The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Public Views on Polygenic Screening of Embryos

Parrhesia • 380 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Genome-wide association studies have enabled geneticists to associate single nucleotide polymorphisms with physical and behavioral outcomes.
  2. Polygenic scores (PGS) can estimate risk based on a person's genome, aiding in embryo selection through preimplantation genetic testing for polygenic traits (PGT-P).
  3. Public attitudes towards services like PGT-P and gene editing for morally acceptable interventions show some acceptance but also raise concerns about stigmatization and potential misuse of genetic technologies.

Advancing Beyond Short-Term Solar Forecasts [Pt.2]

Space Ambition • 79 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🔬 Science Astrophysics Forecasting Machine Learning
  1. It's important to understand the solar cycle better and predict solar storms. These storms can cause big financial losses and affect many technologies we rely on.
  2. Currently, we can only accurately predict space weather for about three days ahead. This is because solar events happen quickly, and predicting them is really complicated.
  3. We need more advanced tools and methods, like machine learning, to improve our predictions. Using new technology can help us learn more about the Sun and its effects on Earth.

Log Odds or Probability

Mindful Modeler • 139 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🔬 Science Statistics Interpretation Regression Probability
  1. Log odds are additive, probabilities are multiplicative. Some interpretation methods like expressing predictions as a linear sum may benefit from log odds.
  2. Edge transitions, like from 0.001 to 0.01, may sometimes be more significant than middle transitions, like 0.5 to 0.6.
  3. Probabilities offer intuitive understanding for decision-making, cost calculations, and are more commonly familiar compared to log odds.

The ultra-selfish gene

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 13 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🔬 Science Genetics Malaria Gene-editing Ecology Biotechnology
  1. Gene editing technology, especially CRISPR/Cas9, offers powerful ways to potentially eliminate malaria by modifying the mosquitoes that spread it. This could save millions of lives.
  2. Selfish genetic elements can alter inheritance patterns within populations, which may allow a single gene edit to spread rapidly through an entire species, potentially causing significant ecological changes.
  3. While gene drives could provide solutions to public health issues, their release carries risks. There’s a need for careful monitoring and potential reversal strategies to prevent unintended consequences.
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Science writing update, August 2023 edition

Science Fictions • 229 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
🔬 Science Research Medicine Publication Psychology Replication
  1. LK-99, the 'room-temperature superconductor', turned out not to be true despite initial social media hype and extravagant claims.
  2. Transparency in scientific publication processes, like preprints and peer review at eLife, can lead to challenges like circulating false claims.
  3. The approval of new drugs for Alzheimer's disease may not always mean groundbreaking results, highlighting the importance of critically analyzing scientific breakthrough claims.

There are only 2 kinds of battery

cleanenergyreview • 19 implied HN points • 21 May 24
🔬 Science Energy Storage Renewable Energy Electricity Markets
  1. There are two main types of batteries that matter: high capital cost per kWh stored with high roundtrip efficiency, and low capital cost per kWh stored with low roundtrip efficiency.
  2. Technologies and teams in both battery categories will be working to reduce their respective costs over time.
  3. Renewables paired with batteries are seen as the future of electricity, with different battery types serving distinct roles in the energy grid.

Finding Washington's First Fossils

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 199 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🔬 Science Paleontology Geology Anthropology History Ecology
  1. The earliest known connections to fossils in Washington come from the Wanapum people, who used ancient petrified wood for tools over 9,000 years ago.
  2. Naturalists like Archibald Menzies and others in the early 1800s began documenting fossils in Washington, although many of their specimens have been lost over time.
  3. The mystery of who first collected fossils in Washington remains, but geologist James Dwight Dana is a strong candidate for making one of the earliest fossil collections.

Top 5 blockers to establish a foothold on Mars

Space Ambition • 259 implied HN points • 09 Dec 22
🔬 Science Space Exploration Astrobiology Environmental Science Physics Engineering
  1. To go to Mars, we really need to improve how we use fuel and build bigger rockets. Right now, our technology just isn’t strong enough.
  2. Living in space for a long time means we need larger spaceships with essential comforts like food and water. Making these spaceships in space instead of on Earth might be a smart solution.
  3. Radiation on Mars is a big health risk since it doesn't have a magnetic field like Earth. We need to find ways to protect astronauts from this danger while they explore.

Birds being other birds

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 20 May 24
🔬 Science Animal Behavior Ecology Ornithology Evolution
  1. Some birds, like the Stellers jay and raven, can imitate the sounds of other birds, which can be surprising and confusing. It's interesting to see how these smaller birds can mimic larger ones.
  2. Birds like mockingbirds and parrots are known for their ability to mimic various sounds, sometimes up to 200 different ones in their lifetime.
  3. Only a few species, including humans, parrots, and songbirds, can learn and repeat sounds they hear, which is quite rare in the animal kingdom. This ability is also linked to the capacity to dance to music!

Weekly Dose of Optimism #83

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 95 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🔬 Science Nuclear Energy Robotics Gene-editing
  1. The House approved a bipartisan bill to boost nuclear energy, aiming for efficient licensing and embracing advanced nuclear technologies.
  2. Figure, a robotics firm, secured a $675 million Series B, valued at $2.6 billion, and is collaborating with OpenAI to develop humanoid robots.
  3. Astro Mechanica introduced the world's first electric-adaptive jet engine, promising efficient operations for payloads, revolutionizing space transportation.

The Pareto frontier approach to science

Splitting Infinity • 59 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🔬 Science Research Exploration Innovation
  1. Creating new possibilities in science can be more valuable than just focusing on practical or purely exploratory research.
  2. The Pareto Frontier approach in science involves pushing frontiers by inventing solutions that lie at the cutting edge of various parameters.
  3. By extending the frontiers of knowledge in a field, we not only enable practical applications but also broaden the horizons of future innovators.

mathiness instills confidence

bad cattitude • 165 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🔬 Science Mathematics Psychology Cognitive Science Research Climate Science
  1. Mathiness can make people feel more confident, especially if they aren't familiar with math.
  2. Adding complex math or 'mathiness' to information can influence how people perceive its quality, especially if they lack knowledge in math and models.
  3. It's important to be cautious of trusting information just because it includes numbers or complex equations; don't assume accuracy or rigor without verifying.

Roles of Supervised Machine Learning in Science

Mindful Modeler • 179 implied HN points • 31 Jan 23
🔬 Science Machine Learning Research Tools Intervention
  1. Machine learning models play multiple roles in science: as study objects, scientific tools, and scientific models.
  2. Using machine learning models as study objects is common in science, focusing on predictive model performance comparisons.
  3. Machine learning models can be utilized as scientific tools and as scientific models, where they play a central role in understanding phenomena.

My Little Cockroach

Banana Peel Pirouette • 79 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
🔬 Science Biology Ecology Evolution Urbanization Animal Behavior
  1. Cockroaches have been around for millions of years and are found on every continent except Antarctica, adapted to urban environments due to global commerce.
  2. Humans have a unique disgust towards cockroaches, though other pests like mice and pigeons coexist with us and are even celebrated in popular culture.
  3. Our fear and loathing towards cockroaches stem from the way they challenge our perceptions of hygiene and control over the environment, showing how closely intertwined our lives are with these creatures.

How Robins Got Their Name

Bird History • 99 implied HN points • 06 Aug 23
🔬 Science Nature Biology History Culture Environment
  1. Robins named in England were given human names like Robert and Robin due to their familiarity and endearing qualities.
  2. American settlers in North America applied the name Robin to birds with orange breasts despite being different species from the English robin.
  3. The name Robin has been widely adopted by various birds across different continents, showcasing the historical influence of English colonization and erasure of indigenous knowledge.

Understanding Variation in PTEN

Holodoxa • 99 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🔬 Science Genetics Research Data Analysis Cancer
  1. Understanding genomic data variation and its effect is a significant challenge in genetic research.
  2. Deep Mutational Scanning (DMS) and Multiplex Assays of Variant Effects (MAVEs) are crucial methods to study how mutations impact protein function.
  3. MAVE data on PTEN has provided insights into its function, stability, and clinical implications, aiding in the understanding of PTEN variation.

Quantum Hardware Course!

Quantum Formalism • 99 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🔬 Science Quantum Computing Quantum Mechanics Physics Education
  1. Quantum Hardware Course offered by Zaiku Group covers various quantum hardware models like Quantum Optical Models, Ion Traps, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, and Superconductivity.
  2. Prerequisites for the course include knowledge of quantum mechanics and quantum optics concepts, with references to specific readings.
  3. Enrollment for live sessions and certification in the course require commitment and completion of the entire program by applicants.

[COPY] Science Goddess #1

SCIENCE GODDESS • 98 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🔬 Science Science Writing
  1. Science writing is about communication and requires both good transmitters and receivers.
  2. There is a significant gender gap in science readership, with women being underrepresented in science magazines.
  3. Physics is a project of quantification, aiming to assign numbers to physical aspects, leading to a richer understanding of our world.

Erika Update #1: Getting projects started is hard

Erika’s Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🔬 Science Research Biology Experiments Publishing Genetics
  1. Starting projects can be challenging, but perseverance and a supportive environment are key to making progress.
  2. Mistakes are common in research, but being able to identify and correct them is crucial for success.
  3. Regular updates and reflections on the progress of a project can provide valuable insights and contribute to overall success.

The Vector Zoo

Asimov Press • 96 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🔬 Science Diseases Genetics Vaccines
  1. The Vector Zoo showcases humanity's battle to eradicate zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, emphasizing the challenges faced in diseases like malaria due to shifting parasites and vectors.
  2. The Last Mile Labyrinth in the Vector Zoo symbolizes the choice between collaborative efforts towards disease eradication or reverting to isolated living, highlighting the complexities and costs involved in disease elimination.
  3. The Temple of Political Will in the Vector Zoo underscores the critical role of social and political commitment in disease eradication, demonstrating the impact of funding and investments in public health initiatives.

Driving fans

Only Wonder Knows • 98 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🔬 Science Physics Engineering Devices Specifications
  1. Understanding basic physics is crucial when dealing with fan systems.
  2. The relationship between air flow and air pressure in fan systems is not always linear.
  3. When selecting a fan for a system, consider factors like power consumption, flow specifications, and current consumption.

Time in a timeless universe (part 2)

Sam’s Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🔬 Science Physics Philosophy Quantum
  1. Newton introduced the concept of absolute time, separate from change that physical systems undergo.
  2. Absolute time is an ethereal concept outside our universes, while clock time is a more physical representation of time.
  3. Barbour proposed a theory of time where different 'times' are viewed as different 'worlds' coexisting in a timeless block.

LK-99 red flags and other miscellany

Dan Elton's Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🔬 Science Materials Replication Theory Prediction Markets
  1. Potential red flags in scientific research include institutional names, graph quality, and suspicious videos or websites.
  2. Impurities like copper sulfide and uneven copper doping can lead to erroneous results in material studies.
  3. The LK-99 incident highlighted the importance of skepticism, replication, and the limitations of prediction markets and theoretical studies.

Action Potentials for July

Neurobiology Notes • 98 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🔬 Science Neurobiology Cryonics Astronomy Anti-aging Psychiatry
  1. Analysis of the Drosophila connectome reveals insights about neurotransmitters and information flow in the fly brain.
  2. Cell type annotations in the Drosophila connectome highlight the complexity and comparisons with previous mapping efforts.
  3. Developing a computational model of the Drosophila connectome provides insights into neural activity dynamics and behavioral predictions.

JUICE: A Journey to the Icy Moons of Jupiter

Europe in Space • 98 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🔬 Science Space Exploration Astronomy Satellite Technology Planetary Science
  1. JUICE mission to study Jupiter's icy moons is a world-beater showing European excellence in space exploration.
  2. JUICE will be the first spacecraft to perform various feats, like a lunar-Earth gravity assist and orbiting moons of another planet.
  3. JUICE spacecraft has a titanic effort in its creation, involving multiple countries and costing around €1.6 billion.