Will I ever need math? A mathematician explains how math is everywhere – from soap bubbles to Pixar movies

Math is more than memorizing times tables and doing homework problems. It is woven into more aspects of your life than you might think.

Hortensia Soto, Professor of Mathematics, Colorado State University • conversation
July 24, 2023 ~8 min

Proving Fermat's last theorem: 2 mathematicians explain how building bridges within the discipline helped solve a centuries-old mystery

In 1993, a British mathematician solved a centuries-old problem. But he couldn’t have done it without the help of many other mathematicians, both historical and modern.

David Bressoud, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, Macalester College • conversation
June 22, 2023 ~10 min


How a 400 million year old fossil changes our understanding of mathematical patterns in nature

The arrangement of leaves on most plants follows a mathematical pattern – new research sheds light on how it evolved.

Holly-Anne Turner, PhD Candidate, Palaeobotany, University College Cork • conversation
June 16, 2023 ~7 min

How to make better decisions – using scoring systems

Conventional mathematical approaches to help us make decisions have key flaws.

Adrian Hopgood, Professor of Intelligent Systems and Theme Director of Future & Emerging Technologies, University of Portsmouth • conversation
June 15, 2023 ~8 min

New model offers a way to speed up drug discovery

By applying a language model to protein-drug interactions, researchers can quickly screen large libraries of potential drug compounds.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
June 8, 2023 ~9 min

Bringing the social and ethical responsibilities of computing to the forefront

The inaugural SERC Symposium convened experts from multiple disciplines to explore the challenges and opportunities that arise with the broad applicability of computing in many aspects of society.

Terri Park | MIT Schwarzman College of Computing • mit
June 8, 2023 ~12 min

Turning a circle into a square is possible with this kirigami-inspired formula

A study inspired by the Japanese paper-cutting art provides a blueprint for designing shape-shifting materials and devices.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News Office • mit
June 1, 2023 ~8 min

A better way to study ocean currents

A new machine-learning model makes more accurate predictions about ocean currents, which could help with tracking plastic pollution and oil spills, and aid in search and rescue.

Adam Zewe | MIT News Office • mit
May 17, 2023 ~8 min


Getting too excited can stop men from orgasming – but there’s a solution

We found you can have too much of a good thing - psychological stimulation.

Yuliya Kyrychko, Reader in Mathematics, University of Sussex • conversation
May 15, 2023 ~7 min

Debunking the Dunning-Kruger effect – the least skilled people know how much they don't know, but everyone thinks they are better than average

The idea that the least skilled are the most unaware of their incompetency is pervasive in science and pop culture. But a new analysis of the data shows that the Dunning-Kruger effect may not be true.

Eric C. Gaze, Senior Lecturer of Mathematics, Bowdoin College • conversation
May 8, 2023 ~8 min

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