A new MIT software has significantly improved the accuracy of a robotic system used in cancer treatment, reducing errors from 7-8mm to under 1/3mm. This breakthrough technology has potential applications beyond cancer therapy, including inspection and repair work in nuclear power facilities.
The MIT microchip can store and release different chemicals on demand from tiny reservoirs built into its silicon structure. This technology has the potential to revolutionize fields such as diagnostics, drug delivery, and wearable technology, by allowing for precise control over chemical releases and enabling new applications like imp...
Researchers found that the fen-phen diet drug combination was potentially toxic due to the destruction of serotonin control in blood plasma. This could lead to primary pulmonary hypertension and heart valve lesions in some users. The study highlights the importance of complete and up-to-date drug labels.
A rapidly spinning neutron star, SAX J1808.4-3658, is providing proof for the theory that millisecond pulsars are propelled to mind-boggling speeds by accretion of material from a companion star. This discovery fills an important niche in our understanding of star evolution.
Astronomers have observed a significant increase in Triton's surface temperature, causing its thin atmosphere to thicken, and potentially leading to global warming. The moon is approaching an unusually warm summer season, with temperatures rising by 5% over the past nine years.
A team of MIT researchers has identified a new battery material that is cheap, light, and powerful. The breakthrough was achieved by predicting the composition of the material via computer models and testing it successfully, paving the way for the widespread use of electric cars.
A team of researchers, led by Maureen E. Raymo, have discovered millennial-scale climate instabilities that existed much further back in time than previously thought. These rapid climate fluctuations were found to be tied to changes in ocean circulation and heat transfer.
A new device approved by the US FDA uses ultrasound technology to estimate bone density of the heel, identifying women at risk of developing osteoporosis. The Sahara Clinical Bone Sonometer can be used in offices and could increase access to testing, especially in rural areas.
Researchers develop a new trap to confine Bose-Einstein condensates using light, enabling the manipulation of ultracold atoms. The team observes a Feshbach resonance for the first time in ultracold atoms, opening up new possibilities for studying and controlling this form of matter.
Researchers developed a mini respirator for mutant mice, increasing survival rate by over 50 percent. The machine uses oscillated pressure to inflate and deflate the lungs, addressing limitations of conventional respirators in small animals.
Researchers create new materials with exceptional properties using a mathematical theory developed by Professor Subra Suresh and visiting scientist Antonios Giannakopoulos. The theory allows for the efficient testing of graded materials, including dental implants, tank armor, and gears in car transmissions.
Researchers discovered a simple mechanism of aging in yeast cells, where extrachromosomal ribosomal DNA (ERCs) replicates until the cell dies. ERCs' accumulation causes enlargement and fragmentation of the nucleolus, leading to cell death, suggesting a potential target for intervening aging processes.
Researchers grew viable cartilage tissue from bovine cells on polymer scaffolds, but found that tissues grown in space were smaller and mechanically weaker than those on Earth. This study demonstrates the feasibility of cultivating cells and tissues in space over long periods.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) biologists have found direct evidence for the function of a key protein involved in cells' uptake of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The discovery could lead to new treatments for atherosclerosis, a leading cause of death in Western industrialized countries.
The primary visual cortex, V1, is found to process optical illusions and complex images, contrary to previous beliefs. This discovery provides insights into how the brain cooperates to process different aspects of vision.
Astrophysicists at MIT propose that newly discovered planets in Jupiter-sized systems underwent violent instability upon formation. This instability can lead to the ejection of one planet and a smaller, eccentric orbit for another, with potential consequences for planetary system evolution and intelligent life.