thoughts of food

DoorDash gets permission to run an airline.

DoorDash gets permission to run an airline. “For us it’s not just about building the drone, it’s just as much about running the airline: the routing, the safety systems, the operational layer that makes everything fly smoothly.” DoorDash says it […]

under the microscope

A selective PFAS binder from oats.

A selective PFAS binder from oats. “NeutraOat is a modified form of oat fiber (β-glucan) that binds PFAS in your gut before they get reabsorbed.” Grain Labs is recruiting 15 adults with elevated PFOS for a 12-week at-home pilot with […]

under the microscope

Program ions like software.

Program ions like software. “Our method replaces that physical solution switching with rapid changes in the electrical circuit, allowing ions to move continuously in one direction through the system.” The researchers say electrochemical ion pumping can desalinate salty industrial wastewater […]

under the microscope

Sugar substitutes and brain aging.

Sugar substitutes and brain aging. “People who consumed the greatest amounts of sweeteners experienced a 62% faster decline in overall thinking and memory abilities than those who consumed the least.” The study tracked self-reported diet questionnaires from 12,772 adults for […]

retail therapy

GLP-1s might move GDP.

GLP-1s might move GDP. “Citi estimates that GLP-1 drugs could boost GDP by 0.5 percent to one percent in rich countries.” The piece argues these drugs look like a general-purpose health innovation, with effects that could show up as higher […]

to your health

Intelligence is not the bottleneck.

Intelligence is not the bottleneck. “no matter how “intelligent” AI becomes, intelligence is often not the main bottleneck to things changing in the real world.” Ruxandra Bio argues that in medicine the grind of clinical trials, data access, and governance […]

to your health

Checkups are becoming luxury goods.

Checkups are becoming luxury goods. “From 2018 to 2023, the number of fee-based practices grew by 83.1 percent” as more primary-care doctors leave insurance-based clinics for concierge and direct primary care. The draw is simple: patients pay a fee “for […]

to your health

Jumping jacks for your eyes.

Jumping jacks for your eyes. “It’s like jumping jacks for your eyes and your brain,” says Dr. Joe LaPlaca, whose VR drills are now part of some NBA referees’ pregame routines. The same eye-tracking and cognition work is spreading to […]

better doing

High agency beats smart.

High agency beats smart. “Being smart and making good business decisions will increasingly become a commodity.” David Cummings argues that as AI makes intelligence cheap and everywhere, the real edge shifts to people who initiate action and can build trust […]

better doing

Don’t be a meat proxy.

Don’t be a meat proxy. “Please don’t do this. I mean, I’ve done this. But I’ve been on the receiving end too many times now.” A good reminder that pasting raw LLM output into Slack or code review isn’t helpful. […]