Engineers develop precision injection system for plants
Microneedles made of silk-based material can target plant tissues for delivery of micronutrients, hormones, or genes.
Researchers explore ocean microbes’ role in climate effects
When they encounter nutrient oases in the marine desert, marine bacteria release a gas involved in climate regulation.
First sighting of mysterious Majorana fermion on a common metal
Physicists’ discovery could lead to a new family of robust qubits for quantum computing.
New “refrigerator” super-cools molecules to nanokelvin temperatures
Technique may enable molecule-based quantum computing.
New sensors could offer early detection of lung tumors
Study shows that a simple urine test can reveal the presence of lung cancer in mice.
MIT joins White House supercomputing effort to speed up search for Covid-19 solutions
Consortium includes industry, government, and academic institutions.
How to get conductive gels to stick when wet
A new way of making polymers adhere to surfaces may enable better biomedical sensors and implants.
New sensor could help prevent food waste
Monitoring the plant hormone ethylene could reveal when fruits and vegetables are about to spoil.
Bacterial enzyme could become a new target for antibiotics
Scientists discover the structure of an enzyme, found in the human gut, that breaks down a component of collagen.
Why are workers getting smaller pieces of the pie?
Market concentration in the form of “superstar” firms has been lowering labor’s share of GDP in recent decades, a new study finds.
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.