The hottest Methods Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics
De Novo β€’ 88 implied HN points β€’ 05 Jun 25
  1. Anki is a flashcard app that helps with memorization using spaced repetition. It's great for learning detailed information and can share decks for team learning.
  2. Using AI to make Anki cards can be helpful, but it's important to check for errors. It's best for reinforcing knowledge rather than learning completely new topics.
  3. After years of using Duolingo, switching to Anki seems more effective for real learning. You can create a system to track your progress similar to Duolingo's streaks.
The Memory Palace β€’ 279 implied HN points β€’ 16 Apr 24
  1. Memory palaces are a cool way to remember things by placing images in a familiar space. This method has been used for a long time in cultures that relied on oral storytelling.
  2. Having a strong memory was once a sign of a smart and educated person. Even today, memory competitions highlight how useful these techniques can be for everyone, not just the elite.
  3. Despite technology helping us remember more, memory is still important. Memory palaces encourage us to think about what information we value and want to keep in our minds.
Fields & Energy β€’ 219 implied HN points β€’ 07 Feb 24
  1. Newton's laws of motion were groundbreaking but took time to be fully understood and accepted. People did not immediately grasp his ideas about forces and motion.
  2. Many later scientists built on Newton's work, refining and developing his theories. Newton laid the groundwork, but others were key in shaping what we now know as classical physics.
  3. Newton's scientific approach set a high standard for future research. His methods are still considered a model for how scientific investigations should be conducted.
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Mindful Modeler β€’ 359 implied HN points β€’ 26 Sep 23
  1. Machine learning models can be understood as mathematical functions that can be broken down into simpler parts
  2. Interpretation methods address the behavior of these simplified components to enhance model interpretability
  3. Techniques like Permutation Feature Importance (PFI), SHAP values, and Accumulated Local Effect Plots use decomposition to explain the importance of features in prediction models
Meaningness β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 16 Mar 24
  1. Opportunities for meta-rational improvement can be categorized in different sites for enhancing rationality
  2. Improving circumrational practice involves methods like better material supports, skills training, and proceduralization
  3. Enhancing the ontology includes steps like merging categories, splitting distinctions, and reassigning cases
Democratizing Automation β€’ 332 implied HN points β€’ 29 Nov 23
  1. Synthetic data is becoming more important in AI, with a focus on removing human involvement.
  2. Proponents believe that using vast amounts of synthetic data can lead to breakthroughs in AI models.
  3. Open and closed communities are both utilizing synthetic data for different end goals.
Mindful Modeler β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 10 Jan 23
  1. Conformal prediction is a versatile approach applicable to various machine learning tasks beyond just regression and classification.
  2. When learning about a new conformal prediction method, it's important to consider the machine learning task, non-conformity score used, and how the method deviates from the standard recipe.
  3. Staying up to date with new research in conformal prediction can be facilitated by resources like the 'Awesome Conformal Prediction' repository and following experts in the field on platforms like Twitter.
Axial β€’ 37 implied HN points β€’ 12 Dec 23
  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.
School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 23 Apr 24
  1. Noise refers to the unwanted variability in decisions made by experts when looking at the same information, leading to inconsistent decisions.
  2. The 'noise' audit process involves creating fictional scenarios and survey questions to measure the undesirable variability in decision-making when assessing threats.
  3. The study involved sending a survey to law enforcement practitioners who rated fictitious school shooting threat vignettes and selected response actions, aiming to understand how 'noise' impacts threat assessment.