- School bans alone not enough to tackle negative impacts of phone and social media use, researchers findon February 5, 2025 at 6:16 pm
Students attending schools that ban the use of phones throughout the school day aren't necessarily experiencing better mental health and wellbeing, as the first worldwide study of its kind has found that just banning smartphones is not enough to tackle their negative impacts.
- Study in India shows kids use different math skills at work vs. schoolon February 5, 2025 at 6:09 pm
A study by economists shows a wide gap between the kinds of math problems kids who work in retail markets do well and the kinds of problems kids in school do well.
- Materials can 'remember' a sequence of events in an unexpected wayon January 29, 2025 at 9:25 pm
Many materials store information about what has happened to them in a sort of material memory, like wrinkles on a once crumpled piece of paper. Now, a team of physicists has uncovered how, under specific conditions, some materials seemingly violate underlying mathematics to store memories about the sequence of previous deformations.
- Even quantum physics obeys the law of entropyon January 29, 2025 at 4:55 pm
The universe is getting more disordered, entropy is growing -- this is the second law of thermodynamics. But according to quantum theory, entropy should actually stay the same. Scientists took a closer look and resolved this apparent contradiction.
- Synchronization in neural nets: Mathematical insight into neuron readout drives significant improvements in prediction accuracyon January 16, 2025 at 6:38 pm
Researchers applied the mathematical theory of synchronization to clarify how recurrent neural networks (RNNs) generate predictions, revealing a certain map, based on the generalized synchronization, that yields correct target values. They showed that conventional reservoir computing (RC), a type of RNN, can be viewed as a linear approximation, and introduced a 'generalized readout' incorporating further order approximations. Using a chaotic time-series forecasting task, they demonstrated that this approach dramatically enhances both prediction accuracy and robustness.
- Pioneering mathematical model could help protect privacy and ensure safer use of AIon January 9, 2025 at 5:56 pm
AI tools are increasingly being used to track and monitor us both online and in-person, yet their effectiveness comes with big risks. Computer scientists have developed a new mathematical model which could help people better understand the risks posed by AI and assist regulators in protecting peoples' privacy.
- How do directional connections shape complex dynamics in neuronal networks?on January 7, 2025 at 3:17 am
In order to uncover the relationship between structure and function, researchers used microfluidic devices to study neuronal networks.
- How does a hula hoop master gravity? Mathematicians prove that shape matterson January 2, 2025 at 9:26 pm
Hula hooping is so commonplace that we may overlook some interesting questions it raises: 'What keeps a hula hoop up against gravity?' and 'Are some body types better for hula hooping than others?' A team of mathematicians explored and answered these questions with findings that also point to new ways to better harness energy and improve robotic positioners.
- Physicists 'bootstrap' validity of string theoryon December 17, 2024 at 7:10 pm
String theory remains elusive as a 'provable' phenomenon. But a team of physicists has now taken a significant step forward in validating string theory by using an innovative mathematical method that points to its 'inevitability.'
- String figures shed light on cultural connections and the roots of mathematical reasoningon December 17, 2024 at 6:13 pm
New research suggests that the making of string figures, a globally documented practice, may point to shared cultural heritage stretching back millennia. The research offers a new way to investigate the evolution and distribution of cultural phenomena using mathematical methods.
- Physics and emote design: Quantifying clarity in digital imageson December 16, 2024 at 6:00 pm
When analyzing artworks, understanding the visual clarity of compositions is crucial. Inspired by digital artists, researchers have created a metric to quantify clarity in digital images. As a result, scientists can accurately capture changes in structure during artistic processes and physical transformations. This new metric can improve analysis and decision-making across the scientific and creative domains, potentially transforming how we understand and evaluate the structure of images. It has been tested on digital artworks and physical systems.
- Leap in modelling human impact on climate may lead to early warning of climate disasterson December 10, 2024 at 4:54 pm
Mathematicians have applied statistical mechanics to climate change detection and attribution for first time. They have shown how to separate the 'signal' of human-made climate change from the 'noise' of natural climate fluctuations. This allows for a dramatic improvement in the ability to detect climate change and early warnings of climatic tipping points.
- New AI cracks complex engineering problems faster than supercomputerson December 9, 2024 at 5:29 pm
Modeling how cars deform in a crash, how spacecraft responds to extreme environments, or how bridges resist stress could be made thousands of times faster thanks to new artificial intelligence that enables personal computers to solve massive math problems that generally require supercomputers.
- How neighborhood enhances cooperationon December 6, 2024 at 4:19 pm
Helping out your neighbor or minding your own business? A challenging choice with different benefits for each decision. Game theory provides guidance in making such choices -- from a theoretical perspective. Novel findings reveal new network structures that enhance cooperation throughout a system. These insights have potential applications also in biology.
- X-ray vision: Seeing through the mystery of an X-ray emissions mechanismon December 4, 2024 at 11:31 pm
Since the 1960s, scientists who study X-rays, lightning and similar phenomena have observed something curious: In lab experiments replicating these occurrences, electrons accelerated between two electrodes can be of a higher energy than the voltage applied. According to researchers, this defies an assumption in physics that the energy of the electrons should correspond with the voltage applied. Despite the decades-long awareness of this apparent contradiction, researchers couldn't figure out why this was happening. Recently, a team of researchers used mathematical modeling to explain the underlying mechanism at play.
- A new way to create realistic 3D shapes using generative AIon December 4, 2024 at 7:54 pm
An AI method enables the generation of sharp, high-quality 3D shapes that are closer to the quality of the best 2D image models. Previous approaches typically generated blurry or cartoonish 3D shapes.
- Study in neurosurgery patients reveals numerical concepts are processed deep in ancient part of brainon December 3, 2024 at 9:46 pm
New research reveals the unique human ability to conceptualize numbers may be rooted deep within the brain.
- New theory reveals the shape of a single photonon November 19, 2024 at 6:34 pm
A new theory, that explains how light and matter interact at the quantum level has enabled researchers to define for the first time the precise shape of a single photon.
- 'Walk this Way': How ants create trails to multiple food sourceson November 17, 2024 at 12:56 am
Researchers have discovered that in a foraging ant's search for food, it will leave pheromone trails connecting its colony to multiple food sources when they're available, successfully creating the first model that explains the phenomenon of trail formation to multiple food sources.
- Scientists use math to predict crystal structure in hours instead of monthson November 14, 2024 at 9:12 pm
Researchers have devised a mathematical approach to predict the structures of crystals -- a critical step in developing many medicines and electronic devices -- in a matter of hours using only a laptop, a process that previously took a supercomputer weeks or months.
- Mathematical modelling leads to a better understanding of prostate canceron November 14, 2024 at 5:56 pm
Researchers have developed a three-dimensional mathematical model of prostate cancer. The model depicts various processes, including tumour growth, genetic evolution and tumour cell competition.
- Robot that watched surgery videos performs with skill of human doctor, researchers reporton November 11, 2024 at 5:30 pm
A robot, trained for the first time by watching videos of seasoned surgeons, executed the same surgical procedures as skillfully as the human doctors, say researchers.
- Teens who made history with Pythagoras' theorem discovery publish their first academic paper with new proofson October 28, 2024 at 5:21 pm
In their peer-reviewed work, Calcea Johnson and Ne'Kiya Jackson present five new ways of proving Pythagoras' Theorem via trigonometry. They also detail a new method for finding proofs that yield at least five more.
- In double breakthrough, mathematician solves two long-standing problemson October 9, 2024 at 10:35 pm
A professor who has devoted his career to resolving the mysteries of higher mathematics has solved two separate, fundamental problems that have perplexed mathematicians for decades.
- Higher-order interactions can remodel the landscape of complex systemson October 2, 2024 at 7:40 pm
Scientists report on how higher-order interactions can reshape a system at large -- even global -- scales.
- Language agents help large language models 'think' better and cheaperon September 24, 2024 at 8:57 pm
Researchers have devised an agent to help large language models 'think.'
- Recent study reveals reduced maths performance of adults with Dyspraxiaon September 17, 2024 at 5:03 pm
Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), can have a bigger impact on adult mathematical performance than previously thought, according to new research.
- Unveiling the math behind your calendaron September 13, 2024 at 2:52 pm
In a world where organizing a simple meeting can feel like herding cats, new research reveals just how challenging finding a suitable meeting time becomes as the number of participants grows. The study dives into the mathematical complexities of this common task, offering new insights into why scheduling often feels so impossible.
- Big algebras: A dictionary of abstract mathon September 12, 2024 at 5:58 pm
Several fields of mathematics have developed in total isolation, using their own 'undecipherable' coded languages. Mathematicians now present 'big algebras,' a two-way mathematical 'dictionary' between symmetry, algebra, and geometry, that could strengthen the connection between the distant worlds of quantum physics and number theory.
- Mathematical proof: Five satellites needed for precise navigationon September 7, 2024 at 3:41 am
What is the shortest route to the next stop or the agreed meeting point? Global positioning systems (GPS) have become a routine part of everyday life for most people. Until now, however, the minimum number of GPS satellites needed to determine the exact position of a mobile phone or other navigation device has remained a matter of conjecture. Researchers have now proved that a precise location can be determined in most cases with five or more satellites. At present, we can generally be sure of having contact to only four satellites.
- Mathematicians model a puzzling breakdown in cooperative behavioron September 3, 2024 at 6:49 pm
A model developed by evolutionary mathematicians shows that as conditions for cooperation improve between two species, mutually beneficial behavior can unexpectedly become unbalanced. Cooperative behavior pools in one species, the other consumes the spoils.
- Research cracks the autism code, making the neurodivergent brain visibleon August 28, 2024 at 7:49 pm
A researcher's mathematical modeling approach for brain imaging analysis reveals links between genes, brain structure and autism.
- Cold math, hot topic: Sea ice thermal conductivityon August 27, 2024 at 11:25 pm
Researchers developed a mathematical model showing how brine movement in sea ice enhances heat transfer, potentially improving climate change predictions for polar regions.
- Think fast -- or not: Mathematics behind decision makingon August 12, 2024 at 10:37 pm
New research explains the mathematics behind how initial predispositions and additional information affect decision making.
- Those with the biggest biases choose first, according to new math studyon August 12, 2024 at 4:32 pm
In a new study, researchers created a sort of simulated voting booth -- a space where people, or mathematical 'agents,' with various biases could deliberate over decisions. The results may help to reveal the mathematics of how the human brain acts when it needs to make a choice.
- Researchers develop AI model that predicts the accuracy of protein--DNA bindingon August 9, 2024 at 5:59 pm
A new artificial intelligence model can predict how different proteins may bind to DNA.
- Eye-tracking study provides valuable insights into learning mathematicson August 2, 2024 at 5:28 pm
Eye-tracking allows studying aspects that cannot be seen, for example, the thinking processes of a student solving a mathematical problem. Researchers have integrated eye-tracking into education and are using the technology to radically improve the teaching of mathematics.
- There is mathematical proof in the puddingon July 22, 2024 at 7:51 pm
In blockchain development, there is a rule of thumb that only two of scalability, security, and decentralization are valid simultaneously. However, the mathematical expression of that rule was still a work in progress. Researchers discovered a mathematical expression for the blockchain trilemma. In the formula for Proof of Work-based blockchains, including Bitcoin, the product of the three terms--scalability, security, and decentralization--is 1.
- Neural networks made of lighton July 12, 2024 at 4:41 pm
Scientists propose a new way of implementing a neural network with an optical system which could make machine learning more sustainable in the future. In a new paper, the researchers have demonstrated a method much simpler than previous approaches.
- Researchers develop predictive model for cross-border COVID spreadon July 3, 2024 at 5:17 pm
Post-COVID research has extensively focused on the efficacy of internal travel restrictions and cross-border travel has received less attention due to challenges in accessing quality data. In a major multidisciplinary collaboration effort across Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, a group of researchers -- including mathematicians, physicists and computer scientists -- have published a pioneering study on the spread of infections across Nordic borders from spring until the end of 2020. The report sheds light on the efficacy of cross-border travel restrictions, helping us better understand which measures actually make a difference.
- Can AI learn like us?on June 20, 2024 at 7:23 pm
Scientists have developed a new, more energy-efficient way for AI algorithms to process data. His model may become the basis for a new generation of AI that learns like we do. Notably, these findings may also lend support to neuroscience theories surrounding memory's role in learning.
- A railroad of cellson June 19, 2024 at 6:36 pm
Looking under the microscope, a group of cells slowly moves forward in a line, like a train on the tracks. The cells navigate through complex environments. A new approach now shows how they do this and how they interact with each other.
- Peers crucial in shaping boys' confidence in math skillson June 10, 2024 at 6:03 pm
Boys are good at math, girls not so much? A study has analyzed the social mechanisms that contribute to the gender gap in math confidence. While peer comparisons seem to play a crucial role for boys, girls' subjective evaluations are more likely to be based on objective performance.
- New model allows a computer to understand human emotionson June 4, 2024 at 5:21 pm
Researchers have developed a model that enables computers to interpret and understand human emotions, utilizing principles of mathematical psychology. In the future, the model can help the computer to adapt its own behavior and guide an irritated or anxious user in different ways. The implications of such technology are profound, offering a glimpse into a future where computers are not merely tools, but empathetic partners in user interaction.
- New open-source platform allows users to evaluate performance of AI-powered chatbotson June 4, 2024 at 5:21 pm
Researchers have developed a platform for the interactive evaluation of AI-powered chatbots such as ChatGPT. A team of computer scientists, engineers, mathematicians and cognitive scientists developed an open-source evaluation platform called CheckMate, which allows human users to interact with and evaluate the performance of large language models (LLMs).
- Unraveling the physics of knittingon June 4, 2024 at 5:20 pm
A team used experiments and simulations to quantify and predict how knit fabric response can be programmed. By establishing a mathematical theory of knitted materials, the researchers hope that knitting -- and textiles in general -- can be incorporated into more engineering and manufacturing applications.
- The embryo assembles itselfon June 3, 2024 at 3:43 pm
Biological processes depend on puzzle pieces coming together and interacting. Under specific conditions, these interactions can create something new without external input. This is called self-organization, as seen in a school of fish or a flock of birds. Interestingly, the mammalian embryo develops similarly. Scientists now introduce a mathematical framework that analyzes self-organization from a single cell to a multicellular organism.
- Groundbreaking progress in quantum physics: How quantum field theories decay and fissionon June 3, 2024 at 3:43 pm
An international research team has sparked interest in the scientific community with results in quantum physics. In their current study, the researchers reinterpret the Higgs mechanism, which gives elementary particles mass and triggers phase transitions, using the concept of 'magnetic quivers.'
- AI-controlled stations can charge electric cars at a personal priceon May 31, 2024 at 4:25 pm
As more and more people drive electric cars, congestion and queues can occur when many people need to charge at the same time. A new study shows how AI-controlled charging stations, through smart algorithms, can offer electric vehicle users personalized prices, and thus minimize both price and waiting time for customers. But the researchers point to the importance of taking the ethical issues seriously, as there is a risk that the artificial intelligence exploits information from motorists.
- Math discovery provides new method to study cell activity, agingon May 21, 2024 at 4:43 pm
New mathematical tools revealing how quickly cell proteins break down are poised to uncover deeper insights into how we age, according to a recently published paper.
- Scientists use generative AI to answer complex questions in physicson May 16, 2024 at 8:05 pm
Researchers used generative AI to develop a physics-informed technique to classify phase transitions in materials or physical systems that is much more efficient than existing machine-learning approaches.
- Century of statistical ecology reviewedon May 14, 2024 at 6:13 pm
A special review examines highly-cited papers in statistical ecology. The review, which covers a century of research, details how models and concepts have evolved alongside increasing computational power.
- Toxic chemicals can be detected with new AI methodon May 2, 2024 at 3:37 pm
Researchers have developed an AI method that improves the identification of toxic chemicals -- based solely on knowledge of the molecular structure. The method can contribute to better control and understanding of the ever-growing number of chemicals used in society, and can also help reduce the amount of animal tests.
- New computer algorithm supercharges climate models and could lead to better predictions of future climate changeon May 1, 2024 at 7:29 pm
A study describes a new computer algorithm which can be applied to Earth System Models to drastically reduce the time needed to prepare these in order to make accurate predictions of future climate change. During tests on models used in IPCC simulations, the algorithm was on average 10 times faster at spinning up the model than currently-used approaches, reducing the time taken to achieve equilibrium from many months to under a week.
- The end of the quantum tunnelon April 26, 2024 at 8:52 pm
Quantum mechanical effects such as radioactive decay, or more generally: 'tunneling', display intriguing mathematical patterns. Researchers now show that a 40-year-old mathematical discovery can be used to fully encode and understand this structure.
- From disorder to order: Flocking birds and 'spinning' particleson April 26, 2024 at 8:52 pm
Researchers have demonstrated that ferromagnetism, an ordered state of atoms, can be induced by increasing particle motility and that repulsive forces between atoms are sufficient to maintain it. The discovery not only extends the concept of active matter to quantum systems but also contributes to the development of novel technologies that rely on the magnetic properties of particles, such as magnetic memory and quantum computing.
- Manipulating the geometry of 'electron universe' in magnetson April 23, 2024 at 3:31 pm
Researchers have discovered a unique property, the quantum metric, within magnetic materials, altering the 'electron universe' geometry. This distinct electric signal challenges traditional electrical conduction and could revolutionize spintronic devices.
- New sensing checks for 3D printed products could overhaul manufacturing sectoron April 22, 2024 at 4:07 pm
A sensing technology that can assess the quality of components in fields such as aerospace could transform UK industry.
- Novel robust-optimal controllers based on fuzzy descriptor systemon April 8, 2024 at 5:07 pm
The Takagi--Sugeno (T--S) fuzzy descriptor system offers a promising avenue for controlling non-linear systems but lacks optimal control strategies. Moreover, while robust control methods have been developed, they add additional complexity. To address these limitations, a team of researchers has developed novel optimal and robust-optimal controllers based on the T--S fuzzy descriptor model, holding great potential for enhanced autonomous systems.
- The math problem that took nearly a century to solve: Secret to Ramsey numberson April 2, 2024 at 6:03 pm
Little progress had been made in solving Ramsey problems since the 1930s. Now, researchers have found the answer to r(4,t), a longstanding Ramsey problem that has perplexed the math world for decades.
Mathematics
