Cancer’s secret safety net
Researchers uncover a hidden mechanism that allows cancer to develop aggressive mutations.
Biology-based brain model matches animals in learning, enables new discovery
New “biomimetic” model of brain circuits and function at multiple scales produced naturalistic dynamics and learning, and even identified curious behavior by some neurons.
Why it’s critical to move beyond overly aggregated machine-learning metrics
New research detects hidden evidence of mistaken correlations — and provides a method to improve accuracy.
To flexibly organize thought, the brain makes use of space
MIT researchers tested their theory of spatial computing, which holds that the brain recruits and controls ad hoc groups of neurons for cognitive tasks by applying brain waves to patches of the cortex.
A new way to “paint with light” to create radiant, color-changing items
“MorphoChrome,” developed at MIT, pairs software with a handheld device to make everyday objects iridescent.
Polar weather on Jupiter and Saturn hints at the planets’ interior details
New research may explain the striking differences between the two planets’ polar vortex patterns.
How collective memory of the Rwandan genocide was preserved
Delia Wendel’s new book illuminates a painful and painstaking effort by citizens to bear witness to atrocities.
Efficient cooling method could enable chip-based trapped-ion quantum computers
New technique could improve the scalability of trapped-ion quantum computers, an essential step toward making them practically useful.
At MIT, a continued commitment to understanding intelligence
With support from the Siegel Family Endowment, the newly renamed MIT Siegel Family Quest for Intelligence investigates how brains produce intelligence and how it can be replicated to solve problems.
Chemists determine the structure of the fuzzy coat that surrounds Tau proteins
Learning more about this structure could help scientists find ways to block Tau from forming tangles in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients.
A protein found in the GI tract can neutralize many bacteria
The protein, known as intelectin-2, also helps to strengthen the mucus barrier lining the digestive tract.
Understanding ammonia energy’s tradeoffs around the world
MIT Energy Initiative researchers calculated the economic and environmental impact of future ammonia energy production and trade pathways.
This new tool could tell us how consciousness works
Researchers propose a roadmap for using transcranial focused ultrasound, a noninvasive way to stimulate the brain and see how it functions.
3 Questions: How AI could optimize the power grid
While the growing energy demands of AI are worrying, some techniques can also help make power grids cleaner and more efficient.
Decoding the Arctic to predict winter weather
With the help of AI, MIT Research Scientist Judah Cohen is reshaping subseasonal forecasting, with the goal of extending the lead time for predicting impactful weather.