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Three Puzzles Inspired by Ramanujan
Insights from the mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan give us a number of ways to explore the infinite.
Faster Evolution on a Warmer Earth
When life first emerged roughly 4 billion years ago, DNA may have been a much more malleable molecule.
A Bird’s-Eye View of Nature’s Hidden Order
Scientists are exploring a mysterious pattern, found in birds’ eyes, boxes of marbles and other surprising places, that is neither regular nor random.
Hope That an Old Drug Might Treat Zika
Scientists are having a difficult time finding a treatment for the Zika virus in part because so few drugs are safe for pregnant women. But one antibiotic has shown promise.
A Quasicrystal’s Shocking Origin
By blasting a stack of minerals with a four-meter-long gun, scientists have found a new clue about the backstory of a very strange rock.
New Insights Into How Zika Harms the Brain
Researchers are racing to understand how the Zika virus causes birth defects. Their first results have revealed tantalizing clues about how the virus interferes with the developing brain — and how it might be stopped.
How Feynman Diagrams Almost Saved Space
Richard Feynman’s famous diagrams weren’t just a way to do calculations. They represented a deep shift in thinking about how the universe is put together.
Solution: ‘Is Infinity Real?’
Hilbert’s Hotel, an incredibly thin triangle and an elliptical pool table help us test the concept of infinity in the physical world.
New Lizard Shows Evolution’s Predictability
A newly discovered anole on the island of Hispaniola confirms that the buildup of ecological communities can follow predictable patterns.