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Simons Foundation

@simonsfoundation.org
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Advancing the frontiers of basic science through grantmaking, research and public engagement. Sign up for our newsletter: simonsfoundation.org/newsletter

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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 15h
Happy #InternationalPodcastDay! We're celebrating by listening to @quantamagazine.org's weekly podcast on the most thought-provoking stores in #science and #math: bit.ly/4hS1M4l
purple images that reads "The Quanta podcast"
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 29/09/2026
At this month’s Presents, four generations of mathematicians — Ingrid Daubechies, Rachel Ward, Soledad Villar, and Teresa Huang — sat down with @radiolab.bsky.social's Molly Webster to discuss the many kinds of relationships inherent in the pursuit of #math.
five people chat in front of an auditoriumtwo people sit and chat in front of an audiencepeople stand at a chalkboard and talksomeone points to equations on a chalkboard
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 29/09/2026
ICYMI: Huntington’s is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease with no known cure, but new research from the Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain points to a potential therapeutic target for the disease: bit.ly/3SPEJxu #science #neuroscience
Staining of cortical vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) neurons (shown in magenta) and Huntingtin (mHtt) protein aggregates (white) and nuclei (DAPI, blue). By combining these specific labels, researchers can observe how mutant huntingtin proteins form clumps inside neurons in the motor cortex, killing the cells.
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 24/09/2026
Thanks to a new approach, physicists have directly observed with unprecedented detail how electrons interact with defects in advanced semiconductor devices. The findings could shape the future of device development at the ultimate limits of miniaturization. Read more: bit.ly/4iuezuG
quote from Berkeley Lab's Mike Crommie: “Our objective was to uncover new electron behavior. New electron behavior can lead to exciting opportunities to develop advanced devices with useful new properties and capabilities.”
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 21/09/2026
⚛️ String theory has proven to be a wellspring of new mathematical ideas, and @columbiauniversity.bsky.social postdoc Elise LePage is working to forge them. Read our full interview with LePage: bit.ly/4ysxWcf #science #physics #stringtheory
quote from Elise LePage: I’ve been interested in math for as long as I can remember. Over time, I shifted toward physics because, in my opinion, the most exciting math comes from physics. And I personally learned so much interesting math through physics and string theory.
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 17/09/2026
The Simons Foundation and @flatironinstitute.org is at #Tapia2026 this week! Come find us at booth #301 to chat about our summer internships, #computing resources, and more. #science #math
two people pose at Simons Foundation booth
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 16/09/2026
Open Interval is bringing together trios of artists, scientists and arts organizers to explore the theme of "turbulence." This collaborative program offers inspiration and new perspectives for everyone involved. Learn more and apply: bit.ly/4d5KYnG #science #math #art
“Working with artists is so valuable and productive for my purely scientific work that I highly recommend this kind of collaboration to any scientist trying to unlock their own creativity.” 
Rana AdhikariCalifornia Institute of Technology
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 14/09/2026
Let's transform math and science — together. The Simons Foundation and @flatironinstitute.org are hiring! We're looking for curious, mission-driven people to help advance the frontiers of #math and #science. See open opportunities: bit.ly/4dFEufT
people eat on a rooftop
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 08/09/2026
New work from the Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain points to a potential therapeutic target for Huntington’s disease. Read more: bit.ly/3SPEJxu #science #neuroscience
quote from Takaki Komiyama: “We think this is a knob the brain can turn to promote learning, and our intervention is helping the brain do it in a healthy way,”
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 08/09/2026
Jaume Gomis of @perimeterinstitute.bsky.social will lead our new Simons Collaboration on the Virtues of Defects as it explores nonlocal observables in theoretical physics: bit.ly/3UavOqF #science #physics
An illustration of a graphene lattice that has inconsistencies.
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 06/09/2026
Nine years ago, the @flatironinstitute.org was inaugurated. Since then, we've added centers in neuroscience and math, an initiative focused on computational catalysis, and worked to advance research through computational methods and software development. Learn more: bit.ly/3UJxKXo
Simons Foundation president David Spergel speaks at podium with Flatiron Institute logo
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 04/09/2026
Postdoc David Persson never thought his background in linear algebra could contribute to #machinelearning — until #FlatironCCM scientist Robert Gower recruited him to help make #AI training tool Muon more efficient. Read more about their work: bit.ly/4xNs4dg #science #math
quote from David Persson "This project wouldn't have been possible without the cross-pollination of different perspectives."
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 04/09/2026
Postdoc David Persson never thought his background in linear algebra could contribute to #machinelearning — until #FlatironCCM scientist Robert Gower recruited him to help make #AI training tool Muon more efficient. Read more about their work: bit.ly/4xNs4dg #science #math
quote from David Persson "This project wouldn't have been possible without the cross-pollination of different perspectives."
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 31/08/2026
The Simons Collaboration on Ultra-Quantum Matter is unraveling the ultra-quantum realm. Read more about their progress after seven years of collaboration: bit.ly/3TQCF8w #science #physics
Illustration of a blue-green glowing quantum background with particles floating around.
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 31/08/2026
Stimulating certain neurons in the brain may help improve Huntington’s disease symptoms, a new study from the Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain suggests. Read more about the work: bit.ly/3SPEJxu #science #neuroscience
quote from Irina Dudanova: "In neurodegenerative disorders, not all neurons suffer equally and not all die. Some are affected in different ways."
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 28/08/2026
The Muon optimizer — a community effort that includes scientists at our @flatironinstitute.org — is poised to be the new standard in #AI training efficiency. Read more about Muon's success: bit.ly/4xNs4dg #science #math
quote from Noah Amsel: "“I think Muon is a hopeful story for the field andfor science in general.”
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 27/08/2026
This #InfinityDay, our #InfiniteSums initiative brought communities together to experience #math through hands-on creativity. Events spanning the country demonstrated the many ways to celebrate the beauty of mathematics. Credit: Elizabeth Michael, Erin Busbea; Erica MacLean; Polymath Photography
People stand at event under wooden structurePeople gather and listen to someone speakPeople do crafts at a tablePerson draws flower
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 26/08/2026
Led by @yale.edu mathematician Yair Minsky, the new Simons Collaboration on Discrete Subgroups of Lie Groups will study fundamental mathematical objects called Lie groups, which are invaluable to modern #physics. Read more: bit.ly/4z1zz1K #math
A bright purple illustration of lines connected by nodes
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 24/08/2026
Nour Al Hassanieh will soon complete a three-year postdoc position at the @flatironinstitute.org, where she develops computational methods to solve wave equation problems on complex geometries. Read more about her work: bit.ly/3SpqVJN #science #math
quote from Nour Al Hassanieh: "I’ve learned to write better code and to identify the strengthsand weaknesses of different computational approaches."
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 22/08/2026
From accelerating simulations to uncovering hidden patterns in massive datasets, #AI is changing science. Watch talks from our 2026 Simons Science Summit, where we brought together leaders from science, industry, and philanthropy to discuss how AI is transforming research: bit.ly/4wXADSW
quote from Marilyn Simons: “At heart, AI is a new technology, and much like new technologies of the past, it holds the promise of solving seemingly intractable problems. We can now hope to achieve discoveries in our lifetime we once thought out of reach.”
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 21/08/2026
🚨 Only 2 days left to vote for "Supporting Caregivers to Build Math & Science Confidence" in @sxswedu.com's PanelPicker! Cast your vote by August 23: bit.ly/4fI4IQf #SXSWEDU
SXSW Vote for my panelpicker proposal graphic
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 20/08/2026
Last week, our Summer at Simons interns capped off their experience by presenting posters on their research this summer. Learn more about our annual summer internship program: bit.ly/4w2r8Aq #science #math
person in red shirt speaks in front of a posterboardtwo people chat at a posterboardtwo people chat in front of a posterboardthree people stand in front of a posterboard and talk
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 20/08/2026
🚨 There are only 3 days left to vote for "Human-Driven, Participatory Art Illuminates Complex Science" in @sxsw.com's PanelPicker! Cast your vote by August 23 to support artists, scientists, and cultural leaders creating participatory science experiences: bit.ly/3RZJ14R #SXSW
image that reads vote for my panelpicker
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 19/08/2026
Happy #WorldPhotographyDay! #Science and #math can seem abstract, but there are real people behind every discovery. Here are some of our favorite photos of the researchers we're proud to support. Credit: Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, Jan Greune; NinetynineFilms; Tara Brown; GWU
Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics Researchers look at the quantum simulator setup used to investigate the pseudogap.Leslie Sibener talks about her research on long-term memory and the virtual reality experiment she created to study how the brain stores memories.Daniel Alabi at work on his whiteboard. Fellows-to-Faculty awardee Gabriela Rosenblau collects EEG data from a participant in her lab at George Washington University. 
Credit: GWU Media Relations
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 18/08/2026
Mathematician Nour Al Hassanieh develops accurate and efficient algorithms for solving wave equation problems at the @flatironinstitute.org, an endeavor that could help improve medical imaging tools. Learn more about her work: bit.ly/3SpqVJN #science #math
quote from Nour Al Hassnanieh: "Our goal during the Flatiron fellowship is to develop algorithms that are efficient, accurate and stable — that is, not overly sensitive to small changes in the data."
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 17/08/2026
We're #hiring! Learn more about what it's like to work at the foundation and see our open job opportunities: bit.ly/4dFEufT #science #math
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 13/08/2026
🛝 Only 10 days left to vote for our "Human-Driven, Participatory Art Illuminates Complex Science" panel in @sxsw.com's PanelPicker! Artists, scientists, & cultural leaders will explore how participatory art creates new ways to experience complex science. Vote by August 23: bit.ly/3RZJ14R
image of a playground with Vote for My PanelPicker prosposal
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 13/08/2026
Trudi Plummer from @mainediscovery.bsky.social is designing math experiences for the children's museum rooted in Maine’s landscape and traditions, such as interactive #math trails. Read more about her work: bit.ly/3QOxbdw
quote from Gertrude Trudi Plummer: "I also started to look into math engagement done by artists and institutions like the Simons Foundation. It motivated me to get kids just as excited about a sequence, formula or pattern as they are about seeing a live snake at a program."
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 13/08/2026
Simons Foundation president David Spergel joined The New York Academy of Sciences to talk about science philanthropy, including our Pivot Fellowship program, which enables today’s brightest minds to apply their talents and expertise to a new field. Watch the full video: bit.ly/4vRBG62
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 12/08/2026
At our 2026 Simons Science Summit in June, @flatironinstitute.org and @princeton.edu scientist Olga Troyanskaya spoke about how her lab uses AI to untangle the mysteries of the genome. Learn more about the event and watch Troyanskaya's talk: bit.ly/4wXADSW #science #math #biology #AI
quote from Olga Troyanskaya: “The progress of AI in biology and biomedicine is enormous. But it’s also critical for us to understand how challenging this field is. We really need these purpose-built AI models that can identify and decode the unknown.”
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 11/08/2026
At this month's Presents, @flatironinstitute.org computational biologist Qiyao Zhu joined the Queens Botanical Garden's Morgan Potter and Regina Forlenza in conversation with the Simons Foundation’s Elizabeth Simolke to explore the mathematical beauty found in the natural world. Credit: Sean Jamar
four people sit in a panel in front of an auditoriumtwo people sit in front of an auditorium screenpeople stand around and chatpeople laugh and chat
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 09/08/2026
For seven years, the Simons Collaboration on Ultra-Quantum Matter has been bringing together dozens of theoretical physicists to help understand systems that display quantum properties at large scales. Read more about the collaboration's work: bit.ly/3TQCF8w #science #physics
“Many of my projects would not have been possible without the influence of this collaboration,”
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 08/08/2026
Cast your vote for our "Human-Driven, Participatory Art Illuminates Complex Science" panel at @sxsw.com's PanelPicker! Artists, scientists, and cultural leaders will discuss how participatory art can make complex science more engaging, accessible, and meaningful. Vote here: bit.ly/3RZJ14R
text that reads: Vote for My PanelPicker Proposal SXSW
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 06/08/2026
Vote for "Supporting Caregivers to Build Math & Science Confidence" at @sxswedu.com's PanelPicker! We've partnered with educators, community leaders, and family engagement champions who are creating meaningful #math and #science opportunities for kids. Vote by August 23: bit.ly/4fI4IQf
image that says vote for my PanelPicker Proposal
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 06/08/2026
Thanks to all the park-goers who stopped by our pop-up solar viewing event this week to safely view the sun through solar telescopes, chat with our astrophysicists, and visit Madison Square Park's NASA Moon Tree. #science #astronomy Credit: Kayla Lim, Emily Tan, Shyra Rahman/Simons Foundation
child looks through binocularspeople look through solar telescopepeople look through solar telescopepeople stand and chat in a park
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 05/08/2026
Join the Museum of the Moving Image for an #InfinityDay celebration that features talks on infinity and the multiverse, screenings of #math short films, an infinite video booth, and more. RSVP: bit.ly/3RNa9UE #InfiniteSums Credit: Erica MacLean
audience members watch a film screening
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 04/08/2026
From Fibonacci spirals to flower petals, math is woven throughout nature. Regina Forlenza from the Queens Botanical Garden is inviting visitors to explore these patterns on #InfinityDay and beyond. Register for the garden’s 8/8 Infinity Day celebration: bit.ly/3TDhjeP #InfiniteSums #math
quote from Regina Forlenza: My love of flowers and horticulture really brought me to the botanical garden. I now work in a living museum, but never in my life did I think I would be thinking about mathematics in my career. 
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 03/08/2026
Our solar viewing has been rescheduled! Join us at the Southern Fountain in Madison Square Park on Tuesday (8/4) from 12-3PM to safely look into the sun, chat with our researchers and celebrate space here on Earth. More details: bit.ly/4vYu1SU
people stare into solar telescopepeople chat near solar telescopepeople look into solar telescope
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 30/07/2026
Happy #NationalInternDay! This summer, we're hosting over 60 interns to work on projects across computational science and scientific outreach. Read more about our Summer at Simons program: bit.ly/4w2r8Aq #math #science
quote from intern Paulina Salinas: "This internship opened up my world. It has meant a lot to me. It has shaped the way I see my career, what I can do with my degree, and how I can grow"
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 24/07/2026
We are at #ICM2026 this week! Stop by the Simons Foundation booth to learn more about our mission and #math funding opportunities.
person stands in Simons Foundation booth
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 23/07/2026
During today's #ICM2026 opening ceremonies, the IMU announced the 2026 Fields Medals recipients: Yu Deng, John Pardon, Jacob Tsimerman, and Hong Wang Read more: bit.ly/4psOJbU
headshot of Yu Dengheadshot of John Pardonheadshot of Jacob Tsimermanheadshot of Hong Wang
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 21/07/2026
At this month’s Presents, science journalist and comedian Kyle Marian Viterbo joined mathematician Kevin Hu, science communicator Becky Nesel and professional climber Genevive Walker for a conversation about discovery from every angle. Credit: Sean Jamar #math #science #geology
four people speak in front of an auditoriumtwo people smile at the cameratwo people speak in front of an auditoriumgroup of people talk
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 19/07/2026
Neuroscientists have long wondered exactly how brain activity relates to blood flow. A new paper from the Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain suggests the answer lies in a hidden balance between two opposing groups of neurons. Read more: bit.ly/3QX90to #science #neuroscience
quote from Matteo Carandini: “This shows that the relationship between neural activity and blood volume is more complicated than people thought, but it’s fixed across brain regions and states. We can go from neural activity to blood volume in a rock-solid way.”
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 19/07/2026
Who was Jim Simons? Simons Foundation president David Spergel discusses our visionary co-founder in a recent interview with The New York Academy of Sciences. Watch full video: bit.ly/4vRBG62 #science #math
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 16/07/2026
As part of our #InfiniteSums national math initiative, the Maine Discovery Museum's Gertrude “Trudi” Plummer developed a series of interactive math trails to help the local community see math as part of their everyday lives. Read our interview with Plummer: bit.ly/3QOxbdw #science #math
quote from Trudi Plummer: My hope is that the families understand that math is not just about homework or worksheets, and that they allow themselves to experience joy about the beauty of math.
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 14/07/2026
"The Proof in the Code" author Kevin Hartnett on the importance of Lean, the proof assistant that is transforming math. Watch his full interview and learn more about his new book: bit.ly/4f8rkaV #math #science
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 14/07/2026
More than a century after David Hilbert presented his 23 mathematical challenges, mathematicians have made significant progress — but there’s still much work to do. Which ones are solved, still unsolved or unsolvable? See the status of all 23 problems: bit.ly/4uTS30L #math #science
Collage of David Hilbert and mathematical problems.In 1900, mathematician David Hilbert presented a list of 23 mathematical challenges to the International Congress of Mathematicians.These problems have 	become milestones in 		the field’s progress.Hilbert’s problems aren’t so much finish lines at the end of a race as they are cracked doors inviting mathematicians to see what’s in the next room. For many of the problems, it’s difficult to say if they are resolved or still open.Often, a question is resolved in one context but remains open in others.This open-endedness is part of the problems’ ongoing appeal to mathematicians.
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 10/07/2026
Biologists at the @flatironinstitute.org are working to gain deeper and more mechanistic understandings of living systems by utilizing mathematical models. Most recently, researchers used this strategy to solve a mystery surrounding fruit fly sperm: bit.ly/4oKB2Vx #science #biology #math
quote from Mike Shelley: “What we are doing is kind of reintroducing curiosity-driven research, but combined with thinking about the way things happen mechanistically,”
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 10/07/2026
Simons Foundation president David Spergel recently joined the New York Academy of Sciences podcast Shaping Science with Nick Dirks to discuss the unique role philanthropy can play in advancing bold scientific research. Watch the full interview: bit.ly/4vRBG62 #science #math #philanthropy
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 09/07/2026
By studying the movements of individual fruit fly sperm, experimental and theoretical researchers at the @flatironinstitute.org were able to work together to understand the sperm's collective behavior: bit.ly/4oKB2Vx #science #biology #math
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