The brain may learn about the world the same way some computational models do
Two studies find “self-supervised” models, which learn about their environment from unlabeled data, can show activity patterns similar to those of the mammalian brain.
How adults understand what kids are saying
It’s not easy to parse young children’s words, but adults’ beliefs about what children want to communicate helps make it possible, a new study finds.
New technique helps robots pack objects into a tight space
Researchers coaxed a family of generative AI models to work together to solve multistep robot manipulation problems.
Ariel Furst and Fan Wang receive 2023 National Institutes of Health awards
The awards support creative, innovative research with a broad impact.
Study: Deep neural networks don’t see the world the way we do
Images that humans perceive as completely unrelated can be classified as the same by computational models.
Thousands of programmable DNA-cutters found in algae, snails, and other organisms
New research finds RNA-guided enzymes called Fanzors are widespread among eukaryotic organisms.
Retraining the brain for better vision
Professor Mark Bear's research on brain plasticity spins off a promising candidate to treat amblyopia, or lazy eye.
Study advances understanding of visual recognition memory
Scientists have invested decades in piecing together how our vision is so good at recognizing what’s familiar. A new study overcomes an apparent discrepancy in data to reveal a new insight into how it works.
Practicing mindfulness with an app may improve children’s mental health
New research suggests daily mindfulness training at home helped reduce kids’ stress levels and negative emotions.
Twelve with MIT ties elected to the National Academy of Medicine for 2023
Five MIT faculty, along with seven additional affiliates, are honored for outstanding contributions to medical research.
Finger-shaped sensor enables more dexterous robots
MIT engineers develop a long, curved touch sensor that could enable a robot to grasp and manipulate objects in multiple ways.
How a single neuron’s parallel outputs can coordinate many aspects of behavior
Study finds that in worms, the HSN neuron uses multiple chemicals and connections to orchestrate egg-laying and locomotion over the course of several minutes.
One scientist’s journey from the Middle East to MIT
Through his leadership and vision, McGovern Institute postdoc Ubadah Sabbagh aims to improve the scientific process in the US and abroad.
Giving students the computational chops to tackle 21st-century challenges
With the growing use of AI in many disciplines, the popularity of MIT’s four “blended” majors has intensified.
Decoding the complexity of Alzheimer’s disease
By analyzing epigenomic and gene expression changes that occur in Alzheimer’s disease, researchers identify cellular pathways that could become new drug targets.