Keeping genetic engineering localized
Researchers are developing a so-called "daisy-chain" gene-drive system that provides controls for genetic engineering of certain populations.
Researchers tune material’s color and thermal properties separately
Polymers could be designed to reflect or trap heat, regardless of hue.
3 Questions: Lisa Barsotti on the new and improved LIGO
“If we are very lucky, we might observe something new … or maybe even something totally unexpected.”
MIT and NASA engineers demonstrate a new kind of airplane wing
Assembled from tiny identical pieces, the wing could enable lighter, more energy-efficient aircraft designs.
Commerce and coercion
When responding to disputes with foreign powers, China does not speak with one voice, political science doctoral candidate Kacie Miura finds.
Dark matter experiment finds no evidence of axions
In its first run, ABRACADABRA detects no signal of the hypothetical dark matter particle within a specific mass range.
Biologists find a way to boost intestinal stem cell populations
Study suggests that stimulating stem cells may protect the gastrointestinal tract from age-related disease.
Ken Kamrin seeks fundamental behaviors in sand
Mechanical engineering professor’s models of granular flow shed light on agriculture, soils, and geology.
Facebook is free, but should it count toward GDP anyway?
Study measures how much free online goods are worth to consumers.
New 3-D printing approach makes cell-scale lattice structures
System could provide fine-scale meshes for growing highly uniform cultures of cells with desired properties.
Fine-tuning multiphysics problems
Nuclear science and engineering graduate student Miriam Kreher codes to create better models for complex interactions within nuclear reactors.
New approach could boost energy capacity of lithium batteries
“Hybrid” cathodes could provide more power for a given weight and volume.
Model learns how individual amino acids determine protein function
Technique could improve machine-learning tasks in protein design, drug testing, and other applications.
What's in a face?
McGovern Institute researchers find that the brain starts to register gender and age before recognizing a face.
Energy monitor can find electrical failures before they happen
Sensor can monitor wiring in a building or ship, and signal when repairs are needed.