Engineers have developed an AI-based rapid screening system to test fracture resistance in vast arrays of candidate materials. The system uses machine-learning to analyze the propagation of cracks through a material's molecular structure, reducing testing time from hours to milliseconds.
Researchers at MIT have identified a potential new treatment for Fragile X syndrome, a disorder causing intellectual disability and autism, using a small-molecule compound that reverses behavioral and cellular features. The compound targets the GSK3 alpha enzyme, which may also be effective against other diseases such as Alzheimer's.
A team of researchers from MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital has developed a new approach to splitting ventilators, allowing for personalized airflow control and pressure release valves. This system could make it easier to divide air flow for Covid-19 patients in emergencies when no other options are available.
Researchers discovered that aging neurons accumulate DNA damage, particularly oxidative 8-oxo-guanine lesions. Reactivating the enzyme HDAC1 can help repair this damage and improve cognitive function in mice.
The Conformable Decoders Group at MIT's Media Lab implemented a lean lab approach, reducing time spent on closing down operations from over an hour to just 15 minutes. This led to significant cost savings, increased productivity, and a strong safety record.
A study by MIT economist Daron Acemoglu finds that adding one robot per 1,000 workers reduces national employment-to-population ratio by about 0.2 percent, with some areas affected more than others. This translates to each additional robot replacing about 3.3 workers nationally, on average.
Researchers found that fluid flow across flat surfaces has three distinct zones, including a lengthy transitional zone, which significantly affects heat transfer calculations. This discovery could improve the accuracy of heat exchanger designs and engineering practices in various industries.
MIT engineers have devised a way to speed up drug development by rapidly testing how well drugs are absorbed in the small intestine. The new system uses pig intestinal tissue grown in the lab to test thousands of different versions of a drug in just hours.
The MIT-led consortium analyzed 18 incidents of viral contamination in biopharmaceutical drugs and found that most were caused by Chinese hamster ovary cells. The study recommends companies use rapid virus detection systems and new technologies to inactivate or remove viruses from cell culture media.
Researchers created a novel microneedle technology that can target plant tissues for delivering life-saving treatments to crops ravaged by diseases. The method uses silk-based biomaterials and drug-delivery devices to precisely access plant vasculature.
Researchers at MIT developed a new automated AI system that reduces the energy required for training and running neural networks. The system, called a 'once-for-all' network, trains one large neural network comprising many pretrained subnetworks, reducing carbon emissions by low triple digits.
Researchers discovered that marine bacteria process a key chemical called dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) in
Researchers have developed a way to incorporate electronic sensors into stretchy fabrics, allowing for the creation of shirts or other garments that can monitor vital signs. The sensor-embedded garments are machine washable, customizable, and can be worn by people who need to track their physical data.
Researchers identified subsets of cells in the lung, nasal passages, and intestine that express RNA for both proteins helping SARS-CoV-2 enter human cells. These findings may help guide scientists developing new treatments or repurposing existing drugs.
MIT researchers have developed a method to remotely control hormone release from the adrenal gland using magnetic nanoparticles, offering a less invasive alternative to existing treatments. The technique uses heat-sensitive ion channels to stimulate hormone production, potentially treating conditions such as PTSD and chronic pain.
A team of MIT researchers has developed specialized proteins that can soak up excess cytokines, alleviating symptoms from coronavirus infection. The proteins, designed to mimic cytokine receptors, have shown promise in laboratory tests and are now being tested in human cells and animal models.
Researchers embed carbon nanotube sensors in plant leaves to detect hydrogen peroxide signaling waves, allowing for real-time tracking of plant stress responses. The new approach enables comparison across different plant species, providing insights into how plants counteract damage and respond to various types of stress.
Researchers at MIT have successfully cooled sodium lithium molecules down to 200 billionths of a Kelvin using collisional cooling, enabling the potential for molecule-based quantum computing. The technique involved making the molecules and atoms spin in sync, avoiding 'bad' collisions that heated or destroyed the molecules.
A team of scientists from MIT has found evidence to contradict previous claims that the Earth's magnetic field existed beyond 3.5 billion years ago. The researchers studied zircons excavated from an ancient outcrop in Western Australia and concluded that these minerals are unreliable as recorders of ancient magnetic fields.
Researchers found sets of cells in the hippocampus activated during similar types of experiences, such as trying new foods or visiting a restaurant. These 'lap-encoding cells' are distinct from memory cells that store specific locations and may help the brain interpret novel situations and learn new information.
Researchers developed a new approach to detecting lung cancer using nanoparticles that can interact with enzymes linked to the disease. The sensors were tested in mice and found to accurately detect tumors at an early stage, reducing false positives.
Dopamine released deep within the brain influences both nearby and distant brain regions, with significant effects found in the motor cortex and insular cortex. High dopamine concentrations promote longer periods of neuronal activity, suggesting a key function in learning and reward processing.
Spanish invaders depended on Mesoamerican copper smelting technology to produce bronze artillery pieces. Indigenous experts shared their knowledge with European colonizers, allowing them to smelt copper and create essential armaments.
Researchers at MIT have developed a way to encapsulate therapeutic cells in a flexible protective device that prevents immune rejection while allowing oxygen and nutrients to reach the cells. This technology could lead to long-term treatment of chronic diseases such as diabetes.
MIT engineers create soft, flexible neural implants that can conform to the brain's contours and monitor activity over longer periods. The devices are made from a type of polymer that is electrically conductive and can be printed using a conventional 3D printer.
Researchers at MIT used machine learning to streamline the discovery process for new materials, narrowing down 3 million candidates to eight promising options in just five weeks. The neural network was able to predict properties and optimize criteria, improving upon conventional analytical methods.
A team of researchers suggests using a drug commonly used for blood clots, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), to help Covid-19 patients with severe respiratory distress. The approach is based on emerging data from China and Italy showing a disorder of blood clotting contributing to respiratory failure.
A MIT-developed simulation system, VISTA, trains driverless cars to navigate worse-case scenarios, such as near-crash situations, in a photorealistic environment. This allows controllers to learn and recover from these situations before being deployed on real-world vehicles.
Researchers at MIT discovered that the waves produced on an egg's surface during fertilization are similar to those found in ocean and atmospheric circulations, as well as quantum fluids. The study reveals a universal wave pattern that helps organize cell division and formation of an organism.
A new adhesive method allows conductive polymer gels to adhere to a wide variety of surfaces, including glass and gold, even when exposed to moisture. This breakthrough enables the development of more durable and reliable biomedical sensors and implants.
Researchers created a tiny sensor that can detect ethylene gas concentrations as low as 15 parts per billion. The sensor uses carbon nanotubes and palladium catalysts to measure ethylene levels in real-time, revealing when fruits and vegetables are about to spoil.
MIT biological engineers develop a multitissue model of the colon and liver, revealing how different tissues contribute to inflammatory diseases. The study finds that metabolic byproducts generated by bacteria play an important role in exacerbating inflammation.
Emissions of CFC-11 and CFC-12 are larger than expected, with CFC banks slowly leaking these chemicals into the atmosphere, delaying ozone recovery and contributing to climate change.
A new study by MIT economists finds that doctors who have immunity from liability lawsuits perform slightly more C-section operations compared to those who are legally liable, about 4% more over a 10-year period. This challenges the common perception that defensive medicine leads to less treatment of patients.
A new study by MIT economists reveals that the decline in labor's share of GDP is primarily driven by market concentration among large companies. The study found that top firms in various sectors have gained market share, while smaller firms with higher labor shares have lost out.
A new study reveals that plants transfer excess energy from chlorophyll to carotenoids, which release it as heat, preventing photodamage. This discovery could help scientists develop new ways to improve crop yields by understanding the natural photoprotection system of plants.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict the behavior of glucose-responsive insulins in humans and rodents. The model identified optimal designs that could work well in both species, with about 13% predicted to be effective in both, and 14% in humans alone.
Researchers at MIT developed a system called PUnS that lets robots plan and perform complex tasks like setting a dinner table under uncertain conditions. The system enables robots to weigh multiple requirements and choose the most likely action, based on a 'belief' about probable specifications for the task.
The new Boston building will be one of the largest residential wooden structures in the US, featuring a cross-laminated timber structure that eliminates most greenhouse-gas emissions. Its kit-of-parts approach and energy-efficient design make it a pioneering example of sustainable building in urban areas.
CurveBoards enable easier testing of circuit functions and user interactions with products like smart devices and flexible electronics. The custom-designed objects merge form and function testing in early prototyping stages, improving the overall prototyping experience.
A new computer model developed by MIT cognitive scientists can quickly generate a detailed scene description from an image, similar to the brain's ability. The model, known as efficient inverse graphics (EIG), reverses the steps used in computer graphics programs to generate images, allowing it to infer underlying features of a scene. ...
A study by MIT scholars finds economics citations in psychology journals have doubled since 2000, while public health papers cite economics work twice as often as 10 years ago. The proportion of empirical economics papers cited in top journals has risen by 20 percentage points since 1990.
A recent study found that disclaimers on some false news stories can make people more willing to believe other false stories. In contrast, placing 'Verified' tags on true stories eliminates the problem. The study's findings suggest a solution for social media platforms to improve their labeling systems.
A new study reveals a neural circuit that underlies sensory hypersensitivity in mice with autism-like traits. The research suggests that reestablishing normal levels of neuron activity could reverse this kind of hypersensitivity, providing a potential target for developing treatments.
Researchers at MIT have developed a machine learning method to fill in the missing low-frequency seismic waves in human-generated seismic data, allowing for more accurate mapping of underground structures. The technique was trained on simulated earthquakes and used to infer missing frequencies from new input data.
A study found that volunteer-based outreach programs, such as door-to-door canvassing in Liberia, can effectively spread valuable information and change public practices during epidemics. The program improved health outcomes, increased public trust in government institutions, and led to more people following control measures.
Physicists have induced and measured nonsymmetrical states in a layered material using circularly polarized mid-infrared light. This phenomenon, known as chirality, can be controlled and enhanced by shining the light beam at specific conditions, demonstrating a new tool for manipulating electronic behavior in materials.
Researchers characterized the strong nuclear force at extremely short distances, revealing a surprising transition that challenges current understanding. The findings have huge implications for neutron stars and nuclear systems as a whole.
A new device called SEPSTAT can absorb trace contaminants from water and preserve them in a dry state, allowing for easy mail-in testing. This technology has the potential to improve water quality monitoring, particularly in resource-constrained regions.
Engineers at MIT developed a small, mirrored chip that helps produce dark-field images without expensive components. The chip can be added to standard microscopes or hand-held microscopes to visualize difficult-to-image biological organisms.