The hottest Evolution Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

Phage-assisted evolution and protein engineering yield compact, efficient prime editors

Axial • 37 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🔬 Science Biotechnology Genetics Research Evolution Engineering
  1. New optimized prime editors called PE6 variants improve editing outcomes in mammalian cells
  2. Phage-assisted continuous evolution enhances the efficiency of compact reverse transcriptases
  3. Combining evolved Cas9 domains with engineered RTs creates efficient prime editors for installing DNA sequences in vivo

Burnout and Information Technologies

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🔬 Science Artificial Intelligence Mental health Evolution Culture
  1. Information technologies have led to mental health issues like burnout and stress due to constant communication and information overload.
  2. There's a gap between what our brains can handle and the speed at which information technologies evolve, causing disconnects and challenges.
  3. Artificial Intelligence shows promise in helping manage the effects of information overload and addressing issues like anxiety, depression, and burnout.

Chapter 15, pp.304-310 - Reading Club posting 55

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 19 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
📚 Literature Reading Evolution Consciousness Humanity Philosophy
  1. The evolving part of organic life is humanity, but it seems to be at a standstill, leading to a circular path of progress and downfall.
  2. Humanity can only change its course at certain 'crossroads' or pivotal points, and if these opportunities are missed, changes may become impossible.
  3. While there may be a conscious force working against humanity's evolution, a small group of about two hundred conscious individuals could potentially transform life on earth.

Discovery and design in bio

Digital in bio • 19 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
🔬 Science Biology Artificial Intelligence Research & Development Evolution Genetics
  1. Biology is complex and evolving, with AI playing a crucial role in advancing our understanding and abilities in the field.
  2. Biological research consists of two main pillars: discovery and design, with a focus on broadening our knowledge and engineering biology to suit human needs.
  3. Collaboration between academia, research organizations, and commercial entities is key to pushing forward progress in AI-driven biology.
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The Resilience of Life: Ancient Worm Revived After 46,000 Years 🐛

Stemble - for the love of STEM! • 19 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🔬 Science Microbiology Genetics Conservation Evolution Biodiversity
  1. A worm was revived after being frozen for 46,000 years, showing the incredible resilience of life.
  2. Cryptobiosis allows organisms to survive extreme conditions by entering a state of suspended animation.
  3. Studying ancient organisms like the revived worm can offer insights for conservation biology and preserving biodiversity.

Fragments, Chapter 9, pp.193-198 - Reading Club posting 35

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 19 implied HN points • 26 May 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mysticism Inner Work Evolution
  1. The human machine has multiple centers working with different 'hydrogens,' affecting their speed and functions.
  2. Existence of higher emotional and thinking centers within us, fully developed but disconnected from daily life, can lead to new emotions and thoughts when connected.
  3. Efficiency in regulating and balancing the lower centers is crucial to access and benefit from the higher centers in the human machine.

Virulence Management

Splitting Infinity • 19 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🔬 Science Evolution Immunity Infections
  1. Evolution plays a crucial role in the development of pathogens where they adapt quickly to evade the immune system.
  2. The level of virulence of a pathogen depends on a tradeoff between its ability to spread and the health of the host.
  3. Virulence management is an approach that aims to make pathogens evolve into less harmful strains through changing the evolutionary context in which they exist.

The infinite monkey theorem

A Piece of the Pi: mathematics explained • 18 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🔬 Science Mathematics Literature Research Experiment Evolution
  1. The infinite monkey theorem states that given enough time and randomness, a monkey could type out the complete works of Shakespeare on a keyboard.
  2. Generating longer phrases by random means, as shown in simulations, becomes exponentially more difficult as the phrase length increases.
  3. The famous infinite monkey paradox has been explored through history, including Cicero's speculation in 45 BC and modern computer simulations using actual monkeys with disappointing results.

Pop Neuroscience Needs to Evolve

Holodoxa • 59 implied HN points • 30 Jul 22
🔬 Science Neuroscience Evolution Critique
  1. Popular science writing, especially in neuroscience, can often oversimplify complex topics and lack rigor.
  2. Authors in the neuroscience field should strive for depth, nuance, and humility to better educate the intellectually curious public.
  3. Readers should seek out works that offer a sustained and balanced exploration of topics like human brain evolution.

Long Live the Gene

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 02 Nov 22
🔬 Science Genetics Debate Research Philosophy Evolution
  1. There is a heated debate between the importance of genetics and environment in shaping human behavior with stark divisions between political ideologies.
  2. The debate often oversimplifies complexities, with genetics and environmental factors both playing significant roles, despite the polarized views.
  3. Kampourakis' book, 'Understanding Genes,' critiques genetic essentialism but lacks depth in explaining the significance and impact of genetic science, presenting a one-sided view.

Microbial Time

Microanimism • 2 HN points • 27 May 24
🔬 Science Microbiology Evolution Taxonomy Ecology
  1. Time in the microbial world operates differently than human time - it can be glacial or lightning fast, impacting how we interact with and perceive these organisms.
  2. Microbes have a complex system of classification based on their abundance and genetic diversity, leading to the concept of 'ecotypes.'
  3. Microbial time, diverging from human time, affects how we approach issues like pandemics or environmental solutions that involve manipulating microbial behavior.

Lynn Margulis and her ground breaking research

the rohn report • 59 implied HN points • 22 Jul 21
🔬 Science Biology Evolution Research
  1. The biosphere operates through symbiosis, not competition or predation. Cooperation and getting along have been key to the development of complex life forms on Earth.
  2. Lynn Margulis' groundbreaking research on endosymbiosis challenged traditional Darwinian principles and highlighted the importance of symbiotic relationships in evolution.
  3. Symbiosis, not just natural selection through predation, is a major driver of evolutionary change and has shaped the diverse and interconnected world we live in.

Flying Rats or Models of Evolution?

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 18 Nov 21
🔬 Science Biology Evolution Animal Behavior Urban Ecology Natural History
  1. Pigeons are often seen as dirty or bothersome, yet they play an important role in urban ecosystems by cleaning up food waste. Instead of just seeing them as pests, we should recognize their contributions to keeping our cities cleaner.
  2. Pigeons are surprisingly intelligent and adaptable birds. They learn from each other, can navigate long distances, and have been used in important historical events, like carrying messages during wars.
  3. Charles Darwin studied pigeons to understand natural selection better. He saw how humans influenced their breeding, which helped him develop ideas about evolution that still matter today.

Anniversary bonus: A sample from the archives of 2020

The Strategy Toolkit • 26 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
🔬 Science Language Evolution Genetics Virology
  1. Language is a key element that distinguishes humans from other species and plays a vital role in human history.
  2. The study of the survival and extinction of languages over time reveals the impact of demographics, empire-building, and technological change.
  3. Reviving a dying language involves various strategies such as language nests, support from institutions, political action, and technology.

What’s the Point?

What's Important? • 21 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Meaning Consciousness Evolution Reality Wisdom
  1. The universe is moving toward greater complexity, and our consciousness plays a significant role in this evolution.
  2. The emerging worldview integrates scientific reductionism with a drive towards greater complexity, providing clues on how to lead a meaningful life.
  3. Seeking information that makes us more conscious and using our unique skills to contribute to the evolving story of the universe can lead to personal evolution and fulfillment.

Brains, Mammals, and the Brains of Mammals

Natural Selections • 6 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🔬 Science Evolution Anatomy Biology Neuroscience Genetics
  1. Our ancestors were successful in evolution, leading to our existence today. Every single one of us is part of a long line of evolutionary success.
  2. Mammals have evolved unique traits such as mammary glands, four-chambered hearts, and specialized teeth, making them distinct from other species.
  3. The mammalian brain has evolved to be large, well-connected, and specialized, with a balance between autonomy and integration, as shown in the structures like the forebrain and the corpus callosum.

The Base Determines The Superstructure

The Seat of Loss • 12 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🎶 Music Evolution Technology Industry Artists Trends
  1. The history of music and the music industry is influenced by economic factors and technology advancements.
  2. Artists throughout history have adapted to changing conditions, from Chuck Berry's use of new recording technology to modern producers working on digital audio workstations.
  3. The traditional music industry model has shifted, with artists like Drake and Tame Impala showcasing self-sufficiency and adaptability in the face of evolving industry trends.

Amphibian Milk

Natural Selections • 5 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🔬 Science Nature Research Evolution Biology
  1. The three clades of extant amphibians are Anura (frogs and toads), Caudata (salamanders and newts), and Gymnophiona (caecilians). Each group has unique characteristics and adaptations to their environment.
  2. Some caecilians provide parental care by offering highly nutritious skin for their babies to eat, and secreting a kind of milk-like substance that the young ones click and chirp for before collecting from their mother's cloaca.
  3. Milk is typically associated with mammals, but caecilian mothers also produce a form of milk for their young, showcasing similarities in parental care across different animal groups.

Bad News for Bugs in Bogs

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 19 implied HN points • 12 Aug 21
🔬 Science Botany Ecology Evolution Research Nature
  1. A new plant called Triantha occidentalis can trap bugs using sticky hairs. It's sneaky because it doesn't look like usual carnivorous plants, which usually have noticeable traps.
  2. This plant gets nutrients by digesting the insects it catches. It produces an enzyme to help break down its tiny meals.
  3. Unlike many carnivorous plants, Triantha's trapping hairs are near its flowers, but they only catch small bugs. This way, it can still attract bigger bugs that help it pollinate.

Infolife

Engineering Our Social Vehicles • 8 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
🔬 Science Evolution Society Genetics
  1. Imagining a world where information has physical form.
  2. Infolife exists in different environments on the Infoplane mirroring different mediums of storage and communication in the physical world.
  3. Translation into new informational mediums may represent adaptation or development of information into new species on the Infoplane.

Oranges and lemons

The Strategy Toolkit • 8 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🔬 Science Biology Evolution Emotion Behavior Research
  1. Laughter may serve a strategic purpose, including masking other emotions like anger.
  2. Evolutionary biologists study laughter to understand human behavior in incongruous situations and for social communication.
  3. The process of natural selection is likened to a startup's product development, evolving over time like an MVP.

Some notes on Jared Diamond's Anna Karenina Principle

Bruegel_The_Elder’s Substack • 1 HN point • 23 Dec 23
🔬 Science Biology Evolution Cultural anthropology Ethnography
  1. Critiques exist on Jared Diamond's theories, but he still stands tall in biology.
  2. Jared Diamond's 'Anna Karenina Principle' for animal domestication includes characteristics like flexible diet and pleasant disposition towards humans.
  3. The success of modern domestication efforts raises questions about the principles of domestication and our symbiotic relationship with animals.

The game theoretical foundations of morality

Optimally Irrational • 4 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🔬 Science Game Theory Morality Behavior Evolution Cooperation
  1. Game theory shows that cooperation can be rational even in self-interested settings like the Prisoner's Dilemma.
  2. The Folk Theorem explains how sustained cooperation can emerge in repeated interactions through strategies like tit-for-tat.
  3. Simple and intuitive reciprocity-based strategies like tit-for-tat can be successful in promoting cooperation and may underlie our moral intuitions.

A brief history of counting machines

lcamtuf’s thing • 3 HN points • 26 Aug 23
💾 History Technology Trade Invention Development Evolution
  1. The history of counting machines dates back thousands of years, with early tools like abacus and multiplication tables.
  2. Slide rules were a significant invention in the 17th century, simplifying multiplication and division through logarithms.
  3. The evolution of calculators saw advancements like carry mechanisms and the separation of input and accumulator registers, paving the way for modern electronic calculators.

Snakes and Singularities

Adjacent Possible • 1 HN point • 13 Mar 24
🔬 Science Evolution Cultural Evolution Biology Ecology Technology
  1. Snakes have evolved diverse traits through sudden phase shifts rather than incremental changes, expanding their adaptive possibilities significantly.
  2. Cultural and technological evolution also experience periods of sudden expansion and contraction of possibilities, akin to biological evolution's singularities.
  3. In addition to platform shifts, singularities in evolution can be driven by the emergence of single new traits leading to significant consequences in exploring new ecological niches.