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Researchers take mathematical route to fighting viruses

Researchers at the University of York and University of Leeds have developed a mathematical model that explains the molecular mechanisms behind virus assembly. The discovery opens up possibilities for the development of anti-viral therapies and could help treat diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Norovirus, and the Common Cold.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 24, 2014

Traffic jams lend insight into emperor penguin huddle

A mathematical model recreated the positions and movements of individual emperor penguins in a huddle, showing that an individual penguin only needs to move 2 cm for its neighbor to react. The model revealed how travelling waves propagate through the entire huddle, keeping it dense and protecting the birds from the cold.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateDec 16, 2013

Arresting model stops cars

Researchers in China have developed a mathematical model to design flexible vehicle-arrest systems that increase stopping distance and dissipate kinetic energy without destruction. The new system could lead to the development of intelligent vehicle-arrest systems with improved control at roadblocks and checkpoints.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Vehicle Design·DateSep 5, 2013

Dissecting the distinctive walk of disease

Researchers propose a new motion test that examines various walking features in healthy and clinical populations, identifying critical changes in mobility. The study uses advanced mathematical computations to extract data from accelerometer signals, showing significant differences between healthy and clinical groups.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·DateJul 2, 2013

The mathematical method for simulating the evolution of the solar system has been improved

Scientists have developed a new numerical method for simulating the evolution of the solar system, which is ten times faster and more accurate than previous methods. The collaboration between mathematicians, computer scientists, physicists, and astronomers has led to a significant improvement in the simulation's reliability over time.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalApplied Numerical Mathematics·DateApr 11, 2013

Ketchup turns somersaults

Researchers at Technical University of Munich created a numerical model to study complex fluids, such as ketchup, which exhibits unusual behavior when shaken. The model explains the effects of long-chained polymer molecules on flow resistance, providing new insights into the microscopic mechanisms driving these phenomena.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 6, 2013

A diffusion trap

Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research have made crucial discoveries about the development of cell polarity. They found that diffusion traps, created by sticky regions on the membrane, play a crucial role in maintaining cell polarity.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 22, 2013

How does your garden glow?

Researchers create mathematical model of plant petals to understand iridescence and its role in attracting pollinators. The study, published in Journal of the Royal Society Interface, provides a first analysis of how petal surface patterns might be produced.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateJan 14, 2013

Music in our ears: The science of timbre

A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology uses a computer model to accurately mimic how the brain processes musical timbre, allowing for better instrument recognition. The researchers found that wind and percussive instruments tend to be most different from each other, with strings and winds being closer together.

SourcePLOS·DateNov 1, 2012

Uncoiling the cucumber's enigma

Scientists characterized a unique spring mechanism in cucumber plant tendrils, where they coil further upon pulling the ends, unlike traditional coils. The discovery led to the creation of a new type of twistless spring with high bending stiffness and twisting stiffness.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateAug 30, 2012

Telling the tale of the wealth tail

Researchers propose a mechanism of individual interaction to understand collective macroscopic behavior, finding power-law tails in some models. The diversity of saving propensity among individuals plays a role in shaping the distribution of wealth.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJul 30, 2012

Shedding light on southpaws

Researchers developed a mathematical model that shows the low percentage of lefties is due to balance between cooperation and competition. The model accurately predicts the number of elite left-handed athletes in various sports, such as baseball, boxing, and hockey.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateApr 25, 2012

Androgen suppression

A new mathematical model predicts optimal treatment length for prostate cancer patients to delay resistance, allowing clinicians to tailor therapy effectively. Intermittent androgen suppression therapy reduces side effects and improves patient outcomes.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateMar 27, 2012

Partnerships in the brain

Researchers developed a mathematical model to test whether neurons communicate individually or as groups. The method filters signals to determine if neurons collaborate flexibly within milliseconds. This breakthrough has the potential to reveal dynamic cell assemblies involved in planning and controlling behavior.

SourceRIKEN·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMar 8, 2012

How far is far enough?

Researchers developed a mathematical model to determine safe distances from residential areas for livestock farms, taking into account factors like odor emissions and wind conditions. The model aims to simplify current guidelines and regulations by providing a single, conservative estimate of separation distances.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalAtmospheric Environment·DateJan 17, 2012

Fish follow the rules to school

Researchers at Uppsala University have discovered that small lake-dwelling fish follow simple yet effective rules when schooling together. By tracking individual fish and analyzing their interactions, the team identified key movements such as slowing down near others and turning to move towards neighbors.

SourceUppsala University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 7, 2011

Measuring the distance of processes

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have developed a new method to measure the distance between stationary and non-stationary processes, enabling more accurate statistical tests. This approach makes it possible to construct better models for predicting extreme events in time series data.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of the American Statistical Association·DateOct 28, 2011

Archivist in the sound library

Scientists at LMU Munich developed a mathematical model that accurately mimics human sound recognition, showing the brain compares stored and perceived sounds efficiently. The new library-based model predicts the flow of information from cerebrum to thalamus, enabling highly efficient real-time implementation.

Modelling melanocyte differentiation in zebrafish

The study combines genetic data with mathematical modelling to provide insights into cell differentiation. The findings demonstrate the utility of a systems biology approach, which could have implications for understanding and treating diseases such as cancers caused by abnormal cell function.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateSep 1, 2011