Researchers use genetic analysis to determine when certain groups of bacteria evolved, providing insight into early environments and animal life. They found that three major groups of soil bacteria diversified around 450-350 million years ago, likely in response to changes in the environment.
MIT researchers have developed a new toxicity test that can measure chemical effects on cell survival with greater sensitivity than popular tests. The MicroColonyChip system uses tiny wells to form small colonies, allowing for rapid results in just a few days.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new microscopy technique that allows the observation of a metal surface during hydrogen penetration. This breakthrough could lead to safer reactor vessels and more efficient hydrogen storage tanks. The technique, which uses a liquid electrolyte to expose metal surfaces to a hydrogen environment, has ...
Researchers developed a deep-learning model that detects fake news by analyzing language patterns, finding favoritism towards exaggerations in false stories. The model achieved high accuracy in distinguishing fact from fiction, particularly when tested on novel topics.
A new study predicts that over 50% of the world's oceans will shift in color by the year 2100, with blue regions intensifying and green ones deepening. The changes are caused by climate-driven changes in phytoplankton communities and can be detected using satellite measurements.
Researchers found that lung tumors exploit altered bacterial populations to create an inflammatory environment that promotes their survival. Treating mice with antibiotics or blocking immune cells significantly reduced tumor size.
MIT engineers have developed an algorithm that enables autonomous underwater vehicles to weigh the risks and potential rewards of exploring unknown regions. The algorithm assesses risk levels and reward probabilities in real-time, allowing AUVs to take calculated risks when justified by potential scientific rewards.
Researchers designed an ingestible pill that quickly inflates to track stomach temperature for 30 days, then deflates using calcium solution. The hydrogel-based design is softer and longer-lasting than current sensors, inspired by the pufferfish's defense mechanism.
The MIT robot uses a soft-pronged gripper, force-sensing wrist cuff, and external camera to see and feel the tower and its individual blocks. It learns from visual and tactile feedback, and adapts its moves in real-time to avoid toppling the tower.
Researchers develop flexible, inexpensive material to convert Wi-Fi signals into electricity. The new device can power large-area electronics, wearables, medical devices, and more with a maximum output efficiency of 40 percent.
A new study shows that crowdsourcing audience judgments about news source quality can identify and marginalize online misinformation. The study found that both Democrats and Republicans distrust hyperpartisan sites, with low trust ratings across the board.
A novel model developed by MIT and Microsoft researchers identifies instances where autonomous systems learn from examples that don't match the real world, leading to dangerous errors. The model uses human feedback to pinpoint situations where more information is needed to act correctly.
Researchers discovered a link between air quality and happiness in Chinese cities, finding that higher pollution levels are associated with decreased happiness. Women and those on higher incomes were found to be more sensitive to pollution's impact.
MIT researchers have developed a new NMR technique that enhances sensitivity, enabling the analysis of complex protein structures in minutes. This breakthrough could provide insights into Alzheimer's and other diseases by studying amyloid beta protein and membrane-bound proteins.
Researchers have developed a new way to image the brain with unprecedented resolution and speed, revealing individual neurons and their connections. The technique combines expansion microscopy with lattice light-sheet microscopy, allowing for rapid imaging of large volumes of brain tissue.
A gel-like structure in the inner ear moves according to a sound's frequency, allowing detection of faint sounds Researchers at MIT found that the size and arrangement of pores within the tectorial membrane make it highly selective, amplifying middle frequencies while reducing high and low tones
The tool uses Bayesian modeling to automatically generate statistical models from raw data, addressing a bottleneck in the data science field. By providing a user-friendly interface, it enables nonstatisticians to uncover insights and patterns in data, making data science more accessible to those without extensive expertise.
The researchers have produced a catalog of exact sizes and shapes of holes that form in 2-D sheets when atoms are missing from the material's crystal lattice. This new catalog could help open up various potential applications, including filtration, chemical processing, DNA sequencing and quantum computing.
MIT engineers develop a microfluidic technique to quickly assess bacteria's electrochemical activity, finding a strong correlation between polarizability and electricity production. This breakthrough could lead to new applications in power generation and environmental cleanup.
Researchers detected periodic X-ray signal near black hole event horizon, estimating spin of 50% the speed of light. The discovery uses tidal disruption flare to estimate black hole spin for the first time.
Researchers detected 'echoes' within an X-ray burst from a black hole, suggesting the corona shrinks as it feeds. The corona, halo of highly-energized electrons, significantly contracts from 100km to 10km in just over a month.
Scientists have discovered a new planet, HD 21749b, with the longest orbital period of three planets so far identified by TESS. The planet, about three times the size of Earth and 23 times as massive, is likely a dense, gaseous 'sub-Neptune' world.
Researchers at MIT have developed an inhalable form of messenger RNA that can be delivered directly to the lungs, showing promise for treating various lung diseases. The aerosol-formulated mRNA was found to induce lung cells in mice to produce a target protein, paving the way for potential treatments.
Researchers propose using tiny satellites with lasers to provide a steady reference light for massive space telescopes, relaxing the need for precision in segmented telescope designs. This approach aims to reduce costs and enable more flexible telescope designs.
Researchers developed a computer program that translates free-form drawings into DNA structures, enabling users to create complex nanostructures for various applications. The 'PERDIX' program uses a mathematical approach to automate the design process, making it accessible to anyone with basic drawing skills.
Researchers found the Sahara desert's climate swung between lush and arid conditions every 20,000 years, synchronized with monsoon activity. The study used sediment cores to analyze dust deposits and rare isotopes of thorium, revealing a 20,000-year beat that contradicts previous ice age cycle explanations.
Researchers at MIT and elsewhere have recorded the temporal coherence of a graphene qubit, demonstrating a key step forward for practical quantum computing. The qubit maintained a superposition state for 55 nanoseconds before returning to its ground state.
A new MIT study identifies chloroform as a significant threat to ozone layer recovery, with increased emissions in East Asia potentially delaying the process by four to eight years. The researchers found that production of products from chloroform is on the rise in the region, contributing to the growing problem.
A new study reveals how the worm's digestive tract signals the brain when to linger in a plentiful spot. Researchers found that specialized nerve cells detect bacteria and release neurotransmitters to slow down or speed up locomotion.
Economists offer a new view of how cartels work, finding that firms don't need extensive information-sharing to collude. In fact, reduced transparency can help firms undercut cartels and gain market share, according to the study published in the Journal of Political Economy.
Researchers at MIT and Sandia National Laboratories have developed a new laser-based system that can monitor radiation-induced changes continuously, providing more useful data much faster than traditional methods. This allows for detailed studies of the performance of materials in just hours, instead of months.
Researchers at MIT have developed a wireless ingestible capsule that can be controlled using Bluetooth technology. The capsule, which can deliver drugs or sense environmental conditions, can reside in the stomach for up to a month and transmit information to a user's smartphone.
Researchers develop 'implosion fabrication' technique to create nanoscale 3D objects with high resolution and functional materials. The method enables assembly of materials in a low-density scaffold, allowing for easy modification and dense solid formation.
Scientists and engineers will collaborate on a new Climate Modeling Alliance to advance climate modeling and prediction. The goal is a climate model that projects future changes more accurately, with uncertainties at least half the size of existing models.
Researchers at MIT used a deep neural network to reconstruct transparent objects from low-exposure images taken in the dark. The technique could illuminate features of biological tissues and cells in low-light conditions, reducing the need for excessive light exposure that can damage specimens.
The MIT-designed terahertz laser achieves three key performance goals: high constant power, tight beam pattern, and broad electric frequency tuning. This technology could be used for improved skin and breast cancer imaging, detecting drugs and explosives, and mapping the Milky Way galaxy.
Researchers develop device that uses suspended structure to absorb solar energy, heating water to boiling point and producing superheated steam. The device can be used in remote regions to generate drinking water, sterilize medical equipment, or supply heat for industrial processes.
Researchers at MIT created variants of a wasp venom peptide that are potent against bacteria while nontoxic to human cells. The peptides were designed by analyzing the structure and function of the original molecule, identifying optimal percentages of hydrophobic amino acids and positively charged amino acids.
A new study by MIT researchers finds that compiling massive, anonymized datasets about people's movement patterns can make it easier to discern users' identities. The study shows how merging different types of location-stamped data can lead to a high matchability success rate, increasing the possibility of deanonymizing real user data.
MIT engineers develop a new technique to test soft materials' properties by mimicking the sound sequences used by bats and dolphins in echolocation. This approach enables rapid characterization of materials such as drying cement, clotting blood, or saliva over time.
Researchers propose new storage system to deliver electricity on demand using molten silicon and high-temperature pump, offering cost-effective alternative to pumped hydroelectric storage. The system could be paired with existing renewable energy systems to capture excess electricity during the day and store it for later use.
The LIGO and Virgo collaborations have detected 10 stellar-mass binary black hole mergers and one neutron star merger, with six of the black hole events previously reported. The new detections include GW170729, GW170809, GW170818, and GW170823, which are included in a new catalog of gravitational-wave events.
A new study suggests combining kinase inhibitors with ribonucleases could lead to better results against melanoma. The combination kills cells more effectively than either drug alone, potentially preventing tumor resistance. Researchers hope to test the combination in clinical trials.
Researchers at MIT used high-speed imaging to study the effects of tiny particles striking metal surfaces. They found that a brief period of melting upon impact plays a crucial role in eroding surfaces, challenging the industry rule that higher velocities always lead to better results.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that detect proteases produced by bacteria and immune cells, allowing for faster diagnosis of pneumonia. The sensors can indicate whether antibiotics are effective in treating the infection.
Researchers at MIT have devised a new way of providing cooling on a hot sunny day using inexpensive materials and no fossil fuel-generated power. The passive system allows emission of heat at mid-infrared range, radiating into outer space and punching through greenhouse gases.
MIT engineers have designed a material that can administer drugs directly to the cartilage, delivering IGF-1 and stimulating cell growth and production of proteoglycans. The treatment has shown promising results in animal studies, preventing cartilage breakdown and reducing joint inflammation.
Researchers at MIT found a mysterious RNA buildup in neurons that increases with age, reducing protein production and potentially contributing to neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery was made using a novel technique that allowed them to isolate and sequence messenger RNA from specific types of cells.
MIT engineers have built and flown the first-ever plane with no moving parts, powered by an 'ionic wind' that generates enough thrust to propel the aircraft over a sustained flight. The lightweight aircraft is silent, doesn't depend on fossil fuels, and produces zero combustion emissions.
Researchers analyzed the cost drop of solar photovoltaic modules over four decades, attributing it to improved conversion efficiency and government policies. The study suggests that having multiple 'knobs' to turn can lead to steady cost declines in technology.