A new MIT study found that Earth's geomagnetic field intensity is double the long-term historical average, indicating it has a long way to fall before reaching an unstable level. This suggests that the current field intensity has a long buffer zone, making a reversal less likely in the near future.
A new study suggests that climate change will significantly impact global farming productivity, with a one-sixth decline in production under projected scenarios. Altering crop patterns within countries is key to mitigating these effects, rather than relying on international trade.
Researchers at MIT developed an ingestible sensor that measures heart rate and breathing rate by detecting sound waves produced by the beating heart and lungs. The device has potential applications in trauma patients, soldiers, athletes, and chronic illness diagnosis.
MIT neuroscientists have discovered a new way that the brain strengthens connections between neurons. The presynaptic neuron plays a crucial role in this process, releasing neurotransmitters to stimulate growth of new connections and enhancing synaptic function.
MIT researchers developed a new algorithm that reduces computation time for complex models by 200 times, using probability distributions and relevant data. The 'shrinking bull's-eye' algorithm can apply to various fields, including engineering, geophysics, and subsurface modeling.
Researchers developed polyMOCs, hybrid materials combining metallogels and MOCs, with tunable properties. These gels can be used for various functions, including controlled release of molecules and gas storage.
Researchers developed a system that sends highly compressed images to servers, which then process the images and send back modified files with reduced bandwidth consumption. The technique reduces bandwidth usage by over 98% and energy consumption by up to 85%, making it ideal for mobile image processing applications.
A new approach to desalination, called shock electrodialysis, uses an electrically driven shockwave to separate salty and fresh water streams, allowing easy separation without filters or boiling. This method can be scaled up for large-scale seawater desalination and may also sterilize contaminated water.
Scientists have discovered a new exoplanet, GJ 1132b, that is rocky and Earth-sized, orbiting a small star just 39 light-years from Earth. The planet's surface temperature is estimated to be around 500 degrees Fahrenheit, making it uninhabitable for life as we know it.
A new study found that counting ability was a strong predictor of whether children would distribute resources based on merit, not age or education. Children as young as 3 can understand the concept of rewarding more effort, but struggle to translate it into an accurate distribution.
Engineers at MIT developed a synthetic hydrogel that is 90 percent water and has a toughness comparable to the bond between tendon and cartilage on bone. The hydrogel can adhere to surfaces like glass, silicon, and metal with high durability, making it suitable for protective coatings and biomedical devices.
Researchers at MIT have developed techniques to amplify minute motions in digital video, as well as smooth out small variations in digital images. The techniques can produce more polished images for graphic-design projects, while also disclosing structural defects and camouflaged objects.
A team of researchers from MIT and QCRI developed a system that can automatically convert 2-D video of soccer games into 3-D. The system uses detailed 3-D maps stored in video games to create broadcast-quality 3-D video, achieving real-time processing without visual artifacts.
A new study at MIT applies the fracture mechanics theory of local symmetry to predict river network evolution. The research found that rivers grow in a direction consistent with symmetry, driven by groundwater pressure and water table height.
Researchers have created genetically encoded magnetic protein nanoparticles that can be produced within cells, allowing for non-invasive tracking and monitoring of cell signals. This technology has the potential to observe communication between neurons, activation of immune cells, and stem cell differentiation, among other phenomena.
Scientists developed a model that estimates the thickness of Earth's 'critical zone' given topography, gravity, and plate tectonics. The results show that bedrock weathering varies with tectonic compression, influencing the diversity of terrestrial life.
A new MIT-led study reveals that Volkswagen's use of software to evade emissions standards will directly contribute to 60 premature deaths across the US. The automaker's excess emissions will also cause 31 cases of chronic bronchitis and 34 hospital admissions, generating $450 million in health expenses.
High-resolution climate models show parts of the Persian Gulf region may surpass survivability thresholds for temperatures above 35°C, posing severe human health risks. The study suggests that curbing greenhouse gas emissions could prevent these extreme heat events.
Researchers have developed a new cutting-plane algorithm that improves upon existing methods, offering huge efficiency gains for specific optimization problems. The algorithm has been applied to various types of problems, including submodular minimization and semidefinite programming, resulting in significant speedups.
Scientists at MIT have found a mechanism by which cancer cells develop resistance to chemotherapy drugs. The MK2 pathway takes over when p53 is disabled, allowing cells to continue dividing even with extensive DNA damage. Measuring the levels of specific RNAs could help predict patients' response to chemotherapy.
Researchers have found that repeated small stretching of nanoscale metal pieces can eliminate crystal defects in its crystalline structure, strengthening the material. This phenomenon is counterintuitive, as it is opposite to what one sees in larger metal crystals.
Researchers have found a way to enable ultra-rapid drug delivery to the gastrointestinal tract using ultrasound waves, which could aid in treating inflammatory bowel diseases. The technology, tested in pig and mouse models, showed improved absorption of insulin and mesalamine, paving the way for potential new treatments.
Researchers found that triggered earthquakes change the elastic properties of the Earth's crust in regions up to 6,000 kilometers away. This dynamic and interconnected system can create a cascading sequence of events thousands of kilometers away.
A new study finds that the US, EU, and China's pledges to reduce emissions leave little room for other nations, requiring them to adopt drastic reductions. The researchers argue that even if the top emitters fulfill their pledges, global temperatures will rise by around 3C, posing a significant threat to the planet.
Researchers at MIT developed a system that can automate big-data analysis, identifying patterns and designing feature sets. The system was tested in three data science competitions, achieving accuracy rates up to 96% and completing tasks in just 2-12 hours compared to human teams.
Engineered viruses were used by MIT researchers to achieve a significant efficiency boost in a light-harvesting system, utilizing quantum effects to enhance exciton transport. The team successfully more than doubled the speed of excitons, increasing the distance they traveled before dissipating.
Researchers at MIT have fabricated and tested a large-scale model of a harbor seal's whisker, identifying a mechanism that explains how seals sense their environment and track prey. The team found that the whisker's 'slaloming' motion helps seals detect turbulence left by moving objects.
A new MIT study proposes refueling on the moon to reduce launch mass for a Martian mission, with the potential to save 68% of cargo. The research suggests that establishing an infrastructure in space could enable sustainable travel between planetary bodies.
The CMS collaboration at CERN has reported the first particle collisions from the Large Hadron Collider's second run, producing an average of 22 charged particles per collision. The results provide a precise picture of a typical proton collision, which will help scientists sift through background events to detect rare particles.
Researchers at MIT are developing a computer system that uses genetic, demographic, and clinical data to predict the effects of neurodegenerative disease on brain anatomy. By combining MRI data with additional patient information, they found that predictions were improved by half in cases where changes were drastic.
The MIT Deshpande Center has awarded grants to 15 research teams working on emerging technologies with potential impact in disease monitoring, cancer treatment, and more. The center provides support and guidance to innovators as they develop viable technologies.
Scientists at MIT have developed tiny graphene pores that exhibit diverse preferences for certain ions, similar to those found in biological channels. The findings have significant implications for the development of ion-specific membranes for environmental sensing and trace metal mining.
Researchers at MIT develop a new way of doing machine learning that enables semantically related concepts to reinforce each other. In experiments, their system outperformed conventional training methods in predicting Flickr tags and even when considering semantically similar tags.
Researchers identify and map a light-sensing protein that uses vitamin B12 to regulate gene expression in response to light exposure. The discovery expands the biological role of vitamin B12 and offers insights into novel modes of gene regulation.
A brain circuit has been identified that processes the 'when' and 'where' components of memory, separating location and timing into two streams of information. This discovery sheds light on how the brain represents time and place in episodic memories.
Researchers discovered that flu viruses gain ability to spread through air by adapting to bind to specific human receptors, with the soft palate playing a key role in this process. The findings provide insight into how flu viruses evolve airborne transmissibility and can help identify viruses with potential to cause global outbreaks.
Researchers have engineered viruses to target specific bacteria, offering a new approach to combatting human disease. The customizable viruses could be used to treat various infections, including those caused by E. coli, Yersinia, and Klebsiella bacteria.
A modular system of proteins can detect a specific DNA sequence in a cell and trigger a response, such as cell death. The system can be customized to detect any DNA sequence and trigger a desired response, including killing cancer cells or cells infected with a virus.
Researchers at MIT and Boston Children's Hospital have developed a system that can take MRI scans of a patient's heart and convert them into a tangible, physical model. The models provide a more intuitive way for surgeons to assess individual patients' anatomical idiosyncrasies, improving surgical planning.
A study by MIT economist Christopher Knittel reveals an essential mechanism underlying the politics of climate change. The research shows that certain climate policies, like transportation fuel subsidies, contain asymmetries that benefit a smaller group at the expense of most people.
Scientists found regions on the far side of the moon with fractured and porous upper crusts, altered by small asteroid impacts. The research suggests that these impacts increased porosity in some areas, while decreasing it elsewhere.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new cache-coherence mechanism that significantly reduces memory usage in multicore chips. The Tardis system uses time stamps and lease management to enforce logical-time order, eliminating the need for invalidation messages and saving space in shared caches.
Physicists at MIT have found a phenomenon described as a 'ring of exceptional points' produced by the Dirac cone, potentially leading to applications in powerful lasers and precise optical sensors. The discovery represents the first experimental demonstration of this phenomenon.
Researchers develop a new theory that describes how a knot's topology determines its mechanical forces, providing guidelines for choosing certain knot configurations. The theory accurately predicts the force needed to close a knot, given its topology and strand properties.
New analysis reveals that excessive bubble formation limits heat transfer, leading to overheating and equipment damage. The study identifies optimal surface texturing to improve boiler efficiency and plant safety.
Researchers at MIT have developed a family of materials that can emit light of precisely controlled colors and respond to external conditions. The materials, made from rare-earth elements and polymers, show promise for detecting chemical and biological compounds, mechanical changes, and thermal conditions.
Researchers created a new system called 'Fab Forms' that automatically generates visual models for users to modify. The system uses a wide range of values to calculate geometries and store results, allowing users to test designs in real time.
Researchers at MIT's SMART program conducted a six-day experiment using autonomous golf carts to ferry tourists around winding paths. The system, which used off-the-shelf sensors and dynamic algorithms, demonstrated a 98% user satisfaction rate and showed potential for elderly transportation applications.
Researchers discovered that chronic stress strengthens traumatic memories in the brain, leading to PTSD. Blocking this process with serotonin-blocking drugs may offer a new treatment option for the disorder.
A new MIT study finds that large seasonal changes in desert dust can dramatically affect surface phytoplankton, which rely on iron as a main nutrient for growth. The team determined that iron has a very short residence time in ocean waters, lasting only six months before sinking into the deep ocean.