Scientists at MIT discovered that marine cyanobacteria continually produce and release extracellular vesicles, which serve as food parcels for other organisms. The vesicles contain DNA, likely facilitating gene transfer among similar bacteria and potentially acting as decoys to deflect viruses.
Giant underwater waves, invisible to the eye, are produced by temperature and salinity differences in ocean water. These internal waves, resembling surface waves in shape, play a key role in mixing ocean waters, driving warm surface waters downward and drawing heat from the atmosphere.
Researchers at MIT developed a new algorithm that can dramatically reduce the number of operations needed to solve the max-flow problem, making it possible to tackle even huge networks. The algorithm divides each graph into clusters of well-connected nodes and focuses on bottlenecks, allowing for efficient routing.
A unique study on Oregon's citizens found that adults covered by Medicaid use emergency rooms 40% more than those without health insurance. The research sheds light on the inner workings of healthcare in the US, challenging traditional economics frameworks suggesting that insurance would decrease medical care usage.
Researchers have developed a new technique for addressing vertex-connectivity problems, which could lead to communications protocols that coax as much bandwidth as possible from networks. The approach is based on decomposing the network into connected dominating sets, allowing for faster information flow and increased robustness.
A team from MIT and Stanford University identified a 'runaway process' in which the sliding of rocks at great depths causes surrounding temperatures to spike. This influx of heat encourages more sliding, generating an earthquake.
Researchers analyzed 29 strains of the parasite and found that some South American or atypical North American strains provoke strong inflammation in infected cells, leading to tissue damage. The study suggests that host immune responses may be causing most of the damage rather than the parasite itself.
A new study by MIT researchers uses network data to show communication patterns and divisions in many major nations, including Britain, Italy, and Belgium. The study found that only a small percentage of communications cross regional boundaries, highlighting invisible borders between communities.
Researchers developed an algorithm that subtly modifies facial features to make a face more memorable. The system uses machine learning to analyze subtle trends in facial features and applies these changes to produce a new image. In tests, the algorithm succeeded in making faces more or less memorable in around 75% of cases.
A new study by MIT researchers suggests that a segmental approach to emissions policies, focusing on separate targeting of energy choices and consumption through regulations or incentives, can play an important role in achieving emission reductions. This approach allows for targeted policy-making, addressing specific areas of concern w...
A new CRISPR approach enables researchers to study the entire genome at once, identifying genes essential for cell survival and potential cancer-causing genes. The technology could lead to more efficient and reliable alternatives to RNA interference, enabling targeted cancer treatments.
A new study found that schools with high test scores do not necessarily improve fluid intelligence skills in students. Despite raising knowledge and boosting test scores, educational practices have little impact on fluid cognitive skills such as working memory capacity and problem-solving.
MIT researchers have developed an algorithm that can perform Fourier transforms using close to the theoretical minimum number of samples. This could significantly reduce the time it takes for medical devices like MRI machines to scan patients, or allow astronomers to take more detailed images of the universe.
Researchers at MIT develop WiTrack, a system that tracks movement through walls with high accuracy using low-power radio signals. The technology has potential applications in gaming, fall detection among the elderly, and other areas where accurate location tracking is required.
A new optical sensor created at MIT can track zinc within cells, shedding light on its functions and helping researchers study zinc trafficking in prostate cells. The sensor supports the theory that cancerous prostate cells banish zinc from mitochondria to produce extra energy.
The MIT model suggests that neurons constantly change connections to explore many possible solutions, but with a balance between hyperplasticity and low signal-to-noise ratio. This allows the brain to learn new skills while retaining previously learned ones, especially if they are not similar.
A new study by Julian Sonner suggests that creating two entangled quarks simultaneously gives rise to a wormhole connecting the pair. This finding bolsters the idea that quantum entanglement may play a key role in understanding gravity, potentially leading to a theory of quantum gravity.
Researchers at MIT found that the Arctic Ocean is becoming a more efficient carbon sink due to increased biological growth in summer months. However, some regions, such as the Barents Sea, become carbon sources, emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital have successfully grown unlimited quantities of intestinal stem cells that can differentiate into mature cells. These cells hold promise for treating diseases such as ulcerative colitis and could be used for drug development and testing.
Researchers have developed nanoparticles that can be delivered orally and absorbed through the digestive tract, allowing patients to take a pill instead of receiving injections. The particles are coated with antibodies that act as a key to unlock receptors found on cells lining the intestine.
The new camera uses an encoding technique to calculate distance, outperforming existing devices in conditions like rain or fog. It can be used in medical imaging, collision-avoidance detectors, and interactive gaming.
Researchers found that sulfur emissions from massive volcanic eruptions could have created widespread acid rain in the Northern Hemisphere, contributing to plant and organism extinctions. The acidity levels reached as low as pH 2 — comparable to undiluted lemon juice — potentially disfiguring plants and stunting their growth.
Researchers at MIT are developing smart tools that can mimic the human touch while controlling outcomes to ensure precision. These tools, designed by Amit Zoran and his team, use computer-aided design and feedback mechanisms to create distinctive imperfections and styles in handmade objects.
Researchers have found a way to reduce the contact time of water droplets on surfaces by at least 40%, potentially aiding in ice prevention and wing efficiency. The breakthrough could also have implications for ecology and industry, including reducing corrosion and improving turbine blade efficiency.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a way to boost heat transfer using magnetic nanoparticles, which could lead to more efficient cooling systems. The system relies on a slurry of tiny magnetite particles that are attracted to the heated surface by magnets, resulting in significantly improved heat transfer.
Scientists have found that Mars can also stir up asteroid surfaces, refreshing them over time. The research suggests that the Red Planet plays a key role in altering the chemical nature of asteroids' surfaces, changing their reddish hue.
A new study from MIT biologists found that tumor cells with mutated p53 can be made more vulnerable to chemotherapy by blocking the MK2 gene. In a study of mice, tumors lacking both p53 and MK2 shrank dramatically when treated with the drug cisplatin.
Researchers at MIT have found a way to add genetically modified viruses to the production of nanowires, which can serve as one of a battery's electrodes. This increases the surface area, allowing for more efficient charging and discharging.
Researchers have created a cocktail boat that uses the Marangoni effect to move through an alcoholic drink, propelled by a difference in surface tension. A floral pipette resembling an upside-down flower captures and closes around a drop of liquid, serving as a palate cleanser.
Researchers have developed nanotube-based sensors that can monitor nitric oxide levels in living animals for more than a year. The sensors, made of carbon nanotubes, can be implanted under the skin and used to monitor inflammation, potentially leading to new tools for cancer research and diabetes management.
A recent study by MIT economists provides justification for current rules in job-placement programs, which can accommodate married couples. The researchers found that a properly calibrated system can work well even with large job markets and specific constraints. In fact, data from the medical job market suggests that stable matching i...
Researchers have developed a computerized system that can track patients' brain activity and automatically adjust drug dosages to maintain the correct state during medically induced comas. The system uses EEG patterns and real-time feedback to optimize anesthesia levels, eliminating the need for constant monitoring by nurses.
Researchers at MIT have discovered an exoplanet named Kepler 78b that is approximately 1.2 times the size of Earth and has a mass about 1.7 times that of our planet. The planet's density is also similar to Earth's, suggesting it may be composed mainly of rock and iron.
A new algorithm proposed by MIT professor Berthold Horn aims to alleviate traffic flow instabilities, which can cause unexplained traffic jams. The algorithm uses sensor information from cars behind and in front of each other to stabilize traffic flow and reduce the risk of jams.
MIT researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough by coupling photons and electrons in a topological insulator material for the first time. This novel approach enables the creation of materials whose electronic properties can be 'tuned' in real-time using precise laser beams.
Researchers used the Anklebot robot to characterize the normal mechanics of the joint in healthy volunteers, finding that the ankle is strongest when moving up and down and weakest when turning inward. The findings may help clinicians better understand physical limitations caused by strokes and other motor disorders.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a link between abnormal brain waves and schizophrenia symptoms in mice. The study found that mice lacking the brain protein calcineurin exhibit hyperactive brain-wave oscillations during rest and impaired mental replay, mirroring some schizophrenia symptoms.
Researchers at MIT have created a noninvasive diagnostic test that detects blood clots in urine, enabling early detection and treatment of life-threatening conditions such as strokes and heart attacks. The test uses nanoparticles to detect thrombin, a key factor in blood clotting, allowing for rapid screening and diagnosis.
A new microfluidic device can quickly identify harmless bacteria and those that produce biofilms, which are associated with disease. This breakthrough could enable faster diagnosis and more effective treatment of conditions such as cystic fibrosis.
Researchers at MIT discovered that ghrelin, a stress-induced hormone, primes the brain for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Chronic stress elevates ghrelin levels, making the brain more vulnerable to traumatic events. Blocking ghrelin receptors or growth hormone may help protect people at high risk for PTSD.
A new study from MIT and SFI reveals a significant rise in renewable-energy patents, driven by research investments and market growth. Patents for solar and wind energy increased dramatically between 2004 and 2009, while fossil-fuel technologies showed modest growth.
A new study by MIT economists Christopher Knittel and Aaron Smith challenges the notion that increasing ethanol content in gasoline reduces its price. The study found no causal link between ethanol and lower gas prices, contradicting previous claims of a $0.89 to $1.09 per gallon reduction.
MIT researchers discovered that under certain conditions, a cracked piece of metal can close and heal due to grain boundary migration. The mechanism, which involves disclination defects, has potential applications in designing self-healing materials for various industries.
A unique experiment involving 500 industrial plants in Gujarat, India, reveals that changing the auditing system from firm-paid to central-funded auditors significantly reduced pollution levels and increased accuracy. The study's findings have implications for the global debt-rating system and corporate financial reports.
The Deshpande Center is awarding grants to researchers developing innovative technologies in disease monitoring, cancer treatment, water desalination, and digital printing. The project focuses on developing proof-of-concept explorations and validation for emerging technologies with a potential impact on quality of life.
A new robot-vision algorithm based on the Bingham distribution can identify object orientations more accurately than existing algorithms, with a 50% improvement in cases of poor visual information. The algorithm combines probabilities from different sources and has been successfully tested in cluttered scenes.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new concept for a microscope that uses neutrons to create high-resolution images, enabling the probing of internal structures in metal objects and biological materials. The device could improve existing neutron imaging systems by a factor of 50, allowing for sharper images and smaller instruments.
The MIT researchers' new system of self-assembling robots uses a surprisingly simple scheme to overcome the complexity of traditional modular robot designs. By giving up on static stability and leveraging clever engineering, they create cubes that can climb, roll, and even move while suspended upside down.
A team of researchers from MIT has generated the first map of clouds on an exoplanet, Kepler 7b, which reveals a dense layer of clouds on one hemisphere. The study suggests that this cloud cover creates an atmosphere conducive to further cloud formation and regulates the planet's temperature.
Researchers at MIT have discovered charged droplets that can improve power plant efficiency by repelling each other and applying an external electric field. This technology has the potential to enhance heat transfer on condensers and even generate electricity from ambient air.