Systems scientists find clues to why false news snowballs on social media
A new model shows that the more polarized and hyperconnected a social network is, the more likely misinformation will spread.
Feast or forage? Study finds circuit that helps a brain decide
By integrating multiple sensory inputs, a loop of mutual inhibition among a small set of neurons allows worms to switch between long-lasting behavioral states.
Is watching believing?
In spreading politics, videos may not be much more persuasive than their text-based counterparts.
Dragging your feet? Lack of sleep affects your walk, new study finds
Periodically catching up on sleep can improve gait control for the chronically sleep-deprived.
New integrative computational neuroscience center established at MIT’s McGovern Institute
The K. Lisa Yang Integrative Computational Neuroscience (ICoN) Center will use mathematical tools to transform data into a deep understanding of the brain.
Study: Crowds can wise up to fake news
Experiment with Facebook-flagged content shows groups of laypeople reliably rate stories as effectively as fact-checkers do.
How authoritarian leaders maintain support
Study finds public anticorruption campaigns bolster leaders, even when such measures lack tangible results.
Kristy Johnson: Expanding communication for all
The physicist, neuroscientist, and PhD candidate creates augmentative technology for children with neurodevelopmental differences.
A sleep study’s eye-opening findings
Experiment with working poor in India finds no impact from more night sleep, though naps help; rest quality may be key.
Lockdowns reveal inequities in opportunities for walking activities
Research finds Covid-19-related lockdowns led to a marked reduction in walking in lower-income areas of major metropolises.
Getting dressed with help from robots
A human-aware motion planning algorithm addresses the safety gap in collaboration between robots and humans.
Trying to put the brakes on car ownership
Study of Beijing’s car-restriction policy underscores value of regional coordination to meet transportation and emissions goals.
A better way to introduce digital tech in the workplace
Kate Kellogg advocates for “experimentalist governance,” to find what works best for employees at all levels, then implement it widely.
Study: Culture influences mask wearing
In the U.S. and globally, cultures with a high level of collectivism tend to encourage masking during the pandemic.
Does correcting online falsehoods make matters worse?
Yes, in some ways. A new study shows Twitter users post even more misinformation after other users correct them.