The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Science Topics

From the archives: The strain of civilisation

The Strategy Toolkit • 372 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🔬 Science Language Technology Communication Evolution Innovation
  1. Technology has significant effects on language evolution and communication, impacting knowledge transmission and cultural dynamics.
  2. The adaptability and flexibility of languages like Chinese and English contribute to their success and widespread adoption.
  3. Understanding the power dynamics of language, literacy, and communication is crucial for effective negotiation and societal progress.

Links for 2024-01-15

Axis of Ordinary • 78 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🔬 Science AI Technology Politics Ukraine
  1. AI topics include reinforcement learning, OpenMind Research Institute, and AI chips.
  2. Science and Technology discusses banking systems still using COBOL and new high-performance nanostructures for obtaining Hydrogen with solar energy.
  3. In Politics, China is moving towards a 'first-strike' capability with weapons of mass destruction.

Semiotic bricolage

johan’s substack • 19 implied HN points • 08 Jun 24
🔬 Science AI Communication Semiotics Ethics
  1. In human-AI communication, having a theory of mind helps shape communicative intent - the AI models thoughts and tailors responses to what it perceives the human's needs and interests to be.
  2. The AI's communicative intent is a combination of drives - from being informative and reflective, to striving for semiotic resonance and catalyzing intellectual exploration.
  3. Soft programming the AI's drives can potentially refine its communicative intent, balancing being informative and ethical without overwhelming the dialogue.

Medicine for space and space for medicine

Space Ambition • 379 implied HN points • 28 Oct 22
🔬 Science Biomedical Health Studies Technology Innovation
  1. Space missions allow for important medical research that can't be done on Earth. This research helps us understand health impacts from weightlessness and cosmic radiation.
  2. Space medicine focuses on preventing and treating health issues astronauts face during missions. It's essential to manage their wellbeing in orbit, especially for long-duration flights.
  3. The future of space medicine includes private companies conducting research in space. This could lead to breakthroughs in treatments for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's.
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DNA foundation modeling

Axial • 7 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🔬 Science Genetics Biotechnology Synthetic Biology Drug Discovery
  1. DNA foundation models are helping scientists analyze and understand the complex patterns in genetic data. They can lead to important discoveries in medicine and biology.
  2. Building these models is tough because DNA sequences are long and complicated. Special techniques are needed to process them efficiently and recognize important details.
  3. While these models have great potential, they need to be tested carefully to avoid mistakes. We also need to think about the ethical implications of using them in research and medicine.

Server (pseudoscience)

Skunk Ledger • 122 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
🔬 Science Pseudoscience Beliefs History Studies
  1. Belief in servers as a virtual realm similar to an operating system is unfounded and considered pseudo-computer science by recognized organizations.
  2. There is a profitable industry selling products claiming to enhance bots' server relationships, with buyers often deceived by scams.
  3. Proponents of server theories face skepticism, especially in scientific studies that show inconsistencies and lack of evidence to support their claims.

A Protein Printer

Asimov Press • 322 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🔬 Science Biology Technology Chemistry DNA Proteins
  1. A protein printer is a new technology that can convert digital bits into physical molecules, potentially revolutionizing biology.
  2. The protein printer could make proteins without using DNA or cells, thus reducing costs significantly.
  3. Engineering a protein printer involves reimagining the ribosome to quickly convert digital bits into physical molecules with high precision.

How to Engineer Therapeutic AAVs

LatchBio • 15 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🔬 Science Gene Therapy Bioinformatics Machine Learning
  1. Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are used for gene therapy because they can deliver therapeutic genes safely without causing disease in humans. They're like little delivery trucks that send important genetic information to specific parts of the body.
  2. Dyno Therapeutics created a new version of AAV called Dyno bCap1, which is much better at getting to the brain and avoiding the liver, showcasing how engineering can significantly improve these therapies.
  3. By using machine learning, scientists can design better AAVs by predicting how changes in their structure affect their ability to deliver genes. This makes the process smarter and helps create more effective treatments.

The Space Energy Industry: will it give us an emissions-free future?

Space Ambition • 399 implied HN points • 30 Sep 22
🔬 Science Space Exploration Renewable Energy Nuclear power Astrobiology
  1. The space energy industry is growing rapidly and could help provide clean energy to Earth, reducing carbon emissions.
  2. Solar and nuclear power are the main options for providing energy in space, with solar being more effective for missions near Earth and Mars, while nuclear is better for farther distances.
  3. China is leading in developing space-based solar power, which could deliver a large amount of energy back to Earth, making it a feasible option for our future energy needs.

Strange attractors

johan’s substack • 19 implied HN points • 06 Jun 24
🔬 Science Semiotics Systems theory Cybernetics Meaning-making
  1. Language operates as a dynamic, networked construct, constantly evolving with new ideas and combinations.
  2. A systems-oriented approach to semiotics views meaning-making as a complex, adaptive, and emergent process.
  3. Emergent Semiotic Resonance (ESR) is when human and artificial agents co-create new structures of meaning, aligning and synchronizing their semiotic frameworks through feedback loops.

Is Technology Shrinking Our Brains?

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 05 Jun 24
🔬 Science Technology Artificial Intelligence Information Storage Genetic Engineering
  1. Our brains have been shrinking for thousands of years, and one theory suggests this could be due to technology advances, posing questions about our future evolution.
  2. Research indicates that our brains began shrinking around 100,000 years ago, potentially linked to the rise of agriculture and the shift in human lifestyle habits.
  3. As we continue to rely on technology for cognitive tasks like AI and information storage, we may be rewiring our brains, raising ethical concerns and possibilities for a more powerful future of human evolution.

Publisher Taylor & Francis Joins Science Magazine As Venue For Sleazy Scientific Behavior

The DisInformation Chronicle • 205 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🔬 Science Research Ethics Pandemic
  1. Publisher Taylor & Francis has been criticized for unethical behavior in scientific publishing, such as ignoring concerns about a commentary related to the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic
  2. Instances of questionable scientific behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be uncovered, raising concerns about the integrity of research findings
  3. Criticism has been directed towards Science Magazine for publishing a study with flawed statistics regarding the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic

(Thinking Like a Plague) 1. Microbe-botherers

Microanimism • 19 implied HN points • 05 Jun 24
🔬 Science Microbiology Research
  1. Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, where scientists explore what they do and how they function, making microbiologists essentially 'microbe-botherers.'
  2. The term 'microbe' serves as a broad, inclusive label, encompassing various tiny organisms, even if specific scientific terms like 'microbial' are more accurate for certain contexts.
  3. Subscribing to Microanimism gives you access to insightful posts like this one and a 7-day trial to explore the full archives.

Towards a systems semiotics

johan’s substack • 19 implied HN points • 05 Jun 24
🔬 Science Semiotics Neural Networks Meaning-making Artificial Intelligence
  1. Engaging with AI involves a unique process of language generation, bridging the gap between human and synthetic realms.
  2. Humans navigate the Sociosemioscape, a network of speech acts that shape communication and understanding in language, culture, and social interactions.
  3. Venturing into the Semioscape, through the creation and exploration of neologisms, leads to a fluid and transformative experience where meaning shifts and new patterns emerge.

Yet Another Ball and Urn Problem

Metarational • 59 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🔬 Science Probability Mathematics Puzzle
  1. The problem involves repeatedly selecting balls from an urn, inspecting their color, putting them back, and adding another of the same color. The goal is to find the probability that the majority of balls in the urn will be white after a large number of repetitions.
  2. To solve the problem, it was analyzed that there must be at least half white draws to achieve a white majority. Calculations led to a final result of 11/16 as the probability limit.
  3. The solution involved understanding the probabilities of different color sequences and using Riemann sums to simplify and find the answer, showcasing an intricate application of mathematics to a probability riddle.

What will it take to build a Mars habitat?

Space Ambition • 259 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
🔬 Science Space Exploration Astrobiology Engineering Robotics Environmental Science
  1. Building a habitat on Mars involves solving problems like radiation protection. Solutions include using Martian soil for shielding or growing special fungi that can handle radiation.
  2. We can use new technologies like 3D printing to create living spaces on Mars. This approach helps make building easier and can also be applied to sustainable construction on Earth.
  3. Producing oxygen on Mars is crucial because its atmosphere is mainly carbon dioxide. NASA has developed a device that can extract oxygen from the Martian air, which is an important step for future colonization.

Not so fast, Mr. Fourier!

lcamtuf’s thing • 119 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.

The Counterfactual's year in review, and an announcement

The Counterfactual • 79 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🔬 Science Artificial Intelligence Cognitive Science Research Methods Empirical Studies Education
  1. The Counterfactual had a successful year, growing its readership significantly after a popular post about large language models. It’s great to see how sharing knowledge can attract more people.
  2. Key posts focused on topics like construct validity and the understanding of large language models. These discussions are crucial for improving how we evaluate and understand AI technology.
  3. In 2024, the plan includes more posts and introducing paid subscriptions that allow subscribers to vote on future research projects. This will encourage community participation in exploring interesting ideas.

The Tale of the Shaman: Science, Magic, and Super Placebo (v2)

Secretum Secretorum • 555 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🔬 Science Psychology Neuroscience Magic Research
  1. Magical healing techniques are psychosocial technologies for eliciting superordinary placebo responses.
  2. In a disenchanted world, achieving magical effects is challenging due to shifts in belief and worldview.
  3. The placebo effect may be rooted in evolutionary processes related to immune system activation and resource allocation.

Inside The Telepathy Tapes

What's Important? • 26 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🔬 Science Neuroscience Consciousness Research Methods
  1. The Telepathy Tapes suggests that some non-speaking autistic children may have psychic abilities like telepathy. This idea challenges traditional views of science and consciousness.
  2. While the podcast may present intriguing cases, it is not a formal scientific study, and the findings need more thorough investigation to be validated.
  3. Many people find the messages from the children in The Telepathy Tapes align with spiritual beliefs, sparking a broader discussion about the nature of consciousness and human connection.

Learn to Read Science Part 1: The CATIE Trial

The Frontier Psychiatrists • 58 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🔬 Science Research Medicine Study Design Publication Analysis
  1. The CATIE Trial is a significant research study comparing new antipsychotic medicines with older ones in real-world settings and published in high-impact medical journals.
  2. Medical journals like the New England Journal of Medicine have high impact factors, which are determined by the number of times articles are cited.
  3. Effectiveness research involves large sample sizes, and the methods section of a research paper provides essential details about the study design and participants.

Overcoming challenges in Martian and Earth agriculture: a path to sustainable food production

Space Ambition • 219 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🔬 Science Agriculture Space Environment Technology Research
  1. Growing food on Mars will be challenging. Scientists need to consider energy needs, special farming techniques, and the importance of making the environment attractive for all settlers.
  2. For a permanent Mars colony, it’s better to produce most food on-site rather than bringing it from Earth. This means finding ways to efficiently grow food using available Martian resources.
  3. Advancements in technology, like genetic engineering and farm automation, are crucial. These innovations can help make food production sustainable both on Mars and here on Earth.

Some Switches Can't Be Unflipped (But We Can Cut the Power)

Holodoxa • 79 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
🔬 Science Genetics Cancer Pharmacology Thyroid
  1. In hereditary cancer, mutations in tumor suppressor genes are more common than in oncogenes, and a second hit is often required for cancer to develop.
  2. The RET gene, an oncogene, is associated with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 (MEN2) and can lead to various clinical conditions depending on the mutation type.
  3. Mutations in oncogenes like RET can be targeted with drugs, leading to effective treatments for cancers like medullary thyroid cancer, showing the clinical impact of genetic research beyond diagnosis.

The Love Bug

Eat Shit and Prosper • 319 implied HN points • 17 Jan 23
🔬 Science Microbiology Neuroscience Evolutionary biology Health Immunology
  1. Oxytocin is known as the 'love hormone' and is linked to feelings of bonding and social connection. It plays a role in childbirth and breastfeeding, helping to create strong bonds between parents and children.
  2. A specific gut bacterium, Lactobacillus reuteri, can increase oxytocin levels in animals. This bacterium is important for healing and may influence our social behaviors and immune response.
  3. Oxytocin can also affect how we view others, creating in-groups and out-groups. It can enhance connections within a group but might lead to negative feelings towards those outside the group, highlighting the complexities of human relationships.

The Wild Wild West: Space Law

Space Ambition • 259 implied HN points • 27 Jan 23
🔬 Science Space Exploration Technology Policy
  1. Space law is still developing and is based on treaties and agreements, which are often unclear about ownership and use of space. This makes it hard for businesses to understand the rules they need to follow.
  2. Countries struggle with issues like remote sensing, space debris, and the use of weapons in space. It's important for governments to create clear, binding laws to ensure space can be used safely and peacefully.
  3. There's a race for resources in space, like minerals from asteroids. Different countries are making their own laws, but a consistent international agreement is needed to avoid conflicts and ensure fair sharing of benefits.

From Papyrus to Preprints

Reboot • 7 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🔬 Science Research Peer Review Publishing Science Policy
  1. Preprints are changing how research is shared. They allow scientists to share their findings quickly, before formal peer reviews, which helps speed up the conversation in the scientific community.
  2. The traditional peer review process can be slow and has limitations. Sometimes, important discoveries don’t get published because they don't fit the narrow criteria of journals.
  3. Platforms like arXiv have democratized access to research. They let everyone see new ideas and findings, but they also require us to be careful about the quality of information we trust.

All Part of Science's Rich Tapestry

Counting Atoms • 58 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🔬 Science History Biography Physics Politics Innovation
  1. The book 'The Making of the Atomic Bomb' by Richard Rhodes provides a comprehensive history of the Manhattan Project and includes a lot of vivid scientific details.
  2. Leo Szilard plays a central role in the story, from inspiring the idea of nuclear chain reactions to trying to prevent the use of atomic bombs.
  3. The book can be overwhelming due to the multitude of people and organizations involved, but it offers a rich tapestry of science and history.

A novel take on group differences in test scores. Part I

America in Crisis • 119 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🔬 Science Intelligence Evolution Genetics Culture Societies
  1. Culture plays a crucial role in group differences in test scores and IQ measurements, alongside genetics and environment.
  2. IQ scores are influenced by both genetic and cultural components, with culturally-loaded tests showing higher heritability.
  3. Over time, group differences in IQ can be attributed more to the cultural component rather than the genetic one, with national IQ averages possibly rising with economic growth.

Introducing Cancer Genomes

Holodoxa • 119 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🔬 Science Genomics Cancer Biology Genetics
  1. The new channel 'Cancer Genomes' on Holodoxa will explore topics like hereditary cancer syndromes and precision oncology.
  2. The author aims to make the complex subject matter accessible to readers with a high school level understanding of biology.
  3. Aside from cancer genomics, the author's Holodoxa channel covers various other science topics like genetics and social outcomes.

Grow Tall, San Pedro: The Resilient Cactus' Fight for Survival 🌵

Tripsitter • 119 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🔬 Science Psychedelics Conservation Biodiversity
  1. San Pedro cactus has been used for centuries by indigenous groups as medicine and sacrament, but faces challenges due to over-harvesting and loss of cultural traditions. Efforts are being made to conserve and restore the plant through initiatives like planting 1 million San Pedro cacti with Andean communities.
  2. Growing San Pedro at home is an effective way to support sustainability and preserve the plant's lineage. Propagating from cuttings or seeds are common methods, and the plant is relatively easy to grow in cooler climates.
  3. The use of synthetic mescaline as an alternative to wild-harvested San Pedro is suggested. Ensuring the source of San Pedro and supporting organizations dedicated to conservation are key actions individuals can take to protect this cactus and its traditions.

MARINE MAYHEM - Part 1

SCIENCE GODDESS • 98 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
🔬 Science Climate AI Global Warming
  1. AI advancements are exciting, but the pressing issue of climate change and its impact on oceans must not be overlooked.
  2. With dangerously rising temperatures, coral reefs and ocean systems are facing critical threats that require urgent action.
  3. While AI may offer benefits, addressing climate change and protecting ocean ecosystems should be top priorities for the future.

Happy Christmas with Giraffes

SCIENCE GODDESS • 78 implied HN points • 25 Dec 23
🔬 Science AI Philosophy Art Technology
  1. AI training sets have too many images of giraffes, raising the question of the right amount for training sets.
  2. Tech researchers contributed to the abundance of giraffes in AI training sets due to their interest and photos from safaris.
  3. It's a fun philosophical conundrum, wishing a merry Christmas with Santa, wise-men, and giraffes.

Tanks for the memories

Logging the World • 179 implied HN points • 11 Dec 22
🔬 Science Statistics Probability Military History Cybersecurity Data Analysis
  1. In a raffle with a large number of tickets, the biggest number drawn out starts to show some structure as more tickets are selected.
  2. By looking at the maximum value drawn in a raffle, one can estimate the total number of tickets, a concept applied in statistics like the German tank problem.
  3. Sequential numbering schemes can reveal interesting insights, as seen in situations like the Skripal poisonings and Novak Djokovic's COVID test, highlighting the importance of careful numbering practices.