Simulations

Lex Fridman has done many long interviews on his popular podcast. Even so, the episode with the legendary programmer John Carmack has an unhinged director’s-cut feel to it. Over five hours, Carmack dishes on everything from vector operations to Doom. But it’s something Fridman says, offhand, that really justifies the extended run time: “I think that if we’re living in a simulation, it’s written in JavaScript.”To review: JavaScript is what makes static web pages “dynamic.” Without it, the internet would resemble nothing so…

Marys Peak, highest point in the Oregon Coast Range. Credit: Steve Lundeberg, OSU Forests in the coolest, wettest parts of the western Pacific Northwest are likely to see the biggest increases in burn probability, fire size and number of blazes as the climate continues to get warmer and drier, according to new modeling led by an Oregon State University scientist. …

The moment when a slithering sperm propels itself head-first into a gelatinous egg is one of sudden change. Within seconds to minutes, chemical changes in the egg's membrane and outer coat are enacted to block any more sperm from attaching to and entering the oocyte.A series of reactions also takes place as the sperm and egg recognize each other, chemically speaking, and then begin to merge their membranes together. But despite the significance of these delicate molecular events, their details haven't been fully…

With everything we learn about the nature of dark matter—that mysterious, unseeable substance that helps galaxies to form—there are a hundred new questions to answer. A new theory about how dark matter interacts with gasses just hit the wire, and it’s leading scientists down a new path of cosmological discovery.In a study published Wednesday in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, a team of UCLA researchers created a simulation of how dark matter may have behaved in the early universe. The new concept shows that colder dark…

Linear, planar and cluster conformations for colloids in a vesicle. Experimental images obtained through a combination of bright-field and confocal microscopy, along with simulation snapshots, representing cluster, plate, and linear configurations. The insets provide schematic representations of the cluster arrangement observed in experiments. The scale bars in all experimental images are 5 μm. Credit: Nature Communications (2023). DOI:…

A recent study has revealed the inadequacies in the computer simulations used to shape energy policy, particularly highlighting their unreliable assumptions and lack of transparency. The study, assessing a pivotal 1980s model, underscores the need for more effective simulation methods like ‘sensitivity auditing’ to improve accuracy and decision-making. Dr. Samuele Lo Piano emphasizes the importance of acknowledging these limitations to enhance democratic debate and decision-making in energy policy.The widespread adoption…

A new study successfully merges quantum and traditional computing techniques to improve simulations of complex systems. Using QUBO, researchers achieved better computational performance in simulating polymer mixtures, showing potential for broader applications in molecular research. Credit: SciTechDaily.comA new study shows how quantum computing can be harnessed to discover new properties of polymer systems central to biology and material science.The advent of quantum computing is opening previously unimaginable…

The neutrons and protons are present in the carbon nucleus as three clusters of four. Depending on the energy state of the nucleus, these can be arranged into an equilateral triangle (left) or like a slightly bent arm (right). Credit: Prof. Serdar Elhatisari/University of BonnA groundbreaking study reveals the internal structure of a carbon atom’s nucleus, highlighting the importance of the Hoyle state and offering new insights into nuclear particle arrangements. This research paves the way for further discoveries in…

Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in understanding neutron star glitches through experiments with ultracold supersolids. This research, linking quantum mechanics and astrophysics, reveals new details about the internal dynamics of neutron stars and opens new avenues for simulating stellar phenomena. Combining quantum mechanics and astrophysics sheds light on neutron star glitches. Neutron stars have fascinated and puzzled scientists since the first detected signature in 1967. Known for their periodic…

Massive clouds form at the ridge of the Sierras de Córdoba range in Argentina, which could cause extreme precipitation. Credit: Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Office of Science user facility Daily predictions of rainstorms are useful for helping us decide whether we should bring an umbrella or not when we run errands. But scientists, urban planners, and many others need to know about precipitation…