Unraveling the mathematics behind wiggly worm knots
For millennia, humans have used knots for all kinds of reasons—to tie rope, braid hair, or weave fabrics. But there are organisms that are better at tying knots and far superior—and faster—at untangling them......»»
Wax worm saliva contains enzymes capable of breaking down plastics
A team of CSIC researchers has discovered that wax worm saliva degrades plastic; a discovery with numerous applications for treating or recycling plastic waste. Back in 2017, the team discovered that this worm species (the lepidopteran Galleria mello.....»»
Nuclear isomers were discovered 100 years ago, and physicists are still unraveling their mysteries
Nobel laureate Otto Hahn is credited with the discovery of nuclear fission. Fission is one of the most important discoveries of the 20th century, yet Hahn considered something else to be his best scientific work......»»
Electrons in a crystal found to exhibit linked and knotted quantum twists
As physicists delve deeper into the quantum realm, they are discovering an infinitesimally small world composed of a strange and surprising array of links, knots and winding. Some quantum materials exhibit magnetic whirls called skyrmions—unique co.....»»
Unraveling the genetic keys to improve canola crop yield
An international team of researchers, including one from The University of Western Australia (UWA), has successfully unraveled the genomes of 418 unique samples of rapeseed from across the globe to identify traits that breeders can use to improve cro.....»»
Problem solving should activate, motivate and provide training
There is a lot of research about mathematics learning and students, but less about mathematics teaching and teachers......»»
Scientists define molecular movement that connects gut to brain to behavior in worm models
Whether it's making rash decisions or feeling grumpy, hunger can make us think and act differently—"hangry," even. But little is known about how hunger signals in the gut communicate with the brain to change behavior. Now, Salk scientists are using.....»»
Algorithm predicts which students will drop out of math courses
In the so-called MINT subjects—mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology—up to 40 percent of students drop out of their studies in the introductory phase. A research team from the Methods Center of the Faculty of Economics an.....»»
Mars" sky gets a mysterious green aurora resembling a giant worm
Rather than little green men, the astronauts who put their boots on Martian ground are more likely to be greeted by green-streaked skies.Scientists have known for more than 15 years that auroras, vibrant light shows in the atmosphere, exist on Mars......»»
Army of worm larvae hatch from man’s bum, visibly slither under his skin
Doctors watched the shifting rash blanket his body in rare hyperinfection. Enlarge / A Strongyloides filariform larva. (credit: Getty | BSIP) Doctors in Spain diagnosed a man with an unusual roundworm infection after watching.....»»
Mathematics learning for Black communities
Communities of color in the United States have been disproportionately hit by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last few years, experiencing higher numbers of infections and death than predominantly white communities......»»
Study shows gaps in how STEM organizations collect demographic information
Professional organizations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields could more effectively collect data on underrepresented groups in their fields, according to a new survey published March 31 in Science. With more robust inf.....»»
Into the wild: Animals the latest frontier in COVID fight
To administer this COVID test, Todd Kautz had to lay on his belly in the snow and worm his upper body into the narrow den of a hibernating black bear. Training a light on its snout, Kautz carefully slipped a long cotton swab into the bear's nostrils.....»»
Unraveling the mystery of parrot longevity
Parrots are famous for their remarkable cognitive abilities and exceptionally long lifespans. Now, a study led by Max Planck researchers has shown that one of these traits has likely been caused by the other. By examining 217 parrot species, the rese.....»»
The Evolving Quest for a Grand Unified Theory of Mathematics
More than 50 years after the seeds of a vast collection of mathematical ideas called the Langlands program began to sprout, surprising new findings are emerging -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»
US topology and chaos theorist wins mathematics Abel Prize
The Abel Prize honouring achievements in mathematics was awarded Wednesday to American Dennis Parnell Sullivan for his contributions to topology, including work on chaos theory, the Norwegian Academy of Science said......»»
"Worm-on-a-chip" device could someday help diagnose lung cancer
Dogs can use their incredible sense of smell to sniff out various forms of cancer in human breath, blood and urine samples. Similarly, in the lab a much simpler organism, the roundworm C. elegans, wriggles its way toward cancer cells by following an.....»»
Unraveling tautomeric mixtures
A team at HZB has developed a method of experimentally unraveling tautomeric mixtures. Based on resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) at BESSY II, not only proportions of the tautomers can be deduced, but the properties of each individual tautom.....»»
"To Keep Students in STEM fields, Let"s Weed Out the Weed-Out Math Classes"
Pamela Burdman, the executive director of Just Equations, a policy institute focused on the role of math in education equity, writes in an op-ed for Scientific American: All routes to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degrees ru.....»»
Paper made from banana plants stymies potato pest
Wrapping potato seeds in biodegradable paper made from unusable parts of banana plants reduces the infestation and harmful effects of a nasty plant pathogen—a worm called the potato cyst nematode—and sharply increases potato size and yields......»»
Love is dead on ‘Love Is Blind’ Season 2
Season 2 of Netflix's Love is Blind came in like a wrecking ball, revealing how — far from being blind — love honestly needs to see a therapist before considering tying any knots.....»»