The hottest Chemistry Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Breath of God: Tripping on Xenon Gas

Tripsitter ā€¢ 77 HN points ā€¢ 13 Jul 23
šŸ„ Health & Wellness 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.

Constructing space-filling curves

A Piece of the Pi: mathematics explained ā€¢ 90 implied HN points ā€¢ 30 Dec 24
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  1. Space-filling curves, like the Hilbert curve, can fill a whole area by connecting points in a specific way through iterations. They start small and grow by adding more points and connections at each step.
  2. Different seeds can lead to different types of curves. Each seed can be developed using two choices for how to connect the points, leading to many possible variations.
  3. The process used to create these curves can also be reversed. By looking at a curve and breaking it down, you can see how it was made step by step.

How a Norwegian chemist defeated lead paint

The Works in Progress Newsletter ā€¢ 23 implied HN points ā€¢ 20 Aug 25
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  1. Lead paint was commonly used because it dried quickly and had durable properties, but it was very poisonous, especially to children.
  2. A new, safer paint alternative was created using titanium dioxide, which became popular because it was cheaper and non-toxic.
  3. The shift from lead paint to titanium white was important, as it offered similar benefits for painting while being much safer for health.

A Protein Printer

Asimov Press ā€¢ 322 implied HN points ā€¢ 11 Jul 23
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  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.

AI Dropped the Mic at the Nobel Party

TheSequence ā€¢ 105 implied HN points ā€¢ 13 Oct 24
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  1. AI scientists won two Nobel Prizes, one in physics and one in chemistry, marking a big moment for the field.
  2. Some scientists are upset about machine learning winning in physics, saying it's not really physics but computer science.
  3. Many see this as a sign of how science and tech are blending together, showing that knowledge connects different fields in exciting ways.
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Process notes: ethyl maltol

Sasha's 'Newsletter' ā€¢ 195 implied HN points ā€¢ 02 Feb 24
šŸŽØ Art & Illustration Chemistry
  1. Ethyl maltol is a magical substance in perfumery with a childhood-like smell.
  2. It is single-minded, precise, and offers specific shades isolated from complex settings.
  3. Being closely related to maltol but stronger, it requires only a tiny dose and leaves space for other ingredients in perfumery formulas.

The Sequence Chat: Can AI Solve The Riemann Hypothesis? Some Ideas About the Progress and Limitations of AI in Science

TheSequence ā€¢ 70 implied HN points ā€¢ 18 Dec 24
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  1. AI has made impressive strides in scientific fields, helping tackle complex problems across various disciplines like chemistry and physics. This progress shows that AI can be a powerful tool in advancing our understanding of science.
  2. The Riemann Hypothesis is a famous unsolved math problem that could significantly enhance our knowledge of prime numbers. Its simplicity in concept and complexity in proof makes it a unique challenge for both humans and AI.
  3. While AI has potential in scientific research, there are limitations to what it can achieve, especially in tackling deeply complex problems like the Riemann Hypothesis. The unique nature of such challenges may be beyond AI's current capabilities.

How Batteries Work

Material World ā€¢ 284 implied HN points ā€¢ 23 May 23
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  1. Batteries store energy, they don't create it
  2. The inside of a battery is like a Swiss roll with electrodes and electrolyte
  3. Batteries work by moving lithium ions back and forth between electrodes

Specialty Polymers Are Built on Platforms

The Polymerist ā€¢ 149 implied HN points ā€¢ 06 Feb 24
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  1. Specialty polymers are built on platforms of available monomers.
  2. Specialty chemicals and polymers usually start off as specialties before becoming commodities.
  3. Developing profitable specialty polymers requires understanding unique customer needs and tailoring products accordingly.

Calibrating circuits

Only Wonder Knows ā€¢ 19 implied HN points ā€¢ 09 Feb 24
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  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.

Making Money From Lignin

The Polymerist ā€¢ 215 implied HN points ā€¢ 25 Apr 23
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  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.

Chemistry sets and the old-fashioned childhood

Demodexio ā€¢ 132 implied HN points ā€¢ 04 Jan 24
šŸšŒ Education Chemistry
  1. Chemistry sets used to be more dangerous, now they are heavily regulated for children's safety.
  2. We should invest more in structured education for kids in subjects like chemistry and biology to provide similar experiences.
  3. Children today have more limited freedom to explore outdoors, so it's important to offer structured outdoor education in schools.

When the magic bullet goes astray

De Novo ā€¢ 121 implied HN points ā€¢ 21 Jan 24
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  1. Antibiotics are poisons that target bacteria more than humans.
  2. Metronidazole, a 5-nitroimidazole antibiotic, damages cellular molecules by reactive compounds.
  3. Metronidazole is effective against bacteria, parasites, and cancer due to its action in reducing environments.

A Hurdle for New Biobased Plastics

The Polymerist ā€¢ 215 implied HN points ā€¢ 14 Feb 23
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  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.

Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself

The Polymerist ā€¢ 149 implied HN points ā€¢ 28 Mar 23
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  1. The author introduces themselves and their background professionally.
  2. The author discusses their interest in startups focusing on polymer chemistry.
  3. There is a shift to intermittent publishing due to the abundance of content available.

Assembly Line of Enzymes

The Polymerist ā€¢ 132 implied HN points ā€¢ 09 May 23
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  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

Gradient Ascent #14

Gradient Ascent ā€¢ 19 implied HN points ā€¢ 20 Mar 23
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  1. Natural compounds from nature are a valuable source for potential new drugs.
  2. Graph neural networks are used to predict mass spectra from molecular structure in a novel way.
  3. The graph neural network approach provides a promising path for computational drug discovery advancements.

A New Armonica Patent

ASeq Newsletter ā€¢ 7 implied HN points ā€¢ 20 Aug 25
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  1. A new patent for the Armonica indicates a shift from using tortuous nanopores. This may lead to new ways of detecting DNA or other biopolymers.
  2. The earlier version used a complicated meandering structure to slow down the passage of DNA, which helped with detection.
  3. The latest approach seems to be different, suggesting potential improvements in the technology.

Accessible Computational Chemistry

The Polymerist ā€¢ 99 implied HN points ā€¢ 11 Apr 23
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  1. Developing custom polymer products can be a complex and resource-intensive process.
  2. Utilizing computational chemistry tools like Molydyn can streamline modeling and experimentation processes.
  3. The future of polymer chemistry may involve integrating machine learning and AI with experimental data for optimization.

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

The Good Science Project ā€¢ 63 implied HN points ā€¢ 14 Nov 23
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  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.

QuantumSi - Routes Forward

ASeq Newsletter ā€¢ 21 implied HN points ā€¢ 24 Nov 24
šŸ•¹ Technology Chemistry
  1. QuantumSi has recently laid off employees as they restructure due to poor sales. This is tough for those affected, and it's hoped they find new jobs soon.
  2. To reach billions of reads, QuantumSi is exploring chip reuse but it's tricky since they might need to clean the chip quickly and keep it working well after many uses.
  3. They are also looking at using multiple imaging regions to help with throughput instead of reusing chips, which could be a more practical solution for their counting goals.

The NextSeq 2000 Optical System

ASeq Newsletter ā€¢ 14 implied HN points ā€¢ 13 Dec 24
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  1. The NextSeq 2000 utilizes structured illumination to improve imaging quality. This technology allows for clearer images of very small features that were hard to see before.
  2. This updated information aims to reach a broader audience, moving from a previous platform to this one.
  3. The content is exclusive for paid subscribers, highlighting the value in subscribing for more detailed insights.

Transannular Cā€“H functionalization of cycloalkane carboxylic acids

Axial ā€¢ 14 implied HN points ā€¢ 28 Nov 24
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  1. New methods to make cyclic compounds called carbocycles are being developed. These methods are more efficient than traditional ones.
  2. Two new types of ligands help improve the ability to manipulate these compounds, making the process more controlled. This is especially important for challenging structures.
  3. The research shows that creating complex molecules can be done in fewer steps than before, which saves time and resources in drug development.

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

Axial ā€¢ 37 implied HN points ā€¢ 12 Dec 23
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  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.

Protein Sequencing And Nanopore Current Ranges...

ASeq Newsletter ā€¢ 29 implied HN points ā€¢ 02 Mar 24
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  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.

Issue 17: No great stagnation in cruise ships

The Works in Progress Newsletter ā€¢ 12 implied HN points ā€¢ 05 Dec 24
šŸ•¹ Technology Chemistry
  1. Cruise ships show that new ideas and growth are still possible in design and urban living, even as some land technologies seem to stall.
  2. Madrid has successfully built its metro system much faster and cheaper than cities like London and New York by using smart planning and incentives for local leaders.
  3. Many animals, like horses and crabs, are essential for creating life-saving chemicals, reminding us that we still rely on nature, even as technology advances.

The asbestos times

The Works in Progress Newsletter ā€¢ 19 implied HN points ā€¢ 11 Jan 24
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  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 ā€¢ 14 implied HN points ā€¢ 10 Dec 23
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  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.

Textbooks

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients ā€¢ 79 implied HN points ā€¢ 05 Aug 17
šŸšŒ Education Chemistry
  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.

The Past and Present of Computer-Augmented Hypothesis Generation

FreakTakes ā€¢ 11 implied HN points ā€¢ 10 Aug 23
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  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.

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

Axial ā€¢ 7 implied HN points ā€¢ 17 Feb 24
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  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.

Can We Filter PFAS Forever Chemicals from Water?

Molecular Spectacular ā€¢ 3 HN points ā€¢ 11 Aug 24
šŸ”¬ Science Chemistry
  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.