Round 1 of Live Sciences begins next week. No narrative spinning, no negative data brushed under carpet, just raw data live streamed online from this bioreactor. Anyone can interact anyone can analyse.

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Analogies are indispensable to communicating scientific concepts foreign to a given audience. But analogies never map 1:1 to the territory. They are only analogous to the real phenomenon in some specific ways (corresponding to the science communicator’s intent), and not in others. Yet, audiences are prone to extrapolating analogies in unpredictable ways that no longer apply to the phenomenon. If the science communicator now repudiates the analogy, it confuses the audience; if they don’t, it leaves the audience with an objectively wrong mental model. Sean Carroll uses the example of inflating a balloon to model the Big Bang. It correctly shows spacetime itself (the balloon’s surface) stretching, stars drawn on the surface moving apart without any obvious center of expansion, and distant stars moving away even faster (Hubble’s law). But anyone taking the analogy too literally will also see stars getting larger, the balloon expanding *into* some external volume, and spacetime being 2D. All of which are not analogous to cosmic inflation. So a skilled science communicator must not only use audience-appropriate analogies (by age, level of knowledge, domain of competence, etc), but also be very clear about the specific ways in which the analogy applies to the real world

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Recap of medical breakthroughs of 2025: * A baby named KJ became the first gene-edited baby, and the first person to be treated with a custom in vivo CRISPR treatment for his rare genetic disease * A research team at Roche and Boston’s Children’s Hospital set a new world record for the fastest human genome sequencing and analysis: under 4 hours to perform whole genome sequencing and analysis * Roche developed a new genome sequencing method called Sequencing by Expansion (SBX), which expands DNA molecules into larger structures called Xpandomers * Suzetrigine became the first non-opioid painkiller for surgical treatment in decades * The second chikungunya vaccine was approved in the US and EU * Several new lipid-lowering treatments are succeeding in large clinical trials * Orforglipron is a new GLP1 drug that can be taken orally https://www.scientificdiscovery.dev/p/medical-breakthroughs-in-2025

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoSs5ihTZNQ where is it going to hit, farcaster?

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There needs to be a rule that entrepreneurs must consult with someone who has at least passed a few physics courses. So I'm supposed pay $1800 to stand out in the cold wind during a thunderstorm and larp as a human lightning rod, and I guess I'll lose so much heat so when the lightning does strike me, I guess I won't feel anything? https://vollebak.com/en-us/products/full-metal-jacket-copper-edition

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https://youtu.be/ZXNIgHov0Nk?si=YtJwK8gNmPBksRqZ

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if cells can do it, why cant we? https://x.com/profbuehlermit/status/2002264253613445491?s=46&t=Il5NrMeCjY0zjgXBkcDWtA

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Bacteria from a Japanese tree frog was found to completely eradicate colorectal cancer cells in mice, and even provided ongoing protection against new cancer https://doi.org/hbfrpr

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Soft transistors in hydrogels with tissue-like softness and biocompatibility. This could be big. Also the demo is very satisfying. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adx4514 https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn:li:ugcPost:7399112509309255680

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Interesting FDA updates today 🤔 I wonder how these "speed ups" work against Vinay Prasad who is known to be quite critical of most oncology clinical trial design The FDA says it removed a big barrier that made it hard to use real-world evidence (data from normal care) in some drug/device reviews. This could help get helpful treatments to patients faster. The FDA awarded a “national priority voucher” to speed the path for a myeloma treatment combo after strong Phase 3 results. That can shorten review time once an application is submitted. https://reframedaily.beehiiv.com/p/reframe-daily-er-ultrasound-pain-block-cut-delirium-after-hip-fractures-and-semaglutide-was-tested-a

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Fascinating article about the growing evidence that most cases of Parkinson’s disease might be of environmental, rather than genetic, origin. Also TIL about the exposome, the sum of your own personal environmental exposures since conception https://www.wired.com/story/scientists-thought-parkinsons-was-in-our-genes-it-might-be-in-the-water/ Paging @christin @gmo @hyp

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Are there web3 alternatives to live streaming via twitch and then saving to YouTube? Context: This is for my ‘Live Sciences’ project where I am conducting end-to-end verified experiments to reduce dependency on academic institutions for trust one critical verification format is video taping the experiments. Wanting to use existing infrastructure to make this as low lift as possible Merci!

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Got my Fluorescent Yeast Grow Kit from The Odin! The yeast has a GFP gene that codes for a fluorescent protein. Time to grow some fluorescent yeast.

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Swedish scientists have revealed a remarkable medical breakthrough: nanobots that can clear dangerous arterial plaque in just minutes. These microscopic machines travel through the bloodstream, detect hardened blockages, and break them down with incredible accuracy — restoring healthy blood flow without surgery, stents, or long recovery periods. Early trials show these nanobots can clean arteries far more effectively than current procedures, offering a groundbreaking way to prevent heart attacks and strokes. The technology uses magnetic fields to precisely guide the nanobots to the exact location of a blockage. Once they arrive, the bots gently dissolve the plaque into tiny particles that the body naturally eliminates, leaving the artery open and smooth. Patients in initial studies experienced rapid improvements in circulation, highlighting the massive potential of this approach. But the innovation is stirring controversy in the United States, where cardiologists perform millions of repeat procedures each year to manage plaque buildup. Some critics warn that widespread adoption of nanobot therapy could slash the demand for costly surgeries, threatening billions in annual revenue from stents, angioplasty, and other invasive treatments. Supporters argue that patient safety and medical progress should take priority — and that a technology capable of clearing arteries in minutes could redefine heart care. Regardless of the debate, one thing is certain: Sweden’s nanobots mark the beginning of a new chapter in cardiovascular medicine. A future where clogged arteries can be treated quickly, safely, and without invasive tools is no longer science fiction — it’s already taking shape.

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The great Robert Sapolsky, always a great listen. Do you think we have anything like free will? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRYcSuyLiJk

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