MIT News

Refining the “science” of political science

Teppei Yamamoto examines the methods of his discipline, to help scholars nail down cause and effect.

Cryptographic protocol enables greater collaboration in drug discovery

Neural network that securely finds potential drugs could encourage large-scale pooling of sensitive data.

Electrical properties of dendrites help explain our brain’s unique computing power

Neurons in human and rat brains carry electrical signals in different ways, scientists find.

A passionate advocate for open data

Senior Radha Mastandrea analyzes data from CERN in search of more information about the universe’s fundamental particles.

Probiotics and antibiotics create a killer combination

Delivered together, the two join forces to eradicate drug-resistant bacteria.

Angelika Amon wins 2019 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences

Four other MIT researchers to receive New Horizons Prizes in math and physics; two alumni win Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics.

Arctic ice sets speed limit for major ocean current

Long-term melting may lead to release of huge volumes of cold, fresh water into the North Atlantic, impacting global climate.

Automated system identifies dense tissue, a risk factor for breast cancer, in mammograms

Deep-learning model has been used successfully on patients, may lead to more consistent screening procedures.

This RNA-based technique could make gene therapy more effective

Biological engineers design RNA circuits that enable precise control over the dose of therapeutic protein a patient receives.

Computer model offers more control over protein design

New approach generates a wider variety of protein sequences optimized to bind to drug targets.

Technique quickly identifies extreme event statistics

Machine-learning model provides risk assessment for complex nonlinear systems, including boats and offshore platforms.

When light, not heat, causes melting

Study reveals the details of light-induced phase changes.

Letter to the MIT community regarding the MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing

FAQ on the newly established MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing

MIT reshapes itself to shape the future

Gift of $350 million establishes the MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing, an unprecedented, $1 billion commitment to world-changing breakthroughs and their ethical application.

MADMEC finals spotlight promising materials science prototypes

Prizes went to solutions for improving water filtration systems, metal fatigue resistance, and boron production.

Self-healing material can build itself from carbon in the air

Taking a page from green plants, new polymer “grows” through a chemical reaction with carbon dioxide.

Testing new drugs with “ALS-on-a-chip”

3-D tissue model replicates the motor neuron connections affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Stamp-sized graphene sheets riddled with holes could be boon for molecular separation

Fabrication technique could be integrated into manufacturing to make large-scale membranes.

Study opens route to flexible electronics made from exotic materials

Cost-effective method produces semiconducting films from materials that outperform silicon.

MIT alumnus William Nordhaus wins Nobel Prize in economic sciences

Scholar shares award for his work on climate economics.

Immune cell variations contribute to malaria severity

Natural killer cells’ failure to respond to infection may explain why the disease is more grave in some patients.

Taming “information hazards” in synthetic biology research

Cryptography techniques to screen synthetic DNA could help prevent the creation of dangerous pathogens, argues Professor Kevin Esvelt.

Amy Finkelstein, Lisa Parks win 2018 MacArthur Fellowships

Health care economist and media studies scholar are the latest MIT faculty to nab prestigious “genius grant.”