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.
Researchers link bacterial spacing to photosynthesis, providing new insights into ancient fossils and the evolution of life. By studying microbial mats, they discovered a consistent one-centimeter spacing that records the maximum distance bacteria can compete for nutrients.
Researchers develop micromasonry technique to assemble artificial tissues by encapsulating living cells in cubes and arranging them in 3-D structures. The method holds potential for building artificial tissue or medical devices with controlled microarchitecture.
Researchers found that Cdk5rap2 and pericentrin work together to regulate neural growth in the developing brain. Loss of these proteins leads to genetic disorders characterized by abnormally small head circumference. The study may offer insight into human evolution and provide potential treatments for related diseases.
Researchers create powerful new tool for calculating Casimir forces, allowing repulsion in microelectromechanical systems. This breakthrough could significantly reduce the failure rate of existing MEMS devices and enable affordable, new technologies.
Researchers have discovered that individuals with a specific HLA B57 gene carry more potent killer T cells, which can recognize and attack HIV-infected cells. This finding may lead to the development of vaccines that provoke a similar response in people without the gene.
MIT researchers have developed a new tool for rapid DNA damage analysis, combining the comet assay's versatility with high-capacity platforms. The technology enables automated readout and can be used to test potential cancer drugs and detect environmental toxin effects.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new method to measure liquid-solid interaction with unprecedented precision, improving resolution by a factor of 10,000 or more. This allows for detailed studies of wetting on curved, textured, or complex surfaces.
Researchers at MIT discovered that tumor cells develop enhanced DNA repair pathways to evade cell death when treated with cisplatin. This finding offers insights into the mechanisms of resistance and may lead to the development of more effective cancer treatments.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard developed a new sensor to measure the rate of cell mass accumulation, finding that individual cells exhibit varying growth rates. The discovery sheds light on how cells control their growth, with implications for understanding cancer development.
A team of MIT researchers has developed a novel method to mimic photosynthesis by splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen atoms using modified viruses as biological scaffolding. This process can be powered directly by sunlight, skipping intermediate steps, and shows fourfold improvement in efficiency.
A team of MIT researchers has made significant progress on lithium-air batteries by identifying metal catalysts that can improve efficiency and increase energy density. The study finds that electrodes with gold or platinum catalysts show higher activity and efficiency than simple carbon electrodes.
Researchers disrupted activity in the right temporo-parietal junction using transcranial magnetic stimulation to impair subjects' ability to make moral judgments requiring understanding of others' intentions. This finding highlights the critical role of the TPJ in making moral judgments.
A new study suggests that emotions are crucial for making moral judgments. Patients with damage to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPC) have difficulty responding emotionally to hypothetical situations and may judge others' actions as morally permissible even if they intended harm.
Researchers at MIT and Korea have developed a new approach to desalination called ion concentration polarization that can remove contaminants, viruses, and bacteria while producing fresh water. The system is small, portable, and efficient, making it suitable for disaster sites or remote locations.
Researchers have discovered how cyanobacteria's rate of cell division is regulated by the same circadian clocks that control human sleep patterns. The study found that cells divide once per day at specific points in the 24-hour cycle, with implications for understanding cellular renewal and cancer.
MIT researchers use high-speed atomic force microscopy to image bacteria in real-time, revealing a two-step process for AMP-induced cell death. The technique allows scientists to study living cells and gain insights into how bacteria become resistant to antimicrobial peptides.
Researchers used computer models to simulate silk's molecular and atomic mechanisms, revealing the arrangement of atomic bonds responsible for its strength. The study found that a critical size of beta-sheet crystals is necessary for silk to exhibit ultra-strong and ductile characteristics.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a new phenomenon that causes powerful waves of energy to shoot through carbon nanotubes, enabling the production of electricity. The discovery has led to the creation of a system that produces energy about 100 times greater than an equivalent weight of lithium-ion battery.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to transform polyethylene into a thermally conductive material, outperforming some metals in thermal conductivity. The new process involves aligning polymer molecules to enhance heat transfer efficiency.
A new sensor array made of carbon nanotubes can detect single molecules of hydrogen peroxide emanating from a single living cell. The detection could lead to new targets for potential cancer drugs and diagnostic devices for some types of cancer.
Researchers found that random fluctuations in gene expression can cause some individuals to express a trait even if they have the mutated gene. This phenomenon is controlled by specific fluctuations in mRNA production and appears to be influenced by environmental factors.
Researchers at MIT have successfully built a germanium laser that can emit wavelengths useful for optical communications. This breakthrough paves the way for the development of light-based computers that could process data more efficiently than current electrical systems.
A new magnesium compound, MgT, has been shown to boost learning abilities, working memory, and short- and long-term memory in rats. The study suggests that maintaining normal or higher levels of magnesium may help slow age-related loss of cognitive function and prevent diseases affecting cognitive function.