Curious connections between physics and math suggest to Latham Boyle that space-time may survive the jump to the next theory of reality.

A 1930s-era breakthrough is helping physicists understand how quantum threads could weave together into a holographic space-time fabric.

A black hole formula worked out in the 1970s remains the most concrete clue physicists have about the threads of the space-time fabric.

This special issue of Quanta Magazine explores the ultimate scientific quest: the search for the fundamental nature of reality.

These three imagined scenarios lead many physicists to doubt that space-time is fundamental.

A mysterious phenomenon known as duality often leads to new discoveries in physics. This time, space-time itself can sometimes be two things at once.

A decade after the discovery of the “amplituhedron,” physicists have excavated more of the timeless geometry underlying the standard picture of how particles move.

Extremophiles, or microbes that live in the most seemingly hostile environments, are the darlings of astrobiologists, who study the potential for life beyond Earth. In this episode, co-host Janna Levin speaks with astrobiologist and cave explorer Penelope…

Invisibly to us, insects and other tiny creatures use static electricity to travel, avoid predators, collect pollen and more. New experiments explore how evolution may have influenced this phenomenon.

Across the social and biological sciences, statisticians use a technique that leverages randomness to deal with the unknown.

Three researchers have figured out how to craft a proof that spreads out information while keeping it perfectly secret.

To better understand how machines learn, Lenka Zdeborová treats them like physical materials.

Astronomers are reveling in the James Webb Space Telescope’s discoveries about the formative epoch of cosmic history.

Cancer treatment has come a long way in recent decades. But finding the best course of treatment for each case of this diverse, dynamic disease remains a challenge. In this episode, co-host Steven Strogatz speaks with computational biologist Franziska Michor…

Though they live only a few hours before dividing, bacteria can anticipate the approach of cold weather and prepare for it. The discovery suggests that seasonal tracking is fundamental to life.

A new proof about prime numbers illuminates the subtle relationship between addition and multiplication — and raises hopes for progress on the famous abc conjecture.

Researchers are exploring new ways that quantum computers will be able to reveal the secrets of complex quantum systems.

Zero, which was invented late in history, is special among numbers. New studies are uncovering how the brain creates something out of nothing.

Born poor in colonial India and dead at 32, Ramanujan had fantastical, out-of-nowhere visions that continue to shape the field today.

The giant holes in galaxies’ centers shouldn’t be able to merge, yet merge they do. Scientists suggest that an unusual form of dark matter may be the solution.

The idea of a species is fundamental to the way that many people understand the structure of life on Earth. But ask 10 specialists how they define the concept and you might get 10 answers. In this episode, co-host Janna Levin speaks with evolutionary biologist…