Computer Modeling

New scenarios needed to address climate crisis

Mathematical analysis reveals a hidden “golden rule” in abstract art

Researchers applied topological methods to distinguish between genuine and fake abstract artworks. They found that the structure of the compositions corresponds with how people perceive them. The study proposes an intuitive mathematical 'golden rule' for structuring art.

Researchers “reprogram” materials by quickly rearranging their atoms

New method to carry out long term climate simulations at fraction of cost

Aston University and STFC Hartree Center announce strategic partnership to advance neuromorphic computing in the UK

UC San Diego researchers launch free ‘digital twin’ for end-to-end testing of applications over wireless networks

AI models comb patient data to predict cardiac-arrest risk

New AI tool developed by Stowers Institute and Helmholtz Munich scientists predicts how cells choose their future — helping uncover hidden drivers of development

Researchers developed RegVelo, an AI framework that models cellular dynamics and gene regulation to predict cellular fate decisions. The model traces developmental trajectories and simulates regulatory interactions, providing insights into hidden drivers of development and potential therapeutic targets.

Generative artificial intelligence can significantly reduce the number of animal experiments

Researchers developed genESOM, a generative AI that can expand dataset volume and simulate larger animal numbers while maintaining reliability. This allows for 30-50% reduction in animal experiments without compromising results.

New study: Women are 60 percent more likely to be injured in car accidents than men

Deforestation lowers threshold for Amazon degradation to below 2°C warming

A new study reveals that around two-thirds of the Amazon rainforest could shift into degraded ecosystems at 1.5-1.9°C of global warming due to increased deforestation. The study highlights the critical role of the Amazon in regulating moisture recycling and stabilizing the Earth system.

A toy model to understand how AI learns

Researchers have developed a simplified mathematical model of learning in neural networks, shedding new light on how these systems produce their responses. The toy model, inspired by physics principles, captures key features of complex systems and offers insights into the surprising efficiency and stability of modern AI systems.

No digital content is safe from generative AI, researchers say

Researchers discovered that simple artificial intelligence tools can bypass security techniques meant to protect authentic content from use in deepfakes and facial identity theft. The study found that attackers can easily defeat existing image protection using off-the-shelf AI models and simple commands.

New study shows antibodies need a strong core — not just grip — to fight SARS-CoV-2

Researchers identify mechanical stability as a crucial factor in antibody effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2. The study found that conventional antibodies distribute mechanical load unevenly and that viral mutations influence both binding affinity and mechanical resistance.

MIT engineers’ virtual violin produces realistic sounds

The new computational violin simulates the physics of string interaction with air, producing realistic sound. Luthiers can tweak parameters like wood type or body thickness before hearing the instrument's response.

A tool based on cell phone calls helps plan cities based on their residents' routines

Researchers at the University of Cordoba developed MAPLID, a tool that maps city structures and pace based on how residents use their cell phones. The multi-label classification provides information on population density changes and traffic patterns.

How a free flow of information can amplify incorrect ideas

Simulations by a team of scientists show that unrestricted information sharing can lead to less accurate collective beliefs, particularly in socially homogenous settings. This phenomenon is driven by homophily and the amplification of erroneous ideas within groups.

Simple robots that collectively build and excavate are inspired by ants

Researchers developed a fleet of cooperative robots that, like ants, can spontaneously organize to build and dismantle structures without central control. They identified key parameters needed for excavation and building performance using simple local rules.

Artificial Intelligence in Nephrology

AI models can analyze complex data to predict disease progression and identify early signs of kidney damage. This allows for earlier detection and better treatment planning, making a significant impact on patient outcomes.

Terrence Sejnowski wins inaugural World Digital Technology Academy Award

Terrence Sejnowski receives Scientific Breakthrough Award for his foundational development of Boltzmann machines, providing the architectural bedrock for deep learning and generative AI. His work has had a profound impact on modern artificial intelligence and tools like ChatGPT.

AI can give as good as it gets ... or better: The moral dilemma of combative chatbots

A recent study from Lancaster University reveals that AI systems like ChatGPT can learn to mirror human impoliteness, potentially escalating into verbal violence. The research tested ChatGPT's ability to respond to real-life impolite interactions, finding it often produces more impolite behavior than humans.

Ebenbuild publishes validation study in Nature Communications Medicine demonstrating strong predictive performance of lung digital twins

A study by Ebenbuild confirms strong predictive performance of patient-specific lung digital twins, validated against clinical imaging data. The model's accuracy was demonstrated through a correlation coefficient of 0.95 with experimental data, enabling locally resolved predictions of aerosol deposition at the individual patient level.

Waves hit different on other planets

Scientists at MIT have developed a new wave model called PlanetWaves that predicts how waves will behave on planetary bodies with different liquids, atmospheres, and gravity. The model reveals that gentle winds can create massive waves on Titan, while hurricane-force winds barely move the surface of lakes on exoplanet 55-Cancri e.

Researchers simulate novel brain architecture for fast and flexible decision-making

Researchers propose a novel brain architecture for efficient processing, integrating parallel cortical and subcortical pathways. This approach may improve decision-making tasks, suggesting current AI models are missing key brain function principles.

Computational “time machine” shows solar and wind on track for 2°C target but not for 1.5°C

A new computational model developed by researchers at Chalmers University of Technology shows that onshore wind is likely to supply around 25% of global electricity by 2050 and solar reaching about 20%, aligning with the 2°C target. However, this falls short of what is required for a 1.5°C goal.

Envisioning just futures

A new IIASA-led study offers a practical approach to evaluate the distributional implications of climate action, enabling policymakers to assess justice impacts of emissions pathways. The study found that many existing mitigation scenarios are consistent with justice principles, while few explore limits on energy or meat consumption.

Integrative experiment design reveals hidden patterns in decades-old social science research

MIT Sloan researchers demonstrate a new approach to designing social science experiments by applying integrative experiment design to a longstanding question about punishment in public goods games. The study reveals how punishment's effect on collective welfare can swing from substantially harmful to substantially helpful, depending on...

New AI technology to speed drug development

Scientists at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a suite of AI-powered tools, called YuelDesign, YuelPocket and YuelBond, to transform how new drugs are created. These tools can design drug molecules tailored to fit their protein targets exactly, even accounting for protein flexibility.

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.

UH engineer exposes structural weakness driving lithium-ion battery failure

Researchers have discovered that lithium dendrites in batteries are unexpectedly strong and brittle, causing short circuits and safety risks. The findings suggest that future battery design must change to improve safety and reliability of high-energy storage systems.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and Scripps Institution of Oceanography partner for innovative conservation efforts

The partnership aims to boost conservation impact by harnessing advanced digital technology and biobanking techniques, focusing on three core areas: knowledge transfer, innovation, and student engagement. This collaboration seeks to address pressing environmental challenges such as biodiversity threats and emerging pathogens.

Can AI read the law better than lawyers?

A new study from Sultan Qaboos University demonstrates how AI can analyze Oman's Labour Law of 2023, revealing complex interdependencies between its articles. The research identifies influential 'hubs' within the law that may be triggered by changes, enabling policymakers to anticipate broader impact.

Providing the Artemis mission with solar radiation forecasts

The University of Michigan's new solar particle forecasting technology has been integrated into NASA's Artemis II mission to provide situational awareness of impending harmful radiation released during solar flares and eruptions. The machine-learning model uses satellite images of the sun and corona to forecast solar particle storms up...

The brain’s power could also help predict its decline

A team of researchers, led by Bistra Iordanova and Liang Zhan, are developing multiscale models of brain metabolism to predict cognitive decline and dementia. They will analyze data from brain imaging, blood flow, and neural activity to identify metabolic changes that affect brain function in aging.

Scientists develop ultra‑robust machine‑learning models capable of stable molecular simulations at extreme temperatures

Researchers have created a new AI model that can simulate molecules under extreme conditions, allowing for reliable discoveries in fields like drug development and sustainable chemistry. The model's stability opens up new opportunities for simulations in areas where long-term accuracy is essential.

Using ‘imaginative’ AI to survey past and future earthquake damage

Researchers developed an AI model to create highly photorealistic 3D reconstructions of ground-level damage after earthquakes. The LoRA-Enhanced Ground-view Generation diffusion model can recognize complex visual patterns and predict where structures may be damaged, even in densely populated urban areas.

A complicated future for a methane-cleansing molecule

A new model developed by MIT scientists suggests that the hydroxyl radical, a key air cleanser, may boost methane breakdown levels due to rising water vapor but also reduce them due to increased biogenic emissions, resulting in a small net gain in its effectiveness.

New tool maps the landscape of student knowledge using short quizzes

Researchers at Dartmouth College developed a mathematical framework to map students' conceptual knowledge from short multiple-choice quizzes, revealing peaks of mastery and valleys of struggle. The technique could enable personalized learning, AI tutoring systems, and more efficient feedback.

New satellite driven model provides “more realistic and reliable” predictions of sand and dust storm emissions

A new satellite-driven model, dEARTH, provides more realistic predictions of sand and dust storm (SDS) severity by accounting for dynamic changes in soil surfaces. The study found that SDS transport is sparse and discontinuous, reducing affected land area by 69% and global transport magnitude by 45%.

From genetics to AI: Integrated approaches to decoding human language in the brain

Cognitive neuroscientists are integrating genetics and AI to study language development and disorders. AI-based models can predict language development in children, while genetics research links rhythm disorders and dyslexia. The brain's wiring connecting language regions also reveals that language is a system, not a single 'thing'.

HKU partners with three leading tech companies to explore new pathways in embodied intelligence innovation

The partnership aims to advance embodied intelligence and humanoid robotics, focusing on whole-body motion control, dexterous manipulation, and brain-eye-hand coordination. The collaboration will drive practical implementations in areas like intelligent robotics and brain-computer interfaces.

UAlbany, Rutgers researchers develop early-warning model to predict toxic social media storms

Researchers at the University at Albany and Rutgers University have developed an early-warning framework that can predict harmful social media interactions before they erupt. The model, called Comment Storm Severity (CSS), uses publicly available datasets from Reddit and Instagram to predict whether a thread will escalate into a toxic ...

Poultry processing robotics advances with ChicGrasp

Researchers have developed a robotic gripper called ChicGrasp, which can learn to handle chickens by imitating human movements. The system uses advanced imitation learning algorithm and camera perceptions to grasp a chicken carcass by the legs and lift it on a shackle conveyor.

HKU Engineering and CETIC Foundation host “MeckUp Quest 2026” AI Robotics competition 19 elite youth teams harness innovation to address post-typhoon disaster scenarios

The University of Hong Kong's MeckUp Quest 2026 AI Robotics Challenge brought together 19 elite student teams to develop intelligent robots for post-typhoon disaster response. The competition demonstrated the potential of youth-driven innovation to empower emergency rescue efforts and safeguard social good.

Team simulates a living cell that grows and divides

Researchers at the University of Illinois simulate the entire cell cycle of a minimal bacterial cell, replicating DNA and cellular functions. The team's three-dimensional, fully dynamic kinetic model mimics the actual cell, revealing the extent of DNA replication and symmetrical cell division.

Forest damage in Europe to rise by around 20% by 2100 even if warming is limited to 2°C

Forest damage in Europe is projected to increase by up to 20% by 2100 under all climate scenarios. Annually disturbed forest area could rise from 180,000 to 370,000 hectares per year, increasing pressure on other sectors to reduce emissions.

AI could prevent construction delays before they happen, study finds

A new study proposes a framework for connecting AI risk prediction systems with scheduling platforms to detect emerging risks and adjust project plans before delays occur. This approach aims to close the gap between early warning and actionable response, enabling more resilient project delivery.

Hotspots of accelerated bird decline linked to agricultural activity

Researchers found that agriculture intensity is the main driver of accelerated bird decline in three regions. The study analyzed data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey and estimated a 15% total loss of bird abundance across North America over 35 years.

Small models, big insights into vision

Researchers used machine learning techniques to compress a large model of the visual cortex, creating smaller versions that predict neural responses with high accuracy. The compact models revealed specific computational patterns in how neurons detect important features, offering insights into how visual information is processed.

When light “thinks” like the brain: the connection between photons and artificial memory discovered

A study reveals that identical photons in optical circuits exhibit Hopfield Network behavior, enabling associative memory mechanisms similar to the human brain. The research finds a fundamental limit to memory capacity, with quantum coherence allowing correct retrieval but transitioning to disorder as data volume increases.

Max Planck spin-off draws Epic Games to Tübingen

Epic Games has acquired Meshcapade, a Max Planck startup that develops solutions for creating and animating digital humans. The technology, based on the SMPL body model, enables realistic human movement and expression in 3D.

Cyber-attacks could disrupt smart factories by targeting time itself, study warns

Researchers at the University of East London identified a critical weakness in Industrial Internet of Things networks that can destabilize factories and safety-critical infrastructure. Attackers can exploit subtle 'delay attacks' to quietly disrupt coordination, making timing just as important as information in highly automated systems.

MIT researchers find personalization features can make LLMs more agreeable

Researchers found that personalization features in LLMs can increase the likelihood of sycophancy, a phenomenon where models mirror users' viewpoints. The study suggests that context and user profiles play a significant role in shaping this behavior.

Making AI-based scientific predictions more trustworthy

Researchers developed a free-to-use software tool, PSBench, to verify the accuracy of artificial intelligence-based protein structure predictions. The database includes 1.4 million annotated protein models, verified by experts, and provides reliable information for building more accurate AI systems.

ACM launches CAIS 2026, a new conference on AI and agentic systems

Researchers will gather to discuss how to engineer AI systems that work in the real world, focusing on composition, optimization, verification, and evaluation. The conference aims to establish shared foundations for a new class of software, including methods for evaluating models and ensuring durability, efficiency, and dependability.

Elephant trunk whiskers exhibit material intelligence

Researchers discovered functional gradients in elephant and cat whiskers, allowing for precise touch sensing. The stiff-to-soft transition enables elephants to navigate their environment with ease, including picking up delicate objects.

New AI method advances prediction of Brazil’s national soybean yield

Researchers developed an AI-based system to generate high-resolution soybean yield maps across Brazil, leveraging knowledge from U.S.-based models through transfer learning. The approach achieved strong predictive performance without using municipal-level yield data, improving estimates for this key agricultural region.

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.

When blackouts occur during heat waves, Austin homes pose major risk

A new study assesses indoor heat vulnerability for each single-family home in Austin, finding that 85% of homes would pose significant risk to an elderly person during a power outage. The city can now take a methodical approach to mitigating risk through cooling centers and home weatherization programs.

Uncovering patterns amid chaos

A recent NSF grant will support the development of new diagnostics and predictive models for understanding self-competition and weak asymmetry in turbulent flows. The project aims to uncover hidden patterns that current models miss, leading to improved simulations in weather forecasting, climate modeling, and engineering design.