Researchers reveal hidden patterns that precede 'eureka' moments

A study published in PNAS found that the so-called spontaneous 'aha' or 'eureka' moments are preceded by hidden behavioural patterns. For this, researchers tracked mathematicians as they solved problems from William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition. The insights that "appear to come out of nowhere are actually prefigured by changes in how mathematicians are writing and gesturing", it stated.