Repurposed beer yeast may offer a cost-effective way to remove lead from water
A filter made from yeast encapsulated in hydrogels can quickly absorb lead as water flows through it.
Scientists develop an affordable sensor for lead contamination
The chip-scale device could provide sensitive detection of lead levels in drinking water, whose toxicity affects 240 million people worldwide.
3 Questions: A shared vocabulary for how infectious diseases spread
Lydia Bourouiba’s research on fluid dynamics influenced new guidance from the World Health Organization that will shape how health agencies respond to respiratory infectious diseases.
A new way to quantify climate change impacts: “Outdoor days”
This measure, developed by MIT researchers, reflects direct effects on people’s quality of life — and reveals significant global disparities.
A new sensor detects harmful “forever chemicals” in drinking water
The technology could offer a cheap, fast way to test for PFAS, which have been linked to cancer and other health problems.
Study: Global deforestation leads to more mercury pollution
Scientists quantify a previously overlooked driver of human-related mercury emissions.
Does “food as medicine” make a big dent in diabetes?
Study of rigorous trial shows mixed results, suggests need to keep examining how nutrition can combat a pervasive disease.
Innovating for health equity
As an engineer and an EMT, senior Abigail Schipper works to make medicine more accessible to all.
Improving US air quality, equitably
Study finds climate policy alone cannot meaningfully reduce racial/economic disparities in air pollution exposure.
How to keep people out of the emergency room
Help for immigrants in arranging primary care visits leads to substantial drop in ER visits and costs, a new study shows.
How an archeological approach can help leverage biased data in AI to improve medicine
Although computer scientists may initially treat data bias and error as a nuisance, researchers argue it’s a hidden treasure trove for reflecting societal values.
MIT engineers design more powerful RNA vaccines
The new approach could lead to intranasal vaccines for Covid-19 and other respiratory diseases.
New clean air and water labs to bring together researchers, policymakers to find climate solutions
Labs in Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and South Asia will be led by J-PAL with support from Community Jameel.
Tiny magnetic beads produce an optical signal that could be used to quickly detect pathogens
The findings point to faster way to detect bacteria in food, water, and clinical samples.
Supporting sustainability, digital health, and the future of work
The MIT and Accenture Convergence Initiative for Industry and Technology selects three new research projects to support.