A Tocqueville for our time
MIT historian’s re-evaluation of Democracy in America emphasizes Alexis de Tocqueville’s doubts and concerns about politics in the United States.
Search Stories
A new piece to the autism puzzle
Neuroscientists find that two rare autism-related disorders are caused by opposing malfunctions in the brain.
Important step toward computing with light
Research at MIT produces long-sought component to allow complete optical circuits on silicon chips.
Digging for answers
MIT, Pfizer hold groundbreaking for new biomedical research facility in Kendall Square.
Inside an innovation ecosystem
History, proximity and serendipity make Kendall Square fertile ground for the next big idea.
How we (should) decide
Philosopher aims to develop theories of practical rationality that may just help us make real-world decisions.
How cancer cells get by on a starvation diet
New study shows that tumor cells, deprived of glucose, alter their metabolism to use other sources of sustenance.
Seeing cancer in three dimensions
Scientists find that the 3-D structure of a cancer cell’s chromosomes plays a big role in which genes get deleted or copied.
Timeline of a mass extinction
New evidence points to rapid collapse of Earth’s species 252 million years ago.
Living cells say: Can you hear me now?
Researchers find that cells’ chemical signaling includes a way to tell whether signals are being received or not.
Unraveling how a mutation can lead to psychiatric illness
MIT neuroscientists show that a gene linked with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder impairs early brain development.
