After observing the collision between a supernova and a black hole, researchers at MIT and elsewhere are rethinking our understanding of the life and death of stars, reports Jeanine Santucci for USA Today. "One of the only reasons that we were able to make this discovery and understand how scientifically interesting it was was through the combination of researchers in machine learning and in astrophysics," says postdoctoral scholar Alex Gagliano.
With the help of a newly designed machine learning algorithm, researchers at MIT and elsewhere have spotted a “never-before-seen type of supernova that involves a nearby black hole,” reports Andrew Paul for Popular Science. “We’re now entering an era where we can automatically catch these rare events as they happen, not just after the fact,” said postdoctoral scholar Alex Gagliano. “That means we can finally start connecting the dots between how a star lives and how it dies, and that’s incredibly exciting.”
Using generative AI, researchers at MT have designed new antibiotics to combat MRSA and gonorrhea, reports James Gallagher for the BBC. "We're excited because we show that generative AI can be used to design completely new antibiotics," says Prof. James Collins. "AI can enable us to come up with molecules, cheaply and quickly and in this way, expand our arsenal, and really give us a leg up in the battle of our wits against the genes of superbugs."
Prof. Daniela Rus, director of CSAIL, speaks with CBS News reporter Tony Dokoupil about her work developing AI-powered robots. “AI and robots are tools,” says Rus. “They are tools created by the people, for the people. And like any other tools they’re not inherently good or bad; they are what we choose to do with them. And I believe we can choose to do extraordinary things.”
Principal Research Scientist Andrew McAfee speaks with New York Times reporter Steve Lohr about why companies are not yet seeing the economic payoff of AI implementation in the workforce. “It’s not surprising that early A.I. efforts are falling short,” said McAfee. “Innovation is a process of failing fairly regularly.”
Using an AI algorithm, researchers at MIT and elsewhere have been able to identify a previously unobserved explosion in the universe that they consider a “new flavor of supernova,” reports Kasha Patel for The Washington Post. “We think that statistically we’re overdue for a supernova in our own galaxy,” says postdoctoral scholar Alex Gagliano. “There are many people that are trying to establish early warning systems so that as soon as our telescopes pick up on something unusual, we can all aim our telescopes in that location.”
Researchers at MIT have proposed that liquids, such as ionic fluids, are “what’s important for extraterrestrial habitability, and not just water,” reports Gayoung Lee for Gizmodo. If confirmed, this research would “dramatically expand what’s considered the ‘habitable zone’ among known exoplanets,” writes Lee. “By current standards, the habitable zone is defined as the band within planetary systems in which liquid water can remain stable on the surface. When it comes to life, we’re understandably biased towards water; all life as we know it depends on it.”
Prof. Giovanni Traverso and his lab are developing “a transdermal patch that could provide women with long-term contraception,” reports The Boston Globe Editorial Board. “The lab is also developing probiotic medications to treat abnormalities in the vaginal microbiome, a condition associated with risks including painful infection and premature birth.”
Principal Research Scientist Andrew McAfee speaks with CNBC reporter Robert Frank about the artificial intelligence boom. “It’s astonishing how geographically concentrated this AI wave is,” says McAfee. “The people who know how to found and fund and grow tech companies are there.”
Bloomberg reporter F. D. Flam spotlights postdoctoral associate Pat Pataranutaporn and his research exploring how AI technologies and chatbots can impact human memories. “This latest research should spur more discussion of the effects of technology on our grasp of reality, which can go beyond merely spreading misinformation,” writes Flam. “Social media algorithms also encourage people to embrace fringe ideas and conspiracy theories by creating the false impression of popularity and influence.”
Strand Therapeutics, co-founded Jake Becraft PhD '19, has developed a programmable drug that could one day shrink tumors in cancer patients, reports Amy Feldman for Forbes. “It shocked even us,” says Becraft. “You hope something happens, but you don’t expect to see a huge response because these patients have already proven to have cancers so resistant to treatment.”
Graduate student Megan Masterson speaks with CBS Eye on the World hosts John Batchelor and David Livingston about her research on tidal disruption events. “These events were first theorized in the 1970s, first discovered in the 1990s with x-ray wavelengths,” explains Masterson. “But today, what James Webb is doing is allowing us to detect these events in the infrared band. And so, what we’re seeing here are previously dormant black holes that were kind of lying at the center for their galaxies doing pretty much nothing suddenly become active.”
Lila Snyder SM '96, PhD '98, CEO of Bose, speaks with Forbes reporter Don Yaeger about her academic and professional career. “The framework that I liked to use when I was earlier in my career was at least once a week to do something uncomfortable,” says Snyder. “Ask to meet someone, ask someone for feedback, raise your hand to do something. Do something that makes you feel a little bit anxious and a little bit uncomfortable.”
Prof. Kerri Cahoy takes Bloomberg Wall Street Week host David Westin on an out-of-this-world journey into how a college internship inspired her research on space and satellites, why she loves the challenge of satellite engineering, and what she sees in store for the future of the field. “There is a lot of joy and pride and skill building and challenge in the field,” says Cahoy. “That’s one of the reasons why I love it."
Vijay Gadepally, senior staff member at MIT Lincoln Lab, speaks with New York Times reporter Claire Brown about the impact of AI data centers on the electrical grid. “There’s a lot of things we can do to be better stewards of the power we currently have,” says Gadepally.