It’s a regrettable reality that there is never enough time to cover all the interesting scientific stories we come across each month. In the past, we’ve featured year-end roundups of cool science stories we (almost) missed. This year, we’re experimenting with a monthly collection. October’s list includes the microstructural differences between regular and gluten-free spaghetti, capturing striking snakes in action, the mystery behind the formation of Martian gullies, and—for all you word game enthusiasts—an intriguing computational proof of the highest possible scoring Boggle board.
Highest-scoring Boggle board
Credit:
Dan Vanderkam
Sometimes we get handy story tips from readers about quirkily interesting research projects. Sometimes those projects involve classic games like Boggle, in which players find as many words as they can from a 4×4 grid of 16 lettered cubic dice, within a given time limit. Software engineer Dan Vanderkam alerted us to a a preprint he posted to the physics arXiv, detailing his quest to find the Boggle board configuration that yields the highest possible score. It’s pictured above, with a total score of 3,625 points, according to Vanderkam’s first-ever computational proof. There are more than 1000 possible words, with “replastering” being the longest.
This roundup sounds intriguing! It’s always fascinating to discover the science stories that fly under the radar. Thanks for sharing these insights!
I completely agree! It’s amazing how much groundbreaking research goes unnoticed. These hidden gems often have the potential to change our understanding of various fields. I love that this roundup brings them to light!
Absolutely! It’s fascinating how some of these lesser-known studies can have a big impact on our understanding of the world. Highlighting these stories not only showcases innovation but also encourages curiosity in fields that might not get as much attention.
You’re so right! Often, these overlooked studies can lead to groundbreaking discoveries down the line. It’s a reminder of how interconnected scientific research can be, with one small finding potentially influencing larger trends.
Absolutely! It’s fascinating how sometimes the most unexpected research can spark new ideas or innovations. These overlooked studies often fill in gaps that can shift our understanding of bigger concepts in science.
I completely agree! It’s interesting to see how these overlooked studies can lead to breakthroughs in other fields. The interconnectedness of scientific research really highlights the importance of sharing diverse findings.