The hottest Biology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Science Topics

The Wall Street Journal Article on LNT

Gordian Knot News • 197 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🔬 Science Biology
  1. The Linear No Threshold (LNT) model does not claim there's no safe dose of radiation. Instead, it looks at how radiation can increase cancer risk based on total exposure.
  2. LNT assumes that our DNA can't repair itself from radiation damage, which isn't true according to modern science. Our bodies have effective systems to fix DNA damage.
  3. Critics of LNT may overestimate cancer risks from radiation by ignoring actual biological repair processes, especially when radiation exposure is low and spread over time.

Cracking biological emergence with mechanistic interpretability

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 597 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🔬 Science Biology
  1. Emergent properties in biology can be hard to connect, kind of like trying to understand a car by randomly taking it apart. Even as we learn about proteins and genes, connecting them to actual biological traits remains a challenge.
  2. Deep learning models like Alpha Fold are changing the game by revealing connections between micro and macro biological features, even if we don't fully understand how they do it. It's like having a model that can assemble a car based on its parts without exactly knowing how all those parts work together.
  3. Recently, there's been exciting work in mechanistic interpretability, which helps us understand how these deep learning models make sense of biology. This could lead to new insights and even virtual experiments that help us learn about cell behavior and gene interactions.

How To 'See' The World Like Daredevil

Everything Is Amazing • 610 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🔬 Science Biology
  1. Some recent science suggests that it's possible for people to see the world in a unique way, similar to characters like Daredevil. It hints at untapped human abilities that we might not even know we have.
  2. There is a fascinating tree in Utah called Pando, which is actually one single tree made up of many clones. It's estimated to be between 16,000 and 80,000 years old, making it one of the oldest living organisms on Earth.
  3. It's important to focus on positive stories and support the art and media that inspire us. Finding and sharing things we love can help create a better world.

Nature to the North

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 359 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🔬 Science Biology
  1. Seeing hundreds of bald eagles feeding at once is a spectacular sight. They gather to feast on fish when conditions are just right.
  2. Some tree stumps can stay alive and continue to grow even after being cut down. This shows how interconnected nature can be through shared resources.
  3. Sea stars, which faced a severe disease, are now showing signs of recovery. Those that survived may pass on stronger genes to help their species adapt.

Why wasn't preservation with the goal of potential future revival started earlier in history?

Neurobiology Notes • 176 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🔬 Science Biology
  1. Despite preservation with the goal of future revival not being proposed for most of human history, in 1962, Evan Cooper and Robert Ettinger independently introduced the concept of cryonics.
  2. Factors influencing the delay in proposing preservation with future revival include a need for optimism in technological progress, willingness to take risks, and advances in preservation technology.
  3. Other possible reasons for the delayed start include societal restrictions, advancements in information theory, and the idea that preservation does not need to be perfect to be pursued.
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Issue 07 is Coming on Monday

Asimov Press • 161 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
🔬 Science Biology
  1. The upcoming issue will explore the unclear history of aspirin, revealing that many established facts might be incorrect. A deep dive into its origins promises to be fascinating and informative.
  2. There's a discussion about the potential resurgence of leech therapy, highlighting its effectiveness and how modern understanding might revive this ancient practice.
  3. The issue will also cover the advancements in gene delivery methods, making it easier to understand how modern therapies are developed, showcasing improvements over older techniques.

The Dangers of Mirrored Life

Asimov Press • 444 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🔬 Science Biology
  1. Creating mirrored organisms could be very dangerous. They might spread quickly, infect humans, and even cause extinctions of vulnerable species.
  2. Scientists worry that mirrored cells could escape labs and evade our immune systems. This means they could thrive and multiply without us even knowing.
  3. Most experts believe we should be cautious and avoid creating these mirrored life forms. It's better to discuss the risks now than to face the consequences later.

Plagiarism: The philosophy, psychology and biology of why we don’t see eye to eye.

On Looking • 259 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Biology
  1. Plagiarism is a significant issue in the creative industry, often going unnoticed or unpunished due to various factors like power imbalances and technological complexities.
  2. Our perception of images is influenced by a dynamic interplay of similarity and difference, with both forces being essential for creativity and artistic identity.
  3. Understanding plagiarism requires a multidisciplinary approach, considering philosophical, psychological, and biological perspectives on how people perceive and categorize similarities in creative works.

The Making of a Gene Circuit

Asimov Press • 290 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🔬 Science Biology
  1. The repressilator is a simple gene circuit that helps scientists understand how to control living cells. It's made of three genes that work together in a loop to create a rhythmic 'on-off' signal.
  2. Michael Elowitz and his team proved that you could design circuits in living cells, which opened the door to synthetic biology. This means we can now program cells to perform specific tasks.
  3. Modern advancements have built on the repressilator, allowing us to create complex gene circuits that can mimic computing processes inside cells. This shows how biology can become a tool for engineering and technology.

Friday Links

Niko McCarty • 39 implied HN points • 31 May 24
🔬 Science Biology
  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.

The chemical reason that PFAS are "forever chemicals"

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 149 implied HN points • 16 Jun 25
🔬 Science Biology
  1. PFAS, or 'forever chemicals', are super strong substances that don't break down easily in our bodies. Once they get in, they can stick around for a long time, causing potential health issues.
  2. These chemicals are hard to get rid of because our bodies mistake them for fat, allowing them to be reabsorbed instead of eliminated. This reabsorption can lead to long-term interference with our health.
  3. NeutraOat might help reduce the impact of PFAS by trapping these chemicals and preventing them from being absorbed into the bloodstream. It could be an important tool in managing their harmful effects.

Francis Crick Was Misunderstood

Asimov Press • 386 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🔬 Science Biology
  1. The Central Dogma explains that information in cells flows mainly from DNA to RNA to proteins, but it's more complex than just that. It actually includes several other information transfers that many people don't realize.
  2. Francis Crick named his idea the Central Dogma, but it’s not an unchangeable belief; it's a scientific hypothesis based on evidence. Even though people often misunderstand it, he believed in testing ideas with experiments.
  3. Recent discoveries show that some processes in biology may seem to contradict the Central Dogma, but they don't actually break its rules. The essential point is that information can only flow from nucleic acids to proteins, never the other way around.

Wednesday Links

Niko McCarty • 39 implied HN points • 29 May 24
🔬 Science Biology
  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.

Xenobots: Self-Replicating Biobots

Solve Cancer in 365 days • 2 HN points • 14 Sep 24
🔬 Science Biology
  1. Xenobots are made from frog cells and can swim, heal, and move in groups. They are different from regular robots because they are living organisms created by scientists.
  2. Researchers design Xenobots by separating skin and heart cells and using computer algorithms to find the best ways to make them move. This combines biology with engineering.
  3. Xenobots can self-replicate by using loose stem cells to create new Xenobots. They could help with pollution cleanup and even serve purposes in medicine, like repairing organs.

O-Day - Explaining Frank Polifka's Windhexe

Remote View • 216 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🔬 Science 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.

Mechanisms too simple for humans to design

Telescopic Turnip • 274 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🔬 Science Biology
  1. Living organisms, like butterflies and bacteria, are incredibly complex, yet humans struggle to replicate them fully because they are surprisingly simple in construction. It's like trying to build a working insect but only using a few basic parts.
  2. The information contained in the genomes of living beings is often much less than what we assume. For example, the human genome contains less useful information than what fits on a CD, showcasing how nature efficiently packs information.
  3. Natural evolution leads to a balance where simpler designs can survive better, while human-made technologies often have complex specifications and high error rates. This means some amazing designs in nature might be too bizarre for humans to create intentionally.

AI-generated Anki cards are not to be trusted

De Novo • 121 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🚌 Education Biology
  1. AI-generated Anki cards can have mistakes that may lead to learning incorrect information. It's important to double-check AI content, especially on complex topics.
  2. Relying on AI for learning new material may not be wise, as it could lead to errors that are not obvious at first glance.
  3. Even when asking different AI systems to review the same content, they can miss errors or indicate correct information as wrong. Human oversight is crucial.

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
  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.

Love, Attention, Patience: The Secrets of Charles Darwin's Scientific Success

Meaning || Matter • 59 implied HN points • 09 Apr 24
🔬 Science Biology
  1. Darwin's success was not just about genius; it was about his love for science, his attention to detail, and his patience in observing the world around him. He worked hard to collect data and make sense of it over many years.
  2. His groundbreaking theory of evolution came from his commitment to understanding nature and his experiences during his voyage on the Beagle. He took every opportunity to explore and study different species and their environments.
  3. Even when faced with challenges and doubts, Darwin continued to gather and analyze evidence, showing that persistence and curiosity are key to making important discoveries.

Why The Sky Smells Great

Everything Is Amazing • 1303 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🔬 Science Biology
  1. The smell of fresh air can impact our mood and health, like boosting immune cells when exposed to aromatic forest scents.
  2. Weather changes can create distinct smells, like the pre-storm smell of ozone or the earthy petrichor after rain.
  3. Our sense of smell may have deeper cultural and biological connections that we are still exploring.

Mouse Caviar

De Novo • 99 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
🔬 Science Biology
  1. Researchers have found a way to produce mouse eggs from stem cells, even without ovarian cells. This could lead to advancements in egg production technology.
  2. The method shows that meiosis can occur in 2D cultures, making it easier to do research in the lab. However, the eggs produced currently can’t fully mature without ovarian support.
  3. This study challenges previous beliefs about the necessity of ovarian cells for early egg development, which opens up new avenues for understanding and improving in vitro reproduction.

What Is Beauty?

Life and Letters • 59 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Biology
  1. Sexual attraction plays a big role in art and beauty. It has been important in history but seems less central in today's discussions about aesthetics.
  2. Richard Prum's theory explains that beauty in the animal world, like a peacock's tail, comes from sexual selection rather than just survival needs. Animals choose mates based on beauty, which shapes what traits get passed down.
  3. Culture and biology are deeply connected when it comes to beauty and desire. This idea can be seen in literature from ancient times, where beautiful characters are often depicted as more desirable than strong ones.

(Ad-free Video) What's New in Science With Sabine and Lawrence | Fusion Dark Matter, String Theory in Biology, and Rapid Evolution

Critical Mass • 3 implied HN points • 13 Feb 26
🔬 Science Biology
  1. Future fusion reactors might produce axion-like particles through neutron–lithium reactions in their shielding, offering a new way to search for very light, weakly interacting dark-matter candidates.
  2. Quantum interference has been observed with clusters of thousands of atoms, pushing the boundary of everyday quantum effects and reigniting debate about whether wavefunction collapse is a real physical process.
  3. Cross-disciplinary methods are yielding surprises: string-theory math and AI are being applied to biological and mathematical problems, evidence suggests life rebounded faster after the Chicxulub impact, and some tumors can hijack nerve signaling to suppress local immunity.

Gregor Mendel's Vanishing Act

Asimov Press • 232 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🔬 Science Biology
  1. Gregor Mendel, known as the father of genetics, did much more than just his famous pea experiments. He worked across various scientific fields and made important discoveries about inheritance long before it was fully understood.
  2. Sadly, many of Mendel's notes and findings were destroyed after his death, leaving behind an incomplete representation of his life’s work. This loss means we might never fully appreciate the depth of his contributions.
  3. Mendel's educational journey was filled with challenges, including health issues that impacted his ability to become a teacher. Ironically, these struggles led him to his groundbreaking research in genetics, which changed biology forever.

Knowing the Gods, Knowing the Smalls

Microanimism • 19 implied HN points • 20 Jun 24
🔬 Science Biology
  1. The setting described is unique and surreal, with rose bushes and mysterious elements creating a vivid picture.
  2. The story delves into a narrative involving gods, non-gods, and their impact on a strange world, with themes of environmental change and conflict.
  3. An invitation to explore more by subscribing, offering a 7-day free trial to access additional content on Microanimism.

The Botanical World is Full of DMT 🌱

Tripsitter • 159 implied HN points • 28 Aug 23
🔬 Science Biology
  1. DMT is common in nature, found in various plants, animals, and sea sponges.
  2. Our body efficiently disables DMT from taking effect with the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO).
  3. Plants like Acacia, Yopo, and Giant River Reed contain DMT and related tryptamine alkaloids used in rituals and cultural practices.

A Search for Sick Animals

Asimov Press • 186 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🔬 Science Biology
  1. Animal models are really important for studying diseases like Parkinson's because they can show how conditions develop and help test new treatments.
  2. Researchers have looked for animals with naturally occurring Parkinson's, but finding them is hard. A recent study claims to have found a monkey with the disease indicating there may be others we just haven't discovered yet.
  3. If scientists can identify more animals with Parkinson's, it could lead to better understanding and treatment options for humans. It's important to keep searching for these models.

The Mantis Shrimp Edition

Why is this interesting? • 241 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🔬 Science Biology
  1. Mantis shrimp can punch very fast, making them the fastest strikers in the animal world. It's incredible how quickly they can hit their targets.
  2. These shrimp are very protective of their territory and will aggressively defend their space against intruders.
  3. Their powerful punches are so strong that they can even break glass, showing just how strong these small creatures really are.

Links for 2024-01-27

Axis of Ordinary • 78 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🔬 Science Biology
  1. AI advancements are improving without human intervention.
  2. New scientific discoveries challenge current understanding of the universe and human history.
  3. Discussions about progressive politics, Biden administration decisions, and international military relations are ongoing.

Literally Imagine Dragons

Eat Shit and Prosper • 259 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🔬 Science Biology
  1. Chlorophyll and heme are both essential chemicals in life, with similar structures that play key roles in energy production and oxygen transport. Chlorophyll helps plants make energy from sunlight, while heme carries oxygen in our blood.
  2. There's a mysterious porphyrin with vanadium at its center found in crude oil. It could belong to an ancient life form, and studying it may reveal new insights into the history of life on Earth.
  3. The idea of a lost type of microbial chemistry, possibly allowing for 'silanogenesis', imagines how ancient creatures might have used silicon compounds like silane for energy, similar to how some modern microbes produce methane.

Erika Update #5: DNA detective

Erika’s Newsletter • 137 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🔬 Science Biology
  1. It's important to keep good track of custom DNA programs in biology for engineering purposes.
  2. Current DNA management lacks clear nomenclature and annotation, making it challenging to work with DNA sequences.
  3. Challenges in DNA management highlight the complexity of biological functions and the importance of handling sequences carefully and thoughtfully.

Sex in Biology Signature Campaign

Heterodox STEM • 156 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🔬 Science Biology
  1. Some biology societies have stated that sex is not simply male or female, which has caused confusion.
  2. A group of biologists has written a letter saying that sex should actually be defined by gamete type, meaning there are two sexes.
  3. They are asking other biologists to sign this letter to support their view and clarify the definition of sex.