Researchers at MIT have devised a simple and inexpensive method for sorting different types of cells, which could lead to low-cost tools for diagnosing diseases like cancer. The new device relies on the way cells interact with a surface by rolling along it, allowing specific types of cells to be separated.
The new device can detect 24 pathogens, including anthrax, plague, and E. coli, and identify them within three minutes, significantly advancing current detection times.
A team of MIT researchers has devised a new method to analyze gene expression in complex microbial populations, providing insights into the role of oceanic bacteria in regulating Earth's natural cycles. The technique has yielded surprising discoveries, including the identification of previously unknown bacterial genes and their functions.
Rats use their whiskers to perceive shapes and textures, with high-speed video revealing detailed patterns of movements. The researchers found complex patterns on smooth surfaces and irregular movements on rough surfaces, shedding light on the rat's tactile environment.
Scientists at MIT have discovered a new type of antibiotic produced by Rhodococcus bacteria in response to a competing strain. The antibiotic, rhodostreptomycin, shows promise in treating Helicobacter pylori-caused stomach ulcers.
The Lunar Array for Radio Cosmology (LARC) project aims to explore the 'Dark Ages' of the universe when stars and galaxies first formed. The new telescopes will study cosmic background radiation and test current theories about the universe's formation.
Researchers discovered two mutations in the H1N1 avian flu virus's hemagglutinin molecule enable it to bind tightly to human upper respiratory tract receptors. This binding affinity is crucial for viral transmission and explains why certain strains are more infectious than others.
Researchers at MIT have created a waterproof adhesive bandage inspired by geckos, which may soon be used to patch up surgical wounds or internal injuries. The bandage has a unique nanoscale landscape that allows it to stick in wet environments and is biodegradable.
Physicist John Negele will discuss how quarks and gluons interact using lattice field theory on supercomputers. The tiny particles behave differently than larger particles, requiring a unique approach to study them.
Researchers have speculated that the Foxp2 gene is linked to language ability, but MIT's Robert Berwick argues this connection is unlikely due to complexity and speculative chain of events. Language is likely the result of a subtle interplay among various factors, making direct genetic connections impossible.
Biofuels from renewable biomass feedstocks are being sought as a significant part of the US energy supply due to limitations in corn-based ethanol production. Researchers have developed new ways to engineer yeast and plant materials to produce desirable traits, holding promise for large-scale production.
To make global environmental treaties more effective, Professor Lawrence Susskind recommends engaging civil societies in treaty-making and enforcement. He also suggests offering incentives for countries that ratify and comply with treaties, as well as establishing meaningful timetables and targets with economic penalties.
The Academy of Courageous Minority Engineers (ACME) framework includes web technology, weekly face-to-face meetings, and research seminars to support minority graduate students. ACME has helped over 45 graduate students earn their degrees, including a notable success story for architect Robbin Chapman.
Researchers harnessing 'funky effects' of quantum theory for more precise measurements, efficient memory chips and accurate clocks. Quantum principles enable advancements in areas like pattern recognition and time-of-arrival measurement, potentially transforming industries.
A recent study by MIT researcher Tomaso Poggio found that a computer model was able to reproduce human behavior in recognizing complex scenes, leading to a significant shift in understanding the visual cortex. The findings have implications for understanding how the brain works and may lead to advancements in artificial intelligence.
Biomedical engineer Robert Langer is working on novel ways to deliver drugs and genes to targeted sites in the human body. His lab has developed polymers that can efficiently deliver DNA with reduced toxicity, potentially leading to new cancer treatments and disease therapies.
Researchers discovered that scattering by impurities occurs in both the pseudogap and superconductive states, challenging existing theories. This finding could help understand why certain materials can superconduct at high temperatures.
The MIT-developed thin-film coating can deliver precise, remote-controlled doses of drugs to specific targets in the body. The film is made from alternating layers of materials and can be activated by applying a small electric field.
By analyzing yeast cells' responses to periodic salt bursts, MIT researchers developed a simple model that captures the dynamics of a critical cellular pathway. This approach provides an alternative way to study intricate biological systems without requiring extensive computational simulations.
The new chip design can be up to 10 times more energy-efficient than present technology, leading to longer-lasting cell phones, implantable medical devices, and sensors.
The MIT Energy Initiative has partnered with ABB to develop green technologies and improve energy efficiency. The five-year, $5-million partnership will support research in areas like nanofluids, power electronics, and intelligent robotics.
Researchers at MIT created a method called DICE-K, which allows them to see the effect of blocking and unblocking a single neural circuit in living animals. The study suggests that the hippocampal neural pathway plays a crucial role in quickly forming memories.
Researchers have discovered a weakness in the defenses of the anthrax bacterium that could be exploited to produce new antibiotics. Nitric oxide is a critical part of Bacillus anthracis's defense against the immune response, and disrupting this system could make it vulnerable to attack by macrophages.
Researchers find current computer vision tests misleading due to design flaws that enable computers to succeed where humans would fail. The team argues for revamping standards and images to better understand the difficulty of object recognition.
A study by MIT researchers reveals that genetic differences between males and females contribute to the higher incidence of liver cancer in men. The research suggests that chronic inflammation and male sex hormones play a role in this increased risk.
The MIT Energy Initiative has partnered with Eni to develop novel photovoltaic materials and design solar power plants. The five-year collaboration will focus on six areas of research, including nano-structured thin film photovoltaics and water splitting.
Researchers discovered that people from different cultures use their brains differently to solve visual perceptual tasks. East Asians and Americans showed distinct patterns of brain activation when performing absolute and relative judgments.
The MIT gas sensor is a tiny energy-efficient device that can detect minute quantities of hazardous gases in 4 seconds. It uses gas chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques on a miniature scale, reducing the size and power consumption compared to current devices.
Researchers identified two microRNA pairs in fruit fly and eight more in mouse where both DNA strands encode RNA products, which fold into hairpins that are processed into mature microRNAs. This discovery builds on earlier findings about microRNA regulation using computational tools to investigate genomes of multiple species.
Scientists have found that avian flu viruses must bind to umbrella-shaped alpha 2-6 glycan receptors to infect humans. This new interpretation explains inconsistencies in previous models and could aid in the development of vaccines against a deadly flu pandemic.
A team of astronomers has figured out what alien astronomers might see when studying Earth using current and future telescopes. They found that a great deal of information about a planet can be gleaned from its brightness and color changes over time, revealing its rotation rate and weather systems.
Scientists have discovered a possible explanation for Mars' limestone-free climate: sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere. The greenhouse gas interfered with carbonate rock formation, but led to the creation of silicates and sulfites instead.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute have corrected key symptoms of mental retardation and autism in mice by reducing a specific receptor. The findings suggest that a certain class of drugs could have the same effect, potentially treating fragile X syndrome and other developmental disorders.
Engineered blood vessels could be transplanted into tissues such as the kidneys, liver, heart or any other organs that require large amounts of vascular tissue. The researchers created a surface template to grow capillary tubes aligned in a specific direction using nano-scale patterning.
The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission will precisely map the moon's gravitational pull, revealing differences in density of the moon's crust and mantle. The detailed information gained will facilitate future manned or unmanned missions to land on the moon.
The Voyager 2 spacecraft has detected a strong magnetic field in the interstellar region, distorting the bubble of outflowing gas from the sun. Additionally, the temperature was found to be ten times cooler than expected just outside the boundary, sparking new explanations.
Researchers at MIT have developed a system that uses beams of light to sort cells, allowing for precise separation based on specific cell characteristics. This technology could enable genetic screening, clinical testing, and cloning research with increased efficiency and reduced costs.
Researchers at MIT have developed a simple process to manufacture materials that strongly repel oils, which could be used in aviation, space travel, and hazardous waste cleanup. The material's unique microfiber structure allows it to cushion droplets of liquid, preventing them from wetting the surface.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory report that a missing brain protein may be one of the culprits behind autism and other brain disorders. They found that an enzyme called Cdk5 plays a critical role in recruiting key scaffolding proteins to develop synapses.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to create three-dimensional microparticles using ultraviolet light, offering unprecedented control over size, shape, and texture. The particles can be designed with specific chemical properties, such as porosity, making them suitable for use in medical diagnostics and tissue engineering.
A recent study by MIT scientists suggests that adult stem cells produced in the brain can only make limited connections, making it challenging to use them for replacement therapy. The research calls into question the potential of using adult stem cells to repair damaged brain tissue and replace lost neurons.
A new study by MIT researchers has found that children of mothers with contaminated water supplies during pregnancy exhibit gene expression changes associated with cancer and other diseases. The team developed a reliable test using 11 genes, offering an alternative to routine blood tests.
Researchers at MIT are developing novel thermoelectric materials that can control temperatures efficiently, leading to substantial energy savings. These materials have already resulted in a consumer product - a simple cooling system for car seats in hot climates.
A new study by MIT economists suggests that US greenhouse gas emissions could accelerate in the next 50 years, with technological change possibly contributing to increased emissions. The researchers found that energy use and CO2 emissions may grow at rates higher than historical averages, despite increasing energy prices.
Researchers at MIT have identified a family of proteins essential for the formation of communication networks in the brain. The discovery could lead to therapies involving stimulation of neurite growth, repairing spinal column injuries or treating brain injuries or neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers at MIT have created a novel way to model the full-sized human liver using tiny colonies of living human liver cells. These model livers can survive for up to six weeks and allow for more accurate prediction of drug toxicity, reducing the costs associated with their development.
Researchers develop nanoparticles that can be controlled by electromagnetic pulses to release therapeutic drugs directly into tumors, a potential breakthrough in cancer treatment. The system uses heat-sensitive DNA tethers to release drugs, allowing for customizable and targeted delivery.
The system uses speech recognition and language processing technology to create transcripts of MIT lectures, allowing users to search for specific topics. The prototype web site has drawn increased traffic, primarily from international students accessing MIT's OpenCourseWare initiative.
Researchers at MIT have developed an electronic nose that can detect hazardous gases like carbon monoxide and explosives using a novel inkjet printing method. The sensor, which consists of thin layers of hollow spheres made of barium carbonate, has the potential to be mass-produced for widespread use.
Researchers at MIT have successfully applied the concept of optical tweezers to manipulate and measure tiny objects on a microchip. Using infrared light, they were able to hold and move individual cells and other objects with unprecedented precision, opening up new possibilities for biological research and materials development.