Rapid test for Covid-19 shows improved sensitivity
A CRISPR-based test developed at MIT and the Broad Institute can detect nearly as many cases as the standard Covid-19 diagnostic.
School of Science appoints 12 faculty members to named professorships
Those selected for these positions receive additional support to pursue their research and develop their careers.
As information flows through brain’s heirarchy, higher regions use higher-frequency waves
Study also finds specific frequency bands of brain waves associated with encoding, or inhibiting encoding, of sensory information across the cortex.
Six strategic areas identified for shared faculty hiring in computing
New faculty in these areas will connect the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing and a department or school.
Face-specific brain area responds to faces even in people born blind
Study finds that the fusiform face area is active when blind people touch 3D models of faces.
A scientific approach to education reform
Challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic have laid bare the need to reinvent education. Sanjay Sarma’s new book points a way.
Study suggests animals think probabilistically to distinguish contexts
New statistical model may help scientists understand how animals infer whether surroundings are novel or haven’t changed enough to be a new context.
Key brain region was “recycled” as humans developed the ability to read
Part of the visual cortex dedicated to recognizing objects appears predisposed to identifying words and letters, a study finds.
Ila Fiete studies how the brain performs complex computations
The MIT professor takes a mathematical approach to exploring memory, navigation, and other neural functions.
Looking into the black box
Recent advances give theoretical insight into why deep learning networks are successful.
Mapping the brain’s sensory gatekeeper
New analysis could help uncover potential drug targets for attention deficits and sensory hypersensitivity.
A new way to control experimentation with dreams
Device not only helps record dream reports, but also guides dreams toward particular themes.
Neural vulnerability in Huntington’s disease tied to release of mitochondrial RNA
Unique survey of gene expression by cell type in humans and mice reveals several deficits affecting the most vulnerable neurons.
Seemingly similar, two neurons show distinct styles as they interact with the same muscle partner
Diversity in how cells talk to the muscle they innervate reveal distinct propensities for change, or “plasticity.”
Findings weaken notion that size equals strength for neural connections
Among study’s many surprises may be a new way to address Fragile X syndrome — by finding a “protein X.”