Study suggests animals think probabilistically to distinguish contexts
New statistical model may help scientists understand how animals infer whether surroundings are novel or haven’t changed enough to be a new context.
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Key brain region was “recycled” as humans developed the ability to read
Part of the visual cortex dedicated to recognizing objects appears predisposed to identifying words and letters, a study finds.
Our itch to share helps spread Covid-19 misinformation
Study finds social media sharing affects news judgment, but a quick exercise reduces the problem.
Nine MIT School of Science professors receive tenure for 2020
Professors earn tenure in the departments of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
Study sheds light on a classic visual illusion
Neuroscientists delve into how background brightness influences our perception of an object.
Serious science at home
Children Helping Science, co-led by Professor Laura Schulz, brings research to families, and families to research.
MIT Corporation elects 12 term members, three life members
Term members will serve between one and five years on MIT’s board of trustees.
Professor Wayne O’Neil, linguist and advocate for linguistics in education, dies at 88
Longtime MIT professor and department head also participated in many efforts in support of peace and social justice.
Examining the social impact of Covid-19
Survey from the Saxe Lab aims to measure the toll of social isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Remembering Kenneth Keniston, founder of the MIT Program in Science, Technology, and Society
Longtime professor played a major role in encouraging MIT to ask new questions that significantly broadened the Institute’s educational mission.
Supply chain outlook: Why the situation varies by industry
MIT Professor Yossi Sheffi describes the supply chain landscape in the U.S., from food security to concerns about medical supplies.
A new model of vision
Computer model of face processing could reveal how the brain produces richly detailed visual representations so quickly.
The case for economics — by the numbers
A multidecade study shows economics increasingly overlaps with other disciplines, and has become more empirical in nature.
The catch to putting warning labels on fake news
Study finds disclaimers on some false news stories make people more readily believe other false stories.
MIT launches master’s in data, economics, and development policy, led by Nobel laureates
The first cohort of 22 students from 14 countries share a common ambition: harnessing data to help others.