Major Math Proof Settled Kakeya Conjecture

Plus: A new season of 'The Joy of Why'; The 'Cosmic Shoreline'; Small language models

Math and Science News from Quanta Magazine View this email in your browser GEOMETRY | ALL TOPICS   'Once in a Century' Proof Settles Math's Kakeya Conjecture By JOSEPH HOWLETT The deceptively simple Kakeya conjecture has bedeviled mathematicians for 50 years. A new proof of the conjecture in three dimensions illuminates a whole crop of related problems. Read the article THE JOY OF WHY   New Conversations, Deep Questions, Bold Ideas in Season Four of 'The Joy of Why' Steven Strogatz and Janna Levin return for a new season on major scientific and mathematical questions of our time, with 12 all-new episodes and a new format. Read the transcript Listen to the podcast EXOPLANETS   The Road Map to Alien Life Passes Through the 'Cosmic Shoreline' By ELISE CUTTS Astronomers are figuring out which planets are likely to have atmospheres, in a search for the fingerprints of life on faraway worlds. Read the article NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING   Why Do Researchers Care About Small Language Models? By STEPHEN ORNES Larger models can pull off a wider variety of feats, but the reduced footprint of smaller models makes them attractive tools. Read the article Follow Quanta Unsubscribe | About Quanta | My Bookmarks Privacy Policy | Terms | Contact Us   Copyright © 2025 Quanta Magazine, an editorially independent division of the Simons Foundation Simons Foundation 160 5th Avenue, 7th Floor New York, NY 10010