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.
A recent MIT study warns that increasing levels of human-generated ozone will damage global vegetation, particularly crops, resulting in significant economic costs. By 2100, crop production is projected to decline by 10-12 percent, with the most affected regions being northern temperate areas.
Researchers at MIT have made significant advances toward a novel therapeutic device that can selectively provide signals to cells traveling through the bloodstream. The technology leverages cell rolling, a biological process that slows down cells as they flow through blood vessels, allowing them to sense signals from nearby tissues.
The team developed a structured gel with tunable optical properties that can rapidly change color in fractions of a second. The gel's color shift is limited to one dimension due to its one-dimensional periodic stack structure, resulting in a dramatic improvement over earlier color-changing gels.
MIT scientists propose that blood modulates how neurons process information and regulate brain activity. Blood flow affects the activity of nearby neurons, changing how they transmit signals and hence regulating information flow throughout the brain.
Scientists at MIT have identified a critical blood protein called HRI that plays a pivotal role in the body's iron recycling process. This discovery holds promise for developing new treatments for conditions like beta-thalassemia and erythropoietic protoporphyria.
Researchers at MIT discovered a link between gene SIRT1 and cholesterol flushing pathway, which could lead to drugs lowering risk of diseases like atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's. Potential treatments based on polyphenols may be developed to enhance SIRT1 effects.
Researchers at MIT have created an algorithm to convert brain signals into action in patients with paralysis or amputations, unifying disparate approaches to neural prosthetic devices. The technique provides a common framework for various measurement techniques and brain regions.
Researchers discovered that genes significantly impact people's perception of fairness in economic games, with identical twins showing greater similarity in gameplay than fraternal twins. Genetic influences account for up to 40% of the variation in response to unfair offers.
Researchers from MIT and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals have shown that siRNA does not interfere with the microRNA pathway, achieving 80% silencing of target genes in mice and hamster liver cells. This approach could lead to treatments for a wide range of diseases.
A new MIT model can predict structural changes in antibodies to enhance their effectiveness. The team has already created a new version of a cancer treatment drug with improved binding affinity.
Researchers at MIT have created an exoskeleton device to lighten the burden of heavy backpacks, transferring weight to the ground. The prototype successfully takes on 80% of an 80-pound load but impairs natural walking gait.
Researchers from the Picower Institute at MIT have identified the gene Ten_m3 as crucial for creating matched projections from both eyes in the brain. In mice with this gene knocked out, visual deficits persisted even when one eye was covered, but blocking the output of one eye restored vision.
Researchers at MIT have found that the body's innate ability to adapt to recurring stimuli can be leveraged to design more effective and less costly artificial respirators. By taking into account a patient's natural breathing rhythm, doctors may be able to minimize the need for induced sedation or paralysis.
Gene therapy holds great promise but faces safety concerns due to virus-based delivery methods. MIT researchers have created biodegradable polymers that can deliver genes safely and effectively, showing promise for ovarian cancer treatment and other applications.
Research using fMRI and behavioral studies confirms that adult human brain can reorganize and adapt after damage, such as stroke or visual disorders. The study found that the visually deprived cortex assumed new functional properties, affecting visual perception and leading to distortions in perception.
Researchers at MIT have developed an elegant method to synthesize the lethal components of red tides, shedding light on how algae generate these toxins. The breakthrough could help scientists prevent red tide outbreaks and accelerate the development of cystic fibrosis treatments.
Researchers at MIT have developed a technique to create 3D images of living cells, revealing internal structures and enabling the study of cellular function in its native state. The method uses interferometry and refractive index properties, producing high-resolution images with resolutions as low as 150 nanometers.
A new study predicts that Americans' 401(k) plans will be substantially wealthier in real terms by 2040, even if stock market returns are lower than historical values. The research found that future retirees will likely have more assets due to longer working careers and the shift towards 401(k) plans.
A new MIT study finds that mature brains process and retain rich, contextual memories better than younger brains. Adults demonstrated a more developed prefrontal cortex leading to enhanced contextual memory formation.
The new dredge, which uses jets of water to lift scallops off the seafloor without physically contacting it, caught 50-60% of a normal catch rate in field tests. This technology has the potential to reduce damage to marine habitat and catch essential fish species.
The MIT team has successfully built a mechanical fin that can propel a submarine like a bluegill sunfish. The fin uses a propeller-driven system and is made of a cutting-edge polymer that conducts electricity.
A new MIT model can predict how cells will respond to targeted drug therapies, enabling better treatment choices for individual patients. The model is based on similarities in cell signaling pathways and could help test the effectiveness of drugs for various diseases.
The new engine technology can improve fuel economy by several miles per gallon, cutting oil demand in the US by a million barrels a day. The mode-switching capability could appear in production models within a few years.
MIT scientists have discovered a connection between two proteins found in brain tumors that could help treat glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive form of brain cancer. Attacking both EGFRvIII and c-Met simultaneously is more effective than targeting either protein alone, offering new hope for treating this deadly disease.
An MIT team has solved the case of the throbbbing oil drop, explaining how evaporation-induced variations in surface tension cause a periodic expansion and contraction. The mechanism, which involves three interfaces between oil, water, and air, has implications for environmental engineering and could be applied to biological systems.
The BioSuit is a lightweight, skintight suit designed to allow superior mobility when humans reach Mars or return to the moon. It uses mechanical counter-pressure and stretches with the body, allowing freedom of movement.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute have discovered a molecular mechanism that governs the formation of fears stemming from traumatic events. Inhibiting a kinase called Cdk5 facilitates the extinction of fear, while increased activity persists fear learned in a particular context.