Recent research at MIT shows that adding a layer of graphene to a surface has little effect on its interaction with liquids, except for extreme cases. The team's findings demonstrate the ability to manipulate wettability while preserving electrical conductivity and optical properties.
Researchers use microfabrication techniques to create 3D brain tissues with precise control and manipulation, enabling the study of neuron connections and predicting cell responses to drugs. The new technique paves the way for developing bioengineered implants for organ systems and personalized medicine.
Researchers at MIT have created new materials inspired by spider silk and music, offering a potential solution for designing new biosynthetic materials. By analyzing the structural elements of music, they were able to predict the properties of new protein-based fibers, leading to the creation of stronger and more flexible materials.
A new MRI technique has provided the first clinical evidence for the theory that Parkinson's neurodegeneration begins deep in the brain and advances upward. The study found significant loss of volume in the substantia nigra early on, followed by loss of basal forebrain volume later in the disease.
Researchers have developed a 'solar energy funnel' that uses materials under elastic strain to produce unprecedented properties. This concept takes advantage of the varying strain across different wavelengths of light, allowing for more efficient energy production.
Researchers identified groups of neurons that encode specific behavioral rules by oscillating in synchrony with each other. The study found that the nature of conscious thought may be rhythmic, and that disruptions in brain waves could contribute to neurological disorders such as schizophrenia.
Researchers at MIT developed a new method to predict Arctic sea ice extent by combining models and observations, revealing an important interaction between sea ice and ocean currents. The study provides a valuable tool for climate scientists and industries, enabling better prediction of sea-ice growth and transport.
MIT researchers have created a new type of injectable gel that can withstand mechanical stress and remain durable over time. The gel, made with protein hydrogels, forms a reinforcing network when heated to body temperature, making it more suitable for long-term drug release and tissue engineering applications.
A new study reveals that heat can travel like waves, not particles, through superlattices, allowing for precise control over heat flow. This discovery opens the possibility of creating materials with tailored thermal properties for thermoelectric devices and improved cooling of electronic chips.
Researchers found that a little distraction can help drone operators stay engaged and perform better. Participants who were distracted 30% of the time scored almost as high as those who focused the majority of their attention on the simulation.
In a study, MIT physicists found that cooperative yeast members outperform cheaters when competing with bacteria in an experimental setup. This is because cooperators have easier access to sugars and can spread less due to population density constraints.
Researchers at MIT developed a microfluidic device that captures circulating tumor cells using DNA 'tentacles' inspired by jellyfish. The device increases flow rates 10 times higher than existing ones, enabling rapid processing of blood samples and potential monitoring of cancer patients.
A computer model reveals that marine bacteria benefit from swimming in turbulent seawater, accessing nutrient-rich zones before they are dispersed. The study finds an optimal swimming speed of about 60 micrometers per second, which confers a feeding advantage but also incurs energy costs.
A new study from MIT neuroscientists has found that the brain's prefrontal cortex has a small region responsible for controlling which habits are switched on at a given time. The researchers used optogenetics to inhibit this region, allowing them to break and form new habits in rats.
Researchers have found that graphene membranes contain tiny pores, allowing small molecules to pass through while blocking larger ones. This discovery opens up new possibilities for creating membranes that can filter microscopic contaminants from water or separate specific types of molecules from biological samples.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new surface architecture that significantly improves the performance of condensers, turning steam back into water in powerplants. The design boosts hydrophobic surfaces, allowing droplets to move 10,000 times faster and increasing efficiency.
Researchers from MIT have developed a new tag, APEX, that enables high-resolution visualization of proteins in cells using electron microscopy. The APEX tag allows scientists to label and identify specific proteins with unprecedented clarity, resolving open questions regarding protein locations and functions.
A team of MIT neuroscientists has created a way to monitor brain-cell activity by detecting calcium ions, which could provide insights into the origins of autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The technique allows for pinpointing specific cell types involved in psychiatric diseases.
MIT researchers develop a new approach to let particles hide from passing electrons, potentially leading to more efficient thermoelectric devices and new electronics. The concept harnesses cloaking mechanisms to control electron transport, offering a promising strategy for controlling electron flow.
The study suggests that languages develop word order rules to minimize miscommunication across a noisy channel. Researchers found a correlation between word order and case markings, with strongly case-marked languages like Japanese defaulting to SOV word order.
A new MIT study reveals cellular adhesion molecules critical to cancer's metastasis, offering potential new targets for cancer drug therapy. The researchers found that adhesion tendencies of metastatic cells from different primary tumors were similar, suggesting a shared pathway.
Researchers have developed a new method to create carbon nanotube sensors using mechanical pencils, overcoming the need for hazardous solvents. The sensors detect minute amounts of gas by altering electrical current flow through the nanotubes.
The MIT team has developed a synthetic biology circuit that integrates four sensors for different molecules, allowing cells to precisely monitor their environments and respond accordingly. The breakthrough was achieved by creating genetic components that don't interfere with each other, enabling the production of complex circuits.
Researchers at MIT's Research Laboratory of Electronics found that a logarithmic scale is optimal for minimizing relative error in human sensory perception and memory. This aligns with natural human instinct to represent numbers logarithmically, particularly when storing data in memory or compressing stimuli.
Female leaders in clean energy were honored at the Women in Clean Energy Symposium, including C3E award winners who made significant contributions to policy, innovation, education, and corporate implementation. The event highlighted the importance of local initiatives in advancing national energy plans.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to analyze data from North American forests, finding that warmer climates accelerate leaf decay uniformly, while plant composition determines the range of rates. The study reveals surprising commonality among diverse leaf decay patterns, shedding light on global carbon flux and climate change.
A team of researchers at MIT has discovered a set of general principles that explain the sudden increase in material strength as strain rate increases. This phenomenon, known as flow-stress upturn, has broad implications for understanding materials' behavior under various types of stresses.
Researchers at MIT's Haystack Observatory have measured the radius of a black hole at the center of a distant galaxy using the Event Horizon Telescope. The measurement confirms Einstein's theory of general relativity by showing that the accretion disk is spinning in the same direction as the black hole.
A team of MIT researchers has found a way to use oscillating microscopic beads to carry out biomedical tests, potentially enabling multiple medical tests on a tiny device. The technique allows for precise measurements of tiny quantities of materials and could lead to fast, compact, and versatile medical-testing devices.
A prototype sensor array worn on the chest automatically creates a digital map of the wearer's environment, recognizing movement between floors. The system is envisioned as a tool to help emergency responders coordinate disaster response by providing accurate location estimates and visual features of the surroundings.
A study by MIT estimates that tropical regions will see 10% heavier rainfall extremes with every 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature, posing significant risks for flooding. The research suggests a higher sensitivity of tropical extreme rainfall to global warming than previously thought.
MIT engineers enhance skin permeability using ultrasound waves, enabling efficient transdermal drug delivery. The technology could pave the way for needle-free vaccinations and improve treatment of skin conditions like acne or psoriasis.
A new study has outlined how interactions between genes, proteins and molecules direct the development of stem cells into mature heart cells. The research could help scientists better understand how genetic mutations lead to congenital heart defects and assist efforts to engineer artificial heart tissue.
A new study found that brain scans can predict patients' responses to cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder. The researchers measured brain activity while patients looked at faces before treatment and found those with greater activity in high-level visual processing areas showed the most improvement after therapy.
Researchers found that a few marine microbes produce natural antibiotics that protect their populations from competitors and neighboring populations. This cooperative behavior, where some individuals act as protectors of the many, is a surprising example of social organization in microbial populations.
About 80 percent of the human genome is found to be biochemically active, regulating nearby genes and influencing expression in different cells. The discovery helps understand how mutations in regulatory elements lead to diseases like lupus and diabetes.
Researchers at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory presented a new system called Pyxis that automatically streamlines website database access patterns. This results in significant speedups of up to three times and reduced bandwidth usage. Pyxis works with languages already favored by web developers, such as Java.
When the malaria parasite infects human red blood cells, it launches a 48-hour remodeling process that enhances cell membrane stiffness through the RESA protein. This increased rigidity impairs microcirculation, especially at fever temperatures.
Researchers at MIT have successfully produced complex electronic components from molybdenum disulfide, a material that naturally comes with a bandgap and could enable new products such as glowing walls, clothing with embedded electronics, and glasses with built-in display screens. The discovery opens up a new realm of research on two-d...
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to create alloys with extremely tiny grains that remain stable even under high heat. The new material, made of tungsten and titanium, has exceptional strength and impact resistance, making it suitable for various applications.
Researchers have successfully engineered a soil bacterium to produce isobutanol, a renewable fuel source that can be used in current engines with minimal modification. The microbe, Ralstonia eutropha, was modified to use carbon dioxide as its carbon source, paving the way for potential applications in industrial-scale production.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new process to create defect-free patterns of nanocrystal films with nanoscale resolution, enabling applications in electronic devices, solar cells, and biosensors. The electrical conductivity of the films is roughly 180 times greater than that of conventional methods.
A new study finds that strokes alter muscle synergy patterns, with distinct disruptions following stroke severity and time since the stroke. This discovery could lead to improved rehabilitation for stroke patients and a better understanding of brain motor control.
A new thruster design, developed by MIT, uses 500 microscopic tips to create a small puff of charged particles that can help propel small satellites forward. The microthrusters have the potential to enable CubeSats to change orbits and reduce space clutter by propelling them down to lower orbits where they can burn up.
MIT researchers have developed RNA-delivering nanoparticles that allow for rapid screening of new drug targets in mice. These nanoparticles target the ID4 protein, shrinking ovarian tumors in their first mouse study. The technology has the potential to relieve a significant bottleneck in cancer-drug development.
Researchers found that cells grown on different types of scaffolds vary in their ability to repair damaged blood vessels and suppress inflammation. Cells grown on porous surfaces tend to be more effective at repairing damage.
Researchers have found that plants exhibit a wide range of mechanical properties, from stiffness and strength. Fruits and vegetables are the least stiff, while densest palms can be 100,000 times stiffer. Plants' microstructures, such as cell wall composition and arrangement, contribute to this diversity.
New experiments show graphene reacts chemically and electrically differently depending on the substrate material, allowing for patterned surfaces with varying chemical behavior. This discovery enables the creation of microarrays of sensors and potential protective coatings for materials.
MIT's Robust Robotics Group has developed an algorithm that enables autonomous-control algorithms for indoor flight of GPS-denied airplanes, allowing for obstacle dodging and cargo capacity. The plane uses a laser rangefinder and inertial sensors to determine its state in real-time, and combines two different types of state-estimation ...
Researchers at MIT and Harvard have developed a soft, peristalsis-driven robot that can inch along surfaces using segments of artificial muscle made from nickel-titanium alloy. The robot, named Meshworm, is remarkably resilient, surviving multiple blows with a hammer without sustaining damage.