QUANTUM INFORMATION THEORY | ALL TOPICS

Never-Repeating Tiles Can Safeguard Quantum Information

By BEN BRUBAKER

Two researchers have proved that Penrose tilings, famous patterns that never repeat, are mathematically equivalent to a kind of quantum error correction.

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TOPOLOGY

A New Agenda for Low-Dimensional Topology

By KEVIN HARTNETT

This past October, dozens of mathematicians gathered in Pasadena to create the third version of "Kirby's list" — a compendium of the most important unsolved problems in topology, the study of deformable shapes.

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Related:
In the 'Wild West' of Geometry, Mathematicians Redefine the Sphere
By Leila Sloman (2023)

GEOPHYSICS

Inside Scientists' Life-Saving Prediction of the Iceland Eruption

By ROBIN GEORGE ANDREWS

The Reykjanes Peninsula has entered a new volcanic era. Innovative efforts to map and monitor the subterranean magma are saving lives.

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Related:
A Massive Subterranean 'Tree' Is
Moving Magma to Earth's Surface
By Robin George Andrews (2021)

Q&A

A Multitalented Scientist Seeks the Origins of Multicellularity

By CLAUDIA DREIFUS

The pathbreaking geneticist Cassandra Extavour pursues the secrets of multicellular life while balancing careers in both science and singing.

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Related:
Single Cells Evolve Large Multicellular Forms
in Just Two Years
By Veronique Greenwood (2021)

QUANTA SCIENCE PODCAST

Rogue Worlds Throw Planetary Ideas Out of Orbit

By CHARLIE WOOD;
Podcast hosted by SUSAN VALOT

Astronomers have long known of rogue worlds — cosmic loners that drift through space, untethered to a star. Now JWST is spotting them in pairs.

Listen to the podcast