Instrument may enable mail-in testing to detect heavy metals in water Whisk-shaped device absorbs trace contaminants, preserves them in dry state that can be shipped to labs for analysis. February 25, 2020 Read full story →
Mirrored chip could enable handheld dark-field microscopes Simple chip powered by quantum dots allows standard microscopes to visualize difficult-to-image biological organisms. February 24, 2020 Read full story →
How to deflect an asteroid MIT engineers devise a decision map to identify the best mission type to deflect an incoming asteroid. February 18, 2020 Read full story →
Seeding oceans with iron may not impact climate change Study finds Earth’s oceans contain just the right amount of iron; adding more may not improve their ability to absorb carbon dioxide. February 17, 2020 Read full story →
Low-cost “smart” diaper can notify caregiver when it’s wet Design combines a common diaper material with RFID technology. February 13, 2020 Read full story →
Half of U.S. deaths related to air pollution are linked to out-of-state emissions Study tracks pollution from state to state in the 48 contiguous United States. February 12, 2020 Read full story →
Study reveals details of “golf ball asteroid” A tilted orbit may explain the asteroid Pallas’ highly cratered surface. February 10, 2020 Read full story →
Engineers mix and match materials to make new stretchy electronics Next-generation devices made with new “peel and stack” method may include electronic chips worn on the skin. February 5, 2020 Read full story →
Engineers design bionic “heart” for testing prosthetic valves, other cardiac devices Device made of heart tissue and a robotic pumping system beats like the real thing. January 29, 2020 Read full story →
Making physics and astronomy more welcoming to African-American students Report co-chaired by MIT professor cites need for “sweeping changes” in academic culture. January 13, 2020 Read full story →
A new approach to making airplane parts, minus the massive infrastructure Carbon nanotube film produces aerospace-grade composites with no need for huge ovens or autoclaves. January 13, 2020 Read full story →
How strong is your knot? With help from spaghetti and color-changing fibers, a new mathematical model predicts a knot’s stability. January 2, 2020 Read full story →
How long will a volcanic island live? Plate tectonics and mantle plumes set the lifespan of volcanic islands like Hawaii and the Galapagos. January 1, 2020 Read full story →
Scientists pin down timing of lunar dynamo’s demise Findings suggest the moon’s magnetic field was produced by the fallout of a crystallizing iron core. January 1, 2020 Read full story →
Researchers produce first laser ultrasound images of humans Technique may help remotely image and assess health of infants, burn victims, and accident survivors in hard-to-reach places. December 19, 2019 Read full story →