Researchers have found that cognitive maps stored in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex are activated when navigating through space physically or mentally. The study used animal models to demonstrate that these mental maps can be created and used during purely mental run-throughs, even without physical movement.
A new computer vision technique developed by MIT engineers significantly speeds up the characterization of newly synthesized electronic materials. The technique automatically analyzes images of printed semiconducting samples and quickly estimates two key electronic properties: band gap and stability.
A team of researchers has created a water-soluble version of the bacterial enzyme histidine kinase, which could be used in high-throughput screens to rapidly test potential drugs that target this enzyme. The new protein retains its natural functions despite being converted from a hydrophobic protein.
The researchers developed a single millimeter-scale photonic chip that emits reconfigurable beams of light into a well of resin, curing into a solid shape when exposed to the beam's wavelength. Shapes can be fully formed in a matter of seconds using this chip-based 3D printer.
In the early 1600s, English clergy used discounting calculations to finesse finances amid rising prices and inflation. This adaptation of mathematical formulas resolved decades-long disagreements over rent and lease terms.
Researchers suggest microscopic, ultradense black holes formed in first quintillionth of a second after Big Bang may have produced smaller, super-charged black holes with unprecedented nuclear charge. These tiny, 'super-charged' black holes could have influenced atomic nucleus formation and detection.
Scientists developed a new technique to map relationships between genes and regulatory elements, enabling them to determine when enhancers are active and which genes they control. This could lead to the identification of potential drug targets for genetic disorders.
A study by MIT scientists found that microscopic defects in the ice shape how massive glaciers flow, leading to revised predictions of future sea-level rise. The researchers developed a model to estimate an icy region's sensitivity to stress, directly relating it to its likelihood of flowing.
Researchers combined robotics data from different sources using generative AI models to train better multipurpose robots. The approach, known as Policy Composition (PoCo), enables a robot to perform multiple tool-use tasks and adapt to new tasks in unfamiliar environments.
Researchers have developed a scalable, modular hardware platform that integrates thousands of interconnected qubits onto a customized integrated circuit. This 'quantum-system-on-chip' (QSoC) architecture enables precise control and tuning of a dense array of qubits, making it possible to achieve large-scale quantum computing.
A randomized field experiment in Seattle showed that a modest intervention of housing vouchers, financial support, and a
A study by MIT researchers found that the general public and policymakers take social media posts from world leaders just as seriously as traditional government statements. The research surveyed over 977 people about crisis signals in international relations, including tweets and official press releases. The results suggest that people...
Scientists studied gallium nitride devices under extreme temperatures and found that ohmic contacts remained structurally intact even at 500 degrees Celsius. This breakthrough could lead to the development of high-performance transistors for Venus exploration and other applications.
Researchers found that early exposure to limited color information helps the brain develop robust object recognition skills. Children born blind who have their sight restored later in life struggle with identifying objects in black-and-white images due to overreliance on color cues. The study suggests that early visual experience plays...
A new study suggests that the sun's magnetic field could arise from instabilities in the outermost layers of the sun, rather than deep within. This finding may enable scientists to better forecast solar activity and space weather.
Researchers use light instead of electricity to stimulate muscle contraction, achieving more precise control and reduced fatigue in a study using mice. The optogenetic method could have broad clinical utility for people with paralysis or amputation.
Researchers at MIT found that copper can be as strong as steel when struck by a super-high velocity object, contradicting decades of studies. The new discovery could lead to new material designs for extreme environments, such as hypersonic aircraft and equipment for high-speed manufacturing processes.
Researchers developed adhesive hydrogel coatings that eliminate fibrosis, a common issue with medical implants. The coatings bind devices to tissue and prevent the immune system from attacking them.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new method to measure the spin of supermassive black holes by tracking the pattern of X-ray flashes produced during tidal disruption events. By analyzing the wobble of the accretion disk, they were able to determine that the nearby black hole was spinning at less than 25% the speed of light.
A new detector system uses a combination of metal-organic frameworks and conductive polymers to provide continuous monitoring of toxic gases. The material shows high sensitivity and reversibility, enabling detection at low concentrations, making it suitable for industrial or home settings.
Researchers from MIT and the University of Basel developed a physics-informed machine-learning framework that can automatically map out phase diagrams for novel physical systems. This approach leverages generative models, making it possible to detect phase transitions without requiring huge training datasets. The technique has potentia...
Researchers from MIT and Georgia Tech have developed a filter made from yeast encapsulated in hydrogels that can quickly absorb lead from contaminated water. The process, called biosorption, uses waste beer yeast to bind to and remove heavy metal ions, offering a potentially cost-effective alternative to existing technologies.
The newly discovered SPECULOOS-3b is an Earth-sized, likely airless planet orbiting a nearby ultracool dwarf star. The planet's extremely close proximity to its star has likely vaporized any atmosphere, allowing scientists to study its surface composition and history in unprecedented detail.
A new, affordable sensor technology can detect lead concentrations as low as one part per billion, making it a significant step forward in addressing global health issues. The handheld device can be used for on-site monitoring and requires only a droplet of water.
Researchers have discovered three of the oldest stars in the universe, forming between 12 and 13 billion years ago. The team believes these 'Small Accreted Stellar System' (SASS) stars originated from small primitive galaxies absorbed by the Milky Way.
Scientists have discovered a new planet called WASP-193b that is 50% bigger than Jupiter yet has a density comparable to cotton candy. The planet's low density makes it an outlier among the over 5,400 planets discovered so far.
MIT engineers create technique to image bioluminescent molecules in deep tissue with high resolution, enabling detailed studies of brain cell development and communication. The method uses engineered blood vessels that dilate in response to light, allowing researchers to pinpoint the source of light.
Researchers developed a microneedle patch that delivers immune-regulating molecules to the scalp, teaching T cells not to attack hair follicles and helping hair regrow. In mouse studies, this treatment reduced inflammation and allowed hair to regrow without systemic immune effects.
A study found that heavy snowfall and rain contribute to earthquake swarms in northern Japan by altering underground pressure. Climate conditions are linked to seismic activity, with the timing of intense precipitation events correlating with the start of quakes.
A team of researchers from MIT created a lightweight, compact, and efficient mechanism to reduce noise transmission using a sound-suppressing silk fabric. The fabric uses vibrations to cancel out unwanted sounds in two different ways, one for small spaces and another for larger areas like rooms or cars.
Astronomers have observed the faint light from stars in the host galaxies of three ancient quasars, revealing clues to how the earliest supermassive black holes and galaxies evolved. The study suggests that some of the earliest
Researchers analyzed epigenetic modifications in motor neurons from nearly 400 ALS patients, identifying 30 locations with modifications linked to disease progression. The findings may help develop targeted treatments for specific types of ALS.
MIT physicists arrange dysprosium atoms as close as 50 nanometers apart, a limit previously set by the wavelength of light. This allows for enhanced magnetic forces, thermalization, and synchronized oscillations, opening new possibilities for studying quantum phenomena.
A new study from MIT researchers has found that many genes involved in drug metabolism follow a circadian rhythm, affecting how much of a drug is available and how effectively the body breaks it down. The study's findings have implications for developing better dosing schedules for existing drugs.
MIT researchers demonstrate that light can break water molecules away from the surface and float them into the air, causing evaporation in the absence of heat. This phenomenon has significant implications for understanding cloud formation and precipitation, as well as designing new industrial processes such as solar-powered desalination.
Researchers at MIT's EQuS group demonstrate a method to generate highly entangled states and shift between types of entanglement, including volume-law entanglement. This breakthrough offers a way to characterize a fundamental resource needed for quantum computing, enabling better understanding of information storage and processing.
Researchers have found ancient rocks in Greenland that retain signatures of a magnetic field with a strength of at least 15 microtesla, extending the magnetic field's age by 200 million years. The discovery sheds light on the planet's early conditions and may have played a critical role in making Earth habitable.
MIT engineers have developed a closed-loop drug-delivery system that can improve chemotherapy outcomes by continuously monitoring patients and adjusting dosage. The new system, called CLAUDIA, uses commercially available equipment to analyze blood samples every five minutes and adjust infusion rates in real-time.
A team of researchers at MIT has developed a new method to model the irrational behavior of humans, which can be used to predict their future actions. By analyzing an agent's previous decisions, the technique infers its computational constraints and adapts to human collaborators' weaknesses.
Researchers at MIT designed a communication system called LiTweeture that allows users to selectively reveal verified aspects of their identity, reducing social inhibition and encouraging junior academics to participate in public discourse. This approach has the potential to be applied to any community or discussion space.
Researchers developed sensors that detect plant signaling molecules, allowing farmers to monitor potential threats and intervene early. The sensors reveal distinctive patterns of stress responses, providing a real-time warning system for crops.
Researchers use carbon nanotubes to prevent cracking in multilayered composites, improving resistance by up to 60%. This innovation could lead to safer and more durable aircraft with advanced composite materials.
Researchers at MIT and LBNL created a simplified array of four pixels in tetromino shapes to detect radiation direction, achieving accuracy comparable to large expensive systems. The design reduces engineering costs while improving performance for handling multiple radiation sources.
A new machine-learning approach outperforms human testers in generating diverse prompts that trigger a wider range of undesirable responses from chatbots. The technique provides a faster and more effective way to ensure the safety of large language models.
A new study finds that remote work has changed urban transportation patterns in the U.S., with significant variation across regions. The research reveals that remote work has reduced vehicle miles driven by about 1% per 1% decrease in onsite workers, but had a more substantial impact on mass-transit ridership.
Researchers developed a spring-like device that maximizes muscle contractions to power biohybrid robots. The new flexure design enables predictable and reliable movement, allowing engineers to build muscle-powered robots with increased precision and versatility.
A new 3D printer developed by researchers at MIT and NIST can automatically identify the parameters for printing with unknown materials. This allows for the use of renewable or recyclable materials that were previously difficult to characterize, reducing the environmental impact of additive manufacturing.
Researchers develop a computational approach to predict mutations leading to better proteins, with potential applications in neuroscience research and gene therapy. The technique uses a convolutional neural network to create a fitness landscape, enabling faster optimization of proteins.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a new way that neutrons can interact with materials, potentially providing insights into material properties and quantum effects. The discovery involves the binding of neutrons to nanoscale atomic clusters called quantum dots.
A recent study by MIT scholars reveals that widely disseminated school quality ratings are heavily dependent on the preparation and family background of their students. The study finds that many schools with low ratings perform better than expected, and conventional ratings are highly correlated with race.