news 2010
Mathematics
Results 1 - 12 of 12.
Life Sciences - Mathematics - 26.11.2010
How the stingray got its spots
Science Pete Wilton | 26 Nov 10 Patterns are everywhere in the animal kingdom but understanding the mechanisms that produce them is a real challenge. In this week's Physical Review E Thomas Woolley and Ruth Baker of Oxford University's Mathematical Institute report on mathematical simulations that may explain how stingrays generate their distinctive spots.
Mathematics - 12.10.2010
Are patient surveys a reliable way to assess the performance of doctors and practices?
To assess the performance of general practices, it is better to ask patients about their actual experiences of care rather than ask for satisfaction ratings, according to new research from the University of Bristol published on bmj.com today. The findings call into question the reliability of using surveys to evaluate practice performance.
Earth Sciences - Mathematics - 07.10.2010
Rare melt key to Ring of Fire?
Science 07 Oct 10 Oxford University scientists have discovered the explanation for why the world's explosive volcanoes are confined to bands only a few tens of kilometres wide, such as those along the Pacific 'Ring of Fire'. Most of the molten rock that comes out of these volcanoes is rich in water, but the Oxford team has shown that the volcanoes are aligned above narrow regions in the mantle where water-free melting can take place.
Mathematics - Linguistics / Literature - 15.09.2010
Numbers, books & apps
Science Pete Wilton | 15 Sep 10 When he came to write his latest book Oxford University's Marcus du Sautoy decided he wanted to go beyond the printed page. For The Num8er My5teries he created a series of 'apps' that enable iPhone users to explore the ideas and games within the book and recently wrote for The Guardian on what apps can bring to books.
Mathematics - Physics - 21.08.2010
Peregrine’s Solition observed at last
An old mathematical solution proposed as a prototype of the infamous ocean rogue waves responsible for many maritime catastrophes has been observed in a continuous physical system for the first time. The Peregrine 'Solition', discovered over 25 years ago by the late Howell Peregrine (1938-2007), an internationally renowned Professor of Applied Mathematics formerly based at the University of Bristol, is a localised solution to a complex partial differential equation known as the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE).
Mathematics - 26.07.2010
“Professor Risk” versus the psychic octopus
Having devoted his career to using statistical analysis to make accurate predictions, Professor David Spiegelhalter will this week attempt to explain how Paul the "psychic" octopus appears to be beating him at his own game. Professor Spiegelhalter, who is Winton Professor for the Public Understanding of Risk at the University of Cambridge, will be giving a free talk about his work organised by the discussion group, "Sceptics in the Pub".
Computer Science - Mathematics - 20.07.2010
’The friend of my enemy is my enemy’: Virtual universe study proves 80 year old theory on how humans interact
A new study analysing interactions between players in a virtual universe game has for the first time provided large-scale evidence to prove an 80 year old psychological theory called Structural Balance Theory. The research, published today in PNAS , shows that individuals tend to avoid stress-causing relationships when they develop a society, resulting in more stable social networks.
Mathematics - Computer Science - 19.07.2010
’The friend of my enemy is my enemy’: Virtual universe study proves 80 year old theory on how humans interact
'The friend of my enemy is my enemy': Virtual universe study proves 80 year old theory on how humans interact New research proves paychological theory about society for the first time - News Release A new study analysing interactions between players in a virtual universe game has for the first time provided large-scale evidence to prove an 80 year old psychological theory called Structural Balance Theory.
Physics - Mathematics - 20.06.2010
Experts discover heavenly solar music
Musical sounds created by longitudinal vibrations within the Sun's atmosphere, have been recorded and accurately studied for the first time by experts at the University of Sheffield, shedding light on the Sun's magnetic atmosphere. Using state-of-the-art mathematical theory combined with satellite observations, a team of solar physicists from the University have captured the music on tape and revealed the harmonious sounds are caused by the movement of giant magnetic loops in the solar corona - the outermost, mysterious, and least understood layer of the Sun's atmosphere.
Life Sciences - Mathematics - 17.05.2010
Decoding network communities
A new way of finding community structure within networks - anything from social networks such as Facebook, to transport networks, political voting networks, and protein interaction networks in biology - could help us understand how people are connected and how connections change over time. The new technique, developed by a team from the University of North Carolina, University of Oxford, and Harvard University, aims to be more realistic than conventional approaches, which only capture one type of connection or a network at only one moment in time.
Mathematics - Chemistry - 23.04.2010
New computational method to uncover gene regulation
Scientists have developed a new computational model to uncover gene regulation, the key to how our body develops – and how it can go wrong. The researchers, from The University of Manchester (UK), Aalto University (Finland) and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory Heidelberg (Germany), say the new method identifies targets of regulator genes.
Physics - Mathematics - 02.03.2010
Mega-tsunami hits House of Commons
A breakthrough discovery by experts at the University of Sheffield, which sheds light on mega-tsunamis on the Sun, is set to be revealed at the House of Commons next week (Monday 8 March 2010). Solar physicists from the University will discuss their discovery of solar Transition Region Quakes to an audience of MPs both from the House of Commons and the House of Lords at the House of Commons Marquee, after being selected by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee.
Advert