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Mathematicians crack 44-year-old problem

Zilin Jiang and Alexandr Polyanskii have proved László Fejes Tóth's zone conjecture, solving a 44-year-old problem in discrete geometry. The proof shows that a unit sphere can be covered with zones of combined width π, enabling new problems to be formulated and having practical applications in coding, data transmission, and logistics.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalGeometric and Functional Analysis·DateDec 12, 2017

Scientists explain formation of stone circles and other strange patterns in northern regions

Researchers developed a numerical model that explains the emergence of various patterns, including stone circles and labyrinths, through the interaction of two mechanisms: lateral sorting and squeezing. The relative strengths of these processes, along with factors like soil compressibility and stone size, determine the resulting pattern.