The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

The Value of Stability in Scientific Funding, and Why We Need Better Data

The Good Science Project β€’ 18 implied HN points β€’ 17 Feb 24
πŸ”¬ Science Funding Data Research Policy Employment
  1. Scientific funding instability negatively impacts researchers' ability to plan and conduct research effectively, leading to swings in funding and unnecessary time spent on grant proposals.
  2. Improved data tracking is crucial to understanding the impact of funding gaps on researchers' employment outcomes, highlighting the need for long-term empirical studies in science policy.
  3. Addressing funding stability issues and utilizing detailed longitudinal data can help prevent obstacles in scientific progress and support the longevity of researchers' careers.

"So how's your $2.5M bet going?"

Steve Kirsch's newsletter β€’ 3 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jun 25
πŸ”¬ Science Research Debate Technology Health Funding
  1. A $2.5 million bet is part of a heated scientific debate going on. This shows that people are really invested in the outcome.
  2. ChatGPT was used to rate the chances of winning in the debate, adding a tech twist to the situation. Technology is playing a role in modern discussions.
  3. The author believes this debate is significant and could attract a lot of attention. It highlights the importance of ongoing conversations in science.

Antipode – Chapter 24

Natural Selections β€’ 3 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jun 25
πŸ”¬ Science Biology Ecology Evolution Research
  1. Frogs like the Mantella laevigata are very social and complex animals. They have unique ways of courting and parenting, which include choosing the best spots for their eggs and protecting their young.
  2. In Madagascar, there are no dangerous snakes, but natural elements like water and lightning pose real risks. Traveling and working in remote areas can make emergencies harder to manage.
  3. Living in a different culture helps you see life from a new perspective. You realize the essentials and find that people everywhere share similar joys and struggles.

The importance of a good reputation

Optimally Irrational β€’ 17 implied HN points β€’ 06 Mar 24
πŸ”¬ Science Social Interactions Game Theory Evolutionary biology Psychology Cooperation
  1. Reputation is like a second self that guides our actions, influencing how others perceive and interact with us.
  2. People can build a good reputation by consistently displaying cooperative and trustworthy behavior over time.
  3. While reputation takes time to build up, it can be lost quickly, emphasizing the importance of maintaining trust and integrity in social interactions.
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Always

The Strategy Toolkit β€’ 17 implied HN points β€’ 21 Feb 24
πŸ”¬ Science Biology Environment Genetics Public Health
  1. Finger length ratios can be linked to exposure to testosterone in the womb and may have correlations with autism, left-handedness, dyslexia, and other brain-related traits.
  2. Research into the fetal origins of adult disease suggests that fetuses optimize development for short-term gains, potentially leading to long-term health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
  3. Evidence from studies on animal brains and organs in different dietary environments supports the hypothesis that early life conditions can have lasting impacts on health, with implications for public health strategies.

Geoff Horsman | The War on Science Interviews | Day 13

Critical Mass β€’ 2 implied HN points β€’ 06 Aug 25
πŸ”¬ Science Academic Integrity Free speech Science Policy Cultural critique Education reform
  1. The discussion revolves around the conflicts facing science and academia today. Many believe that ideological biases are affecting how science is conducted and taught.
  2. Interviews with key figures will share their perspectives on issues like free speech, cancel culture, and the detrimental effects of social justice activism in academic settings.
  3. There is a call to action for the academic community and the public to engage in conversations that promote sound science and restore trust and excellence in research.

DNA foundation modeling

Axial β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 10 Dec 24
πŸ”¬ Science Genetics Biotechnology Synthetic Biology Drug Discovery
  1. DNA foundation models are helping scientists analyze and understand the complex patterns in genetic data. They can lead to important discoveries in medicine and biology.
  2. Building these models is tough because DNA sequences are long and complicated. Special techniques are needed to process them efficiently and recognize important details.
  3. While these models have great potential, they need to be tested carefully to avoid mistakes. We also need to think about the ethical implications of using them in research and medicine.

The asbestos times

The Works in Progress Newsletter β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jan 24
πŸ”¬ Science Chemistry History Health Trade Production
  1. Asbestos, once favored for its fireproof properties, faced a downfall as its health risks became evident.
  2. Asbestos, a naturally occurring material, was widely used for its fireproof and durable qualities in various applications.
  3. The global use of asbestos declined due to health concerns, leading to bans in many countries and the development of alternative materials.

Founder Stories: Özlem Türeci, mRNA: From Cancer Therapy to Infectious Disease Prevention

Axial β€’ 29 implied HN points β€’ 29 May 23
πŸ”¬ Science Biotech mRNA
  1. Özlem Türeci is a founder involved in mRNA research for cancer therapy and disease prevention.
  2. Axial partners with and invests in early-stage life sciences companies to help rare inventors build enduring businesses.
  3. They are excited to connect with individuals in the life sciences field who have innovative ideas or companies.

From Papyrus to Preprints

Reboot β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 08 Dec 24
πŸ”¬ Science Research Peer Review Publishing Science Policy
  1. Preprints are changing how research is shared. They allow scientists to share their findings quickly, before formal peer reviews, which helps speed up the conversation in the scientific community.
  2. The traditional peer review process can be slow and has limitations. Sometimes, important discoveries don’t get published because they don't fit the narrow criteria of journals.
  3. Platforms like arXiv have democratized access to research. They let everyone see new ideas and findings, but they also require us to be careful about the quality of information we trust.

Technocrats in Science Skin Suits

Natural Selections β€’ 9 implied HN points β€’ 08 Oct 24
πŸ”¬ Science Scientific Method Postmodernism Technology Education Philosophy
  1. The Fermi Paradox asks why we haven't found other advanced life in the universe, despite many potential planets existing. This raises concerns about the survival of intelligent life and whether it tends to self-destruct.
  2. Postmodernism challenges the idea of objective reality and rationality, which can harm scientific progress. It makes it harder for people to engage with science critically and effectively.
  3. Technocrats can manipulate the science narrative because many people lack a strong understanding of the scientific method. This creates a risk where those in power might misuse science for their own agendas.

An algebra of orders

Infinitely More β€’ 17 implied HN points β€’ 04 Feb 24
πŸ”¬ Science Mathematics Algebra Operations
  1. There is a rich algebra of orders involving operations like addition and multiplication.
  2. The disjoint sum operation creates a combined order without interactions between the two parts.
  3. The ordered sum operation combines two orders by placing one above the other, creating new orders with distinct properties.

KSDRP: Settling Science Fairly. A new method to objectively resolve scientific disputes

Steve Kirsch's newsletter β€’ 3 implied HN points β€’ 22 May 25
πŸ”¬ Science Scientific Method Data Analysis AI Applications Health Science Public Debate
  1. The Kirsch Scientific Dispute Resolution Protocol (KSDRP) is a new way to settle scientific disagreements logically and fairly.
  2. It involves choosing judges, using real data, and letting chatbots help analyze the information before judges make a final decision.
  3. This method can help answer tough questions, like the impact of COVID vaccines, by measuring outcomes from different groups.

The MiSeq's Excitation LEDs!

ASeq Newsletter β€’ 21 implied HN points β€’ 02 Nov 23
πŸ”¬ Science Specifications Components
  1. The MiSeq instrument by Illumina uses LEDs for excitation, which are cost-effective compared to lasers.
  2. The LEDs used include a photodiode for power monitoring and specific LEDs like the OSRAM green LED and Luminus red LED.
  3. Overall, the LED-based assembly in MiSeq replaces expensive lasers with affordable components, making it a cost-effective solution in sequencing tools.

In Hyperbolic Geometry, Two Parallel Lines Are Taken to Converge in One Direction and Diverge in the Other

Zero HP Lovecraft β€’ 24 implied HN points β€’ 22 Aug 23
πŸ”¬ Science Quantum physics Neuroscience Technology Cybernetics Philosophy
  1. In Hyperbolic Geometry, parallel lines converge in one direction and diverge in the other
  2. Birthright is a place with strict rules and restrictions, where modern technology like projecting is forbidden
  3. The story reveals a unique and dangerous portal gun rivalry that transcends time and reality

Herring

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 26 Mar 21
πŸ”¬ Science Marine Biology Ecology Environmental Science Zoology Conservation
  1. Herring spawning events are vital to Puget Sound's ecosystem and attract a variety of wildlife. These events help connect the food chain and support many animals, both sea life and birds.
  2. Each female herring can lay a huge number of eggs, which provide food for young fish and other creatures. This means herring play a crucial role in nourishing the local food web.
  3. Herring are not only important for marine life but also for Indigenous communities. They have been a key food source for these communities historically and continue to be significant today.

Abigail Thompson | The War on Science Interviews | Day 5

Critical Mass β€’ 2 implied HN points β€’ 27 Jul 25
πŸ”¬ Science Academic Freedom Scientific Integrity Free speech Critical Thinking Social justice
  1. A series of 20 interviews with authors from 'The War on Science' will be released, starting on July 22nd. Each interview focuses on different issues affecting science today.
  2. The authors discuss serious problems like the corruption of academia, free speech issues, and how social justice activism can interfere with genuine research.
  3. These conversations aim to spark important discussions about restoring trust and quality in science and scholarship at universities.

Improving data quality in online studies

UX Psychology β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 23 Nov 21
πŸ”¬ Science Data Quality Data Collection Quality Assurance
  1. In online studies, factors like distractions, poor equipment, and cheating can impact data quality.
  2. Engagement levels, accuracy, outliers, and speed of responses are key indicators to assess data quality in online studies.
  3. Strategies like consistency measures, attention checks, bot detection, and serious response checks can help improve data quality in online studies.

Niall Ferguson | The War on Science Interviews | Day 2

Critical Mass β€’ 2 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jul 25
πŸ”¬ Science Academia Free speech Gender Issues Scientific Integrity Cultural critique
  1. There will be 20 interviews released daily with authors from the book 'The War on Science', discussing important issues in academia. Each interview will cover topics like the corruption of science and free speech.
  2. The discussions will highlight how current social justice movements and ideologies are affecting scientific progress. They will also call for a return to sound science and scholarship in universities.
  3. The overall goal is to provoke conversation about restoring trust and excellence in scientific inquiry, addressing both internal university issues and external threats to science.

Distinguishing mathematical structures by their theories

Infinitely More β€’ 15 implied HN points β€’ 24 Feb 24
πŸ”¬ Science Mathematics Logic
  1. With first-order logic, subtle features can help distinguish mathematical structures from similar alternatives.
  2. Different mathematical structures can be differentiated by how symbols are interpreted in each structure, revealing unique properties.
  3. Finding statements in the language of orders that are true in one structure and false in others can help distinguish mathematical structures.

The continuum hypothesis

Infinitely More β€’ 30 implied HN points β€’ 04 Mar 23
πŸ”¬ Science Mathematics Philosophy History
  1. The continuum hypothesis suggests there is no infinity strictly between natural numbers and real numbers.
  2. The continuum problem has been a challenging and prominent open question in mathematics for over a century.
  3. David Hilbert included the continuum problem as the top question in his list of important open mathematical problems in 1900.

Forecast Scoring Methods

Abstraction β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 07 Nov 23
πŸ”¬ Science Forecasting
  1. Market-Based Platforms are good for gauging market sentiment, not individual forecasting skill
  2. Reputation-Based Platforms focus on individual performance metrics to identify top forecasters
  3. Consider the ramifications of overconfidence when selecting a scoring system for forecasting

The Intricate Beauty of Pecking Orders

Creating Inequality β€’ 4 HN points β€’ 14 Jun 23
πŸ”¬ Science Animal Behavior Social Dynamics Research Methods
  1. Pecking orders in animals might not be based on individual abilities but on dynamic interactions within a group.
  2. Linear pecking orders can arise from intricate behavioral dynamics rather than differences in individual qualities.
  3. Pecking orders are not stable and enduring, but rather constantly changing structures formed by ongoing aggressive interactions within a group.

Looking for a New NIH Director

The Good Science Project β€’ 29 implied HN points β€’ 17 Mar 23
πŸ”¬ Science Biology Medical Research Innovation Reform
  1. NIH Directors historically have had similar backgrounds, typically with PhDs or MDs and extensive academic experience.
  2. Consider expanding the pool of potential NIH Director nominees beyond traditional criteria to include those with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
  3. Look for a potential NIH Director who excels at identifying talent, has broad interests, is open to new ideas, and is willing to push for meaningful reforms.

From the Fossil Record: The Adaptive Role of Emotions

Living Fossils β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jan 25
πŸ”¬ Science Emotions Psychology Evolution Behavior Research
  1. Emotions are complex systems in humans with different parts like how we feel, how our body reacts, and what we do. For example, feeling angry when someone cuts you off in traffic can lead to raising your blood pressure and even giving them a rude gesture.
  2. There is some disagreement on whether any emotions are the same for all people. However, everyone agrees that we all have emotions that affect how we react to situations.
  3. Understanding our emotions can help us navigate day-to-day challenges better. They play a big role in our behavior and how we connect with others.

Anniversary bonus: A sample from the archives of 2020

The Strategy Toolkit β€’ 26 implied HN points β€’ 24 Apr 23
πŸ”¬ Science Language Evolution Genetics Virology
  1. Language is a key element that distinguishes humans from other species and plays a vital role in human history.
  2. The study of the survival and extinction of languages over time reveals the impact of demographics, empire-building, and technological change.
  3. Reviving a dying language involves various strategies such as language nests, support from institutions, political action, and technology.