The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

The MiSeq's Cameras And The Economics of DNA Sequencers

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🔬 Science Biology Technology Economics Imaging Innovation
  1. DNA sequencers are expensive due to economies of scale, unlike digital cameras that benefit from mass production.
  2. Cheap DNA sequencers could greatly benefit society, but creating them poses technical and sociological challenges.
  3. The cost of components for DNA sequencers, like cameras in the MiSeq, can be broken down to see how much they contribute to the overall expensive price.

China's Energy Transition Part 3

TP’s Substack • 11 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🔬 Science Energy Renewables Technology Green Energy
  1. In China, green hydrogen projects, particularly in methanol and ammonia production, are on the rise due to abundant renewable resources and a growing petrochemical industry.
  2. Cost of green hydrogen production in Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, and Heilongjiang provinces has decreased to below 25RMB/kg by 2023, with the expectation of further cost reduction with more efficient electrolysers.
  3. Green methanol and ammonia play a key role in energy storage for dealing with seasonal variations in supply and demand of renewable energy, offering sustainable alternatives for industries like shipping, aviation, and petrochemicals.

Foreword: Lost in Math

Critical Mass • 20 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🔬 Science Physics Mathematics
  1. Science is driven by careful observations and making predictions.
  2. In physics, the tension between truth and beauty can lead to debates and different perspectives.
  3. Evaluating theories in physics should prioritize empirical data over mathematical elegance.
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Against the Labor Theory of Science

Never Met a Science • 11 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🔬 Science Social Science Theory Machine Learning
  1. New social scientific processes are being developed for more efficiency and improved knowledge production.
  2. Centralization of knowledge production can lead to significant gains in efficiency on both production and consumption sides.
  3. Machine learning algorithms can extract high-dimensional knowledge, reducing the need for human translation and potentially improving accuracy.

Animals Play Coordination Games - Coordination Part I

Living Fossils • 10 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🔬 Science Evolutionary biology Animal Behavior Game Theory
  1. Animals play coordination games to survive, such as cicadas coordinating emergence to avoid predators.
  2. In coordination games, like fireflies with unique flashing patterns, the key is for all individuals to use the same strategy for successful coordination.
  3. Coordination games are not only seen in animals playing over evolutionary time but also in real-time situations, like fish schooling or starlings murmuration.

The countable random graph

Infinitely More • 10 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🔬 Science Mathematics Graph Theory
  1. A countable random graph is a graph where you flip a coin to decide the edges between vertices in an infinite set, and the result is the same graph almost every time.
  2. Graph theory is a complex subject with beautiful theorems, and different notions of graphs exist, such as directed graphs and simple graphs.
  3. In mathematics, there are variations in graph definitions, such as allowing reflexivity or multiple edges, but in simpler contexts, graphs are typically referred to as simple graphs.

Bad News for Bugs in Bogs

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 19 implied HN points • 12 Aug 21
🔬 Science Botany Ecology Evolution Research Nature
  1. A new plant called Triantha occidentalis can trap bugs using sticky hairs. It's sneaky because it doesn't look like usual carnivorous plants, which usually have noticeable traps.
  2. This plant gets nutrients by digesting the insects it catches. It produces an enzyme to help break down its tiny meals.
  3. Unlike many carnivorous plants, Triantha's trapping hairs are near its flowers, but they only catch small bugs. This way, it can still attract bigger bugs that help it pollinate.

Siêu trí tuệ: tìm số nguyên tố hay là tăng minh bạch cho ngành đánh đề

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 39 implied HN points • 27 Dec 19
🔬 Science Mathematics Algorithms Randomness Probability Cryptography
  1. When faced with challenges involving prime numbers, clever algorithms can help quickly eliminate composite numbers and pinpoint the secret numbers.
  2. The difficulty of a problem depends on the randomness of number selection within a matrix and the position of prime numbers.
  3. Designing a fair random number generation system is crucial for ensuring transparency, not only in intellectual competitions but also in traditional gambling industries.

Evidence Belongs on the Canvas Not the Scale

Metarational • 19 implied HN points • 20 Apr 21
🔬 Science Mathematics Probability Evidence Metaphor
  1. Evaluating evidence like weighing it on a balance scale can be an elegant metaphor but may not be mathematically correct, as evidence doesn't always work that way.
  2. The scenario with two judges deliberating on a statement showcases how evidence overlap matters, revealing flaws in the scale metaphor and emphasizing the need for a more nuanced model.
  3. Imagining evidence on a canvas with shaded regions for different hypotheses can better capture the complexity of multiple evidence lines overlapping, offering a more accurate representation than a simple scale.

Black swans and Covid-19

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 10 Mar 21
🔬 Science Pandemics Risk Assessment Infectious Diseases Vaccines Global impact
  1. Covid-19 was not truly a black swan event despite its extreme consequences, as a global pandemic was predictable based on historical precedent and scientific consensus.
  2. Several unexpected positive outcomes emerged during the pandemic, such as minimal surface transmission, limited spread outdoors, and the rapid development of effective vaccines.
  3. The pandemic's string of good luck should serve as a reminder of the unpredictability and potential severity of future global infectious disease events, urging caution and preparedness.

One MILLION Stories!

Something interesting • 4 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🔬 Science Physics Mathematics Engineering Astronomy Geography
  1. Building a skyscraper with a million stories would be huge. It would have to cover a massive area and be taller than any building we have today.
  2. Elevators in such a tall building would take forever to reach the top. They might need to be super advanced and comfortable, like mini-hotels.
  3. The universe is really big, and we are very small. Even the tallest buildings are tiny compared to the whole Earth and space around us.

Terror of the Docks

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 19 implied HN points • 15 Jul 21
🔬 Science Marine Biology Ecology Environmental Science Natural History Biodiversity
  1. Teredo clams, often called shipworms, are actually bivalve clams that eat wood. They can cause significant damage to wooden structures, like piers, making them a big problem for dock builders.
  2. These clams have been around for thousands of years, munching through wood in many parts of the world. Their destructive nature has been noted by writers and maritime workers throughout history.
  3. Modern efforts to control shipworm damage include using less wood in construction. Despite past challenges, these clams are still here and likely will be part of our marine ecosystem for a long time.

Karleen Gribble | The War on Science Interviews | Day 20

Critical Mass • 1 implied HN point • 14 Aug 25
🔬 Science Research Academia Science Policy Free speech Public Trust
  1. There will be 20 interviews released daily with authors from the book 'The War on Science,' starting from July 22. Each interview will cover various topics related to science and academia.
  2. The discussions will address issues like how ideology is affecting science, free speech in universities, and the challenges that current academic trends pose to genuine scholarship.
  3. The aim is to provoke a conversation about restoring trust and sound science in academia, emphasizing the importance of free inquiry and the negative effects of cancel culture and distortions in science.

#16: Notes on Arithmetic in GPT-4

Loeber on Substack • 9 HN points • 20 Feb 24
🔬 Science Language Models Machine Learning
  1. GPT-4, while not inherently built for arithmetic, showed surprising accuracy in approximating addition, hinting at some degree of symbolic reasoning within its capabilities.
  2. Accuracy in arithmetic tasks with GPT-4 decreases as the complexity of the task increases, with multiplication showing the most significant drop in accuracy.
  3. A 'dumb Turing Machine' approach can enhance GPT-4's symbolic reasoning capabilities by breaking down tasks into simpler steps, showcasing promising potential for scaling up to more complex symbolic reasoning.

Session 16 Reminder

Quantum Formalism • 19 implied HN points • 21 Jan 21
🔬 Science Physics Mathematics
  1. The next Quantum Axioms & Operators session is coming up soon - mark your calendars!
  2. Newcomers are welcome, but it's advised to have some background in physics/math to fully follow along.
  3. A special surprise gift was received from the community, showing appreciation and support for the course.

Lauren Schwartz and Arthur Rousseau | The War on Science Interviews | Day 17

Critical Mass • 1 implied HN point • 09 Aug 25
🔬 Science Academia Research Free speech Psychology Cultural Studies
  1. There are 20 interviews being released with authors from the book 'The War on Science' starting on July 22. Each interview focuses on different issues in science and academia.
  2. The discussions cover serious topics like free speech in universities and ideological biases affecting scientific research and education.
  3. The goal is to spark conversation about restoring trust and integrity in science while addressing the internal challenges in academia today.

Hidden Forces

What's Important? • 15 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🔬 Science Astrology Stock Market
  1. Unconventional methods can uncover hidden relationships in the stock market and other areas.
  2. Understanding the hidden forces affecting the whole is crucial, such as in healthcare and mental health treatment.
  3. Being open to unconventional or unexplained ideas can lead to growth and success, as seen in the investing world.

Roger Cohen and Amy Wax | The War on Science Interviews | Day 15

Critical Mass • 1 implied HN point • 08 Aug 25
🔬 Science Science Education Academic Freedom Scientific Integrity Research Ethics Social justice
  1. The interviews focus on big problems in science and academia today. They discuss how social issues and activism sometimes hurt scientific progress.
  2. Many notable scholars are featured, each sharing their views on how to improve trust and free speech in universities. They hope these discussions can spark change.
  3. Even with new political challenges to science, the long-standing internal issues need attention too. The goal is to restore good practices and integrity in academic research.

Considerable overlap

Klement on Investing • 3 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🔬 Science Behavioral Science Animal studies Cognitive skills Statistics Economics
  1. Baboons can learn to assess scatterplots and identify trends, similar to humans. This shows that different species can have overlapping skills in certain tasks.
  2. In general, smart baboons can outperform less intelligent humans in recognizing relationships in data. This highlights that intelligence can vary greatly, even within our own species.
  3. The study suggests that education plays a big role in developing skills, like understanding statistics. Humans often learn these concepts in school, while baboons do not.

Overwrought

CTOrly • 1 HN point • 21 Feb 24
🔬 Science Physics Equations Models
  1. In complex situations, sometimes relying on simpler, traditional methods like Newtonian physics can still be effective and get the job done.
  2. Striving for extreme accuracy or perfection, like using Einstein's equations instead of Newton's, may not always be necessary or practical, especially when the outcome is the priority.
  3. It's important to balance between optimizing for the output and focusing on achieving the desired outcome, rather than getting lost in unnecessary details or precision.

(Ad-free Video). A Conversation with Irwin Shapiro: Scientist Extraordinaire from the Earth to the Stars, and at 94, still going strong.

Critical Mass • 8 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
🔬 Science Physics Planetary Science Biology Research
  1. Irwin Shapiro made a significant discovery related to General Relativity known as the Shapiro Effect, which became the 4th test of the theory.
  2. Despite his age of 94, Irwin Shapiro continues to teach, conduct research, and play tennis, showing remarkable dedication and passion for his work.
  3. Irwin Shapiro is praised for not only his scientific contributions but also his kind and encouraging nature, making him a respected and admired figure in the scientific community.

How Rich Would 1 Billion Americans Be?

Splitting Infinity • 1 HN point • 21 Feb 24
🔬 Science Economics Population GDP Immigration Growth
  1. The idea of having 1 billion Americans and its impact on the economy has not been seriously considered before.
  2. Estimating the wealth of 1 billion Americans shows potential for tremendous wealth growth, sparking discussions around growth-oriented policies.
  3. Maintaining sustainable growth over the long term can significantly transform the world, emphasizing the importance of steady progress.

Shut up and Calculate!

Quantum Formalism • 19 implied HN points • 12 Dec 20
🔬 Science Physics Quantum Mechanics Philosophy Mathematics
  1. Focus on learning how to use quantum mechanics as a toolkit without worrying too much about the foundational meaning at first.
  2. Some physicists advocate for the 'Shut Up and Calculate' philosophy, emphasizing the importance of actively engaging with conceptual issues in physics.
  3. The 'Shut Up and Calculate' approach is viewed as a necessary and respectful way to tackle profound questions in fundamental physics.

Sally Satel | The War on Science Interviews | Day 7

Critical Mass • 1 implied HN point • 31 Jul 25
🔬 Science Academia Research Education Social Issues Free speech
  1. A series of interviews with authors from The War on Science will be released, highlighting important discussions about science and scholarship today. Each interview will cover different topics related to challenges in academia and the impact of social issues.
  2. The authors address issues like the influence of ideology on science, free speech limitations in universities, and the effects of cancel culture on research. These discussions are meant to spark conversations about how to improve scientific integrity.
  3. While there are new external threats to science, the internal problems in academia need attention. The goal is to restore trust in science and protect the principles of free inquiry and merit-based scholarship.

Surf scoter

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 19 implied HN points • 22 Apr 21
🔬 Science Biology Wildlife Ornithology Ecology Environmental Science
  1. The surf scoter is a bird known by many different names, highlighting the variety of ways people refer to it. This shows how unique and interesting this bird is.
  2. Surf scoters are very active, especially in the morning and evening, diving for food like insects and crustaceans. They spend more time underwater than on the surface while feeding.
  3. During mating season, male surf scoters compete for the attention of a female in a dramatic display of courtship. The female chooses among them while they show off their skills in the water.

Puget Sound Quiz Answers

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 19 implied HN points • 15 Apr 21
🔬 Science Ecology Biology Conservation Geology Education History
  1. There are many fun facts about Puget Sound, including unique archaeological discoveries and local species that can live for over 200 years.
  2. Names of places in Puget Sound often reflect its history, including Spanish explorations and notable figures like Charles Wilkes.
  3. The impact of human activity on Puget Sound is significant, especially in terms of pollution, which negatively affects local wildlife like salmon and rockfish.

The paradox of giants

Infinitely More • 15 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
🔬 Science Physics Observations Scaling
  1. Giants in folklore, acting in a humanlike manner but at a larger scale, are physically impossible according to Galileo.
  2. Galileo's paradox of the giant involves the concept of scaling and how larger objects may not behave as expected when scaled up.
  3. Observations on scaling in different dimensions can lead to various paradoxes of dimension.

Still Time to Register: Takara Bio x LatchBio Spatial Webinar

LatchBio • 1 implied HN point • 28 Jul 25
🔬 Science Biotechnology Webinars Data Analysis Research tools
  1. There's a webinar on July 29, 2025, where Takara Bio and LatchBio will show a new tool for analyzing spatial data from specific kits.
  2. Participants will learn practical ways to filter data, compare samples, and explore gene expression in different tissue areas.
  3. This session is great for anyone using Seeker™ kits or those interested in spatial biology, providing a hands-on look at the new analysis tool.

Interesting Links and News: 30-July-2025

FutureIQ • 1 implied HN point • 30 Jul 25
🔬 Science Health Technology Research Education
  1. Frog pregnancy tests were once common, where urine from a woman was injected into a frog. If the frog ovulated, that meant the woman was pregnant.
  2. Boring things can lead to success if we pay attention to them. For example, detailed reports can uncover important truths like the Boston Globe's investigation into priest misconduct.
  3. The way we view competition can affect decisions. Zero-sum thinking makes us see others' gains as our losses, leading to protective policies like tariffs and reduced funding for education.

From the Fossil Record - Awe

Living Fossils • 3 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🔬 Science Evolution Paleontology Biology Nature
  1. The team is taking a holiday break and won't be posting regularly for a bit. They want to keep readers engaged even during this time.
  2. They are sharing older posts to remind new readers of valuable content they might have missed. One highlight is a post about 'awe' that fits the holiday season.
  3. They welcome feedback from readers, whether it's about the new idea, suggestions for topics, or just holiday wishes. They are happy to hear from everyone.

Things That Caught My Eye #7

Natural Selections • 4 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🔬 Science Biology Research Education Technology Language
  1. Scientists found that a dye in Doritos can make mice's skin transparent, helping to study them while alive. It's a strange but useful discovery for research.
  2. Written language and the alphabet took a long time to develop, with alphabetical order coming much later than the letters themselves.
  3. Boys and girls react differently to poor teaching, and this may influence how schools approach education for each gender.

Data Week: How to collate data

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 14 Oct 20
🔬 Science Public Health Research Findings
  1. Economist Emily Oster created a dashboard to collect Covid-19 data from schools and childcare centers, providing valuable insights on cases and transmission rates.
  2. Preliminary findings suggest low infection rates in students and staff, indicating that schools may not be major drivers of outbreaks.
  3. The Ontario government is tracking cases in schools, but the data is basic compared to Oster's detailed framework, highlighting the need for more granular data to understand the impact of schools in the second wave.

The Economics of Oppenheimer

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 7 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🔬 Science Physics Economics Innovation Public funding
  1. The Oppenheimer movie explores the economics of science and how political beliefs can impact a career trajectory.
  2. Scientific progress is becoming harder and slower, influenced by factors like declining population growth and changing incentives for scientists.
  3. Cluster areas, like El Alamo for nuclear physics, play a significant role in scientific breakthroughs, showing the importance of collaboration and location in innovation.

Gompertz–Makeham law of mortality

Axial • 7 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🔬 Science Biology Aging Genetics
  1. The Gompertz-Makeham law of mortality is a mathematical model used to describe age-specific mortality rates in human and other species, crucial in actuarial science and studying aging.
  2. The law was developed by Gompertz with an exponential model showing increased mortality rates with age, later extended by Makeham to include an age-independent mortality term.
  3. While widely used, the Gompertz-Makeham law has limitations, inspiring researchers to propose alternative models to better capture the complexity of mortality patterns, especially at advanced ages.