Researchers at MIT suggest that capturing a fraction of carbon dioxide emissions from coal-burning plants could be a near-term solution to reduce emissions and generate much-needed electricity. This approach, known as 'partial capture,' could allow the US to meet its climate goals while also demonstrating carbon capture technology.
Researchers have created a new model to calculate how much CO2 can be stored safely in geological formations, with potential applications for large-scale carbon sequestration projects. The tool predicts the migration of CO2 plumes and can help policymakers make informed decisions about storage sites.
A study by MIT researchers found that cap-and-trade programs can be effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions without a significant economic impact. The study analyzed the European Union's system and similar US programs, confirming that markets emerge to facilitate trading and emissions are reduced efficiently.
A recent study by MIT biologists has found that DNA packaging plays a crucial role in directing stem cells towards becoming specific types of adult cells. The researchers discovered that chromatin structure, specifically the variant histone H2AZ, influences gene expression and cell fate.
Researchers have developed polymer patches that can ferry drugs, assist in cancer diagnosis and help with tissue engineering. The polymer backpacks allow researchers to use cells as vectors to carry materials to tumors or other tissue sites.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to analyze single-cell responses to vaccination, providing a comprehensive picture of the immune system's ability to fight off infection. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new vaccines for diseases including HIV, fungal infections and antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
Two pacemakers in the brain regulate breathing by working together in harmony, with the preBotC taking control in adulthood and pFRG kicking in during respiratory stress. This fail-safe network is evolutionarily conserved and appears to be related to cases of crib death and central sleep apnea.
Scientists have found that nearly all human genes, about 94 percent, generate more than one form of their protein products through alternative splicing. The phenomenon varies significantly between tissues, with mRNA expression dependent on the tissue where the gene is expressed.
MIT researchers have created a novel scaffold that can aid in the repair of damaged heart tissue and potentially treat congenital heart defects. The biodegradable scaffold has directionally dependent structural and mechanical properties, allowing it to mimic native heart muscle structure and behavior.
Meteorites containing ancient magnetic records have provided new insights into the early history of planets. The study suggests that small bodies in the solar system were large enough to melt and form magnetic dynamos, overturning previous ideas about planet formation.
A team of MIT researchers has detected a new surge in methane levels, ending a decade-long period of stability. The increase is attributed to an imbalance between emissions and destruction, with the majority of emissions coming from the Northern Hemisphere.
A new approach in cellular modeling reveals unexpected aspects of cell signaling pathways and suggests that the dynamic range of signals may be a greater determinant of cell behavior. The research offers a chance to uncover biological phenomena that might take thousands of hours to discover in the laboratory.
A new MIT study suggests that young, hot planets like Earth could stay hotter for millions of years, making them detectable by current telescopes. This extended molten surface would increase the brightness of the planet in infrared light, reducing the contrast with its star and allowing for easier detection.
The CarTel project uses a network of mobile sensors to monitor traffic conditions and provide drivers with real-time information on congestion and potential engine problems. By analyzing data from multiple vehicles, the system can identify historical and current traffic patterns, enabling more efficient routing and reducing commute times.
Researchers at MIT have made a breakthrough in understanding the molecular basis of smell by mass-producing olfactory receptors. This advance could lead to the development of artificial noses for various settings, including medicine and industry. The innovation involves isolating and purifying protein structures using a novel method.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new theory to predict where aerodynamic separation will occur, which could impact fuel efficiency and more. The study extends existing knowledge from 1904 by addressing unsteady three-dimensional flows.
Researchers at MIT have developed a sensor system that harnesses electricity from trees to predict and prevent forest fires. The system, which uses off-the-shelf batteries slowly recharged by tree power, can transmit temperature and humidity data wirelessly, enabling early alerts and improved fire prediction models.
Researchers found a group of 48 genes that can predict susceptibility to toxic compound MNNG, leading to varying cell responses. The study appears in Genes and Development, providing new insights into how individuals respond to chemotherapy.
Researchers found that our brains use the timing of visual input to recognize objects, even when they appear differently. By analyzing neural activity in monkeys, they demonstrated that the brain can learn to confuse similar images through temporal contiguity, leading to improved object recognition.
MIT researchers have developed a technique called amplitude spectroscopy that can characterize the properties of artificial atoms used in quantum computing. This approach enables the study of quantum entities over broad frequency ranges, which is essential for understanding and engineering atomic-scale devices.
A team of astronomers has obtained the closest views ever of a super-massive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. The new observations revealed the highest density yet for the concentration of matter at the galaxy's center, supporting the existence of black holes.
Researchers describe a new computer-based technique to identify tau protein structures associated with Alzheimer's disease, offering hope for new treatments. By analyzing experimental data, they found one structure likely to play a role in the pathologic process.
MIT scientists have overcome a major barrier to large-scale solar power by developing an inexpensive and highly efficient process for storing solar energy. Inspired by plant photosynthesis, they've created a system that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases, producing carbon-free electricity.
Research at MIT shows how insects trap air on their bodies to create an external lung, enabling them to stay underwater indefinitely. The stability of the bubble depends on the spacing of hairs on the insect's abdomen, which must be balanced with surface area for breathing.
Researchers at MIT have pinpointed stem cells in the spinal cord that can be persuaded to differentiate into healing cells and reduce scarring. This could lead to a new non-surgical treatment for debilitating spinal-cord injuries affecting 30,000 people worldwide.
Researchers at MIT have developed an imaging system that allows them to pinpoint the number and location of mutant cells in intact tissue. The study found that over 90% of cells with mutations were within clusters, suggesting that most mutations are inherited from another cell.
A team of scientists from MIT, Harvard, and McGill has designed a new tactile illusion to investigate perception and how different senses work together. The illusion produces changes in touch perception that are independent of changes in the stimulus, shedding light on brain function and conscious experience.
A new solar concentrator design developed by MIT engineers could significantly increase the efficiency of solar panels and reduce their costs. By using a mixture of dyes to concentrate sunlight, the system can boost electrical power obtained from each solar cell by a factor of over 40.
A study from MIT researchers found that a dietary cocktail combining omega-3 fatty acid, uridine, and choline improves memory and learning in gerbils. The combination is being tested in Alzheimer's patients, suggesting a possible beverage-based treatment for the disease.
Researchers at MIT have achieved a significant advance in nanoscale lithographic technology, enabling the creation of finer patterns of lines over larger areas. The new technique has the potential to lead to commercialization of many new nanotechnology inventions that have languished due to manufacturing limitations.
A new analysis of the devastating May 12 earthquake in China found that it resulted from faults with little seismic activity. The quake occurred at a boundary between two tectonic plates and was caused by the obstruction of rapidly flowing crustal material, leading to a simultaneous rupture of two separate but contiguous faults.
Researchers at MIT have developed a novel technique to measure the strength of protein bonds using optical tweezers. The technique allows for precise measurement of forces holding proteins together, which is crucial in understanding cell structure and function.
Researchers have designed a new probe to image thousands of protein interactions inside living cells, giving them a tool to untangle signaling pathways. The probes are derived from an enzyme and its peptide substrate, allowing for easy detection of protein interactions.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory have shown that star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes make noninvasive brain scans possible by regulating local blood flow. Astrocytes respond exquisitely to sensory drive, influencing neuronal responses and complex computations.
Researchers at MIT discovered a new compound, cDPCP, that targets colorectal cells more effectively than oxaliplatin, potentially sparing other body tissues from damage. The study found that cDPCP requires the assistance of organic cation transporters to enter cells.
MIT researchers deciphered bacterial communication pathways, identifying specific amino acids that govern signaling specificity. This breakthrough enables engineering of bacteria as biosensors for detecting chemical pollutants.
The European Union's Emissions Trading System has operated well despite its hasty adoption, showing that economic effects are not large. The system allows for banking and borrowing of allowances, making it work more efficiently.
Researchers at MIT have developed synthetic nanoparticles that can quickly pass into cells without harming them. The key to their approach is a striped structure on the nanoparticles' surface, which allows them to directly penetrate the cell membrane and deliver drugs or imaging agents to the cytosol.
Researchers at MIT have confirmed the long-suspected link between chronic inflammation and increased cancer risk. Chronic stomach inflammation damages DNA, which can lead to mutations that cause cancer. Individuals with poor DNA repair systems may be more susceptible to developing cancer associated with chronic inflammation.
Researchers at MIT create a membrane that can absorb up to 20 times its weight in oil, and can be recycled for future use. The oil itself can also be recovered, making it an important tool in the cleanup of oil spills.
Researchers at MIT have developed ultrathin films made of polymers that can control bacterial adhesion, offering a potential solution for reducing hospital-acquired infections. The films can be designed to prevent hazardous bacteria accumulation or promote growth of desirable bacteria.
Shorebirds like phalaropes exploit contact angle hysteresis and capillary ratchets to propel food into their mouths, overcoming gravity. The efficiency of this process depends on beak shape and wettability, making it vulnerable to oil spills.
MIT engineers developed a new material that increases the power output of direct methanol fuel cells by more than 50 percent. The new material is also less expensive and has potential uses in other electrochemical systems, such as batteries.
A new MIT study found that a class of anti-obesity drugs could interfere with neural development in young children by blocking brain receptors similar to those in marijuana. The research, conducted on mice, suggests caution when using these compounds in kids.
Young songbirds babble before learning to sing, using two separate brain pathways for learning and production. Disabling these pathways reveals surprising similarities with human learning behaviors.
A recent MIT study estimated that Americans contribute more than twice as much greenhouse gas to the atmosphere as those living in other countries, regardless of income level. The study found that a homeless person and a Buddhist monk had the lowest carbon footprints at around 8.5 tons and 10.5 tons per year, respectively
A contaminant in heparin, oversulfated chondroitin sulfate, was detected using advanced analytical techniques. The presence of this contaminant can trigger an allergy-like reaction, leading to severe symptoms like low blood pressure and abdominal pain.
Researchers at MIT are exploring a new method to measure hurricane strength using underwater microphones, which could lead to cheaper early-warning systems. The approach was validated by measurements from Hurricane Gert in 1999, providing accurate results comparable to aircraft-based methods.
A team of researchers from MIT and CNRS studied the phenomenon of triangular tears in adhesives like tape and plastic sheets. They found that these tears arise from interactions between three properties: elasticity, adhesive energy, and fracture energy. The study has potential industrial applications in microtechnologies.
MIT researchers used computer analysis and replica construction to demonstrate the feasibility of ancient Pacific trade routes using balsa rafts. The study shows that these rafts could carry up to 30 tons of cargo and had a complex steering mechanism.