Where the sidewalk ends
Most cities don’t map their own pedestrian networks. Now, researchers have built the first open-source tool to let planners do just that.
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Assessing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, after a year of war
MIT event examines effects of the war on domestic politics and daily life in both Ukraine and Russia.
On social media platforms, more sharing means less caring about accuracy
An MIT-led study reveals a core tension between the impulse to share news and to think about whether it is true.
How debit cards helped Indonesia’s poor get more food
Replacing rice-bag delivery with digital card vouchers helps recipients get their intended supplies, researchers report.
Q&A: Tod Machover on “Overstory Overture,” his new operatic work
MIT composer’s piece premieres at Lincoln Center on March 7, with superstar Joyce DiDonato in a leading — and surprising — role.
Study: Preschool gives a big boost to college attendance
Research using a Boston admissions lottery shows striking effects for children throughout their student lives.
Why 1968 still matters
Professor Heather Hendershot’s new book about that year’s Democratic National Convention explores how anger at the media became part of our culture wars.
Unnatural selection
In a new book, “Risky Business,” Amy Finkelstein examines the core issue of the insurance industry: Who gets to be a customer?
Chess players face a tough foe: air pollution
Study: Even chess experts perform worse when air quality is lower, suggesting a negative effect on cognition.
Preparing to be prepared
Miho Mazereeuw, an architect of built and natural environments, looks for new ways to get people ready for natural disasters.
Study: Extreme heat is changing habits of daily life
New research quantifies how much very hot temperatures restrict outdoor activity in China.
Living the history of Cairo
Nasser Rabbat’s new book explores the life and legacy of al-Maqrizi, Egypt’s most influential historian.
Should we tax robots?
Study suggests a robot levy — but only a modest one — could help combat the effects of automation on income inequality in the U.S.
Physician, heal thyself?
Research shows doctors and their families are less likely to follow guidelines about medicine. Why do the medically well-informed comply less often?