The hottest Biology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Biomimicry versus Top-Down Engineering

Risk Musings • 573 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🔬 Science Genetics Biology Innovation Systems
  1. Nature builds from the bottom up through evolution and mutations, unlike top-down engineering in human systems.
  2. Biomimicry offers inspiration across various fields by learning from nature's efficient and resilient systems.
  3. Bottom-up building, like in the human brain, involves countless interactions that lead to emergent solutions, unlike enforced top-down strategies.

Looking for your keys under the light

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 671 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🔬 Science Research Biology Models Healthcare
  1. When searching for something, we tend to look where it is easiest to see, even if it might not be the best place to find it.
  2. This behavior can lead to wasting time and effort on ineffective or inefficient search strategies.
  3. It is important to be mindful of not getting stuck looking in familiar or visible places, but to explore all possibilities.

A Bridging of Dimensions

ᴋʟᴀᵾs • 628 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🔬 Science Physics Mathematics Biology Neuroscience Consciousness
  1. Former government officials have revealed details about UFO crash retrieval programs involving non-human intelligence and advanced materials.
  2. The use of topological materials in UFO technology could explain exotic properties, like strange isotopes and materials able to deform into higher dimensions.
  3. Connections between the human brain's multi-dimensional functions and UFO phenomena could suggest a link between consciousness and unexplained aerial phenomena.
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Paul Stamets on Fungi, Heterodoxy and Systems

rebelwisdom • 687 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🔬 Science Biology Ecology Evolution Psychology
  1. Fungi play a critical role in ecosystems, being essential for survival and offering various benefits to humans.
  2. Mycelium networks demonstrate resilience and adaptability, showing how diversity and innovation can emerge from minorities and unconventional thinking.
  3. Psilocybin mushrooms provide not just physical effects, but also potential societal and spiritual benefits, connecting different cultures and promoting collaboration over conflict.

Economics and Evolutionary Psychology

David Friedman’s Substack • 143 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
🔬 Science Psychology Evolution Behavior Economics Biology
  1. Economics predicts individual behavior based on personal goals, while evolutionary psychology focuses on genes' goals for reproductive success.
  2. Evolutionary psychology sees the human mind as specialized modules shaped by Darwinian evolution for survival in hunter-gatherer environments.
  3. Behavioral inconsistencies in economics can be explained by beliefs in 'just prices' influenced by evolutionary psychology and ancestral trading practices.

Protein Sequencing And Nanopore Current Ranges...

ASeq Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🔬 Science Biology Chemistry Technology Research Innovation
  1. Protein sequencing using nanopores is a topic of interest, with a recent study highlighting a large state space of 10^25 and using an Oxford Nanopore's R9.4.1 pore with a range of ~10pA.
  2. Investigating patents can provide insights into the current range for DNA sequencing and can spark further contemplation about the future of protein sequencing using nanopores.
  3. The detailed post on protein sequencing and nanopore current ranges is available for paid subscribers, emphasizing the exclusivity of the content.

Genius in turbulent times

Logging the World • 418 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🔬 Science Mathematics History Biology Diversity
  1. Genius can be found in lesser-known figures like Kolmogorov, who made significant contributions to mathematics and other fields.
  2. Kolmogorov's work on probability theory and the Kolmogorov-Arnold theorem had a lasting impact on mathematics and even underpins modern AI algorithms.
  3. Kolmogorov's life was not only marked by academic achievements but also by navigating personal challenges, such as opposing Lysenkoism and living as an openly gay man in Stalinist Russia.

How to Imbue the Basic Models of Biology With a Positive Vision of the Future

Maximum Progress • 196 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🔬 Science Biology Ecology Economics Evolution
  1. Basic biological models suggest a narrative of exponential growth followed by collapse.
  2. Biology offers a positive vision of the future through sustainable population growth without new resources, like Rubisco enzyme evolution.
  3. Evolutionary innovations, such as the human brain, enable sustainable growth and prosperity, creating a bridge between ecological and economic perspectives.

A Protein Printer

Asimov Press • 322 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🔬 Science Biology Technology Chemistry DNA Proteins
  1. A protein printer is a new technology that can convert digital bits into physical molecules, potentially revolutionizing biology.
  2. The protein printer could make proteins without using DNA or cells, thus reducing costs significantly.
  3. Engineering a protein printer involves reimagining the ribosome to quickly convert digital bits into physical molecules with high precision.

My Little Cockroach

Banana Peel Pirouette • 79 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
🔬 Science Biology Ecology Evolution Urbanization Animal Behavior
  1. Cockroaches have been around for millions of years and are found on every continent except Antarctica, adapted to urban environments due to global commerce.
  2. Humans have a unique disgust towards cockroaches, though other pests like mice and pigeons coexist with us and are even celebrated in popular culture.
  3. Our fear and loathing towards cockroaches stem from the way they challenge our perceptions of hygiene and control over the environment, showing how closely intertwined our lives are with these creatures.

How things come to be as they are

Overthinking Everything • 349 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🔬 Science Evolution Biology Technology Memes Patterns
  1. The theory of evolution explains the existence, creation, and extinction of things based on modifications and combinations of existing entities.
  2. Evolutionary processes are not confined to biological organisms but also apply to technologies, ideas (memes), and even inanimate objects like rocks.
  3. Understanding evolutionary theory can help in generating plausible explanations for how things came to be and in devising actions to shape the desired outcomes.

The case for 1 mSv per day

Gordian Knot News • 212 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
🔬 Science Radiation Biology Nuclear power Health Risks
  1. The recommended radiation exposure limit for the general public was 2 mSv/day until 1951, when it was changed to 3 mSv/week.
  2. A dose of 2 mSv/day is considered safe as it is based on biological repair mechanisms that can handle DNA damage from radiation and natural processes.
  3. Maintaining a limit of 2 mSv/day could prevent unnecessary evacuations and help make nuclear power a more economical and environmentally friendly energy source.

Alternatives to Zookeeping

De Novo • 121 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🔬 Science Biology Proteins Antibodies Research
  1. Synthetic biology can provide alternatives to traditional antibodies in biomedical research to improve progress and reproducibility.
  2. Current production and use of antibodies have intrinsic and extrinsic challenges, such as compatibility issues, cost, and reproducibility concerns.
  3. Moving towards new antibody technologies, like recombinant antibodies and phage display, could lead to better solutions in biomedical research, though adoption may require top-down support from funding agencies.

Will no one rid me of this turbulent pest?

De Novo • 110 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
🔬 Science Health Genetics Research Biology
  1. Political concerns are the main obstacles to deploying gene drives, not technical challenges.
  2. Gene drives have the potential to end malaria, but they need to be released soon to save lives.
  3. Gene drive organizations need to carefully navigate public perception and governmental support to avoid backlash and ensure success.

Always

The Strategy Toolkit • 17 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🔬 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.

(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 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.

O-Day - Explaining Frank Polifka's Windhexe

Remote View • 216 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🔬 Science Technology Physics Engineering Chemistry Biology
  1. A technology called Windhexe can turn various materials into powder, even turning gravel to dust and reducing waste into powder.
  2. The Windhexe device functions by creating a tornado-like vortex in a chamber, causing materials to be smashed and pulverized into tiny particles.
  3. Windhexe technology has been used by different companies for processing food wastes, manufacturing debris, and even for drying materials quickly.

Natural Trans Fats

The Heart Attack Diet • 59 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Mental health Fitness Biology Research
  1. Trans-fats in dairy products from ruminants are naturally occurring and include conjugated linoleic acid and vaccenic acid, produced by bacterial action in the rumen.
  2. Putting seed oils in cow food can lead to the transformation of fats into trans-fats as a detoxifying defense mechanism by gut bacteria.
  3. Vaccenic acid found in human orbitofrontal cortex of patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia raises questions about its role in these conditions.

Playing the game vs. finding a cheat code

De Novo • 99 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
🔬 Science Biology Development Research Genetics
  1. Playing the game versus using cheat codes can be applied to various situations like growing oocytes and making Pokémon.
  2. Advantages of playing normally: it may take longer but strengthens understanding; button mashing can lead to quicker results but might have unforeseen issues.
  3. In different scenarios, like making natural products or evaluating computer code, deciding between conventional methods or shortcuts is crucial.

Everything Wrong With: "Illumina: The Measurement Monopoly" Part 8/8

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🔬 Science Genomics Biology Technology Business Analysis
  1. The misconception that the author is independently wealthy is addressed, highlighting the need for funding for their content creation activities.
  2. The discussion covers the vertical integration strategies of AffyMetrix and Illumina in the genomics industry.
  3. There is a desire for a less vertically integrated future in the sequencing industry, focusing on filling sequencers with reagents like qPCR machines.

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.

Erika Update #10: Honestly, it’s often faster to do it by hand

Erika’s Newsletter • 157 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🔬 Science Biology Technology Data Analysis Research Programming
  1. Sometimes doing tasks by hand can be faster than trying to automate them with scripts.
  2. Automating tasks may not always be worth the effort if the tools or processes are not complete or efficient.
  3. Overcomplicating things with automation can lead to wasted time and effort if the benefits are not substantial.

Real-time Spatial Sequencing

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🔬 Science Biology Technology Research Innovation Genomics
  1. Real-time spatial sequencing involves obtaining a full time course of RNA as it's transcribed and cleared from cells.
  2. Challenges include releasing RNA from cells without damaging them, determining porous array density, and developing a sequencing method.
  3. Potential solutions include using electroporation or biological nanopores, adjusting array density, and utilizing real-time sequencing approaches.

An N terminomics toolbox combining 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde probes and click chemistry for profiling protease specificity

Axial • 37 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🔬 Science Chemistry Biology Research Proteins Methods
  1. The paper introduces an expanded toolbox of reagents for profiling protease substrates and specificity using chemoproteomic methods.
  2. The work demonstrated high N-terminal selectivity with little intrinsic sequence bias beyond a requirement for a backbone amide at position 2.
  3. The 2PCA toolkit enables a broad range of applications in protease biology research by providing selective N-terminal labeling reagents that are easy to implement.

The Fall and Rise of Science Writing

Asimov Press • 180 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🔬 Science Writing Journalism AI News Biology
  1. Science journalism is shifting towards automation using AI, but there is a potential for a renaissance in science writing led by scientists and physicians.
  2. Current news articles often follow a templated structure rooted in historical newspaper layout practices from the past.
  3. The future of impactful science writing lies in personal experiences and unique perspectives, which AI cannot replicate.

Is The Revio A Single Color System?

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🔬 Science Research Technology Innovation Analysis Biology
  1. The Revio possibly uses a single color system for sequencing, which could lead to improved efficiency and simplification of the fabrication process.
  2. The SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) varies significantly between nucleotides in the Revio, indicating potential differences in brightness.
  3. There is ongoing exploration to determine if the Revio sequencing system utilizes a one or two-color system, with a focus on experimental support and additional evidence.