Researchers at MIT propose that Saturn's polar cyclones are caused by small thunderstorms building up angular momentum, leading to the formation of large and long-lasting vortices. The team developed a model that predicts which planets would form such cyclones based on two parameters: atmospheric energy and storm size.
A study by MIT researchers shows that mobile phone data can accurately predict employment levels, with a drop of 51% in calls made by laid-off individuals compared to working residents. The findings suggest that changes in cellphone usage patterns can be used to track unemployment rates more efficiently than traditional methods.
Researchers at MIT report that a widely held assumption about computational complexity is correct, making it unlikely that a more efficient algorithm exists. The current edit distance algorithm, in use for over 40 years, has been deemed the best possible solution for comparing genomes or strings of symbols.
The research develops a system to produce soft materials with dynamically controllable and reversible surface properties. By manipulating the spacing and shapes of embedded particles, the material's surface can change from smooth to ridged or bumpy, creating complex patterns that could guide fluids.
Researchers successfully cooled sodium potassium molecules to a temperature just above absolute zero, creating exotic states of matter with strong dipole moments. The ultracold molecules exhibited long lifetimes and resisted reactive collisions, paving the way for new discoveries in quantum mechanics.
A new study by MIT scholars finds that juvenile incarceration significantly lowers high-school graduation rates by 13 percentage points and increases adult incarceration by 23 percentage points. The research project analyzed tens of thousands of teenagers in Illinois, using a natural experiment to isolate the effects of sentencing on k...
A new study found that DNA breakage is a natural process that allows the brain to learn and generate memories, but weakens with age. Researchers discovered that DNA damage can lead to increased expression of genes involved in learning and memory, which could be detrimental as we age.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new technique for producing nanofibers that increases the rate of production fourfold while reducing energy consumption by over 90%. The technique uses tiny emitters to regulate fluid flow, resulting in uniform fibers even at high manufacturing rates.
Researchers create system to manipulate atom spacing, tuning friction to a vanishing point, allowing for direct observation of individual atoms. This technique enables control over superlubricity, potentially boosting development of nanomachines, and has implications for controlling biological components.
Researchers found that Greenland's inland lakes are unlikely to drain rapidly and exacerbate sea-level rise. Instead, they will likely drain through surface stream runoff, transferring water to coastal areas of the ice sheet.
Researchers develop algorithm to generate lower-level control systems from scratch, solving complex Dec-POMDP models in a reasonable amount of time. The approach decomposes the problem into two graphs, reducing complexity and enabling practical application in robotics.
A new experiment by MIT engineers provides a more nuanced picture of heat production in microelectronics. The researchers devised an experiment to measure the mean free path distribution of phonons, which reveals that classical diffusion theory underestimates temperature rise at extremely small length scales.
Researchers at MIT developed a graphene coating that improves condenser heat transfer, potentially leading to a 2-3% overall improvement in power plant efficiency and significant reductions in carbon emissions. The coating has been shown to last for two weeks without degrading under typical power plant conditions.
A team of astronomers found that 74 Earth-sized exoplanets orbit their stars in circular patterns, contrary to expectations. This discovery suggests that small planets may maintain stable climates year-round, making them more hospitable to life.
Researchers at MIT have successfully reactivated lost memories in mice using optogenetics, revealing that memories are stored in a circuit of multiple brain areas and interconnected engram cells. This breakthrough challenges the long-held storage theory and proposes a new concept of memory consolidation.
Scientists have successfully produced samples of strong and resilient synthetic silk with properties tailored for biomedical applications. The new material is created by genetically modifying bacteria to produce spider-like proteins, which are then extruded through microfluidic channels to form fibers.
MIT researchers discovered a neural circuit that underlies approach-avoidance conflict, a type of decision-making that elicits anxiety. By manipulating this circuit in rodents, they showed that it can transform preferences for lower-risk choices into those for bigger payoffs despite their costs.
Researchers at MIT and UCSD developed a new approach to detecting liver tumors using engineered probiotics. The bacteria produce a luminescent signal that can be detected with a common laboratory test, showing high sensitivity in detecting liver tumors larger than one cubic millimeter.
A new MIT algorithm significantly reduces robot teams' planning time by deferring difficult grasp decisions until easier ones are made. The algorithm produces a workable plan that may not be perfectly efficient but saves time in planning, often offsetting added execution time.
Researchers have developed a new quantum error correction code that can correct errors afflicting a specified fraction of qubits, not just the square root of their number. This protocol requires little measure of quantum states and can correct virtually all errors in quantum memory.
By pairing graphene and hexagonal boron nitride, researchers can control light waves and create unique optical materials. This enables the development of tiny optical waveguides and new applications in infrared spectroscopy and imaging devices.
A new study by Lily Tsai of Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that citizens in rural China engage in 'constructive noncompliance' to prompt government policy changes, often based on issues like property. The research suggests a greater willingness to disobey laws in situations where citizen input is more likely.
MIT researchers found that larger spherical devices are better able to maintain their function and avoid scar-tissue buildup, outperforming smaller ones in tests on diabetic mice and nonhuman primates. This discovery could lead to the development of long-term implants for diabetes treatment and other diseases.
Scientists create 3D-printed synthetic spider webs using multiscale modeling and mechanical analysis, offering insight into how spiders optimize their own webs. The study reveals a significant relationship between web structure, loading points, and failure mechanisms.
A study published in Science found that an anti-poverty program providing productive assets, job training, and life-skills coaching increased income by 5%, food consumption by 8%, and savings by 96% among participants over a three-year period. The results demonstrate sustained gains in well-being, with improved mental health and reduce...
A team of MIT physicists has developed a laser-based technique to trap and freeze fermions in place, allowing for the simultaneous imaging of over 95% of potassium gas fermions. This breakthrough enhances our understanding of fermion behavior, particularly that of electrons.
Researchers at MIT have created a system that can label visual scenes according to type and also detect particular objects. The system uses deep learning and achieved an accuracy of 50% in labeling scenes, outperforming human performance in some cases.
MIT engineers have developed an autonomous mission-planning system that enables underwater robots to plan their own missions, execute, adapt, and re-plan them alone without human support. The system allows robots to make high-level decisions, prioritize tasks, and avoid collisions, freeing engineers to focus on overall strategy.
Researchers have created a new 'whispering gallery' effect for electrons in graphene, allowing precise control over the reflecting region. This confinement could lead to the development of electronic lenses and other quantum-based electron-optics devices, enabling the study of subtle charge carrier behavior at a microscopic level.
Researchers have developed a process to repair leaks in graphene membranes, filling cracks and plugging holes using chemical deposition and polymerization techniques. The team created tiny, uniform pores in the material, allowing only water to pass through, resulting in high flow rates and efficient filtration.
MIT researchers explain India's rapid move toward Eurasia 80 million years ago by the combination of two subduction zones. The team found relics of what may have been two subduction zones in rocks from the Himalayan region, which led them to develop a model for a double subduction system.
A study by MIT researcher Adam Berinsky found that correcting political rumors can sometimes increase their strength. Attempts to debunk myths often rely on partisan sources, which can lead to increased belief in the myth. The study suggests that finding neutral sources of information is crucial for combating political misinformation.
Researchers have solved the mystery of how bombardier beetles produce their explosive defense mechanism, revealing a complex process controlled by a flexible membrane and valve. The beetle's ability to superheat and expel the liquid creates a powerful spray that is highly effective against predators.
A new simplified model predicts patterns that form from honey-like fluids, influenced by the ratio between fluid speed on impact and conveyor belt speed. The team's findings match previous experimental results and may be used to optimize manufacturing processes for nonwoven materials.
Researchers at MIT and Case Western Reserve University will collaborate to advance understanding of Down syndrome, aiming to improve quality of life for those born with it. The collaboration will focus on developing personalized human stem cell models and testing potential therapeutic treatments.
The new chip features a data structure known as a tree, where every address is randomly assigned to a path through the tree -- a sequence of nodes stretching from the top of the tree to the bottom, with no backtracking. This approach improves efficiency by minimizing extra data needed between the chip and memory.
A new implantable device can carry small doses of multiple drugs to treat cancer, allowing researchers to measure their effectiveness in a tumor. The device was tested on mice with human prostate, breast, and melanoma tumors, showing promise in identifying the most effective treatment for each patient.
Physicists at MIT have developed a new tabletop particle detector that can identify single electrons in radioactive gas. The detector uses a magnet to trap and detect the weak signals emitted by the electrons, which are then used to map their precise activity over several milliseconds.
A new study led by MIT researchers found that higher-income students have thicker brain cortex in areas associated with visual perception and knowledge accumulation, correlating with better standardized test scores. The differences in brain anatomy could explain up to 44% of the income achievement gap.
Researchers at MIT Media Lab create a miniature wireless track pad using capacitive sensing, allowing users to control devices with their thumbs. The technology has potential applications in various scenarios, including cooking, texting, and subtle communication.
A new sensor developed by MIT chemists uses carbon nanotubes to detect gases emitted by rotting meat, offering a cheaper and more accurate alternative to traditional methods. The sensor could reduce food waste by identifying safe consumption dates for perishable items.
Engineers at MIT have devised a formula for estimating how fast a technology is advancing, based on information gleaned from relevant patents. The researchers found that certain metrics across patents, such as forward citations and publication date, are more likely to predict a technology's improvement rate than others.
Scientists at MIT created a new cancer therapy that activates both the innate and adaptive immune systems to attack tumors. The treatment combines an antibody drug with IL-2, which boosts immune responses, resulting in complete tumor disappearance in 80-90% of mice.
Aerospace engineers at MIT have developed a carbon nanotube film that can heat and solidify composites without massive ovens, using only 1% of the energy. The technique has been tested on common carbon-fiber materials and found to produce composites with similar properties as traditionally manufactured materials.
Researchers at MIT have developed a probabilistic programming language called Picture that can solve computer-vision tasks using short programs. The new system, which is competitive with conventional systems, has been shown to improve error rates on certain tasks, such as human pose estimation.
Researchers at MIT and Whitehead Institute discover that glioblastoma cells rely on enzyme GLDC to break down glycine, which can be exploited to kill cancer cells. Blocking GLDC activity could offer a new approach to combating brain tumors.
Heat flow between materials separated by less than a nanometer occurs not via radiation or conduction, but through phonon tunneling. Researchers developed a unified framework to calculate heat transport at finite gaps, explaining how phonons can
Researchers at MIT have created a new magnetic-field detector that is significantly more efficient than its predecessors. The device uses synthetic diamonds with nitrogen vacancies to measure magnetic fields and has the potential to be used in medical imaging, contraband detection, and geological exploration.
A study by MIT economists found that increasing female candidates on electoral lists improves a party's chances of winning votes. Voter turnout did not diminish in response to more female candidates, suggesting internal party dynamics may be the main barrier to women's representation.
A new study by MIT researchers finds that smarter programming of stoplights can reduce delays, improve efficiency, and lower emissions in urban areas. By combining vehicle-level data with city-level traffic patterns, the algorithm produces more accurate predictions and recommendations for optimizing traffic flow.