its effectiveness and how modern understanding might revive this ancient practice.
  3. The issue will also cover the advancements in gene delivery methods, making it easier to understand how modern therapies are developed, showcasing improvements over older techniques.

We must fearlessly pursue truth, and truth alone

Heterodox STEM • 192 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🔬 Science Climate change Research Integrity Data Analysis Environmental Science Scientific Communication
  1. It's important for scientists to report accurate information about climate change, without exaggerating risks. This helps keep trust in science strong.
  2. Some published studies can mislead people by only showing negative aspects of climate data. A balanced view is necessary to understand the full picture.
  3. We should encourage honest and thorough research that combines both good and bad news about our world. Pursuing the truth is essential.
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Turing's Work on the Riemann Hypothesis

Cantor's Paradise • 379 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🔬 Science Mathematics Computing Theoretical History Technology
  1. Alan Turing is famous for his work in computer science and cryptography, but he also made important contributions to number theory, specifically the Riemann hypothesis.
  2. The Riemann hypothesis centers on a mathematical function which helps in understanding the distribution of prime numbers, and it remains unproven after over 160 years.
  3. Turing created special computers to help calculate values related to the Riemann hypothesis, showing his deep interest in the question of prime numbers and mathematical truth.

"Cheap tricks" in human language comprehension

The Counterfactual • 119 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🔬 Science Cognition Linguistics Psychology Neuroscience Language processing
  1. People often don’t notice mistakes in language and just assume they are reading correctly. This happens because our brains are quick to fill in the gaps and make sense of sentences, even if they are wrong.
  2. Traditionally, understanding language was thought to involve deep processing, but new ideas suggest we often use simple, fast tricks instead. This is called 'good-enough' comprehension and helps us keep up in fast conversations.
  3. Just like humans, language models also use shortcuts. While some criticize AI for not truly understanding language, humans rely on similar cognitive tricks to quickly navigate and understand communication.

Weeds will decide the winners

Topsoil • 294 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
🔬 Science Agriculture Technology
  1. Weeds can significantly impact crop yields and profits through competition for resources.
  2. Farmers use integrated weed management to control weeds effectively without relying solely on herbicides.
  3. Herbicides are crucial for weed control but come with risks to human health, the environment, and issues like herbicide resistance.

Philosophic Premises of Quantum Mechanics – Part II

Fields & Energy • 239 implied HN points • 19 Nov 23
🔬 Science Quantum Mechanics Philosophy Causality
  1. Quantum mechanics was influenced by ideas that questioned the existence of an objective reality. Some scientists believed that what we observe is just a statistical illusion rather than a definite state.
  2. Key figures like Heisenberg and Bohr argued against the law of causality, suggesting that atomic processes might not follow traditional cause-and-effect rules. They felt that understanding these processes could lead to contradictions.
  3. Attempts to create a causal theory in quantum mechanics faced strong opposition. Despite efforts from scientists like Schrödinger, the non-causal view became widely accepted due to its statistical predictions.

What if We Just Stop Oil?

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1737 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🔬 Science Energy Environment Activism Policy Climate
  1. The world still needs new sources of oil supply to meet demand, even with efforts to phase out oil consumption by 2050.
  2. Natural gas is expected to play a central role in future global energy consumption, with significant investment needed to meet demand.
  3. There are no scenarios suggesting it is possible to eliminate fossil fuel use within the next 8 years, leading to a global energy crisis if oil and gas were abruptly stopped.

How The Modern World Lost & Found Its Newest Continent

Everything Is Amazing • 1398 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
🔬 Science Geology Geography Cultural Studies History Oceanography
  1. Zealandia is a potential new continent, mapped in 2023, with its status still debated.
  2. Continents are typically identified by convention rather than strict criteria, leading to inconsistencies in definitions.
  3. There are millions of islands around the world, with many being uninhabited despite significant populations on some continents.

New Record(ings)!

Brain Blast • 39 implied HN points • 12 Jun 24
🔬 Science Neuroscience Research Technology
  1. Intra-cranial electroencephalography (iEEG) is a technology using tiny electrodes in the brain to record signals, and Precision Neuroscience set a world record with 4,096 electrodes.
  2. Wilder Penfield pioneered important techniques in brain surgery and epilepsy treatment, including the Montreal Procedure and temporal lobectomy, affecting both surgical outcomes and scientific understanding of the brain.
  3. Stereo EEG, a variant of iEEG, allows for deep brain signal recording, and using iEEG in a Stroop task helped identify brain regions involved in attentional control processes in the prefrontal cortex.

Karuna Therapeutics, a drug repurposing effort, sold for about $14 billion. This is their story.

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 1119 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology Drug Development Pharmaceuticals Clinical Trials Innovation
  1. Karuna Therapeutics achieved a $14 billion sale through drug repurposing.
  2. Drug repurposing can be a highly lucrative business without requiring excessive brilliance or luck.
  3. VCs often prioritize hype and platform-based drug development over drug repurposing success stories.

The Dangers of Mirrored Life

Asimov Press • 444 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🔬 Science Biology Synthetic Biology Ecology Bioethics Genetics
  1. Creating mirrored organisms could be very dangerous. They might spread quickly, infect humans, and even cause extinctions of vulnerable species.
  2. Scientists worry that mirrored cells could escape labs and evade our immune systems. This means they could thrive and multiply without us even knowing.
  3. Most experts believe we should be cautious and avoid creating these mirrored life forms. It's better to discuss the risks now than to face the consequences later.

The Narrative Rules

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1511 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🔬 Science Climate change
  1. When framing research findings, consider how to emphasize certain conclusions over others for press releases.
  2. Acknowledge and address the gap between climate change headlines and climate reality.
  3. Be mindful of how narrative rules can shape the presentation of research to increase publication chances in high-profile journals.

Steve Keen: "On the Origins of Energy Blindness”

Building a New Economics • 137 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🔬 Science Energy Ecology Economics
  1. Nate Hagens' podcast 'The Great Simplification' discusses the critical role of energy in human civilization and the potential for ecological overshoot to lead to major changes for humanity's survival.
  2. The concept of 'Energy Blindness' is explored in a conversation between Nate Hagens and Steve Keen, tracing back to Adam Smith, known as 'the Father of Economics'.
  3. The podcast conversation between Nate Hagens and Steve Keen is available both in audio and video formats for different preferences.

🚀 Missions to Mars: A Quick Q&A with … space analyst Peter Hague

Faster, Please! • 456 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🔬 Science Space Exploration Astrophysics Robotics Human factors Colonization
  1. Building a base on Mars is the top priority, as it helps reduce reliance on supplies from Earth. Even though it won't be completely self-sustaining at first, a solid base can support more people and activities.
  2. Many challenges of space travel, like cosmic radiation and machinery reliability, can be managed by sending more mass into space. Adding extra weight can often solve significant issues that seem daunting at first.
  3. Having enough supplies and materials is key to making Mars colonization easier. The more resources we have, the better we can tackle various tasks and ensure a successful mission.

Talking science communication with a Mythbuster

Science Forever • 119 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🔬 Science Communication Research Experiment Climate change Myths
  1. Science communication should be personalized and emotional to engage people effectively.
  2. Revisiting and retesting myths is an essential part of the scientific process and can lead to different results.
  3. Encouraging transparency in scientific publishing, advocating for open access, and embracing the self-correcting nature of science can help address the reproducibility crisis.

Otters in our Midst

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 279 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🔬 Science Zoology Ecology Urban wildlife Conservation Environmental Science
  1. Otters are important urban wildlife and their poop, called spraint, can tell us a lot about their diet and health. Researchers study spraint to understand what otters eat and to check for parasites or pollution.
  2. River otters tend to be clean and use specific spots, called latrines, to poop. This behavior might be social, but researchers aren't completely sure why they do it.
  3. Even in polluted areas, river otters are resilient and continue to survive and reproduce. It's important for us to help make urban environments healthier for wildlife.

Space Ambition 1st Anniversary: We Got a Bit Closer to the Stars

Space Ambition • 279 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🔬 Science Space Tech Astrophysics Aerospace Innovation Research
  1. Space Ambition attracted over 8,000 readers and completed more than 50 research projects in its first year. It's great to see such a big community focused on space and technology!
  2. The team believes that space technology can solve many of Earth's problems and aims to make it more understandable and accessible for everyone. They want to connect space with everyday life.
  3. Readers have shared inspiring stories about how the blog has influenced their careers, which shows the positive impact of their work in the space sector. It's awesome to see people motivated to pursue their dreams!

The Social Network (Part 2)

Logging the World • 279 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🔬 Science Networks Statistics Social media Modeling
  1. Real social networks exhibit more complex behaviors than simple mathematical models can capture.
  2. The structure of social media follower counts differs significantly from the Erdős–Rényi network model, with some users having exponentially more followers than others.
  3. Recent network models like the Barabási-Albert model better represent the dynamics of online social networks like Twitter, where heavy-tailed distributions of follower counts emerge.

Yeast-based vaccines are a big deal for biosecurity

More is Different • 6 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
🔬 Science Immunology Vaccines Biosecurity Microbiology Biotechnology Public Health
  1. Engineered baker's yeast that displays viral proteins can trigger protective antibody responses when eaten, showing edible vaccines are possible.
  2. Yeast vaccines can be produced and distributed quickly and locally—through brewing, dried chips, or feed—making decentralized pandemic and livestock responses feasible.
  3. Edible yeast vaccines may reduce needle-related hesitancy and lower some regulatory barriers, but they still face important challenges like oral tolerance, safety, and the need for proper clinical trials and regulatory clarity.

O-Day - Evening

Remote View • 275 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
🔬 Science Physics Geometry Electromagnetism
  1. The O-Day - Evening post discusses the electromagnetic properties of the Great Pyramid.
  2. The post delves into the connections between alchemy, sacred geometry, and the 'Great Work'.
  3. There are references to scientific articles and historical figures within the context of the post.

Prompt Ensembles Make LLMs More Reliable

Deep (Learning) Focus • 275 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🔬 Science Research Machine Learning AI Techniques Models
  1. Reliability is crucial when working with large language models, and prompt ensembles offer a straightforward way to make them more accurate and consistent.
  2. Prompt ensembles show generalization across different language models, reducing sensitivity to changing underlying models and prompts.
  3. Aggregation of multiple outputs from prompt ensembles is complex but crucial for improving model performance, requiring sophisticated strategies beyond simple majority voting.

Are experts useless?

Samstack • 1422 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🔬 Science Research Replication Experts Predictions Academia
  1. Experts may not be as reliable as we think, with evidence showing they often fare poorly compared to ordinary individuals in making predictions.
  2. There's a growing concern about fraud and publication bias in scientific journals, undermining the credibility of experts' work.
  3. While skepticism towards expertise is warranted, there are strategies for the average person to evaluate research validity and experts can still provide valuable insights.

Linkpost for February

Thing of Things • 137 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🔬 Science Psychology Economics Politics Short Stories Fun
  1. Long-term monthly payments and lump sum cash transfers are both effective ways of helping people, but short-term monthly payments are less effective.
  2. The Copenhagen Consensus Center has identified twelve programs that are more cost-effective than unconditional cash transfers for addressing global poverty.
  3. Malaria vaccines may be less cost-effective than bednets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention due to logistical challenges and similar efficacy.

🚀🌑 America finally returns to the Moon

Faster, Please! • 1005 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🔬 Science Clean Energy AI Robotics Health
  1. America's return to the Moon was achieved by a private company, Intuitive Machines, marking a significant milestone since Apollo 17 in 1972.
  2. Despite landing challenges, NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative with private companies like Intuitive Machines shows promise for the future of lunar missions.
  3. The possibility of NASA partnering with private companies for lunar missions can lead to cost-effective space travel and accelerated technological advancements similar to those depicted in sci-fi series like For All Mankind.

Europe’s mission to the Moon

Europe in Space • 137 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🔬 Science Space Exploration Logistics Services
  1. European Space Agency is developing a sustainable human presence on the Moon with innovative concepts and technology.
  2. European startups like Spartan Space and ASI are contributing to the development of lunar habitats and outposts.
  3. Efforts by ESA and European companies in developing lunar landers, OTVs, training centers, and communication services are crucial for establishing a sustained presence on the Moon.

The Origins of Deutsche Physik (1910s)

Cantor's Paradise • 363 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🔬 Science Physics History Politics Philosophy Mathematics
  1. The conflict in the physics community during the 1910s was largely about differing views on science and the influence of World War I. German physicists felt pressure to defend national pride while dealing with the rise of theoretical physics led by figures like Einstein.
  2. There was a significant clash between experimentalists and theorists, with older physicists struggling to accept new ideas. Many were uncomfortable with Einstein's theories because they felt too abstract and removed from traditional experimental methods.
  3. As political tensions grew, the conflict transformed into overt anti-Semitism, particularly targeting Einstein. Some physicists expressed nationalistic and racial ideologies, which later aligned with the Nazi agenda.

The "Cost" of LNT

Gordian Knot News • 131 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🔬 Science Nuclear Energy Radiation Energy Policy Environmental Science
  1. The cost of LNT (Linear No-Threshold) is hard to determine because it's a complicated question with many possible answers. Different views on what LNT means can lead to wildly different conclusions.
  2. Replacing LNT with a different radiation harm model could lead to lower costs for nuclear power. If we understand how our bodies can heal from radiation, it might make nuclear energy safer and more affordable.
  3. If we improve the regulatory and insurance systems for nuclear power, we might lower costs significantly. This could make nuclear energy a cheaper and more reliable option for everyone.

I really don’t care why evolution happened

Something to Consider • 19 implied HN points • 17 Jul 24
🔬 Science Evolution Economics Cultural Studies Public Policy Research Ethics
  1. Science should help us make better choices now, not just speculate about the past. We should focus on how what we learn can improve our lives today.
  2. Understanding historical impacts like slavery can teach us more about current issues, such as trust and economic development, rather than just dwelling on the past for its own sake.
  3. Scientists should prioritize research that benefits society instead of just following personal interests. Our work should aim to make the world better and address current problems.