How to build better silk
Reconstituted silk can be several times stronger than the natural fiber and made in different forms.
New technique scours the genome for genes that combat disease
Biological engineers identify genes that protect against protein linked to Parkinson’s disease.
Ten researchers from MIT and Broad receive NIH Director’s Awards
Awards support high-risk, high-impact biomedical research.
New target for treating “undruggable” lung cancer
Drug already in clinical trials may be effective on some aggressive adenocarcinomas.
Researchers identify molecular motor that transforms chromosomes
Experiments confirm hypothesis about how the genome becomes organized into “neighborhoods.”
Blood testing via sound waves may replace some tissue biopsies
Microfluidic device uses acoustics to quickly analyze blood for signatures of cancer and other diseases.
Analyzing the language of color
Cognitive scientists find that people can more easily communicate warmer colors than cool ones.
Study suggests simple way to predict preterm births
Test of cervical mucus may reveal pregnant women’s risk of going into labor too early.
Robotic system monitors specific neurons
Success rate is comparable to that of highly trained scientists performing the process manually.
Ingestible drug-delivery materials may help patients comply with treatment regimens
Hydrogel-based capsules could expand and reside in the GI tract for days, slowly releasing medication.
Engineered liver tissue expands after transplant
Tiny implantable “seeds” of tissue produce fully functional livers.
New tool offers snapshots of neuron activity
FLARE technique can reveal which cells respond during different tasks.
How cells combat chromosome imbalance
Biologists discover the immune system can eliminate cells with too many or too few chromosomes.
Socioeconomic background linked to reading improvement
Dyslexic children from lower-income families benefit more from summer reading intervention.