2023-08-01

Ask HN: Is anyone using PyPy for real work?

• The author has been the release manager for PyPy since 2015.
• They have made efforts to make PyPy available through conda-forge and direct download.
• The author has worked on improving the C-API emulation layer to run the scientific python data stack.
• However, they receive limited feedback from users and are frustrated by the lack of user experience to guide improvements.
• The author requests users to provide feedback on their experience with PyPy.

Reactions

• The discussion threads center around the use and advantages of PyPy as an alternative implementation of Python for performance improvement in different projects.
• Users share their experiences with PyPy, including faster execution times and issues with library compatibility.
• Alternative tools for performance optimization and the limitations of specific libraries are also discussed.
• Some users express interest in a Python Just-in-Time compiler like LuaJIT.

Ice core scientists in East Greenland reach bedrock

• Ice core scientists from the University of Copenhagen have successfully drilled through an ice stream in Northeast Greenland, reaching the bedrock beneath.
• This is the first time a deep ice core has been drilled through an ice stream, providing valuable information on Earth's climate changes from the past 120,000 years.
• Mud samples retrieved from beneath the ice will be analyzed to understand climate patterns and project rising sea levels.
• The ice core will be studied in laboratories worldwide to document climate changes over the last 120,000 years.
• This breakthrough improves understanding of ice stream behavior and its impact on rising sea levels.
• The project involved 12 participating nations and received financial support from Denmark.

Reactions

• Ice core scientists in East Greenland have successfully reached bedrock, which is a significant achievement for climate research.
• This milestone will contribute to our understanding of ice movement and improve climate models.
• The conversation surrounding the achievement includes discussions about cloud formation and its impact on temperature.
• Various topics related to climate change, ice ages, carbon capture, sustainable energy, and volcanic emissions are also being explored.
• The drilling process for ice cores in Greenland is described, highlighting the benefits and challenges of conducting deep hole drilling for scientific research purposes.
• Other topics being examined include geophysical and hydrological observatories, the preservation of DNA in ice, and the potential risk of future pandemics caused by viruses trapped in glacial ice.

NASA mistakenly severs communication to Voyager 2

• The Voyager 2 probe is currently unable to communicate with NASA due to a misaligned antenna.
• This antenna misalignment has been ongoing for over a week, preventing the spacecraft from receiving commands or transmitting data.
• NASA believes that this situation is temporary and will not impact Voyager 2's trajectory or its mission in space.
• Voyager 2 is currently around 32 billion kilometers away from Earth and is moving further away at a rate of 15km per second.
• Voyager 1, however, remains in contact with Earth and is unaffected by this glitch.
• Engineers are working to fix the antenna alignment issue and extend Voyager 2's working life.
• If successful, a similar adjustment may be made to Voyager 1.

Reactions

• The Voyager 2 spacecraft is currently experiencing a communication interruption.
• The mission of Voyager 2 is nearing its end.
• Astronomical navigation is being used in relation to the Voyager 2 spacecraft.
• Spacecraft engineering and operations are being discussed.
• The differences between software engineering and other disciplines are being explored.
• The importance of accountability and responsibility in space exploration is being emphasized.
• Science fiction books and their relevance to space travel are being discussed.
• The challenges of space travel, including the immense distances involved, are being highlighted.
• Familiar units of measurement are being used to compare and understand these immense distances.

The BBC on Mastodon

• BBC Research & Development is testing the Mastodon social media platform.
• Mastodon is a distributed and decentralized platform.
• The BBC has set up their own Mastodon server where users can follow BBC social media accounts.
• The federated model of Mastodon aligns with the BBC's goal of supporting a public service internet.
• The experiment will run for 6 months to evaluate its value and decide whether to continue.
• The BBC is also exploring other ActivityPub applications for publishing content.

Reactions

• Users on the Mastodon platform are frustrated with the BBC's decision to add a delay to their podcast feeds to promote their centralized app, BBC Sounds.
• Concerns about revenue maximization and privatization are raised regarding the BBC's digital initiatives.
• Users discuss the availability and usability of BBC content, as well as ad insertions in podcasts.
• Criticisms of BBC management are brought up in the conversation.
• The challenges and considerations of implementing the ActivityPub protocol on Mastodon are discussed.
• Limitations of Mastodon for non-technical users are highlighted.
• The BBC's history of experimenting with new media is mentioned, as well as their recent move to Mastodon.
• The conversation also covers the adoption of Mastodon, the role of organizations, and the complexities of decentralization.
• The debate over the distinction between social media and internet forums is discussed.
• The potential for federated filtering to combat objectionable content is explored.

Semiconducting Transport in LK99 reproduction attempt

• This article discusses a recent claim about the discovery of room-temperature superconductivity in a modified lead-apatite compound.
• The authors conducted detailed analyses of the compound's electrical and magnetic properties.
• The resulting compound showed semiconductor-like transport behavior, casting doubt on the claim.
• Further examination is needed to validate the claim of room-temperature superconductivity.

Reactions

• Reddit discussions are focused on the challenges of replicating scientific experiments, specifically in materials science.
• Replication in different labs with varying conditions requires adjustments and adaptations.
• The benefits and drawbacks of publishing research results earlier are debated.
• Validity and impact of early publications are questioned, especially in relation to a claim about a room-temperature superconductor.
• Scientists express skepticism and call for replication to validate the claim.
• Discussions revolve around the appropriate process for publishing and verifying scientific discoveries.
• Ongoing efforts to replicate a synthesized material's X-ray diffraction pattern that does not match the original.
• Concerns arise regarding the difficulty of synthesizing crystals and the possibility of fraud or incompetency.
• Challenges in synthesizing materials for high-temperature superconductors are discussed.
• Skepticism surrounds a potential breakthrough in superconductivity.

Marijuana addiction: those struggling often face skepticism

• Despite the growing acceptance of marijuana, addiction to the drug exists and is often met with skepticism.
• While some argue that marijuana can be used without negative consequences, it is recognized to be addictive like alcohol or prescription drugs.
• Estimates vary, but there are individuals struggling with cannabis use disorder who require assistance.
• Concerns are arising about the impact of increased marijuana use and potency, particularly on the developing brains of teenagers.
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that millions of individuals in the US had a cannabis use disorder in 2021.
• Medical marijuana users may be misdiagnosed, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic criteria.
• Currently, behavioral therapy is the primary treatment for marijuana addiction, as there is no medication available.
• Quitting marijuana use can result in withdrawal symptoms.
• The article also mentions the increasing acceptance of marijuana use and provides additional resources on the topic.

Reactions

• The discussion thread covers various topics related to cannabis, including addiction, dosage, THC potency, legalization, and its effects on anxiety.
• Participants share their personal experiences, recommendations, and opinions on cannabis use.
• The societal perception of cannabis use is also discussed.
• The craft beer industry is mentioned and compared to the cannabis industry.

A fridge from 70 years ago has better features than the fridge I own now

• The Mastodon platform's instance, mstdn.social, boasts 38,000 active users engaged in diverse discussions.
• Topics include capitalism, durability of modern appliances, refrigerator design, and nostalgia for vintage appliances.
• Users debate the effects of capitalism on the production of low-quality goods and its role in providing access to modern appliances.
• Discussions also revolve around preferences for vintage versus modern refrigerators.
• Sustainability and environmental impact are additional points of debate.
• The participants hold varying viewpoints on capitalism, consumerism, durability, and design preferences.

Reactions

• The discussions cover various topics related to household appliances, such as refrigerators, toasters, ovens, and microwaves.
• Participants share their opinions on features, durability, reliability, efficiency, and cost of both older and modern appliances.
• Consumer culture, environmental impact, and the difficulty of finding reliable information about appliances are also discussed.
• There is a wide range of perspectives and debates regarding the quality and longevity of household appliances.

Origin of correlated isolated flat bands in LK99

• Room temperature superconductivity has been discovered in copper-substituted lead phosphate apatite.
• The study uses density functional theory calculations to identify correlated isolated flat bands at the Fermi level.
• These flat bands are attributed to a structural distortion induced by copper ions and a chiral charge density wave from lead lone pairs.
• A minimal two-band model can explain a significant portion of the low-energy physics in this system.
• The implications of the findings on potential superconductivity in copper-doped apatite are discussed.

Reactions

• LK-99 is a superconducting material being discussed for its synthesis and properties.
• Substitutions, band structures, and synthesis challenges are important factors in the discussions.
• Simulation, machine learning, and AI are potential tools for materials discovery.
• Superconducting materials have potential applications in energy distribution and quantum computing.
• Practicality and limitations of superconducting materials are a topic of concern.
• Improved communication in the scientific community is needed.
• There is a possibility of over-hyping scientific discoveries.

Help the Library of Congress create games to improve public knowledge of civics

Reactions

Show HN: Markwhen: Markdown for Timelines

• The person has developed a tool called markwhen.
• markwhen is designed to convert plain text into timelines and calendars.
• The goal of markwhen is to provide a user-friendly tool for this purpose.
• The creator of markwhen encourages users to ask questions or provide feedback.

Reactions

• Markwhen.com is a website that allows users to create timelines and calendars using plain text and Markdown.
• Users have provided feedback on the user interface, including issues on iPad devices.
• There is potential for integrating Markwhen with other tools like Obsidian and Visual Studio Code.
• The creator plans to release offline and online versions of Markwhen with different pricing structures.
• Users have compared Markwhen to other tools and suggested improvements, such as an Obsidian plugin.
• The project has received positive feedback and generated interest from users.
• Some users discuss the functionality and usability of a product roadmap tool called Markwhen, suggesting improvements and expressing appreciation for its usefulness.