The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Science Topics

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.

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.
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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 Oceans 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.

(Temple Prokarya) 1. A brief manifesto: I think this is important

Microanimism • 19 implied HN points • 31 May 24
🔬 Science Microbiology Ethics Virology Epidemiology
  1. Pathogens like bacteria and viruses do not have a desire to make us sick, they simply exist and propagate efficiently.
  2. Exploring the morality of survival in the face of life-threatening diseases can lead to deeper philosophical discussions about microbial behavior.
  3. Human activities like deforestation and increased contact with wild animals are linked to the emergence of new infectious diseases, highlighting the impact of our actions on public health.

Inside Job: Secret Histories in the National Museum

Asimov Press • 186 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🔬 Science Biology History Research Environment Military
  1. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History holds millions of specimens, including a secret history of bioweapons experiments conducted by the U.S. military.
  2. Many animal specimens collected during military conflicts reveal connections between warfare and biological research programs, showing how these historical events influenced scientific endeavors.
  3. The presence of everyday specimens in the museum, like insects and rodents, can unveil hidden stories about government actions and ecological research, suggesting that even small details can have significant implications.

Links for 2023-02-15

Axis of Ordinary • 117 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🔬 Science AI Psychology Research
  1. Google released MetNet-2, a deep learning model that predicts rain better than current weather models.
  2. There is a need for drugs that strengthen identity rather than dissolve it like psychedelics.
  3. Automatic differentiation in MIT's ADEV brings AI benefits to a broader class of problems.

Scientific Honesty

The Heart Attack Diet • 79 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🔬 Science Research Integrity Replication Crisis Honesty
  1. Scientific honesty requires complete transparency and openness in reporting findings, including potential flaws and conflicting data.
  2. Soft sciences are facing a replication crisis, prompting a reevaluation of their methods and credibility.
  3. Striving for scientific integrity involves challenging one's own beliefs and being open to critique and correction.

Overcoming Population Arguments to Living Longer

Extropic Thoughts • 117 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🔬 Science Population Growth Life Extension Fertility Global trends Economic Impact
  1. Having more people is not inherently bad; each new person brings potential for creativity and productivity.
  2. Limiting lifespan extension to control population growth is ethically irresponsible and ineffective; focusing on reducing birth rates is a better approach.
  3. Global population growth is projected to slow and eventually decline due to various factors, including declining fertility rates and aging populations.

So long Aeolus, and thanks for all the wind data

Europe in Space • 117 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🔬 Science Space Technology Data Environment Satellites
  1. Aeolus satellite mission ended and made significant contributions to improving weather forecasting with its pioneering technology
  2. Aeolus had a unique instrument to collect global wind data and its impact goes beyond just weather forecasts
  3. The mission had a lasting impact and economic benefits, leading to approval for a second Aeolus mission

Action Potentials for June

Neurobiology Notes • 117 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🔬 Science Neurobiology Psychology AI
  1. A new strategy using SUM-PAINT for protein labeling shows promise in profiling multiple proteins at high resolution.
  2. Microscopy images alone can predict neural responses to visual stimuli in Drosophila optic pathways.
  3. Combining EM and fluorescence microscopy allows for cost-effective connectomics studies in the mouse cerebellum.

Possible states the earth can evolve to

Climate Water Project • 117 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
🔬 Science Climate Ecosystems Physics
  1. There are different stable states that the ecosystem+hydrological system can evolve to, given large enough perturbations.
  2. Vegetation affects the climate and vice versa, leading to different stable states like forests or grasslands.
  3. The earth can have metastable states with ice or more vegetation, flipping between them due to factors like sunlight and noise in the climate system.

WELCOME!

Silicon Reckoner • 117 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🔬 Science Mathematics AI Technology Research Ideology
  1. There has been a surge in newsletter subscriptions after being mentioned in a New York Times article.
  2. There are concerns about the relationship between AI, mathematics, and industries like tech and defense.
  3. Articles in the newsletter cover topics such as the conflict between mathematics and computing, the goals of mathematics, and AI's impact on mathematical reasoning.

Is Network Reliability a Public Good?

Knowledge Problem • 117 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🔬 Science Public Goods Networks Economics Policy Reliability
  1. Club goods are goods that can be consumed non-rivalrously but can exclude non-payers.
  2. Network reliability is not necessarily a public good; not everything valuable to the public is a public good.
  3. Investments in reliability may benefit others but can still be individually worthwhile, leading to efficient outcomes without the need for heavy central coordination.

Women in Space: #EmbraceEquity

Space Ambition • 219 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🔬 Science Space Women Technology Education STEM
  1. Women make up only about 20-22% of the space industry workforce, and only 12% of all astronauts have been women. We need to work together to change this.
  2. Successful women in space and tech inspire others to join the field. Recognizing their achievements can encourage girls to explore careers in these areas.
  3. Organizations are helping to support women in space careers, showing that having more diverse voices leads to better innovation and exploration in the industry.

An Enigmatic Beast

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 219 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🔬 Science Biology Ecology Conservation Etymology Evolution
  1. Mountain goats have an interesting history of naming, starting from their scientific name, Oreamnos americanus, which links them to mountains and lambs.
  2. Despite extensive research, scientists still struggle to figure out mountain goats' closest relatives, making them a bit of a mystery in the animal kingdom.
  3. There's a growing recognition of the value of traditional ecological knowledge, especially from Indigenous peoples, which can greatly enhance our understanding of animals like mountain goats.

Novaxia vs Bigpharmia

Logging the World • 199 implied HN points • 04 Nov 22
🔬 Science Health Graphs Vaccines Modeling Data Analysis
  1. Understand the impact of vaccines on disease spread: Novaxia and Bigpharmia are examples of two scenarios showing how vaccines can affect the spread of a disease differently.
  2. Graphs help visualize data trends: Using different types of graphs can show how disease spread changes over time and the effectiveness of interventions like vaccines.
  3. Consider the importance of logarithmic scales: Logarithmic scales can provide a different perspective on data trends, allowing for better understanding of the impact of interventions like vaccines.

Tuesday Links

Niko McCarty • 19 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🔬 Science Biology Medicine Technology Chemistry Research
  1. New AI models are being developed to design DNA sequences and create new antibodies. These advancements could help in understanding genetic activities better.
  2. Researchers have found a clever way to help microbes absorb molecules that usually cannot enter cells by attaching them to compounds that can. This could lead to new methods in biotechnology.
  3. Joining cancer trials might not help patients live longer, according to a study. It's important for patients to consider this when thinking about trial participation.

Measuring Drug Target Success

Rough Diamonds • 9 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🔬 Science Drug Discovery Clinical Trials Genetics Pharmacology Data Analysis Biotechnology
  1. Most modern drugs are built around a specific molecular target, and researchers pick targets using genetic, animal, or in‑vitro evidence that suggests the target is causally involved in disease.
  2. Targets backed by human genetic evidence more than double a drug's chance of clinical success, while pursuing mechanisms similar to past failures increases the odds of failing.
  3. Preclinical signals can improve early selection but don't replace human trials, so improving the ROI of drug development means making trials cheaper and/or picking better candidates early, rather than relying only on rational design.

A flicker in the dark

Cosmographia • 139 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🔬 Science History Astronomy Cosmology
  1. Time may seem vast when looking back, but in the grand scheme of things, it's just a fleeting moment.
  2. The universe started 13.8 billion years ago as a condensed point of infinite density.
  3. The post is only available for paid subscribers, offering exclusive content.

Disruptive science has declined (might have bigger implications for social sciences)

An Africanist Perspective • 138 implied HN points • 11 Jan 23
🔬 Science Research Papers Social Sciences
  1. Science is publishing more, but the disruptive nature of research papers has decreased, focusing more on incremental progress.
  2. The decline in disruptive science may have significant implications for social sciences, affecting the breadth and depth of new discoveries.
  3. To optimize 'real' discoveries in Africanist social sciences, researchers should embrace diverse research approaches, read and cite more African-based research, write more comprehensive books, and maintain long-term study in specific regions.

Some results on income distributions and total utility

Splitting Infinity • 59 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🔬 Science Mathematics Statistics Economics
  1. The type of income distribution models used like Pareto or lognormal can impact total utility calculations in economics
  2. There is an interesting relationship observed where the degree of inequality doesn't directly correlate with total utility in certain scenarios
  3. Introducing more risk-averse utility functions can bring the focus back on the importance of inequality in calculations

Mental health in space: don’t get too crazy about space

Space Ambition • 299 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
🔬 Science Space Psychology Medicine Technology Health
  1. Space travel is really tough on astronauts' mental health. They deal with social and sensory deprivation, plus the stress of strict schedules and technical tasks, which can lead to serious issues if not managed well.
  2. Preventing mental health problems in space is key. Space agencies carefully select astronauts based on their personalities and provide support like remote check-ins and family care packages to keep morale high.
  3. As space missions get longer and more complex, the need for dedicated mental health support will grow. Future solutions might include AI tools and better station designs to help astronauts cope with mental challenges during missions.