How marsh grass protects shorelines
As climate change brings greater threats to coastal ecosystems, new research can help planners leverage the wave-damping benefits of marsh plants.
Zeroing in on the origins of Earth’s “single most important evolutionary innovation”
A new study shows oxygenic photosynthesis likely evolved between 3.4 and 2.9 billion years ago.
Taylor Perron receives 2021 MacArthur Fellowship
In his research, the geomorphologist seeks connections among landscape evolution, biodiversity, and human history.
Study: Global cancer risk from burning organic matter comes from unregulated chemicals
The researchers hope scientists and regulators will consider a broader class of compounds in evaluating cancer risk due to PAH exposure.
Predicting building emissions across the US
MIT researchers have analyzed greenhouse gas emissions from future buildings across America and outlined region-specific solutions.
MIT appoints members of new faculty committee to drive climate action plan
Professors Noelle Selin and Anne White will co-chair the Climate Nucleus, charged with managing and implementing MIT’s new plan.
3 Questions: Daniel Cohn on the benefits of high-efficiency, flexible-fuel engines for heavy-duty trucking
MIT researchers propose a gasoline-ethanol engine that is cleaner and more cost-effective than existing diesel engine technologies to help meet vehicle emission reduction goals.
Climate and sustainability classes expand at MIT
MIT offers over 120 undergraduate classes related to sustainability, a sign of growing student and faculty interest in the environmental impacts of their fields.
Smarter regulation of global shipping emissions could improve air quality and health outcomes
Study shows a need to identify domestic and international pollution sources in policy design.
Global warming begets more warming, new paleoclimate study finds
Researchers observe a “warming bias” over the past 66 million years that may return if ice sheets disappear.
Finding common ground in Malden
Using an untapped resource, the Malden River Project is boosting social resilience along with climate mitigation in the gateway city of Malden, Massachusetts.
Using graphene foam to filter toxins from drinking water
MIT-led research team fashions graphene foam into device that can extract uranium and other heavy metals from tap water.
Vapor-collection technology saves water while clearing the air
System could reclaim pure water from power plant cooling towers; at-scale prototypes tested on MIT facilities have proven effective.
Inaugural fund supports early-stage collaborations between MIT and Jordan
MIT-Jordan Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Seed Fund winners announced.
A new approach to preventing human-induced earthquakes
Applied in the field, a new model reduced quakes from oil and gas processes; could help manage seismic events from carbon sequestration.