Researchers propose pilot-wave theory as an alternative to Copenhagen interpretation, inspired by a macroscopic fluidic system exhibiting quantum-like statistics. The system's chaotic dynamics lead to unpredictable particle behavior, challenging traditional notions of reality.
Researchers from MIT and Turkey analyzed 20 years of GPS data to predict a major earthquake near Istanbul. The analysis suggests that the next large earthquake will occur along a seismic gap beneath the Sea of Marmara, west of Istanbul.
MIT researchers developed an algorithm to gauge space debris rotation using visual information, achieving high accuracy in most measures. The algorithm's probabilistic approach and Gaussian distribution modeling enable efficient collection of space trash, including thousands of broken satellites.
Researchers at MIT have developed a solar-powered desalination system that can provide clean drinking water to villages in India. The system, which uses electrodialysis technology, is more energy-efficient and cost-effective than traditional reverse-osmosis systems.
A recent study by MIT scholars reveals that retracted papers can have a significant impact on the field, causing a relative decline in citations and funding. The study highlights the need for scientists to describe the nature of each retraction in more detail, as well as the importance of separating scientific value from misconduct.
Researchers at MIT developed an analytic framework that enables the analysis of GPS data on 150 million cab rides in New York City. They found that if passengers were willing to tolerate delays of five minutes or less, almost 95% of trips could have been shared.
Scientists at MIT and Weizmann Institute found that corals actively engineer their environment to enhance nutrient exchange through turbulent flows. The cilia on coral surfaces produce strong swirls of water that draw in nutrients while driving away waste products.
Researchers have developed a new malaria diagnosis technique using magnetic resonance relaxometry (MRR) to detect hemozoin crystals produced by the Plasmodium parasite. This method offers a more reliable and minimally invasive way to diagnose malaria, with potential for low-cost field deployment.
Researchers discovered the brain circuit that links feelings to memories and found it possible to reverse emotional associations using optogenetics. This finding could lead to new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder by strengthening positive memory associations.
A new MIT study suggests that extreme snow events will still occur even in a future with significant warming. In some regions, such as the Northern Hemisphere, average snowfall may decrease, but snowfall extremes intensify.
Researchers have devised a new way to separate cells by exposing them to sound waves as they flow through a tiny channel, overcoming existing cell-sorting technologies' limitations. The device successfully recovered about 71 percent of breast cancer cells from white blood cells in tests.
Researchers found that carbon-reduction policies can lead to significant health savings, with benefits ranging from 26% to 10.5 times the cost of implementation. A transportation policy was the most expensive option, costing over $1 trillion in 2006 dollars, while a clean energy standard fell between the costs of other policies.
MIT researchers have created an algorithm that enables a drone to monitor its health in real-time, allowing it to take proactive measures during delivery missions. The approach simplifies planning by separating vehicle-level and mission-level tasks, resulting in more efficient and reliable deliveries.
Researchers at MIT developed a model to evaluate the performance of large PRO systems, finding that membrane size affects power generation. The team found that up to 95% of maximum power output can be generated using half or less of the maximum membrane area, reducing upfront costs.
Researchers create implantable tissue scaffold coated with bone growth factors that induce rapid formation of new bone. The scaffold induces the body to rapidly form new bone that looks and behaves like original tissue.
A system proposed by MIT researchers recycles materials from discarded car batteries to produce long-lasting solar panels, providing emissions-free power. The production process uses a compound called perovskite, which has achieved power-conversion efficiency of over 19 percent.
Scientists have discovered that chemical modifications of a gene can contribute to cancer. A new method developed by MIT researchers analyzes these modifications to identify the type of tumor and how it will respond to different drugs. The technique could offer a way to choose the best treatment for individual patients.
MIT researchers have developed a new genome-editing technique using CRISPR to disrupt malaria genes with up to 100% success rate in weeks. This approach could accelerate the identification of novel therapeutic targets for malaria drugs and vaccines.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard University have created an origami robot that can fold itself into arbitrary shapes, crawl away, and perform active folding structures. The robot's mechanical design enables it to walk using a synchronized motor system.
Researchers have developed an elastic material coated with microscopic, hairlike structures that tilt in response to a magnetic field. The microhairs can direct water upward and even control the flow of light.
Researchers have found an alternative way to model cancer using CRISPR, a gene-editing system that can introduce cancer-causing mutations into the livers of adult mice. This method enables scientists to screen these mutations much more quickly than traditional breeding methods.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to study bonding failures in materials, revealing the crucial role of moisture in setting the stage for failure. The findings could lead to the design of more durable composites and prediction of their strength under specific conditions.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new technique for studying the hepatitis B virus lifecycle, allowing them to investigate immune responses and drug treatments. The model could help find a cure for the disease by understanding how the virus interacts with liver cells.
Researchers developed an algorithm to reconstruct audio signals from minute object vibrations captured in video. They successfully extracted intelligible speech from a potato-chip bag and useful audio signals from other objects like aluminum foil and leaves.
Scientists at MIT and Saudi Arabia have created a new system to make surfaces active, using external fields like magnetic fields to exert precise control over particle movement. This technology could enable new biomedical or microfluidic devices and self-cleaning solar panels.
Researchers at MIT have found a way to control graphene's electrical conductivity using extremely short light pulses. By modulating electron concentration, they can alter graphene's photoconductive properties from semiconductor-like to metallike behavior.
Researchers at MIT Media Laboratory and University of California at Berkeley developed a new display technology that automatically corrects vision defects. The technique uses multiple on-screen pixels to simulate a single virtual pixel, allowing for glasses-free interaction with the digital world.
A comprehensive US study reveals that city governments closely match citizens' politics and policies, with liberal cities taxing and spending more. The research challenges the popular image of local governance being under the sway of machine politics or big-money interests.
Researchers developed a new technique to manufacture microstructured surfaces with specific textures, exhibiting controllable mechanical stiffness and strength. The process involves self-assembly of carbon nanotubes and can be used to create large expanses of structures simultaneously.
A new study reveals how a drug called KP1212 induces rapid mutation in HIV, which could help combat the residual virus in patients. The researchers believe that over time, this treatment could lead to the destruction of latent viruses, potentially curing HIV patients.
MIT researchers have developed a new theory that suggests refrigerators could use magnets as cooling agents by exploiting the thermoelectric effect of magnons. Theoretical calculations predict that magnons can carry heat from one end of a magnet to another, producing a cooling effect.
A new study from MIT warns that climate change and air pollution can combine to reduce crop yields, with effects varying by region. The study found that ozone pollution can cause significant damage to crops, particularly in the US where stricter regulations may mitigate its impact.
Researchers develop technique to efficiently calculate mutual information between nodes in probabilistic graphical models, allowing for targeted data collection and reducing computational time. By leveraging Gaussian distributions, the algorithm can assess data usefulness before it becomes available.
A study tracking bacterial populations over a year found daily fluctuations in response to diet and other factors. The researchers also discovered that certain strains of bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, can be protected against inflammatory bowel disease by eating citrus.
Computer scientists at MIT and Israel's Technion have discovered an unexpected source of information about the world's languages: native speakers' writing habits in English. The system analyzed over 1,000 essays to predict typological features of 14 languages, achieving 72% accuracy on average.
A recent study suggests that adults' more highly developed cognitive skills can actually interfere with their ability to learn certain elements of a second language. This 'effort paradox' is thought to occur when adults try to analyze too much information at once, leading to difficulties in learning the morphology of an artificial lang...
Researchers have identified a mechanism by which tiny gold particles can fuse with cell membranes without damaging cells. This discovery suggests possible strategies for designing nanoparticles that could get into cells more easily.
Researchers at MIT developed a robot that augments the grasping motion of the human hand, working in sync with the wearer's fingers to grasp objects of various shapes and sizes. The device aims to assist people with limited dexterity in performing routine household tasks.
A new network-management system, Fastpass, can reduce average queue length of routers in a Facebook data center by 99.6 percent and shrink latency nearly as much. By using a central server called an arbiter, the system efficiently assigns transmission times to nodes in the network.
A phase-changing material developed by MIT researchers allows robots to transform between a rigid and soft state, enabling them to navigate through tight spaces without damaging organs or vessels. The material can also self-heal and repair damage, making it suitable for applications such as surgical robotics and search-and-rescue opera...
The new findings demonstrate that the process can generate small amounts of electricity, comparable to other ambient energy harvesting systems. The device could be simple and powered by humidity in the air, producing clean water as a side benefit.
Researchers at MIT have created a drone lighting system that automatically assumes the right positions for photographic lighting effects. The system uses an autonomous helicopter to produce rim lighting, adjusting in real-time to capture delicate edge effects.
A new system called openPDS allows individuals to store and manage their own digital data, giving them control over what information is shared with apps and services. This enables the use of personalized recommendations while preserving user privacy.
MIT researchers have developed a new membrane that can separate finely mixed oil and water, including nanoemulsions. The membrane uses hierarchical pore structures to block the passage of unwanted material while providing strength sufficient to withstand high pressure.
A new study found that women are greatly underrepresented in the labs of high-achieving male biology professors, despite being overrepresented overall. This discrepancy may be due to self-selection or unconscious bias, and institutions can take steps to address these issues by making their labs more welcoming to female scientists.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new light-sensitive protein called Jaws that allows for non-invasive brain control using a light source outside the skull. This breakthrough enables long-term studies without implanted light sources, paving the way for potential treatments of epilepsy and other neurological disorders.
MIT researchers successfully control muscle movement in awake and alert mice by applying blue light to their spinal cords via optogenetics. This technique reveals the function of inhibitory interneurons that form complex circuits with other neurons, allowing for precise control over specific subsets of neurons.
A new MIT study provides direct evidence of plants in the Neanderthal diet, suggesting a more varied diet than previously thought. The researchers analyzed fecal remains from El Salt, Spain, finding metabolized versions of animal-derived cholesterol and phytosterol, a compound found in plants.
Researchers from MIT developed an algorithm that allows distributed agents, such as robots, to collect data and analyze it independently. The algorithm outperformed a standard algorithm that works on aggregated data in experiments involving several different data sets.
MIT researchers have developed smart morphable surfaces that can change their surface texture to reduce drag and improve efficiency. By mimicking the effect of golf ball dimples, these surfaces can cut air resistance in half at lower speeds, with a reduction in drag very similar to that of golf balls.