Top Mathematics discussions
NishMath - #research
|
@martinescardo.github.io
//
References:
ellipticnews.wordpress.com
The mathematics community is buzzing with activity, including upcoming online events and ongoing discussions about research methodologies. A significant event to watch for is the online celebration marking the 40th anniversary of Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) on August 11, 2025. This event will commemorate the foundational work of Victor Miller and Neal Koblitz in 1985. It is anticipated to be a very important event for those in the cryptography community and to those who work with elliptic curves.
The ECC celebration will feature personal reflections from Miller and Koblitz, alongside lectures by Dan Boneh and Kristin Lauter, who will explore ECC's broad impact on cryptography and its unforeseen applications. The history of ECC is used as a good example of how fundamental research can lead to unexpected and practical outcomes. This serves as a good way to promote blue skies research. In other news, mathematicians are actively discussing the use of formal methods in their research. One Mathstodon user described using LaTeX and Agda in TypeTopology for writing papers and formalizing mathematical remarks. They found that formalizing remarks in a paper could reveal errors in thinking and improve results, even in meta-mathematical methodology. This shows how computational tools are increasingly being used to verify and explore mathematical ideas, highlighting the practical utility of pure math skills in applied contexts. Recommended read:
References :
MAA@maa.org
//
References:
maa.org
The Mathematical Association of America (MAA) has announced the recipients of the 2025 awards for expository mathematical writing in MAA publications. The awards recognize outstanding contributions to mathematical literature. Jordan S. Ellenberg was awarded the Chauvenet Prize for his work "Geometry, Inference, Complexity, and Democracy," which appeared in the Bulletin (New Series) of the American Mathematical Society. Ellenberg's work explores the challenge of fairly dividing democratic polities into legislative districts, demonstrating the practical application of mathematics to societal issues. Ismar Volíc of Wellesley College, received the Euler Book Prize for his book "Making Democracy Count: How Mathematics Improves Voting, Electoral Maps, and Representation," which brings complex topics, such as voting theory, apportionment, gerrymandering, and the Electoral College, to life.
Awarded individuals are reciving either the Chauvenet Prize, the Euler Book Prize, the Daniel Solow Author’s Award, the George Pólya Awards, the Paul R. Halmos–Lester R. Ford Awards, the Trevor Evans Award, or the Carl B. Allendoerfer Awards. Ellenberg's article, drawn from his 2020 Current Events Bulletin lecture, showcases how mathematical approaches can measure fairness in democratic processes. Volíc's book makes complex topics accessible to readers, highlighting the crucial role of mathematics in collective decision-making, and providing essential insights without political bias. Both works exemplify clear and engaging writing, effectively communicating intricate mathematical ideas to a wider audience. As summer approaches, Denise Gaskins is offering discounts on her math game books at the Playful Math Store. This presents an opportunity for families and educators to enhance mathematical learning through playful activities. Gaskins' "Math You Can Play" series offers math games sorted by topics traditionally taught at various age levels, with teaching tips and advice aimed at parents and teachers. Her new series, "Tabletop Math Games Collection," also covers the same mathematical topics. These books are designed for direct use by players of all ages, making them ideal for spontaneous math play. These books are available in both physical and digital formats, providing flexibility for use in math centers, homeschool co-op classes, or at home. Recommended read:
References :
@www.quantamagazine.org
//
Recent breakthroughs have significantly advanced the "Core of Fermat's Last Theorem," a concept deeply rooted in number theory. Four mathematicians have extended the key insight behind Fermat's Last Theorem, which states there are no three positive integers that, when raised to a power greater than two, can be added together to equal another number raised to the same power. Their work involves applying this concept to other mathematical objects, notably elliptic curves. This extension represents a major step towards building a "grand unified theory" of mathematics, a long-sought goal in the field.
This achievement builds upon the groundwork laid by Andrew Wiles's famous 1994 proof of Fermat's Last Theorem. Wiles, with assistance from Richard Taylor, demonstrated that elliptic curves and modular forms, seemingly distinct mathematical entities, are interconnected. This discovery revealed a surprising "modularity," where these realms mirror each other in a distorted way. Mathematicians can now leverage this connection, translating problems about elliptic curves into the language of modular forms, solving them, and then applying the results back to the original problem. This new research goes beyond elliptic curves, extending the modularity connection to more complicated mathematical objects. This breakthrough defies previous expectations that such extensions would be impossible. The Langlands program, a set of conjectures aiming to develop a grand unified theory of mathematics, hinges on such correspondences. The team's success provides strong support for the Langlands program and opens new avenues for solving previously intractable problems in various areas of mathematics, solidifying the power and reach of the "Core of Fermat's Last Theorem." Recommended read:
References :
@www.ams.org
//
References:
www.ams.org
The American Mathematical Society (AMS) has announced the allocation of $1 million in Backstop Grants, designed to provide crucial support to the mathematical community. This initiative is a response to recent federal funding cuts that have significantly impacted societies, institutes, and departments engaged in mathematical research and activities. The grants aim to ensure the continuation of essential projects, conferences, and other scholarly pursuits within the mathematical sciences.
The AMS Backstop Grants will be administered through a streamlined and transparent application process, emphasizing equitable support for a wide range of activities and mathematicians. As an initial step, the AMS is providing a grant to the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) to support its 2025 Research Symposium. Organizations that have been affected by funding reductions are encouraged to inquire about potential support from the AMS. The move comes as the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has faced substantial budget constraints, with spending on basic sciences reduced by 50% or more in 2025. Similar cuts are projected for the coming year, leading to widespread disruption within the academic research ecosystem. This situation has resulted in laboratories suspending operations, graduate students facing uncertainty about completing their degrees, and early-career faculty losing critical grants. Recommended read:
References :
@quantumcomputingreport.com
//
References:
AI News | VentureBeat
,
,
NVIDIA is significantly advancing quantum and AI research through strategic collaborations and cutting-edge technology. The company is partnering with Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) to launch ABCI-Q, a new supercomputing system focused on hybrid quantum-classical computing. This research-focused system is designed to support large-scale operations, utilizing the power of 2,020 NVIDIA H100 GPUs interconnected with NVIDIA’s Quantum-2 InfiniBand platform. The ABCI-Q system will be hosted at the newly established Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI Technology (G-QuAT).
The ABCI-Q infrastructure integrates CUDA-Q, an open-source platform that orchestrates large-scale quantum-classical computing, enabling researchers to simulate and accelerate quantum applications. This hybrid setup combines GPU-based simulation with physical quantum processors from vendors such as Fujitsu (superconducting qubits), QuEra (neutral atom qubits), and OptQC (photonic qubits). This modular architecture will allow for testing quantum error correction, developing algorithms, and refining co-design strategies, which are all critical for future quantum systems. The system serves as a testbed for evaluating quantum-GPU workflows and advancing practical use cases across multiple hardware modalities. NVIDIA is also expanding its presence in Taiwan, powering a new supercomputer at the National Center for High-Performance Computing (NCHC). This supercomputer is projected to deliver eight times the AI performance compared to the center's previous Taiwania 2 system. The new supercomputer will feature NVIDIA HGX H200 systems with over 1,700 GPUs, two NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 rack-scale systems, and an NVIDIA HGX B300 system built on the NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra platform, all interconnected by NVIDIA Quantum InfiniBand networking. This enhanced infrastructure is expected to significantly boost research in AI development, climate science, and quantum computing, fostering technological autonomy and global AI leadership for Taiwan. Recommended read:
References :
@crypto.ku.edu.tr
//
Koç University's Cryptography, Security & Privacy Research Group is offering scholarships and internships in the field of cryptography, security, and privacy, including positions at the post-doctoral level. These opportunities are available for Ph.D. and M.Sc. students, as well as post-doctoral researchers interested in contributing to cutting-edge research. The project funding is specifically related to applied cryptography, with a focus on privacy-preserving and adversarial machine learning. This initiative aims to foster talent and innovation in these critical areas of computer science and engineering.
The research group is also offering summer internships to undergraduates and graduates to improve their research skills and plan to attend graduate school. This experience can help them decide if they want to pursue graduate education or a research career. The program is available for international students, which takes place between June 30 and August 15th. The application deadline is May 16, 2025 and the applications opened March 12, 2025. The Koç University Summer Research Program is also open to motivated high school students. The program aims to help students experience a university environment, gather information on undergraduate areas they would like to study, and learn how to conduct academic research. Applicants must have completed Year 8. All applicants should have good academic standings and be sufficient in English Language as the medium of instruction is English. Recommended read:
References :
@quantumcomputingreport.com
//
References:
Metadata
,
,
Universities worldwide are engaging in a diverse range of mathematics-related activities, from exploring quantum communication to using origami for hands-on learning. Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh recently inaugurated a £2.5 million ($3.3 million USD) Optical Ground Station (HOGS) to foster advancements in satellite-based quantum-secure communication. This facility, equipped with a 70-cm precision telescope, aims to conduct quantum key distribution (QKD) experiments with satellites, monitor space debris, and test high-speed optical communications for next-generation networks. The project is a significant step in the UK's ambition to establish a quantum-secure internet, offering a unique platform for industry and academia to collaborate on secure communications across various sectors.
HOGS is connected to Heriot-Watt’s quantum labs via dark fibre, enabling real-time simulation and validation of optical quantum networks. This infrastructure will serve as a valuable R&D platform for secure communications in financial services, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, aiming to mitigate the UK's estimated £27 billion annual cost of cybercrime. The university also intends to expand Scotland’s space economy and workforce through partnerships and STEM programs, emphasizing the educational outreach aspect of the new facility. The Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) Hub also considers the station part of Heriot-Watt's role as a leader in the development of quantum-secure communications. Meanwhile, ETH Zürich is promoting practical mathematics through its goMATH funding program, exemplified by the Origami Challenge. ETH students visited schools to introduce origami mathematics in a fun and engaging way, encouraging pupils to create geometric origami artworks from paper without using glue. This initiative aims to make mathematics more accessible and enjoyable for young students. At the TLA+ Community Event in Hamilton, Ontario, discussions revolved around integrating TLA+ into tooling for fuzzers, trace validators, and compilers, emphasizing its evolving role beyond just specifications. Attendees observed that TLA+ is increasingly being used to build bridges from models to real-world applications. Recommended read:
References :
@thequantuminsider.com
//
Heriot-Watt University has launched a £2.5 million Optical Ground Station (HOGS) at its Research Park in Edinburgh, marking a significant advancement in satellite-based quantum-secure communication. The facility, developed under the UK Quantum Communications Hub, features a 70-cm precision telescope equipped with adaptive optics and quantum detectors. This investment positions Heriot-Watt at the forefront of quantum communication research and development.
The HOGS facility will enable quantum key distribution (QKD) experiments with satellites, facilitating secure communication channels resistant to future decryption by quantum computers. The station is equipped to monitor space debris and test ultra-high-speed optical communications for next-generation networks. This is the UK’s first major infrastructure investment in free-space quantum key distribution research, as it will serve as a testbed for space-to-ground optical links that use quantum-secure protocols to exchange encryption keys via single photons. The project marks a major step in the UK’s efforts to build a quantum-secure internet, offering a unique testbed for industry and academia. Connected via dark fibre to Heriot-Watt’s quantum labs, HOGS enables real-time simulation and validation of urban to intercontinental optical quantum networks. HOGS is part of Heriot-Watt’s leadership in the new Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) Hub, positioning the university as a central player in the development of quantum-secure communications. The facility aims to grow Scotland’s space economy and future workforce, partnering with universities, national laboratories, and businesses, including STEM programs for students. Recommended read:
References :
Carl Franzen@AI News | VentureBeat
//
Microsoft has announced the release of Phi-4-reasoning-plus, a new small, open-weight language model designed for advanced reasoning tasks. Building upon the architecture of the previously released Phi-4, this 14-billion parameter model integrates supervised fine-tuning and reinforcement learning to achieve strong performance on complex problems. According to Microsoft, the Phi-4 reasoning models outperform larger language models on several demanding benchmarks, despite their compact size. This new model pushes the limits of small AI, demonstrating that carefully curated data and training techniques can lead to impressive reasoning capabilities.
The Phi-4 reasoning family, consisting of Phi-4-reasoning, Phi-4-reasoning-plus, and Phi-4-mini-reasoning, is specifically trained to handle complex reasoning tasks in mathematics, scientific domains, and software-related problem solving. Phi-4-reasoning-plus, in particular, extends supervised fine-tuning with outcome-based reinforcement learning, which is targeted for improved performance in high-variance tasks such as competition-level mathematics. All models are designed to enable reasoning capabilities, especially on lower-performance hardware such as mobile devices. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella revealed that AI is now contributing to 30% of Microsoft's code. The open weight models were released with transparent training details and evaluation logs, including benchmark design, and are hosted on Hugging Face for reproducibility and public access. The model has been released under a permissive MIT license, enabling its use for broad commercial and enterprise applications, and fine-tuning or distillation, without restriction. Recommended read:
References :
@physics.mit.edu
//
References:
arstechnica.com
, physics.mit.edu
NASA astronaut Chris Williams, who earned a doctorate in physics from MIT in 2012, is set to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on a Russian Soyuz rocket no earlier than November 2025. The rookie astronaut, a member of NASA's 23rd astronaut class, will join cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev aboard the Soyuz MS-28, launching from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Williams will spend approximately eight months on the ISS as part of Expedition 74, serving as a flight engineer and continuing ongoing microgravity investigations into the effects of spaceflight.
This mission marks Williams' first assignment to space after completing his training. Prior to joining NASA, Williams completed a Medical Physics Residency training at Harvard Medical School and conducted research as a clinical physicist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. His selection for the Soyuz MS-28 mission follows the recent launch of fellow classmate Nichole Ayers on SpaceX's Crew-10 mission and the selection of Andre Douglas as part of NASA's Artemis 2 backup crew. The MS-28 crew will replace the MS-27 astronauts, including NASA's Jonny Kim, who arrived at the ISS in April. Separately, a new physics model has been developed to analyze the intricacies of bowling and determine the optimal conditions for achieving strikes. The model utilizes six differential equations relating to a rotating rigid body. This research considers several factors that influence a bowling ball's trajectory, including the composition and application of oil on bowling lanes, as well as the inherent asymmetries of bowling balls. The team of physicists involved in the study includes individuals with a strong background in bowling, including one who serves as a coach for Team England at the European Youth Championships. The study aims to move beyond statistical analysis of empirical data and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the physics behind bowling. Recommended read:
References :
Miranda Martinengo@Istituto Grothendieck
//
Recent developments in the mathematics community showcase notable achievements and career advancements. Ryuya Hora, a doctoral scholar from the University of Tokyo specializing in topos theory and automata theory applications, has been appointed Research Associate of the Centre for Topos Theory and its Applications (CTTA). He is scheduled to collaborate with Olivia Caramello and other researchers at the Centre in Paris between April and June 2025. His appointment signifies a valuable addition to the field, with opportunities to follow his work, including his talk at the "Toposes in Mondovì" conference.
Cesare Tronci has been promoted to Professor of Mathematics at the University of Surrey, effective April 1, 2025. This promotion acknowledges his contributions to the field, and further information about his research can be found on his website. Also at the University of Surrey, Jessica Furber has successfully defended her PhD thesis, "Mathematical Analysis of Fine-Scale Badger Movement Data," marking the completion of her doctoral studies. Her external examiner was Prof Yuliya Kyrychko from Sussex, and the internal examiner was Dr Joaquin Prada from the Vet School, Surrey. In related news, the Mathematics Division at Stellenbosch University in South Africa is seeking a new permanent appointee at the Lecturer or Senior Lecturer level, with consideration potentially given to other levels under specific circumstances. While preference will be given to candidates working in number theory or a related area, applications from those in other areas of mathematics will also be considered. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2025, with detailed information available in the official advertisement. Recommended read:
References :
|
Blogs
|