The hottest Research Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health Politics Topics
Joshua Gans' Newsletter β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jan 16
  1. Gender discrimination in scientific credit can impact academic careers, especially for collaborations involving women.
  2. Research suggests a systemic bias in scientific credit, with women being denied full credit for collaborative work with men.
  3. Theoretical models and empirical results reveal complexities in understanding gender biases in scientific credit allocation.
Hypertext β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 27 Mar 24
  1. Social science research needs a recalibration with a focus on feedback, reflection, and improvement.
  2. There is a significant amount of uncertainty in understanding how change happens in people's lives, challenging traditional evidence-based policy approaches.
  3. Collaboration, customer feedback, and adaptability are key in creating effective social programs rather than relying solely on evidence-based interventions.
Hypertext β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 27 Mar 24
  1. Policy interventions should focus on 'stabilizers' - social forces that are difficult to change, rather than seeking unclear systemic reforms.
  2. Experiments like RCTs in criminal justice can provide meaningful insights, even if their scope is narrow, and they can be scaled with political will.
  3. Not all policy interventions are suitable for RCTs, but evidence from experiments should be considered as incremental tests for replication and scalability.
Hypertext β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 27 Mar 24
  1. Incremental social policies have proven to make the world a better place over time
  2. Narrow, incremental policy changes can have significant positive impacts, like increasing school attendance, boosting earnings, and reducing incarceration rates
  3. Incremental changes informed by high-quality evaluation and research can lead to greater effectiveness over time in various social programs, showing better results than 'you only live once' approaches in policy-making
Hypertext β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 27 Mar 24
  1. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) play a crucial role in identifying effective interventions in criminal justice policy.
  2. Collaboration among researchers and practitioners is essential to develop and replicate successful causal research designs.
  3. Causal research has contributed to progress in criminal justice policy and helped identify interventions that work, while also highlighting ones that are ineffective or counterproductive.
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Hypertext β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 27 Mar 24
  1. Policy decisions are often not based on evidence but on preordained ideological inclinations, with research used to justify decisions after the fact.
  2. The concept of 'evidence-based practice' is frequently overused without a solid understanding of which interventions truly qualify, and often used against communities of color.
  3. Efforts to influence policy shouldn't rely solely on research but also involve advocacy, systems change, media, and social forces to create meaningful change.
Hypertext β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 27 Mar 24
  1. Gold standard evidence in policy often comes from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that help isolate causal effects but are not always practical, especially in criminal justice settings.
  2. Quasi-experimental methods like regression discontinuity designs (RDD) and difference in differences (DID) can also provide high-quality evidence for evaluating causal effects of programs and policies, offering flexibility where RCTs are not feasible.
  3. Recent analysis showed that RDD and DID designs are as reliable as RCTs for inferring causality, indicating that a variety of methods beyond RCTs can be valuable 'gold standard' evidence in policy and criminal justice research.
Hypertext β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 27 Mar 24
  1. Understanding the effects of policies on people's lives is crucial, and causal research can provide valuable information to guide decision-making.
  2. Critiques of causal social science highlight the need for improvement in research publishing practices, such as publishing null studies and ensuring clarity on statistically significant but small results.
  3. Replication studies in policy-making, especially with experimental interventions like RCTs, can offer valuable insights to refine policies before widespread implementation, and continuous use of evidence can help in making incremental progress.
Hypertext β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 27 Mar 24
  1. The post contains 19 essays focusing on various important topics like research, policy, and social science.
  2. The essays discuss the importance of evidence-based decision-making and the challenges faced in implementing change.
  3. Authors explore subjects such as research integrity, government transparency, and the complexities of driving societal change.
Dataplane.org Newsletter β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 26 Mar 24
  1. Dataplane.org now recommends a minimum donation of $1000 per year for commercial users of their Signal data feeds to cover costs and fund their non-profit mission.
  2. Despite challenges with source address spoofing, Dataplane.org chooses to make certain data feeds available for network intelligence purposes while protecting against misuse.
  3. Dataplane.org emphasizes research collaboration with academia, supporting projects evaluating internet sanctions and providing resources for academic measurement research.
Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 28 May 15
  1. The future is advancing quickly, with technologies like computers that predict dreams and functional artificial intelligence.
  2. In the Instagram era, the obsession with documenting everything may not always portray the complete truth.
  3. Researchers have created a computer that can 'imagine' objects based on descriptions, marking a significant step in computational imagination.
Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 09 Sep 14
  1. Reading habits have evolved on different platforms, and we're unsure if the changes are positive or negative.
  2. Big data is more than just a trendy term; leaders in the field have varying definitions and perspectives on its importance.
  3. Valuable online real estate now includes .nyc domain names, marking a shift in the modern market dynamics.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 30 Dec 21
  1. 2021 saw many impressive breakthroughs in Machine Learning with the industry growing considerably.
  2. Microsoft is positioned well in the Machine Learning space due to its vertical integration across various stages of ML pipelines from hardware to data sources to model deployment.
  3. Microsoft showcased exceptional performance in ML research and implementation in 2021, particularly with innovative projects like synthetic data analysis and leading NLP models.
Computerspeak by Alexandru Voica β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 23 Feb 24
  1. The world's first AI university, MBZUAI, aims to educate AI leaders and conduct transformative research in various AI fields.
  2. AI is being used by companies to enhance business operations, boost creativity in the workplace, and drive major technological advancements according to IEEE.
  3. Google has released Gemma LLM as an open-source tool, contributing to the evolution of AI technology.
Computerspeak by Alexandru Voica β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 05 Jan 24
  1. Countries around the world are investing in AI initiatives to control their destinies, leading to a democratization of AI capabilities.
  2. Diverse organizations investing in AI programs globally accelerate innovation and address critical gaps not handled by Silicon Valley.
  3. Collaboration among nations in AI research, while maintaining ethics and governance, will lead to more breakthroughs and sharing of best practices.
Computerspeak by Alexandru Voica β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 22 Dec 23
  1. In 2023, the UK Supreme Court ruled that AI cannot be considered an inventor, showcasing a defining moment for AI understanding and law.
  2. Harvard highlighted how AI is revolutionizing oral health, indicating the diverse applications AI has in improving human well-being beyond traditional sectors.
  3. Big Tech's significant investment in AI startups demonstrates the growing importance and potential of AI technologies in various industries and their pursuit of innovation.
Are You Okay? β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 14 Apr 20
  1. Trust science for COVID-19 treatments: It's crucial to rely on scientific methods like randomized controlled trials and emergency use authorizations for drug approvals.
  2. Current drug treatments: Hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, azithromycin, and convalescent plasma are being explored for COVID-19, but careful monitoring is needed due to potential risks and uncertainties.
  3. Mental and behavioral health impact: Patience with drug development processes is important, collaboration among researchers is key, and humor can play a role in maintaining mental well-being during uncertain times.
Austin's Analects β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 05 Aug 20
  1. Research about the company thoroughly before your interview, including its industry, mission, culture, and competitors.
  2. Prepare answers to common interview questions on your strengths, weaknesses, job interest, and why you're the right fit for the role.
  3. Create a list of thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer, like their reasons for joining the company and the daily work culture.
Austin's Analects β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 05 Aug 20
  1. Cold emailing is difficult, especially because you don't have a prior relationship with the person you are contacting
  2. Personalization is key in cold emails; connecting over a common interest or acknowledging something unique about the recipient can increase response rates
  3. When making your ask in a cold email, ensure it is realistic, concise, and polite to maximize the chances of a positive response
Cybernetic Forests β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 07 Aug 22
  1. Colonialism has often exploited indigenous knowledge and communities through science and exploration.
  2. The concept of 'subtractive science' by Masanobu Fukuoka challenges the traditional interventionist approach of science, advocating for a more hands-off, natural growth process.
  3. The relationship between humans, technology, and nature should be one of collaboration and respect, with an emphasis on understanding the balance of power and hierarchy in these interactions.
Cybernetic Forests β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 19 Jun 22
  1. Our perception shapes our understanding, and expanding our tools of perception can lead to new discoveries in areas like science and music.
  2. The use of voltage spikes in mushroom communication can offer insights into creating electronic music using modular synthesizers.
  3. Sound can provide a unique connection to the information and interactions of living organisms, like mushrooms, fostering a deeper understanding of their behaviors.
Cybernetic Forests β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 10 Apr 22
  1. Mushrooms communicate through electrical pulses that resemble human language, showcasing the complexity of nature's communication systems.
  2. The project 'Appetite for Deconstruction' explores using mushrooms to remediate plastic and transform cultural artifacts, highlighting the potential for innovative environmental solutions.
  3. Listening to nature, like mushrooms, can provide insights into different forms of intelligence and communication beyond human understanding, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
Penelope Trunk's Substack β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 30 Dec 23
  1. Research shows that reciprocal friendships are key. It's important for your best friend to consider you their best friend too.
  2. Engagement in friendship involves pride, fun, pressure, emotions, specialness, and commitment. Reflect on where your friends fall on this list.
  3. Friendships evolve over stages of life. In your 20s, you may have many friends, but by your 30s, it's common to have only a few close friends and focus on family.
Penelope Trunk's Substack β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 29 Nov 23
  1. The author reveals a secret YouTube channel they initially hated but now love, showcasing their transition to academia and passion for learning through videos.
  2. Despite struggles with new software and organization, the author's dedication shines through in making 30 educational videos on autism, reflecting exploding exuberance.
  3. Sharing the journey of creating these videos and promoting an autism course, the author emphasizes their desire for the content to be fun, interesting, and useful, showcasing their hard work and eagerness.
Penelope Trunk's Substack β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 11 Nov 23
  1. School environments can be overwhelming due to sensory issues for kids, especially those with autism.
  2. Changing the environment to suit sensory needs is crucial, as seen in an example of creating a personal 'castle' for sensory comfort.
  3. Children are more likely to fulfill their sensory needs at home where they can control the environment, compared to the chaotic sensory experience in classrooms.
Penelope Trunk's Substack β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 20 Feb 23
  1. Taking students out of elementary school for extra activities like cello lessons can lead to higher test scores
  2. Unexcused absences can indicate parenting problems while excused absences correlate with higher test scores
  3. Research shows that the impact of parents taking students out of school more often on test scores is more significant in low-income families
Natto Thoughts β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 08 Apr 24
  1. Natto Thoughts celebrated its one-year anniversary by exploring unique angles on topics like Russian psychological operations
  2. The Natto Team's work has gained significant recognition and has been featured in major global media outlets
  3. Upcoming content from Natto Thoughts will focus on delving into Russian extortion operations to understand financial and political motives behind ransomware attacks
Platform Papers β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 12 May 22
  1. The success of platforms in international markets depends on network effects, which might not always extend cross borders due to local preferences and complementors.
  2. Platforms differ from traditional multinationals in governance strategies, as they rely on loosely coupled networks of complementors who need autonomy and control to create value.
  3. Platform expansion into new countries faces challenges in transferring ecosystem-specific advantages, leading to a need for novel research perspectives and considerations on regulation and strategy.
Platform Papers β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 30 Dec 21
  1. Platformpapers will start publishing monthly blog posts in 2022 covering the latest academic research on digital platforms and big tech
  2. The posts will summarize and contextualize articles from the platform papers references database to make the research more accessible to a wider audience
  3. The goal is to engage individuals interested in platforms such as scholars, students, managers, creators, and policy makers
Platform Papers β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 03 Dec 21
  1. Platform Papers is a newsletter focused on the latest research about platforms and big tech
  2. The newsletter is coming soon, with updates anticipated
  3. Readers can subscribe through the provided link to stay updated
Surfing the Future β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 24
  1. The ocean/atmosphere system is already changing, and latest studies suggest these changes may have dire implications for the world.
  2. The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (Amoc) is at risk of an abrupt shift that could impact global climate regulation.
  3. An article on this topic is recommended reading for political, business leaders, and investors globally.
AI Disruption β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 26 Apr 24
  1. Meta has developed Llama 3 models with fewer parameters than popular GPT-4, showcasing strong performance with slight differences.
  2. Llama 3 uses extensive data training and a new model optimization approach, contributing to its competitive capabilities in the language model landscape.
  3. Synthetic data research is essential for future AI advancements, as the effectiveness of models relies on the quality and innovation of generated data for training.
Research-Driven Engineering Leadership β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 22 Apr 24
  1. Video meeting fatigue can occur due to staring at screens, missing body language, and other factors.
  2. Research shows strategies like pole switching in social encounters, choosing one pole over another, and bringing poles together can help teams resolve video meeting fatigue.
  3. To tackle video fatigue, consider dynamics beyond meetings, know when formats should be virtual or in-person, and aim for a balance in social encounters.
Research-Driven Engineering Leadership β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 15 Apr 24
  1. AI in recruitment can increase gender diversity in tech hiring by improving the completion rate of job applications among women.
  2. Providing AI-generated scores alongside applications can reduce gender bias in evaluations and lead to more equal assessment of male and female candidates in tech hiring.
  3. Although concerns exist about bias in AI tools, research shows that AI can outperform human bias in the hiring process, offering a promising solution to create a more diverse and qualified tech workforce.
Research-Driven Engineering Leadership β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 01 Apr 24
  1. The most common conversations developers have with ChatGPT include code generation, conceptual questions, how-to guides, issue resolution, and code review.
  2. Developers often engage in multi-turn conversations with ChatGPT to refine or expand upon its responses.
  3. Sharing ChatGPT conversations with teammates can aid in knowledge transfer, clarification in code reviews, and issue discussions.
Research-Driven Engineering Leadership β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 25 Mar 24
  1. Hackathons in tech companies foster innovation, creativity, skill development, and team building among employees.
  2. Research shows that pre-existing teams focus on innovations within their regular work, while flash teams explore broader innovations and gain networking and skill development benefits.
  3. For corporate hackathons, consider using a pre-existing team when focusing on demonstrating existing skills and project sustainability, and opt for a flash team to increase networking opportunities and introduce new skills.
Research-Driven Engineering Leadership β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 11 Mar 24
  1. Using AI coding assistants can lead engineers to produce less secure code compared to not using these tools.
  2. Engineers tend to overestimate the security of code generated with AI assistants, creating a false sense of security.
  3. Integrating specific security practices into the development workflow when using AI coding assistants can help uphold security standards and guidelines.