632nm Science Memes, Epigenetic Inheritance, and Rethinking Peer Review
Jun 24, 2025
Oded Rechavi, a biologist from Tel Aviv University and C. elegans expert, dives deep into groundbreaking topics. He explains how C. elegans can pass traits through small RNAs, reshaping our understanding of heredity. The conversation shifts to innovative methods using Toxoplasma gondii as a protein delivery system for potential therapies. Rechavi also critiques the flawed aspects of scientific publishing, proposing AI solutions to accelerate peer review and enhance the quality of research. His insights blend humor and science, making complex ideas accessible.
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Accidental Start to Memeing
- Oded Rechavi started memeing on Twitter accidentally after a poor attempt to promote a paper.
- Making stupid jokes gained popularity, leading him to continue posting humor voluntarily.
Correlation vs Causation Insight
- Many people confuse correlation with causation, missing a basic scientific cognitive tool.
- Proper controls are essential to distinguish real causal effects in scientific studies.
Frustration with Publishing
- Scientific publishing is widely frustrating for academics due to slow, biased, and inefficient review processes.
- Oded is actively working to improve scientific publishing as a major pain point in science.