The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

The surreal line is topologically compact!

Infinitely More • 25 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
🔬 Science Mathematics Topology Philosophy Set Theory
  1. Compactness in mathematics means that a set can be covered by a limited number of open sets, making it easier to work with. This concept is important in various areas of math like topology and analysis.
  2. The surreal numbers initially seem to lack compactness compared to real numbers, showing that many of the typical properties may not apply directly.
  3. However, by looking at the surreal numbers from a different perspective, we can discover surprising instances of compactness that we didn't expect.

Searching for Posthumanist AI

Cybernetic Forests • 259 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
🔬 Science AI Technology Ethics Philosophy Environment
  1. Large Language Models are anthropocentric and pose challenges to moving beyond human-centric ideologies
  2. Post-humanism emphasizes decentering humanity and focusing on the health of the planet and interconnected natural systems
  3. AI's current state reflects human biases and design decisions, and a posthumanist approach would require a shift towards technologies that facilitate listening and understanding the world outside ourselves

Can we make mosquitoes resist malaria?

De Novo • 99 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🔬 Science Research Biotechnology Genetics Public Health
  1. Researchers are working on a new gene drive to help mosquitoes resist malaria. This approach could be a new way to fight the disease without reducing mosquito populations.
  2. The gene drive targets a specific gene in mosquitoes to prevent malaria parasites from spreading. This means fewer mosquitoes would carry the malaria parasite after feeding on infected blood.
  3. There are still questions to answer about this approach, like how effective it would be in different mosquito species and whether it could lead to new issues with mosquito populations.

Uncertainty beyond the model

Mindful Modeler • 239 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🔬 Science Machine Learning
  1. Data uncertainty is prevalent in real-world data and should not be overlooked, including variables, errors in measurements, and missing data.
  2. Deployment uncertainty arises when machine learning models encounter new data, leading to potential performance issues due to distribution shifts.
  3. Consider beyond aleatoric and epistemic uncertainties and also address data and deployment uncertainties to improve model robustness.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Machine learning eats up science

Mindful Modeler • 219 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🔬 Science Machine Learning Research Technology Book Writing Data Analysis
  1. Research papers increasingly focus on AI and ML, indicating a growing trend in the scientific community.
  2. AI and ML offer significant benefits in terms of saving time, automating tasks, and enabling research.
  3. Challenges like bias, fraud, and lack of reproducibility persist, with a major concern being the reliance on pattern recognition over understanding in ML and AI.

Difference-in-Differences: No Anticipation with Parallel Trends (with a simulation and equations)

Scott's Substack • 117 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🔬 Science Causal Inference Statistics Simulation Equations Data Analysis
  1. No anticipation means the baseline period is equal to Y(0) not Y(1)
  2. Difference-in-differences coefficient equals ATT in the post period for the treatment group plus parallel trends bias minus ATT in the incorrectly specified baseline period
  3. Difference-in-differences always requires three assumptions to point identify the ATT: SUTVA, Parallel trends, and No Anticipation

Is Earth A Computational Process?

Surfing the Future • 119 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🔬 Science Computing AI Sustainability Chemistry
  1. Stephen Wolfram's TED talk on computational thinking explores AI, the universe, and more, opening up new possibilities for the future.
  2. Earth being a computing process is a fascinating concept with implications for sustainability and AI.
  3. The work of James Lovelock, especially his Gaia theory, holds significance and influences the thinking of many individuals.

Xenobots: Self-Replicating Biobots

Solve Cancer in 365 days • 2 HN points • 14 Sep 24
🔬 Science Biology Technology Engineering Health Robotics
  1. Xenobots are made from frog cells and can swim, heal, and move in groups. They are different from regular robots because they are living organisms created by scientists.
  2. Researchers design Xenobots by separating skin and heart cells and using computer algorithms to find the best ways to make them move. This combines biology with engineering.
  3. Xenobots can self-replicate by using loose stem cells to create new Xenobots. They could help with pollution cleanup and even serve purposes in medicine, like repairing organs.

Utilizing Cosmic Expansion: Innovative Solutions to Earth's Challenges

Space Ambition • 239 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🔬 Science Space Exploration Ecology Technology Innovation Economics International cooperation
  1. Space exploration could help solve major problems on Earth, including politics, economics, and ecology. By looking to colonize other planets, we can innovate and create better technologies.
  2. Trade between Earth and colonies on Mars could lead to peaceful relationships. Instead of fighting over resources, countries might cooperate to improve their economies.
  3. Moving some industries to space can benefit the Earth's environment. This shift could create new jobs and help us manage resources better, supporting sustainability goals.

Secret linguistic, nanostructure, & biomaterial strategies

The Strategy Toolkit • 8 implied HN points • 15 Jan 26
🔬 Science Nanotechnology Materials science Biotechnology Linguistics History
  1. People have long used language as a tool for secrecy and coded communication, from wartime code talkers to private dialects.
  2. Specialized scripts like nushu were easy to learn and often sung rather than spoken, letting uneducated rural women share stories, support one another, and pass on traditions.
  3. Community-specific languages are fragile and can disappear over time, so they hold unique cultural value and are vulnerable if not preserved.

What I would change at NSF

Heterodox STEM • 355 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🔬 Science Research Funding Public Policy STEM Education Scientific Integrity Government reform
  1. The NSF should refocus on funding high-quality scientific research based solely on merit rather than identity politics.
  2. Key reforms include changing their vision and core values to prioritize excellence in science.
  3. Unnecessary offices and initiatives that do not contribute to scientific advancement should be eliminated to streamline the NSF's efforts.

Evolving Beyond Determinism

Holodoxa • 199 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🔬 Science Consciousness Evolution Free will Neuroscience Philosophy
  1. Consciousness and free will are gaining scholarly attention, moving beyond being considered intellectual backwaters.
  2. There is a growing interest in naturalistic explanations of the human mind, relying on science rather than mystical or religious beliefs.
  3. The book 'Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will' by Kevin J. Mitchell offers a scientific defense of free will against determinism, emphasizing the role of conscious experience in guiding human behavior.

Can the Vaccines Write the Spike Protein Into the Human Genome?

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 998 implied HN points • 01 Mar 22
🔬 Science Vaccines mRNA
  1. A recent study presented the first evidence that vaccine spike protein mRNA can be reverse transcribed into DNA within human cells, although further validation is necessary.
  2. Integration into chromosomes is not required to consider something 'written into the genome'; extrachromosomal circular DNA can also lead to gene expression and phenotypic changes.
  3. The unexpectedly long persistence of mRNA and spike protein after vaccination raises concerns and suggests the need to investigate reverse transcription as a mechanism for this durability.

The Red Frontier: Mars Rovers' Legacy, Opportunities, and Expert Predictions from the Pioneers of Martian Ventures

Space Ambition • 219 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
🔬 Science Space Exploration Robotics Astrobiology Planetary Science Technology development
  1. Mars rovers are our main way to explore the planet since humans can't go there yet. These robots gather important information that helps us understand Mars better.
  2. There have been several successful Mars missions, but only a few rovers are still active today. Each rover has contributed to discovering water signs and preparing for future human visits.
  3. The future of Mars exploration involves collaboration between robots and humans. Robots will help pave the way for future missions, while humans will bring creativity and problem-solving skills to the table.

The Challenge to Human Creativity: Can AI Surpass Humans in Divergent Thinking?

UX Psychology • 218 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🔬 Science Artificial Intelligence Creativity Research Technology Human-Machine Interaction
  1. Artificial intelligence (AI) is challenging the notion that creativity is solely a human trait, with recent AI systems showcasing high-quality artistic and literary works.
  2. Comparisons between human and AI creativity, particularly in divergent thinking, demonstrate that while AI excels in some aspects, highly creative humans can still make surprising connections between concepts.
  3. Creative professionals like designers, artists, and writers may find that while AI can outperform average human creative thinking, uniquely human qualities such as intuition, emotional expressiveness, and cultural embeddedness continue to set humans apart in pushing creative boundaries.

Do People Prefer Curved Lines?

UX Psychology • 218 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🔬 Science Psychology Design Perception Cognition User Experience
  1. Research indicates that people generally prefer curved lines over straight or angular ones due to associations with grace and gentleness.
  2. Preference for curves is not just psychological, but has roots in our perception of safety and nurture, related to our evolutionary past.
  3. In design, understanding people's preference for curved lines can help create more visually appealing and effective products, but individual factors like personality and culture also play a role.

The Great Khan was no fluke

Policy Tensor • 216 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
🔬 Science Ancestry Evolution Social Dynamics
  1. Hominid catastrophism is real - population history since 1492 is typical of the Holocene pattern.
  2. The Bantu expansion is well-supported and happened between two to three thousand years ago in Africa.
  3. Male reproductive variance increased in the Holocene resulting in more powerful men controlling reproduction and shaping societies.

O-Day - Wormhole

Remote View • 216 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🔬 Science Physics Archaeology Chemistry Astronomy Materials
  1. The presentation shared experimental evidence about the operation of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
  2. Macro photography gave a first look at the sample and detailed study of the disruption zone.
  3. Speculation was made about the use of iron as a possible fuel, along with other metals, in a related process.

Is AI a Silver Bullet for our Climate Problems?

This Week in MCJ (My Climate Journey) • 216 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🔬 Science Climate AI Data Education Energy
  1. AI solutions in climate problems can be biased towards easily accessible data, encouraging broader solution development is crucial.
  2. AI must quantify its confidence in recommendations for climate problem-solving due to the high cost of mistakes.
  3. Encouraging new datasets and AI methods with confidence measurement can lead to more successful projects in addressing climate challenges.

Database of IQ Estimations (DIE)

sebjenseb • 216 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
🔬 Science Public intellectuals Academics
  1. The Database of IQ Estimations provides estimates for both groups and individuals, utilizing mathematical and arbitrary assessments.
  2. The methodology includes variables like wealth, education years, and test scores to estimate intelligence.
  3. Estimations cover categories such as Public Intellectuals, Academics, Politicians, Celebrities, Criminals, Gamers, and Fictional Characters.

Personality around the world

Vectors of Mind • 216 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🔬 Science Psychometrics Language Models Personality Traits Research Methodology
  1. Personality models show consistent traits across languages, especially the Big Two: social self-regulation and dynamism.
  2. Understanding personality across languages requires bilingual cohorts or careful translations, as words may not have direct equivalents.
  3. Research suggests that analyzing language models in multiple languages could lead to a universal model of personality, potentially superior to the Big Five.

O-Day - Explaining Frank Polifka's Windhexe

Remote View • 216 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🔬 Science Technology Physics Engineering Chemistry Biology
  1. A technology called Windhexe can turn various materials into powder, even turning gravel to dust and reducing waste into powder.
  2. The Windhexe device functions by creating a tornado-like vortex in a chamber, causing materials to be smashed and pulverized into tiny particles.
  3. Windhexe technology has been used by different companies for processing food wastes, manufacturing debris, and even for drying materials quickly.

1.3 Wait... That's All There Is To It?

Fields & Energy • 179 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🔬 Science Physics Electromagnetism Quantum Mechanics Astrophysics Chemistry
  1. To understand how fields guide energy, you need to think deeply about concepts like light and electromagnetic waves. This involves understanding how energy balances between electric and magnetic forms.
  2. There's a new way to look at electromagnetism that contradicts a lot of what we've assumed for over a century. This new view can help explain some confusing aspects of quantum mechanics.
  3. Even though electromagnetism seems fully understood, there’s still room for fresh ideas that could change our understanding. Just like a miner finding new gems in a familiar mine, new insights might be waiting to be discovered.

1.6 The Plan & Purpose of this Book

Fields & Energy • 159 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🔬 Science Physics Energy Electromagnetism
  1. The book discusses two big ideas in physics: particles versus waves and two different ways of understanding nature. This involves looking at how scientists have debated these ideas over time.
  2. It introduces a new way of thinking about electromagnetism, saying that fields and energy are separate but related. Fields behave like waves, while energy can act like particles.
  3. Finally, the book explores how this fresh perspective can change our view of quantum mechanics, suggesting that light and energy might interact in ways we don't typically understand.

How to Measure Molecules

Asimov Press • 367 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🔬 Science Physics Chemistry History Experimentation Mathematics
  1. In the late 19th century, Lord Rayleigh measured the size of a single molecule using simple materials like oil and water. This clever experiment showed how basic observations can lead to important scientific discoveries.
  2. Benjamin Franklin also made significant observations about oil on water in the 18th century, but he didn't calculate the size of molecules. His work laid the groundwork for future scientists like Rayleigh.
  3. Rayleigh's experiment demonstrated that you don’t always need complex tools to make groundbreaking discoveries. Even simple experiments can provide valuable insights that inspire later research.

Mechanisms too simple for humans to design

Telescopic Turnip • 274 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🔬 Science Biology Evolution Genetics Technology Artificial Intelligence
  1. Living organisms, like butterflies and bacteria, are incredibly complex, yet humans struggle to replicate them fully because they are surprisingly simple in construction. It's like trying to build a working insect but only using a few basic parts.
  2. The information contained in the genomes of living beings is often much less than what we assume. For example, the human genome contains less useful information than what fits on a CD, showcasing how nature efficiently packs information.
  3. Natural evolution leads to a balance where simpler designs can survive better, while human-made technologies often have complex specifications and high error rates. This means some amazing designs in nature might be too bizarre for humans to create intentionally.

The Battle for Better Air

Asimov Press • 264 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🔬 Science Air Quality Health Effects Technology development Public Health
  1. Air quality has improved over time thanks to things like windows and modern HVAC systems. What once were luxury items are now essential for health.
  2. Historically, many homes suffered from poor air quality due to indoor pollutants from burning fuels. This has been a public health issue for centuries.
  3. New technologies, like far-UVC lights, are being explored to enhance air quality and reduce airborne diseases, showing that our understanding of indoor air needs continues to evolve.

Work in progress on natural selection in the US

Wyclif's Dust • 1073 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
🔬 Science Genetics Research Social Science Data Analysis Population Studies
  1. Polygenic scores predicting education levels also predict fertility in opposite directions.
  2. Economic theory explains the relationship between income, education, and number of children.
  3. US data on natural selection shows differences compared to the UK, possibly influenced by factors like welfare support and class distinctions.

Stories We'd Like to Publish (Part II)

Asimov Press • 290 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🔬 Science Biotechnology Medical Research Scientific Communication
  1. Asimov Press is inviting writers to pitch stories about scientific progress. If you have an idea or interest in topics like biotechnology, they want to hear from you!
  2. They have released a long list of interesting story ideas, ranging from the history of common medicines to new discoveries in gene editing. Any writer can find a topic that resonates with them.
  3. Asimov Press aims to support writers through the entire publishing process. Accepted pitches will receive help with outlining, editing, and will be compensated for their work.

How to Imbue the Basic Models of Biology With a Positive Vision of the Future

Maximum Progress • 196 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🔬 Science Biology Ecology Economics Evolution
  1. Basic biological models suggest a narrative of exponential growth followed by collapse.
  2. Biology offers a positive vision of the future through sustainable population growth without new resources, like Rubisco enzyme evolution.
  3. Evolutionary innovations, such as the human brain, enable sustainable growth and prosperity, creating a bridge between ecological and economic perspectives.

Love, Attention, Patience: The Secrets of Charles Darwin's Scientific Success

Meaning || Matter • 59 implied HN points • 09 Apr 24
🔬 Science Evolution Naturalism Geology Biology Research
  1. Darwin's success was not just about genius; it was about his love for science, his attention to detail, and his patience in observing the world around him. He worked hard to collect data and make sense of it over many years.
  2. His groundbreaking theory of evolution came from his commitment to understanding nature and his experiences during his voyage on the Beagle. He took every opportunity to explore and study different species and their environments.
  3. Even when faced with challenges and doubts, Darwin continued to gather and analyze evidence, showing that persistence and curiosity are key to making important discoveries.