How to untangle a worm ball: Mathematicians solve a knotty mystery

California blackworms tangle themselves up by the thousands, then separate in a split second. Their trick may inspire the design of self-detangling materials and fibers.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News Office • mit
April 27, 2023 ~7 min

Dobble: what is the psychology behind the game?

Dobble is a card game that originated in France in 2009. It involves observation, articulation and speed.

Helen Hodgetts, Reader in Applied Cognitive Psychology, Cardiff Metropolitan University • conversation
April 25, 2023 ~6 min


Pi gets all the fanfare, but other numbers also deserve their own math holidays

Pi gets a lot of attention this time of year, but there are plenty of other mathematical constants just as deserving of recognition.

Manil Suri, Professor of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
March 8, 2023 ~7 min

QuARC 2023 explores the leading edge in quantum information and science

The second annual student-industry conference was held in-person for the first time.

Center for Quantum Engineering • mit
March 3, 2023 ~6 min

One easy way to fight antibiotic resistance? Good hand hygiene

Using a mathematical model, researchers found that good hygiene can reduce the harmful effects of antibiotic use.

Kristofer Wollein Waldetoft, Postdoctoral Fellow in Infection Medicine, Georgia Institute of Technology • conversation
Feb. 28, 2023 ~4 min

Cancer evolution is mathematical – how random processes and epigenetics can explain why tumor cells shape-shift, metastasize and resist treatments

An epigenetic model of cancer that incorporates the concept of stochasticity could also explain why cancer risk increases with age and how biological development can be reversible.

Andrew Feinberg, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University • conversation
Feb. 10, 2023 ~8 min

Limits to computing: A computer scientist explains why even in the age of AI, some problems are just too difficult

In the age of AI, people might wonder if there’s anything computers can’t do. The answer is yes. In fact, there are numerous problems that are beyond the reach of even the most powerful computers.

Jie Wang, Professor of Computer Science, UMass Lowell • conversation
Jan. 30, 2023 ~8 min

When should data scientists try a new technique?

A new measure can help scientists decide which estimation method to use when modeling a particular data problem.

Adam Zewe | MIT News Office • mit
Jan. 27, 2023 ~8 min


Betting on female jockeys can bring greater rewards – but it's not all good news

Horse racing can be at thrill for punters and jockeys alike. But sex discrimination could be skewing the odds.

Vanessa Cashmore, PhD student, University of Liverpool • conversation
Dec. 26, 2022 ~6 min

Synchrony with chaos – blinking lights of a firefly swarm embody in nature what mathematics predicted

Synchrony is ubiquitous throughout the universe. But physicists’ equations predicted there could also be erratic exceptions marching to their own beat. Now they’ve been spotted in firefly swarms.

Raphael Sarfati, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Nov. 16, 2022 ~9 min

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