Niko McCarty

Niko McCarty's Substack focuses on advancements and challenges in biotechnology, essay writing tips, and various scientific updates. It highlights new techniques in gene editing, brain-computer interfaces, and biotechnology ethics. The posts emphasize practical advice, recent scientific developments, and the potential of biological engineering to address global issues.

Biotechnology Gene Editing Brain-Computer Interfaces Scientific Research Ethics in Science Writing and Communication

The hottest Substack posts of Niko McCarty

And their main takeaways

This week: Bacteria anticipate the seasons! Placebos activate the same neurons as anesthesia! And don’t touch radio towers with hot dogs.

79 implied HN points • 07 Sep 24
🔬 Science Biology Neuroscience Physics Mathematics Environmental Science
  1. Bacteria can sense changes in seasons and adapt to prepare for colder weather. This helps them survive better when temperatures drop.
  2. Placebos work by activating the same brain neurons as pain relief drugs like anesthesia. This shows how our mind can influence our body’s responses.
  3. A fun fact: touching a hot dog to a radio tower can turn it into a speaker. Just a quirky reminder to be careful with food and electronics!

Why Engineer Biology?

39 implied HN points • 10 Sep 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology Genetics Molecular Biology Environmental Science Health Science
  1. Cells can help solve big problems like hunger and climate change by using chemistry and physics to rearrange atoms into useful materials. They are like natural tools that can be engineered to do tasks we need.
  2. Engineering biology has a successful history, like when Norman Borlaug improved wheat crops in Mexico. These achievements show that one innovative solution can make a huge difference over time.
  3. Now is a great time to work in biotechnology because tools for studying and changing genes are getting cheaper and easier to use. This means more people, from different backgrounds, can contribute to solving biological challenges.

Quick Advice on Writing Essays

399 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🚌 Education Writing Research Teaching Essays Literacy
  1. Start your essay with a focused idea. Make sure it's specific enough to explore and not too broad.
  2. Outline your essay and list the questions you want to answer. This helps you stay organized and focused on what you need to research.
  3. Research answers to your questions one at a time, then compile your findings into a structured essay. This makes writing easier and clearer.

Monday Links

159 implied HN points • 27 May 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology Neuroscience Environmental Science Cell Biology Genetics
  1. Scientists can now deliver single molecules into living cells using special tools called nanopipettes. This could help in studying cell functions more precisely.
  2. Neuralink is facing problems with its brain chip as most of the threads inserted in the first human are not working. They plan to implant another chip in another person soon.
  3. Greenpeace is blocking the planting of Golden Rice, which is modified to help prevent vitamin A deficiency. This decision may change as the Philippine government intends to challenge it.

Thursday Links

119 implied HN points • 30 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Biotechnology Engineering Research Innovation
  1. A company has set a new record by placing over 4,000 electrodes on a living human brain. This is a big step in brain-computer interface technology.
  2. There are some significant papers about CRISPR technology that are worth checking out. These studies could impact how we use gene editing in the future.
  3. A certain microbe can significantly reduce harmful gas emissions in soil. This is important because it's a natural solution that doesn't involve genetic engineering.
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Underrated Problems in Biotechnology

99 implied HN points • 25 May 24
🕹 Technology Biotechnology Agriculture Environmental Genetics Health
  1. Chick culling is a big issue where billions of male chicks are killed each year because they can't lay eggs. New technology can help determine an egg's sex earlier to prevent this cruelty.
  2. Synthetic apomixis could change farming for the better by allowing farmers to grow hybrid crops indefinitely without buying new seeds each year. This would help increase their profits and food supply.
  3. Tree engineering is important for combating climate change, but not enough researchers are focusing on it. Creating trees that grow faster and capture more carbon could help protect our forests.

The Art of Emails

79 implied HN points • 25 May 24
🚌 Education Writing Skills Communication Professional development Literacy Self-Improvement
  1. Cold emails are powerful tools for making connections. They show you are proactive and really want to connect with someone.
  2. Writing cold emails can improve your writing skills. It helps you think clearly about what you want to say and how to say it to the right person.
  3. When writing, treat it like you're emailing one person. This helps you focus and makes it easier to express your ideas simply.

Friday Links

39 implied HN points • 31 May 24
🔬 Science Chemistry Biology Technology Health Environment
  1. Forever chemicals are really tough to break down because of their chemical structure. Researchers are looking for ways to engineer microbes that can help eliminate these harmful substances.
  2. SGLT2 inhibitors can help the immune system clear out old cells, which could be important for health. There’s growing interest in how these inhibitors can benefit kidney treatment.
  3. Advances in cotton plant genomes could make it easier to breed better plants in the future. This could lead to improvements in cotton production and farming.

Wednesday Links

39 implied HN points • 29 May 24
🔬 Science Biology Health Innovation Vaccines Research
  1. Joseph Lister invented the first micropipette in the 1850s, but it wasn't popular like Heinrich Schnitger's design in 1957. It's interesting how some inventions don’t get the recognition they deserve until later.
  2. A new vaccine strategy uses tiny particles to target specific cells with mRNA vaccines. This could make immunizations more effective and targeted.
  3. The FDA sometimes takes too long to approve products like sunscreens, which can affect public health. It's a reminder that safety can sometimes slow down progress.

Tuesday Links

19 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🔬 Science Biology Medicine Technology Chemistry Research
  1. New AI models are being developed to design DNA sequences and create new antibodies. These advancements could help in understanding genetic activities better.
  2. Researchers have found a clever way to help microbes absorb molecules that usually cannot enter cells by attaching them to compounds that can. This could lead to new methods in biotechnology.
  3. Joining cancer trials might not help patients live longer, according to a study. It's important for patients to consider this when thinking about trial participation.

C57BL/6 (Beta)

19 implied HN points • 25 May 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology Research Ethics Pharmaceuticals Computing
  1. In 2032, scientists created computer emulations of mice, including their entire anatomy and brain. This was only possible for a few organizations with strong computing power.
  2. The military used these emulators to test how drugs could enhance mouse performance, but some results were secretly tested on prisoners, raising ethical concerns.
  3. The NIH gave access to emulators mainly to select academic institutions, leading to a flood of biomedical papers. This made their findings influential in clinical trials, affecting millions of people.

Biotech Needs Its Hydrogen Atom

0 implied HN points • 25 May 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology Physics Molecular Biology Genomics Research Methods
  1. Biotechnology needs a common foundation, much like how hydrogen is essential to physics. This foundation would help scientists work together more effectively and share their findings.
  2. If scientists could collaborate and understand life better, they could design solutions for diseases and other challenges. This could lead to a future where we have more control over creating living organisms for our needs.
  3. Focusing on studying a simple organism like Mycoplasma genitalium could be key to building this foundation. By deeply understanding it, we could create models that help us predict how other cells function.