The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Commentator

Castalia • 99 implied HN points • 08 Aug 22
🔬 Science Research Ethics Mental health Climate Policy Artificial Intelligence Healthcare
  1. Recent revelations have shown that some Alzheimer's studies used falsified data, calling into question the direction of research and funding in this area.
  2. A new study suggests there is no link between serotonin levels and depression, challenging long-held beliefs about mental health and undermining the pharmaceutical industry's influence.
  3. There's a lack of balanced discussion on climate change, with many voices pushing for extreme positions instead of seeking a middle ground that acknowledges the reality of the problem without inducing panic.

Fight the Anti-Narrative with Pro-Science

A Biologist's Guide to Life • 42 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🔬 Science Biology Vaccines Public Health Research Methods Technology
  1. Using 'anti' labels in discussions can over-simplify and misrepresent people's true beliefs. It makes conversations harder and ignores important details.
  2. Questioning vaccines or other technologies doesn't mean being against them; it can be a way to improve them. Critics should be heard instead of labeled negatively.
  3. Curiosity and open-mindedness in science can lead to better understanding and advancements. Engaging with skepticism might help scientists and the public work together more effectively.

Boomerang tilings

Infinitely More • 15 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🔬 Science Mathematics Geometry Puzzles Problem Solving Theoretical
  1. Boomerangs are special shapes called nonconvex quadrilaterals. They can be used to explore interesting questions about tiling.
  2. The main question is whether a convex polygon can be tiled completely using just a few boomerangs. This is a challenging mathematical problem.
  3. Finding a solution to this problem requires careful thought and may not be easy. Just because one attempt fails, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be done at all.

Chopper amplifiers: history and present

Only Wonder Knows • 19 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
🔬 Science Electronics Engineering Physics Circuits Amplifiers
  1. Chopper amplifiers are a technique to reduce DC offset and low frequency noise in amplifiers.
  2. Historically, chopper amplifiers have been implemented using innovative methods like optical chopping with cadmium sulfide light-dependent resistors.
  3. Contemporary engineers can refer to Jim Williams' design for an ultrahigh performance instrumentation amplifier that resembles the old chopper amplifier concept.
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October 2023 Updates

New Things Under the Sun • 128 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🔬 Science Innovation
  1. Budget constraints in research funding can lead to bias towards conservatism in science.
  2. Knowledge spillovers occur frequently in biomedicine, impacting research categories.
  3. Citations received by economists decline substantially as they age.

Right Telescope, Wrong Name

Science Forever • 39 implied HN points • 15 Dec 22
🔬 Science Astronomy Inspiration NASA LGBTQ+
  1. The James Webb Space Telescope is a significant achievement recognized as Science's Breakthrough of the Year.
  2. The naming of the telescope after Jim Webb has sparked controversy due to his association with homophobia in the exclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals from NASA.
  3. The decision to keep the telescope's name despite its negative connotations has stirred criticism and disappointment.

The Vector Zoo

Asimov Press • 96 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🔬 Science Diseases Genetics Vaccines Pathogens
  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.

SNT versus LNT at Fukushima

Gordian Knot News • 124 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🔬 Science Nuclear power
  1. There's a significant difference in harm estimation between SNT and LNT models at Fukushima.
  2. The ability to repair radiation damage affects radiation risk insurability.
  3. Accurate radiation harm models and fixed compensation schemes are crucial for nuclear power safety.

How your computer differentiates between positive and negative numbers [Math Mondays]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 06 Sep 22
🔬 Science Math Computer Science Quantum Computing
  1. Understanding how computers differentiate between positive and negative numbers is crucial in programming.
  2. Computers use memory bits to store the sign of numbers and their values, applying similar techniques for storing decimals.
  3. Breaking down complex problems into simpler, solved parts is a common approach in problem solving across software engineering and mathematics.

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 Devil and the Cerulean Sweater

Maximum Effort, Minimum Reward • 127 implied HN points • 21 Oct 23
🔬 Science Physics Color Theory Atmospheric science Optics
  1. The color cerulean comes from the Latin word for sky and should represent the color of the sky.
  2. Rayleigh scattering explains why the sky appears blue - shorter wavelengths scatter more.
  3. Calculating the color of Anne Hathaway's cerulean sweater using physics resulted in a color close to the original, proving Meryl Streep's character in 'The Devil Wears Prada' was correct.

The Pathogenic Academic Lobby

A Biologist's Guide to Life • 99 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🔬 Science Academic Research Virology Ethics Pandemic Preparedness
  1. The history of the COVID-19 pandemic traces back to controversial research on potentially pandemic pathogens conducted by influential scientists before the pandemic began.
  2. A group called Scientists For Science, formed by key researchers, lobbied for the continuation of risky research on enhancing potentially pandemic pathogens, prioritizing academic pursuits and funding over clear benefits or safety precautions.
  3. The public may not be aware of the ongoing conflicts of interest, power struggles, and lobbying efforts within the scientific community regarding high-risk research, highlighting the need for transparency, accountability, and ethical guidelines in handling dangerous pathogens.

New ways to make scientific advancements?

Digital in bio • 19 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
🔬 Science Research Innovation Open Science Interdisciplinary
  1. Technological progress is advancing at an unprecedented rate, driven by diverse sources like companies and academia.
  2. Institutions like Bell Labs in the past and present-day industrial R&D labs showcase the benefits of structured, well-funded research initiatives.
  3. Non-profit organizations focusing on open science are emerging as crucial players in the scientific community, promoting collaboration, transparency, and interdisciplinary advancement.

America's Two-Front War on Science

Critical Mass • 10 implied HN points • 17 Aug 25
🔬 Science Research Education Innovation Integrity Scholarship
  1. There are two big problems affecting science in the U.S. One comes from inside universities, where some groups are interfering with research and free speech.
  2. The other problem is a direct attack from the current government on science and research systems, which could harm the integrity of higher education.
  3. Both these issues are serious, and we need to fix them to protect the quality and reliability of scientific knowledge in America.

The Fall and Rise of Science Writing

Asimov Press • 180 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🔬 Science Writing Journalism AI News Biology
  1. Science journalism is shifting towards automation using AI, but there is a potential for a renaissance in science writing led by scientists and physicians.
  2. Current news articles often follow a templated structure rooted in historical newspaper layout practices from the past.
  3. The future of impactful science writing lies in personal experiences and unique perspectives, which AI cannot replicate.

The attention span myth

UX Psychology • 119 implied HN points • 20 Oct 21
🔬 Science Psychology Attention
  1. The myth about the average human attention span being 8 seconds (less than a goldfish) is false. Attention span is task-dependent, influenced by various factors like task demands, motivation, and arousal level.
  2. Motivated reasoning and social validation play a role in the prevalence of attention span myths. People are inclined to believe information that aligns with their existing beliefs.
  3. The snackable content trend, driven by the attention span myth, emphasizes short, easy-to-consume content over quality. Understanding user needs and providing quality experiences are crucial for engaging audiences.

Glimmers Now the Afterglow

Orbis Tertius • 115 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🔬 Science Thermodynamics Climate change Entropy Philanthropy Existential risks
  1. Entropy is a measure of energy spreading out, not disorder as commonly thought.
  2. Negentropy describes useful energy that becomes dispersed and useless, and its decrease is important for interesting phenomena.
  3. Climate change should be approached as a thermodynamic reckoning, balancing the negentropy from the sun to create a sustainable society.

Radiation Spikes at Chernobyl: A Mystery Few Seem Interested in Solving

Zero Day • 140 HN points • 08 Aug 23
🔬 Science Radiation Data Manipulation Investigation Forensic Analysis
  1. Radiation sensors at Chernobyl spiked after the Russian invasion, leading to suspicions of data manipulation.
  2. Patterns in the data from sensors indicated possible data manipulation rather than actual radiation spikes.
  3. The disappearance of the server and hard drives from the Ecocenter raised questions about who may have tampered with the sensor data.

Abrus Bio, Inc.

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🔬 Science Biotechnology Genetics Research Innovation Patents
  1. Abrus Bio is working on technology involving DNA sequencing for analysis. This means they are using DNA to read information, similar to what other companies are doing.
  2. There is a discussion happening in an online community about Abrus Bio, showing that there is interest and curiosity in their work.
  3. The author is researching patents related to Abrus Bio to understand more about their technology and innovations. This shows the importance of looking into legal documents to learn about new developments.

Tsunami invariant

Model Thinking • 39 implied HN points • 18 Dec 22
🔬 Science Research Economics Immigration Policy Analysis
  1. This post explores how factors like remittances, capital stocks, and immigrant effects on productivity impact the population trajectory under open borders.
  2. The analysis shows that the case for open borders remains robust even with substantial negative impacts on productivity, suggesting significant population growth under various scenarios.
  3. Limitations of the model include the lack of consideration for certain effects on total factor productivity in origin countries and the absence of estimates on global welfare and utility changes due to migration.

The Funniest Gene Name in History

Eat Shit and Prosper • 79 implied HN points • 08 Nov 22
🔬 Science Biology Genetics Evolution Research
  1. Gene names can be funny, like fucose mutarotase, which has an amusing history behind it. Naming genes can be tricky, so in 2020, standards were set to avoid confusion from auto-formatting in software like Excel.
  2. Scientists found that the fucose mutarotase gene affects behavior in mice. Knockout mice without this gene behaved like males, showing how genes can influence sexual behavior.
  3. The research suggests hormones during fetal development, specifically estradiol, play a key role in shaping behavior. This highlights the complex relationship between genetics, hormones, and behavior.

Repunits and prime numbers

A Piece of the Pi: mathematics explained • 42 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🔬 Science Mathematics Number Theory
  1. Repunits are numbers made only of the digit 1 and can appear in different bases. For example, the number 31 can be written as 111 in base 5 and base 2.
  2. Mersenne primes are special numbers of the form 2^p - 1 that can be prime, where p is also a prime. However, it's rare for these to actually be prime numbers.
  3. One interesting link is between Mersenne primes and perfect numbers, which are those that equal the sum of their divisors. Each Mersenne prime corresponds to a perfect number, like how 31 corresponds to the perfect number 496.

What's in a Name? [Tuesday News & Reviews]

Brain Blast • 3 HN points • 18 Jun 24
🔬 Science Neuroscience Mental health
  1. Elephants have been found to have 'names' for each other, implying a form of abstract representation and potentially more complex communication abilities than previously thought.
  2. A new potential PTSD treatment involves affect labeling where patients associate emotions with images, engaging brain circuits related to emotion regulation and inhibition.
  3. Engaging in affect labeling can help activate neural circuits that protect from extreme emotional responses and offer control over reactions to emotions, supporting mental health treatment efforts.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #79

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 94 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🔬 Science Nuclear Decarbonization Neuralink Drug Development Artificial Intelligence
  1. Biden administration to offer a $1.5 billion loan to restart a Michigan nuclear power plant, signaling support for the nuclear industry.
  2. Nat Bullard's Decarbonization presentation highlights climate change challenges, renewable energy growth, and investment opportunities in clean tech.
  3. Elon Musk's Neuralink achieves a milestone by implanting a brain interface, potentially advancing cognitive abilities and treating neurological disorders.

Alternatives to Zookeeping

De Novo • 121 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🔬 Science Biology Biomedical Proteins Antibodies Research
  1. Synthetic biology can provide alternatives to traditional antibodies in biomedical research to improve progress and reproducibility.
  2. Current production and use of antibodies have intrinsic and extrinsic challenges, such as compatibility issues, cost, and reproducibility concerns.
  3. Moving towards new antibody technologies, like recombinant antibodies and phage display, could lead to better solutions in biomedical research, though adoption may require top-down support from funding agencies.

Bamboo & Fungi in the Digital Age

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🔬 Science Technology Environment Biology Materials Sustainability
  1. Bamboo, fungi, DNA, and organic molecules may play a vital role in our survival and growth in the digital age by being integrated into digital technologies.
  2. Using natural materials like bamboo and mycelium in digital technologies can lead to decreased reliance on rare earth materials and reduced environmental impact.
  3. The future of digital technologies may involve embedding information in molecules, utilizing the efficiency of nature, and integrating organic materials for innovative advancements.

General Theory of Neural Networks

Rob Leclerc • 2 HN points • 10 Jul 24
🔬 Science Neural Networks
  1. Universal Activation Networks (UANs) span various systems from gene regulatory networks to artificial neural networks, emphasizing evolvability and generative open-endedness.
  2. Identifying a network's critical topology is crucial as it dictates function, not implementation details, leading to efficient and adaptable systems.
  3. Extreme pruning of networks reveals necessary and sufficient circuit topology, enhancing performance by reducing noise and increasing efficiency.

Birds of a Feather

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 119 implied HN points • 10 Mar 22
🔬 Science Biology Ecology Ornithology Behavior Conservation
  1. Pelicans have a unique way of flying together in groups, almost like a dance. They often switch from flying to floating and follow each other's movements.
  2. At Point Lobos, you can see pelicans landing on trees and diving for food. Their diving technique is impressive and shows how skilled they are at catching fish.
  3. The behavior of pelicans can also attract other birds that try to steal their food. It's interesting to see how pelicans react when other birds try to take their meals.

The Path of Heterodoxy

A Biologist's Guide to Life • 87 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🔬 Science Research Academia Pandemic Immunity
  1. Being unconventional in the academic world can lead to resistance and pushback from those in power, but staying true to your discoveries and principles is important.
  2. Challenging orthodox beliefs and standing by your heterodox views may result in alienation and hostility, but it can also lead to personal growth and self-discovery.
  3. Navigating the path of heterodoxy requires courage, resilience, and a willingness to face criticism and rejection, but in the end, it can lead to finding a community of like-minded individuals and true allies.

Can taste beat peer review?

New Things Under the Sun • 160 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
🔬 Science Research Peer Review Decision-making Innovation
  1. Scientific peer review has its strengths, but it also has shortcomings like high costs and potential biases.
  2. Empowering individuals to make decisions on resource allocation can sometimes outperform peer review, especially for supporting less conventional or risky research projects.
  3. Studies show that editors can play a significant role in selecting high-impact or novel research papers, showcasing the importance of individual decision-makers in scientific publishing.

Links #5

Splitting Infinity • 19 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
🔬 Science Technology Climate Biology Physics Health
  1. Developing countries like Nigeria and Rwanda are adopting advanced technologies like cryptocurrency and drone networks, showcasing potential for growth.
  2. Innovative solutions like pneumatic canopies for climate control are being considered for equatorial megacities facing heatwaves due to climate change.
  3. Advancements in technology such as gondola systems for cities and improved desalination methods show promise for future urban development and sustainability.