Teaching AI models to say “I’m not sure”
A new training method improves the reliability of AI confidence estimates without sacrificing performance, addressing a root cause of hallucination in reasoning models.
Plants can sense the sound of rain, a new study finds
Experiments by MIT engineers show rice seeds sprout faster to the sound of rain.
New study bridges the worlds of classical and quantum physics
The weird quantum behavior of subatomic particles can be understood through everyday classical ideas, MIT researchers show.
Why bother with plausible deniability?
Philosopher Sam Berstler explains why we have social norms that let people engage in open deception.
With navigating nematodes, scientists map out how brains implement behaviors
MIT scientists create a detailed map of exactly what happens in the brains of C. elegans worms when they “follow their nose” to savor attractive odors or avoid unappealing ones.
Understanding community effects of Asian immigrants’ US housing purchases
Findings suggest that at the county level, rise in prices is due, in part, to the fact that new neighbors have a positive impact on K-12 education.
Light-activated gel could impact wearables, soft robotics, and more
New MIT work advances the growing field of ionotronics, in which data are transferred through ions, potentially providing a bridge between electronics and biological tissue.
3 Questions: A running shoe that adapts to the runner
Associate Professor Skylar Tibbits discusses a new technology that uses granular convection to deliver individualized performance.
A regulatory loophole could delay ozone recovery by years
Scientists say an exception in the Montreal Protocol for the use of ozone-depleting feedstocks could set the ozone recovery back seven years.
Youth may increase vulnerability to a carcinogen found in contaminated water and some drugs
A new study suggests that the chemical NDMA is much more likely to cause cancerous mutations after exposure early in life.
MIT study reveals a new role for cell membranes
Long thought to be mainly a structural support, the cell membrane also influences how cells respond to signals and may contribute to the growth of cancer cells.
Waves hit different on other planets
From lazy ripples to towering breakers, waves should vary widely from one planet to another, according to a new model.
Multitasking quantum sensors can measure several properties at once
The devices represent a key step toward practical quantum sensing, with applications in biomedical sensing, materials characterization, and more.
Human-machine teaming dives underwater
Researchers are developing hardware and algorithms to improve collaboration between divers and autonomous underwater vehicles engaged in maritime missions.
Carbon removal project supports Maine’s blue economy, broader marine health
A chemical-free approach to balancing ocean acidity protects marine life and could dramatically impact the global aquaculture market.