Latest Articles

How Can Some Infinities Be Bigger Than Others?

April 19, 2023

All infinities go on forever, so how is it possible for some infinities to be larger than others? The mathematician Justin Moore discusses the mysteries of infinity with Steven Strogatz.

A New Kind of Symmetry Shakes Up Physics

April 18, 2023

So-called “higher symmetries” are illuminating everything from particle decays to the behavior of complex quantum systems.

Q&A

She Tracks the DNA of Elusive Species That Hide in Harsh Places

April 17, 2023

On Mount Everest and in the Peruvian Andes, Tracie Seimon uses DNA to study how species and ecosystems respond to climate change, pathogens and other influences.

A New Approach to Computation Reimagines Artificial Intelligence

April 13, 2023

By imbuing enormous vectors with semantic meaning, we can get machines to reason more abstractly — and efficiently — than before.

Mathematicians Find Hidden Structure in a Common Type of Space

April 12, 2023

In 50 years of searching, mathematicians found only one example of a “subspace design” in a vector space. A new proof reveals that there are infinitely more out there.

Primitive Asgard Cells Show Life on the Brink of Complexity

April 11, 2023

As researchers race to cultivate more of the intriguing cells from the deep seafloor, the few cells now growing in labs are giving us our best glimpses of the forerunners of all complex life.

The Electron Is So Round That It’s Ruling Out Potential New Particles

April 10, 2023

If the electron’s charge wasn’t perfectly round, it could reveal the existence of hidden particles. A new measurement approaches perfection.

How to Tame the Endless Infinities Hiding in the Heart of Particle Physics

April 6, 2023

In the math of particle physics, every calculation should result in infinity. The set of techniques known as “resurgence” points toward an escape.

Animal Mutation Rates Reveal Traits That Speed Evolution

April 5, 2023

The first large-scale comparison of mutation rates gives insights into how quickly species can evolve.

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