The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Science Topics

Structure Therapeutics in the spotlight

Boutique Biotech • 19 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
🔬 Science Pharmaceuticals Biotech
  1. Structure Therapeutics' GPCR showed significant weight reduction in overweight patients with their oral GLP-1 receptor agonist GSBR-1290.
  2. The once-a-day pill resulted in 4.8kg weight loss, approximately 5.4% at the highest dose after 28 days.
  3. The data from Structure Therapeutics' Phase 1b study is compared with other oral medications for obesity in the same field.

Virulence Management

Splitting Infinity • 19 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🔬 Science Evolution Immunity Pathogens Infections
  1. Evolution plays a crucial role in the development of pathogens where they adapt quickly to evade the immune system.
  2. The level of virulence of a pathogen depends on a tradeoff between its ability to spread and the health of the host.
  3. Virulence management is an approach that aims to make pathogens evolve into less harmful strains through changing the evolutionary context in which they exist.

Debunking Dunning-Kruger

The Grey Matter • 19 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🔬 Science Psychology Research Data Analysis Simulation
  1. The Dunning-Kruger effect is likely a statistical artifact, not a genuine psychological phenomenon
  2. The popular interpretation of the Dunning-Kruger effect as 'the dumbest people think they're the smartest' is a distortion
  3. Replication of the Dunning-Kruger effect through simulation suggests it may not be a real psychological finding

Mars Day: Activism for Outer Space

Activist Futurism • 19 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
🔬 Science Space Exploration Activism Human Rights
  1. The colonization of Mars and the Moon in our lifetime is becoming more of a reality, raising questions about what kind of societies will be formed on these celestial bodies.
  2. Activists are essential to addressing the moral and political challenges of building multi-planet civilizations and ensuring human rights are protected in outer space.
  3. To prevent negative aspects of Earth's political culture from expanding into space, activists are working towards updating the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 to guarantee freedom and human rights in all space colonies.
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Ultima Genomics...$80 Genome...$0 Genome...

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🔬 Science Genetics Biotechnology Medicine Research Technology
  1. Ultima Genomics has improved its sequencer, allowing more output per run and lowering costs significantly. This means sequencing the genome will cost around $80 now.
  2. The new technology uses larger features which help boost throughput without needing complex techniques. This makes the process simpler and more efficient.
  3. While these changes are great for users, their long-term impact on the company’s survival is uncertain. It’s important that they remain financially viable to continue providing these benefits.

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.

Codon: Notes on Progress #2

Asimov Press • 135 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
🔬 Science Genetic Engineering Biology Climate change Health Impact Microbiome
  1. A newsletter provides curated insights on scientific progress in biology and future technologies.
  2. Recent advancements include nano-scale probes for space exploration, gene-editing for heart protection, and new gene therapy trials.
  3. Challenges in genetics, predictions of protein levels from DNA sequences, and advancements in microbiome research showcase ongoing developments in the field.

Through the Eyes of Specialists

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 15 Sep 22
🔬 Science Ecology Geology Botany Natural History
  1. Getting out in nature with specialists allows for a deeper understanding of ecosystems. Their knowledge helps reveal the small but important changes in the environment that we might not otherwise notice.
  2. Stocking fish in high lakes is a rewarding and careful process. It's fulfilling to see fish thrive in their new homes, especially when they bring joy to future anglers.
  3. Geology is complex, and even simple rocks can hide fascinating histories. Experts can help us understand the geological stories behind the landscapes we see.

MOLECL / DNAQuraCy

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🔬 Science Biotechnology Genetics Research Health Innovation
  1. MoleCl was originally introduced as DNAQuraCy, focusing on using solid-state nanopore technology.
  2. This technology is meant to improve sample quality control before sequencing, which is not possible with current methods like fluorescence-based analyzers.
  3. Its goal is to provide better analysis of DNA fragments and detect any contaminants in the sample.

Pop Neuroscience Needs to Evolve

Holodoxa • 59 implied HN points • 30 Jul 22
🔬 Science Neuroscience Evolution Critique
  1. Popular science writing, especially in neuroscience, can often oversimplify complex topics and lack rigor.
  2. Authors in the neuroscience field should strive for depth, nuance, and humility to better educate the intellectually curious public.
  3. Readers should seek out works that offer a sustained and balanced exploration of topics like human brain evolution.

Unringing Asilomar's False Alarm Bell

Viruses Must Die • 8 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
🔬 Science Research Biotechnology Health Policy Ethics
  1. Paul Berg expressed strong opposition to strict government regulations on recombinant DNA research. He believed such laws could harm important scientific progress.
  2. He felt that the fears surrounding recombinant DNA were overstated and more harmful than the risks of the research itself. He argued that the real danger lies in too much government control over science.
  3. Berg warned that excessive bureaucracy could drive scientists to conduct their work in other countries. He stressed the need for a supportive environment for scientific exploration and innovation.

A New Armonica Patent

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🔬 Science Biology Physics Technology Chemistry Engineering
  1. A new patent for the Armonica indicates a shift from using tortuous nanopores. This may lead to new ways of detecting DNA or other biopolymers.
  2. The earlier version used a complicated meandering structure to slow down the passage of DNA, which helped with detection.
  3. The latest approach seems to be different, suggesting potential improvements in the technology.

Can the UK broaden its horizons in research?

Science Forever • 19 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🔬 Science Research Collaboration Funding Policy International
  1. Brexit tensions have caused a loss of funding for UK collaborations with European researchers, affecting scientific innovation. The UK needs to navigate complex agreements to regain those collaborations.
  2. The UK's aspiration to be a 'science superpower' is challenged without strong collaborations with Horizon Europe. Rebuilding partnerships may take years and is contingent on trade deals and agreements with the EU.
  3. Isolated science is less effective than shared science. The UK risks missing out on vital collaborations and scientific progress if it can't participate in international research partnerships.

Lessons from a failed experiment

Sunday Letters • 19 implied HN points • 20 Aug 23
🔬 Science Research Innovation Theory Experimentation Education
  1. People often trust the old experts too much, which can block new ideas. It's important to stay open to new possibilities, even if they seem strange.
  2. In science, we tend to only celebrate successful discoveries, while failed experiments often get ignored. Both successes and failures are essential for learning.
  3. Being open minded and willing to be wrong is key to making groundbreaking discoveries. Sometimes, you have to fail many times before you find something that works.

Atoms for Copper

Material World • 120 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🔬 Science Mining Metals Innovation Nuclear Environmental Impact
  1. Copper is a vital metal in our daily lives, but it is becoming harder to obtain in high quantities due to diminishing natural resources.
  2. In the past, there were radical ideas, like using nuclear weapons for mining copper, but technological advancements in mining techniques eventually proved more effective.
  3. Innovation in mining methods has been a gradual process, leading to better extraction of metals like copper, making them more accessible and affordable over time.

Thinking through Linear With Threshold

Gordian Knot News • 65 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🔬 Science Radiation Models Repair
  1. Linear No Threshold (LNT) is criticized for over-predicting harm in low dose rate situations like nuclear power plant releases.
  2. Linear With Threshold (LWT) models have variations where the threshold is on dose or dose rate.
  3. LWT models, although an improvement, still have flaws in considering the repair period after radiation exposure.

A Cellular Symphony: The Song of the Cell Reviewed

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 16 Dec 22
🔬 Science Biology History Medicine Genetics Education
  1. Cells are the basic unit of life, each acting as a decoding machine for genes and building block of organisms.
  2. Cell biology is a vast field encompassing genetics, molecular biology, and more, and studying cells is crucial for understanding life and disease.
  3. In his latest book, Siddhartha Mukherjee explores the history and importance of cellular biology, emphasizing that cells are the elementary particles of organisms.

How going to Green Energy Can Lead to a More Prosperous America

America in Crisis • 19 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🔬 Science Climate Energy Economy Policy Innovation
  1. Addressing climate change with green energy can actually boost economic growth by creating new industries and enlarging the leading sector.
  2. Optimal economic culture, sound policy, and unmet demand are essential for strong economic growth.
  3. Implementing a carbon tax can help shift to green energy and create new leading industries, benefiting the economy in the long run.

Math, Where are the static types?

Ron Friedhaber • 3 HN points • 26 May 24
🔬 Science Math Optimization Python
  1. Math notation focuses on simplification, not optimization, unlike in computer programming where efficiency is crucial.
  2. In math, statements are mostly immutable and remain so until proven true, contrasting with programs that are mutable to accommodate bugs and user requests.
  3. Python initially succeeded with dynamic typing for prototyping but has gradually shifted towards typed Python, reflecting a broader trend in the language's evolution.

p < 0.05 considered harmful

Simplicity is SOTA • 122 HN points • 10 Apr 23
🔬 Science Experimentation Statistical Analysis Decision-making Tech industry
  1. The standard use of p < 0.05 as a threshold in experiment analysis may not be as useful as commonly believed.
  2. The choice of p < 0.05 as a significance level in experiments is a default that was set nearly a century ago.
  3. In the tech industry, where the goal is to find real product improvements, the risk of false negatives should also be carefully considered, not just false positives.

DARPA Neurotechnology: The Deep Dive

Asimov Press • 122 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🔬 Science Neurotechnology Research
  1. DARPA has initiated over 40 neurotechnology programs in the last 24 years, showing a significant focus in this field.
  2. Neurotechnologies funded by DARPA have led to advancements like memory prostheses, speech decoders, and robotic prosthetic arms with sensory feedback.
  3. Studying DARPA's history and outcomes in neurotechnology can provide insights for funding high-risk technologies, mapping the human brain, and preparing for artificial general intelligence.

105 trillion digits of pi

A Piece of the Pi: mathematics explained • 60 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🔬 Science Mathematics Algorithms
  1. The number pi has now been calculated to 105 trillion decimal places using the Chudnovsky algorithm over 75 days.
  2. Ramanujan's formula for pi has been expanded and improved upon over the years, with the Chudnovsky brothers developing a formula that computes pi to 13 decimal places.
  3. Bellard's formula and the BBP formula provide ways to compute specific digits of pi without having to calculate all earlier digits, making validations faster and more efficient.

1517 Does Astronomy & Astrophysics: The Physics of Supernovas

1517 Fund • 121 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🔬 Science Astronomy Astrophysics Physics Technology Energy
  1. Supernovas are powerful explosions from single stars that can outshine entire galaxies, impacting human understanding and progress.
  2. Advancements in astronomy and technology, like robotic telescopes and big data analysis, are revolutionizing our exploration of the universe.
  3. Nature's energy events, like neutron star mergers creating elements, are incredibly powerful and creative, shaping our world and existence.

A Desert Plant Condo

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 99 implied HN points • 02 Dec 21
🔬 Science Botany Ecology Naturalism Environmental Science Adaptation
  1. Desert trumpets are unique plants that grow tall and have a bulbous shape, which helps them support themselves in the dry desert climate. They start growing just after spring rains, making them easy to spot.
  2. The inflated stems of desert trumpets store carbon dioxide, allowing the plant to continue photosynthesis even when it's dry, which helps reduce water loss. This unique adaptation is important for survival in harsh conditions.
  3. Wasps often use the stems of desert trumpets to build nests. However, some wasps can parasitize each other, creating a complex food chain right inside the plant's stems.

A Little More Roche Information...

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🔬 Science Biotechnology Genomics Research Innovation Health
  1. Roche is developing a new nanopore sequencer, which is creating some buzz in the scientific community. People are eager to hear more about its features and capabilities.
  2. Alex Dickinson shared his thoughts on Roche's new sequencer after a private briefing. His insights mostly echoed what is already known but added some new expectations for the upcoming announcement.
  3. A few individuals, including the author, have decided to skip NDA previews, allowing them to speculate freely about the product. This has led to informal discussions and excitement about what might be revealed soon.

Something Up At Oxford Nanopore?

ASeq Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology Research Innovation Investments Corporate News
  1. There are rumors that Clive Brown might have left Oxford Nanopore, but it's not confirmed. It's important to check and verify such news before spreading it.
  2. Investment opportunities for Oxford Nanopore were discussed earlier, suggesting potential growth for the company. Keeping an eye on funding can indicate how the company might progress.
  3. The information shared is meant for paid subscribers, highlighting the value of the insights provided. Paid content often offers deeper analysis and exclusive news.

Nuclear Meltdown

Polymathic Being • 66 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🔬 Science Nuclear power Energy Production Technology advancements
  1. Nuclear energy has advanced significantly in safety and technology, offering powerful environmental benefits.
  2. Outdated fears surrounding nuclear energy are based on events from half a century ago and misunderstandings of current reactor designs.
  3. Innovations like small modular reactors and new fuel sources are making nuclear energy safer, more efficient, and versatile in various applications.

Rubik’s abstract polytopes

A Piece of the Pi: mathematics explained • 18 implied HN points • 03 Mar 25
🔬 Science Mathematics Topology Geometry Puzzles Education
  1. Rubik's Cube can be made in different shapes, like a tetrahedron or dodecahedron, instead of just the classic cube. These variations have their own names, like the Megaminx for the dodecahedron.
  2. A new study explains how to think about these puzzles in more dimensions, counting how many different ways they can be turned or rearranged. This includes understanding shapes like the hypercube.
  3. The math behind a Rubik's Cube shows interesting patterns, like counting sticks and pieces, and this can help us understand all kinds of shapes and designs better.

Interview with Daniel MacArthur

The Good Science Project • 26 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🔬 Science Genomics Research Funding Medical Research Health Technology Population Genetics
  1. Daniel MacArthur is working on making genomic medicine fairer for all communities. His research includes studying genetic differences in underrepresented groups to improve health outcomes.
  2. He believes that funding for science needs to be more flexible and stable. This would allow researchers to take risks and pursue long-term projects without the constant pressure of grant deadlines.
  3. MacArthur thinks research organizations should be built specifically to support scientific work. Many current institutions are not designed for research, making it harder for scientists to succeed.

REVERSAL: Science Faculty's "Subtle" Gender Biases Against Men

Unsafe Science • 9 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🔬 Science Gender bias Research Ethics Academic culture Scientific Method Social Issues
  1. A study found that there might be a subtle gender bias against men in science faculties. This is a surprising shift from what people usually think about gender bias.
  2. This finding goes against an influential earlier study that suggested biases favored women instead. It's important to keep checking our assumptions.
  3. The research highlights the need to understand all kinds of biases in academic environments. Both men and women can face challenges based on gender, and we need to address this fairly.

A Roche Nanopore History

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🔬 Science Biology Research Technology Innovation History
  1. Nanopore sequencing has a rich history, starting back in 1998 with important patents that set the stage for modern techniques. It’s a fascinating story of innovation and scientific progress.
  2. Lingvitae, founded by Preben Lexow, aimed to develop nanopore sequencing but faced funding challenges, affecting its ability to grow. This shows how essential money is for scientific advancements.
  3. Stratos Genomics had a better funding situation and was able to pursue similar nanopore sequencing ideas, demonstrating different paths for startup success in the biotech field.

AI peer review, microbial defence & clot busting strategies

The Strategy Toolkit • 8 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🔬 Science Research AI Health Technology Biology
  1. New communication tools often get manipulated by people to send hidden messages. This has happened with many forms of media over time.
  2. Recent findings show that some researchers used hidden prompts in their academic papers to get positive AI reviews. These prompts were hidden in ways that people couldn't easily see.
  3. This kind of trickery shows how any automated process can be tricked, and it's important to be aware of such practices in scientific research.

Science may not be able to exist on controversial issues

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 60 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🔬 Science Controversy Ideology Research
  1. Some controversial issues may not allow science to exist due to preconceived notions and ideology dominating the discourse.
  2. Activists can potentially cause harm if their actions and beliefs overshadow scientific reasoning and discussion.
  3. The dominance of preconceived notions and ideology can be observed in various narratives, such as recent reports from organizations like the NHS.

The most important assumption in statistics- IID [Math Mondays]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 01 Aug 22
🔬 Science Statistics Probability Machine Learning
  1. The most important assumption in statistics is IID, which stands for Independently and Identically Distributed
  2. IID assumption is crucial for statistical analysis - it helps in making accurate deductions and avoiding mistakes, like the gambler's fallacy
  3. Understanding IID involves recognizing independent and identical distributions in data samples, which are essential for various statistical techniques