New clues to why there’s so little antimatter in the universe
Radioactive molecules are sensitive to subtle nuclear phenomena and might help physicists probe the violation of the most fundamental symmetries of nature.
Summer 2021 recommended reading from MIT
Enjoy these recent titles from Institute faculty and staff.
Physicists observationally confirm Hawking’s black hole theorem for the first time
Study offers evidence, based on gravitational waves, to show that the total area of a black hole’s event horizon can never decrease.
Three from MIT receive 2021 Hertz Foundation Fellowships
The five-year award aims to empower “the most promising innovators in science and technology.”
Some brain disorders exhibit similar circuit malfunctions
Study suggests a common mechanism underlies some behavioral traits seen in autism and schizophrenia.
The power of two
Graduate student Ellen Zhong helped biologists and mathematicians reach across departmental lines to address a longstanding problem in electron microscopy.
LIGO and Virgo detect rare mergers of black holes with neutron stars for the first time
In a 3Q, Salvatore Vitale describes how gravitational-wave signals suggest black holes completely devoured their companion neutron stars.
MIT and Harvard agree to transfer edX to ed-tech firm 2U
Two-part transaction would turn edX into a public benefit company while generously funding a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the impact of digital learning.
Looking for similarities across complex systems
Jörn Dunkel uses the “common language” of math to bridge disparate phenomena, from an embryo’s wrinkles to the twist of spaghetti.
MIT welcomes six new assistant deans for diversity, equity, and inclusion
The Institute’s five schools and the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing will have dedicated professional staff to advance initiatives locally and across the Institute.
Engineered yeast could expand biofuels’ reach
By making the microbes more tolerant to toxic byproducts, researchers show they can use a wider range of feedstocks, beyond corn.
As novel sights become familiar, different brain rhythms and neurons take over
As “visual recognition memory” emerges in the visual cortex, one circuit of inhibitory neurons supplants another, and slower neural oscillations prevail.
Four MIT faculty members receive 2021 US Department of Energy early career awards
Faculty from the departments of Physics and of Nuclear Science and Engineering faculty were selected for the Early Career Research Program.
Ultralight material withstands supersonic microparticle impacts
The new carbon-based material could be a basis for lighter, tougher alternatives to Kevlar and steel.