Researchers used high-resolution spectrograph to reveal unexpected tilt of up to 70 degrees from vertical in binary star DI Herculis. The discovery resolves longstanding mystery and sheds light on formation and evolution of binary stars, with implications for Einstein's theory of relativity.
Researchers found that dynamic information is critical to learning to segregate objects from backgrounds. After three patients regained sight, their performance improved over time, with success rates increasing to almost normal when objects were in motion.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory found that rats use a mental instant replay of their actions to help them decide what to do next. The study reveals that these sequences also occur when the animals are awake and may help them consider future options.
A new MIT study forecasts an increase in extreme rainfall events, with precipitation in these events expected to rise by 6% for every one degree Celsius temperature increase. Climate models show varying results within the tropics, prompting further research to determine outcomes in tropical regions.
A team of MIT chemists has created a new synthesis technique that allows for the easy addition of fluorine atoms to aromatic compounds, commonly used in drugs. This breakthrough could lead to more flexible and cost-effective drug design and development.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory discovered that brain waves regulate the timing of attention shifts in the visual system. The study found that brain waves cycle between high and low activity states, providing a framework for shifting attention from one location to another.
Researchers at MIT have successfully grown carbon nanotubes without a metal catalyst, using zirconium oxide instead, which could improve electronic performance and material strength
New research by MIT cancer biologists shows that tumor mutations can predict chemotherapy success. Genetic profiling of tumors can help doctors tailor treatments to each patient. The study identified specific genes and their interactions to determine how well cancer cells respond to chemotherapy.
A genetic mutation in a single amino acid causes defective collagen molecules to repel each other, leading to brittle bones and tissue failure. This study uses molecular-based multi-scale analysis to understand the impact of material properties on human disease.
MIT researchers have confirmed a long-predicted breakdown in Planck's blackbody radiation law, allowing for increased heat transfer between objects. The discovery has significant implications for applications such as hard disk storage and energy harvesting from wasted heat.
A new gene therapy technique using nanoparticles has shown promise in suppressing ovarian tumor growth in mice, offering a potential treatment for late-stage ovarian cancer. The nanoparticles deliver a killer gene that kills cells by disrupting protein production, avoiding toxic side effects common with traditional chemotherapy.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory found that brain cells only change their responses after a successful behavior, but not after a failure. This study sheds light on the neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory, with implications for understanding how we learn and treating learning disorders.
Researchers found that brain initially stores improvements in one pathway before transferring to motor pathway for long-term storage. Young zebra finches learn to sing by mimicking their fathers' song and eventually master the syllables and rhythms through repeated practice.
A team from MIT and the CDC discovered that the new H1N1 strain's surface protein binds to human receptors less effectively than other flu viruses. This restricted binding along with a genetic variation in an H1N1 polymerase enzyme explains why the virus has not spread as efficiently as seasonal flu.
A new computer model developed at MIT allows researchers to design more stable antibodies, reducing clumping and aggregation issues. The model identifies regions responsible for aggregation and enables mutation of amino acids to increase stability without affecting function.
Researchers develop nanocomposite materials that can endure high temperatures, radiation, and extreme mechanical loading. The ultimate goal is to use these materials in energy applications including nuclear power, fuel cells, solar energy, and carbon sequestration.
Researchers at MIT identified the cause of concrete creep and found a way to slow its rate, enabling ultra-high-density materials that can last hundreds of years. This breakthrough could lead to enormous cost-savings and reduced CO2 emissions in construction.
A team of MIT researchers has developed a new approach to designing stretchable electronics by studying the delamination of stickers, which can lead to damage in twisted materials. By controlling the strength of adhesion and elastic properties, they can create devices that allow wires to move with the material without breaking.
Researchers discovered that ultracool subdwarfs have unique and diverse orbits around the Milky Way, with some stars traveling at speeds of over a million miles per hour. One star may be an intergalactic visitor, originating from another galaxy.
Researchers at MIT created a model to describe and predict phantom traffic jams, which form when high-density traffic becomes self-sustaining. The model could help engineers design roads with enough capacity to prevent such jams, as well as identify safe speed limits and hot spots for accidents.
Researchers created a fast, low-power radio chip inspired by the human inner ear's cochlea, enabling wireless devices to receive cell phone, Internet, radio, and TV signals. The chip is faster than any human-designed spectrum analyzer and operates at much lower power.
A new system developed by MIT scientists can monitor the fetal heartbeat noninvasively, allowing for early detection of potential problems. The system separates the maternal ECG signal from the fetus's and background noise thanks to a complex algorithm, enabling clinicians to catch subtle variations in the fetal heartbeat.
Researchers have developed cells that can count up to three cellular events, mimicking computer chips with simple circuits. The RTC Counter uses a series of genes activated in a specific order, while the DIC Counter stores digital memory by encoding 'bits' of information.
Researchers at MIT have developed robotic devices that help children with cerebral palsy improve their motor skills and reduce impairment. The therapy uses gentle guidance to rebuild brain connections, showing promising results in pilot studies involving 36 children.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new nickel-tungsten alloy that replaces toxic chrome coatings, offering improved durability and environmental safety. The new coating is being tested on truck bumpers and has shown promise in reducing corrosion and pollution.
A new analysis by the MIT Integrated Global Systems Model suggests that climate change could be twice as severe as initially estimated, with a median probability of surface warming of 5.2 degrees Celsius by 2100. The study found that improved economic modeling and newer data on emissions are contributing to this increased risk.
Researchers at MIT have created an implantable device that can track tumor growth and respond to treatment in real-time. The device uses magnetic nanoparticles to detect target molecules, providing valuable insights into tumor behavior and metastasis.
A new method of obtaining marine microbe samples has yielded an unexpected discovery: the presence of many varieties of small RNAs, which can act as switches to regulate gene expression. This finding may allow scientists to learn on a broad scale how microbial communities respond to environmental stimuli.
MIT engineers have developed a new tissue scaffold that can stimulate bone and cartilage growth when transplanted into joints. The technology has shown promise in small defects and could offer a more effective, less expensive, and easier alternative to current treatments for sports injuries and arthritis.
A team led by Li-Huei Tsai has pinpointed the exact gene responsible for reversing Alzheimer's-like symptoms in mice. The researchers found that drugs targeting HDAC2 reverse cognitive function and boost memory formation, offering new hope for treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Gold nanorods can detect and treat tumors by absorbing near-infrared light, heating them up to kill cancer cells, while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. The technology has shown promise in studies using mice, where tumors disappeared within 15 days of treatment.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a way to induce gamma brain waves by shining laser light onto the brains of mice, using optogenetics to manipulate individual nerve cells. This breakthrough provides new insights into the role of gamma oscillations in regulating brain functions and may lead to new treatments for brain-related disorders.
Researchers at MIT have developed a novel method for creating exceptionally fine lines on microchips, overcoming fundamental limits in light-based technologies. The technique uses interference patterns to produce transparent lines interspersed with opaque material.
Researchers found that visual motion affects tactile perception, causing subjects to perceive touch as moving in the opposite direction. Conversely, tactile motion gives rise to visual illusions of motion in the opposite direction.
A team of MIT researchers used game theory to study cooperative behavior in yeast, finding that individual benefit can outweigh costs and lead to successful competition against non-cooperators. The study offers a concrete example of how cooperative behaviors can be compatible with evolutionary theory.
Researchers at MIT have successfully engineered viruses to build a cathode material, leading to the creation of a highly powerful and conductive lithium-ion battery. The virus-produced batteries demonstrate improved energy capacity and power performance compared to traditional rechargeable batteries.
Developed by MIT engineers, the device uses a hollow S-shaped needle with a guide filament to keep injections on target. This prevents needles from penetrating too far under the skin and reduces medical complications.
A new MIT study finds that modern manufacturing processes are significantly less efficient in terms of energy and materials use compared to traditional industries. The research highlights the alarming levels of energy consumption by newer processes like microchip production, which uses up orders of magnitude more energy than making man...
Researchers use Ocean Acoustic Waveguide Remote Sensing (OAWRS) to observe mass migrations of hundreds of millions of fish, revealing critical population density triggers synchronized movement. This breakthrough confirms theories about large groups of animals and provides valuable information for conservation of marine ecosystems.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new material called graphene that can enable microchips to operate at much higher speeds than current silicon chips. The new technology uses a single transistor and produces a clean output signal, leading to faster computers and cellphones.
A study by MIT researchers found that inhibiting a key brain enzyme in mice reversed schizophrenia-like symptoms, offering potential new drug treatments. The discovery provides insight into the DISC1 gene's role in regulating GSK3B activity and its impact on neural stem cells.
A new MIT study reveals our impaired ability to recognize faces in photographic negatives may lie in the brain's reliance on a certain kind of image feature. The research suggests that facial processing regions in the brain are more active when looking at contrast chimera images than pure negatives.
A recent MIT economic analysis reveals that a 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature reduces economic growth by an average of 1.1 percentage points in poor countries, but has no measurable effect in rich countries. Higher temperatures also reduce investment and innovation in poor nations.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new processing technique that allows for the rapid transit of electrical energy through lithium iron phosphate batteries, enabling faster charging times. The breakthrough could lead to smaller, lighter batteries with improved performance and longer lifespan.
A new study identifies sulfuryl fluoride as a significant contributor to future greenhouse warming due to its long lifetime of 36 years. The gas is currently present in the atmosphere at very small quantities, but increasing emissions pose a risk.
MIT researchers create nanostitching to reinforce aerospace materials, resulting in 10 times stronger skins and over a million times more conductive properties. Carbon nanotubes are used to stitch together materials, improving bulk multifunctional properties with minimal cost increase.
A new MIT study sheds light on the underlying neural mechanism of macular degeneration, revealing that deprived neurons respond equally to stimuli at both preferred and non-preferred locations. The findings suggest a relatively passive response to visual deprivation.
Researchers developed a virus that knocks out bacterial defense systems, enhancing the effectiveness of antibiotics. The engineered virus targets specific bacterial genes, preventing resistance from developing and increasing survival rates in mice infected with resistant bacteria.
MIT Sensory Communication Group researchers create tactile devices that translate sound waves into skin vibrations, improving communication for deaf people relying on lip reading. The devices could be integrated into smartphones, providing a cost-effective alternative to cochlear implants.
MIT scientists have developed a new rocket called the Mini-Helicon Plasma Thruster, which runs on inexpensive gases and could slash fuel consumption by 10 times that of conventional systems. The propulsion system uses electrical energy to accelerate propellant, providing thrust for spacecraft maneuvers.