Researchers create first large-scale model of human mobility that incorporates human nature
Work is broadly applicable to studies of commuting, migration, freight, even epidemics.
National Engineers Week: A Q&A with Richard de Neufville
On engineering design and the book 'Flexibility in Engineering Design'
Companies looking at a more regional approach to manufacturing
China no longer the obvious choice for manufacturing functions of large U.S.-based companies, paper says
How spider webs achieve their strength
It’s not just the strength of the silk itself, a new study finds; the silk’s way of stretching and the structure of the whole web help it resist damage.
Viruses con bacteria into working for them
Coevolution of guest and host lets a virus control its host’s machinery.
Traditional social networks fueled Twitter’s spread
Site’s U.S. growth relied primarily on media attention, geographic proximity of users.
Researchers link patterns seen in spider silk, melodies
Analogy could help engineers develop materials that make use of repeating patterns.
Carbon capture? Go for the source
New analysis shows pulling CO2 from the air would not be cost-effective in the foreseeable future.
Many man-made and natural networks have same underlying architecture
In first DES4, Albert-László Barabási explains the concept of scale-free networks using the Web.
Bacteria may readily swap beneficial genes
Microbes have developed a quick and effective way to exchange genetic information coding for antibiotic resistance, other functions.
Escaping legacy IT systems
Sophisticated computer model lets corporate IT managers evaluate upgrades and reconfigurations without risking the stability of their networks.
Improved buildings could make a big dent in climate change
New MIT report on concrete buildings shows many areas for major reductions in their lifetime carbon footprint.