The hottest Health Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The chairs that broke me

A Perfectly Cromulent Software Engineer • 59 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Health
  1. Lockdown experiences can lead to unexpected challenges like uncomfortable seating arrangements for work, causing physical discomfort.
  2. Investing in a good chair for home and at work is crucial for preventing or alleviating back pain. Ergonomic support can make a significant difference.
  3. Carrying a towel for back support can be a simple yet effective solution to improve comfort when sitting for extended periods.

02/06/24 - Men with ED are the cutest.

Moly’s Substack • 39 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Health
  1. A blogger discusses the interesting conversations and interactions that can occur with a partner who has ED, highlighting the importance of patience and communication.
  2. Various healthcare anecdotes from around the world showcase different experiences and approaches to medical issues.
  3. Social dynamics and gender roles within families during holidays are highlighted, emphasizing the inequality in household responsibilities.

Not Quite Old, Not Quite Young

Weekly Wisdom • 79 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Health
  1. The author reflects on turning 40 and shares insights on aging and life experiences.
  2. Celebrating milestones with friends and engaging in self-reflection can bring joy and growth.
  3. The author contemplates societal views on youth and aging, emphasizing the importance of relationships and enjoying life.

Gattaca is Here

Nothing Human is Alien • 39 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🔬 Science Health
  1. The technology to select genetic traits in embryos is becoming more advanced and accessible, with possibilities ranging from preventing diseases to enhancing traits like intelligence and happiness.
  2. Genetic selection through technologies like Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) raises ethical concerns due to its potential to create a two-tiered society and impact the essence of humanity.
  3. Although genetic selection technology poses risks, it also holds the promise of eradicating diseases, promoting happier individuals, and potentially enhancing cognitive abilities to unprecedented levels.
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The Thousand Secret Ways the Food is Poison: Part 1

Eat Shit and Prosper • 259 implied HN points • 25 Oct 22
🍲 Food & Drink Health
  1. Pay attention to your gut health. The bacteria in your gut help process food and can affect your mental and physical health.
  2. Many foods today contain harmful substances like Roundup. To stay healthy, try to eat organic and avoid processed foods that might have these toxins.
  3. Avoid antibiotics unless necessary. They can disrupt your gut bacteria, which help detoxify your body from heavy metals and other harmful substances.

Links for 2023-04-20

Axis of Ordinary • 78 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Health
  1. LLM cognitive architectures are advancing AI development with natural language alignment.
  2. US AI policy suggestions are being explored in 12 tentative ideas.
  3. New methods like DINOv2 for training computer vision models are gaining traction with self-supervised learning.

Will some Democrat Senators vote for RFK Jr?

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 107 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health
  1. Some Democrat Senators might support RFK Jr. because they believe he can bring about important changes, especially in food policies and health regulations.
  2. Concerns about infectious diseases like measles and polio are overshadowed by the more pressing issues of chronic diseases caused by poor diet and exposure to harmful substances.
  3. Partisan politics and groupthink may prevent more Democrats from supporting RFK Jr., even when they see the benefits he could provide in health and wellness.

Dispatches from the GWAS Era

Holodoxa • 79 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🔬 Science Health
  1. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) help understand how genes influence traits and diseases by identifying genetic variants associated with specific traits using large sample sizes and statistical tests.
  2. GWAS provide insights into biological mechanisms, heritability of traits, and can generate polygenic risk scores to predict disease risk based on genetic profiles.
  3. GWAS require large sample sizes and collaborative efforts, showcasing their ongoing utility in genetic research for discovering associations between genetic variants and complex traits.

When To Use A Colon

Fireside Chat Logs • 39 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Health
  1. Preparing for a colonoscopy involves adjusting your diet, avoiding certain foods, and going through a medication prep to flush your system of excess and debris.
  2. During the colonoscopy procedure, you are typically given anesthesia via an IV, experience no pain or discomfort afterward, and might even get full-color photos of the inside of your colon as part of the service.
  3. Despite the mystery and discomfort often associated with colonoscopies, having photographic evidence of your colonoscopy can be gratifying and may even lead to interesting conversation starters.

Why Do We Laugh?

Pryor Questions • 522 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Health
  1. Laughter is a physiological response to humor involving various body responses like facial muscle movements and disrupted respiratory systems.
  2. Humans laugh to create social bonds, show friendliness, and signal group cohesion.
  3. There are multiple theories explaining why we find things funny, such as relief theory, superiority theory, and incongruity theory, influenced by factors like age and cultural differences.

Swamp Update: Detailed Swamping

Experimental Fat Loss • 134 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Health
  1. The Swamp Visualizer can show more detailed diet information now, instead of just using 10% steps. This makes it easier to understand how different diets compare.
  2. You can now see where the ex150 diet falls in comparison to the Standard American Diet. It's a helpful way to visualize macronutrient distributions.
  3. If you know of any interesting diets with specific macro information, you can share them. The author is looking to include a variety of diets in the visualizer.

Peanut Butter

The Heart Attack Diet • 59 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🍲 Food & Drink Health
  1. During the pandemic, the author's diet change to less processed food led to stable weight and good health, but going back to old eating habits resulted in weight gain and fatigue.
  2. Giving up polyunsaturated fats improved the author's overall well-being, but the high fat and protein content in peanut butter may have contributed to weight issues.
  3. The author found Whole Earth Peanut Butter to be a staple during the pandemic stockpiling, but later discovered its high fat and protein content could have been counterproductive to their health goals.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #75

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 297 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Health
  1. Mobile ALOHA robot combines human-like dexterity and AI intelligence for everyday tasks.
  2. US overtakes Australia and Qatar as top LNG exporter due to increased natural gas production.
  3. MIT scientists develop a vibrating obesity pill mimicking the sensation of being full.

Will space travel force us to think dynamically about radiation harm?

Gordian Knot News • 124 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🔬 Science Health
  1. Space travel could change how we understand radiation harm. Instead of just focusing on the total dose of radiation, we might need to consider how our bodies repair damage over time.
  2. Current models for analyzing radiation risk might not be suitable for space conditions. This means we may need new methods to ensure astronaut safety during missions.
  3. NASA's practices suggest that the traditional ideas about radiation limits might be too strict. If we can adapt these rules, it could help both space travel and the use of nuclear energy on Earth.

Spanish Tennis' Long Doping History

Honest Sport • 39 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Health
  1. Spanish tennis has a long history of doping, starting from as early as 1959 when players used testosterone injections. This trend has continued with multiple doping cases over the years.
  2. Since 1996, there have been twelve doping cases involving Spanish players, with some achieving rankings in the top 100. This raises concerns about fairness in competition.
  3. The lack of transparency from tennis authorities regarding doping cases can hurt the reputation of clean athletes in Spain. Many believe that serious issues in the sport need more open discussion and accountability.

Comparisons Are Necessary

Parrhesia • 456 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🔬 Science Health
  1. Comparisons, even sensitive ones, are crucial in scientific and political contexts.
  2. Ignoring genetics in discussions can lead to misunderstandings and replication problems.
  3. Selecting healthier embryos based on genetics for future children is reasonable and beneficial.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #118

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 119 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Health
  1. Osmo Labs has made a breakthrough in scent teleportation. They can now predict how smells will be based on chemical structures, which could change how we experience scents online.
  2. Semaglutide, a diabetes drug, might help lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease. A study shows it significantly reduces the chances of first-time diagnosis in patients with type 2 diabetes.
  3. A company called Physical Intelligence is developing robots that can fold laundry like humans. This could save us from doing tedious chores and allow us to focus on more enjoyable tasks.

Announcing "Food Intelligence"!

Julia Belluz • 31 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🍲 Food & Drink Health
  1. The book 'Food Intelligence' explores how food affects our bodies and health. It aims to provide knowledge to help people understand nutrition better.
  2. A key focus of the book is the food environment, which includes social and economic factors that influence what we eat. This environment plays a big role in diet-related diseases.
  3. The authors hope to change how people think about nutrition, diet, and health policies. Understanding food systems can help improve public health and tackle issues like obesity and diabetes.

Articles You'll Want to Read

OK Doomer • 69 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
📰 News Health
  1. It's hard to keep up with all the news because there are so many updates happening every day. Important information can easily get overlooked.
  2. There's a need for news that offers context and is presented less frequently so we can process it better. Fast news can be overwhelming.
  3. To help people stay informed without the chaos, a new news roundup will provide important stories and analysis in a more digestible way.

Food is Political

Nomad No More • 58 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🍲 Food & Drink Health
  1. Food choices have political implications in modern society.
  2. Cooking at home can help combat societal issues like food waste and unhealthy eating habits.
  3. Investing time in cooking and being resourceful with food can have positive impacts on health, finances, and the environment.

The dread of ChatGPT

Digital Epidemiology • 58 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Health
  1. Feeling dread about AI is common, even among those close to technology.
  2. Technology revolutions follow predictable patterns of early failures and eventual mass adoption.
  3. The speed of AI development is a key concern, potentially leading to irreversible damage and shifts in power dynamics.

Fragments #5 

aproposofnothing • 58 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Health
  1. Financial philosopher Nassim Taleb started with a technical book on trading options.
  2. Classical liberalism prioritizes individual liberties over democracy and majority rule.
  3. Industrial agriculture practices can impact human health and raw dairy products may be easier on the gut.

Popsicle Moments

The Odin Times • 58 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Health
  1. Magic Castle Hotel stands out by creating defining moments like the Popsicle Hotline
  2. Significant increase in companies mentioning AI leads to competition for who will succeed
  3. Loneliness is a growing issue in society that needs attention and potential solutions

Links for June

Bullfish Hole • 58 implied HN points • 03 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Health
  1. AI technology can be used for both dishonest and creative purposes.
  2. Economics attracts serious individuals, and empirical work in the field involves less p-hacking compared to other disciplines.
  3. Child mortality rates have significantly declined over time, reflecting societal changes and advances in healthcare.

Of course Biden's age is a legitimate voter concern

Silver Bulletin • 308 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health
  1. A large percentage of American adults believe Biden is too old to be effective for another four years.
  2. There is a significant age gap between Biden and Trump, which may impact their health and cognitive abilities in a second term.
  3. Voters are concerned about the age and health of presidential candidates, with notable implications for the upcoming election.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #76

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 229 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Health
  1. Figure demonstrated a robot learning to make coffee based on observing humans, showcasing a general purpose AI approach.
  2. Rabbit introduced an AI model that translates human directives into actions without traditional app interfaces, paired with affordable hardware.
  3. US saw a decline in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 despite economic growth, emphasizing the need for continued emissions reduction efforts.

Why We're Not Engineering Probiotics

Eat Shit and Prosper • 139 implied HN points • 31 Jan 23
🔬 Science Health
  1. Natural bacteria like _Bacteroides_ can do important tasks in our bodies better than engineered ones. They have evolved over millions of years and have a complex understanding of their role in our ecosystem.
  2. Engineering probiotics may seem like a safe option, but it often overlooks the richness of existing microbes that might serve our needs without modification.
  3. Working with natural bacteria could lead to breakthroughs in health similar to how domesticated animals have changed human life in the past; there's so much potential waiting to be explored.

Whole Activities

Nothing Human • 64 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Health
  1. Modern life separates many activities from their original context, which can make it hard for us to feel fulfilled. For example, eating has become disconnected from the nourishment our body needs.
  2. Some people try to return to older ways of living or use modern tools to deal with these changes. A better approach might be to find 'whole activities' that meet multiple needs at once.
  3. Whole activities, like team sports or church, can make us feel more human and connected. They satisfy many aspects of our lives, instead of just focusing on one thing.

Why the NT in SNT?

Gordian Knot News • 95 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🔬 Science Health
  1. The term 'No Threshold' in radiation discussions is important because it highlights that there is always some risk from radiation exposure, even at low levels. It's a reminder that we can't completely eliminate risk, just like every time we leave our homes.
  2. The current thinking on radiation risk, called Linear No Threshold (LNT), suggests that even small doses are harmful. However, real-life examples, like workers who handled radium, challenge this belief and show that low doses may not cause significant harm.
  3. Critics of LNT often focus on proving a specific threshold for safety, but this can weaken their argument. The idea that there’s a threshold is seen as a tactic that allows LNT to persist, even though it might not hold up against real evidence.

Sometimes you have to slow down to speed up

Afridigest • 63 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
💼 Business Health
  1. Slowing down can actually help you make better decisions in the long run. Taking a pause gives you time to reflect and avoid mistakes.
  2. Health challenges can lead to new perspectives and changes in plans. Overcoming such experiences can open doors to new opportunities.
  3. Creating a community and collaborating with others can enhance your projects. Listening to feedback helps improve your work and connect with your audience.

The Fukushima Workers, Part 2

Gordian Knot News • 95 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🔬 Science Health
  1. The Fukushima workers faced very high radiation levels, especially near the damaged reactors, sometimes exceeding 100 mSv/h. Despite this, they showed remarkable bravery to manage the crisis.
  2. Research on the health of over 5,000 Fukushima workers found no significant health issues by the end of 2019. This suggests that the body's systems are good at repairing damage from radiation exposure.
  3. Distance from a radiation source is crucial for safety. Being more than 2 kilometers away from a nuclear release greatly reduces the risk of harm, similar to how staying a safe distance from fire keeps you safe.

We're hiring: Daily newsletter writer

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 24 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Health
  1. There's a job opening for a daily newsletter writer. The role includes finding and sharing interesting news about science, technology, and economic progress.
  2. The newsletter will focus on linking to articles, podcasts, and videos that people interested in progress will love. It's like a daily update for curious minds.
  3. To apply, you'll need a resume, a writing sample, and some links to content you think others should see. They want someone who enjoys exploring the internet and sharing cool finds.