Cortex over reflex: Study traces circuits where executive control overcomes instinct
Frontal brain region overrides reflexive inclination of a deeper, older region when rules require.
Case studies show climate variation linked to rise and fall of medieval nomadic empires
Recent virtual lecture explores how paleoclimatology provides important context for examining the activities of past human societies.
Identifying the structure and function of a brain hub
A direct comparison of sensory and higher-order thalamic circuits reveals fundamental differences in how they control the cerebral cortex.
Scientists identify specific brain region and circuits controlling attention
Norepinephrine-producing neurons in the locus coeruleus produce attention focus, impulse control via two distinct connections to prefrontal cortex.
Study helps explain why motivation to learn declines with age
Research on mice suggests aging affects a brain circuit critical for learning to make some types of decisions.
Why soldiers fight
Political science graduate student Matthew Cancian brings his own military experience to bear on battlefield psychology.
3 Questions: Nancy Hopkins on improving gender equality in academia
Molecular biologist and professor emerita advocates for more inclusive science and advises how to get there.
Why social media has changed the world — and how to fix it
MIT Professor Sinan Aral’s new book, “The Hype Machine,” explores the perils and promise of social media in a time of discord.
Did our early ancestors boil their food in hot springs?
Scientists have found evidence of hot springs near sites where ancient hominids settled, long before the control of fire.
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.
What can your microwave tell you about your health?
An MIT system uses wireless signals to measure in-home appliance usage to better understand health tendencies.
Informing Covid-19 preparedness in Sierra Leone
MIT Governance Lab and the Institute for Governance Reform, working with the government of Sierra Leone, conduct rapid-response surveys to address Covid-19.
“She” goes missing from presidential language
Even when people believed Hillary Clinton would win the 2016 election, they did not use “she” to refer to the next president.
Controlling attention with brain waves
Study shows that people can boost attention by manipulating their own alpha brain waves.
Predicting people's driving personalities
System from MIT CSAIL sizes up drivers as selfish or selfless. Could this help self-driving cars navigate in traffic?