CBC News reporter Michael MacDonald spotlights the work of Prof. Sara Seager, who he calls a “certified rock star” in her field, describing everything from her interest in astronomy as a young child to her current search for exoplanets and alien life. McDonald writes that, “ultimately, her research could help answer some of the biggest questions facing humankind.”
Wall Street Journal reporter Eric Felten writes about Prof. Kieran Setiya’s new book on midlife crises. Felten notes that Setiya, “hopes to lift sufferers out of this dip and help them flourish by conveying the insights of modern philosophy.”
Inside Higher Ed reporter Lindsay McKenzie spotlights how MIT has begun a new pilot program that offers students the option to receive tamper-free digital diplomas, in addition to a traditional one. McKenzie explains that, “students can quickly access a digital diploma that can be shared on social media and verified by employers to ensure its authenticity.”
Wired reporter Abigail Beall explores the science behind the successful detection of two colliding neutron stars. "It immediately appeared to us the source was likely to be neutron stars, the other coveted source we were hoping to see—and promising the world we would see," says MIT’s David Shoemaker, spokesperson for the LIGO Scientific Collaboration.
Sophomore Vick Liu speaks with CBS Boston’s Lisa Hughes about the sleeping bag he designed to help Syrian refugees. “For refugees who are living either in camps or resettlement areas, it’s very tough to stay warm,” says Liu. “There was such a large group of people who were suffering, and I was just trying to figure out how can I help.”
Boston Globe reporter Eric Moskowitz explores the significance of the first detection of two colliding neutron stars using gravitational wave detectors and telescopes. Moskowitz notes that the discovery offers, “so many immediate and long-term rewards that researchers struggled to pick their favorite part.” Senior Research Scientist Erik Katsavounidis explained that, “It’s like getting a kid in the candy store and telling them to choose.”
Boston Herald reporter Marie Szaniszlo writes about how the first successful detection of gravitational waves and light emitted from the collusion of two neutron stars has provided insight into gamma rays and heavy elements. Prof. Anna Frebel explains that, “What makes this such an important discovery is that we can actually see element formation in action.”
Channel 7’s Matt Rascon reports on how scientists from LIGO, Virgo and 70 observatories around the world have detected gravitational waves and light emitted from two colliding neutron stars. “For the first time we’re able to put it all together and get a much more complete picture of what nature is doing,” explains Prof. Nergis Mavalvala.
AFP reporter Mariëtte Le Roux writes about how the detection of two colliding neutron stars has provided scientists with new insights into the universe. "It was clear to us within minutes that we had a binary neutron star detection," said MIT’s David Shoemaker, spokesperson for the LIGO Scientific Collaboration. "The signals were much too beautiful to be anything but that.”
Bloomberg Businessweek reporter Arianne Cohen spotlights Prof. Andrew Lo’s research examining adaptive markets. Cohen explains that, “Lo’s hypothesis says people act in their own self-interest but frequently make mistakes, figure out where they’ve erred, and change their behaviors. The broader system also adapts.”
In an article for The Washington Post, Research Scientist Ashley Nunes examines a recent trade dispute involving Boeing Co. and Bombardier, Inc. Nunes explains that the dispute, “has fueled tensions among the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.”
Washington Post reporters Ben Guarino and Sarah Kaplan delve into the first detection of a kilonova using both gravitational wave detectors and telescopes. “It's a monumental thing, a testimony to a lot of people working together,” explains David Shoemaker, a senior research scientist at MIT and spokesperson for the LIGO Scientific Collaboration.
Channel 7’s Ryan Schulteis speaks with sophomore Vick Liu about TravelerPack, a lightweight sleeping bag Liu designed to help Syrian refugees withstand freezing winter temperatures. Liu drew on his experience as an Eagle Scout to help create the sleeping bag. “My whole goal in life is really just to impact people in a positive way,” said Liu.
Sophomore Vick Liu speaks with NECN’s Caroline Connolly about what inspired him to develop a new sleeping bag to help Syrian refugees survive harsh winters in the Middle East. "At the end of the day, we didn't start this to make money. We didn't start this to get a ton of prestige," he said. "We just wanted to help people."
Wall Street Journal reporter Robert Lee Hotz writes that scientists have detected colliding neutron stars and found that the smashups are the source of gold and other heavy elements found throughout the universe. “The neutrons can condense down into the heavy elements—gold, platinum and others—that make pretty jewelry so pretty,” explains MIT’s David Shoemaker.