The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Western Civilization And Genomics

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🔬 Science Genomics History Biology Humanity Philosophy
  1. Western civilization has thrived for about 2500 years, with many achievements in science and knowledge. This long history has shaped our understanding of complex topics like genomics.
  2. Key figures like Isaac Newton helped establish scientific methods, moving society away from superstition to rational thinking. This paved the way for discoveries in inheritance and DNA.
  3. Today, we can sequence human genomes more easily than ever before. This ability can change how we understand our biology and ourselves in profound ways.

Some Notes On the MiSeq Flowcell

ASeq Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🔬 Science Instruments Construction Materials Measurements Research
  1. The MiSeq flowcell consists of a plastic outer shell with a glass flowcell that clips open and closed.
  2. Measurements indicate a cover glass thickness of around 150um and a 100um channel height on a 1mm substrate.
  3. Unlike other flowcells, the MiSeq uses an all glass construction bonded with optical bonding material and borosilicate glass apertures.

How to Improve Both Scientific Innovation and Reproducibility at Once

The Good Science Project • 14 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🔬 Science Scientific Method Innovation Reproducibility Research Funding Data Integrity
  1. Science struggles with two main issues: not being able to reproduce results and not being as innovative as before. Many studies can't be repeated successfully, which raises concerns about their reliability.
  2. To boost both reproducibility and innovation, it's important to encourage sharing of failed experiments and null results. This would help scientists take risks and avoid only publishing positive outcomes.
  3. Creating 'Red Teams' in science can challenge current beliefs and assumptions. These groups would actively work to test and potentially disprove existing theories, fostering better scientific inquiry.
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Phage-assisted evolution and protein engineering yield compact, efficient prime editors

Axial • 37 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🔬 Science Biotechnology Genetics Research Evolution Engineering
  1. New optimized prime editors called PE6 variants improve editing outcomes in mammalian cells
  2. Phage-assisted continuous evolution enhances the efficiency of compact reverse transcriptases
  3. Combining evolved Cas9 domains with engineered RTs creates efficient prime editors for installing DNA sequences in vivo

Whither the Storks of Alsace ?

Euro Desk Paris • 19 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🔬 Science Climate Birds Migration Ecology Weather
  1. Storks in Alsace, France may be changing their migratory patterns due to various factors like climate change and human influence.
  2. The presence of storks in a region can be influenced by micro-climates and environmental conditions that affect their behavior.
  3. Understanding the impact of changing climates on migratory birds like storks is crucial for conservation efforts and wildlife management.

Generalizing Knowledge of Twitter to "X"

Never Met a Science • 38 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🔬 Science Research Prediction
  1. Scientific knowledge of social media platforms needs constant updating due to their fast-changing nature.
  2. The traditional scientific method may not be sufficient for studying rapidly evolving subjects like social media platforms.
  3. There is a need for meta-scientific improvements in how we approach research and knowledge synthesis.

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.

The Cloud for Biology

LatchBio • 39 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
🔬 Science Biology Data Management Cloud Computing Biotechnology Research
  1. Storing and transferring large sequencing files in biology can be challenging due to the lack of user-friendly storage solutions like AWS S3.
  2. Integrating and tracking sample metadata in biology is vital but often hindered by unintuitive systems and lack of system integrations.
  3. Setting up data pipelines and computational workflows for biology data analysis is labor-intensive, requiring user-friendly interfaces and tools.

The Street Smart Naturalist

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 39 implied HN points • 20 Jan 22
🔬 Science Natural History Ecology Education Research Writing
  1. The writer enjoys creating newsletters that let them explore human and natural history. They see it as a fun way to connect with a community.
  2. They plan to keep the newsletter free but are offering paid subscriptions for those who want to support their work. Subscriptions come with extra benefits.
  3. The writer encourages readers to engage more by commenting and suggesting story ideas. They look forward to future topics and interactions.

Peter Boghossian | The War on Science Interviews | Day 16

Critical Mass • 3 implied HN points • 09 Aug 25
🔬 Science Science Policy Academic Freedom Research Ethics Public Discourse Higher education
  1. There will be 20 interviews released over 20 days that discuss issues impacting science and academia.
  2. The interviews will touch on important topics like free speech, social justice, and the effects of cancel culture on universities.
  3. The goal is to spark conversation about restoring trust and quality in academia and science to fight against current challenges.

Alessandro Strumia | The War on Science Interviews | Day 14

Critical Mass • 3 implied HN points • 07 Aug 25
🔬 Science Research Ethics Academic Freedom Social Science STEM Education Public Trust
  1. The series features 20 interviews with authors discussing the challenges facing science and scholarship today. They explore topics like academic integrity and how social justice activism can impact research.
  2. These dialogues aim to raise awareness about the damage being done to scientific progress and the importance of free speech in academia. The discussions are direct and thought-provoking.
  3. The project encourages public engagement and aims to restore trust in science and scholarship. It's a call for academics to unite and address the internal issues affecting universities.

How do we know (how) humans understand language?

The Counterfactual • 19 implied HN points • 06 Nov 22
🔬 Science Linguistics Cognition Psychology Artificial Intelligence Philosophy
  1. Understanding language in humans often relies on their behavior. When people respond or react to language, we assume they understand it.
  2. There are deeper properties, like grounding or compositionality, that some believe are essential for true understanding. These properties are often debated in relation to how we define understanding.
  3. The ongoing discussion about human language understanding can help us figure out if machines, like language models, can genuinely understand language too.

How does the Air Quality Index work anyways?

Counting Stuff • 43 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🔬 Science Environmental Science Data science Air Quality
  1. The Air Quality Index is a single score that combines 6 pollutants into a usable number for people to understand.
  2. Time frames are important in the AQI, as it is based on daily air quality summaries and forecasts are encouraged for planning purposes.
  3. The AQI simplifies complex air quality data by using a linear scaling system, with the max value among pollutants determining the overall index.

The Future of Sequencing

ASeq Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🔬 Science Genomics Automation Diagnostics
  1. Sequencers should be as boring and simple as qPCR machines for easy use and accessibility.
  2. Automation in sequencing should focus on sample-to-answer approaches like the GeneXpert in diagnostics.
  3. Broader adoption of sequencing in clinical applications may require a cultural shift towards valuing diagnosis even without immediate treatment options.

Janice Fiamengo | The War on Science Interviews | Day 12

Critical Mass • 3 implied HN points • 05 Aug 25
🔬 Science Education Research Academia Free speech Public Policy
  1. There will be 20 interviews with authors from The War on Science released daily. Each interview will cover important issues affecting science.
  2. Topics include the corruption of science in universities, the impact of cancel culture, and the need for free speech in academia.
  3. These discussions aim to spark conversation about restoring trust and excellence in science and scholarship.

10X Chromium Controller Component Cost Is Likely <$5000

ASeq Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🔬 Science Research Technology Innovation Analysis Equipment
  1. The 10X Chromium Controller component cost is likely less than $5000, significantly lower than its original $35000 price tag.
  2. The key components like Thomas diaphragm pumps range from $200 to $400, making up a portion of the instrument's cost.
  3. Through further cost optimization, it's possible to produce a comparable instrument for much less than $5000.

Exciting acceleration in community activity

Vesuvius Challenge • 12 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🔬 Science Archaeology History Technology Research Innovation
  1. The Vesuvius Challenge is rewarding contributors with $48,500 in prizes for their innovative work on ancient scrolls. This money encourages creativity and progress in understanding these old texts.
  2. One exciting project introduced a new method for segmenting scrolls, which could make the process faster and more accurate. This kind of innovation is really important as it helps researchers figure out how to read the scrolls better.
  3. Several contributors are developing tools and techniques to improve ink detection and data analysis for the scrolls. These advancements are pushing the boundaries of what we can learn from these ancient artifacts.

Frances Widdowson | The War on Science Interviews | Day 10

Critical Mass • 3 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
🔬 Science Research Ethics Academic Freedom Public Trust Science Policy Social justice
  1. The interviews focus on serious issues affecting science and education today. They aim to encourage discussion about how to improve trust and integrity in academia.
  2. The authors discuss problems like cancel culture, ideological bias in science, and challenges to free speech in academic settings. These issues are seen as harmful to the progress of science.
  3. The goal is to raise awareness about current threats to scientific inquiry and scholarship. The hope is to unite people in restoring sound science and open conversation in universities.

Elizabeth Weiss | The War on Science Interviews | Day 8

Critical Mass • 3 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
🔬 Science Academia Research Philosophy Free speech Social Issues
  1. The interviews will cover important topics about the challenges facing science today, particularly in academia. It's about the impact of activism and how it affects research and scholarship.
  2. A group of well-known scholars will speak frankly about these issues, hoping to spark discussions and find solutions. They want to bring back trust and excellence in scientific work.
  3. There's a recognition that while external threats to science exist, internal problems within universities also need attention. Both aspects are crucial for preserving the integrity of science.

Live Critical Mass Interactive Zoom Q&A: June 22nd @ 10AM PT

Critical Mass • 4 implied HN points • 21 Jun 25
🔬 Science Education Physics Research Technology Cosmology
  1. There will be a live Zoom Q&A for paid subscribers on June 22nd at 10 AM PT. It's a great chance to ask questions and join the conversation.
  2. Subscribers can discuss recent podcasts, the upcoming book 'The War on Science', and various science topics. It's a fun space for lively discussions.
  3. Supporting Critical Mass helps keep the Origins Project and other programs running. Your financial help allows access to exclusive content and events.

DNA Tubes - The HiSeq X Fluidic System

ASeq Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🔬 Science DNA Sequencing Genomics
  1. The HiSeq X DNA sequencer contains about 100 meters of tubing inside for its fluidics system.
  2. The majority of the tubing in the HiSeq X appears to be around 1.5mm OD and 1mm ID, possibly made of PTFE.
  3. The fluidic path of the HiSeq X is structured similarly to the Solexa Genome Analyzer and uses components from the same vendors.

Lecture 08 Reschedule

Quantum Formalism • 19 implied HN points • 03 Jun 22
🔬 Science Quantum physics
  1. The lecture on Group theory crash course has been rescheduled by the author.
  2. The session can either take place the same day at 8 pm BST or the next day at 5 pm BST, or next week on Tuesday or Friday at 5 pm BST.
  3. Participants are requested to provide their preference via a Google form shared in the post.

Picturing symmetry

A Piece of the Pi: mathematics explained • 24 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🔬 Science Symmetry Mathematics Group Theory
  1. The order in which symmetries are applied can significantly affect the final result, as shown through reflections and rotations of a square.
  2. Using Cayley graphs can help visualize and calculate products of symmetries.
  3. In symmetry operations, combining reflections and rotations follows specific rules, similar to adding odd and even numbers. Grouping rotations and reflections can simplify understanding complex symmetries.

The interpretation translation

Infinitely More • 10 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🔬 Science Mathematics Logic Philosophy Education Computer Science
  1. You can interpret one mathematical structure using another, which helps express features of the first in terms of the second. This means you find a way to connect different types of math using a common language.
  2. There are many examples of this interpretation, like placing integers inside natural numbers or examining complex numbers through real numbers. These examples show how different math concepts relate to each other.
  3. Understanding how to interpret structures can help us explore logic more deeply, opening up new ways of thinking in math, philosophy, and computer science.

Manifest Grants

Fifty Years News • 35 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
🔬 Science Funding Climate research Innovation Grants
  1. Innovative ideas in science often struggle to get funding for testing and development.
  2. Manifest Grants provides fast funding of $25,000 to $100,000 for scientists to accelerate their ideas in 30 minutes application time.
  3. The goal is to bridge the gap between lab bench ideas and real-world impact by supporting innovators in translating their ideas into solutions.

John Armstrong | The War on Science Interviews | Day 6

Critical Mass • 3 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🔬 Science Scientific Integrity Academia Free speech Cultural Issues Social justice
  1. A series of 20 interviews with authors from 'The War on Science' book will be released daily, starting from July 22. These interviews will cover serious topics about science and academia.
  2. The discussions highlight problems like ideological corruption in science, the impact of social justice activism, and issues related to gender and medicine. The goal is to spark conversation on how to restore trust in science.
  3. The book addresses ongoing internal issues in academia and calls for greater awareness and action to protect sound science against various challenges.

The Science of Science

The Palindrome • 3 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
🔬 Science Mathematics Probability Logic Statistics Machine Learning
  1. Thinking in terms of probabilities helps us make better judgments when we are not certain. Unlike absolute truths, we can measure how likely something is to be true instead.
  2. Bayes' theorem allows us to update our beliefs based on new evidence. This means we can make smarter decisions by adjusting our understanding as we gather more information.
  3. To figure out causes from effects, we can use conditional probabilities. This helps us connect symptoms, like a headache and sore throat, to possible underlying issues, like the flu, in a more accurate way.

Nicholas Christakis | The War on Science Interviews | Day 3

Critical Mass • 3 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
🔬 Science Scientific Integrity Academic Freedom Public Policy Research Ethics Social Issues
  1. A series of interviews are being released with authors who have contributed to a book about the challenges facing science today.
  2. Topics discussed in these interviews include issues like free speech, political influence on academia, and problems with how science is being practiced and communicated.
  3. The goal of these dialogues is to spark conversations about restoring trust and sound practices in science within universities.

Edge colourings and Archimedean lattices

A Piece of the Pi: mathematics explained • 24 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🔬 Science Mathematics Graphs Symmetry
  1. Edge colorings of graphs are not just recreational, but have practical applications in quantum technology.
  2. Graphs can be colored either by edges or by vertices, with different requirements for each coloring approach.
  3. Vizing's Theorem states that a graph can be edge colored with either the maximum degree or the maximum degree plus one colors.