A new model of vision
Computer model of face processing could reveal how the brain produces richly detailed visual representations so quickly.
President Reif testifies before Congress on U.S. competitiveness
“To stay ahead, the U.S. needs to do more to capitalize on our own strengths,” he tells representatives.
Using light to put a twist on electrons
Method with polarized light can create and measure nonsymmetrical states in a layered material.
Instrument may enable mail-in testing to detect heavy metals in water
Whisk-shaped device absorbs trace contaminants, preserves them in dry state that can be shipped to labs for analysis.
Mirrored chip could enable handheld dark-field microscopes
Simple chip powered by quantum dots allows standard microscopes to visualize difficult-to-image biological organisms.
Artificial intelligence yields new antibiotic
A deep-learning model identifies a powerful new drug that can kill many species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Correcting the “jitters” in quantum devices
A new study suggests a path to more efficient error correction, which may help make quantum computers and sensors more practical.
Seeding oceans with iron may not impact climate change
Study finds Earth’s oceans contain just the right amount of iron; adding more may not improve their ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
Researchers develop a roadmap for growth of new solar cells
Starting with higher-value niche markets and then expanding could help perovskite-based solar panels become competitive with silicon.
New electrode design may lead to more powerful batteries
An MIT team has devised a lithium metal anode that could improve the longevity and energy density of future batteries.
Engineers design bionic “heart” for testing prosthetic valves, other cardiac devices
Device made of heart tissue and a robotic pumping system beats like the real thing.
How strong is your knot?
With help from spaghetti and color-changing fibers, a new mathematical model predicts a knot’s stability.
Study may explain how infections reduce autism symptoms
An immune molecule sometimes produced during infection can influence the social behavior of mice.
Chemists glimpse the fleeting “transition state” of a reaction
New technique for observing reaction products offers insights into the chemical mechanisms that formed them.
New health insurance insights
Economists analyze how patients and health care providers value Medicaid.