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Mathematicians Crack a Simple but Stubborn Class of Equations

August 10, 2022

Ever since Archimedes, mathematicians have been fascinated by equations that involve a difference between squares. Now two mathematicians have proven how often these equations have solutions, concluding a decades-old quest.

How the Physics of Nothing Underlies Everything

August 9, 2022

The key to understanding the origin and fate of the universe may be a more complete understanding of the vacuum.

Q&A

A Biochemist’s View of Life’s Origin Reframes Cancer and Aging

August 8, 2022

The biochemist Nick Lane thinks life first evolved in hydrothermal vents where precursors of metabolism appeared before genetic information. His ideas could lead us to think differently about aging and cancer.

At Long Last, Mathematical Proof That Black Holes Are Stable

August 4, 2022

The solutions to Einstein’s equations that describe a spinning black hole won’t blow up, even when poked or prodded.

Geometric Analysis Reveals How Birds Mastered Flight

August 3, 2022

Partnerships between engineers and biologists have begun to reveal how birds evolved their superb maneuverability.

Q&A

The Computer Scientist Challenging AI to Learn Better

August 2, 2022

Christopher Kanan is building algorithms that can continuously learn over time — the way we do.

Particle Physicists Puzzle Over a New Duality

August 1, 2022

A hidden link has been found between two seemingly unrelated particle collision outcomes. It’s the latest example of a mysterious web of mathematical connections between disparate theories of physics.

Seeking Mathematical Truth in Counterfeit Coin Puzzles

July 29, 2022

Readers balanced logical reasoning and mathematical insights to find phony coins with a double-pan balance scale.

Neuronal Scaffolding Plays Unexpected Role in Pain

July 28, 2022

Perineuronal nets, rigid structures that hold certain neurons in place, affect a surprising amount of brain activity, including some associated with chronic pain.

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