Mathematicians have had a hard time finding commonalities in large groups of random shapes — until recently.
Miranda Cheng explains what umbral moonshine is and how it might illuminate string theory.
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.
David Kaplan explains how the law of increasing entropy could drive random bits of matter into the stable, orderly structures of life.
Peter Scholze is a favorite to win one of the highest honors in mathematics for his contributions in number theory and geometry.
Metal-eating microbes get energy from rocks and could teach us about life on other worlds — but first scientists had to learn how to grow them in the lab.
A group of little-known Hungarian physicists claim to have found a new fundamental particle. Now other researchers are raising questions about the team’s past work.
Suchitra Sebastian talks about how extreme conditions can create unexpected quantum behavior.
Ken Ono explains how Ramanujan has served as his “guardian angel” throughout his life and career.