Articles

The physics of language

Can physics shed new light on understanding language? An exciting new approach that brings together theoretical physics, mathematics and computer science might give us a new way to capture what makes a language unique.

Will the virus escape the vaccines?

Can the virus that causes COVID-19 mutate into a vaccine-resistant strain? And if yes, what would this mean for our vaccination strategy?

Counting rose petals

The beautiful rose curve has an odd pattern to the number of its petals – this student and teacher team explain why...

Seeing traffic through new eyes

Using artificial intelligence to improve traffic, protecting the environment and human health.

Keeping up with COVID-19

Trying to work out the real time incidence of a disease in the middle of pandemic has never been done before, but the team behind the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey have developed a way to do just that.

Using quantum mechanics to edit the past

Are you fascinated by the double slit experiment? Then hold on to your hat for Wheeler's delayed choice experiment.

The hardest logic puzzle ever

Try your brain at this tricky, but lovely, riddle.

Vaccination: Where do we stand and where are we going?

Where have the COVID-19 vaccines got us so far and where we are likely to be when the rollout is complete?

How long a line can a pencil draw?

A quick example of the art of rough and ready calculations.

Avi Wigderson: "It's good to have hard problems"

You are faced with a difficult problem, it is not easily solved. How do you feel? Well, if you are Avi Wigderson, one of the winners of the 2021 Abel Prize, you are very happy!

Triangular number patterns

There are triangular numbers hiding all over the standard multiplication table! Find out how to discover them in this article!

Testing testing in schools

What's the safest way to reopen schools? And can testing make things better?