Study finds cell memory can be more like a dimmer dial than an on/off switch
The findings may redefine how cell identity is established and enable the creation of more sophisticated engineered tissues.
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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.
Soft materials hold onto “memories” of their past, for longer than previously thought
New findings could help manufacturers design gels, lotions, or even paving materials that last longer and perform more predictably.
New particle detector passes the “standard candle” test
The sPHENIX detector is on track to reveal properties of primordial quark-gluon plasma.
Engineering fantasy into reality
PhD student Erik Ballesteros is building “Doc Ock” arms for future astronauts.
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.
Professor John Joannopoulos, photonics pioneer and Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies director, dies at 78
Over 50 years at MIT, the condensed-matter physicist led the development of photonic crystals, translating discoveries into wide-ranging applications in energy, medicine, and defense.
Planets without water could still produce certain liquids, a new study finds
Lab experiments show “ionic liquids” can form through common planetary processes and might be capable of supporting life even on waterless planets.
Famous double-slit experiment holds up when stripped to its quantum essentials
MIT physicists confirm that, like Superman, light has two identities that are impossible to see at once.
Astronomers discover star-shredding black holes hiding in dusty galaxies
Unlike active galaxies that constantly pull in surrounding material, these black holes lie dormant, waking briefly to feast on a passing star.
New tool gives anyone the ability to train a robot
MIT engineers designed a versatile interface that allows users to teach robots new skills in intuitive ways.
Island rivers carve passageways through coral reefs
Research shows these channels allow seawater and nutrients to flow in and out, helping to maintain reef health over millions of years.
MIT engineers uncover a surprising reason why tissues are flexible or rigid
Watery fluid between cells plays a major role, offering new insights into how organs and tissues adapt to aging, diabetes, cancer, and more.
When Earth iced over, early life may have sheltered in meltwater ponds
Modern-day analogs in Antarctica reveal ponds teeming with life similar to early multicellular organisms.
Have a damaged painting? Restore it in just hours with an AI-generated “mask”
A new method can physically restore original paintings using digitally constructed films, which can be removed if desired.