A cryptographic 'tag of everything' can verify a product's authenticity, with implications for combating losses due to supply chain counterfeiting. The MIT-developed ID chip is small enough for virtually any product, uses photovoltaic diodes for power and backscatter technique for transmission.
Research at MIT found that transient invaders can lead to a rapid takeover of the ecosystem, but then disappear. This phenomenon occurs when the invader's growth produces metabolic byproducts that raise the pH, making the environment less hospitable for itself and other species.
MIT researchers used a deep-learning model to identify a new antibiotic compound that can kill many species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including some strains resistant to all known antibiotics. The compound, called halicin, was found using an in silico screening method and showed effectiveness against various bacterial strains.
Researchers develop framework to consider asteroid mass, momentum, and warning time to determine most successful deflection mission. The method could be used to design optimal mission configuration and campaign to deflect potentially hazardous near-Earth asteroids.
Researchers found that Earth's oceans already contain just the right amount of iron, making it unlikely to improve carbon dioxide absorption. Phytoplankton growth is more dependent on organic compounds called ligands, which regulate iron availability.
Researchers at MIT have developed a low-cost, disposable smart diaper that uses RFID technology to alert caregivers when a baby is wet. The sensor detects moisture and sends a signal to a nearby receiver, which can send a notification to a smartphone or computer.
A new method using bubble-attracting sheets of specially textured mesh can significantly reduce or eliminate foamy bubbles in industrial processes. The system works by attracting and shedding bubbles, allowing them to dissipate quickly and reducing the need for chemical additives.
A system created by MIT researchers can pinpoint and replace specific information in Wikipedia sentences while retaining humanlike grammar and style. This technology has potential to automatically update factual inconsistencies in Wikipedia articles, reducing time and effort spent by human editors.
A study by MIT researchers found that over half of US air-quality-related early deaths are caused by emissions from other states. Electric power generation is the main culprit, accounting for up to 75% of cases. However, deaths associated with air pollution have decreased significantly since 2005, with a 30% reduction in 2018.
A new study estimates that improving handwashing rates by travelers passing through just 10 major airports could significantly reduce the spread of many infectious diseases. The findings suggest that focusing handwashing messaging in these 10 airports could potentially slow the disease spread by as much as 37 percent.
Researchers develop process called remote epitaxy to manufacture flexible semiconducting films on a large, thick wafer. The team can then peel away the film, reuse the wafer, and create multiple functionalities in a cost-effective way.
The system uses multiple layers of flat solar evaporators and condensers to harness sunlight and produce fresh potable water. It achieves an overall efficiency of 385 percent, surpassing previous records by two times.
A study by MIT economists found that areas in Indonesia where Dutch colonial rulers built a huge sugar-producing industry in the 1800s remain more economically productive today. The research shows that villages with Dutch-built sugar-processing factories have greater economic activity, manufacturing, and higher local education levels c...
A new study outlines a roadmap for perovskite-based solar cells to gain traction in the global market. Starting with higher-value niche markets, manufacturers can avoid steep initial capital costs and gradually expand production capabilities.
Researchers at MIT have devised a lithium metal anode that could improve battery performance by reducing stress on the solid electrolyte layer. The new design utilizes a three-dimensional nanoarchitecture, allowing the lithium to flow like a liquid while maintaining its solid structure.
Researchers discovered atomic-resolution structure of BM2, a key influenza B protein. This finding helps design drugs to block the protein and prevent viral spread. The study also revealed unique structural differences between influenza A and B proteins.
A new cryptocurrency-routing scheme, Spider, has been developed to boost the efficiency of certain networks designed to speed up blockchain transactions. This routing scheme lets users invest only a fraction of funds in each account, allowing for roughly four times more transactions before rebalancing on the blockchain.
Researchers used a genetic screen to identify genes essential for neuron survival, including those involved in cellular metabolism. The study also uncovered new targets for treating Huntington's disease, such as the Nme gene family.
A team of engineers at MIT has developed a bionic 'heart' to test prosthetic valves and other cardiac devices, reducing the need for animal testing and increasing design efficiency. The device combines real heart tissue with soft artificial muscles to mimic the natural beating motion of a human heart.
Researchers at MIT and NREL propose slimming down silicon cells to reduce costs and increase manufacturing capacity. By reducing wafer thickness from 160 micrometers to as little as 40 micrometers, the study suggests a significant reduction in material usage and potential savings.
A new study by MIT professor Arnold Barnett reveals that airline passenger fatalities have declined significantly between 2008 and 2017, with a global fatality rate of one death per 7.9 million passenger boardings.
Researchers develop technique to evaluate reliability of patient risk models, which often fail to accurately predict outcomes. The method generates an unreliability score, indicating when a model's predictions are less trustworthy, helping doctors avoid ineffective or unnecessarily risky treatments.
Researchers developed RoadTagger to predict lane counts and road types with high accuracy, helping improve GPS navigation in unfamiliar locations. The model uses a combination of neural network architectures to automatically tag road features, enabling the creation of accurate digital maps.
Researchers create a new material that can break down in response to light, offering a faster and easier way to remove gastrointestinal devices. The light-sensitive hydrogel is made from a combination of strong components linked together by a chemical bond that breaks when exposed to specific wavelengths of light.
Researchers create carbon nanotube film that generates heat, causing materials to fuse together without the need for huge ovens or autoclaves. The technique produces composites as strong as those made in conventional manufacturing methods, using only 1% of the energy.
Researchers found that people rarely used the pronoun 'she' when referring to the next U.S. president before the 2016 election, despite believing a woman would win. The study suggests an implicit bias against using 'she' in such contexts, which persisted even after Clinton's expected victory.
A new study by MIT economists found that a hotspotting program has virtually no impact on patient health care use, contradicting previous claims of a significant reduction in rehospitalizations. The study evaluated 800 patients and found similar outcomes between those enrolled in the program and those not.
MIT engineers develop new laser ultrasound technique that remotely images inside a person, eliminating the need for direct contact. The method uses sound waves generated by a laser to create images comparable to conventional ultrasound, with potential applications in imaging infants, burn victims, and accident survivors.
The MIT-developed model uses anonymized credit card transactions and quarterly reports to predict company earnings, outperforming human analysts on 57% of predictions. The researchers' method tackles the 'small data' problem by combining noisy signals with traditional financial data.
Researchers have developed a novel way to record patient vaccination history by storing data in a pattern of invisible dye delivered under the skin. The dye remains stable for at least five years and can be detected using a specially equipped smartphone, promising to improve vaccine administration in developing nations.
A new screening method developed by MIT biological engineers can detect DNA damage in cells, which can predict cancer development. The test uses human liver-like cells and has enhanced sensitivity, detecting all nine chemicals tested.
The global diabetes epidemic is reaching epidemic levels, with 425 million people affected and projected to increase to over 600 million. The book 'Traveling with Sugar' examines the havoc diabetes has caused in Belize, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure for treating the condition.
A new MIT study examines the opposing roles of natural gas in the battle against climate change, as a bridge toward a lower-emissions future and a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. To meet greenhouse gas reduction targets over the coming decade, present methods of controlling methane leakage would have to improve by 30-90 percent.
A new study analyzes the value of Medicaid for low-income adults in Oregon, finding they value it at a fraction of their medical costs. The study suggests that Medicaid effectively acts as a subsidy for healthcare providers and state programs covering uninsured patients.
Researchers use millimeter-wave spectroscopy to observe reaction products, determining the structure of the transition state for the first time. The study identifies two different transition states and suggests additional mechanisms may be involved.
The new instrument has helped scientists pick out dozens of gravitational wave signals, including one from a binary neutron star merger. This extended range has enabled LIGO to detect gravitational waves on an almost weekly basis, with the detectors now reaching distances of over 400 million light years.
Researchers at MIT have developed a monthly oral contraceptive that can remain in the stomach for three weeks, releasing contraceptive drugs over several weeks. The pill has shown promise in tests in pigs, achieving similar drug concentrations as daily doses.
Researchers found that suppressing alpha waves in one hemisphere of the parietal cortex improves attention to objects on the opposite side of the visual field. Neurofeedback training increased contrast perception, suggesting a causal relationship between alpha wave control and attention enhancement.
Researchers have identified a combination of two drugs that can relax the walls of the ureter, reducing contractions that cause pain when passing a kidney stone. The treatment, which delivers muscle relaxants directly to the ureter, has shown promising results in reducing the frequency and length of contractions.
Researchers at MIT have developed a model called ADEPT that demonstrates an understanding of basic intuitive physics. The model observes objects moving in scenes and makes predictions based on their underlying physics, registering levels of surprise when they deviate from expectations.
Researchers develop method to induce bacteria to switch between pathways at different times, optimizing production without human intervention. This approach boosts microbial yields by up to tenfold for two different products.
MIT researchers have devised a novel circuit design that enables precise control of computing with magnetic waves, without any extra components or electrical current. This approach leverages the spin wave property in magnetic materials to produce measurable output that can be correlated to computation.
A new method accelerates template creation for medical-image analysis, generating brain scan templates based on patient attributes such as age and sex. The model can synthesize atlases from sparse data, improving disease diagnosis accuracy.
Researchers have developed coated seeds that can grow in salty soils by providing a protective coating and fertilizer-generating microbes. These seeds showed improved health and growth compared to untreated seeds in unproductive soil fields.
Researchers at MIT have developed a transparent, conductive coating material that increases the electrical conductivity of high-efficiency solar cells by tenfold. The new material also enhances the stability and efficiency of perovskite-based solar cells.
Researchers at MIT developed a model that learns a compact state representation for soft robots, optimizing movement control and material design parameters. This enables 2D and 3D soft robots to complete tasks quickly and accurately in simulations.
The MIT researchers developed a bot equipped with artificial intelligence that can beat human players in tricky online multiplayer games where player roles and motives are kept secret. The bot uses deductive reasoning to identify friend or foe, ensuring victory over humans in certain games.
A technique identified T cells that react to peanut allergens by analyzing their RNA expression. The study could help guide researchers in developing new treatments for food allergies.
Scientists have developed a compact device that produces terahertz waves by spinning nitrous oxide molecules, offering precise control over wireless communication distances. The technology has the potential to revolutionize applications in radar, spectroscopy, and medical imaging.
Researchers at MIT have developed a way to encapsulate iron and vitamin A in a biocompatible polymer, which can be easily added to staple foods. The technology has the potential to help billions of people suffering from micronutrient deficiencies, particularly children who are more susceptible to diseases like measles.