The hottest Research Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health Politics Topics

Role of returnee students in education, technological development, and opening up of China

Pekingnology • 18 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🚌 Education Research
  1. Researching and shaping narrative around Chinese students studying abroad and their contributions in China.
  2. Providing insights into policy of attracting global talent and developing international talent studies.
  3. CCG's commitment to understanding and promoting the role of global talent in contemporary society through extensive policy research and initiatives.

Quant Letter: February 2024, Week-3

The Parlour • 17 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
💰 Finance Research
  1. Research suggests Double Deep Q-learning can learn optimal trading strategies in fluctuating liquidity conditions.
  2. Investors decide to buy additional information about an asset's trajectory based on the indifference price of information.
  3. The RAGIC model predicts future stock prices accurately with a consistent 95% coverage using a Generative Adversarial Network.

October Newsletter

RSS DS+AI Section • 23 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Research
  1. The newsletter discusses various Committee Activities like professional development certification and sessions at the RSS conference.
  2. Ethics, bias, and diversity are hot topics in data science and AI, with ongoing discussions on AI regulation and accountability.
  3. The newsletter covers exciting developments in Data Science and AI research, including generative AI, real-world applications, and practical tips.

✅ Monday briefing: WaddsCon, Digital news report, local reporting, climate politics, CSR debunked, SEO insights, AI tool audit, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 20 Jun 22
📰 News Research
  1. Many people are avoiding the news because they don't trust it anymore, especially after events like COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine.
  2. Local news is struggling as social media takes its place, which makes it harder for communities to stay engaged and informed.
  3. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts aren't working well and can distract from what businesses really contribute to society.

Paper review - Generative Agents

Eddie's startup voyage • 1 HN point • 06 May 24
🕹 Technology Research
  1. The paper reviews 'Generative Agents,' discussing how AI can simulate human behavior in virtual worlds like 'The Sims'.
  2. The Memory Stream Architecture in Generative Agents addresses the challenge of creating believable agents by combining components like a memory stream, retrieval model, and reflection module.
  3. Observations from the paper include the emergence of coordinated behavior and relationship formation among AI agents in a virtual town, and ethical considerations in developing AI systems that can form parasocial bonds with humans.
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Quant Letter: November 2023, Week 3

The Parlour • 21 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
💰 Finance Research
  1. Large trades have a smaller impact than predicted by linear models due to concavity, following a 'square-root law'.
  2. Price dislocations gradually dissipate over time, influencing statistical arbitrage strategies.
  3. Algorithms are used for in-depth analysis of earnings call transcripts by investment funds for comprehensive insights.

Faster Fine-Tuning, Smarter Agents, and Real-World Vision-Language Wins

ppdispatch • 2 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Research
  1. A new method called Model Stock can fine-tune AI models using just two models instead of many. This saves resources and still performs really well on tasks.
  2. OpenMed NER offers high performance for biomedical tasks by using smart training without needing to use a lot of data or power, making it fast and eco-friendly.
  3. The SEAgent is a computer-use agent that learns on its own through experience, which helps it improve without needing extra training data, making software interaction smoother.

From Papyrus to Preprints

Reboot • 7 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🔬 Science Research
  1. Preprints are changing how research is shared. They allow scientists to share their findings quickly, before formal peer reviews, which helps speed up the conversation in the scientific community.
  2. The traditional peer review process can be slow and has limitations. Sometimes, important discoveries don’t get published because they don't fit the narrow criteria of journals.
  3. Platforms like arXiv have democratized access to research. They let everyone see new ideas and findings, but they also require us to be careful about the quality of information we trust.

✅ Monday briefing: Socially Mobile, news startup, language test, sportswashing, brand activism, growing pains, childcare crisis, Johnson SEO woe, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 13 Jun 22
📰 News Research
  1. Socially Mobile offers a 10-week program to help people improve their skills and earning potential. It's a great opportunity for those looking to boost their careers.
  2. Many businesses, like Ryanair and Ben & Jerry's, are taking strong stances on social issues. This shows how brands can influence conversations around important topics.
  3. There's a growing need for skilled workers in the public relations field. Despite the industry's growth, many positions remain unfilled due to a talent shortage.

Why The Nobel Prize Fails

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 8 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
💼 Business Research
  1. Some people believe the recent winners of the Nobel Prize in Economics didn’t do groundbreaking work, making it hard to justify their award. They think their research doesn't show enough significant change in the field.
  2. Critics say the winners' theories overlook important historical contexts, like the impact of slavery and colonialism, which are vital for understanding economic development. They argue the winners should have connected their work more with historical literature.
  3. Despite the criticisms, the research done by the Nobel laureates has sparked a lot of ongoing discussions in economics. It has shaped how many economists think about development issues today.

What Predicts Software Developers’ Productivity?

Engineering Enablement • 23 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Research
  1. Factors like job enthusiasm, peer support for new ideas, and useful feedback strongly correlate with developer productivity.
  2. Non-technical factors like job satisfaction are crucial for productivity, while technical factors can vary among companies.
  3. Improving job enthusiasm, supporting new ideas, and providing feedback can enhance developer productivity.

How did places like Bell Labs know how to ask the right questions?

FreakTakes • 30 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Research
  1. New science orgs should aim to combine the positive aspects of both applied and basic research.
  2. Applied and basic research distinctions are sometimes arbitrary, with some projects blurring the lines between the two.
  3. Institutions like Bell Labs successfully managed research by selecting profitable courses that satisfied both basic and applied research needs.

What happens when you ask 146 economists the same question?

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
💰 Finance Research
  1. When 146 economists analyzed the same data about a policy, they found similar results despite minor differences in their estimates. This suggests that economists can broadly agree when working with the same information.
  2. The researchers found that differences in opinions among economists often arise from how they interpret data and their theoretical models. So, disagreements aren't always about facts but can depend on personal beliefs and biases.
  3. The study showed that with clear instructions and the same data, economists tend to reach almost the same conclusions. This challenges the idea that economists will always have conflicting views.

Small, Value, or Small/Value?

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
💰 Finance Research
  1. Investors looking to improve their portfolio might want to use a small-cap value fund instead of mixing small-cap and value funds. This approach often leads to better returns despite a bit more risk.
  2. Using one focused fund can help avoid confusion and duplication from multiple investments. It simplifies the investment strategy and is usually more effective.
  3. If you want specific investment factors, it's often best to choose one product that combines those factors, rather than several different ones that might overlap.

Can using dark mode help us sleep better?

UX Psychology • 19 implied HN points • 17 Nov 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Research
  1. Our circadian rhythm dictates our sleep and wakefulness based on external cues like sunlight and temperature, involving hormones like melatonin and cortisol as well.
  2. Disruptions in the circadian rhythm due to factors like artificial light from screens can lead to health issues and sleep disturbances.
  3. Using dark mode on devices like phones may reduce exposure to blue light, but current studies indicate that it may not significantly improve sleep quality or melatonin production.

Data Science Weekly - Issue 445

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 02 Jun 22
🕹 Technology Research
  1. There's a new set of best practices for safely using large language models, aiming to help the industry work together responsibly.
  2. We are using less agricultural land now, even though we're producing more food, which is good for both us and nature.
  3. Qualitative research is important in AI. It helps us ask the right questions and understand how AI affects society beyond just numbers.

We Used To Eat A Lot More Without Becoming Obese

Unfashionable • 15 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Research
  1. Historically, people used to eat more without becoming obese, challenging the 'calories in, calories out' theory.
  2. Studies show that children in the past consumed significantly more calories than recommended today, even without modern concept of workouts.
  3. The Ray Peat community suggests that historically, people had faster metabolisms, which could explain the paradox of declining calorie intake and rising obesity rates.

150 Not Out

Net Interest • 25 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
💼 Business Research
  1. Net Interest is a successful finance newsletter with impressive growth and subscriber numbers.
  2. Paid newsletters in the finance market have a rich history and potential for revenue generation.
  3. The newsletter industry is growing while institutional investment research is shrinking, showcasing different market trends.

Well Being: Microplastics

Who is Robert Malone • 15 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Research
  1. Microplastics are small particles of plastic that are everywhere, impacting human health and the environment.
  2. Research shows that the presence of microplastics in carotid artery plaque is linked to a higher risk of heart attacks, stroke, or death.
  3. Taking steps to reduce exposure to microplastics by making mindful choices in daily life, such as avoiding plastic products and packaging, can help protect personal health and the environment.

February Newsletter

RSS DS+AI Section • 5 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Research
  1. AI and Data Science are rapidly evolving fields with new projects and innovations popping up all the time. It's important to stay updated with the latest research and applications.
  2. Ethics in AI is a huge concern, with ongoing discussions about bias, privacy, and the regulation of AI technology. People are looking for ways to use AI responsibly.
  3. There's a growing demand for skilled professionals in AI, particularly in areas like AI Product Management, which is becoming a hot job opportunity.

How (in)efficient are engineering organizations?

Engineering Enablement • 14 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
💼 Business Research
  1. On average, developers report 22% of their time being wasted, resulting in significant potential productivity loss.
  2. Efficiency in engineering organizations varies widely within teams, showing room for improvement and optimization.
  3. There is a correlation between the size of an organization in terms of employee count and revenue with the amount of developer time wasted, indicating larger organizations may struggle with efficiency compared to smaller ones.

Edge 379: A Summary Of Our Series About LLM Reasoning

TheSequence • 14 implied HN points • 19 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Research
  1. The series explored different methods and technologies related to reasoning in Large Language Models (LLMs).
  2. Reasoning in LLMs involves working through problems logically to reach conclusions, emerging at a certain scale and not applicable to small models.
  3. The series covered topics like Chain-of-Thought (CoT), System 2 Attention (S2A), tree-of-thoughts, and graph-of-thoughts as techniques for LLM reasoning.

From the Fossil Record: The Adaptive Role of Emotions

Living Fossils • 5 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🔬 Science Research
  1. Emotions are complex systems in humans with different parts like how we feel, how our body reacts, and what we do. For example, feeling angry when someone cuts you off in traffic can lead to raising your blood pressure and even giving them a rude gesture.
  2. There is some disagreement on whether any emotions are the same for all people. However, everyone agrees that we all have emotions that affect how we react to situations.
  3. Understanding our emotions can help us navigate day-to-day challenges better. They play a big role in our behavior and how we connect with others.

#83

The Nibble • 7 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Research
  1. Waymo has raised $5.6 billion in funding and is expanding its self-driving services to new cities like Austin and Atlanta. They have already completed over 100,000 rides mainly in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.
  2. A new fork of the Flutter framework called 'Flock' was created by the community due to frustrations with the original team's slow responses. This is a move aimed at improving the framework.
  3. Top tech companies are adapting to changes, like Robinhood allowing users to bet on elections, and industry shifts with layoffs at Consensys due to ongoing legal issues. Trends in AI and software development are rapidly evolving as well.

The environmental impact of agricultural crops

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Research
  1. We need to feed more people, so farming has gotten more intense, which can hurt the environment. A new study shows exactly where agriculture is doing well and where it needs to improve.
  2. Different crops affect the environment in different ways, depending on where they are grown. For example, soybean and palm oil farming can be worse near water bodies because of runoff, while crops grown at higher altitudes may need more intensive farming.
  3. The study gives a clear picture of how sustainable or harmful different crops are. It finds that palm oil production in Southeast Asia is damaging, while soybean farming in the US and West Africa can be more sustainable.

4-S model

The Century of Biology • 27 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🔬 Science Research
  1. Technology is changing our relationship with biology.
  2. A model of read, write, edit helps understand DNA technologies.
  3. Focus on Sequencing, Synthesis, Scale, and Software in genetic technologies.

NextSeq 550 Flowcell Notes

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🔬 Science Research
  1. NextSeq 550 flowcell has a unique design where the gasket sits on the flowcell interface and the glass is thicker than other instruments, possibly for stability.
  2. The flowcell glass thickness is surprising and might impact the imaging process, requiring specific optics designed for it.
  3. The material of the channel spacer in the flowcell is unknown, leading to curiosity about its composition and potential patent research.

It's a DARPA-filled Week

The Good Science Project • 18 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🔬 Science Research
  1. Recent articles are discussing the different perspectives on the ARPA funding model for research.
  2. Eric Gilliam is starting a comprehensive project analyzing past DARPA projects, aiming to create a resource for funders in similar organizations.
  3. This week is filled with DARPA-related content for those interested in ARPA initiatives.

Let's Buy Singular Genomics!

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 13 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Research
  1. Singular Genomics is struggling with low share price and few instrument sales.
  2. Proposed solution is to develop a cheap MiSeq-class sequencer to target the lower end of the market.
  3. By focusing on cost-effective instrument with minimal field support, the company aims to attract small labs and researchers.

(Ad-free Video) Jennifer Doudna: Scientist and World Changer

Critical Mass • 5 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🔬 Science Research
  1. Jennifer Doudna played a key role in developing CRISPR, a powerful genetic tool that could greatly impact human health and genetics.
  2. Her work highlights the importance of fundamental research in science, which can lead to unexpected and significant advancements.
  3. Discussions around scientific discoveries like CRISPR are crucial as society must consider the ethical responsibilities that come with such powerful tools.

Axial Discovery - Epigenetic theory of aging

Discovery by Axial • 2 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
🔬 Science Research
  1. Aging may happen because our cells lose important information about how to function properly over time. This loss makes them age and not work as well.
  2. Scientists have found that it might be possible to reverse this aging by resetting the 'instructions' in our cells. This could make old cells act young again.
  3. There are still big challenges to make this work safely in living beings. We need to figure out how to control the process so it doesn’t cause problems like uncontrolled cell growth.

VSRF LIVE TONIGHT: Episode 183 - Banned, Blamed, and Proven Right?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 2 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Research
  1. Dr. Andrew Wakefield faced severe consequences for his research linking vaccines to autism, including losing his medical license. His story shows how difficult it can be to stand up for controversial ideas.
  2. Many parents are now sharing similar stories about their children's health issues, raising questions about childhood vaccines. This growing concern suggests that people are re-evaluating the information around vaccinations.
  3. The conversation around vaccines goes beyond just science; it's about the impact of truth on public health and the personal costs faced by those who challenge the status quo.

Ultima Unpatterned Flowcells

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🔬 Science Research
  1. Ultima has transitioned to using unpatterned flowcells, which are cheaper and possibly work well with minor drawbacks.
  2. Ultima's manufacturing using unpatterned flowcells involves surface treatment and spin coating to attach and shrink beads for better identification and access.
  3. The occupancy and loading efficiency of Ultima's unpatterned flowcells suggest a potential capacity for 8 billion reads per run, showing advancements since their 2022 preprints.

Contra Scott on AI Races

Bretton Goods • 24 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🕹 Technology Research
  1. Under a slow takeoff, the race for general AI is indefinite, and staying ahead is crucial for maintaining an advantage.
  2. In an indefinite race, falling behind can result in a significant GDP gap with long-term implications for military conflicts.
  3. Economic and technological advantages, especially driven by AI, play a critical role in modern warfare scenarios, emphasizing the importance of competitiveness.

✅ Monday Briefing #21: Academic insight, Exploring PR, reputational risk, tool gig, less type more talk, 24-hour tweet, mental health half hour, and more

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 23 Nov 20
💼 Business Research
  1. Sharing academic research with local media can help spread valuable information more widely.
  2. Companies are finding new ways to use social media tools like Twitter to connect with their audiences.
  3. It's important to focus on mental health, and experts are holding sessions to help people understand their feelings better.

Lost science

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🔬 Science Research
  1. Scientific papers can be forgotten but later become highly influential.
  2. Sleeping beauties in science are more common than expected.
  3. Technology, access to findings, and interdisciplinary collaborations play a role in awakening dormant scientific knowledge.

Why didn't DeepMind build GPT3?

Root Nodes • 26 HN points • 27 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Research
  1. OpenAI released impressive products like GPT3, Dalle-2, and ChatGPT, reshaping perceptions of machine learning capabilities.
  2. GPT3 lacked a clear evaluation metric, diverging from past AI challenges like Go or Protein Folding.
  3. OpenAI's focus on building practical AI systems led to a different team structure and innovation strategy compared to academic machine learning.