Faster optimization
New general-purpose optimization algorithm promises order-of-magnitude speedups on some problems.
Report: Expected Paris commitments insufficient to stabilize climate by century’s end
"2015 Energy and Climate Outlook" projects likely impacts of current policies and pledges on global climate, emissions, and energy mix.
Biologists unravel drug-resistance mechanism in tumor cells
Targeting the RNA-binding protein that promotes resistance could lead to better cancer therapies.
Interdisciplinary Design Conversations will feature Chuck Hoberman
Public event on Nov. 3 will highlight transformable designs.
Using ultrasound to improve drug delivery
New approach could aid in treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Metal defects can be eliminated by cyclic loading
Finding shows small amounts of repeated stretching can eliminate crystal defects in nanoscale metal parts.
Expecting the unexpected
In new book, MIT professor explains how companies can lessen the shocks of a volatile world.
Aditi Verma: A multidisciplinary take on nuclear policy
PhD student is acquiring the science, engineering, and social sciences expertise needed to make sense of complex policy questions surrounding nuclear energy.
Triggered earthquakes give insight into changes below Earth’s surface
Quakes can change elastic properties of the Earth’s crust up to 6,000 kilometers away.
Using microbes to clean up oil spills
Professor Catherine Drennan and graduate student Michael Funk want energy production and environmental protection to go hand in hand.
Leveraging genetic diversity to drive precision medicine
Taking advantage of genetic heterogeneity in autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders could lead to precision therapies.
A “fair and ambitious” pledge? Not quite
Study finds pledges by top greenhouse gas emitters leaves little room for others; urges greater R&D.
Automating big-data analysis
System that replaces human intuition with algorithms outperforms 615 of 906 human teams.
Artificial whisker reveals source of harbor seal’s uncanny prey-sensing ability
Study finds a whisker’s “slaloming” motion helps seals track and chase prey.
Interplanetary architecture
Faculty and students grapple with 3-D printing a habitable structure on Mars.