“Bottlebrush” particles deliver big chemotherapy payloads directly to cancer cells
Outfitted with antibodies that guide them to the tumor site, the new nanoparticles could reduce the side effects of treatment.
Remembering David Baltimore, influential biologist and founding director of the Whitehead Institute
The longtime MIT professor and Nobel laureate was a globally respected researcher, academic leader, and science policy visionary who guided the careers of generations of scientists.
Alzheimer’s erodes brain cells’ control of gene expression, undermining function, cognition
Study of 3.5 million cells from more than 100 human brains finds Alzheimer’s progression — and resilience to disease — depends on preserving epigenomic stability.
Physicists devise an idea for lasers that shoot beams of neutrinos
Super-cooling radioactive atoms could produce a laser-like neutrino beam, offering a new way to study these ghostly particles — and possibly a new form of communication.
Study finds exoplanet TRAPPIST-1e is unlikely to have a Venus- or Mars-like atmosphere
Astronomers led by EAPS postdoc Ana Glidden ruled out several atmospheric scenarios for the planet, narrowing ideas of what habitability there might look like.
A comprehensive cellular-resolution map of brain activity
An international collaboration of neuroscientists, including MIT Professor Ila Fiete, developed a brain-wide map of decision-making at cellular resolution in mice.
New gift expands mental illness studies at Poitras Center for Psychiatric Disorders Research
A commitment from longtime supporters Patricia and James Poitras ’63 initiates multidisciplinary efforts to understand and treat complex psychiatric disorders.
New particle detector passes the “standard candle” test
The sPHENIX detector is on track to reveal properties of primordial quark-gluon plasma.
Locally produced proteins help mitochondria function
Researchers developed an approach to study where proteins get made, and characterized proteins produced near mitochondria, gaining potential insights into mitochondrial function and disease.
Professor Emeritus Rainer Weiss, influential physicist who forged new paths to understanding the universe, dies at 92
The longtime MIT professor shared a Nobel Prize for his role in developing the LIGO observatory and detecting gravitational waves.
Simpler models can outperform deep learning at climate prediction
New research shows the natural variability in climate data can cause AI models to struggle at predicting local temperature and rainfall.
Transforming boating, with solar power
Solar electric vehicle pioneer James Worden ’89 brought his prototype solar electric boat to MIT to talk shop with students and share his vision for solar-powered boats.
Imaging tech promises deepest looks yet into living brain tissue at single-cell resolution
By combining several cutting-edge imaging technologies, a new microscope system could enable unprecedentedly deep and precise visualization of metabolic and neuronal activity, potentially even in humans.
Astronomers detect the brightest fast radio burst of all time
The dazzling “RBFLOAT” radio burst, originating in a nearby galaxy, offers the clearest view yet of the environment around these mysterious flashes.
Learning from punishment
A new computational model makes sense of the cognitive processes humans use to evaluate punishment.