How airplanes counteract St. Elmo’s fire during thunderstorms
On the ground, windy conditions strengthen these electrical flashes, but new experiments tell a different story for flying objects.
MIT researchers lead high school educational initiative on quantum computing
“Qubit by Qubit” introduces high school students to quantum computing through a week-long summer camp and a year-long course.
Data systems that learn to be better
Storage tool developed at MIT CSAIL adapts to what its datasets’ users want to search.
3 Questions: Asegun Henry on five “grand thermal challenges” to stem the tide of global warming
“Our mission here is to save humanity from extinction due to climate change,” says MIT professor.
Shrinking deep learning’s carbon footprint
Through innovation in software and hardware, researchers move to reduce the financial and environmental costs of modern artificial intelligence.
Why shaving dulls even the sharpest of razors
Human hair is 50 times softer than steel, yet it can chip away a razor’s edge, a new study shows.
A new tool for modeling the human gut microbiome
Bacteria linked to Crohn’s disease are difficult to grow in the lab, but MIT engineers have found a way.
3 Questions: John Leonard on the future of autonomous vehicles
MIT Task Force on the Work of the Future examines job changes in the AV transition and how training can help workers move into careers that support mobility systems.
Lava oceans may not explain the brightness of some hot super-Earths
By making their own lava and cooled glass, scientists find these materials likely aren’t responsible for the unexpected glow of some exoplanets.
Blueprint for fall 2020 at MIT
Town Hall for undergraduate students and families outlines plans for the academic year — and the rationale behind key decisions.
Edward Allen, longtime professor of architecture, dies at 81
Known for embracing technical constraints in architectural design, Allen influenced students and professionals around the world.
Bill Hanson, a founder of MIT Leaders for Global Operations, dies at 80
Mentor to hundreds of alumni was known for asking questions that prompted students to look within themselves.
An automated health care system that understands when to step in
Machine learning system from MIT CSAIL can look at chest X-rays to diagnose pneumonia — and also knows when to defer to a radiologist.
New design principle could prevent catheter failure in brain shunts
MIT researchers propose a design to overcome a major challenge in hydrocephalus catheters — clogging — by leveraging catheter geometry.
Rapid antibody development yields possible treatment for yellow fever
The experimental drug has shown promise in early-stage clinical trials conducted in Singapore.