Molecules found in mucus can thwart fungal infection
Harnessing the strength of these specialized sugar molecules could help researchers develop new antifungal drugs.
Chemists reveal how tau proteins form tangles
Two types of tau proteins mix together in a nearly random way to generate the tangles seen in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
Early sound exposure in the womb shapes the auditory system
Modeling study suggests that the muffled environment in utero primes the brain’s ability to interpret some types of sound.
MIT students and postdocs advocate for increased federal support of scientific research on Capitol Hill
Students and postdocs from MIT's Science Policy Initiative meet with lawmakers on science-engineering-technology Congressional Visit Days 2022.
Structures considered key to gene expression are surprisingly fleeting
Study finds genome loops don’t last long in cells; theories of how loops control gene expression may need to be revised.
Joystick-operated robot could help surgeons treat stroke remotely
The system could provide teleoperated endovascular treatment to patients during the critical time window after a stroke begins.
New tool reveals how immune cells find their targets
MIT biological engineers have developed a simple way to identify B or T cells that interact with viral or bacterial proteins.
Study reveals the dynamics of human milk production
A new analysis shows how milk-producing cells change over time in nursing mothers.
Study finds neurons that encode the outcomes of actions
These cells, located in the brain’s striatum, appear to help with decision-making that requires evaluating risks and benefits.
New MRI probe can reveal more of the brain’s inner workings
Tracing connections between neuron populations could help researchers map brain circuits that underlie behavior and perception.
Singing in the brain
MIT neuroscientists have identified a population of neurons in the human brain that respond to singing but not other types of music.
Protein structure offers clues to drug-resistance mechanism
A new study sheds light on how a protein pumps toxic molecules out of bacterial cells.
Dendrites may help neurons perform complicated calculations
Different types of these branch-like projections process incoming information in different ways before sending it to the body of the neuron.
A new atlas of cells that carry blood to the brain
Single-cell gene expression analyses of human cerebrovascular cells can help reveal new drug targets for Huntington’s disease.
How Omicron escapes from antibodies
A computational study shows that dozens of mutations help the virus’ spike protein evade antibodies that target SARS-CoV-2.