Most patterns eventually repeat themselves. But in the 1970s, mathematician Roger Penrose discovered a set of shapes that could cover an infinite plane without ever repeating. Known as Penrose tilings ...

For Mr. Santos, math can also inspire ideas about structures that have already been built — a new way to see and appreciate the world. Inspired by this idea, The New York Times created a virtual tour ...

Smithsonian researcher Ingrid Romero studies fossil pollen to reconstruct ancient climates and predict future changes ...