A new study predicts that South Asia, home to one-fifth of the world's population, will experience extreme heat waves with high humidity by the end of this century if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced. The region's poor and agricultural communities will be disproportionately affected.
Researchers at MIT have successfully created a platform to store and process quantum information using ultracold molecules, which can retain their information for hundreds of times longer than previously achieved. The breakthrough could enable thousands of quantum computations in sequence within a second of coherence.
Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed triggerable tough hydrogels that can expand in the GI tract for days, slowly releasing medication. The materials, made from two intertwined polymer networks, can be triggered to self-destruct in case of an allergic reaction.
The Indian summer monsoons have strengthened in the last 15 years over north central India, reversing a 50-year drying period. This increase in monsoon rainfall is attributed to a shift in India's land and sea temperatures, with higher land temperatures combining with lower ocean temperatures.
Researchers developed a model predicting heart cells' ability to produce ATP and stay alive under low oxygen conditions. The study found that even severely depleted regions of the heart can maintain ATP levels using energy reserves until oxygen approaches zero, but eventually crash when backup reserves shut down.
Researchers have developed a way to engineer liver tissue by organizing tiny subunits that contain three types of cells embedded into a biodegradable scaffold. The engineered livers expanded 50-fold after implantation in mice with damaged livers and performed normal liver functions.
A new robotic system developed by MIT researchers can find even tiny leaks in water or gas pipes with high accuracy, helping to alleviate water shortages and structural damage. The system uses a small, rubbery robot that moves passively through the pipe, detecting pressure variations to locate leaks.
Researchers have developed a method for designing energy-efficient neural networks, reducing power consumption by up to 73% compared to standard implementations. The new approach uses an analytic tool to evaluate and prune low-weight connections, resulting in more efficient networks with fewer connections.
Researchers at MIT have developed a gel-like material that can be coated onto standard plastic or rubber devices, providing a softer and more slippery exterior. The coating can also monitor and treat signs of infection, and could potentially replace common elastomers in medical devices.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard Medical School have devised a way to image biopsy samples with much higher resolution, revealing detailed information about disease. The new technique expands tissue samples before imaging, allowing for the detection of features that can only be seen with high-resolution electron microscopes.
A team from MIT and University of Verona has discovered the key protein in a defense mechanism called photoprotection, which allows plants to dissipate excess energy from sunlight. This process is crucial for plant survival but limits biomass production.
A study by MIT researchers found that delaying access to new technologies can stifle their spread, as seen in the case of cryptocurrency Bitcoin among incoming freshmen. The study showed that early adopters who received their allotment late cashed out at nearly twice the rate as those who received it earlier.
Scientists discovered that smooth surfaces are key to preventing dendrites from forming in solid electrolyte lithium batteries, a breakthrough that could enable safer and more efficient battery technology. By eliminating the need for liquid electrolytes, researchers aim to double a battery's energy capacity.
By 2050, climate change will significantly reduce crop yields in the Southwest due to reduced precipitation and increased water stress. The region's water basins, including those used for cotton and forage production, are projected to experience severe shortages.
Researchers developed a metal-free contrast agent containing organic molecules called nitroxides, which can accumulate at tumor sites for extended periods without causing harm. The new agent has improved MRI relaxivity and stability, making it suitable for long-term imaging of tumors in cancer patients.
Researchers developed nanoparticles packaging an antimicrobial peptide that effectively reduced Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice, showing potential for targeted treatment of pneumonia and other bacterial infections. The approach combines concepts from cancer nanotechnology to deliver drugs selectively to bacterial targets.
A new study by MIT economists reveals that hospitals investing more in inpatient care yield better results than those relying on skilled nursing facilities after discharge. This is particularly true for elderly Medicare recipients, who experience lower mortality rates when receiving quality initial care.
Researchers at MIT developed a system that allocates cache access on the fly to create tailored 'cache hierarchies' for specific programs, increasing processing speed by 20-30% and reducing energy consumption by 30-85%. The system, called Jenga, uses a sampling algorithm to efficiently evaluate tradeoffs between latency and space.
The study, analyzing 40,358 papers and 2,350 patents from 2004 to 2014, reveals that spatial relations on campus fuel collaboration. Researchers near colleagues are more likely to engage in substantive conversations, leading to increased collaborative activity.
A computer vision system analyzed street-level photos to gauge neighborhood safety and predict urban change. The study found that the density of highly educated residents, rather than income or ethnic composition, predicts revitalization in five American cities.
A study found that preschool children who played math games improved in conceptual math skills, but these gains did not transfer to primary school. The intervention had no effect on formal math skills, despite improving non-symbolic abilities.
Research from WorldFish and MIT reveals that involving local farmers in tackling a problem provides long-lasting benefits, rather than just introducing new technologies. The study focuses on two examples: reducing fish spoilage in Zambia and developing virus-resistant abaca varieties in the Philippines.
A new study by MIT economists reveals that eliminating High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) policies in Jakarta, Indonesia, led to a significant increase in urban traffic congestion. The study found that travel delays became 46% worse during the morning rush hour and 87% worse during the evening rush hour after the policy was discontinued.
Researchers at MIT and Stanford developed a 3D chip that integrates computing and data storage, overcoming communication bottlenecks. The chip uses carbon nanotubes and RRAM cells, enabling dense and fine-grained integration of computating and data storage.
A team of researchers used a low-cost Kinect scanner to create a high-resolution 3D scan of the T. rex skull, contradicting previous theories about the holes in its jawbone. The scan reveals that the angles at which the holes bore through the jaw are inconsistent with bite patterns, casting doubt on two popular hypotheses.
Researchers develop fully automated method to analyze neural networks trained on visual data, shedding light on node firing patterns and emphasis on different visual properties. The approach provides specific insights into the organization of human brain and computer vision algorithms.
A team at MIT has created a system that can manipulate particles ranging from molecules to bacteria-sized objects using ordinary light. The researchers engineered asymmetrical particles, called Janus particles, which respond to the orientation of the beam and create forces that set them spinning uniformly.
MIT engineers have developed a functional graphene-based dialysis membrane that filters nanometer-sized molecules at an unprecedented rate. The membrane, made from a single layer of carbon atoms, separates molecules quickly due to its exceptional diffusion properties.
Researchers developed a new tool called FLARE to label neurons during specific tasks, providing greater temporal precision than current cell-labeling techniques. This approach could offer significant insights into neuron function and be used to study learning and memory, emotions, and diseases like Alzheimer's.
A universal algorithm for folding origami shapes guarantees a minimum number of seams, producing more practical and sturdy structures. The new method preserves the boundaries of the original piece of paper, allowing users to choose where seams meet.
Researchers have developed a new technique to enhance low-quality brain scans, allowing for the analysis of hundreds of thousands of images. This enables large-scale studies of stroke outcome and other disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
Computer scientists at MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital develop a new system to analyze hundreds of hours of laparoscopic surgery videos for training purposes. The system efficiently searches for events and visual features in the videos, enabling speedy analysis and improved surgical outcomes.
MIT biologists identified a mechanism for eliminating genetically imbalanced cells using natural killer cells. Aneuploidy, or uneven chromosome distribution, harms most cells but can help cancer cells grow uncontrollably.
A new study by MIT economists refines the measurement of school quality using a novel approach to Value-Added Models. By leveraging random assignment of students to schools, they found that conventional VAMs underestimate improvement at some schools but provide a ballpark figure for others.
Climate change threatens tropical peat swamps, which once removed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Peatland forests in Southeast Asia have been disappearing due to clear-cutting and drainage projects, now potentially destroying forested peatlands.
A team of MIT researchers has developed a new approach to deep learning computations using light instead of electricity, potentially improving speed and efficiency for certain applications. The new programmable nanophotonic processor uses multiple light beams to carry out complex calculations with zero energy and near-instant results.
A summer reading program showed significant improvement in children from lower-income families, with anatomical changes in the brain detected. Higher socioeconomic backgrounds were initially expected to show more improvement, but the study found that family income level was the most predictive factor.
The GelSight sensor uses physical contact to provide a detailed 3-D map of an object's surface, enabling robots to judge the hardness of surfaces they touch. Researchers also use it to enable robots to manipulate smaller objects than previously possible.
Researchers have developed a noninvasive method for deep brain stimulation using electrodes placed on the scalp, which could make the treatment less risky, less expensive, and more accessible. The approach has shown promising results in treating Parkinson's disease and other conditions, with no harmful effects detected.
LIGO has made its third detection of gravitational waves, revealing a new population of black holes with masses up to 49 times that of the sun. The detected black holes were formed by merging pairs and provide clues about their spin directions, which may be non-aligned compared to their orbital motion.
A new wearable system uses a 3D camera to identify surfaces and objects, providing tactile signals through vibrating motors and a reconfigurable Braille interface. The system significantly reduces obstacles other than chairs from being contacted by visually impaired users, and minimizes cane collisions with people.
A new surgical technique devised by MIT researchers could allow amputees to sense and control artificial limbs through coordination of existing nerves, muscle grafts, and prosthetic limbs. The approach has the potential to reduce the rejection rate of prosthetic limbs and improve patient care.
Researchers at MIT have measured Weyl fermion chirality using circularly polarized light, exhibiting an electrical current without external voltages. The TaAs metal produces a large current response, making it suitable for sensitive mid-infrared detectors.
A new scaling law has been developed to predict how objects move through sand, enabling the design of more optimized vehicles. The law, derived from common equations for granular flow, can be used to scale results between small-scale experiments and full-size vehicles.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new technique that allows for continuous, high-precision monitoring of materials exposed to high-radiation environments. This method could significantly speed up the development of new materials for nuclear reactors, enabling real-time diagnostic systems to monitor damage over time.
Researchers at MIT developed a composite material inspired by conch shells, showing 85% better crack propagation prevention than traditional materials. The 3-tiered structure combines strength and toughness, allowing for individualized, personalized helmets and body armor.
Researchers from MIT, Harvard University, and Sandia National Laboratories report a new technique for creating targeted defects in diamond materials, which can function as qubits in quantum computing. The defects produced by the technique were found to be within 50 nanometers of their ideal locations.
Researchers have created edible origami-like sheets of gelatin and starch that transform into three-dimensional structures when submerged in water. By controlling the structure's response to water, they can create various shapes, including pasta, flowers, and more, potentially reducing food shipping costs.
Researchers from MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory have developed a new system called Catena that uses Bitcoin's security machinery to defend against online identity theft and equivocation. The system requires the download of only about 40 megabytes of data, making it suitable for smartphones.
Researchers found that continuous, low-dose cisplatin delivery is effective against smaller tumor clusters, while higher doses are more effective against larger ones. The study's findings support the development of an implantable device to deliver these higher doses without the side effects associated with current catheter-based therapy.