Researchers from MIT revisited data from a seminal online experiment and found that a clear quantitative indicator of quality consistently predicts song popularity across all sites. High-quality songs will gradually rise to the top, even on sites where downloads determine ordering, but equilibration takes time.
Researchers at MIT have developed a device that delivers a variety of drugs through the skin without using needles, potentially improving patient compliance and reducing accidental needle-stick injuries. The device can be programmed to deliver different doses to varying depths, addressing limitations of existing jet-injection systems.
A new study by MIT civil engineers finds that stiffer pavements can reduce vehicle fuel consumption by as much as 3 percent and decrease CO2 emissions by 46.5 million metric tons per year, resulting in significant savings and environmental benefits. The study uses mathematical modeling to analyze pavement deflection under vehicle tires...
Researchers at MIT demonstrate that network coding and error-correcting codes can be handled separately in wired networks, increasing capacity. In contrast, wireless networks pose challenges due to interference, but upper and lower bounds on capacities are calculated, providing a guide for future research.
Researchers develop a new technique to predictably generate complex wavy shapes from hydrogels, which may help design more efficient drug-delivery systems. The technique uses an experimental setup that projects images onto a photosensitive hydrogel, causing it to assume the desired shape.
Researchers at MIT have developed a technique to mitigate side-channel attacks, which can steal computer secrets by analyzing time it takes for a computer to store data or measure its power consumption. This approach obscures computational details, making it difficult for attackers to infer information about the program.
A new sensor developed at MIT can accurately measure the ripeness of fruits by detecting tiny amounts of ethylene gas. The sensor has the potential to help grocers and food distributors reduce waste and spoilage, with estimates suggesting a 30% reduction in losses.
Researchers at MIT and two Boston hospitals have developed a simple wrist sensor that can measure the severity of epileptic seizures with high accuracy, potentially allowing patients to monitor their condition at home. The device could also predict seizure onset, enabling early intervention.
A new study published in Environmental Science and Technology found that air pollution from cars, trucks, planes, and powerplants cause 13,000 premature deaths in the UK each year. Car exhaust was the single greatest contributor to premature death, affecting over 3,300 people annually.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new coating for hip implants that promotes bone growth, creating a stronger seal between the implant and the patient's own bone. This coating could prevent premature failure and reduce the risk of infection, allowing patients to walk and perform physical therapy during the healing process.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new method to prevent undersea ice clogs by using passive coatings on pipe insides that inhibit methane hydrate adhesion. The coatings reduce hydrate adhesion to one-quarter of the amount on untreated surfaces, providing a simple and inexpensive solution.
Researchers at MIT have developed hybrid copper-gold nanoparticles that can convert carbon dioxide into hydrocarbon fuels with significantly less energy than pure copper. The tiny particles, engineered to increase surface area and stability, have the potential to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from powerplants.
MIT researchers develop techniques to address limitations of current bus-based communication systems in multicore chips. Virtual bypassing and low-swing signaling allow for faster data transmission and reduced energy consumption, promising significant improvements in chip efficiency.
Researchers developed a new model that predicts the flow of granular materials like sand, considering the size of individual grains. The model improves on existing continuum models by accounting for grain size effects, which were previously overlooked.
Researchers at MIT's DRL have developed algorithms that could enable smart sand to assemble itself into large-scale replicas of models, using a subtractive method and minimizing computational resources. The system uses electropermanent magnets and microprocessors to communicate and share power among grains.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard University have developed the 'buckliball,' a hollow spherical object that collapses reversibly when air is sucked out, exhibiting cooperative buckling behavior. This design has the potential for widespread applications in structures, materials, and toys.
A team of MIT researchers has developed a new approach to solar energy by creating 3D configurations of solar photovoltaic cells. Their results show that these structures can increase power output ranging from double to more than 20 times that of traditional flat panels, with the biggest boosts seen in locations far from the equator, i...
Researchers at MIT Media Lab have developed a new imaging system that can produce recognizable 3-D images of objects outside its line of sight by using femtosecond laser pulses and analyzing reflected light. The system has potential applications in emergency response, vehicle navigation, and medical devices.
Researchers at MIT have developed a biplane design that can reduce drag by up to half, making it more fuel-efficient and quieter. The design, inspired by Adolf Busemann's work in the 1950s, could potentially cut fuel costs by over half, enabling cheaper supersonic travel.
A new MIT analysis reveals there is sufficient room in deep saline aquifers to safely store CO2, addressing a major issue in capturing and storing greenhouse gases. The study models how carbon dioxide would percolate through rock formations, accounting for capacity and injection rates.
A new study from MIT neuroscientists found that sharing stories about one's life with members of the opposing group improves attitudes and reduces prejudice. The benefits were greatest for members of the less empowered group, who reported improved attitudes towards the other group after sharing their own perspectives.
A team of MIT engineers has created a mathematical procedure that can optimize path planning for automated underwater vehicles (AUVs) even in regions with complex shorelines and strong shifting currents. The system can provide paths optimized for the shortest travel time, minimum energy use, or maximum data collection.
Scientists have discovered that inhibiting the HDAC2 enzyme can reverse Alzheimer's symptoms in mice by removing gene 'blockades' that shut off memory formation. This finding suggests that targeted drugs could be effective in treating the disease, which affects millions worldwide.
Researchers have developed a simple blood test that can predict which patients with sickle cell disease are at high risk for painful complications. The device measures blood flow through a microfluidic device, allowing doctors to monitor patients and determine the best course of treatment.
A new computer simulation has identified the source of high-speed electrons responsible for auroras, solving a long-standing astrophysical puzzle. The simulation reveals that an active region in Earth's magnetotail can accelerate many electrons, explaining observed features detected by spacecraft missions.
Researchers at MIT have developed a novel RNA interference method that delivers short interfering RNA (siRNA) using microspheres, overcoming the challenge of efficient delivery in the body. The new system shows promise for targeting specific genes in tumors and other diseased cells.
A new study by MIT economist David Autor shows that the rise in low-wage manufacturing industries overseas has a significant impact on the US economy and its workers. The disappearance of US manufacturing jobs frequently leaves former workers unemployed for years, creating a drag on local economies.
Researchers at MIT have discovered new ways to pattern collecting surfaces to encourage droplets to form more rapidly, leading to improved efficiency in power plants and desalination systems. The findings also have potential applications in improving the performance of solar-power systems and computer chips.
A new microfluidic device can isolate target cells much faster than existing devices, using a soft membrane with nanoscale pores to guide fluid and bring cells in contact with antibodies. This technology could be used for point-of-care diagnostics and personalized medicine applications, such as cancer diagnosis.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to precisely control the width and composition of nanowires as they grow, enabling complex structures optimally designed for specific applications. This technique could facilitate new semiconductor devices with better functionality than conventional thin-film devices.
A team of researchers from MIT has detected tellurium, a rare Earth element, for the first time in three ancient stars. The finding supports the theory that tellurium and other heavy elements likely originated from a rare type of supernova during nuclear fusion.
The MIT researchers and scientists from MicroCHIPS Inc. have successfully used a wirelessly controlled microchip to administer daily doses of an osteoporosis drug normally given by injection. The study found that the device delivered dosages comparable to injections, and there were no adverse side effects.
A new MIT system allows robots to build and update 3D maps of their surroundings using a low-cost camera, enabling navigation in constantly changing environments without human input. The system can be used for applications such as blind navigation, military mapping, and HazMat team operations.
A new MIT study suggests that electric vehicles can cost 9 to 12 percent less to operate than diesel engines for urban deliveries, leading to potential savings of $900 to $1,400 per truck per year. The study also explores the viability of vehicle-to-grid systems, which could provide additional revenue streams through power services.
Scientists from MIT and partners have developed a way to produce liver-like cells from induced pluripotent stem cells, which can be infected with hepatitis C. This allows for the study of why people respond differently to the infection, potentially leading to personalized medicine.
A study by MIT researchers Emile Bruneau and Rebecca Saxe found that brain regions responding to emotional suffering overlap with areas involved in perceiving another person's thoughts or feelings. However, empathy levels did not correlate with brain activity, suggesting more research is needed.
A team of MIT cognitive scientists found that ambiguity in language allows for the reuse of short, efficient sounds that listeners can easily disambiguate with context. This theory contradicts previous arguments that ambiguity is a problem for communication, suggesting it's actually a key to making language more efficient.
Researchers at MIT found a theoretical speed limit for flying objects, including birds and drones, to avoid collisions in forested environments. The critical speed above which a bird or aircraft is sure to crash has been identified, with the goal of developing more efficient UAVs that can navigate through cluttered spaces.
MIT researchers have found a way to increase the speed of the Fourier transform, a fundamental concept in information sciences. The new algorithm improves on the fast Fourier transform by dividing signals into narrower slices of bandwidth, allowing for dramatic tenfold increases in speed in certain cases.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new design that reduces land requirements and increases sunlight collection for concentrated solar power plants. By arranging mirrors in a sunflower-inspired spiral pattern, the team achieved a 20% increase in energy generation and significant cost savings.
Twitter's US growth relied on media attention and traditional social networks based on geographic proximity and socioeconomic similarity. The site's popularity spread via face-to-face interactions, with early adopters in cities close to Boston and San Francisco.
Researchers at MIT have developed a system that visually signals the presence of target chemicals by emitting a fluorescent glow. The approach combines fluorescent molecules with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to provide easy visual identification of toxins or pathogens.
A new technique developed by MIT researchers allows for the production of complex shapes on microchips, enabling further leaps in computational power. By combining interference patterns and photochromic materials, the technique can produce features one-eighth the size of traditional photolithography.
Researchers developed an algorithm that accurately identifies potential 'red-light violators' within seconds, reducing false alarms. The algorithm's accuracy surpasses existing safety-prediction technologies, with a 85% success rate in identifying violators.
A recent study has identified a link between rare Disrupted in Schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) gene variants and psychiatric disorders, as well as altered brain structure and function. The research reveals that common DISC1 variants impair signaling pathways and disrupt brain development, potentially influencing diagnosis and treatment.
A study by MIT cancer biologists reveals that platelets release chemical signals inducing tumor cells to become more invasive and form new tumors. The findings suggest that direct physical contact between platelets and tumor cells is necessary for metastasis, highlighting potential targets for drug development.
The new chip can simulate the activity of a single brain synapse and capture intracellular processes that underlie many brain functions, including learning and memory. It represents a significant advance in modeling neural functions and could be used to build systems for neural prosthetic devices and artificial intelligence devices.
A new algorithm developed at MIT's Research Laboratory of Electronics can dramatically speed up MRI scans, cutting the time patients spend in the machine from 45 to 15 minutes. The algorithm uses information gained from the first contrast scan to produce subsequent images, significantly shortening the acquisition time.
Researchers found a vast network of recent gene exchange connecting bacteria from around the world, exchanging 10,000 unique genes via horizontal gene transfer. This exchange is linked to human disease and antibiotic resistance, with 60% of transfers including antibiotic-resistance genes.
A study by MIT researchers found that bees and similar nectar feeders are most efficient when feeding on more sugary, or viscous, nectar, while suction feeders prefer less sugary nectar. This suggests a correlation between the morphology of flowers and their pollinators.