The hottest Medicine Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

How Natural Tradeoff And Failure Components?

Astral Codex Ten • 12388 implied HN points • 26 Mar 26
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Genetic risk for schizophrenia breaks into two parts: one shared with bipolar that seems to boost educational attainment (a tradeoff that might relate to creativity or motivation), and another separate part that harms IQ via neurodevelopmental failures.
  2. More broadly, many bad outcomes are mixtures of tradeoffs (choices or traits that bring other benefits) and failures (purely harmful factors), so things like poverty, relationship status, or illness can arise for either reason or both.
  3. This isn’t universal: some conditions are simply failures caused by bad mutations, and it’s usually the risk factors — not the disorder itself — that may carry compensating advantages, so don’t assume every harm has a hidden benefit.

An Urgent Call to All Scientists - We Must Reframe Scientific Priorities for the Future of America with A Unified Approach to Learning Well

Popular Rationalism • 673 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. We need to focus more on basic research because it leads to major medical and technology breakthroughs. Investing in understanding our foundations can help us tackle serious health and environmental issues.
  2. Scientists, medical researchers, and environmental experts must work together to solve health problems. Our health is connected to the environment, so it's important to study how pollution and chemicals impact our bodies.
  3. Technology like machine learning can change healthcare for the better. By using these tools wisely, we can identify disease causes more accurately and provide better treatments while keeping ethics in mind.

Why Lab Coats are White

Asimov Press • 386 implied HN points • 18 Mar 26
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. The white lab coat began in 19th-century surgery as a practical, washable garment tied to new hygiene practices, replacing the dark, blood-stained frock coats.
  2. Over time the white coat turned into a powerful public symbol of science and medicine, signaling professionalism, cleanliness, and group identity.
  3. The coat’s symbolic power often outpaces its actual safety, so researchers are inventing better, functional materials and designs—but widespread change requires cultural as well as technological shifts.

Spotlight on the Shingles Vaccine—Again!

Ground Truths • 14172 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Multiple large natural experiments across countries show shingles vaccination is consistently linked to lower dementia rates, and the newer Shingrix vaccine may offer even greater protection.
  2. Studies tie the vaccine to slower biological aging and shifts in immune and inflammation markers over years, with bigger benefits seen in women, though blood markers of neurodegeneration haven’t changed and the exact mechanism is still unknown.
  3. Other studies suggest cardiovascular benefits too, so getting Shingrix at 50+ may offer broad protection, but more mechanistic research and replications are needed to confirm these effects.

What Is Statistics' Purpose?

arg min • 734 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Statistics should help us test claims by measuring how surprising the results are. However, there's doubt about whether our current statistical tests actually do this well.
  2. Randomized trials are important because they help us learn about treatments that may not always work. They focus on safety as much as they do on finding effective solutions.
  3. The field of statistics needs to be clear about its purpose. We should distinguish between using statistics for proving theories and for practical decision-making like quality control.
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Going Founder Mode On Cancer

The Century of Biology • 2387 implied HN points • 18 Jan 26
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. A founder‑mode, information‑maximalist approach — exhaustive documentation, frequent advanced diagnostics, and a ladder of personalized treatment options — can enable faster, creative decisions and in this case helped drive the cancer into remission.
  2. Even with money and motivation, practical barriers in hospitals, IRBs, regulators, and the high cost of drug development make access to tissue, cutting‑edge diagnostics, and experimental therapies very hard to obtain and scale.
  3. Emerging platform technologies like single‑cell sequencing, neoantigen vaccines, radioligand therapies, personalized CRISPR and engineered cell therapies make truly individualized cancer care possible, but today they’re expensive and unevenly distributed and will need new regulatory and manufacturing models to become broadly available.

Suddenly, Trait-Based Embryo Selection

Astral Codex Ten • 23538 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Trait-based embryo selection is becoming more common, allowing parents to pick embryos with better health outcomes and predict certain traits. This could mean healthier children with lower risks of diseases like diabetes or cancer.
  2. There are ethical concerns about this technology, including the potential for creating inequality, as only wealthier families might afford these choices. Critics worry this could lead to a divide between those who can enhance their children's traits and those who can't.
  3. While the science behind polygenic embryo selection is still evolving, some argue it may not fully deliver on its promises. It's important for parents to understand both the potential benefits and the limitations as this technology becomes more available.

Modern life is good actually

Chris Arnade Walks the World • 3119 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Medicine
  1. Modern life is much better for most people — longer lives, less poverty, and far better medicine and conveniences.
  2. Technology is largely a net good, but its harms come from how we use it and when it accelerates social isolation instead of strengthening community.
  3. Progress brings painful tradeoffs and displacement that should be managed, but overall moving forward is worth it because it reduces suffering and expands choices.

Science, Medicine, Values, and Politics

Heterodox STEM • 78 implied HN points • 11 Mar 26
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Science and medicine are not value-free — they are shaped by epistemic goals (truth and rigor), community norms (openness and skepticism), and broader societal values that influence research priorities and ethics.
  2. Ideological and political pressures from both the left and the right can politicize research, erode expert credibility, and slow innovation, producing polarization, cancel culture, and counter-movements that harm honest scientific debate.
  3. Protecting scientific integrity requires independence, transparency, responsibility, and a clear separation between political aims and epistemic methods, with nonpartisan vigilance to preserve public trust and sound decision-making.

The trouble with remission

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 1567 implied HN points • 29 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. Modern medicine often treats each disease separately and can produce remissions, but that piecemeal care can leave older people on a steady, downward health trajectory.
  2. Repeated lifesaving treatments can prolong life without restoring prior function or quality, resulting in chronic frailty and heavily medicalized lives.
  3. Healthcare should prioritize fixing underlying causes of aging and reward true healthspan improvements, which means agreeing on what 'longevity' means and finding reliable biomarkers and trial designs.

Niccolò Machiavelli, Adam Smith, and the crisis of modern science

uTobian • 4952 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
đź“– Philosophy Medicine
  1. In modern times, freedom is often associated with unrestrained passion, but the idea of freedom through personal restraint from ancient times is considered a better path to happiness and fulfillment.
  2. The writings of Niccolò Machiavelli marked a shift in the concept of freedom towards acknowledging human selfishness and focusing on political security through class conflict.
  3. The current crisis in science and medicine is prompting a reevaluation of the assumption that scientists and doctors are inherently virtuous, suggesting the need for reforms based on the idea that they may be motivated by greed and power.

Beyond Magic Bullets: Alzheimer’s Needs the Right Cocktail and Timing

Brain Pizza • 331 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Alzheimer's will likely need a combination of therapies instead of a single 'magic bullet' drug.
  2. Recent results—modest GLP‑1 signals, negative phase 3 trials, and limited amyloid drug benefits—suggest single agents aren't enough and that the timing of interventions matters.
  3. Immune strategies such as an Alzheimer's vaccine could be an important component of a multi-pronged treatment plan when used at the right disease stage.

Neurologist Speaks Out

Injecting Freedom • 69 implied HN points • 26 Feb 26
🎙 Podcasts Medicine
  1. A double-board-certified neurologist says he has seen acute vaccine adverse events firsthand that are quietly acknowledged but rarely reported.
  2. He argues there is deep cognitive dissonance in medicine, with flawed vaccine surveillance systems and many neurologists staying silent about suspected vaccine harms.
  3. He calls for more transparency, better reporting, recognition of genetic susceptibility, and stronger informed consent and parental choice around vaccinations.

There Will Be Blood

The Vajenda • 3734 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. The menstrual cycle is a unique and vital aspect of human biology.
  2. Historically, female physiology has been viewed as inferior, leading to inadequate research and medical care for those who menstruate.
  3. Education and knowledge about menstruation are crucial to combat misinformation and empower individuals to advocate for their health.

"Can you tweet my paper" vs. "Here are some edits, no need to add me"

Sensible Medicine • 3360 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. There are two types of people in medicine: those who seek promotion and those who selflessly help with edits.
  2. In academic medicine, it's important to distinguish between those who want you to promote their work and those who genuinely help you improve yours.
  3. Trainees in medicine should surround themselves with people willing to offer constructive feedback without expecting credit.

Friday Reflection 35: Why Don’t Doctors Want to See Patients?

Sensible Medicine • 2987 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. Being a doctor is a challenging and high-stress job, dealing with patients and their families every day.
  2. The responsibility of being a doctor means always needing to perform at your best, even on bad days.
  3. Doctors often feel overwhelmed by the limitations in fixing the underlying societal issues that contribute to their patients' health problems.

Johnson & Johnson to acquire $2 billion drug developer "Ambrx Biopharma" to treat Turbo Cancers with same tech as Pfizer's $43 billion Seagen acquisition. Both set their sights on 2025 Cancer TSUNAMI

COVID Intel - by Dr.William Makis • 2731 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. Johnson & Johnson is acquiring a $2 billion drug developer to focus on treating aggressive cancers.
  2. This acquisition uses technology similar to Pfizer's $43 billion purchase of Seagen.
  3. Both companies are aiming to address the anticipated increase in cancer cases by 2025.

Minimal Evidence of Heterogeneity in Effect Estimates: GWAS from the Million Veteran Program

The Infinitesimal • 319 implied HN points • 19 Jul 24
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. The Million Veteran Program's study looked at genetic data from 600,000 people, revealing that diversity in ancestry helped identify genetic traits linked to diseases.
  2. Most genetic differences between groups were due to allele frequency changes rather than real differences in how genes affect health.
  3. Fewer than 1% of significant genetic associations showed differences between populations, indicating that many genetic effects are quite similar across different ancestry groups.

We’re entering a golden age of engineering biology

Noahpinion • 16647 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. The advancements in deep learning, cost-effective data collection through lab automation, and precision DNA editing with technologies like CRISPR are converging to transform biology from a scientific field to an engineering discipline.
  2. Historically, biology has been challenging due to its immense complexity, requiring costly trial-and-error experiments. However, with current advancements, we are now at a critical point where predictability and engineering in biological systems are becoming a reality.
  3. The decreasing cost of DNA sequencing, breakthroughs in deep learning models for biology, sophisticated lab automation, and precise genetic editing tools like CRISPR are paving the way for a revolutionary era in engineering biology, with vast potential in healthcare, agriculture, and industry.

Can We Select “Better” Residents?

Sensible Medicine • 2063 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. Today's medical residents have impressive qualifications on paper but may not be better than previous generations.
  2. Increased competition in medical education may result in a selection process that does not lead to better residents.
  3. Consider alternative selection processes, such as random selection or structured interviews, to potentially improve the quality of young doctors.

What it Takes to Actually Achieve Shared Decision Making.

Sensible Medicine • 2437 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. Shared decision-making in healthcare is essential and should focus on educating patients about the risks, benefits, and harms of treatments.
  2. Emphasizing important clinical outcomes over surrogate markers is crucial to help patients grasp their cardiovascular risk accurately.
  3. Providing contextual information, using visual aids, and discussing lifestyle changes alongside medications can help patients make informed decisions about their health.

The Dawn of Spatial Medicine

Ground Truths • 5773 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. Spatial medicine is a new field that combines biology and healthcare, focusing on using spatial data to improve patient treatment. This means doctors can analyze cells and tissues in detail to better understand diseases.
  2. Recent research showed that a new treatment using JAK inhibitors was effective for patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis, a serious skin condition. This treatment worked quickly and with no side effects, showcasing the potential of spatial medicine.
  3. The integration of AI and deep learning plays a key role in spatial medicine, helping to analyze complex data and improve patient outcomes. This advancement could lead to more personalized and effective treatments in the future.

Collective Intelligence and Emergence

Solve Cancer in 365 days • 59 implied HN points • 30 Aug 24
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Collective intelligence in biology means that groups of cells work together to solve problems that individuals can't. Each level of organization, like cells and organs, solves specific issues that contribute to the whole.
  2. Emergence happens when the combined actions of simpler parts create complex behaviors. This can be seen in things like how cells coordinate to form organs or how flocks of birds move together.
  3. Understanding collective behaviors in cells could lead to big advancements in medicine. This includes helping treat cancer by changing how cells behave or improving tissue engineering and organ regeneration.

"We're All Here for a Reason."—The FLCCC News Capsule for February 11, 2024

The FLCCC Alliance Community • 1316 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. Dr. Pierre Kory emphasizes the need for a better healthcare system that puts patients before profits, focuses on robust scientific debate, and empowers patients to take control of their own healthcare.
  2. The FLCCC is conducting an observational cancer study in collaboration with five U.S. clinics to track patient responses to various adjunct cancer therapies using repurposed drugs.
  3. Dr. Pierre Kory presents evidence suggesting clinically significant shedding of spike proteins from vaccinated individuals, which he believes should be a focal point in discussions about mRNA vaccine boosters.

RKUL: Time Well Spent, 11/27/2025

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 234 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Your time is valuable, so it's better to spend it on meaningful activities instead of wasting it online. Books and knowledge can greatly enrich your life.
  2. James Watson made significant contributions to understanding DNA, and his book 'The Double Helix' gives a unique insight into this scientific journey. It's a great read for anyone interested in genetics.
  3. E. O. Wilson and W. D. Hamilton had different approaches to biology, but both made important discoveries. Their works show the evolution of thought in the field of genetics and how science can help us understand life better.

Links For February 2024

Astral Codex Ten • 7433 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Blind mathematicians often work in geometry and topology, suggesting unique perceptions.
  2. The Basilica of the Holy House in Italy intriguingly ties angelic folklore with historical architecture.
  3. Starting a journey from Seattle and heading east ends in Russia, the first country reached while traversing the Atlantic Ocean.

Dr. Morell and the Patient A

Global Inequality and More 3.0 • 739 implied HN points • 09 Aug 25
đź’ľ History Medicine
  1. Germany was a leader in the pharmaceutical industry before and after World War I, producing many important drugs that are still used today.
  2. Dr. Morell, Hitler's personal physician, used various drugs to manage Hitler's declining health, making him appear more capable than he actually was.
  3. While Dr. Morell's methods were questionable from a medical ethics standpoint, they were politically successful in maintaining Hitler's image and leadership during the war.

What I Read This Week...

chamathreads • 864 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. Drug companies are working on solutions to prevent muscle mass loss caused by weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. Doctors suggest simple fixes like increasing protein intake and weightlifting.
  2. A recent study suggests that a special set of molecules on the extra X chromosome in women may make them more susceptible to autoimmune conditions. This discovery could lead to new, more targeted treatments.
  3. Adam Neumann, the co-founder of WeWork, is in talks with a hedge fund to buy back the company out of bankruptcy. WeWork's bankruptcy was fueled by debt and a decline in demand for office space.

What I Read This Week...

Chamath Palihapitiya • 1159 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
đź•ą Technology Medicine
  1. Anduril's new autonomous fighter jet has significant advantages over legacy missile systems.
  2. Novo Nordisk paid U.S. doctors to promote its obesity drugs to tackle the global obesity epidemic.
  3. Huawei supports smaller companies in the semiconductor supply chain to build a self-sufficient chip network in China.

MASHUP: Aboriginal Smokeless Nicotine, Quinine & Caffeine Therapy, African G6PD Deficiency

Grey Goose Chronicles • 786 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Aboriginal Australians have a unique way of consuming tobacco with varying effects and health benefits.
  2. Quinine has a rich history in colonial expansion and fighting malaria, while caffeine might hold potential as an antimalarial drug.
  3. Genetic conditions like G6PD deficiency in sub-Saharan Africans show adaptations to malaria, impacting medical treatments and outcomes.

On RFK Jr., Atrazine and WiFi. Plus a puzzle for you!

An Insult to Intuition • 1454 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Kennedy discussed the potential effects of Atrazine on organisms like frogs and mammals, sparking a debate on environmental toxins.
  2. The story shared analogies between a hypothetical alien civilization and current human societal challenges, emphasizing the importance of humility and balance.
  3. There was a discussion on the perceived health risks of WiFi radiation, highlighting the need for thoughtful consideration and humility in scientific discourse.

Freakonomics, But for Medicine

Range Widely • 1159 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. Natural experiments in medicine provide unique research opportunities that can't be replicated in a lab setting.
  2. Even small disruptions, like marathon road closures, can have significant impacts on public health and mortality rates.
  3. Factors like doctor's prescribing habits and patient age can have lasting effects on opioid use and patient outcomes.

A Biologist's Guide to Biotech

A Biologist's Guide to Life • 22 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Biotechnology—from ancient agriculture to modern medicine—powers food and health and has transformed human society and life expectancy.
  2. Research tools like sequencing, PCR, CRISPR, and lab automation accelerate discovery and are often easier to commercialize than whole crops or drugs because they avoid heavy clinical and scaling barriers; selling them means convincing scientists they cut costs or enable new, publishable work.
  3. Building biotech companies is very different from building software: it requires lab space, expensive reagents, patents, regulatory know-how, and often partnerships with big ag or pharma, so science training should better prepare people for these practical business and legal realities.