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Adding uncertainty to improve mathematical models

Researchers from Brown University have introduced a new element of uncertainty into Burgers' equation to describe turbulence and shocks in fluid flows. This formulation aims to make mathematical models more realistic by accounting for external influences such as terrain, which was previously ignored in standard equations.

Figuring out flow dynamics

Researchers at Caltech have developed a new way to analyze turbulent flow near walls, which can help reduce drag and fuel consumption in aircraft and ships. By breaking down complex equations into smaller blocks, they found that commonly observed features of wall turbulence can be explained by superposing just three response modes.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics·DateJul 31, 2013

Phytoplankton social mixers

Research shows that phytoplankton form concentrated patches in turbulent ocean water, counterintuitive to expectations of uniform distribution. This phenomenon, known as 'turbulent un-mixing,' helps phytoplankton find cells of the same species without sensory information.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 15, 2013

Turbulent flows in 2D can be calculated in new model

Researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute have developed a statistical model that can replicate chaotic flows in two dimensions, providing a better understanding of turbulent behavior. This breakthrough enables more accurate weather forecasting by accounting for motion patterns in the atmosphere, which are largely two-dimensional.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateOct 23, 2012

Turbulences at a standstill

Theoretical physicist Dima Shepelyansky found that energy flows from large to small scales can be prevented under specific conditions, similar to the way electron currents are stopped in disordered solids. This discovery links chaos theory and turbulence, highlighting a phenomenon where energy threshold plays a crucial role.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJul 27, 2012

Study offers insight for returning troops and their relationships

Research from the University of Illinois and Rutgers University suggests that returning service members are at risk of depressive symptoms and relationship distress, often linked by uncertainty about relationships and interference from partners. Recognizing these issues can help prepare individuals for the transition home.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Family Psychology·DateAug 31, 2011

'Healthy' patients at high risk of cardiac death identified

Researchers found that an abnormal response to early heartbeats can predict cardiac death in healthy-looking individuals. Those with no conventional markers of cardiovascular disease were eight times more likely to die from cardiac causes if they had abnormal heart rate turbulence.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology·DateFeb 15, 2011

Turbulence around heat transport

Scientists have discovered that extremely strong turbulent convection can lead to two distinct states of heat transport, defying the previously established law. The researchers found an exponential increase in heat transport that decreases by a power of two as the turbulence strengthens.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateDec 3, 2009

Putting an end to turbulence

Researchers from Max Planck Institute and Technical University discover that turbulent flows in pipes will inevitably become laminar, with the transition taking many years. This finding could help save energy in applications like oil pipelines.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 21, 2008