Scientists have designed a new type of nanoparticle that can deliver synthetic versions of proteins normally produced by viruses, eliciting a strong immune response comparable to live virus vaccines. The nanoparticles consist of concentric fatty spheres that can be used to develop vaccines against cancer and infectious diseases.
High-functioning autistic adults tend to blame others for accidents, even if they had good intentions. This challenges the typical understanding of theory of mind and morality in autism.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a new process relating to the way drops of water spread after striking a surface, which could help engineers design more durable condensing surfaces. The effect explains why blades used in power-plant turbines tend to degrade rapidly and need frequent replacement.
Researchers found that endothelial cells lining blood vessels secrete molecules suppressing tumor growth and invasion. The discovery could lead to a new way to treat cancer by implanting these cells adjacent to the tumor.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute of Learning and Memory discovered that relatively minor details are sometimes linked to long-term memories. They found that irrelevant information that follows a relevant event is more likely to be integrated into long-term memory, and that this can occur within an hour and a half after the event.
Researchers have developed nanoparticles that deliver the cancer drug cisplatin more effectively and safely, reducing its potentially severe side effects. The new particles successfully shrink tumors in mice using only one-third of the conventional dose.
The study found that a specific protein called GRA15 triggers inflammation in the host, leading to brain damage. Researchers hope to develop new drugs or vaccines to block this process and prevent chronic infections.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory found that some neural sequences in mice' brains that fired during a novel experience had already occurred before the animal rested. This phenomenon, called preplay, helps encode related experiences occurring in the future.
Researchers discovered a carbon-rich atmosphere in WASP-12b, suggesting rocky exoplanets could be composed of pure carbon rocks like diamond or graphite. This finding introduces an entirely new class of exotic exoplanets to explore, with implications for the possibility of life on these planets.
Researchers at MIT discovered that restoring the p53 gene function can slow down the spread of malignant lung tumors in mice, but not in benign ones. The study suggests that p53 restoration could help prevent aggressive cancers from metastasizing.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard discovered that the brain assigns gender to faces based on location, challenging a long-held neuroscience principle. The study found that when people view computer-generated faces without other distinguishing features, patterns of biases emerge based on where the face appears on the screen.
Researchers at MIT have created computer models that show a face shield can significantly reduce traumatic brain injury by impeding direct transmission of blast waves to the face. The study's findings offer a potential solution for preventing head injuries sustained by US troops during explosions.
Researchers at MIT identified a new cancer drug target by shutting down an enzyme that controls DNA repair, which can enhance the effectiveness of traditional chemotherapy drugs. The findings suggest that inhibiting this enzyme may help treat difficult cancers resistant to ordinary treatments and prevent drug resistance.
Researchers at MIT have genetically engineered periwinkle plants to produce unnatural variants of their usual alkaloid products, which could lead to more effective cancer treatments. The team successfully attached halogens to vinblastine precursors using bacterial genes, expanding the plant's pharmaceutical repertoire.
Tumor cells can escape chemotherapy by hiding in the thymus, an organ where immune cells mature, and are bathed in growth factors that protect them from drugs' effects. Researchers plan to test drugs that interfere with these protective factors to prevent cancer relapse.
Scientists at MIT find molecular mechanism for storing and releasing heat on demand, enabling potential for rechargeable batteries and fuel, and opening door to more abundant materials.
More intense storms will occur in the Southern Hemisphere year-round, while the Northern Hemisphere will experience stronger storms during winter and weaker ones in summer. Global warming's effects on storm patterns can lead to increased air pollution and changes in ocean circulation.
MIT neuroscientists identify a 'chain reaction' of brain activity that controls the timing of song in birds, with individual neurons firing at precise intervals to produce a stereotypical song. The study's findings support the 'synfire chain' model, where each neuron triggers the next, like falling dominos.
Researchers found that brains of congenitally blind individuals showed greater reorganization of the visual cortex, which processes motion, compared to sighted individuals who became blind at a later age. This suggests that early life plays a crucial role in shaping brain function and that retraining may be possible.
Scientists compare ocean microbe genomes to understand environmental adaptations and evolutionary changes. The study found significant differences in phosphorus-related genes between Atlantic and Pacific populations, revealing a strong selective force driving these adaptations.
Scientists have developed a microchip technology that rapidly tests potential drugs on tiny worms, identifying promising chemicals for regenerating nerve cells. The technique has already found one class of neuronal regenerators and holds promise for treating Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS.
Researchers created a new method called BLINC to directly observe protein-protein interactions in live brain cells. They found that synaptic activity affects the growth of a complex that mediates signaling into neurons, leading to excitatory synapse maturation.
Researchers found that group collective intelligence accounts for 40% of performance variation across diverse tasks. Teams with more women demonstrated greater social sensitivity and collective intelligence compared to teams with fewer women.
Researchers engineered E. coli bacteria to produce taxadiene, a precursor to the cancer drug Taxol, achieving 1,000 times more production than previous strains. The technique could bring down manufacturing costs and help discover new therapeutic compounds for cancer and other diseases.
A new study by MIT neuroscientists suggests that the brain learns to solve object recognition through experience in the natural world. Researchers exposed monkeys to altered visual stimuli, which led to changes in neural activity and object preferences.
MIT researchers found cancer cells use an alternative glycolytic pathway to speed up metabolism and build new cells, which could be exploited to develop new anti-cancer treatments. The discovery sheds light on how cancer cells adapt to rapidly proliferate and highlights potential targets for therapy.
Researchers at MIT have created a way to funnel solar energy using carbon nanotubes, allowing for smaller and more powerful solar arrays. The technology could increase the efficiency of photovoltaic cells by concentrating photons into tiny spots with antennas that capture and focus light energy.
Researchers have observed single ions marching through a tiny carbon nanotube channel, allowing for extremely sensitive detectors or new water-desalination systems. The channels can also study chemical reactions at the single-molecule level.
A new study reveals that some classes of interneurons may underlie distinct brain disorders, such as epilepsy and autism. The research suggests that precise dysfunction in specific circuits can lead to these disorders, shedding light on potential future treatments.
Researchers at MIT have created a novel set of self-assembling molecules that can turn sunlight into electricity and spontaneously reassemble after degradation. The system, which includes carbon nanotubes and phospholipids, has an efficiency of around 40%, nearly double that of current commercial solar cells.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new method for attaching phosphorus to organic compounds using ultraviolet light, eliminating the need for hazardous chlorine. The breakthrough could lead to more sustainable production of industrial chemicals and materials.
A new study by MIT researcher Damon Centola found that people are more likely to adopt new health practices in networks with dense clusters of connections, rather than those with long ties. In the study, individuals in clustered networks were four times more likely to register for a health forum and participate regularly.
Scientists at MIT have developed a new synthetic surface that allows human pluripotent stem cells to stay alive and continue reproducing themselves for at least three months. This breakthrough enables the growth of large quantities of cells, necessary for treating diseases such as Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries.
Researchers have developed a way to deliver drugs directly to tumors using nanoparticles, reducing the risk of severe side effects. The new approach uses immune cells to target tumors, allowing for more effective cancer treatment.
Using gauge/gravity duality, researchers identified a system with unusual properties similar to strange metals, which can be explained by gravitational mechanics. This approach may shed light on other materials and predict their behavior.
Researchers at MIT create a material that exhibits 'retrograde melting' at lower temperatures than normal, allowing for potentially cheaper production of solar cells and other devices. The discovery enables the creation of liquid droplets to purify silicon and could lead to new methods for making arrays of silicon nanowires.
Researchers at MIT have created a new technique using RNA to reprogram human skin cells into an immature state that can develop into any cell type. This approach holds promise for treating diseases by transforming patients' own cells into replacements, while eliminating the risks associated with current DNA-based methods.
Researchers at MIT discovered a link between SIRT1 gene and amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's patients, finding that SIRT1 controls production of devastating protein fragments. Overproduction of SIRT1 in mice with Alzheimer's symptoms improved learning and memory deficits, while deletion exacerbated them.
Engineers at MIT develop a new technique to analyze zebrafish larvae in seconds, speeding up the process and enabling large-scale studies of human diseases. The technology uses high-resolution imaging to directly observe internal organs and allows for rapid analysis of thousands of vertebrates.
Researchers found that marine microorganisms are attracted to dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), a chemical involved in ocean sulphur and carbon cycles. The team's study visualized microbial behavior for the first time using microfluidic technology, shedding light on the importance of these tiny organisms in climate regulation.
Researchers at MIT have developed fibers that can detect and produce sound, opening up new possibilities for wearable microphones and biological sensors. The fibers use a piezoelectric material to convert vibrations into electrical signals, allowing for high-resolution sensing applications.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute found that Sirtuin1 promotes memory and brain flexibility, with potential implications for treating neurodegenerative diseases. The study suggests a novel microRNA-based mechanism by which SIRT1 aids memory and synaptic plasticity.
A team of MIT chemists has designed a new way to attach trifluoromethyl groups to compounds, which could allow pharmaceutical companies to create and test new drugs faster and more efficiently. The new synthesis uses a palladium catalyst and achieved yields ranging from 70 to 94 percent.
Researchers at MIT developed a new electrode material using carbon nanotubes, showing a significant increase in power capacity and stability. The material enables high-power outputs with good conductivity and efficient lithium storage.
For the first time, a team of astronomers successfully studied a Kuiper Belt object during a stellar occultation, providing data to determine its size and albedo. The surface of the object is highly reflective, similar to snow and ice, suggesting it may be composed of water-ice particles.
Researchers found that certain 'multitasking' neurons in monkeys' brains are best at making correct identifications in both car and animal categories. This ability to 'multitask' allows the brain to re-utilize neurons for different tasks, potentially leading to a better understanding of disorders like autism and schizophrenia.
A new study by MIT researchers has identified two distinct brain circuits involved in habitual learning. The dorsolateral and dorsomedial striatal circuits show different patterns of activity as rats learn to navigate a maze, with the dorsolateral circuit becoming more active with repetition and the dorsomedial circuit playing a key ro...
Researchers design a new technique called PRIME, which tags proteins with smaller probes allowing them to carry out normal functions. This breakthrough sheds light on previously unseen protein activities, offering new insights into cell biology.
A new technology developed by MIT chemical engineer Christopher Love can analyze individual immune cells taken from patients, allowing for precise measurement of the cells' response to allergens. This approach enables faster and more reliable food allergy diagnoses than current tests.
Researchers at MIT and Hebrew University identified specific classes of neurons in songbirds that match those in mammalian basal ganglia. The study suggests that the same brain circuits underlie learning in both species, with implications for human biology and disorders like Parkinson's disease.