The hottest Research Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health Politics Topics

Startup Dive: Sakuu

Intercalation Station β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 22 Mar 23
πŸ•Ή Technology Research
  1. Sakuu, a startup, is merging with Plum Acquisition Corp. I in Q3 2023, making it the third SPAC this year.
  2. Sakuu, founded in 2017, has raised over $50m in funding and partnered with companies to develop 3D-printed batteries.
  3. 3D printing technology like Kavian by Sakuu is being used to manufacture solid-state batteries, with potential challenges and opportunities.

More Nanopore Nonsense...

ASeq Newsletter β€’ 14 implied HN points β€’ 08 Nov 24
πŸ”¬ Science Research
  1. Clive Brown has left Oxford Nanopore, and there are mixed reports about his last day at the company.
  2. Oxford Nanopore attempted to prevent Estonia from acquiring PacBio sequencers for a population sequencing project.
  3. The details of the dispute regarding the sequencers can be found in a public document shared by a user on Discord.

Protein Sequencing And Nanopore Current Ranges...

ASeq Newsletter β€’ 29 implied HN points β€’ 02 Mar 24
πŸ”¬ Science Research
  1. Protein sequencing using nanopores is a topic of interest, with a recent study highlighting a large state space of 10^25 and using an Oxford Nanopore's R9.4.1 pore with a range of ~10pA.
  2. Investigating patents can provide insights into the current range for DNA sequencing and can spark further contemplation about the future of protein sequencing using nanopores.
  3. The detailed post on protein sequencing and nanopore current ranges is available for paid subscribers, emphasizing the exclusivity of the content.

Some Notes On the MiSeq Flowcell

ASeq Newsletter β€’ 29 implied HN points β€’ 27 Feb 24
πŸ”¬ Science Research
  1. The MiSeq flowcell consists of a plastic outer shell with a glass flowcell that clips open and closed.
  2. Measurements indicate a cover glass thickness of around 150um and a 100um channel height on a 1mm substrate.
  3. Unlike other flowcells, the MiSeq uses an all glass construction bonded with optical bonding material and borosilicate glass apertures.
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Strong AI Creativity

Jakob Nielsen on UX β€’ 15 implied HN points β€’ 17 Oct 24
πŸ•Ή Technology Research
  1. AI is proving to be more creative than humans in generating ideas. Studies show that AI can outscore humans in creativity tasks, both when working alone and even in some co-creation scenarios.
  2. Humans tend to judge AI-generated ideas unfairly. There is a bias against AI, as its ideas are often rated lower just because people know they are from AI, even if the ideas are the same.
  3. AI is also outperforming human researchers in academic creativity. In comparing AI-generated research ideas to those from junior human scientists, AI scored better in novelty, excitement, and overall effectiveness.

June Newsletter

RSS DS+AI Section β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jun 25
πŸ•Ή Technology Research
  1. Ethics and bias in AI are big topics right now. Many people are talking about how to keep AI safe and fair as it becomes more advanced.
  2. There are many exciting developments in AI research, including new tools and methods. For example, some AI can now create new algorithms and even assist in healthcare.
  3. Real-world applications of AI are growing, with many helpful resources and tutorials available. It's becoming easier for people to use AI for practical tasks and projects.

Generalizing Knowledge of Twitter to "X"

Never Met a Science β€’ 38 implied HN points β€’ 02 Oct 23
πŸ”¬ Science Research
  1. Scientific knowledge of social media platforms needs constant updating due to their fast-changing nature.
  2. The traditional scientific method may not be sufficient for studying rapidly evolving subjects like social media platforms.
  3. There is a need for meta-scientific improvements in how we approach research and knowledge synthesis.

Elicit

Fifty Years News β€’ 38 implied HN points β€’ 25 Sep 23
πŸ•Ή Technology Research
  1. Preventing hallucinations and improving AI efficiency is important in AI development.
  2. Elicit has the potential to generate substantial revenue by assisting various industries in speeding up research processes.
  3. Elicit's systematic and transparent approach to research aims to have a significant positive impact on society by accelerating scientific discovery.

A New Map Of Medieval London

Londonist: Time Machine β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 12 Jun 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Research
  1. A detailed map of medieval London has been created, showing intricate parish boundaries, city structures, and landmarks from the 13th century.
  2. The Historic Towns Trust has produced detailed maps of Tudor and medieval London, using extensive research and archaeological knowledge.
  3. Mapping the city's past presents challenges due to gaps in historical records, uncertainties in field boundaries, and complexities of plotting locations like churches in ancient London.

Illumina Cluster Domination

ASeq Newsletter β€’ 29 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jan 24
πŸ”¬ Science Research
  1. Illumina sequencing uses clusters of DNA fragments, which can create issues if not all the fragments are the same.
  2. Unpatterned flowcells may have overlapping clusters leading to ambiguous results.
  3. Patterned flowcells use Exclusion Amplification to prevent cluster overlap and improve sequencing accuracy.

Update #68: Whispering Indigenous Languages and Neural Net Training Dynamics

The Gradient β€’ 27 implied HN points β€’ 13 Feb 24
πŸ•Ή Technology Research
  1. Papa Reo raised concerns about Whisper's ability to transcribe the Māori language, highlighting challenges faced by indigenous languages in technology.
  2. Neural networks learn statistics of increasing complexity throughout training, with a focus on low-order moments first before higher-order correlations.
  3. Including native speakers in language corpora and model evaluation processes can substantially improve the performance of natural language processing systems for languages like Māori.

The Cloud for Biology

LatchBio β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 29 Aug 23
πŸ”¬ Science Research
  1. Storing and transferring large sequencing files in biology can be challenging due to the lack of user-friendly storage solutions like AWS S3.
  2. Integrating and tracking sample metadata in biology is vital but often hindered by unintuitive systems and lack of system integrations.
  3. Setting up data pipelines and computational workflows for biology data analysis is labor-intensive, requiring user-friendly interfaces and tools.

The Street Smart Naturalist

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 20 Jan 22
πŸ”¬ Science Research
  1. The writer enjoys creating newsletters that let them explore human and natural history. They see it as a fun way to connect with a community.
  2. They plan to keep the newsletter free but are offering paid subscriptions for those who want to support their work. Subscriptions come with extra benefits.
  3. The writer encourages readers to engage more by commenting and suggesting story ideas. They look forward to future topics and interactions.

December Newsletter

RSS DS+AI Section β€’ 11 implied HN points β€’ 01 Dec 24
πŸ•Ή Technology Research
  1. There are ongoing discussions about the ethical use of AI, especially in healthcare and military. It’s important to think about privacy and the implications of these technologies.
  2. New developments in data science and AI research are exciting, such as improved models for training and reasoning. It's a fast-paced field with many recent breakthroughs.
  3. Generative AI is evolving quickly, with many companies working on new models and applications. This includes features like AI-generated summaries of content you're watching.

Janice Fiamengo | The War on Science Interviews | Day 12

Critical Mass β€’ 3 implied HN points β€’ 05 Aug 25
πŸ”¬ Science Research
  1. There will be 20 interviews with authors from The War on Science released daily. Each interview will cover important issues affecting science.
  2. Topics include the corruption of science in universities, the impact of cancel culture, and the need for free speech in academia.
  3. These discussions aim to spark conversation about restoring trust and excellence in science and scholarship.

Your guide to AI: August 2025

Guide to AI β€’ 3 implied HN points β€’ 03 Aug 25
πŸ•Ή Technology Research
  1. The U.S. government plans to strengthen its AI capabilities by promoting national research resources and improving research safety. This includes plans for better semiconductor manufacturing and supporting local talent.
  2. Big tech companies like OpenAI and xAI are rapidly expanding their computing power, with OpenAI aiming for over 1 million GPUs, reflecting a competitive race in the AI industry.
  3. China is quickly advancing in open-source AI, with its labs making significant progress that challenges Western counterparts. They are also getting government support to implement their AI strategies effectively.

Examples of governments doing good in house (or contracted) technical research

The Good blog β€’ 26 implied HN points β€’ 14 Feb 24
πŸ•Ή Technology Research
  1. Governments, particularly the US, are involved in a variety of technical research areas such as defense, regulatory agencies, and other government departments.
  2. There is a mix of in-house and contracted technical research, with some independent agencies excelling in this area.
  3. Defense research tends to dominate government technical research, with no clear pattern indicating whether in-house or contracted research is more successful.

10X Chromium Controller Component Cost Is Likely <$5000

ASeq Newsletter β€’ 29 implied HN points β€’ 28 Dec 23
πŸ”¬ Science Research
  1. The 10X Chromium Controller component cost is likely less than $5000, significantly lower than its original $35000 price tag.
  2. The key components like Thomas diaphragm pumps range from $200 to $400, making up a portion of the instrument's cost.
  3. Through further cost optimization, it's possible to produce a comparable instrument for much less than $5000.

Some thoughts on social media, disinformation, and the 2024 elections

Conspirador NorteΓ±o β€’ 32 implied HN points β€’ 12 Nov 23
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ U.S. Politics Research
  1. Data-driven research on social media activity for the 2024 elections is made difficult due to factors like reduced transparency by platforms and attacks on researchers.
  2. Generative AI advancements have made it easier to create misleading content like fake images and videos.
  3. Media coverage of disinformation and social media manipulation may not always be based on legitimate research, highlighting the importance of skepticism.

Exciting acceleration in community activity

Vesuvius Challenge β€’ 12 implied HN points β€’ 30 Oct 24
πŸ”¬ Science Research
  1. The Vesuvius Challenge is rewarding contributors with $48,500 in prizes for their innovative work on ancient scrolls. This money encourages creativity and progress in understanding these old texts.
  2. One exciting project introduced a new method for segmenting scrolls, which could make the process faster and more accurate. This kind of innovation is really important as it helps researchers figure out how to read the scrolls better.
  3. Several contributors are developing tools and techniques to improve ink detection and data analysis for the scrolls. These advancements are pushing the boundaries of what we can learn from these ancient artifacts.

Elizabeth Weiss | The War on Science Interviews | Day 8

Critical Mass β€’ 3 implied HN points β€’ 01 Aug 25
πŸ”¬ Science Research
  1. The interviews will cover important topics about the challenges facing science today, particularly in academia. It's about the impact of activism and how it affects research and scholarship.
  2. A group of well-known scholars will speak frankly about these issues, hoping to spark discussions and find solutions. They want to bring back trust and excellence in scientific work.
  3. There's a recognition that while external threats to science exist, internal problems within universities also need attention. Both aspects are crucial for preserving the integrity of science.

Live Critical Mass Interactive Zoom Q&A: June 22nd @ 10AM PT

Critical Mass β€’ 4 implied HN points β€’ 21 Jun 25
πŸ”¬ Science Research
  1. There will be a live Zoom Q&A for paid subscribers on June 22nd at 10 AM PT. It's a great chance to ask questions and join the conversation.
  2. Subscribers can discuss recent podcasts, the upcoming book 'The War on Science', and various science topics. It's a fun space for lively discussions.
  3. Supporting Critical Mass helps keep the Origins Project and other programs running. Your financial help allows access to exclusive content and events.

βœ… Monday briefing #10: Rogue reviews, pimping on Pinterest, focus group tool, AI hype, planning what’s next, hiring collective, election manipulation, and more

Wadds Inc. newsletter β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 07 Sep 20
πŸ’Ό Business Research
  1. Amazon is investigating suspicious reviews after finding that many top contributors may have been manipulating feedback. This shows how fake reviews can impact how we trust products online.
  2. A new tool called Brandwatch Social Panel is changing how companies conduct research by focusing on public conversations instead of traditional focus groups. It might help businesses understand customer opinions better.
  3. Research shows emotional tweets get more reach because people share what makes them feel. This explains why wild or emotional posts spread fast on social media.

βœ… Monday briefing: Radio change, C4 privatisation, PR job trends, youth media attitudes, media relations, Ryanair troll strategy, FIFA censorship, permacrisis, week in Twitter, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 07 Nov 22
πŸ“° News Research
  1. The BBC is cutting back on local radio shows, focusing more on online content instead. Local stations will now only produce breakfast and lunchtime shows.
  2. Public relations jobs in the UK are growing, but a slowdown is expected soon. Many people joined the industry recently, and job growth has slowed down lately.
  3. Ryanair is using a bold social media strategy that includes trolling and playful digs at customers. This has proven to be an effective way to engage with their audience.

Science Must Not Be Tainted By International Politics

Critical Mass β€’ 11 implied HN points β€’ 03 Nov 24
πŸ”¬ Science Research
  1. Excluding scientists from international collaboration harms science. Science is a global effort, and excluding individuals based on politics limits progress.
  2. Complex scientific issues require diverse voices. It's essential to involve as many perspectives as possible to tackle the world's challenges effectively.
  3. Politics shouldn't interfere with scientific research. The pure pursuit of knowledge should remain untouched by political conflicts to benefit all of humanity.

βœ… Monday briefing: Dark arts, Coronation planning, agency planning, sex industry careers, charity lobby, cycling greenwashing, toxic workplaces, community based marketing, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 17 Oct 22
πŸ’Ό Business Research
  1. Dark arts practices in media, like privacy abuses and phone hacking, are being highlighted and criticized nowadays. People are calling for more honesty and accountability in journalism.
  2. The challenges for agencies include planning for crises caused by climate change, wars, and rising costs. Companies need to adapt their strategies to deal with these ongoing issues.
  3. Community-based marketing is gaining attention as a key strategy for brands. Companies are realizing the importance of owning and engaging with their communities to drive success.

Why do confounders always work to make the COVID vaccines look unsafe? I asked an expert!

Steve Kirsch's newsletter β€’ 11 implied HN points β€’ 15 Oct 24
πŸ₯ Health Politics Research
  1. Confounders are factors that can distort data, making vaccines seem unsafe, but they should affect results randomly. It raises questions about why they only appear to show a negative impact on vaccines.
  2. There is a significant difference in mortality rates between different vaccine brands, suggesting there may be deeper issues like manufacturing defects or distribution biases impacting safety results.
  3. Despite individual observations of negative vaccine effects, people are often told to trust aggregated data from authorities, which can lead to doubts about the reliability of personal experiences and observations.

GPT-4, Bias-Variance Tradeoff & Gupshup πŸ’½πŸ›°πŸ”¨

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 19 Sep 21
πŸ•Ή Technology Research
  1. Rankings of data science courses in India help students choose the right programs. They get a broad overview of what's available in the education landscape.
  2. The rankings come from careful surveys and research, ensuring the information is reliable. More than 150 courses get nominated every year to keep the list current.
  3. Gupshup is a topic that combines interesting discussions about analytics and technology. It’s a great way to explore the latest trends in data science.

Your guide to AI: July 2025

Guide to AI β€’ 3 implied HN points β€’ 13 Jul 25
πŸ•Ή Technology Research
  1. Meta is restructuring its AI efforts and forming new labs to focus on superintelligence, aiming to attract top talent from competitors.
  2. AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic are seeing significant revenue growth, while Apple is partnering with these firms for its AI features due to its own slow progress.
  3. Legal challenges for AI firms are increasing, with a recent court case requiring Anthropic to disclose its training data sources, pushing the need for clearer regulations in the AI sector.

EVENT: Censorship in the Sciences

Journal of Free Black Thought β€’ 9 implied HN points β€’ 03 Dec 24
πŸ”¬ Science Research
  1. A conference on censorship in the sciences is happening at USC from January 10-12, 2025. It will bring together various experts to discuss important topics related to censorship.
  2. The event will cover themes like the balance between scientific freedom and social responsibility, and different forms of censorship in research and public discussions.
  3. Participants can register to attend, and the conference is open to the public, with live streaming available for those who cannot be there in person.

NobleGen

ASeq Newsletter β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 10 Feb 25
πŸ”¬ Science Research
  1. Noblegen focused on an optical nanopore DNA sequencing method, but they are no longer active. This approach has been attempted multiple times with limited success.
  2. They incorporated a technique where each DNA base is replaced with multiple bases to simplify detection, but there's not much strong evidence that this method works well.
  3. The Noblegen Optipore method showed promise in development, but it was ultimately not adopted, reflecting the challenges in the field of DNA sequencing technology.

Who I Am

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients β€’ 239 implied HN points β€’ 21 Jun 16
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Research
  1. Chris Masterjohn, PhD has a background in nutritional sciences, academia, and entrepreneurship.
  2. He is passionate about using food, movement, and mindfulness to promote health and well-being.
  3. His goal is to simplify complex scientific information into practical principles for improving health.