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.
A new MIT study reveals that non-compete agreements lead many engineers to abandon their chosen industry after switching jobs, often at significant financial cost. The study found that about one-third of tech workers who sign non-compete agreements leave their industry altogether.
Researchers at MIT have designed a tiny energy harvester that can generate 100 times the power of similar devices, making it a potential solution to the power constraint in wireless sensors. The device uses a single layer of PZT and responds to a wide range of low-frequency vibrations.
Researchers at MIT and Carnegie Mellon used molecular modeling and simulation to study the behavior of lamin A protein tails, finding that mutant protein tails are actually more stable than healthy counterparts. The discovery validates the application of civil engineering methodology to studying diseased cells.
Researchers create detection tool that spots flight glitches without prior knowledge of parameters to check. The technique uses cluster analysis to identify abnormal flights, allowing analysts to further inspect reports and prevent potential accidents.
Researchers used innovative fMRI technique to pinpoint areas of the brain dedicated solely to language. Eight out of nine analyzed regions uniquely supported language tasks, while remaining regions showed no activation for non-language tasks.
MIT researchers have developed a new security scheme that can automatically create connections between wireless devices and defend against man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. The scheme uses novel techniques to detect and prevent MITM attacks, making it stronger than previous solutions.
MIT researchers found evidence that tiny aerobic organisms may have evolved to survive on extremely low levels of oxygen in oceanic 'oxygen oases.' Laboratory experiments with yeast suggest early ancestors could have thrived with minimal O2, reconciling a debate over early Earth's atmosphere.
Researchers at MIT have created a way to make microparticles of nearly any shape using temperature-sensitive materials, allowing for precise placement of drugs and cells. This technique enables the creation of artificial tissues that mimic natural tissue structures.
Researchers at MIT's Impact and Crashworthiness Laboratory developed a computer model that accurately predicted the location and propagation of cracks in the Deepwater Horizon's drill riser. The model could help oil and gas companies identify stronger or more flexible pipe materials to minimize future accidents.
Researchers at MIT have developed tiny robots to inspect underground pipes in nuclear reactors, detecting corrosion and radioactive leaks. The robots can withstand extreme environments and transmit images in real-time, enabling safer operation of aged reactors.
Cancer biologists have pinpointed a gene that drives progression of small cell lung cancer, an aggressive form of lung cancer. Researchers found the gene to be overexpressed in both mouse and human lung tumors.
The MIT model takes basic meteorological data and computes how tall a tree is likely to grow under those conditions. The team's results have been published in PLoS One and match up well with actual measurements from the US Forest Service, except for two geographic regions: the arid Southwest and parts of New England.
A new study by MIT researchers reveals that low-information voters are most influenced by candidate appearances, with the effect being stronger among those who watch a lot of television. The study found a nearly 5% increase in votes for candidates with a 10-point advantage in appearance ratings among uninformed voters.
A recent study from MIT shows that estrogen dramatically lowers the rates of stomach cancer in male mice treated with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. The researchers found that estrogen interferes with the recruitment and activity of immune cells, promoting inflammation and ultimately leading to gastritis and cancer.
MIT researchers have developed a novel method for storing solar energy by modifying carbon nanotubes with azobenzene, resulting in an efficient and cost-effective solution. The new material has a high volumetric energy density comparable to lithium-ion batteries, making it promising for applications such as heating and energy storage.
A new algorithm using GPS data from a tracking system can predict and prevent collisions between small aircraft. Researchers at MIT have developed the algorithm to address the challenge of false alarms while allowing for some error margin.
A study by MIT researchers found that explicit instruction makes children less likely to engage in spontaneous exploration, but acknowledging the unknown is crucial. Children taught one function played with the toy for less time and discovered fewer things than those in other conditions.
Researchers at MIT have developed a way to improve the resolution of high-speed e-beam lithography, making it more practical for mass production. By using a thinner resist layer and developing the resist with table salt, they were able to achieve resolutions down to nine nanometers.
A team of MIT math instructors has developed a web-based tool, the Educational Collaboration Space (ECS), to facilitate peer-to-peer collaboration among educators. The platform aims to preserve 'best practices' in teaching and learning, allowing teachers to share strategies and resources.
Using Archimedes' principle, MIT scientists have devised a method to measure the density of individual cells, which could provide biophysical insight into fundamental cellular processes. The new device rapidly exchanges fluids, allowing for rapid measurement and potentially screening potential cancer drugs.
A study by MIT neuroscientists found that humans have two independent capacities for working memory, rather than one general capacity of four objects. This discovery resolves a long-standing debate in the field and has significant implications for designing more effective cognitive therapy, brain games, and visual displays.
Researchers discovered ancient fossils of amoeba-like organisms that built shells to survive a frozen climate. The findings suggest life recovered relatively quickly after the first major Snowball Earth event, and provide insights into the evolution of shell-building mechanisms in single-celled microbes.
Researchers at MIT and UMass have developed a system to protect medical implants from attack by jamming unauthorized wireless signals. The system uses a small transmitter that can be worn like a necklace or watch, and allows authorized users to communicate with the implant while blocking malicious signals.