Computer Science | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/computer-science-1/RSS feed for Computer ScienceenWed, 04 Nov 2026 12:30:00 +0000The Four-Color Theorem Has Haunted Mathematicians for Decades. It Just Got a Rare New Proof, but Some Still Long for a Simpler Solutionhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-four-color-theorem-has-haunted-mathematicians-for-decades-it-just-got-a-rare-new-proof-but-some-still-long-for-a-simpler-solution-180989799/The famous problem asks whether a map can be filled in with only four colors such that the same color never borders itself. It has been solved with the help of computers, but some experts suggest an elusive, short answer is out thereWed, 04 Nov 2026 12:30:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-four-color-theorem-has-haunted-mathematicians-for-decades-it-just-got-a-rare-new-proof-but-some-still-long-for-a-simpler-solution-180989799/See a Stunning Simulation of the Early Universe, Which Will Help Astronomers Shed Light on the Cosmic Dark Ageshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-a-stunning-simulation-of-the-early-universe-which-will-help-astronomers-shed-light-on-the-cosmic-dark-ages-180989791/The model, created by researchers at the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian, and other institutions, captures how the first stars and black holes gradually illuminated the universe after millions of years of darknessTue, 03 Nov 2026 19:08:47 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-a-stunning-simulation-of-the-early-universe-which-will-help-astronomers-shed-light-on-the-cosmic-dark-ages-180989791/Margaret Hamilton, a Pioneering Software Engineer Who Made the First Human Moon Landing Possible, Dies at 90https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/margaret-hamilton-a-pioneering-software-engineer-who-made-the-first-human-moon-landing-possible-dies-at-90-180989653/Hamilton popularized the term "software engineer" and created computer programs that could anticipate problems. She received a Presidential Medal of Freedom and was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of FameThu, 08 Oct 2026 18:42:32 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/margaret-hamilton-a-pioneering-software-engineer-who-made-the-first-human-moon-landing-possible-dies-at-90-180989653/This Brain Implant Allows People With Paralysis to Speak and Gesture at the Same Time Via a Mind-Controlled Virtual Avatarhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-brain-implant-allows-people-with-paralysis-to-speak-and-gesture-at-the-same-time-via-a-mind-controlled-virtual-avatar-180989604/The experimental technology is still in the early stage and was fully tested in just two participants. But it could one day help people with motor problems communicate with more nuance or help them control robotic prosthetic limbsTue, 06 Oct 2026 16:08:56 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-brain-implant-allows-people-with-paralysis-to-speak-and-gesture-at-the-same-time-via-a-mind-controlled-virtual-avatar-180989604/Anthropic Says Its A.I. Discovered a New Enzyme System That Resembles the Revolutionary Gene-Editing Tool CRISPRhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/anthropic-says-its-ai-discovered-a-new-enzyme-system-that-resembles-the-revolutionary-gene-editing-tool-crispr-180989578/Experts at the company don't know what the newfound system does, so its potential utility in biology—if any—remains unclear. But the work marks a major advancement because the A.I. made this discovery mostly on its ownTue, 29 Sep 2026 18:16:27 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/anthropic-says-its-ai-discovered-a-new-enzyme-system-that-resembles-the-revolutionary-gene-editing-tool-crispr-180989578/