The rise and fall of cognitive skills
Neuroscientists find that different parts of the brain work best at different ages.
New detector sniffs out origins of methane
Instrument identifies methane’s origins in mines, deep-sea vents, and cows.
Why isn’t the universe as bright as it should be?
Study explains why galaxies don’t churn out as many stars as they should.
New analysis shows ion slowdown in fuel cell material
Dislocations in oxides seen as promising electrolytes create a “traffic jam” for charged ions.
A mollusk of a different stripe
Optical features embedded in marine shells may help develop responsive, transparent displays.
Fibers made by transforming materials
New approach could enable low-cost silicon devices in fibers that could be made into fabrics.
How to prevent metal embrittlement
Analysis shows certain crystal boundaries can enhance, or reduce, hydrogen’s damaging effects.
Tasting light
Newly discovered taste receptors for hydrogen peroxide allow worms to indirectly detect light.
New fibers can deliver many simultaneous stimuli
Implanted into the brain or spinal column, they can transmit drugs, light, and electrical signals.
Trapping light with a twister
New understanding of how to halt photons could lead to miniature particle accelerators, improved data transmission.
In one aspect of vision, computers catch up to primate brain
Newest computer neural networks can identify visual objects as well as the primate brain.
What really killed the dinosaurs?
Before an asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs, Earth experienced a short burst of intense volcanism.
Small volcanoes make a dent in global warming
Study shows that the effects of smaller eruptions have been underestimated in climate models.
New 2-D quantum materials for nanoelectronics
MIT team provides theoretical roadmap to making 2-D electronics with novel properties.