The hottest Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Why It Might Not Sink In Until You've Written It Down

Everything Is Amazing • 1534 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🔬 Science Memory Note Taking Biology Inspiration
  1. Writing something down helps you remember it better, so it's not just about typing but also about physically writing.
  2. Observing nature can lead to interesting discoveries, like how birds charm worms using vibrations to catch them.
  3. Unexpected collaborations and interactions can lead to exciting outcomes, like gaining exposure to a wider audience through social media.

Debunking Pseudoscience: ‘Multimodal Models of Animal Sex’

Reality's Last Stand • 1434 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🔬 Science Biology Gender Research Evolution Critique
  1. The paper debunks the traditional binary model of biological sex by proposing a multimodal model.
  2. Current efforts in academia are influencing scientific research on sex by incorporating political motivations in the study.
  3. The study fails to provide evidence for more than two sexes and is criticized for misinterpreting sex differences in genetics, endocrinology, morphology, and behavior.

Why Go Imperial In A World Gone Metric?

Everything Is Amazing • 1371 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🔬 Science History Standards
  1. Imperial and Metric systems both have their advantages and stories behind them, with Metric offering precision in calculations and Imperial reflecting historical ways of measuring based on human experience.
  2. The history of measurement systems shows the challenges in implementing consistent standards, like how France struggled in the 18th century with different measures and Napoleon faced resistance in enforcing the Metric system in the early 19th century.
  3. While Metric is efficient for scientific and engineering accuracy, Imperial measurements still offer unique perspectives and connections to everyday experiences that make both systems valuable.

Making Science More Reproducible

Briefly Bio • 158 implied HN points • 18 Jul 24
🔬 Science Research Methodology Documentation Innovation
  1. Reproducibility in science is a big issue, with many experiments failing to be duplicated. This creates a challenge for scientists trying to build on each other's work.
  2. Clear and detailed documentation of scientific processes is crucial. When scientists share their methods well, it helps others replicate results more easily.
  3. Using technology like structured documentation can improve transparency in research. This way, scientists can better understand what happened in an experiment and learn from it.
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How I made peace with quantile regression

Mindful Modeler • 778 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🔬 Science Statistics Machine Learning Estimation Modeling
  1. Quantile regression can be understood through the lens of loss optimization, specifically with the pinball loss function.
  2. In machine learning, quantile regression is essentially regression with the unique pinball loss function that emphasizes absolute differences between actual and predicted values.
  3. The asymmetry of the pinball loss function, controlled by the parameter tau, dictates how models should handle under- and over-predictions, making quantile regression a tool to optimize different quantiles of a distribution.

Numlock News: January 18, 2024 • Stellar Streams, Tetrapods, Richard Feynman

Numlock News • 766 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🔬 Science Space Biology Data Privacy Astronomy Physics
  1. The National Baseball Hall of Fame faced a significant financial decline in revenue and attendance in 2022.
  2. Walmart's financial services became a target for scammers, leading to billions of dollars in fraud.
  3. Biologists are concerned about the extinction of tetrapod species, with around 856 currently missing and presumed extinct.

Aliens!

Glenn’s Substack • 1336 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
🔬 Science Extraterrestrial Life
  1. Recent reports about aliens are likely coming from within the government.
  2. The reason for the emergence of alien stories now remains unclear.
  3. Speculation abounds about the motivations and actions of potential alien visitors.

NobleGen

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🔬 Science Biotechnology Genetics Nanotechnology Research Medical
  1. Noblegen focused on an optical nanopore DNA sequencing method, but they are no longer active. This approach has been attempted multiple times with limited success.
  2. They incorporated a technique where each DNA base is replaced with multiple bases to simplify detection, but there's not much strong evidence that this method works well.
  3. The Noblegen Optipore method showed promise in development, but it was ultimately not adopted, reflecting the challenges in the field of DNA sequencing technology.

The Stars, Our Destination?

Everything Is Amazing • 1479 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🔬 Science Space Exploration Physics Fiction Technology Astrophysics
  1. Space exploration faces challenges like the vastness of space and technological limitations.
  2. JPL has a track record of extending mission goals for spacecraft, showcasing innovation and efficiency.
  3. Theoretical concepts like FTL drives and warp drives may be intriguing, but the feasibility remains uncertain due to scientific principles and practical challenges.

3.4.6 Permittivity & Permeability

Fields & Energy • 279 implied HN points • 08 May 24
🔬 Science Physics Electromagnetism Materials Energy Theory
  1. Permittivity describes how a material can allow electric displacement, showing the relationship between electric field and displacement. It helps us understand how electric forces behave in different materials.
  2. Permeability relates to how materials respond to magnetic fields, defining the strength of magnetic interactions. It helps in understanding the magnetic forces within various materials.
  3. Both permittivity and permeability are key concepts that link electrical physics and mechanical physics. They provide important information about how electric and magnetic fields interact with materials.

Psychology Findings You Can Bank On

Unsafe Science • 54 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🔬 Science Psychology Research Social Sciences Empirical Studies Cognitive Science
  1. Psychological research has produced valuable insights that can enhance our understanding of human behavior. It's important to pay attention to these findings.
  2. Some claims made in the social sciences are questionable and need to be critically evaluated. Not everything that is published is reliable.
  3. There's ongoing debate about the quality of psychological studies, so it's good to be skeptical and look for well-supported evidence.

~75% of Psychology Claims are False

Unsafe Science • 161 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🔬 Science Psychology Research Methods Replication Crisis Censorship
  1. A lot of psychology studies are not reliable, with about 75% of their claims likely being false. So, it's best to be skeptical of what you read in this field.
  2. Many published psychology findings are difficult to reproduce. This means that even though a study shows something, there's a good chance it might not be true when tried again.
  3. Censorship and ignoring opposing evidence can lead to more misinformation in psychology. Some studies get more attention even when their findings are wrong or contested.

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.

Synthetic integrin antibodies discovered by yeast display reveal αV subunit pairing preferences with β subunits

Axial • 7 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🔬 Science Biotechnology Medical Research Pharmacology Cell Biology
  1. New antibodies were created that can specifically block integrins, which are important for cell functions like attachment and signaling. This may lead to better treatments for diseases.
  2. Researchers found that different β subunits bind preferentially to the αV subunit in integrins. Understanding these pairings helps explain how integrins work in the body.
  3. The antibodies developed through this study can directly compete with small molecules that normally bind to integrins. This opens the door for more precise therapies in the future.

Real-Time Multistep Asymmetrical Disassembly of Nucleosomes and Chromatosomes Visualized by High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy

Axial • 7 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🔬 Science Biology Genetics Research Methods Molecular Biology
  1. Researchers used a special microscope to watch how nucleosomes and chromatosomes come apart in real-time. This lets us see important details about how these DNA structures change.
  2. The study found that the disassembly process is not symmetrical; some parts come off before others. This shows a new way that DNA is accessed for various functions.
  3. Linker histone H1 plays a big role in how these structures disassemble. When H1 is present, it makes the process slower and changes the way the nucleosomes fall apart.

A Brief Genetic History of Europe

Holodoxa • 239 implied HN points • 19 May 24
🔬 Science Genetics History Anthropology Migration Disease
  1. Modern Europeans have a complex genetic history with contributions from different ancient populations like hunter-gatherers and Neolithic farmers.
  2. Advancements in genomics have drastically reduced the cost of sequencing genomes, leading to significant progress in understanding human genetic history.
  3. Migration has been a significant factor in shaping the genetic and cultural landscape of Europe over thousands of years, and it continues to play a crucial role in our future.

A Better SNT?

Gordian Knot News • 146 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🔬 Science Radiation Health DNA Cancer Repair
  1. The SNT model can be improved by making the DNA repair period depend on the dose rate of radiation. This means that higher doses would take longer to repair, which fits better with the observed data.
  2. There seems to be a limit to how much cancer can result from radiation, especially at high doses. Cells that are too damaged can't repair themselves, which might prevent cancer from developing.
  3. Understanding how radiation affects the body is important for safety, especially for workers in nuclear plants. We need more data to ensure the current models aren’t overly cautious, which can lead to unnecessary costs.

Energy in electronic circuits

lcamtuf’s thing • 2244 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🔬 Science Physics Electronics Energy Circuits
  1. Designing electronic circuits has become more stringent over the years due to advancements in technology.
  2. Understanding how energy travels through electronic circuits is crucial for circuit stability and efficiency.
  3. High-speed signals in electronic circuits can lead to significant energy expenditure and signal integrity issues.

The First Humans in Europe

Grey Goose Chronicles • 1257 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
🔬 Science Archaeology Evolution Genetics
  1. Evidence suggests that the earliest human ancestors in Europe evolved in Europe before eventually moving to Africa.
  2. The arrival of different human species in Europe can be traced through archaeological findings and genetic studies.
  3. Neanderthals existed in Europe for a long time, and the arrival of modern humans led to significant changes and interactions.

Reading List for Chapter 3

Fields & Energy • 199 implied HN points • 31 May 24
🔬 Science Physics Education History Literature Technology
  1. To understand electricity and magnetism, start with accessible introductory books. These give a good overview but aren't deeply technical.
  2. For more in-depth study, look into undergraduate textbooks. They cover more complex topics and are aimed at those ready to dig deeper into the science.
  3. Supplementary texts and guides can be very useful. They often explain difficult concepts clearly and may include helpful resources like online solutions and podcasts.

The Open Source Stack for Biological Imaging

LatchBio • 17 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🔬 Science Data Analysis Open Source
  1. There are many open-source tools for biological imaging like Napari, ImageJ, Cellpose, CellProfiler, and Suite2p. Each tool has unique features and helps scientists visualize and analyze complex biological data.
  2. Using these tools, scientists can perform tasks such as tracking embryo development, analyzing protein interactions, segmenting cells, and studying neural activity. This technology makes research more efficient and accurate.
  3. Modern data infrastructure can greatly improve the use of these imaging tools. Centralizing resources, using container templates, and optimizing data transfer enhances research productivity and collaboration among teams.

Open Thread 313

Astral Codex Ten • 2202 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🔬 Science Research Genetics Psychology Fiction Education
  1. Genes matter 2x as much as the environment in schizophrenia, not 4x as previously thought
  2. A study on political reasoning errors failed to replicate, questioning a larger literature on the topic
  3. Humans merging with AI may not be unprecedented, as evidenced by a medieval Italian man merging with a knife

What a COVID-19 Food Fight Says About Scientific Discourse

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1089 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🔬 Science Discourse Partisanship Debate Journalism COVID-19
  1. One strategy in science partisanship is to associate opponents with unpopular political figures to discredit their views without engaging with the substance.
  2. Another strategy is to argue that certain debates are harmful to scientific goals, leading to avoiding critique that might impact funding or research opportunities.
  3. Partisanship in science can also involve associating legitimate arguments with totally unacceptable views, like labeling individuals with terms that discredit their opinions.

3.4.8 Maxwell's Methods and Views

Fields & Energy • 219 implied HN points • 22 May 24
🔬 Science Physics Mathematics History Theories Research
  1. Maxwell used physical analogies and models to understand complex electrical and magnetic behaviors. This helped him discover important concepts like the displacement current.
  2. He believed that energy is linked to electromagnetic fields, not just to electric charges. This was a key part of his theory of electromagnetism.
  3. Despite his great contributions, some of Maxwell's ideas were not recognized during his time. His work on gases faced rejection, showing how science can overlook important discoveries.

Numlock News: January 9, 2024 • Cursive, Humpbacks, Relatives

Numlock News • 727 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🔬 Science Animals Environment Education Health Technology
  1. Cursive is making a comeback in some states, with 11 states reintroducing it in the curriculum.
  2. Whaling on South Georgia Island led to a severe decline in humpback whale populations, but they are now making a comeback.
  3. A study predicts a 35% drop in the number of relatives people will have, with grandparents and great-grandparents becoming more common relatives.

Letter from Harvard

Natural Selections • 10 implied HN points • 20 May 25
🔬 Science Research Funding Medical Science Cancer Research Public Policy Higher education
  1. The end of federal funding for research can hurt students, especially those from low-income families, making it harder for them to contribute to important medical advancements.
  2. A lot of scientific research relies on federal money, and cuts can disrupt ongoing projects and harm future innovation, making it a complex issue beyond just budget cuts.
  3. Having more people involved in science is great, but it raises questions about how to fund it fairly. We need to ensure that decisions on funding are made wisely and not based on popularity.

A short brainstorm on niobium

Intercalation Station • 779 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🔬 Science Materials Chemistry
  1. Niobium is a versatile material with unique properties like superconductivity and strength.
  2. Thermal runaway in batteries can be analyzed and mitigated using tools like differential scanning calorimetry.
  3. 90% of niobium is used in steelmaking, but it has potential in battery technology for durability and fast charging.

Take the inductive leap

Mindful Modeler • 279 implied HN points • 30 Apr 24
🔬 Science Machine Learning Induction Prediction Philosophy
  1. In a 2-day universe, predicting the future is uncertain and relies on assumptions, highlighting the challenge of inductive reasoning.
  2. The problem of induction questions the idea that the future will always mirror the past, emphasizing the need to critically assess assumptions.
  3. Taking an inductive leap involves making predictions based on past observations and acknowledging the inherent uncertainty and need to challenge assumptions in our understanding of the world.

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

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 3 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
🔬 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.

Reverse Genetic Systems

A Biologist's Guide to Life • 58 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🔬 Science Biology Virology Genetics Statistics
  1. There are two main theories about the origin of SARS-CoV-2: one is that it came from animal trade, and the other is that it originated in a lab. Each theory has its own set of details that scientists are still investigating.
  2. Understanding the origins of the virus requires knowledge of both biology and complex statistical methods. These methods help researchers weigh the evidence carefully, which is crucial for arriving at the most likely explanation.
  3. The evidence increasingly suggests that the virus may have come from a lab, especially noting the features like the furin cleavage site that were put into a reverse genetic system. This raises important questions about how we study viruses and their potential risks.

3.4.2 Maxwell’s Original Equations

Fields & Energy • 339 implied HN points • 10 Apr 24
🔬 Science Physics Mathematics Electromagnetism Equations History
  1. Maxwell's equations describe how electric and magnetic fields interact. They show the principles of electromagnetism in a clear way.
  2. Heaviside simplified Maxwell's original equations, reducing them from twenty to four. This makes them easier to understand and use today.
  3. The concepts of electric displacement and charge continuity are central to these equations. They help us understand how electricity flows and behaves in various situations.