Wall Street Journal reporter Robert Lee Hotz writes that scientists from the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) have successfully detected two black holes merging for the third time. MIT’s David Shoemaker, spokesperson for the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, explains that the discovery shows, “we are really moving to a new astronomy of gravitational waves.”
In this article and video, CNBC reporter Anmar Frangoul explores Prof. Vladimir Bulović’s work developing ultra-light and thin solar cells that could be used to power electronic devices and could eventually be scaled to power buildings. Bulović explains that over the next decade, “a very significant fraction of the world’s electricity will be provided by solar.”
Boston Herald reporter Jordan Graham writes that MIT researchers have developed a wearable device aimed at helping visually impaired users navigate their environments. The system is equipped with, “a 3-D camera, a vibration pack and an electronic braille screen that will tell users not just where things are — but what they are.”
Researchers at MIT have developed a surgical technique that could lead to more lifelike prosthetic limbs, reports Matthew Hutson for Science. The new technique, coupled with a smart prosthetic, should enable users to “feel the same way that they once felt when they had a limb,” says Prof. Hugh Herr.
Boston Globe reporter Steve Annear writes that in a recent video posted to Twitter, MIT graduate and NASA astronaut Jack Fischer demonstrated how to eat pudding in space. Annear writes that Fischer, who is currently aboard the International Space Station, has been, “spending some of his time on the space station connecting with people back on earth.”
FOX 25’s Bob Dumas reports on a study by MIT Medical that shows most parents could successfully perform strep tests at home. David Diamond, associate medical director of MIT Medical, explains that in the healthcare field, “we are empowering patients to help us take care of their health,” adding that this test, “would be yet another advance in this regard.”
In an article for The Boston Globe, Cate McQuaid reviews “An Inventory of Shimmers: Objects of Intimacy in Contemporary Art,” which is currently on display at the MIT List Visual Arts Center. McQuaid notes that the conceptual art in the exhibit, “plugs into perceptions of love, trust, and care.”
A study co-authored by MIT researchers shows how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions coupled with policies aimed at improving air quality could help tackle China’s air pollution problems, reports Melissa Lott for Scientific American. The researchers found that “the combination of both vehicle emission standards and an economy-wide carbon price… could pack a strong ‘one-two punch’.”
Joseph Coughlin, director of the AgeLab director, writes for Forbes about how many people are fearful of a “retirement future in which they are no longer meaningfully involved in the world.” Coughlin and his colleagues found that retirement FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), “may be leading many to delay retirement or, in some cases, to avoid the subject altogether.”
Writing for The Washington Post, Prof. Kathleen Thelen describes her research examining gender bias exists in political science journals. “Publishing in top journals is increasingly important to tenure and promotion in political science,” writes Thelen. “If we want to cultivate diversity in the profession, it is important for our top journals to represent the diversity of practicing political scientists.”
Washington Post reporter Ben Guarino writes that a study by research scientist Nick Obradovich provides evidence that rising temperatures caused by climate change could increase the number of nights where people have difficulty sleeping. The researchers found that “increasing temperatures could add six additional restless nights per month per 100 people, and 14 nights by 2099.”
In an article for The New York Times about the growing number of autonomous public transportation programs in Europe, Mark Scott highlights Prof. Carlo Ratti’s work testing driverless boats in Amsterdam. In addition to ferrying people and goods, the driverless boats will also be able to “automatically dock with each other, creating on-demand bridges and walkways whenever necessary."
Graduate student Joy Buolamwini speaks with Guardian reporter Ian Tucker about her work fighting algorithmic biases. Buolamwini explains that she is, “trying to identify bias, to point out cases where bias can occur so people can know what to look out for, but also develop tools where the creators of systems can check for a bias in their design.”
Anant Agarwal, president of edX, speaks with Goldie Blumenstyk of The Chronicle of Higher Education about edX’s commitment to expanding access to education. EdX is focused on maximizing, “the impact and the good that we can do to the world,” says Agarwal, adding that edX is working with universities to “reimagine education, both on university campuses and online.”
Research engineer Bryan Reimer speaks with Asma Khalid and Tanya Mosely of Radio Boston about a study showing that consumers are growing less comfortable with the prospect of autonomous vehicles.