Much of the excitement around the news has stemmed from the adjudicator of these AI-written proofs: Terence Tao, a UCLA professor who is widely considered to be the world’s greatest living mathematician, reported The Atlantic. His stamp of approval seemingly legitimizes the greatest promise of generative AI — to push the frontier of human knowledge and civilization. When Tao was interviewed about what AI can offer mathematics, he was more tempered. The AI-generated Erdős solutions are impressive, he said, but not overwhelmingly so: The bots have functionally landed some “cheap wins,” Tao said. See more about UCLA in today’s LAist, New York Times and other outlets.
More highlights from UCLA in the News: Feb. 24, 2026
Should I worry about the plastic in my floss and toothbrush? | New York Times
For toothpaste and mouthwash, the concern revolves around their packaging. Plastic tubes and bottles are often made by heating and forming plastic, which can cause microplastics to leach inside, said Sanjay Mohanty, an environmental engineer at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Dry powder inhalers can improve outcomes, reduce emissions | Medical Xpress
New research from UCLA Health suggests that certain inhalers used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are not only less harmful to the environment but can also lead to slightly better patient outcomes. Inhalers are essential therapies for COPD and other lung conditions, but many commonly used devices rely on propellants that are potent greenhouse gases. (UCLA’s Dr. William Feldman was quoted.)
What transitional kindergarten system means for Calif. private preschools | LAist
“Offering any free or subsidized care is huge for parents. If you have a young child, you already know this. But if it has been a minute, you might not realize that we’re talking about 15, 20 thousand dollars a year for families,” said UCLA’s Anna Markowitz (approx. 8:50 mark).
Violence in Mexico | KTTV-TV
“Today is the day the cartels are lashing out at the authorities, and basically letting the authorities and the public know that they’re not going away,” said UCLA’s Raúl Hinojosa-Ojeda.
