Sensor can detect scarred or fatty liver tissue
Diagnosing liver damage earlier could help to prevent liver failure in many patients.
Imaging method reveals a “symphony of cellular activities”
Fluorescent imaging technique simultaneously captures different signal types from multiple locations in a live cell.
A hunger for social contact
Neuroscientists find that isolation provokes brain activity similar to that seen during hunger cravings.
Small molecule, big potential for treating prostate cancer
MIT researchers identify a molecule that could target advanced prostate cancer as well as a variety of other cancers.
Vibrations of coronavirus proteins may play a role in infection
Study suggests mechanical properties of spike proteins can predict infectivity and lethality of different coronaviruses.
Statistical model improves analysis of skin conductance
By accounting for sweat physiology, method can make better use of electrodermal activity for tracking subconscious changes in physical or emotional state.
Technique recovers lost single-cell RNA-sequencing information
Boosting the efficiency of single-cell RNA-sequencing helps reveal subtle differences between healthy and dysfunctional cells.
A step toward a universal flu vaccine
With computer models and lab experiments, researchers are working on a strategy for vaccines that could protect against any influenza virus.
Three from MIT receive National Health Institute Awards
Michael Birnbaum, Anders Hansen, and Tami Lieberman receive NIH Director’s New Innovator Awards from the NIH Common Fund’s High-Risk, High-Reward Research program.
Alzheimer’s risk gene disrupts endocytosis, but another disease-linked gene could help
Astrocytes with the APOE4 gene variant show deficits of a key cellular function, but overexpressing the gene PICALM overcame the defect.
Making tuberculosis more susceptible to antibiotics
Shortening carbohydrates in the bacterial cell wall makes them more vulnerable to certain drugs.
Synthetic coating for the GI tract could deliver drugs or aid in digestion
MIT engineers devise a temporary film that may help treat diabetes, infections, and other conditions.
Face-specific brain area responds to faces even in people born blind
Study finds that the fusiform face area is active when blind people touch 3D models of faces.
A new tool for modeling the human gut microbiome
Bacteria linked to Crohn’s disease are difficult to grow in the lab, but MIT engineers have found a way.
Gene-controlling mechanisms play key role in cancer progression
Study finds “epigenomic” alterations evolve as lung tumors become more aggressive and metastasize.