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Study foresees heightened measles epidemic risk for Florida

A University of Maryland study predicts that repealing Florida's measles vaccine mandate could spark the largest measles epidemic in the US in nearly 500 years. The study shows that even without mandate removal, Florida's vaccine-induced herd immunity threshold is below the level needed to protect against sustained transmission.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 28, 2026

Solving Alzheimer’s with math? Researcher explores the possibilities

Researchers are using mathematical modeling to examine the influence of common metals on protein aggregation in Alzheimer's disease. A new model developed by Mississippi State University Associate Professor Shantia Yarahmadian successfully reproduced patterns seen in laboratory experiments, providing insights into potential therapies.

SourceMississippi State University·JournalBulletin of Mathematical Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 25, 2026

New method estimates sea surface temps quickly and accurately

Researchers have developed a method for extrapolating sea surface temperatures from sparse data, significantly outperforming other methods and reducing training time. The Sparse Discrete Empirical Interpolation Method (S-DEIM) uses historical data to estimate a kernel vector, improving accuracy and reducing computational requirements.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Machine Learning and Computation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2026

Advancing system reliability through scalable model checking

Researchers developed a novel divide-and-conquer approach for model checking linear temporal properties, called DCA2MC, to address state-space explosion and long verification times. The approach divides the original model checking problem into smaller, independent tasks, reducing memory consumption and verification time.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 26, 2026

Can Earthly microbes survive on the moon? Scientists say yes (in the shade)

A new study published in Science Advances found that bacteria and fungi from Earth can survive for at least a week in shaded nooks and crannies around the lunar south pole. The study's findings highlight the need to better understand microbial persistence in extreme lunar environments, which is crucial for future space missions.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 20, 2026

Taking appropriate protective measures during pandemics

Researchers developed a model to optimize countermeasures while considering containment costs, identifying a clear threshold for optimal control. The study found that measures become necessary only when the disease reaches a certain severity, and that vaccination campaigns can help reduce transmission rates.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 7, 2026

Beyond COVID-19: Fundamental principles that shape pandemics

Researchers have compiled ten fundamental mechanisms governing the development of pandemics, highlighting the importance of understanding biological, mathematical, and social factors. These mechanisms can help improve preparedness and response to future pandemics by identifying key drivers of outbreak dynamics.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 7, 2026

A public health challenge has led to a more efficient way to allocate all sorts of resources

A team of researchers at North Carolina State University has created a novel approach to optimize vaccine distribution by combining machine learning with column generation. This method accelerates run-time for the optimization model by 79.1% while maintaining high-quality solutions.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalSustainability Analytics and Modeling·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 3, 2026

From folds and cuts to linkages

Researchers create collapsible scissored surfaces based on networks of interconnected scissor mechanisms that can transform into curved surfaces. The new approach completes a trilogy of metamaterial design principles: origami (folds), kirigami (cuts), and pantograph lattices (linkages).

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 24, 2026

Can leaderless societies get stuff done? Ask the honeybees

A study suggests that decentralized strategies of decision making are at least as good as centrally coordinated ones, especially in situations where a central coordinator's loss leaves the group vulnerable. The model found that leaderless groups can be more resilient by having multiple pathways for communication.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 22, 2026

Cooperation beats selfishness more often than scientists thought

A new study reveals that cooperation does not require close family ties or reputation, but rather opponent-specific responses, leading to the emergence of cooperative behavior. This finding challenges conventional evolutionary theory and has implications for the design of more collaborative artificial intelligence systems.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 20, 2026

Modelling reveals Sydney’s 1789 smallpox outbreak killed as many as 220,000 Indigenous Australians

A groundbreaking study reveals the 1789 smallpox outbreak had a devastating demographic impact on Indigenous Australians, with estimates suggesting up to 220,000 deaths. The model confirms the epidemic originated in Sydney Harbour with the First Fleet, highlighting the catastrophic consequences of colonial invasion.

SourceFlinders University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 9, 2026

From dusk till dawn

Researchers used the James Webb Space Telescope to measure how star light absorption changes as WASP-121 b rotates, probing its atmosphere longitude by longitude. The data indicate that hot winds heat the evening terminator region, causing it to absorb more stellar radiation and expand.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Astronomy·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateJun 10, 2026

How fear and social pressure are 'overarming' the US

A Dartmouth study maps the interplay of personal choice and social networks contributing to the US being one of the world's most heavily armed countries. The researchers describe how individual incentives can lead to overarming, a phenomenon where collective costs outweigh individual benefits of firearm ownership.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 3, 2026

When ‘sloppy’ decisions are actually smart

Researchers found that people who are less precise in their decision-making can outperform those who are more rational in certain social situations. This is because 'sloppy' decisions can help individuals avoid the pitfalls of highly sensitive learners, who prioritize short-term gains over long-term benefits. In contrast, in other situ...

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 29, 2026

Space logistics on the right track

A team of researchers at Bielefeld University has developed a precise mathematical approach to plotting routes through space and time. The new method could help make space missions more efficient and also improve transportation systems on Earth.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalINFORMS Journal on Computing·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 4, 2026

New research brings machine‑learning‑based physics a step closer to solving real engineering challenges

A new machine-learning method detects sudden changes in fluid behavior, improving simulation capabilities for everyday applications like weather prediction and nuclear reactor safety. This enables faster design testing, real-time adjustments, and reduced computational burden.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of Computational Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 9, 2026

Heat from traffic is contributing to rise in city temperatures, new study finds

A new study by the University of Manchester has developed a way to measure the impact of urban traffic on city temperatures, revealing that everyday vehicle use can raise temperatures in cities. The researchers found that traffic heat increases simulated air temperatures by around 0.16°C during summer and 0.35°C in winter.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 8, 2026

Beyond climate resilience: the science of thriving in a chaotic world

A study from Michigan State University reveals that extreme weather can actually strengthen certain ecosystems, leading to increased productivity and resilience. The researchers found that phytoplankton species, which are crucial for removing carbon dioxide from the air, thrive when temperature fluctuations increase.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalThe American Naturalist·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 23, 2026

Want to shift a group’s opinion? Encourage opponents to sit on the fence

Researchers propose a strategy that encourages individuals to adopt a neutral stance, allowing groups to become more responsive, decisions to become easier to reach, and shifts in consensus to happen smoothly. By doing so, neutrality creates valuable breathing space for reassessment, making it easier for a group to change its mind when...

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2026

Q&A: Researchers discuss potential solutions for the feedback loop affecting scientific publishing

The peer review process is facing a crisis due to an increasing number of manuscript submissions and a decline in willing peer reviewers. Researchers propose potential interventions to address this issue, including selecting high-quality reviewing and using machine learning to support editors. This could help maintain the credibility o...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPLOS Biology·DateFeb 24, 2026

You don't need to be very altruistic to stop an epidemic

Researchers used mathematical modeling to find that even people with minimal concern for others would choose to self-isolate when sick, suppressing diseases in the long-term. The study suggests that only a small amount of altruism is needed to achieve indefinite suppression as an alternative to herd immunity.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 23, 2026

New AI tool diagnoses masked hypertension

Researchers at the University of Arkansas developed an AI diagnostic tool to detect masked hypertension, a condition where people have high blood pressure but normal readings during exams. The tool uses machine learning and health indicators to predict masked hypertension with accuracy, potentially saving lives and improving patient care.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 11, 2026

A new way to map how cells choose their fate

Researchers develop ddHodge, a geometry-preserving method that accurately reconstructs cell state dynamics. The technique reveals repeating processes like the cell cycle and identifies critical biological moments in embryonic development, tissue regeneration, and cancer progression.

SourceKyushu University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 29, 2025

Optical chip pioneers physical-layer public-key encryption with partial coherence

Researchers at Huazhong University of Science and Technology have implemented the first complete public-key encryption system at the physical optical layer. The innovation lies in integrating partially coherent light and reciprocity principles on a single photonic chip to conceal information within random optical fields.

SourceOpto-Electronic Journals Group·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·TypeNews article·DateDec 8, 2025

New unified model and classification system reveal diverse tipping points in coastal zones under climate change and human impacts

A new unified mathematical description model for coastal tipping points has been introduced, addressing escalating risks in coastal zones. The model classifies tipping points into six types, including bifurcation-driven, noise-driven, and shock-driven, highlighting the need for integrated strategies to mitigate regime shifts.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateNov 13, 2025

Everyday levels of antibiotics in the environment may accelerate the global spread of resistance, new study finds

A new study shows that even small amounts of antibiotics in the environment can significantly accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria. The research found that low concentrations of antibiotics can stabilize existing resistance and promote the development of new resistance traits.