In a groundbreaking episode of “The Joy of Why” podcast, mathematician and statistician Emmanuel Candès discusses the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on prediction science. Candès explains how AI models, often referred to as “black boxes,” can make successful predictions without fully understanding the underlying mechanisms. He also highlights the importance of quantifying uncertainty in…
Researchers at the University of Florence have made a groundbreaking discovery at Pompeii, Italy, by analyzing DNA from human bone fragments recovered from plaster casts of people who died during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The genetic data revealed details about the sex, ancestry, and family ties of five individuals, challenging old…
Researchers have proposed a new hypothesis to explain the “Great Dimming” of the red supergiant star Betelgeuse, suggesting that an unseen low-mass companion star may be responsible for the phenomenon. The team analyzed decades of observational data and used advanced computer models to simulate Betelgeuse’s activity, finding that the brightest phase of the star’s brightness…
Mathematicians have debunked the bunkbed conjecture, a well-known hypothesis in probability theory that seemed self-evident but has been proven false. The conjecture, which dealt with navigating mathematical mazes called graphs stacked like bunk beds, has significant implications for physics and our understanding of mathematics. The discovery highlights the importance of questioning assumptions and the need…
Researchers have made a significant discovery in understanding the molecular pathway behind endometriosis, a painful condition affecting millions of women worldwide. The study suggests that drugs already used to treat migraines could be effective in treating endometriosis by inhibiting a key protein that promotes pain and exacerbates the disease. This breakthrough offers new hope for…
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery on the moon’s farside, revealing signs of surprising volcanic activity near the lunar south pole. The first samples from the region, brought back by China’s Chang’e-6 spacecraft, show that the rocks formed from cooling magma relatively recently, about 2.8 billion years ago. This finding may help solve the mystery…
Astronomers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have made a groundbreaking discovery by observing a black hole in a triple system with two other stars. The system, called V404 Cygni, was previously thought to be a binary comprising a black hole and a star. The observation supports the idea that some black holes do…
Mathematicians are still trying to catch up to the divine genius of Srinivasa Ramanujan, an Indian mathematician who made groundbreaking contributions to mathematics in the early 20th century. Ramanujan’s work on partition identities has been found to have deep connections to various areas of mathematics, and his legacy continues to inspire new discoveries. Recently, a…
The scientific community is facing a new challenge with the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI), which can create fake images, text, and data that are difficult to distinguish from real ones. This has raised concerns about the integrity of scientific research and the potential for widespread manipulation of data. As a result, researchers and…
Researchers have made a significant discovery in the study of chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurological illness affecting deer. The first detailed structure of an infectious prion responsible for CWD reveals a unique 180-degree twist, which could aid in vaccine development or explain why the disease hasn’t yet jumped to humans. This finding may…
