Researchers develop a lightweight structure made of tiny blocks that can be snapped together like bricks, revolutionizing the assembly of airplanes, spacecraft, and larger structures. The new material is 10 times stiffer for a given weight than existing ultralight materials and can be easily disassembled and reassembled.
Researchers at MIT and Boston Children's Hospital found a correlation between poor pre-reading skills in kindergartners and the size of a brain structure that connects language-processing areas. This study aims to identify children with dyslexia earlier, allowing for early intervention.
Researchers at MIT suggest designing products to help microentrepreneurs generate income is key to success. Factors such as reliability, profitability and multifunctionality often trump affordability in developing countries.
A new study by MIT professors found that online ratings can heavily influence people's judgments, with positively rated comments becoming increasingly popular and negatively rated comments triggering skepticism. However, the researchers also discovered limitations in this phenomenon, such as topical constraints.
Researchers at MIT and Max Planck Institute have mapped the wiring diagram of a tiny patch of mouse retina using a combination of human and artificial intelligence. They identified 950 neurons, including a new type of retinal cell, and classified most of them based on their connections with other neurons.
Researchers at MIT created a layer of tiny grains that can funnel acoustic waves, potentially leading to smaller electronic devices and new types of blast-shielding material. The discovery could also enable the development of microbalances capable of measuring tiny changes in weight.
Researchers found that AXL receptor pairs with EGFR to make tumors resistant to ErbB inhibitors. Combining drugs targeting AXL and EGFR receptors could offer a better way to fight tumors, according to the study.
Researchers developed a new framework to analyze ad hoc networks with fluctuating link quality, providing mathematical bounds on message propagation efficiency. The framework describes algorithms that can achieve maximal efficiency using randomness and adversarial relationships.
A new study from MIT suggests that dopamine signaling plays a crucial role in maintaining focus on long-term goals. The research reveals that the level of dopamine increases steadily throughout each trial, peaking as the animal approaches its goal, reflecting its distance from the reward.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new endoscopy technology that captures three-dimensional images of the colon surface, making it easier to detect precancerous growths. The technique, known as photometric stereo endoscopy, uses multiple light sources to create visual representations of surface features.
A new MIT study finds that even moderate mobility restrictions can decrease infection rates by up to 50% in highly interconnected areas. The researchers used data from the US census to simulate the flow of contagion and developed a quantitative measure called the price of anarchy.
MIT researchers have produced the fluidic analogue of the double-slit experiment and electron confinement in a circular corral, demonstrating remarkable accuracy in statistical behavior. This discovery offers insight into rational quantum dynamics and wave-particle duality.
Researchers use holographic duality to translate physics of black holes to superfluid turbulence, discovering turbulent flows behave like 3-D fluids. This breakthrough helps explain complex behavior of superfluids and provides new insights into the dynamics of these materials.
Researchers successfully created and stored false memories in mice using optogenetics, a technique that allows them to activate specific brain cells. The study suggests that many neurological traces of false memories are identical to those of authentic memories.
Researchers at MIT are developing a ceramic compound called silicon carbide (SiC) as an alternative to traditional zircaloy cladding for nuclear fuel rods. SiC shows promise in reducing the risk of hydrogen production by a thousandfold, while also potentially allowing for longer use of fuel rods and reduced spent fuel volume.
A new online tool helps quantify subjective opinions on city environments, linking safety perceptions to violent crime rates. The study found correlations between perceived class and safety scores in US cities compared to Austrian counterparts.
Researchers have unraveled the secrets of mussels' clinginess, discovering that their byssus threads can withstand impact forces nine times greater than stretching in one direction. The unique distribution of stiffness along the threads enables them to absorb nutrients while minimizing damage from waves.
Researchers have developed a new technology that can quickly turn genes on and off by shining light, enabling precise control over gene expression. This innovation has potential applications in understanding learning and memory, as well as studying epigenetic modifications.
Researchers at MIT have developed a computer system, Remy, that automatically generates efficient TCP congestion-control algorithms. These algorithms significantly outperform human-designed versions in simulations, yielding transmission rates 2-3 times higher and delay reductions of up to two-thirds.
Researchers at MIT have identified a hidden reservoir of lead-laden rocks in the Earth's mantle, which would make the planet's composition more similar to meteorites. This discovery could help explain the Earth's origins and provide insights into its evolution through history.
Scientists at MIT have developed a system to grow liver tissue that can support the liver stage of malaria parasites, allowing for testing of new drugs and vaccines. The system was used to study a vaccine for P. falciparum and showed promising results.
A team of MIT researchers investigated the factors controlling boiling heat transfer from a surface to a liquid, finding that surface porosity is the most important factor. They developed methodologies for systematically depositing nanoparticles onto surfaces with controlled wettability and porosity, leading to improvements in heat-tra...
Research shows that phytoplankton form concentrated patches in turbulent ocean water, counterintuitive to expectations of uniform distribution. This phenomenon, known as 'turbulent un-mixing,' helps phytoplankton find cells of the same species without sensory information.
Researchers at MIT create systems that can translate natural-language descriptions into working code in a few narrow cases. The method involves mapping regular expressions to equivalent natural-language expressions, enabling programmers to specify complex searches using simple language.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a new method to trap light that could find applications in lasers, solar cells, and fiber optics. The phenomenon involves destructive interference from waves of opposite phases, blocking certain wavelengths while allowing others to pass through.
Researchers at MIT used high-speed video to record individual marine bacteria and found that a small flexible rod called the hook bucks during forward swims, causing the cell to tumble and reorient. This unusual mechanism helps bacteria navigate toward food in nutrient-sparse ocean waters.
A new MIT study estimates that air pollution from coal emissions in China shortens lives by 2.5 billion years, with particulate matter levels over 400 micrograms per cubic meter found in the region. The research uses quasi-experimental methods to project life expectancy losses for 500 million Chinese residents north of the Huai River.
Researchers at MIT have developed a system called Wi-Vi that uses low-cost Wi-Fi technology to track human movement through walls and closed doors. The system cancels out reflections from static objects, allowing it to detect only moving humans.
Researchers at MIT found that blocking activity in the infralimbic cortex prevents rats from learning to run a maze on autopilot. The study suggests a new approach to treating disorders of repetitive behavior by targeting this brain region.
Researchers at MIT have developed an electrochemical system for capturing carbon dioxide from power plant emissions that can operate without a steam connection. This 'plug-and-play' solution could potentially capture 90% of CO2 from plant emissions while consuming only 25% of the plant's power output.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new approach to improve solar cells by creating the thinnest and most lightweight panels possible. These panels, made from stacked sheets of one-molecule-thick materials such as graphene or molybdenum disulfide, could produce up to 1,000 times more power per pound than conventional photovoltaics.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a mechanism that allows cells to read their own DNA in the correct direction and prevents most of the so-called 'junk DNA' from copying into RNA. This process helps explain the existence of many recently discovered types of short strands of RNA whose function is unknown.
A new study from MIT sheds light on the nanoparticles' fate, suggesting ways to maximize delivery of short interfering RNA (siRNA) for gene silencing. The researchers found that a protein called Niemann Pick type C1 (NPC1) is crucial for nanoparticle recycling, and disabling it can increase siRNA delivery efficiency.
Researchers at MIT propose a new graphene-based system that controls surface plasmons to increase device density and speed. The system may enable high-speed optical signal processing and improved ferroelectric memory devices.
A new study from MIT reveals that a gene called SIRT1, previously shown to protect against diseases of aging, plays a key role in controlling circadian rhythms. The researchers found that boosting SIRT1 levels in the brain could prevent age-related decline in circadian function and potentially lead to health benefits.
Researchers at MIT's Media Lab have developed a new approach to generating holograms that could enable the creation of color holographic-video displays. The technique uses an optical chip, resembling a microscope slide, built for about $10, which can produce high-resolution video images up to 30 times per second.
Researchers at MIT develop approach to print synthetic materials with fracture behavior similar to natural bone, using computer-optimized designs and 3-D printing. The new material exhibits a fracture resistance of up to 22 times larger than its strongest constituent material.
Researchers at MIT have developed an array that precisely tracks motor vibrations through the skin, enabling better localization and perception of tactile stimuli. This innovation could lead to wearable GPS-linked devices providing tactile guidance for navigation and direction.
Researchers developed MACH software to help individuals improve their interpersonal skills through simulated conversations. The system uses facial and speech analysis to provide objective feedback, leading to statistically significant improvements in performance and perceived competence.
Researchers at MIT have made significant progress in understanding the neural mechanisms of compulsive behavior by activating a specific brain circuit that controls compulsive behavior. By using optogenetics, they were able to block compulsive behavior in mice and demonstrate potential new approaches for treating diseases such as OCD.
Researchers found that cities with higher social-tie density experience increased productivity due to face-to-face interactions. This concept was previously attributed to 'superlinear scaling', but the new study provides a more nuanced explanation. Cities with poor transportation infrastructure and megacities may not benefit from this ...
Researchers at MIT have identified 12 chemical compounds that help liver cells maintain their normal function while grown in a lab dish, and multiply to produce new tissue. The compounds can also mature induced pluripotent stem cells into fully functional hepatocytes.
A new MIT-led lifecycle assessment found that more than two-thirds of a running shoe's carbon impact can come from manufacturing processes. The researchers identified hotspots of greenhouse-gas emissions in the production of small, lightweight parts such as soles and found ways to reduce waste by recycling scraps and streamlining assem...
A new computational model analyzes the potential usefulness of drug-coated balloons, which may pose fewer risks than current treatments. The model explains how factors like balloon size and drug coating influence drug release and distribution.
Researchers developed an injectable nanogel that can monitor blood-sugar levels and secrete insulin in response, offering a potential solution to Type 1 diabetes. The system consists of nanoparticles with enzyme-loaded dextran spheres that release insulin when glucose levels are high.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a method to engineer graphene with a band gap, necessary for transistors and semiconductor devices. The new technique involves stacking graphene with hexagonal boron nitride, producing a hybrid material with varying electronic characteristics.
MIT researchers have developed a new method for manufacturing filters in frequency-hopping radios that enables 14 times more filters on a single chip. This improvement increases the performance of these devices while minimizing space constraints, making them ideal for handheld devices. The new approach uses techniques already common in...
Researchers at MIT have identified ALKBH7 as a key protein involved in programmed necrosis, a cell death pathway that can help prevent cancer cells from surviving DNA damage. By mimicking the effects of this protein, drugs may be able to induce necrosis in resistant cancer cells, providing a new potential target for cancer treatment.
Researchers at MIT have identified strains of H3N2 circulating in birds and pigs that could potentially cause a pandemic if they jump to humans. Current flu vaccines may not offer protection against these strains.
An interdisciplinary team from MIT identified cirrus clouds' major seeds as mineral dust and metallic aerosols. The study found that these particles freeze into ice crystals, influencing global climate patterns.