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.
Human language likely developed quickly into a sophisticated system, featuring syntax and structures, according to MIT linguist Shigeru Miyagawa. Words bear traces of syntax, challenging the idea that they originated from simple primal utterances.
A new system called OverCode automatically compares students' programming assignments by clustering similar student programs together. Instructors can then use this information to provide more effective feedback to a broader range of students, improving the design of computer science courses both online and on campus.
A new peer-to-peer networking tool has been developed to build online support communities and practice therapeutic techniques for depression. The tool, called Panoply, yielded better outcomes in training subjects to use cognitive reappraisal and improving mood in those with severe symptoms.
Researchers at MIT suggest that consumers use a simple index strategy to make decisions, ranking products based on factors like price and quality. This approach is more efficient than complex models, requiring less cognitive effort and time.
Researchers at MIT have developed a technique to entangle 3,000 atoms using a single photon, promising improved accuracy in atomic clocks. This breakthrough could lead to more precise timekeeping and potentially overcome the standard quantum limit.
Researchers have developed a new tandem solar cell that combines two types of photovoltaic material to harvest a broader range of the sun's energy. The new cell achieves an efficiency of 13.7 percent, which could be improved to over 30 percent with low-cost modifications.
Researchers at MIT's CSAIL have developed a new algorithm, DIODE, to detect integer-overflow bugs in programs. The system works by feeding a single sample input and recording each operation performed on it, allowing it to identify potential security vulnerabilities.
A study by MIT economist Ernst Berndt and colleagues found that the prices of leading cancer drugs increased by 10% annually from 1995 to 2013, even after adjusting for inflation and incremental health benefits. The researchers suggest that rising prices reflect a greater social tolerance for significant healthcare costs.
A team of researchers from MIT has detected optical features around Chiron that may signal the presence of a ring system, jets, or a shell of dust. The findings are based on observations of a stellar occultation in 2011, which revealed symmetrical and sharp features near the start and end of the event.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to stimulate brain tissue using external magnetic fields and injected magnetic nanoparticles. The approach can provide an implant-free means of providing brain stimulation and mapping, potentially treating neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease.
A recent MIT study suggests the swine flu strain in India has acquired mutations that make it more deadly, contradicting previous reports. The researchers stress the need for better surveillance to track the outbreak and develop an effective response strategy.
Researchers at MIT demonstrate that quantum sensors can outperform classical systems even when entanglement breaks down due to environmental influences. The study shows that correlations between entangled beams remain strong enough to improve signal-to-noise ratio, leading to increased sensitivity.
The research provides a unified model that explains how layer properties and bonding determine surface textures, applicable to various biological processes and material applications. The findings could lead to the creation of materials with tailored surface properties for specific uses, such as disease treatment or water-shedding.
A new instrument can rapidly analyze samples to determine how methane was formed, differentiating between microbial and thermogenic origins. The technique uses isotope ratios to identify clumpiness in methane molecules, revealing slower rates of production for cow-gut methane.
Researchers at MIT and Michigan State University have developed a theory explaining how galaxy clusters regulate star formation. The study found that hot intracluster gas cools rapidly, condenses, and collapses to form new stars, but also triggers conduction and precipitation-driven feedback, which prevent excessive star birth.
Researchers at MIT and LBNL reveal that magnesium concentration affects surface energy, leading to the formation of either calcite or aragonite. The discovery could lead to controlled synthesis of new materials with desired properties.
A new nanodevice developed by MIT researchers can block the gene that confers drug resistance and then deliver a chemotherapy attack against disarmed tumors. The device was tested in mice implanted with human breast tumors and successfully shrunk tumors by 90% in two weeks.
A new study by MIT researchers uses anonymized phone data to infer that around one-fifth of urban movement is strictly social, distinguishing it from work-oriented activity. The study's findings have implications for planners and policymakers seeking estimates of city movement.
Researchers identified two optical structures in a mollusk's shell that reflect blue light, producing its bright stripes. The team believes this natural phenomenon could lead to the development of color-selective, controllable displays for windows and glasses.
The MIT team devised a two-step process to create large quantities of complex emulsions with precise control over the composition of droplets. By adding different chemicals or exposing them to light or different acidity levels, they can finely tune the configuration of droplets. This allows for rapid, large-scale production and enables...
A new test from MIT researchers uses a simple paper strip to rapidly diagnose Ebola and other viral hemorrhagic fevers, such as yellow fever and dengue fever. The device takes about 10 minutes to produce results, allowing for quicker triage and isolation of patients.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new transmitter design that reduces off-state leakage 100-fold, allowing for longer battery life in IoT devices. The circuit uses a charge pump to generate a negative charge when idle, reducing power consumption by 20 picowatts.
Neurons generate brain waves at distinct frequencies to communicate between brain regions, reinforcing correct guesses and weakening incorrect ones. Researchers found that beta (9-16 Hz) and theta (2-6 Hz) frequencies are used in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex during learning tasks.