The way sensory prediction changes under anesthesia tells us how conscious cognition works
A new study adds evidence that consciousness requires communication between sensory and cognitive regions of the brain’s cortex.
New 3D printing technique creates unique objects quickly and with less waste
By using a 3D printer like an iron, researchers can precisely control the color, shade, and texture of fabricated objects, using only one material.
The changing geography of “energy poverty”
Study of the U.S. shows homes in the South and Southwest could use more aid for energy costs, due to a growing need for air conditioning in a warming climate.
Artificial intelligence meets “blisk” in new DARPA-funded collaboration
Collaborative multi-university team will pursue new AI-enhanced design tools and high-throughput testing methods for next-generation turbomachinery.
Study finds mercury pollution from human activities is declining
Models show that an unexpected reduction in human-driven emissions led to a 10 percent decline in atmospheric mercury concentrations.
Bubble findings could unlock better electrode and electrolyzer designs
A new study of bubbles on electrode surfaces could help improve the efficiency of electrochemical processes that produce fuels, chemicals, and materials.
Solar-powered desalination system requires no extra batteries
Because it doesn’t need expensive energy storage for times without sunshine, the technology could provide communities with drinking water at low costs.
Cancer biologists discover a new mechanism for an old drug
Study reveals the drug, 5-fluorouracil, acts differently in different types of cancer — a finding that could help researchers design better drug combinations.
How AI is improving simulations with smarter sampling techniques
MIT CSAIL researchers created an AI-powered method for low-discrepancy sampling, which uniformly distributes data points to boost simulation accuracy.
AI simulation gives people a glimpse of their potential future self
By enabling users to chat with an older version of themselves, Future You is aimed at reducing anxiety and guiding young people to make better choices.
State of Supply Chain Sustainability report reveals growing investor pressure, challenges with emissions tracking
The 2024 report highlights five years of global progress but uncovers gaps between companies’ sustainability goals and the investments required to achieve them.
AI pareidolia: Can machines spot faces in inanimate objects?
New dataset of “illusory” faces reveals differences between human and algorithmic face detection, links to animal face recognition, and a formula predicting where people most often perceive faces.
Helping robots zero in on the objects that matter
A new method called Clio enables robots to quickly map a scene and identify the items they need to complete a given set of tasks.
New security protocol shields data from attackers during cloud-based computation
The technique leverages quantum properties of light to guarantee security while preserving the accuracy of a deep-learning model.
Mars’ missing atmosphere could be hiding in plain sight
A new study shows Mars’ early thick atmosphere could be locked up in the planet’s clay surface.