A new technique invented at MIT can precisely measure the growth of many individual cells simultaneously, offering insights into growth variation across single cells within larger populations. The device's increased throughput enables fast drug tests and tracking of dynamic cell growth to changing environmental conditions.
A team of MIT researchers developed a system that can drastically reduce pesticide droplet bounce rate by using two inexpensive additives. The new approach creates hydrophilic defects on leaf surfaces, sticking the droplets and increasing retention. This could cut agricultural runoff, improving soil and water pollution.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new solar cell that combines two layers to harvest more of the sun's energy, reaching theoretical efficiencies above 40 percent. The device can be manufactured at a fraction of the cost due to a novel low-cost manufacturing process, making it ready for commercialization within the next year or two.
Researchers at MIT have developed a simple equation to predict the force required to push objects through sand, using resistive force theory. The equation can be used to optimize vehicles driving over gravel and soil, as well as animals burrowing through earth.
Researchers developed a new computational system that leverages cellphone location data to create detailed models of urban mobility patterns. By analyzing six weeks' worth of data from over 1.9 million residents in the Boston area, the system was able to infer patterns of activity with high accuracy.
Researchers at MIT and SUTD used light to print 3D structures that can remember their original shapes after being stretched, twisted, and bent. The structures can be printed with micron-scale features and have potential applications in biomedical devices, soft robotics, and solar panel tracking.
A new device developed by MIT and Connecticut Children's Medical Center could significantly improve doctors' ability to accurately diagnose ear infections. The shortwave infrared instrument can penetrate deeper into the tissues of the ear than existing otoscopes, revealing buildups of fluid behind the eardrum more clearly.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a new method for producing metal antimony using electricity, which could lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly metal production systems. The process uses electrolysis to separate the metal from a compound, reducing pollution and energy costs.
In laboratory experiments, scientists found that normally mutualistic strains of yeast became competitive and even drove one strain to extinction when environmental conditions were benign and nutrients were plentiful. The researchers developed a model to predict the type of mutualistic relationship that would develop between species ba...
Researchers at MIT have developed programmable routers that can implement diverse traffic management schemes, improving network resilience. The new design allows for flexible traffic management without compromising operating speeds, enabling innovation and rapid prototyping.
Researchers visualized fluid-fluid displacement in porous media, revealing optimal wettability conditions for efficient displacement. The findings could improve carbon sequestration, oil recovery, and fuel cell performance.
Researchers at MIT create a bubble-wrapped, sponge-like device that captures ambient sunlight and concentrates it to heat water to boiling temperatures. The structure achieves 20% conversion efficiency and can be used for desalination, residential heating, wastewater treatment, and medical tool sterilization.
Scientists found that sections of the West Napa Fault continued to slip after the primary earthquake, posing additional hazards to infrastructure. The afterslip caused certain areas to shift by as much as 40 centimeters in the month following the main earthquake.
Researchers devise a way to record analog memories in human cells by using CRISPR and self-targeting guide RNA strands. This allows them to track biological events such as inflammation or infection and monitor cell differentiation into various tissues during development.
MIT scientists developed a technique to interpret Raman spectra, identifying samples with high hydrogen-to-carbon ratios that may preserve ancient microbial life. The new method enables the 2020 Mars rover to select ideal samples for further study, potentially revealing signs of past life on Mars.
A comprehensive study found that 90% of personal vehicles on the road can be replaced by low-cost electric vehicles, reducing emissions and meeting near-term climate targets. The study analyzed driving behavior and energy requirements to demonstrate the feasibility of widespread EV adoption.
Scientists at MIT and the University of São Paulo have identified the structure of an enzyme that targets parasites responsible for spreading these diseases. The distinctive structure of the class I fumarate hydratase enzyme makes it a promising target for new medical therapies.
A new system has been developed at MIT that allows glass to rapidly switch from transparent to dark, and vice versa, using electrochromic materials. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption by blocking sunlight on hot days.
Researchers developed a new language called Simit that automatically switches between low-level and high-level descriptions of physical systems, reducing simulation time and code complexity. The language has applications in various fields, including machine learning, data analytics, and robotics.
Researchers from MIT and Indiana University developed a new system to protect genomic database privacy through differential privacy. The system adds noise to query results, making it difficult for attackers to extract private information.
Researchers from MIT and Lincoln Laboratory have developed a prototype chip that can trap ions in an electric field with built-in optics, enabling the miniaturization of qubit technology. This breakthrough could lead to practical quantum computers by scaling up trapped-ion quantum information processing.
A new MIT study reveals that brain regions dedicated to reading already exist with pre-existing connections even before children learn to read. These connections can predict the precise location where each child's word recognition area develops.
A new metabolic engineering technique could significantly reduce the cost and environmental impact of producing liquid biofuels and biochemicals. The approach eliminates the need for antibiotics during biofuel production by giving producer microbes an advantage over unwanted invaders.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to reinforce composite materials using carbon nanotubes, resulting in substantially stronger and more resistant materials. The stitched composites were found to be 30% stronger and withstood greater forces before breaking than existing composite materials.
A microfluidic device has been developed to replicate the neuromuscular junction, enabling precise stimulation of nerve cells and observation of muscle interactions. This innovation may help identify effective treatments for ALS and other neuromuscular disorders.
Researchers have created a comprehensive dataset of non-native English sentences, providing a valuable resource for linguistic insights and practical applications. The dataset, consisting of 5,124 sentences, includes annotated errors and can help improve computers' handling of non-native English speakers.
A new MIT system can identify how much power is being used by each device in a household, providing users with detailed information to make informed energy investments. The system, which samples data quickly and uses self-calibrating sensors, can detect specific appliances and their usage patterns.
A portable production system can manufacture a single dose of treatment from a compact device containing a small droplet of cells in a liquid. The system uses a programmable strain of yeast to express therapeutic proteins, which can be controlled by a specific chemical trigger.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new space boot with built-in sensors and haptic motors that can guide the wearer around or over obstacles. The boot uses vibrations to provide navigation cues, which could be beneficial for both astronauts in space and visually impaired individuals on Earth.
A new technique called magnified analysis of proteome (MAP) allows scientists to image brain tissue at multiple scales, preserving proteins within cells and connectivity between neurons. The method enables high-resolution imaging with a resolution as high as 60 nanometers, tracing connections in the human brain more accurately.
A new battery concept, called nanolithia cathode battery, promises similar theoretical performance as lithium-air batteries while reducing heat waste and improving charging speed. The new design could overcome issues with volume changes and auxiliary components, enabling faster charging and longer lifetimes.
A new adhesive patch has been developed by MIT researchers to deliver a triple-combination of drug, gene, and photo therapy directly to tumor sites. The patch destroys colorectal tumors and prevents recurrence after surgery.
Researchers at MIT develop a method to stack hundreds of nanoscale layers, producing strong and conductive composites. The technique, inspired by pastry-making, enables the creation of materials with tailored properties for various applications.
Researchers at MIT have programmed cells to remember and respond to a series of events, including substances commonly used in lab experiments. This approach enables the creation of environmental sensors that store complex histories and biological state machines with different behaviors.
Researchers from MIT and the University of Liège announce a new study on the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system, which hosts three potentially habitable, Earth-sized worlds. The team discovers that two innermost planets have compact atmospheres similar to those of rocky planets like Earth, Venus, and Mars.
Scientists have found that neutrinos can exist in a state of superposition, with no definite flavor or identity, while traveling hundreds of miles. This phenomenon is unexpected under classical theories and confirms the reach of quantum mechanics even at large scales.
Researchers from MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory propose a theoretical framework for estimating population density in networks, which converges quickly and is more accurate than random sampling. This approach has practical applications in analyzing social networks, robot swarms, and ad hoc networks.
A new study published in Nature found that musical preferences depend on exposure to Western musical culture, not innate brain wiring. In a remote Amazonian tribe with limited exposure to Western music, dissonant chords were rated as likeable as consonant chords.
A team of researchers proposes using clusters of small satellites to estimate the planet's reflected energy with greater accuracy. The satellites can measure albedo from multiple angles, providing a multiangular view of the Earth's surface.
A new anonymity scheme called Riffle provides strong security guarantees while using bandwidth efficiently. The system employs a mixnet with onion encryption and uses authentication encryption to verify the authenticity of messages, ensuring cryptographically secure communication as long as one server remains uncompromised.
The new tool allows organizations to create custom database queries and reports using familiar functions, eliminating the need for in-house expertise. By enabling direct manipulation of data, it provides a hands-on approach that mimics physical interactions, reducing errors and increasing user productivity.
MIT biologists identify a key protein inhibited by lithium, leading to reduced worm activity, suggesting a mechanism for lithium's effects on the brain; the findings propose a new hypothesis linking BPNT1 inhibition to mood stabilization in humans
A new microfluidic device has been developed to study the effects of electric fields on cancer cells, effectively stopping their growth and spread. The device uses low-intensity, middle-frequency electric fields to preserve healthy cells.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new microscopy technique that enables precise visualization of RNA molecules in intact tissues. By expanding the tissue sample before imaging, they can obtain high-resolution images of RNA distribution using ordinary microscopes. This breakthrough could help scientists study gene expression and disea...
Researchers develop customizable RNA vaccines that can be manufactured in one week, inducing strong immune responses against various pathogens. The vaccines show 100% effectiveness in tests in mice, making them a promising alternative to traditional vaccines.
MIT researchers have developed low-cost chemical sensors that enable smartphones to detect trace amounts of toxic gases. The sensors, made from chemically altered carbon nanotubes, can be worn by soldiers on the battlefield or people working with hazardous chemicals to rapidly detect the presence of chemical weapons.
The Antarctic ozone layer has shown significant signs of recovery since 2000, shrinking by over 4 million square kilometers. This decline is attributed to the decrease in atmospheric chlorine originating from chlorofluorocarbons, which were phased out due to international regulations.
Researchers have developed a new method to detect atmospheric chemicals using mid-infrared lasers, generating glowing plasma filaments that reveal chemical fingerprints.
A new study finds that the spleen filters blood cells by imposing a 'physical fitness test' through its narrow passages, which defines the shape and size of red blood cells. This discovery has implications for understanding diseases affecting blood cell shape, such as malaria, and developing novel drug targets.
Geologists at MIT traced Mercury's cooling history, finding the planet cooled dramatically in half a billion years. The team used data from NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft to analyze lava deposits and found that older deposits had distinct chemical compositions.