The hottest Science Substack posts right now

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On medium-sized questions in neuroscience

NeuroLogos • 58 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🔬 Science Neuroscience
  1. Neuroscientists explore a wide variety of interesting questions about brains and behavior beyond just imitating human intelligence or achieving cognitive enhancement.
  2. There is value in focusing on medium-sized scientific questions that are scientifically well-posed, of general interest, and can lead to more specific experimental questions and philosophical speculations.
  3. Topics like sensory substitution, fading percepts, and hyperacuity offer concrete questions for researchers to investigate, such as understanding how signals in the brain enable new senses, how eye movements affect visual experience, and how human vision surpasses the limits of individual retinal cells.

Action Potentials for August

Neurobiology Notes • 58 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🔬 Science Neurobiology Psychiatry Biochemistry Genetics
  1. New microscopy method combines electron microscopy with fluorescence imaging for detailed mapping of cell types, proteins, and synaptic connections in neuroscience.
  2. Memory ensembles in the brain are formed by neurons with high excitability, helping link memories and facilitating memory recall.
  3. Memory engrams exist across multiple brain areas, and bioelectric fields may coordinate memory ensembles distributed in the brain.

Quantum thermodynamics

Sam’s Newsletter • 58 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🔬 Science Quantum Thermodynamics
  1. Quantum theory applies to both small and large systems, outperforming classical mechanics.
  2. The third law of thermodynamics, proposed by Nernst in 1906, states that entropy is zero at zero Kelvin.
  3. Einstein's quantum theory-based model of solids resolved conflicts with the third law, later refined by Debye to include lattice vibrations.
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Still No Lie Detector for Large Language Models

The End of Reckoning • 58 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
🔬 Science Artificial Intelligence Beliefs Machine Learning Prediction Decision Theory
  1. There is still no reliable way to detect lies in large language models.
  2. Probing the beliefs of language models is challenging due to limited behavioral evidence and an opaque internal structure.
  3. The debate on whether language models have beliefs is still ongoing, with contrasting views on the necessity of beliefs for these models.

On the limits of utility theory

Sam’s Newsletter • 58 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🔬 Science Theory Decision-making Artificial Intelligence Creativity Conflicts
  1. Utility theory is a powerful tool in academic fields like decision theory and economics, explaining human behavior based on preferences and optimization.
  2. Utility theory, while universal in application, has limitations when it comes to conflicting preferences that require creativity to resolve.
  3. Applying utility theory to scenarios like AGIs, which involve conflicting desires and behaviors, may result in unrealistic models and outcomes.

Salinons are the Shape of the Week

Pershmail • 58 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🔬 Science Geometry Shapes Proofs
  1. Salinons are a geometric shape with a unique construction involving four semicircles.
  2. Salinons have an interesting area formula that relates to a circle with the same area.
  3. You can replace the semicircles in a salinon with other shapes, like rectangles or triangles, and still maintain certain area relationships.

Making Sense of Consciousness Part 1: Perceptual Awareness

Rough Diamonds • 32 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🔬 Science Neuroscience Cognition Consciousness Perception Psychology
  1. Consciousness is all about personal experiences and awareness of self, and it's usually absent during deep sleep or anesthesia. Understanding how consciousness works doesn't require diving into complex philosophy.
  2. There are fascinating phenomena like blindsight, where people can respond to visual stimuli without consciously seeing them, showing that our brains can process information even when we're not aware of it.
  3. Similar to blindsight, there are cases of 'deaf hearing' and 'numb touch,' where individuals can react to sounds or sensations without consciously feeling them. This suggests that perception can happen on different levels, even with brain damage.

Geology Did That

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 119 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🔬 Science Geology Natural History Environmental Science
  1. Geology significantly shapes Seattle's landscape and environment, influencing everything from its hills to earthquake risks. People in Seattle often experience the effects of geology in their daily lives.
  2. The Seattle Fault Zone has raised old rocks to the surface, creating unique topographic features like hills and anomalies. These geological formations, such as Alki Point, showcase interesting sediment history.
  3. Seattle is home to several notable hills that have historical significance and provide great views. They are not only beautiful but also tell the story of the region's geological past.

Audit Or Insight? Know Your Interpretation Goal

Mindful Modeler • 139 implied HN points • 01 Nov 22
🔬 Science Machine Learning Correlation
  1. Interpretation can be true to the model or true to the data, depending on whether you want to audit the model or gain insights.
  2. For auditing a model, the interpretation needs to be true to the model, considering features' correlation.
  3. When focusing on gaining insights, the interpretation should be true to the data, using methods that avoid unrealistic interpretations of correlated features.

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

That MIT paper about AI accelerating materials science progress that everyone has been talking about is fake..

More is Different • 32 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
🔬 Science Research Integrity Peer Review
  1. A paper from MIT claimed AI helps scientists be more productive, but it turned out to be fake. The student behind it has been expelled and the paper withdrawn.
  2. Many respected people praised the fake paper, not realizing it was based on unreliable data. This shows how easily misinformation can spread in academic circles.
  3. The incident highlights the need for a culture where scientists can question research openly. Asking tough questions could help prevent fraud and ensure better scientific practices.

LNT is prudent.

Gordian Knot News • 205 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🔬 Science Radiation Regulation Risk Assessment Public Health Nuclear power
  1. Pursuing safety in a cost-effective way is crucial to prevent harm and save lives.
  2. The Linear No-Threshold (LNT) model, while used for regulatory purposes, can come with enormous costs to humanity due to its over-conservatism.
  3. Focusing solely on minimizing radiation exposure without considering other costs may lead to unnecessary harm and consequences, such as deadly evacuations and ruined lives.

Building the science factory with LLMs

The Counterfactual • 39 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🔬 Science Psychology Research Methods Cognitive Science Automation Peer Review
  1. Large Language Models (LLMs) could make scientific research faster and more efficient. They might help researchers come up with better hypotheses and analyze data more easily.
  2. Breaking down the research process into smaller parts might allow automation in areas like designing experiments and preparing stimuli. This could save time and improve the quality of research.
  3. While automating parts of scientific research can be helpful, it's important to ensure that human involvement remains, as fully automating the process could lead to lower-quality science.

Nonhuman Intelligence

Cremieux Recueil • 199 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🔬 Science Cognition Intelligence Comparative Analysis Machine Learning Psychometrics
  1. It's challenging to compare intelligence between humans and nonhuman species like apes due to the lack of suitable cognitive tests.
  2. Machine intelligence testing is complex, and comparing it to human intelligence is not straightforward.
  3. Comparing intelligence across different groups may be hindered by factors like age and methodological barriers.

Why We're Not Engineering Probiotics

Eat Shit and Prosper • 139 implied HN points • 31 Jan 23
🔬 Science Microbiology Neuroscience Probiotics Health Research
  1. Natural bacteria like _Bacteroides_ can do important tasks in our bodies better than engineered ones. They have evolved over millions of years and have a complex understanding of their role in our ecosystem.
  2. Engineering probiotics may seem like a safe option, but it often overlooks the richness of existing microbes that might serve our needs without modification.
  3. Working with natural bacteria could lead to breakthroughs in health similar to how domesticated animals have changed human life in the past; there's so much potential waiting to be explored.

Why the NT in SNT?

Gordian Knot News • 95 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🔬 Science Radiation Medicine Health Risk Assessment Nuclear policy
  1. The term 'No Threshold' in radiation discussions is important because it highlights that there is always some risk from radiation exposure, even at low levels. It's a reminder that we can't completely eliminate risk, just like every time we leave our homes.
  2. The current thinking on radiation risk, called Linear No Threshold (LNT), suggests that even small doses are harmful. However, real-life examples, like workers who handled radium, challenge this belief and show that low doses may not cause significant harm.
  3. Critics of LNT often focus on proving a specific threshold for safety, but this can weaken their argument. The idea that there’s a threshold is seen as a tactic that allows LNT to persist, even though it might not hold up against real evidence.

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.

AI Dropped the Mic at the Nobel Party

TheSequence • 105 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
🔬 Science AI Machine Learning Computer Science Chemistry
  1. AI scientists won two Nobel Prizes, one in physics and one in chemistry, marking a big moment for the field.
  2. Some scientists are upset about machine learning winning in physics, saying it's not really physics but computer science.
  3. Many see this as a sign of how science and tech are blending together, showing that knowledge connects different fields in exciting ways.

Biology is not Bigotry

Critical Mass • 77 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🔬 Science Biology Philosophy Gender Studies Human Rights Social justice
  1. Biological sex is generally defined by the type of reproductive cells, making it binary in nature. This means there are typically only two sexes: male and female.
  2. Self-identity does not change biological sex; feelings and gender roles are different from biological facts. Someone can express their gender in various ways, but that does not alter their biological sex.
  3. Discussions around sex and gender should not overshadow the primary mission of organizations focused on free thought and secularism. It's important to separate scientific understanding from ideology.

The Fukushima Workers, Part 2

Gordian Knot News • 95 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🔬 Science Radiation Nuclear Health Research Environmental
  1. The Fukushima workers faced very high radiation levels, especially near the damaged reactors, sometimes exceeding 100 mSv/h. Despite this, they showed remarkable bravery to manage the crisis.
  2. Research on the health of over 5,000 Fukushima workers found no significant health issues by the end of 2019. This suggests that the body's systems are good at repairing damage from radiation exposure.
  3. Distance from a radiation source is crucial for safety. Being more than 2 kilometers away from a nuclear release greatly reduces the risk of harm, similar to how staying a safe distance from fire keeps you safe.

Clean Tech Will Do Far More Than Stop Climate Change

Splitting Infinity • 39 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🔬 Science Renewable Energy Batteries
  1. Clean technologies like renewable energy can reshape industries by providing cheap and abundant energy sources.
  2. Batteries can help with renewable energy intermittency, reduce reliance on the grid, and have a positive impact on human health by enabling electrified transportation.
  3. Desalination technologies have the potential to provide significant amounts of fresh water, support ecosystems, and even create new lush environments with the help of cheap solar energy.

Talking with Tony Fauci

Science Forever • 79 implied HN points • 11 Dec 22
🔬 Science Policy Communication COVID Podcasts Public Service
  1. Tony Fauci sets himself apart by being forthcoming in his communication, unlike many government scientists who stick to crafted statements.
  2. Real-time communication from scientists like Fauci reflects the evolving nature of knowledge, even though it may lead to criticism from politicians.
  3. Fauci believes scientists have a duty to speak truthfully and openly, promoting transparency in government discussions and decision-making.

Unveiling the Mystery of Compressed Regions

Vesuvius Challenge • 20 implied HN points • 15 Aug 25
🔬 Science Research Technology Data Analysis Engineering Physics
  1. They are using very small scans to understand why some layers of ancient papyrus look blurry. This helps them figure out how to get clearer images.
  2. The blurriness in the scans seems to come from the structure of the papyrus fibers, which scatter the X-rays. Identifying this can help improve future scanning methods.
  3. The team is developing tools to manage and analyze the huge amounts of data from their scans. This makes it easier to work with and improves their chances of reading the ancient texts.

Immune engineering

The Century of Biology • 390 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🔬 Science Genetic Engineering Cancer Treatment Biotechnology
  1. The immune system is a major frontier for the future of biotechnology and medicine.
  2. Engineered T cells, like CAR-T therapy, show promise in treating diseases like cancer by programming immune cells.
  3. Immune engineering, especially in combination with the 4-S stack, holds great potential for designing new therapies and advancing genetic engineering technology.

Protein Sequencing Companies In Review

ASeq Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
🔬 Science Biotechnology Research Genetics Innovation Health
  1. Protein sequencing is harder than DNA sequencing because it involves single molecules and many different amino acids, making detection tricky.
  2. Despite the challenges, protein sequencing is often about counting the same sequences many times, which might ease some of the technical demands.
  3. With advancements like nanopore technology, the future of protein sequencing could become more practical and efficient for researchers.

The Breakthrough in Fusion We've All Been Waiting For

Gordian Knot News • 190 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🔬 Science Fusion Engineering Electricity
  1. 90 odd power plants in the country are n-U fusion reactors, creating electricity with an engineering gain of about 18.
  2. Operators of these fusion plants are advised to apply for a Section 30 license from the NRC quickly or contact their state regulatory agency if in an Agreement State.
  3. The breakthrough in fusion we've been waiting for involves the significant engineering gains of n-U fusion reactors, surpassing other fusion concepts in terms of proven efficiency.

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.