The 800-Page Proof That Took 30 Years to Write
Inspired by how a symphony breaks down into pure notes, a landmark 30-year proof finally reveals a hidden structure that connects mathematics's vast and disparate worlds.
The Strange Math of the Fourth Dimension
In four-dimensional topology, familiar rules unravel—spaces can be the same in shape but not in smoothness, making this dimension uniquely bizarre and mathematically rich.
What If Reality Isn’t Built from the Bottom Up?
A mysterious 17-order-of-magnitude gap at the foundation of reality challenges our most fundamental scientific principle: that big things are simply the sum of their smaller parts.
The Hidden Rule That Shapes All Life on Earth
Life uses only one “hand” of its molecular building blocks—a mysterious asymmetry called homochirality that may hold clues to life’s origins and even the possibility of mirror life beyond Earth.
Toxic alligators serve as a warning for southeastern US ecosystems
New research reveals that the place an alligator lives determines its toxic mercury load, with some populations carrying levels eight times higher than others.
The Viewpoint: A century after its discovery, scientists capture first confirmed footage of a colossal squid in the deep
For the first time, scientists have captured confirmed footage of a colossal squid in its natural deep-sea habitat, a century after its discovery. This rare sighting of the planet's heaviest invertebrate, once only known from whale stomachs, provides an unprecedented glimpse into the life of this elusive deep-sea giant.
In scientific first, researchers accidentally detect toxic industrial pollutant in Oklahoma air
In a scientific first, researchers have accidentally performed the first real-time atmospheric measurements of a persistent and toxic industrial pollutant in the United States.
Laser mapping uncovers vast Indigenous farm network hidden in Michigan forest
A surprisingly complex network of ancient farm fields hidden in a Michigan forest reveals a scale of Indigenous agriculture that challenges long-held ideas about pre-colonial societies.
Fishing Practices Linked to 800-Kilometer Shift in Herring Spawning Grounds
A study reveals that overfishing of older herring has disrupted generational knowledge, causing Norwegian herring to shift their migration route by 800 kilometers north.
Study Finds Common California Fish Carry Parasites That Can Infect Humans
A study finds that nearly all common freshwater fish in Southern California carry parasitic worms that can infect humans, especially if the fish are eaten raw or undercooked.