Math Breakthrough Solves 2,000-Year-Old Puzzle
Three mathematicians just cracked a problem that's stumped brilliant minds since ancient Greece. Their formula finally puts a limit on how many special points any curve can have.
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16 results for "problem-solving"
Scientists Use Sound to Plant Dream Ideas, Boost Problem-Solving
Northwestern University researchers successfully planted puzzle-solving ideas into people's dreams using sound cues during REM sleep. Participants doubled their puzzle-solving abilities after just one night of "dream engineering." ##
Scientists Guide Dreams to Solve Puzzles During Sleep
Northwestern University researchers successfully steered people's dreams toward unsolved puzzles, and 75% dreamed about the problems they were cued to think about. Those who dreamed about specific puzzles solved them twice as often the next morning.
Canada's Robotics Competition Celebrates 25 Years
A quarter-century of inspiring young innovators reaches a milestone as Canada's premier student robotics competition prepares for its 25th anniversary event. Thousands of students from coast to coast have discovered their passion for engineering, problem-solving, and teamwork through this transformative program.
Scientists Use Music to Boost Problem-Solving in Dreams
Researchers played musical cues during REM sleep to guide volunteers' dreams toward unsolved puzzles. The dreamers improved at solving those puzzles the next day.
Scientists Finally Solve the Mystery of Football's Spiral
After 20 years of research, physicists have cracked the code on why a football's nose tilts downward during a perfect spiral pass. The answer involves a hidden second rotation that's been happening all along.
GM Solves Bizarre Car Problem: Vanilla Ice Cream Stalls Engine
A Pontiac owner complained his new car wouldn't start after buying vanilla ice cream, but worked fine with other flavors. GM sent an engineer who discovered a surprising culprit hiding in plain sight.
Scientists Double Dream Problem-Solving Success to 40%
Northwestern researchers found a way to engineer dreams using sound cues during sleep, helping people solve twice as many puzzles. The breakthrough could unlock our brains' creative potential while we rest.
Karnataka Fixes Benefits for 20,000 Women, Helps 32,000 More
When a software glitch blocked 52,000 women from receiving government support payments in Karnataka, officials jumped into action. Now 20,000 cases are solved, and the rest are being fast-tracked.
AI Learns While Solving Problems, Beats Human Experts
A new AI system teaches itself during problem-solving instead of relying on pre-programmed knowledge, achieving breakthrough results in math, biology, and coding competitions. The open-source breakthrough costs remarkably little to run and could accelerate scientific discovery across every field.
3 Questions That End Arguments Positively, Says CEO
A Fortune 500 communication expert reveals three simple questions that can transform any heated argument into a productive conversation. The approach has worked in boardrooms for 30 years and applies just as well at home.
Dunedin Filmmaker Lands $10K Grant After ADHD Diagnosis
A 22-year-old New Zealand filmmaker who wrote his breakthrough script while baking brownies has won a major grant to turn his short film into a feature. Quinn Wilson's story shows how the right diagnosis and creative problem-solving can unlock hidden potential.
Engineer Saves NYC Skyscraper From 67% Collapse Risk
A student's innocent question exposed a deadly flaw in Manhattan's Citicorp tower that gave it a 67% chance of toppling over. Engineer William LeMessurier orchestrated secret nighttime repairs to fix the catastrophic mistake before disaster struck. ---
Swiss Cow Uses Tools to Scratch, Stuns Scientists
A pet cow in Austria named Veronika has amazed researchers by using sticks and brushes to scratch hard-to-reach spots on her body. Her clever problem-solving suggests cows are much smarter than we ever imagined.
Why Being a Workplace Misfit Might Be Your Superpower
The workers who don't quite fit in with company culture might actually be the secret sauce for innovation and success. New research shows that moderate misfits bring fresh thinking and problem-solving skills that conformist cultures desperately need.
Simple Puzzle Game Boosts Kids' Focus in Under 5 Minutes
A classic spot-the-difference game featuring two woodpeckers helps children build critical thinking skills through fun observation. The simple activity strengthens focus, patience, and problem-solving abilities in just minutes.