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......»»
Unraveling the interactions of individual sugar molecules with cells
Sugars interact with the cell surface through sugar-binding proteins called lectins. These interactions play a fundamental role in many of the cell's biological processes. One important function is the modulation of the immune response towards an out.....»»
The Riemann conjecture unveiled by physics
A mystery of mathematics that has remained unsolved for more than 150 years can be unraveled thanks to a completely unexpected approach coming from statistical physics. This is the important conclusion of Giuseppe Mussardo, professor of Theoretical P.....»»
Pythagoras" revenge: Humans didn"t invent mathematics, it"s what the world is made of
Many people think that mathematics is a human invention. To this way of thinking, mathematics is like a language: it may describe real things in the world, but it doesn't "exist" outside the minds of the people who use it......»»
Scientists use machine learning to predict smells based on brain activity in worms
It sounds like a party trick: scientists can now look at the brain activity of a tiny worm and tell you which chemical the animal smelled a few seconds before. But the findings of a new study, led by Salk Associate Professor Sreekanth Chalasani, are.....»»
Unraveling the origins of innate behavior in flies
Human babies are born knowing how to suckle, and larval flies hatch knowing how to crawl. But even these innate behaviors don't appear out of nowhere......»»
Dreaming of being an investment shark? Better figure out if you"re an "owl" or a "lark," study finds
The early bird might get the worm, but if you're a night owl looking to invest in the next big startup, making that decision first thing in the morning might not be the best idea, according to a new study by researchers at Indiana University and the.....»»
Glowing Worms Could Shed Light On the Secrets of Regeneration
Cut a panther worm into thirds and each section will grow a new body. Researchers injected some with a fluorescent protein to study how......»»
Unraveling the eclipses of millisecond pulsars in a compact binary
A group of scientists working at the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Pune have for the first time unraveled the eclipse mechanisms for the millisecond pulsars in compact binary systems using the upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope.....»»
What can scientists learn from worms that glow in the dark? The secrets of regeneration for starters
Cut off the head of a three-banded panther worm and another will take its place—mouth, brain, and all. Cut off its tail and it will grow another. Cut the worm in three separate pieces and within eight weeks there'll be three fully formed worms. Cut.....»»
Study: Glow-in-the-dark worms may shed light on the secrets of regeneration
Fluorescent proteins enable scientists to watch cells inside as the worms regenerate. Enlarge / A whole three-banded panther worm from the muscle transgenic line, where the muscle cells are glowing green. (credit: Lorenzo Ricci).....»»
Inspire Kids to Study STEM with These Educational Resources
Careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are on the rise around the world. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM careers were expected to grow by nearly 9 percent between 2017 and 2029. The Economic Times reported.....»»
Gnarly, Centuries-Old Mathematical Quandaries Get New Solutions
A set of puzzles called Diophantine problems are often simple to state but hard to solve—though progress could have big implications for the future of mathematics -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»
Shape-shifting worm blob model could inspire future robot swarms
Blackworms (Lumbriculus variegatus) are distant relatives of rainworms, measuring up to 10 cm long. They live in shallow marshes, ponds, and swamps in Europe and North America, where they feed on microorganisms and debris. To protect themselves from.....»»
Credit-Card Firms Are Becoming Reluctant Regulators of the Web
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Economist: Who should police the internet? For some time now the question has tied companies, regulators and campaigners in knots. Social networks spend billions moderating content posted on their platform.....»»
Worm atlas could help crack mysteries in animal evolution
Researchers in the Friedrich group have contributed to create an atlas that links subcellular structures to gene expression in each cell of the sea worm Platynereis dumerilii, a key model organism for the study of development and evolution. The atlas.....»»
Discovery of new marine worm species
Researchers from the Swedish Museum of Natural History have identified a new species of marine worm living in the Basque region of Spain. Named Faerlea assembli, the worm is just 0.8mm long and was discovered as part of research conducted at Plentzia.....»»
Worm mothers provide milk for their young
As worm mothers age, they secrete a milk-like fluid through their vulva that is consumed by their offspring and supports their growth, according to a new study led by UCL researchers......»»
Team rewires a behavioral circuit in a worm using hydra parts
For two people to communicate in a loud, crowded room, they need to be standing side by side. The same is often true for neurons in the brain. But the same way a cell phone allows two people to communicate clearly across the room, new research at the.....»»
Swimming mechanics of the gossamer worm revealed
Many animals in the midwater—the vast expanse of water between the surface and the deep seafloor—are always on the move. Unlike its bottom-dwelling kin, the gossamer worm (Tomopteris sp.) lives in constant motion. This ethereal worm is a graceful.....»»
National primary school tests have little effect on children"s happiness and wellbeing
National Curriculum Key Stage 2 tests taken by 10- and 11-year-old children in England to assess progress in English and Mathematics do not seem to affect children's wellbeing, according to new UCL-led research......»»