Researchers at MIT have quantified the phenomenon for the first time, finding that boiling droplets on hot oily surfaces move rapidly due to a thin oil cloak coating the outside of each water droplet. This cloak acts as a kind of balloon skin, holding vapor bubbles in place and imparting momentum.
Researchers observed a 'warming bias' in the Earth's ancient history, with more warming events and greater temperature shifts than cooling events. The study suggests that a multiplier effect may kick back in as ice sheets disappear, leading to further amplification of human-induced global warming.
A new MIT study highlights the importance of careful classroom ventilation in reducing the spread of Covid-19 aerosols. Researchers found that certain configurations, such as closed windows and limited upward air movement, can lead to higher concentrations of potentially problematic aerosols.
Researchers at MIT have created an algorithm that enables drones to navigate complex obstacle courses at high speeds without crashing. The new approach combines simulations with real-world experiments, allowing drones to adapt to challenging aerodynamics and find the fastest routes.
A new adhesive, inspired by barnacles' sticky substance, can form a tight seal within seconds of application on wet surfaces, including blood-covered tissues. This bio-inspired tissue glue shows promise in rapidly controlling bleeding and may offer a more effective treatment for traumatic injuries.
A new tabletop diagnostic device can detect COVID-19 from saliva samples in about an hour, with accuracy comparable to PCR tests. The device uses CRISPR technology and can be programmed to detect specific variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Researchers have developed an immunotherapy strategy that combines three drugs to boost the immune system against tumors. The new therapy showed promising results in mice, with pancreatic tumors shrinking or disappearing completely in about half of the animals.
MIT researchers have created a new DNA writing technique called HiSCRIBE that can record interactions between cells and store spatial information. This approach offers a way to edit genes in the human microbiome, potentially revolutionizing the field of genome editing.
The MIT-designed tactile glove can map subtle changes in pressure across the palm, helping to restore motor function after stroke. The glove's sensors can also track pulse and vital signs accurately, even during movement.
A recent study conducted by MIT economists found that increasing nighttime sleep had no positive effects on work productivity, earnings, or overall sense of well-being among low-income workers in Chennai, India. However, short daytime naps did show significant improvements in these areas.
Researchers observed signs of spin-triplet superconductivity in magic-angle trilayer graphene, which resists high magnetic fields and could improve MRI technology. This exotic material's ability to persist superconducting under strong magnetic fields has the potential to revolutionize technologies like quantum computing.
A new MIT study estimates that disposable N95 masks generate up to 84 million kilograms of waste during the first six months of a pandemic, equivalent to 252 Boeing 747 airplanes. Reusable silicone masks could reduce this waste by 80-90%.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new diagnostic nanoparticle that can detect cancerous proteins in urine and pinpoint tumor locations. This technology has the potential to monitor tumor recurrence after treatment or perform routine cancer screenings, potentially leading to earlier detection and improved patient outcomes.
Researchers at MIT have developed a simple and inexpensive two-layer coating that protects seeds from drying out and provides them with extra nutrition, enabling agriculture on marginal arid lands. The coating, which is engineered to hold onto moisture and contain preserved microorganisms, has shown encouraging results in early tests.
Physicists at MIT have successfully measured a neutron's tiny effect in a radioactive molecule, revealing small nuclear effects and providing a chance to search for subtle symmetry violations related to dark matter and the Big Bang. The team used heavy radioactive molecules with extreme sensitivity to nuclear phenomena.
A team of MIT and Harvard University researchers has developed a modified version of two-photon imaging that can image deeper within tissue and perform the imaging much more quickly than what was previously possible. This technique allows for high-resolution images of structures such as blood vessels and individual neurons within the b...
MIT researchers develop a methodology for designing protein interactions that occur at a fast timescale, allowing circuits to respond within seconds. This approach has potential applications in creating environmental sensors and diagnostics.
Researchers at MIT confirmed Hawking's area theorem for the first time by analyzing GW150914 signal, showing total event horizon area did not decrease after merger. The findings provide evidence that black holes behave as thermal objects and emit radiation over long timescales, a fundamental revelation about these cosmic phenomena.
Researchers at MIT have developed a sweat-proof electronic skin patch that can monitor vital signs like temperature and hydration over long periods of time. The patch's design features artificial sweat ducts and a kirigami-like pattern to prevent sweat accumulation and sensor damage, enabling reliable health tracking.
Researchers found similar circuit malfunctions in the thalamus of mice with genes mutated for autism and schizophrenia. This discovery could lead to developing drugs targeting this circuit to treat people with different disorders.
A novel face mask detects Covid-19 in 90 minutes via embedded sensors, offering a new way to monitor healthcare workers' exposure. The technology also enables wearable biosensors for first responders and military personnel.
Researchers develop engineered yeast that can convert toxic cellulosic byproducts into ethanol and other chemicals, opening up a wider range of non-food feedstocks. The breakthrough could potentially substitute for 30-50% of petroleum used in transportation.
Researchers have developed an ultralight material made from nanometer-scale carbon struts that provide toughness and mechanical robustness. The material withstood microparticle impacts at supersonic speeds without tearing, outperforming other impact-resistant materials of comparable weight.
MIT researchers found that rougher implant surfaces stimulate pro-inflammatory T cell responses, while unique surface topographies inhibit tissue inflammation. The study suggests that texture sloughs off and causes chronic inflammation, potentially leading to cancer.
Researchers at MIT have cooled a large, human-scale object to close to its motional ground state, enabling the study of gravity's effects on massive quantum objects. The object, comprising nearly 1 octillion atoms, was cooled to 77 nanokelvins using LIGO's precise motion-measuring capabilities.
Researchers have designed a new type of stent that can deliver drugs directly to the gastrointestinal tract, reducing side effects. The stents use kirigami-inspired etching to temporarily lodge in tubular organs and release drugs over an extended period.
Researchers at MIT have developed a technique to label and retrieve DNA data files from a large pool, enabling feasible DNA data storage. By encapsulating each file in a silica particle labeled with single-stranded DNA barcodes, they demonstrated accurate retrieval of individual images stored as DNA sequences.
The CHIME telescope has detected over 500 fast radio bursts, quadrupling the number of known radio bursts. The newly discovered signals reveal two distinct classes: repeaters and one-offs, which are thought to arise from separate mechanisms and astrophysical sources.
Researchers have developed an imaging technique that visualizes cement hydration on a molecular level, offering insights into the complex chemical reactions that shape concrete. This advancement may lead to more sustainable concrete production and improved 3D printing capabilities.
A team of MIT chemical engineers has developed a new method for incorporating hydrophobic drugs into tablets or other formulations, which allows for higher drug loading and potentially smaller dosages. This could lead to improved patient compliance and effectiveness, especially for people who have difficulty swallowing pills.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a new way of generating electricity using tiny carbon particles that can create a current simply by interacting with liquid surrounding them. This technology allows for electrochemistry without wires, enabling applications such as powering micro- or nanoscale robots and driving chemical reactions.
Engineers at MIT have developed the first digital fiber that can store, analyze, and infer physical activity, revolutionizing textiles for performance monitoring, medical inference, and disease detection. The fiber is thin, flexible, and can be sewn into fabrics without breaking down, opening up new possibilities for fabrics.
MIT Professor Kate Kellogg advocates for 'experimentalist governance' to find what works best for employees at all levels, then implement it widely. This approach helps overcome participation, threshold, and free rider problems associated with digital technology implementation.
MIT researchers have discovered how metal clusters weaken the strong nitrogen-nitrogen bond, enabling microbes to convert nitrogen into usable forms. The study sheds light on the mechanism of nitrogenases, critical enzymes that fix nitrogen in the atmosphere.
Researchers found an inverse relationship between distance and frequency of visits, with people visiting closer places more often. The study, which analyzed cellphone data from over 4 million people in four continents, suggests that urban planning can benefit from understanding this pattern.
MIT researchers have designed a sharp-tipped robot finger with tactile sensing to identify buried objects in granular material. The Digger Finger successfully sensed the shapes of submerged items and can penetrate sand and rice, with potential applications for finding buried cables or disarming bombs.
A new study finds that cultural collectivism is a strong predictor of mask usage in the US and globally, with high collectivistic cultures encouraging masking. The study analyzed datasets from the US and 29 countries, controlling for other factors to confirm the link between collectivism and mask use.
A new study finds that correcting online falsehoods on Twitter can lead to an increase in lower-quality, partisan content and toxicity, as users retweet and share false information after being corrected by others.
Researchers observed a supermassive black hole's accretion cycle, finding properties similar to stellar-mass black holes. The study suggests that accretion is independent of size, allowing for the capture of short timescale events like tidal disruption events.
A new study by MIT economists Gabriel Chodorow-Reich, Plamen T. Nenov, and Alp Simsek reveals that increased stock market wealth has moderate but clear economic effects. After analyzing data from the US on a county-by-county basis, they found that people spend about 3.2 cents per year out of each increased dollar of stock wealth they p...
MIT researchers have generated the most accurate gene annotation of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, confirming six new protein-coding genes and discovering a rare gene-within-a-gene. The study also analyzed over 1,800 mutations, revealing regions that may help the virus evade the immune system.
A study finds that different social groups have varying views of the problem's urgency, with Black Americans gaining a better understanding of their risk after learning about health disparities. White Americans' attitudes towards Blacks also play a role, with those with warmer feelings favoring a more vigorous public health response.
Researchers at MIT have found a way to control antiferromagnetic switching in neodymium nickelate, enabling potentially faster and more secure data storage. The discovery could lead to new types of memory devices using antiferromagnets.
MIT biologists discovered that cells are squeezed out of tissue when they can't replicate their DNA during cell division. This process, called extrusion, may serve as a way to eliminate cancerous or precancerous cells.
Researchers at MIT developed ChromoUpdate, a color-shifting 'programmable matter' system that can rapidly update images on object surfaces using UV light. This technology accelerates product development by enabling designers to churn through prototypes quickly and easily.
A study reconstructs permafrost's history over the last 1.5 million years, revealing that it shifted to a more stable state around 400,000 years ago. This stability suggests that more carbon is locked in the ground, potentially leading to greater climate change releases when thawing occurs.
Researchers at MIT developed a method to reduce fouling on heat exchanger surfaces by making salts self-eject, using hydrophobic surfaces and heat. The process involves the formation of 'crystal critters' that grow legs and eventually tip over, allowing the salts to be removed easily.
Engineers can now determine material properties like stress and strain from images of their internal structure, reducing computational complexity. The AI-powered approach uses computer vision and machine learning to generate estimates in real-time.
A new hydrogel-based material has been developed that mimics the structure of a lobster's underbelly, exhibiting remarkable fatigue-resistance and stretch properties. The material's angled architecture is thought to hinder crack propagation, allowing it to withstand repeated stretches and strains without tearing.
MIT researchers developed a publicly available model to estimate COVID-19 transmission risks in indoor settings, considering variables like people number, space size, activity type, mask wearing, and ventilation rates. The model provides a detailed guideline for policymakers, businesses, schools, and individuals to gauge their own risks.