MIT researchers use messenger RNA to activate an immune pathway in nearby immune cells, triggering the destruction of tumors. The approach combines existing immunotherapy drugs and avoids side effects associated with large doses of STING activators.
MIT researchers have developed new nanoparticles that deliver the immune-stimulating molecule IL-12 directly to ovarian tumors, eliciting a strong response and clearing tumors in over 80% of mice. This treatment combines with checkpoint inhibitors to launch an attack on cancer cells without causing side effects.
A new study reveals that laws restricting pain clinics, or 'pill mills,' where opioids were often prescribed, reduced risky opioid use by 5 percent. Enacting such laws near the onset of the crisis in the 1990s could have reduced risky use by 30 percent over time.
A new study by MIT researchers suggests that literacy screenings may not be effective due to inadequate teacher training and suboptimal testing conditions. The survey of over 250 teachers found that many lacked sufficient training, leading to difficulties in administering and interpreting the tests.
Researchers found that sleep-deprived individuals experience attentional failures coinciding with a flushing of CSF from the brain. During these lapses, physiological changes occur, including a flux of CSF out and then back in. The study suggests that the brain attempts to compensate for lost cleansing by initiating pulses of CSF flow.
Researchers developed a new method to probe an atom's nucleus using its own electrons as messengers within a molecule. They measured the energy of electrons whizzing around a radium atom in a molecule, detecting a slight energy shift and analyzing it to sense the internal structure of the nucleus.
A new computational method, DIGIT, enables optical microscopes to resolve individual atoms and zero in on their exact locations in a crystal structure. This technique can help guide the design of quantum devices and provide insights into advanced materials.
A study by MIT researchers found that design elements of data visualizations influence viewers' assumptions about the source of the information and its trustworthiness. Readers make these assessments primarily from design features like color palette or arrangement, rather than underlying data, often unintentionally by designers.
Researchers used a new high-resolution mapping technique to find small 3D loops connecting regulatory elements and genes that persist during cell division. These loops strengthen when chromosomes become more compact, potentially helping cells 'remember' interactions from one cell cycle to the next.
Researchers from MIT and the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab have introduced a new training method that enables vision-language models to localize personalized objects in a scene. By using carefully prepared video-tracking data with contextual clues, the model is better able to identify the location of a specific object in a new image.
Researchers developed a technology to detach cells from surfaces on demand, reducing waste and improving workflow in industrial processes. The system uses electrochemically generated bubbles to separate cells without damaging them, paving the way for more efficient CO2 absorption and lifesaving cell therapies.
A new study by MIT researchers evaluates the scale-up potential of over 16,000 quantum materials, finding that those with high quantum fluctuation in electrons tend to be more expensive and environmentally damaging. The team identified promising candidates with an optimal balance between quantum functionality and sustainability for fur...
Researchers at MIT have developed a new system that allows for precise control over the expression of synthetic genes in cells. The DIAL system uses a promoter editing mechanism to establish desired protein levels, which can be edited after delivery. This technology has the potential to improve gene therapy and cell reprogramming appli...
A new AI tool, SpectroGen, uses generative AI to quickly assess material quality by generating spectra in less than one minute. It can replace traditional methods that take several hours or days, improving productivity and efficiency in industries such as manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new method to improve the stability of optical atomic clocks by reducing quantum noise and stabilizing a laser. The approach, known as global phase spectroscopy, doubles the precision of an optical atomic clock, enabling it to discern twice as many ticks per second compared to traditional setups.
Researchers at MIT have found a hidden atomic order in metals that changes their properties, including mechanical strength and heat capacity. The discovery reveals a new physical phenomenon explaining the persistent patterns and provides a simple model to predict chemical patterns in metals.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new way to engineer CAR-NK cells that are less likely to be rejected by the patient's immune system, making them a promising treatment for cancer. The cells can destroy most cancer cells while evading the host immune system, and may offer a better safety profile than traditional CAR-T cells.
Researchers at MIT have developed a 3D-printable aluminum alloy that is five times stronger than traditionally manufactured versions. This breakthrough could lead to lighter and more efficient aircraft parts, such as fan blades in jet engines, reducing energy consumption and costs.
Scientists at MIT developed a method to predict how plasma in a tokamak will behave during rampdown, achieving high accuracy with limited data. This new model could significantly improve the safety and reliability of future fusion power plants.
MIT researchers develop a new type of fluorescent molecule that can emit and absorb light in the red to near-infrared range, potentially enabling clearer images of tumors. The stabilized borenium ions have high quantum yields, making them suitable for biomedical imaging applications.
MIT researchers developed a new framework that helps engineers design complex systems explicitly accounting for uncertainty. The framework allows them to model the performance tradeoffs of a device with many interconnected parts, each of which could behave in unpredictable ways. This approach can help engineers develop complex systems ...
The Graffiti framework enables users to create personalized social apps that serve communities' needs, promoting healthier online interactions. With its flexible structure and decentralized infrastructure, Graffiti allows users to migrate between applications without losing their data or connections.
MIT researchers have developed a new model that explains lithium intercalation rates in lithium-ion batteries. The model suggests that lithium intercalation is governed by coupled ion-electron transfer, which could enable faster charging and more controlled reactions.
Researchers found that sentences with unique meanings are more likely to be remembered accurately due to their distinctiveness in the brain's memory space. Sentences with similar meanings can become densely packed, making it harder to recognize them confidently later on.
MIT engineers have developed a novel palladium membrane that remains stable at high temperatures, enabling more energy-efficient and cheaper production of hydrogen fuel. The new design allows for the separation of hydrogen from gas mixtures at much higher temperatures than conventional membranes.
A diet rich in cysteine has been shown to activate immune cells that help regenerate intestinal tissue, potentially offering a new way to heal tissue damage from radiation or chemotherapy treatment. The researchers found that cysteine initiates a chain of events leading to the activation of CD8 T cells, which produce cytokines like IL-...
Researchers have identified chemical fossils in ancient rocks that suggest the ancestors of modern-day demosponges were among the first animals to evolve. The discovery, made by a team of MIT geochemists, builds on previous findings and provides strong evidence for the early origins of life on Earth.
Researchers developed an AI-based system to streamline medical image segmentation, allowing users to mark areas of interest and predict segmentations with decreasing user input. The tool has been shown to outperform state-of-the-art tools in image segmentation tasks, enabling faster study completion and cost reduction.
Researchers developed a platform called CRESt that incorporates insights from literature, chemical compositions, and imaging to optimize materials recipes. CRESt uses robotic equipment for high-throughput testing and large multimodal models to further optimize materials recipes.
A new study finds that over 50% of small-molecule drug patents this century are connected to NIH-backed research that would likely be cut under a 40% budget reduction. This highlights the significant impact of federally funded research on the development of life-changing medicines.
Researchers identified mucins that defend against Salmonella and other bacteria causing diarrhea. Synthetic versions of these mucins could help prevent or treat illness in soldiers or travelers. The study suggests a low-cost solution to a major global health challenge.
Researchers at MIT developed a new approach to design complex material structures that account for 3D printing limitations, improving reliability in aerospace and medical applications. The technique enables precise control over material performance and reduces deviations from intended mechanical behavior.
Researchers have created a magnetic transistor that can enable smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient circuits. The device uses chromium sulfur bromide as a magnetic semiconductor, allowing for efficient control of electricity flow.
Researchers at MIT developed a technique called SCIGEN that steers generative AI models to create promising quantum materials by following specific design rules. The approach led to the synthesis of two actual materials with exotic magnetic traits.
Recent detection of a record-setting neutrino may be the first evidence of Hawking radiation from a primordial black hole. If confirmed, it would indicate that PBHs make up most of dark matter in the universe.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new approach to gene editing that reduces errors by up to 90%, making it a safer alternative for treating genetic diseases. The technique uses modified versions of the Cas9 enzyme to target specific DNA sequences, reducing off-target effects and increasing precision.
Researchers at MIT have traced the energy released by 'lab quakes' and found that 80% of a quake's energy goes into heating up the region around the epicenter, while only 10% causes physical shaking. The study's findings could help seismologists predict earthquake vulnerability in regions prone to seismic events.
A new study from MIT neuroscientists reveals how rare variants of the ABCA7 gene contribute to Alzheimer's risk by disrupting lipid metabolism and cell membrane function. Treating neurons with choline can reverse some cellular effects of ABCA7 loss.
Researchers create nanoparticles shaped like bottlebrushes with antibodies guiding them to tumor sites, delivering a large range of chemotherapy drugs directly to cancer cells. This approach reduces the need for potent drugs and enhances customizability of treatment options.
Researchers at MIT introduce the concept of a neutrino laser that uses cooled radioactive atoms to produce amplified neutrino beams. By cooling rubidium-83 to near absolute zero, the team predicts accelerated radioactive decay and production of neutrinos. This innovation could lead to new applications in medicine and communication.
Researchers have discovered that soft gels and lotions retain residual stress from the mixing process, affecting their behavior over time. The study reveals that common products like hair gel and shaving cream hold onto these stresses for longer periods than previously assumed.
The sPHENIX detector precisely measured particles from high-speed collisions, revealing properties of quark-gluon plasma. This achievement enables scientists to reconstruct the early universe's conditions.
MIT researchers developed a sustainable electrolyte that quickly breaks down when submerged in organic solvents, allowing for easy recycling of components. The new material could revolutionize the battery industry by simplifying the recycling process and reducing electronic waste.
Researchers developed a technique to monitor corrosion and cracking in nuclear reactors using real-time 3D imaging. By directly imaging material failure processes, scientists can design safer reactors that deliver higher performance.
Simpler, physics-based models can generate more accurate predictions than state-of-the-art deep-learning models for certain climate scenarios. However, simple models are more accurate when estimating regional surface temperatures, while deep-learning approaches excel at local rainfall estimation.
Researchers at MIT have developed a compact frequency comb that can accurately detect and identify chemicals in real-time, with high scalability and flexibility. The device uses a carefully crafted mirror to generate a stable frequency comb with very broad bandwidth, overcoming the challenge of dispersion limitations.
Historian Malick Ghachem's new book explores how the 1710s financial crisis, known as the 'Mississippi Bubble,' had lasting effects on Haiti's economy and politics. The book sheds light on the pre-revolutionary changes that set Haiti's long-term economic structure in place.
Scientists have detected a near and ultrabright fast radio burst (FRB) from a nearby galaxy, allowing for unprecedented study of the environment around these enigmatic flashes. The burst's proximity and brightness enabled precise localization to a specific region within its host galaxy.
A new study examines 1.2 billion social media posts from 157 countries, finding that very hot days are associated with more negative moods, especially in lower-income countries. The research suggests that extreme heat affects people emotionally, not just physically.
The new model can predict how well any given molecule will dissolve in an organic solvent, helping chemists choose the right solvent for reactions. The researchers trained two models on a comprehensive dataset and found that their predictions were two to three times more accurate than the previous best model.