Can you measure information? It's a tricky question — but people have tried and come up with very interesting ideas.

In this year's advent calendar we bring you some of our favourite books and other mathematical toys, so you can surprise your friends and family or, even better, yourself!

With recent advances in information technology it seems that there is no limit to how much smaller and better computer chips can get. But is this really true?

In the latest online poll of our Information about information project you told us that you'd like an answer to this question. We asked Seth Lloyd, an expert on information at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and here is an answer. We also bring you two related articles from FQXi who are our partners on this project. Happy reading!

Something called quantum field theory has been hugely successful in describing the fundamental forces and particles. But what exactly is it? This series of accessible articles traces the history of quantum field theory, from its inception at the beginning of the twentieth century to the tantalising questions that are still open today. It's a story of pain and triumph, hardship and success.

Is it cold outside? Yes! The fire warm? Yes! Snow on its way? Yes! Do we love Christmas? YES! Celebrate the countdown with the Plus advent calendar featuring our favourite bits of maths.

Now, what's behind today's door...?

What is information and how does it shape our reality?

Science is much stranger than fiction. It suggests that our Universe may just be one of infinitely many which constantly pop in and out of existence like bubbles in a bubble bath. There may be many more dimensions that the three we can see and our Universe is riddled with black holes at whose centres time and space tear themselves apart. Intrigued? This ongoing project will bring you the latest research in physics with the help of researchers from Queen Mary University of London.