Kristina Armitage/Quanta Magazine
Born poor in colonial India and dead at 32, Ramanujan had fantastical, out-of-nowhere visions that continue to shape the field today.
Zero, which was invented late in history, is special among numbers. New studies are uncovering how the brain creates something out of nothing.
Researchers are exploring new ways that quantum computers will be able to reveal the secrets of complex quantum systems.
A new proof about prime numbers illuminates the subtle relationship between addition and multiplication — and raises hopes for progress on the famous abc conjecture.
Though they live only a few hours before dividing, bacteria can anticipate the approach of cold weather and prepare for it. The discovery suggests that seasonal tracking is fundamental to life.
To better understand machine learning algorithms, Lenka Zdeborová treats them like physical materials.
Three researchers have figured out how to craft a proof that spreads out information while keeping it perfectly secret.
Across the social and biological sciences, statisticians use a technique that leverages randomness to deal with the unknown.
Emily Buder/Quanta Magazine
These three imagined scenarios lead many physicists to doubt that space-time is fundamental.
Cancer treatment has come a long way in recent decades. But finding the best course of treatment for each case of this diverse, dynamic disease remains a challenge. In this episode, co-host Steven Strogatz speaks with computational biologist Franziska Michor about how math, statistical models and machine learning may be critical to the next generation of cancer care.
Illuminating basic science and math research through public service journalism.
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