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Time’s (Almost) Reversible Arrow

January 7, 2016

The irreversibility of time may be a clue as to what makes up the universe’s dark matter.

How Strange Twists in DNA Orchestrate Life

January 5, 2016

Coils and twirls in DNA’s double-helix change how the molecule behaves, opening a new role for topology in the study of life.

Solution: ‘The Fabulously Fair Feast’

December 22, 2015

The solution to this month’s puzzle explains how to design a Sudoku square to figure out the likes and dislikes of four or eight finicky friends.

Hope Rekindled for Perplexing Proof

December 21, 2015

Three years ago, a solitary mathematician released an impenetrable proof of the famous abc conjecture. At a recent conference dedicated to the work, optimism mixed with bafflement.

A Fight for the Soul of Science

December 16, 2015

If a theory can’t be tested, is it still science?

Landmark Algorithm Breaks 30-Year Impasse

December 14, 2015

Computer scientists are abuzz over a fast new algorithm for solving one of the central problems in the field.

The Fabulously Fair Feast

December 10, 2015

For this month’s puzzle, design a Sudoku square to figure out the likes and dislikes of four finicky friends.

Math Quartet Joins Forces on Unified Theory

December 8, 2015

A new breakthrough that bridges number theory and geometry is just the latest triumph for a close-knit group of mathematicians.

Big Data’s Mathematical Mysteries

December 3, 2015

Machine learning works spectacularly well, but mathematicians aren’t quite sure why.

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