Dec 21st, 2025 - The leading approach to the simplex method, a widely used technique for balancing complex logistical constraints, can't get any better. The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine . In 1939, upon arriving late to his statistics course at UC Berkeley, George Dantzig—a first-year graduate student—copied two problems off the blackboard, thinking they were a homework assignment. He found the homework "harder to do than usual," he would later recount, and apologized to the professor for taking some extra days to complete it. A few weeks later, his professor told him ... [Read More]

Dec 19th, 2025 - Along with its many other innovations, the Roman Empire revolutionized architecture with never-before-seen features, such as large-scale arches and dome roofs. And many of these structures still stand today despite being more than 2,000 years old. None of it would have been possible without the Romans' infallible building material: self-healing concrete . Now, an ancient construction site has revealed the recipe for creating this sturdy foundation. At the time Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, covering Pompeii in as much as 6 meters (19.7 feet) of volcanic ash, construction workers were in ... [Read More]

Dec 19th, 2025 - By Stephen Beech Roman soldiers defending were infected by parasites that cause serious stomach upsets, reveals new research. An analysis of sewer drains from the fort of Vindolanda, close to the iconic northern England landmark, has shown that the occupants were contaminated with three types of intestinal bug: roundworm, whipworm, and Giardia duodenalis. The parasites are all spread by ineffective sanitation - with contamination of food, drink or hands by human faeces, say scientists. Roundworms are 20cms to 30cms (7.8 to 11.8 inches) long while whipworms are about 5cms (2ins) long. Giardia ... [Read More]

Dec 19th, 2025 - Scientists are flying drones through whale breath to monitor ocean health. Humpback whales are mammals, which means they have to surface to breathe a few times an hour. When they do, they exhale a thunderous, explosive cloud of mist. Decades ago, marine biologists hoping to study the health of these giants had to rely on crude, invasive methods, or worse — wait for the animal to wash up dead on a beach. Now, they can just fly a drone through the cloud. This innovative technique, colloquially known as "snot-bot" sampling, allows us to understand whale health better than ever before. But ... [Read More]

Dec 19th, 2025 - It's quick and easy to access Live Science Plus, simply enter your email below. We'll send you a confirmation and sign you up for our daily newsletter, keeping you up to date with the latest science news. Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Flipboard Join the conversation Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Comet 3I/ATLAS whizzed past Earth last night as astronomers worldwide continue to gather data on the interstellar visitor. The comet made its closest approach at around 1 a.m. EST on Friday (Dec. 19), coming within about 168 million miles (270 million ... [Read More]

Dec 19th, 2025 - Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Comet 3I/ATLAS passed its nearest point to Earth early Friday and approaching within 168 million miles. After its brief visit Friday the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS will head back toward the outer solar system before continuing its journey through the Milky Way, according to scientists. 3I/ATLAS was only the third known interstellar object to enter our solar system, following 'Oumuamua in 2017 and Borisov in 2019. Its arrival gave scientists a rare chance to study the building blocks of distant comets and planets. NASA first detected the object in July, tracing its path ... [Read More]

Dec 19th, 2025 - Researchers at Oxford University and Tokyo University of Science published separate studies on December 17 detailing advances in battery materials. The Tokyo team showed that sodium-ion batteries using hard-carbon electrodes can charge faster than conventional lithium-ion batteries. Oxford researchers developed electrolytes that retain ionic conductivity when shifting from liquid to solid states. Professor Shinichi Komaba's team at Tokyo University of Science used a "diluted electrode method" to assess hard-carbon charging limits. This approach mixes hard-carbon particles with ... [Read More]

Dec 19th, 2025 - Bazinga! The great physics problem that Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter weren't able to crack in 12 years on the TV show,  The Big Bang Theory , an expert from the University of Cincinnati has figured out. At least they think that they have. The problem relates to the boogeyman of the physics world: dark matter. Dark matter is the mysterious, dormant glue that holds together everything visible and that exists as matter. Scientists believe certain particles called axions could help explain this gluing background force. Though hypothetical, these axions have repeatedly piqued the ... [Read More]