Investigating Earth’s earliest life
Graduate student Kelsey Moore uses genetic and fossil evidence to study the first stages of evolution on our planet.
Stephen Wukitch, John Wright win Landau-Spitzer Award
MIT and European Union scientists collaborate on new plasma heating scenario to boost fusion research.
Sprawling galaxy cluster found hiding in plain sight
Bright light from black hole in a feeding frenzy had been obscuring surrounding galaxies.
Tiny ASTERIA satellite achieves a first for CubeSats
Measurement of an exoplanet transit demonstrates proof of concept that small spacecraft can perform high-precision photometry.
Professor Richard Schrock announces emeritus status
After retiring from teaching at MIT, Schrock looks toward “the next experiment,” remaining research-active while pursuing new endeavors.
MIT mathematicians solve age-old spaghetti mystery
It’s nearly impossible to break a dry spaghetti noodle into only two pieces. A new MIT study shows how and why it can be done.
In neutron stars, protons may do the heavy lifting
The positively charged particles may have an outsize influence on the properties of neutron stars and other neutron-rich objects.
3Q: A bold mission to touch the sun
MIT’s John Belcher discusses the launch of the Parker Solar Probe, which will fly directly into the sun’s atmosphere.
Study suggests glaucoma may be an autoimmune disease
Unexpected findings show that the body’s own immune system destroys retinal cells.
The debate over how working memory works
Scientists present dueling theories in the high-stakes quest to understand how we hold and juggle multiple pieces of information in mind.
Neuroscientists get at the roots of pessimism
Stimulating the brain’s caudate nucleus generates a negative outlook that clouds decision-making.
Paying it forward: Fellowship boosts women in physics
Four students are first beneficiaries of grant program established by Assistant Professor Lindley Winslow with support from the Heising-Simons Foundation.
On-chip optical filter processes wide range of light wavelengths
Silicon-based system offers smaller, cheaper alternative to other “broadband” filters; could improve a variety of photonic devices.
3Q: Richard Milner on a new U.S. particle accelerator
Proposal for powerful particle collider gets National Academies’ go-ahead.
A mathematical view on cell packing
Joint research from MIT and Princeton shows the mathematics behind biological cell positioning.