Zeroing in on the origins of Earth’s “single most important evolutionary innovation”
A new study shows oxygenic photosynthesis likely evolved between 3.4 and 2.9 billion years ago.
Citizens emerge from the slums
PhD student Ying Gao's research reveals that the urban poor in the developing world are politically engaged and capable of effecting change.
Making roadway spending more sustainable
Current and former MIT researchers find novel tools can improve the sustainability of road networks on a limited budget.
Counting cells may shed light on how cancer spreads
MIT engineers devised a way to count elusive circulating tumor cells in mice, allowing them to study the dynamics of metastasis.
Using AI and old reports to understand new medical images
Scientists employ an underused resource — radiology reports that accompany medical images — to improve the interpretive abilities of machine learning algorithms.
Behind the scenes, brain circuit ensures vision remains reliable
A study of mice watching movies shows our brain cells rely on a circuit of inhibitory neurons to help ensure that the same images are represented consistently.
Deep learning helps predict new drug combinations to fight Covid-19
Neural network identifies synergistic drug blends for treating viruses like SARS-CoV-2.
Toward a smarter electronic health record
An AI-enhanced system enables doctors to spend less time searching for clinical information and more time treating patients.
Making health and motion sensing devices more personal
An electrical impedance tomography toolkit lets users design and fabricate health and motion sensing devices.
A new method for removing lead from drinking water
Engineers have designed a relatively low-cost, energy-efficient approach to treating water contaminated with heavy metals.
Study: Global cancer risk from burning organic matter comes from unregulated chemicals
The researchers hope scientists and regulators will consider a broader class of compounds in evaluating cancer risk due to PAH exposure.
Data flow’s decisive role on the global stage
New research by political science PhD candidate Meicen Sun illuminates the broad economic and political impacts of internet restrictions.
Bringing precision to musculoskeletal health
Figur8, founded by MIT alumna Nan-Wei Gong SM ’09, PhD ’13, offers a wearable sensor system to improve the diagnosis and treatment of muscle injuries.
RNA-targeting enzyme expands the CRISPR toolkit
Exploring diversity among bacterial immune systems, McGovern Institute scientists uncovere a programmable system for precisely targeting and modifying RNA.
Novel approach reverses amblyopia in animals
By temporarily suspending retinal activity in the non-amblyopic eye of animal models, neuroscientists restrengthen the visual response in the "lazy" eye, even at ages after the critical period when patch therapy fails.