Richard Prum explains why he thinks feathers and vibrant traits in birds evolved not solely for survival, but also through aesthetic choice.
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Key Chemistry Question Answered, No Quantum Computer Required
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Do we need quantum computers to fully understand complex chemical reactions? A new result, decades in the making, shows the surprising power of ordinary “classical” machines.
How We See the Beautiful, Violent Sun
Over hundreds of years, increasingly sophisticated instruments have revealed — and continue to reveal — the secrets of our star.
When Quiet Undersea Volcanoes Turn Disruptive
Earth’s largest volcanic system, hidden in mountain chains under the sea, has long been assumed to erupt only quietly. The shallow seafloor off Iceland tells another story.
How Ecotypes Harbor the Genetic Memory of a Species’ Past
Evolutionary biologists are uncovering genomic mechanisms that allow populations to adapt quickly to different, hyperlocal habitats without splitting into new species.
Two Researchers Are Rebuilding Mathematics From the Ground Up
By replacing the most fundamental concept in topology, Peter Scholze and Dustin Clausen are taking the first step in a far bigger program to understand why numbers behave the way they do.
How Alexander Grothendieck Revolutionized 20th-Century Mathematics
Grothendieck is revered in the world of math; outside of it, he’s known for his unusual life, if he’s known at all. But what were his actual mathematical contributions?
What Do Gödel’s Incompleteness Theorems Truly Mean?
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Rubin Tracks Skyscraper-Size Asteroids, Failed Supernovas, and Interstellar Visitors
Astronomers are preparing for a new era of big-data astronomy, and results are already starting to arrive.
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Illuminating basic science and math research through public service journalism.
More about usQuanta Magazine is committed to in-depth, accurate journalism that serves the public interest. Each article braids the complexities of science with the malleable art of storytelling and is meticulously reported, edited and fact-checked. Launched and funded by the Simons Foundation, Quanta is editorially independent — our articles do not reflect or represent the views of the foundation.
