The hottest Research Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health Politics Topics

How to Impede Technological Progress

New Things Under the Sun • 144 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Research
  1. Policy levers to slow technological progress can be classified into reverse push and pull policies
  2. Reverse push policies raise the costs of research, like restrictions on federal funding and safety regulations impacting chemistry labs
  3. Reverse pull policies reduce profitability of certain tech innovations, like carbon taxes and liability exposure, impacting R&D differently based on company size and innovation potential

In Times of Crisis, Enjoy The Silence.

OK Doomer • 29 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Research
  1. Silence can be very beneficial for our mental health and focus. Taking time to enjoy quiet moments helps our brain work better.
  2. Life is becoming increasingly chaotic and normal seems far away. We need to adapt to these changes and find ways to cope with the new reality.
  3. Rest is important and shouldn't feel like a luxury. We all need to prioritize taking breaks for our well-being.

SociaLLM: proposal for a language model design for personalised apps, social science, and AI safety research

Engineering Ideas • 19 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Research
  1. SociaLLM is a foundation language model trained on chat, dialogue, and forum data with stable message authors and timestamps.
  2. Industrial applications of SociaLLM include personalized content recommendations, customer service, education, and mental health support.
  3. SociaLLM has research and AI safety applications in social science, collective intelligence, and studying mechanisms to prevent deception and collusion in AI.

Alternatives to Zookeeping

De Novo • 121 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🔬 Science Research
  1. Synthetic biology can provide alternatives to traditional antibodies in biomedical research to improve progress and reproducibility.
  2. Current production and use of antibodies have intrinsic and extrinsic challenges, such as compatibility issues, cost, and reproducibility concerns.
  3. Moving towards new antibody technologies, like recombinant antibodies and phage display, could lead to better solutions in biomedical research, though adoption may require top-down support from funding agencies.

Booster Mandates May Have Unnecessarily Hurt Millions Of College Students

Unmasked • 88 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Research
  1. Booster mandates in colleges may have harmed millions of students, causing potentially damaging side effects without significant health benefits.
  2. An admission from a former FDA director highlighted flaws in the COVID vaccine approval process, leading to unnecessary mandates for young individuals.
  3. Specific data is being gathered to reveal the harmful impact of these mandates on college students, shedding light on the negative consequences.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Thanksgiving for friends and researchers who are passionate about robots for good of society

Robots & Startups • 19 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Research
  1. The post expresses gratitude for friends and researchers passionate about robots for the betterment of society.
  2. There is a discussion about potential competition between companies to produce the 'world's first mass produced' humanoid robot.
  3. The post highlights the transition of Dani Carillo Zapata from Robohub to managing an EU project in wellness, along with updates on humanoids, robotics news, and events.

What have we learned about generative AI and ourselves since ChatGPT was released?

ailogblog • 19 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Research
  1. Generative AI like ChatGPT has shown potential for efficient completion of mundane tasks, impacting education practices and easing administrative burdens.
  2. There is a growing tension between transparency/openness and secrecy in the development of AI technologies, raising concerns about potential risks and ethical implications.
  3. The use of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT has expanded the 'uncanny valley' to language, triggering discussions about data quality, environmental impact, and responsible development of AI.

The Path of Heterodoxy

A Biologist's Guide to Life • 87 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🔬 Science Research
  1. Being unconventional in the academic world can lead to resistance and pushback from those in power, but staying true to your discoveries and principles is important.
  2. Challenging orthodox beliefs and standing by your heterodox views may result in alienation and hostility, but it can also lead to personal growth and self-discovery.
  3. Navigating the path of heterodoxy requires courage, resilience, and a willingness to face criticism and rejection, but in the end, it can lead to finding a community of like-minded individuals and true allies.

Year In Review - Illumina

ASeq Newsletter • 36 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Research
  1. Illumina remains a leader in the market, even with rising competition. They have strong inventions that could help them grow even more.
  2. The MiSeq i100 product has had mixed reviews, but it shows promise for improving clinical applications by integrating more processes.
  3. The author has published nearly 200 articles this year, and while they appreciate their subscribers, they still seek more financial support to continue their work.

The Race to 2nm: RISC-V Chips in Japan

More Than Moore • 87 HN points • 27 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Research
  1. Rapidus, a new semiconductor company in Japan, aims to bring 2nm manufacturing capacity online by 2027 with backing from major Japanese companies and government subsidies.
  2. The Leading-Edge Semiconductor Technology Center (LSTC) in Japan, a collaboration between the US and Japan, will focus on advanced research and building vital silicon for both economies.
  3. Tenstorrent's collaboration with LSTC involves providing advanced high-performance RISC-V cores and chiplets, indicating a push towards AI acceleration and cutting-edge technology development.

Can taste beat peer review?

New Things Under the Sun • 160 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
🔬 Science Research
  1. Scientific peer review has its strengths, but it also has shortcomings like high costs and potential biases.
  2. Empowering individuals to make decisions on resource allocation can sometimes outperform peer review, especially for supporting less conventional or risky research projects.
  3. Studies show that editors can play a significant role in selecting high-impact or novel research papers, showcasing the importance of individual decision-makers in scientific publishing.

Wanted: New Instruments to Fund BBNs

FreakTakes • 14 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
💼 Business Research
  1. BBNs are new types of organizations focused on research and development, similar to consulting firms but with a broader impact aim. They need new funding models to support their unique financial challenges.
  2. Common financial problems for BBNs include cash flow issues, startup capital needs, and the need for risk capital. They often require funding before their contracts and grants pay out, which complicates their operations.
  3. There are ideas for new financial products that could help BBNs, like low-interest loans or revolving door loan funds. These could provide timely financial support and help BBNs grow and innovate.

RDEL #19: How does user-centricity impact engineering performance?

Research-Driven Engineering Leadership • 19 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Research
  1. User-centric engineering teams lead to 40% higher organizational performance and 20% higher job satisfaction.
  2. Understanding user needs, aligning with those needs, and using user feedback for prioritization positively impacts team outcomes.
  3. User-centricity should be applied across different types of engineering teams, from product delivery to platform engineering, to improve performance.

Oxford Nanopore Customer Growth?

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Research
  1. Oxford Nanopore has stopped sharing details about its customer base, which raises concerns about growth. It's unclear how many customers they really have now.
  2. The MinION, which has a lot of users, isn't very profitable for Oxford, so its slowing growth might not be a big issue.
  3. Research funding seems to be declining overall, which could affect Oxford and other companies in the field, especially for their larger customers.

American Political Science Review Issues "Expression of Concern" Following Karlstack Investigation

Karlstack • 173 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Research
  1. American Political Science Review issued an 'Expression of Concern' following an investigation by Karlstack.
  2. The investigation revealed errors in a published article, including unreliable core findings due to missing data.
  3. The lack of accountability in academia, particularly in the field of Political Science, was highlighted.

Of mice and men and eggs

De Novo • 165 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
🔬 Science Research
  1. A study successfully produced eggs from male mice, resulting in baby mice with two biological fathers.
  2. Researchers converted male mouse stem cells to female cells by exploiting chromosomal instability and using a kinase inhibitor.
  3. This breakthrough suggests the possibility of growing eggs not only from women but also from men in the future.

If Diverse Scholars Produce Better Research, Judging Research on its Merits Will Enhance Diversity

Unsafe Science • 106 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🚌 Education Research
  1. Judging research based on its merits is more important than evaluating diversity of authors for enhancing research quality.
  2. Including diversity and equity criteria in research evaluation may lead to controversial subjective judgments.
  3. Scientific societies like SREE can face challenges when balancing scientific goals with political ideologies.

#54 A design to lean back in

Design Lobster • 199 implied HN points • 08 Feb 21
🪑 Design Research
  1. Micro-phenomenology aims to understand lived experiences in detail, like a psychological microscope, by focusing on the structure of experiences.
  2. Designers can use 'how' and 'how do you know' questions to reveal more about user experiences and map designs accurately to reality.
  3. Tiny details of human behavior, like the mechanism to lean back in a chair, can inspire design improvements and accommodate instinctive behaviors subtly.

The Sequence Radar #486 : The Amazing AlphaGeometry2 Now Achieved Gold Medalist in Math Olympiads

TheSequence • 28 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Research
  1. AlphaGeometry2 has become a top performer in solving geometry problems, even surpassing human math Olympiad gold medalists. It can handle tough geometry concepts and has a better understanding of different math problems compared to its predecessor.
  2. The latest improvements in AlphaGeometry2 include an enhanced symbolic engine and a wider range of mathematical language features. This allows it to solve more complex geometry problems efficiently.
  3. AI is getting closer to matching or even exceeding human capabilities in competitive mathematics. This success in geometry could lead to similar advancements in other scientific fields like physics and chemistry.

Will no one rid me of this turbulent pest?

De Novo • 110 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
🔬 Science Research
  1. Political concerns are the main obstacles to deploying gene drives, not technical challenges.
  2. Gene drives have the potential to end malaria, but they need to be released soon to save lives.
  3. Gene drive organizations need to carefully navigate public perception and governmental support to avoid backlash and ensure success.

📉 I Lost $1,000s In Crypto

Austin's Analects • 59 implied HN points • 03 Aug 22
🔮 Crypto Research
  1. If an investment seems too good to be true, it probably is
  2. Slow and steady wins the race with investing, get rich slowly
  3. Before investing, understand and research thoroughly, keep it simple and explainable for a child

Roche Nanopore Expectation Management

ASeq Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🔬 Science Research
  1. The Roche Nanopore sequencer is expected to generate useful sequence data, showcasing its potential in the market. This could help solidify nanopores as a valuable detection technology.
  2. Accuracy is important for applications, but Roche is likely to compete on cost, which could make their technology appealing for various uses. Their position is good for future improvements.
  3. Roche's innovations may lead to significant competition for existing sequencing methods, especially Illumina. The expectations suggest that this could reshape the sequencing landscape.

What AI Can and Cannot Do for UX

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 87 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Research
  1. AI has a strong role in user experience and professionals should embrace it.
  2. AI is creative, productive, and can create and analyze content at scale.
  3. AI may eventually design good user interfaces but will never replace the need for human users in user research.

Unlocking the Power of Freemium

Platform Papers • 19 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
💼 Business Research
  1. Freemium apps can boost sales of their paid versions by providing a sample for users to try before committing to a purchase.
  2. The availability of a free version can improve the discoverability of a paid app, especially in categories with a smaller number of apps.
  3. When designing freemium apps, developers should carefully balance free and premium features to ensure there is a significant difference to motivate users to upgrade.

AI and the Government

Who is Robert Malone • 14 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Research
  1. AI is now a big part of our online lives, whether we like it or not. It's being used in search engines, social media, and more, so it's important to learn how to use it effectively.
  2. Generative AI can create new content like text, images, and videos. By understanding and using generative AI tools, you can enhance your research and creativity.
  3. The government is increasingly using AI for various tasks, like identifying fraud and managing healthcare data. While there are risks, it's essential to engage with AI tools to stay in control rather than letting them control you.

RSV Vaccine Safety Signals Raise Alarms

Who is Robert Malone • 12 implied HN points • 03 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Research
  1. There are serious safety concerns about the RSV vaccines, especially linked to Guillain-Barré Syndrome, which can cause severe health issues.
  2. Some women who got the RSV vaccines during pregnancy faced complications like preterm births, suggesting that the vaccines might be risky for them.
  3. The monitoring system for vaccine safety revealed alarming reports, including deaths and serious allergic reactions, highlighting the need for careful oversight.

The Best Datapoint of All: Steel

Material World • 131 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🔬 Science Research
  1. Steel per capita is a good indicator of a country's development level.
  2. Developed economies have around 10-15 tonnes of steel per capita.
  3. Steel per capita can offer a unique perspective on global development and consumption patterns.

SPSP Censorship 2.0: "We Are Above the Rules"

Unsafe Science • 79 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🚌 Education Research
  1. Individuals who believe they are above the rules can be harmful to society or organizations.
  2. SPSP did not abide by professional guidelines for retraction, choosing to make up reasons to retract papers.
  3. There was a discrepancy in how SPSP handled different posters, allowing some politically motivated content while taking down others.

The Mathematical Capabilities of ChatGPT.

Deep-Tech Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Research
  1. Recently published research suggests that ChatGPT's mathematical abilities are below those of an average mathematics graduate student.
  2. There is skepticism that large language models like ChatGPT will lead to Artificial General Intelligence due to their poor mathematical reasoning performance.
  3. ChatGPT has been subject to criticisms and shortcomings, with some considering it less innovative and revolutionary compared to expectations.

What do emoji and typing like SpOnGe bOb squARepAnTs have in common?

Did Someone Say Emoji? • 102 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Research
  1. Typing has evolved with technology, making it easier to switch between letters, punctuation, and emoji.
  2. Changing emoji skin tone and gender can be time-consuming, but simplifying it can enhance communication and expression.
  3. The use of emoji skin tones varies based on context and individual preferences, reflecting personal identity and expression.

Nuclear Fusion: The State of Play

State of the Future • 34 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🔬 Science Research
  1. Nuclear fusion has great potential for clean energy, but it still faces big challenges like cost and technical hurdles. Commercial fusion might not be realistic until around 2040, despite recent progress.
  2. Different methods of achieving fusion exist, each with their own pros and cons. For example, magnetic confinement is well-researched but expensive, while inertial confinement uses lasers but has its own limitations.
  3. Investment in fusion technology is growing, with billions already being put in by both private companies and governments. This means, even though it's a tough path, there's hope for fusion as a key player in future energy strategies.

Thoughts on a Crazy Week in AI News

AI: A Guide for Thinking Humans • 148 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Research
  1. Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy's misunderstanding of ChatGPT sparked a discussion about AI education and awareness.
  2. The Future of Life Institute's open letter calling for a pause on developing powerful AI systems led to debates about the risks and benefits of AI technology.
  3. An opinion piece in Time Magazine by Eliezer Yudkowsky raised extreme concerns about the potential dangers of superhuman AI and sparked further discussion on AI regulation and public literacy.

A Sign of the Times

The Good Science Project • 85 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🔬 Science Research
  1. Billionaires are investing in organizations to attract scientists from universities.
  2. The new trend focuses on speeding up research innovation and breakthroughs.
  3. Both universities and philanthropists need to reevaluate how research funding is utilized.

The Eerie Story of Low Background Steel

Material World • 131 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🔬 Science Research
  1. Raiders are targeting old shipwrecks to obtain low background steel, a rare metal free of radiation.
  2. Steel made before 1945 is valuable for products sensitive to radiation due to its lack of radionuclides.
  3. Despite advancements in reducing radiation in steel, there is still interest in obtaining pre-1945 steel for specific uses.

July Newsletter

RSS DS+AI Section • 11 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Research
  1. Data science and AI are constantly evolving, with new research and developments happening every month. It's important to stay updated on these changes.
  2. Ethical considerations like bias and privacy are ongoing challenges in the AI field. Engaging in discussions about these topics is crucial for responsible technology use.
  3. There are many practical applications and resources available for those wanting to enhance their skills in data science and AI. Exploring tutorials and job opportunities can help grow your knowledge and career.

Implicit measures in UX

UX Psychology • 99 implied HN points • 11 Oct 21
🕹 Technology Research
  1. Self-report methods like questionnaires and interviews are commonly used in UX research, but they have limitations due to factors like social desirability bias and limited introspection.
  2. To fully understand user experience, it's important to consider unconscious motives like emotions and implicit attitudes, which can be measured using implicit techniques such as the Implicit Associate Test (IAT).
  3. Implicit measures, like the IAT, provide insights into unconscious processes influencing behavior, and can offer additional valuable information in UX research compared to traditional explicit measures like questionnaires.

Assembly Line of Enzymes

The Polymerist • 132 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🔬 Science Research
  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