The hottest Chemistry Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Arsenic and old faces

The Quack Doctor • 19 implied HN points • 10 May 24
💾 History Beauty Medicine Advertising Chemistry Legislation
  1. Arsenic was once thought to provide a youthful complexion, leading to the trend of advertising arsenic pills and soaps in the 1890s.
  2. Entrepreneurs in the 1890s marketed commercial arsenic products for complexion, openly promoting the poisonous ingredient as a benefit.
  3. Chemists faced legal trouble in the late 1800s for selling arsenic soap that did not actually contain arsenic, signaling a dangerous trend of mislabeling products.

Recycling Atoms With Supercritical Water

Splitting Infinity • 59 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
🔬 Science Chemistry Renewable Energy Waste Management
  1. Supercritical water can break down organic matter like sewage, paper, plastic, and food into simple molecules, helping in recycling and generating energy.
  2. Using supercritical water can address the issue of a potential future carbon shortage by breaking down carbon present in waste into simple molecules.
  3. Supercritical water enables a wide range of chemical processes like producing green hydrogen, desalination, and supporting different chemical reactions, offering potential for creating sustainable systems.

Could AI's Dream Of Synthetic Sheep?

SCIENCE GODDESS • 78 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🔬 Science AI Biology Chemistry Technology Research
  1. The term 'hallucination' in the context of AI does not imply consciousness, but rather refers to AI systems stating untruths or false information.
  2. AI's ability to 'hallucinate' new proteins opens up possibilities for innovative developments in synthetic biology and drug discovery.
  3. There is speculation about whether AI could one day imagine and create entirely new forms of life based on alternative biochemistries, like synthetic sheep or silicon-based life.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Breath of God: Tripping on Xenon Gas

Tripsitter • 77 HN points • 13 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Athletics Chemistry
  1. Xenon gas is unique as a psychedelic because it's a pure element that leaves the body unchanged after use.
  2. The high cost of xenon, around $10 per liter, makes it a luxury reserved for the elite due to its origins in ancient star mergers.
  3. Xenon has potential benefits in medicine, such as being a fast-acting and safe anesthetic, and in sports as a blood doping agent.

Making Money From Lignin

The Polymerist • 215 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🔬 Science Chemistry Biotechnology Materials Enzymes
  1. Lignin can be a valuable source of aromatic structures for creating synthetic polymers and other materials.
  2. MetGen's enzyme-based technology allows for efficient depolymerization and refining of lignin in alkaline conditions.
  3. MetGen's advancements in lignin processing could make it a viable alternative to petroleum-based feedstocks for creating chemicals and materials.

A Hurdle for New Biobased Plastics

The Polymerist • 215 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🔬 Science Plastics Chemistry Sustainability Performance
  1. Creating biobased plastics that are both affordable and perform well is a major challenge.
  2. Price, performance, and convincing consumers are the three main hurdles to overcome in promoting biobased plastics.
  3. The success of biobased plastics hinges on their ability to compete with traditional plastics in terms of cost and performance, while also gaining consumer acceptance.

When Does Science Self-Correct? Lessons from a Replication Crisis in Early 20th Century Chemistry

The Good Science Project • 63 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🔬 Science Chemistry Psychology Replication Applications
  1. Science can struggle to correct errors from the scientific record, even with healthy reforms in place.
  2. Non-replicable findings can still hold influence and get cited as much as replicable ones.
  3. Natural sciences can swiftly correct mistakes with practical consequences, while social sciences face challenges in self-correction due to less tangible applications and high acceptance of contradictory findings.

Calibrating circuits

Only Wonder Knows • 19 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🔬 Science Physics Chemistry Engineering Technology Research
  1. Calibration of circuits can be a useful solution but it's important to know when it is necessary and when it's not.
  2. Understanding how components like sensors and resistors behave in different conditions is crucial before considering calibration.
  3. Before deciding to calibrate electronic components, a detailed technical and economic analysis should be conducted to ensure it is a suitable solution.

Assembly Line of Enzymes

The Polymerist • 132 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🔬 Science Chemistry Biology Technology Environment Research
  1. Enzyme immobilization can reduce costs and increase accessibility of technology for commodity chemicals
  2. Cascade Biocatalysts technology offers better thermal stability, more reuse, and higher activity compared to conventional methods
  3. Immobilized enzymes can pave the way for a shift towards environmentally friendly and cost-effective synthetic processes in various industries

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.

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 asbestos times

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🔬 Science Chemistry History Health Trade Production
  1. Asbestos, once favored for its fireproof properties, faced a downfall as its health risks became evident.
  2. Asbestos, a naturally occurring material, was widely used for its fireproof and durable qualities in various applications.
  3. The global use of asbestos declined due to health concerns, leading to bans in many countries and the development of alternative materials.

Everything Wrong With: "Illumina: The Measurement Monopoly" Part 4/8

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 10 Dec 23
🔬 Science Biology Chemistry Physics Engineering Technology
  1. The term 'TechBio' may seem superficial, but technology development in biology is complex and involves a mix of disciplines.
  2. The first qPCR machine from 1992 involved intricate instrumentation like photomultiplier tubes and a variety of electronic components.
  3. The development of technology in biology requires navigating complexity and balancing biochemistry and detection techniques to meet market demands.

Can We Filter PFAS Forever Chemicals from Water?

Molecular Spectacular • 3 HN points • 11 Aug 24
🔬 Science Chemistry Environmental Toxicology Public Health
  1. PFAS are harmful chemicals that can stay in our bodies and the environment for a long time. There are two types: long-chain and short-chain, both of which are linked to health risks.
  2. Filtering PFAS from water is challenging because existing methods can't completely remove these chemicals, especially the short-chain ones. Currently, a combination of techniques is often needed to get better results.
  3. The EPA has set strict limits for PFAS levels in drinking water, but many water systems still exceed these limits. This highlights the urgent need for effective filtration solutions.

Natural Product Synthesis in the 21st Century: Beyond the Mountain Top

Axial • 7 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🔬 Science Chemistry Biology Prediction Automation Therapeutics
  1. Natural products and drugs have similarities but drugs are a balance between complexity and accessibility for optimization.
  2. Molecular complexity in drugs is increasing to improve IP coverage, binding affinity, and effectiveness for chronic diseases.
  3. Embracing enabling methods, computational modeling, and deep exploration of complex chemical space can revolutionize natural product synthesis for therapeutic goals.

The Past and Present of Computer-Augmented Hypothesis Generation

FreakTakes • 11 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🔬 Science Chemistry Machine Learning Neural Networks
  1. Computer-augmented hypothesis generation is a promising concept that can help uncover new and valuable ideas from existing data.
  2. Looking at old research in a new light can lead to significant breakthroughs, as seen with Don Swanson's and Sharpless' work in different fields.
  3. Tools like LLMs can assist researchers in finding connections between disparate data points, potentially unlocking new avenues for scientific discovery.

Textbooks

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 79 implied HN points • 05 Aug 17
🚌 Education Nutrition Biochemistry Chemistry Biology
  1. To truly master nutrition, understand it from the ground up by gaining competence in the sciences it's based on and selecting the right textbooks.
  2. Top recommendations for nutrition textbooks include 'Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism' by Gropper and 'Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease' by Ross.
  3. Essential background education for nutrition includes chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, and molecular and cellular biology.

Cholesterol's Hydrocarbon Rings

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 09 Nov 08
🔬 Science Biochemistry Chemistry
  1. Cholesterol has a region with four hydrocarbon rings, where each carbon is connected to two hydrogens that hang off the edge of the ring.
  2. In hydrocarbon ring structures, double bonds between carbons decrease the number of hydrogens bound to a carbon, affecting its chemical properties.
  3. Cholesterol contains four hydrocarbon rings with various structural features, making the hydrocarbon ring portion fat-soluble and not soluble in water.

Links for Fall 2023

Perambulations • 0 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
🔬 Science Biology Data Health Chemistry Psychology
  1. Cats are evolutionarily perfect due to their extreme specialization for hunting.
  2. Data visualization can lead to cognitive errors and should be carefully considered.
  3. Polygenic risk scores have marginal benefits in disease screening and may not be effective for population-wide risk stratification.

Book Review: "The Great Mental Models: Physics, Chemistry and Biology" Vol. 2 - by Farnam Street 4/5

Poczwardowski Notes • 0 implied HN points • 01 Feb 23
🔬 Science Physics Chemistry Biology Mental models
  1. The second volume of 'The Great Mental Models' explores physics, chemistry, and biology, offering practical and timeless concepts that can improve our thinking.
  2. The second book maintains the high quality aesthetic of the first volume but feels more practical and grounded in the laws of nature.
  3. Exploring concepts from various scientific branches, such as those presented in the book, supports multidisciplinary thinking, helping us solve problems better and avoid repeating mistakes.

isotope

the rohn report • 0 implied HN points • 22 Aug 20
🔬 Science Chemistry Biology History Evolution
  1. Isotopes are atoms with different numbers of neutrons, which can affect their stability and behavior.
  2. Different isotopes have varying half-lives and can be used for dating materials, such as carbon-14 for archaeological purposes.
  3. Studying isotopes like uranium has practical applications and helps in understanding Earth's history and the origins of life.

Cholesterol's Importance to the Cell Membrane

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 27 Dec 08
🔬 Science Biology Chemistry Cholesterol Proteins
  1. Cholesterol is a crucial component of cell membranes, contributing to about 20% of its mass and helping maintain the membrane's integrity.
  2. Cholesterol helps regulate the fluidity of cell membranes, preventing them from becoming too fluid or too firm, ensuring optimal cell function.
  3. Cholesterol plays a key role in securing important proteins within the cell membrane, aiding in various cellular functions and communication between cells.

Isoprenes

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 20 Dec 08
🔬 Science Biochemistry Biology Chemistry Medicine Anatomy
  1. Isoprenes are essential compounds found in every living cell, with various important functions in the human body such as being precursors to cholesterol and coenzyme Q10.
  2. Humans obtain crucial isoprene compounds from their diets, which are not produced by the body, and they are also present in medicinal plants like licorice.
  3. Isoprenes play a vital role in the synthesis of glycoproteins, which are essential for cell communication, and are involved in anchoring proteins to cell membranes for various functions.

Cholesterol's Hydrocarbon Tail

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 09 Nov 08
🔬 Science Chemistry Biology
  1. Cholesterol's hydrocarbon tail is non-polar because the electronegativity of hydrogen and carbon are similar, making the electron cloud evenly distributed over both atoms.
  2. Polar molecules like water dissolve in other polar molecules, while non-polar molecules like fats dissolve in other non-polar molecules, creating a division between water-soluble and fat-soluble substances.
  3. Cholesterol is amphipathic, containing both a water-soluble region (hydroxyl group) and a fat-soluble region (steroid ring structure and hydrocarbon tail), making it vital for its function in the body.