The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics
Nepetalactone Newsletter β€’ 1965 implied HN points β€’ 28 Jan 24
  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.
Secretum Secretorum β€’ 1768 implied HN points β€’ 27 Jan 24
  1. Through history, reasoning based on limited information has led to dangerous outcomes, like chronic cyanide poisoning and scurvy.
  2. Some scientific problems, like understanding heredity, have been challenging due to complexity and the need for exceptional datasets.
  3. To escape epistemic hells, radical ideas, serendipity, unlearning prior knowledge, and persistence are vital.
Faster, Please! β€’ 1005 implied HN points β€’ 24 Feb 24
  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.
Everything Is Amazing β€’ 1425 implied HN points β€’ 06 Feb 24
  1. Space exploration faces challenges like the vastness of space and technological limitations.
  2. JPL has a track record of extending mission goals for spacecraft, showcasing innovation and efficiency.
  3. Theoretical concepts like FTL drives and warp drives may be intriguing, but the feasibility remains uncertain due to scientific principles and practical challenges.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
Marcus on AI β€’ 4772 implied HN points β€’ 19 Oct 23
  1. Even with massive data training, AI models struggle to truly understand multiplication.
  2. LLMs perform better in arithmetic tasks than smaller models like GPT but still fall short compared to a simple pocket calculator.
  3. LLM-based systems generalize based on similarity and do not develop a complete, abstract, reliable understanding of multiplication.
Astral Codex Ten β€’ 9153 implied HN points β€’ 20 Jul 23
  1. Experts and superforecasters had a strong disagreement on the likelihood of global catastrophes.
  2. The tournament explored global disaster risks, with 'Catastrophe' meaning an event killing over 10% of the population, and 'Extinction' meaning reducing human population below 5,000.
  3. The tournament highlighted the challenges in aligning expert predictions, potential biases in forecasts, and the complexities of forecasting AI-related risks.
Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning β€’ 674 implied HN points β€’ 02 Mar 24
  1. In the field of human population genetics, interesting times can lead to significant advancements and significant shifts in understanding.
  2. The concept of intelligence as influenced by single 'IQ genes' has been refuted in favor of the understanding that intelligence involves thousands of genes with small effects.
  3. Historical inaccuracies regarding the ancestry of European Jews, the dynamics of human evolution out of Africa, and the role of natural selection in human evolution have been corrected with new scientific discoveries and insights.
Construction Physics β€’ 11274 implied HN points β€’ 03 Jun 23
  1. In the 1930s, federal projects like the Hoover Dam increased electrification and capacity, but growth slowed due to the Great Depression.
  2. Post-World War II saw the Golden Age of the electric power industry with massive growth in electricity generation, consumption, and industry assets.
  3. The end of the Golden Age came in the late 1960s due to factors like environmental concerns, technical challenges, and the 1973 energy crisis, leading to rising costs and stagnation.
Trevor Klee’s Newsletter β€’ 1119 implied HN points β€’ 05 Feb 24
  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.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss β€’ 8778 implied HN points β€’ 10 Jul 23
  1. The retraction of a scientific article on Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria sparked controversy and highlighted the influence of activist movements in academia.
  2. The authors faced accusations of violating editorial policies around consent, which they refuted by claiming to have followed ethical research practices.
  3. Despite the retraction, the authors plan to continue studying the controversial topic of ROGD, emphasizing the importance of scientific inquiry and resisting censorship.
Doomberg β€’ 7718 implied HN points β€’ 25 Jul 23
  1. Fatal energy-related incidents occur due to the risks in harnessing, storing, and transporting energy.
  2. Despite tragedies, society often continues to utilize energy sources by weighing risks and benefits.
  3. The nuclear energy industry faces disproportionate fear and opposition compared to other energy sources.
The Intrinsic Perspective β€’ 6981 implied HN points β€’ 07 Aug 23
  1. Scientists accused of misconduct may face damaging consequences like losing their careers and facing lawsuits.
  2. Intent matters when judging data fabrication, and public condemnation is not always the best approach.
  3. Challenges arise when individuals expose scientific fraud by prominent researchers and face potential legal repercussions.
lcamtuf’s thing β€’ 999 implied HN points β€’ 04 Feb 24
  1. Impedance can be divided into resistance, capacitive reactance, and inductive reactance.
  2. Digital multimeters measure resistors, capacitors, and inductors by applying different methods.
  3. LCR meters, despite their limited features, provide valuable insights into impedance through scalar impedance and phase offset measurements.
Faster, Please! β€’ 456 implied HN points β€’ 08 Mar 24
  1. The Fukushima nuclear meltdown in 2011 led to Japan shutting down nuclear reactors, resulting in unforeseen consequences like higher energy prices, reduced consumption, and increased mortality during cold temperatures.
  2. Following the shutdown, research by economist Matthew Neidell showed how Japan's shift to fossil fuels after the Fukushima incident led to higher bills, reduced energy use, and ultimately increased mortality in cold weather due to lack of climate control.
  3. The debate on nuclear energy often focuses on visible risks like accidents, while downplaying the benefits and comparative safety of nuclear power when weighed against other energy sources like coal or gas.
Just Emil Kirkegaard Things β€’ 1100 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jan 24
  1. The idea of a communication range suggests people find it hard to bond with those beyond a certain IQ difference.
  2. Evidence supporting this claim is weak and mostly anecdotal, lacking concrete data.
  3. People tend to cluster with others similar in intelligence, a phenomenon known as social homophily, which can affect relationships and social bonds.
Dr’s Newsletter β€’ 746 implied HN points β€’ 11 Feb 24
  1. PhD research can be challenging but can lead to unexpected and serendipitous discoveries
  2. The stability of certain compounds is crucial in preventing toxicity, as observed in experiments with aluminium and silicic acid in fish
  3. Understanding the chemistry behind experimental outcomes is key, as seen in the success of a PhD research project despite initial doubts
ideassleepfuriously β€’ 1238 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jan 24
  1. The blank slate perspective can lead to conflict, totalitarianism, and rejection of genetic enhancement technology.
  2. We should value understanding the role of genes in socioeconomic outcomes for accurate policy-making.
  3. Attributing group disparities to genes can reduce blame, control, and punishment, fostering compassion and reducing social conflict.
lcamtuf’s thing β€’ 2166 implied HN points β€’ 28 Nov 23
  1. Some components in electronics, like resistors, may not behave exactly as expected especially at high frequencies.
  2. Parasitic impedance and capacitance in resistors can affect circuit performance, especially in applications like feedback loops for operational amplifiers.
  3. Using a two-stage amplifier can help mitigate issues caused by resistor parasitics and ensure better signal integrity.
Construction Physics β€’ 10021 implied HN points β€’ 18 Feb 23
  1. Construction industry productivity issues may be due to organized special interests influencing the process with complex regulations and stakeholder approvals.
  2. Regulations have increased costs in construction through additional input requirements and negotiation delays.
  3. Increased regulation in the construction industry might not be causing productivity stagnation more than in other sectors, but it is a significant factor to consider.
The Honest Broker Newsletter β€’ 549 implied HN points β€’ 22 Feb 24
  1. Experts can disagree on the risks and benefits of proposed research, impacting research sustainability and public trust.
  2. There are concerns about regulating research with pathogens due to potential risks and lack of consensus on what is considered risky.
  3. Suggestions for governing risky research include demonstrating clear research benefits, identifying alternative methods, preregistering research, indemnifying organizations, and implementing global norms.
Granted β€’ 8705 implied HN points β€’ 05 Mar 23
  1. Consider embracing the latest data to improve the theory by moving away from antiquated ideas and focusing on more reliable traits.
  2. Demand real evidence for efficacy by conducting randomized, controlled experiments to validate the benefits claimed by MBTI.
  3. Understand that many scientists have left MBTI due to concerns about its validity and its historical associations with racism and sexism.
Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning β€’ 446 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 24
  1. There is a lack of definitive research on the genetic history of Germany compared to other European countries like Britain or Estonia.
  2. Germany's past with race science, notable figures like Hans GΓΌnther, and the overshadowing of the Nazi era, has impacted the nation's exploration of human population genetics.
  3. Historical migrations, such as those of Corded Ware populations, have contributed significantly to the genetic makeup of Northern Europe, with influences from Neolithic farming populations.
ideassleepfuriously β€’ 982 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jan 24
  1. 200 thousand years of isolation may not be enough for genetic incompatibilities to develop
  2. Genomics has revolutionized evolutionary biology by providing precise insights with massive amounts of data
  3. The mixing of Neanderthal and modern human lineages led to genetic incompatibilities and selection against Neanderthal-origin DNA in modern humans
Grey Goose Chronicles β€’ 786 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jan 24
  1. Aboriginal Australians have a unique way of consuming tobacco with varying effects and health benefits.
  2. Quinine has a rich history in colonial expansion and fighting malaria, while caffeine might hold potential as an antimalarial drug.
  3. Genetic conditions like G6PD deficiency in sub-Saharan Africans show adaptations to malaria, impacting medical treatments and outcomes.