Researchers at MIT have designed a highly energy-efficient community building using mass timber, demonstrating its potential for large-scale applications. The structure's laminated veneer lumber design offers improved fire resistance and carbon sequestration, making it an attractive alternative to conventional materials.
Researchers develop targeted approach to treat glioma, using microparticles to deliver drug directly to brain. The treatment targets a specific mutation found in 20-25% of gliomas and has shown promise in extending patient survival.
African scientists developed diverse practices to combat tsetse flies, including late-season forest burning and innoculations, which were later adopted by Europeans as part of their 'science'. The book highlights the importance of understanding the connections between human and environmental mobilities in knowledge production.
Researchers at MIT have designed an optical filter on a chip that can process optical signals from across an extremely wide spectrum of light. The technology offers greater precision and flexibility for designing photonic devices, studying photons, and other applications.
The BioBits kits allow students to learn about key biological concepts through experiments with DNA and produce glowing proteins or scents. The kits contain freeze-dried cellular components, making them inexpensive and accessible.
A new study shows that China's North China Plain, a region with intensive irrigation, is expected to experience deadly heat waves repeatedly, with the risk being significantly increased due to higher humidity. The region faces the greatest risks to human life from rising temperatures, surpassing other global hotspots.
Researchers at MIT have developed tiny robots made of electronic circuits coupled to minuscule particles called colloids, which can flow through intestines or pipelines to detect problems. The devices are self-powered, requiring no external power source or internal batteries.
A new study from MIT found that doctors' written notes reveal their 'gut feelings' play a significant role in determining how many tests they order for patients, beyond just analyzing symptoms and medical data. The researchers used sentiment analysis to uncover this correlation, which was strongest at the beginning of a patient's hospi...
Researchers at MIT have designed a polymer material that can change its structure in response to different wavelengths of light, converting from rigid to softer and self-healing states. The material, composed of polymers attached to a light-sensitive molecule, can reversibly switch between two different topological states.
Researchers found that climate plays a significant role in shaping river basins, with dry climates resulting in long and thin basins regardless of size. In contrast, larger humid basins are longer and thinner, while smaller humid basins are wider and shorter.
A team of MIT scientists analyzed two years of data from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and found no evidence of Lorentz violation in high-energy neutrinos. The results establish the most stringent limits to date on the existence of Lorentz violation in neutrinos, confirming Einstein's theory.
Researchers found that cratonic roots may contain 1 to 2 percent diamond, with a total estimated value of quadrillion tons. The discovery challenges previous assumptions about the rarity of diamond and sheds light on the geological scale of its presence.
Researchers propose using gravitational waves to estimate the Hubble constant and measure the rate of the expanding universe. By detecting gravitational waves from rare black hole-neutron star binary systems, scientists can obtain an independent and precise measurement of their distance and velocity.
Researchers at MIT developed nanoparticle 'backpacks' that hold immune-stimulating drugs and attach them directly to T cells, enhancing their activity without harmful side effects. In a study of mice, the approach led to tumor disappearance in over half of treated animals, offering new hope for treating solid tumors.
Researchers create nanodevices using kirigami-inspired technique to filter out circularly polarized light, potentially enabling new applications in sensing, computation, and communications systems. The approach could lead to smaller, more efficient detectors and nanoscale optical isolators for laser optical communications systems.
Researchers at MIT have developed a machine-learning model that automates molecule design for pharmaceuticals, speeding up the process while producing better results. The model uses molecular graphs to select lead molecule candidates and modify their structures for higher potency.
The Cheetah 3 robot can navigate staircases littered with debris and recover its balance when yanked or shoved, thanks to two new algorithms developed by MIT engineers. The contact detection algorithm helps the robot determine the best time for a leg to switch from swinging in the air to stepping on the ground.
A new coating developed by MIT researchers provides water-repellency to natural fabrics without the environmental harm of existing chemicals. The coating uses a shorter-chain polymer and initiated chemical vapor deposition process, resulting in high performance and durability.
A new study by MIT economists challenges the idea that most Medicare spending goes to patients who are unlikely to survive. The research found that less than 5% of Medicare spending is allocated to the top percentile of high-risk patients, with a predicted one-year mortality rate of just 46%.
MIT engineers developed a simple, low-cost passive prosthetic foot that can be tailored to an individual's body weight and size, allowing for a more natural gait. The custom-designed prostheses use a design framework that predicts a user's biomechanical performance based on the mechanical design of the prosthetic foot.
A new type of personalized machine learning helps robots accurately assess children's engagement and interest during autism therapy, with a correlation score of 60% compared to human experts. This technology aims to augment human therapists with key information to personalize therapy content and create more engaging interactions.
The study reveals the atomic structure of tropoelastin, a protein responsible for living tissues' flexibility. Researchers decoded the molecular structure using a combination of molecular modeling and experimental observation.
A new study from MIT finds that piano lessons enhance word discrimination in kindergartners, particularly with consonants, without improving overall cognitive ability. The researchers suggest that music education is at least as beneficial for language skills and possibly more beneficial than additional reading instruction.
Scientists at MIT have discovered nearly 80 new planetary candidates in the K2 dataset, including a likely planet that orbits HD 73344 every 15 days. The planet is estimated to be 2.5 times the size of Earth and 10 times as massive, with surface temperatures reaching 1,200-1,300 degrees Celsius.
A new study from MIT and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that pancreatic tumors can cause weight loss due to reduced digestive enzymes, but treatment with enzyme replacement did not improve survival. The researchers suggest a potential protective mechanism underlying this process.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new chip design called Navion that can process camera images and inertial measurements in real-time, allowing for accurate navigation of miniature drones. The chip consumes just 24 milliwatts of power and is about the size of a LEGO minifigure's footprint.
A new study led by MIT researchers found that taking modest climate action could prevent extreme water-shortage scenarios in Asia by 2050. The study simulated various economic and climate pathways for the continent, revealing a 50% chance of increased water stress in southern and eastern Asia.
Researchers developed an algorithm that accelerates the registration of 3D medical images by learning from previous registrations, reducing processing time to minutes or seconds. The 'VoxelMorph' algorithm uses convolutional neural networks and achieves comparable accuracy to state-of-the-art systems.
A new study found that China's sulfur emissions from coal-fired power plants decreased by 13.9% after implementing a law requiring significant reductions, but compliance varied widely among regions. The research used satellite data and on-the-ground emissions monitoring systems to pinpoint discrepancies and suggest policy lessons.
A team of MIT engineers has developed a way to improve the survival time for divers in frigid water by up to three times, using a combination of a blubber-like insulating material and trapped pockets of gas. The new wetsuit treatment uses heavy inert gases like xenon or krypton to reduce heat loss from the body.
A new probiotic mix of natural and engineered bacteria can diagnose and treat cholera by detecting a specific molecule and producing an enzyme that kills the bacteria. This approach offers an inexpensive and quick means to track the disease and provide treatment, potentially replacing traditional antibiotics.
Researchers develop magnetically activated soft robots with controlled movements, enabling remote control in enclosed spaces. The new technique uses a new type of 3D-printable ink infused with magnetic particles, allowing for fast, forceful, and body-benign movement.
A new study from MIT and Harvard University introduces the 'Therepi' device, which attaches directly to damaged heart tissue to deliver multiple therapies. The device addresses issues with current drug delivery methods, providing a non-invasive solution for treating heart disease.
Researchers have developed a new ultrafast and highly sensitive bolometer that can work at room temperature, paving the way for new astronomical observatories, heat sensors, and quantum sensing devices. The device uses graphene to amplify absorption of electromagnetic radiation, enabling precise measurements in picoseconds.
A new MIT system captures water evaporating from cooling towers, reducing water loss and providing clean drinking water for coastal cities. The system's efficiency is improved by using ion beams to charge water droplets, allowing them to be drawn toward a mesh of wires.
The new transmitter uses ultrafast 'frequency hopping' and data encryption to protect signals from being intercepted and jammed. This technology could secure medical devices, wearables, vehicles, and smart household technologies, making the internet of things a more secure place.
Researchers identified a neural strategy that enables the brain to rapidly select and perform different mental operations. The brain uses a combination of internal cues and external inputs to control movement times flexibly, allowing for novel computations on the fly.
Researchers at MIT developed an algorithm to prioritize and transmit data from sensors in real-time, ensuring the freshest possible data is received by a network. The algorithm calculates an 'index' based on data age, channel reliability, and node priority, guaranteeing optimal decision-making without overloading wireless channels.
Researchers at MIT have devised a new method for enhancing the interaction between light and matter, which could lead to more efficient solar cells that collect a wider range of light wavelengths. By slowing down light and controlling its frequency, they can also create tunable color LEDs with fully tunable emissions.
Researchers developed a wireless system to power implants deep within human body, eliminating battery limitations. The technology uses radio waves to supply energy to devices, enabling remote control of medical applications such as drug delivery and sensing.
Researchers at MIT have developed an AI-based method to design multilayered nanoparticles with desired properties, potentially speeding up the development of new materials. The technique uses computational neural networks to learn how a nanoparticle's structure affects its behavior, allowing for faster prediction and design.
Researchers found that APOE4 promotes beta amyloid protein accumulation, leading to Alzheimer's pathology. They also discovered that editing the gene can eliminate signs of Alzheimer's in brain cells.
Researchers developed a new neural interface paradigm that preserves dynamic muscle relationships in amputated limbs, allowing for proprioceptive feedback and movement commands. The technique improved sensation and control of prosthetic limbs, enabling people with artificial limbs to move more efficiently and naturally.
A new compression bandage developed by MIT engineers features pressure-sensing photonic fibers that change color in response to pressure. This allows caregivers to gauge the optimal pressure and adjust the bandage accordingly.
MIT physicists have found a way to boost thermoelectricity's potential, with a theoretical method that could produce five times more efficient materials and potentially double the amount of energy generated. The new approach uses topological semimetals under strong magnetic fields, enabling electrons and holes to move in opposite direc...
Researchers developed nanoparticles carrying temozolomide and a bromodomain inhibitor to target glioblastoma tumors. The particles, coated with transferrin, successfully delivered large doses of chemotherapy drugs directly to the tumor site, reducing side effects.
MIT researchers have developed an ingestible sensor equipped with genetically engineered bacteria that can diagnose bleeding in the stomach or other gastrointestinal problems. The sensor, powered by ultra-low-power electronics, can detect biological signals in near real-time and transmit data to a smartphone.
Researchers at MIT have developed a fleet of autonomous boats that can ferry goods and people, reducing street traffic. The boats can also be printed using 3D technology and equipped with sensors to monitor water quality, providing insights into urban health.
Researchers at MIT have developed an algorithm that uses a network-based approach to optimize taxi fleets in cities. The solution, dubbed the 'minimum fleet problem,' reduces the number of vehicles needed by 30% while maintaining service levels.
A study by MIT researchers found that patterns of eye movement correlate strongly with performance on standardized tests of English as a second language. The study tracked eye movement to determine comprehension, revealing potential for use as a testing tool.