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Illuminating math and science. Supported by @SimonsFdn. 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Reporting.

Shorts

Plants don’t have eyes or brains. How do they know where light is coming from? Seedlings “see” with their whole bodies.

Plants don’t have eyes or brains. How do they know where light is coming from? Seedlings “see” with their whole bodies.

26,808 views

How is it possible that a black hole’s surface tells us about its interior volume? This finding is a critical clue towards our understanding of the quantum nature of space-time.

How is it possible that a black hole’s surface tells us about its interior volume? This finding is a critical clue towards our understanding of the quantum nature of space-time.

19,401 views

In computer simulations, as an object slides along the surface of ice, a structureless, "amorphous" layer forms. Materials scientists at Saarland University in Germany argue that this process may be the cause of ice’s slipperiness.

In computer simulations, as an object slides along the surface of ice, a structureless, "amorphous" layer forms. Materials scientists at Saarland University in Germany argue that this process may be the cause of ice’s slipperiness.

333,920 views

Watch as this plant’s chloroplasts shift in response to bright light (which turns on at the 20-minute mark, indicated in the upper left). These organelles are solving a packing problem: how to optimize photosynthesis without sustaining damage from dangerously intense rays.

Watch as this plant’s chloroplasts shift in response to bright light (which turns on at the 20-minute mark, indicated in the upper left). These organelles are solving a packing problem: how to optimize photosynthesis without sustaining damage from dangerously intense rays.

45,102 views

Columnist Natalie Wolchover spent the early weeks of the pandemic learning how the 25-year-old Austrian logician and mathematician Kurt Gödel established that no formal system of math can ever be complete. “Oh yeah, that time you almost went crazy?” was how her wife remembered it. Read the full column:

Columnist Natalie Wolchover spent the early weeks of the pandemic learning how the 25-year-old Austrian logician and mathematician Kurt Gödel established that no formal system of math can ever be complete. “Oh yeah, that time you almost went crazy?” was how her wife remembered it. Read the full column:

28,529 views

🧊Scientists generally agree that a thin watery layer on the surface of ice is responsible for ice’s slipperiness. But why does this layer form? Is it due to pressure, friction, pre-melting, or something else? Daniel Bonn built a microscopic ice-skating rink to test out his theory.

🧊Scientists generally agree that a thin watery layer on the surface of ice is responsible for ice’s slipperiness. But why does this layer form? Is it due to pressure, friction, pre-melting, or something else? Daniel Bonn built a microscopic ice-skating rink to test out his theory.

169,269 views

Observe this mouse blastocyst's transformation. At first, it seems as though the cell is almost self-destructing. But these fracturing mechanisms are actually constructive, creating a cavernous space for a mouse fetus to grow in.

Observe this mouse blastocyst's transformation. At first, it seems as though the cell is almost self-destructing. But these fracturing mechanisms are actually constructive, creating a cavernous space for a mouse fetus to grow in.

97,859 views

A trio of mathematicians built the first physical model of a “monostable” tetrahedron, a shape that will always flip-flop onto the same face no matter what side you place it on. In order for it to work properly, it had to be engineered to a level of precision within one-tenth of a gram and one-tenth of a millimeter. (From the archive)

A trio of mathematicians built the first physical model of a “monostable” tetrahedron, a shape that will always flip-flop onto the same face no matter what side you place it on. In order for it to work properly, it had to be engineered to a level of precision within one-tenth of a gram and one-tenth of a millimeter. (From the archive)

64,668 views

In 1874, Georg Cantor published one of the most important papers in math’s 4,000-year history. The ideas in it were stolen. 🧵

In 1874, Georg Cantor published one of the most important papers in math’s 4,000-year history. The ideas in it were stolen. 🧵

74,050 views

Dijkstra’s algorithm doesn’t just tell you the fastest route to one destination. Instead, it gives you an ordered list of travel times from your current location to every other point that you might want to visit — a solution to what researchers call the single-source shortest-paths problem.

Dijkstra’s algorithm doesn’t just tell you the fastest route to one destination. Instead, it gives you an ordered list of travel times from your current location to every other point that you might want to visit — a solution to what researchers call the single-source shortest-paths problem.

274,730 views

Living tissues can withstand immense forces, but no organ is quite as lively or forceful as the heart. The zebra fish heart — which is about the size of a poppy seed — beats 150 times per minute. It expands nearly twice its size and then contracts with each rhythmic pulse.

Living tissues can withstand immense forces, but no organ is quite as lively or forceful as the heart. The zebra fish heart — which is about the size of a poppy seed — beats 150 times per minute. It expands nearly twice its size and then contracts with each rhythmic pulse.

54,229 views

Meet the ultimate gatekeeper of the nucleus. This molecular machine determines what compounds are welcome inside and which shall not pass. The mechanism behind its selectivity remains a mystery.

Meet the ultimate gatekeeper of the nucleus. This molecular machine determines what compounds are welcome inside and which shall not pass. The mechanism behind its selectivity remains a mystery.

48,546 views

Once considered merely packing peanuts for the brain, new studies suggest that large brain cells called astrocytes supervise the circuits that control brain states like hopelessness, sleep, and hunger. Ingrid Wickelgren reports:

Once considered merely packing peanuts for the brain, new studies suggest that large brain cells called astrocytes supervise the circuits that control brain states like hopelessness, sleep, and hunger. Ingrid Wickelgren reports:

61,968 views

According to the theoretical physicist and author Carlo Rovelli, there is no such thing as objective reality — only perspectives. In a conversation with Zack Savitsky and a new video on the Quanta YouTube channel, Rovelli shares his own perspective on time, gravity, philosophy, and the nature of our world.

According to the theoretical physicist and author Carlo Rovelli, there is no such thing as objective reality — only perspectives. In a conversation with Zack Savitsky and a new video on the Quanta YouTube channel, Rovelli shares his own perspective on time, gravity, philosophy, and the nature of our world.

65,823 views

Recent studies in living animals reveal that the cytoplasm is a thick, jam-like fluid. And yet, miraculously, hoards of molecules find their way to each other in every crowded cell. Gabriel Popkin reports:

Recent studies in living animals reveal that the cytoplasm is a thick, jam-like fluid. And yet, miraculously, hoards of molecules find their way to each other in every crowded cell. Gabriel Popkin reports:

33,915 views

A new mathematical framework demonstrates that new species tend to evolve in sudden, rapid bursts instead of through slow, gradual change. Jake Buehler reports:

A new mathematical framework demonstrates that new species tend to evolve in sudden, rapid bursts instead of through slow, gradual change. Jake Buehler reports:

67,759 views

What if the inside of black holes are a roiling sea of space and time stretching and compressing in multiple directions?

What if the inside of black holes are a roiling sea of space and time stretching and compressing in multiple directions?

21,799 views

Three high schoolers proved that a fractal called the Menger sponge can contain any knot. Gregory Barber reports:

Three high schoolers proved that a fractal called the Menger sponge can contain any knot. Gregory Barber reports:

80,449 views

The heartbeat and other bodily processes play a surprising role in shaping perception and cognition. (From the archive)

The heartbeat and other bodily processes play a surprising role in shaping perception and cognition. (From the archive)

21,856 views

For the first time in four decades, a new algorithm has improved upon the speed limit for calculating the fastest route between two points. Ben Brubaker reports:

For the first time in four decades, a new algorithm has improved upon the speed limit for calculating the fastest route between two points. Ben Brubaker reports:

46,110 views

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Watch as this plant’s chloroplasts shift in response to bright light (which turns on at the 20-minute mark, indicated in the upper left). These organelles are solving a packing problem: how to optimize photosynthesis without sustaining damage from dangerously intense rays.
0:20
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Watch as this plant’s chloroplasts shift in response to bright light (which turns on at the 20-minute mark, indicated in the upper left). These organelles are solving a packing problem: how to optimize photosynthesis without sustaining damage from dangerously intense rays.

Quanta Magazine

45,102 views • 1 month ago

When photons hurtle toward a black hole, most are sucked into its depths, never to return, or gently deflected away. A few, however, skirt the hole, making a series of abrupt U-turns. Some theorists now say that this “light trap” hints at quantum gravity.
0:32
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When photons hurtle toward a black hole, most are sucked into its depths, never to return, or gently deflected away. A few, however, skirt the hole, making a series of abrupt U-turns. Some theorists now say that this “light trap” hints at quantum gravity.

Quanta Magazine

340,759 views • 3 years ago

We often think of our genes as the script of our fate. But genes are not the whole story.
0:30
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We often think of our genes as the script of our fate. But genes are not the whole story.

Quanta Magazine

50,466 views • 5 months ago

If the mounting evidence of weakening dark energy holds up, it would upend cosmologists’ understanding of our ultimate destiny. Charlie Wood reports:
0:23
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If the mounting evidence of weakening dark energy holds up, it would upend cosmologists’ understanding of our ultimate destiny. Charlie Wood reports:

Quanta Magazine

56,497 views • 1 year ago

A vast construction project is underway to bridge disparate fields of mathematics. Learn about the incredible Langlands program in our video explainer:
1:45
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A vast construction project is underway to bridge disparate fields of mathematics. Learn about the incredible Langlands program in our video explainer:

Quanta Magazine

14,354 views • 3 months ago

The process of multiplying any two matrices of a given size can be described by a single, unique, 3D tensor.
0:21
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The process of multiplying any two matrices of a given size can be described by a single, unique, 3D tensor.

Quanta Magazine

78,816 views • 2 years ago

Bacteria glowing with green fluorescence move inside a fungal cell. In this video, the bacteria seem like an infection, but in successive generations, the two organisms will adapt to each other until they find endosymbiotic balance.
0:20
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Bacteria glowing with green fluorescence move inside a fungal cell. In this video, the bacteria seem like an infection, but in successive generations, the two organisms will adapt to each other until they find endosymbiotic balance.

Quanta Magazine

18,609 views • 6 months ago

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