Health sciences and technology

MIT researchers have developed a new biomedical imaging system that harnesses an off-the-shelf depth sensor such as Microsoft’s Kinect. The coloration of these images depicts the phase information contained in six of the 50 light frequencies the system analyzes.

Biomedical imaging at one-thousandth the cost

Mathematical modeling enables $100 depth sensor to approximate the measurements of a $100,000 piece of lab equipment.

November 23, 2015

This ingestible electronic device invented at MIT can measure heart rate and respiratory rate from inside the gastrointestinal tract.

A new way to monitor vital signs

Ingestible sensor measures heart and breathing rates from within the digestive tract.

November 18, 2015

Using ultrasound to improve drug delivery

New approach could aid in treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

October 21, 2015

Predicting change in the Alzheimer’s brain

Combining MRI and other data helps machine-learning systems predict effects of neurodegenerative disease.

October 6, 2015

In a new podcast, MIT alumni discuss how they are using unconventional thinking to confront real-world problems.

Podcast: Exploring the mindset behind big ideas

Good ideas never exist in a vacuum. Here's how five MIT alumni are putting big ideas into real-world practice.

October 5, 2015

Ethical trials, targeted ads

New method optimizes outcomes for subjects in comparison tests.

September 17, 2015

New system from MIT and Boston Children’s Hospital researchers converts MRI scans into 3D-printed heart models (shown here).

Personalized heart models for surgical planning

System can convert MRI scans into 3D-printed, physical models in a few hours.

September 17, 2015

Researchers have uncovered a way chronic inflammation can lead to cancer. Panel 1 shows a normal DNA base pair of cytosine (C) and guanine (G). In panel 2, inflammation, represented by a red background, damages the base pair. A chlorine atom (Cl) is added to the cytosine, resulting in a cytosine lesion called 5-chlorocytosine. In panel 3, the cytosine lesion is now able to base pair with adenine (...

How chronic inflammation can lead to cancer

Researchers discover how the immune system can create cancerous DNA mutations when fighting off infection.

August 7, 2015

Yashraj Narang SM '13 (right) conducted a comprehensive survey of above-knee amputees in India to understand their unique user-needs and the performance of their current prostheses.

A cheaper, high-performance prosthetic knee

Researchers design cheap prosthetic knee that mimics normal walking motion.

July 31, 2015

Shiyi Zhang, a postdoc at the Koch Institute and the paper’s lead author, holds a ring-shaped device prototype (left), which can be folded into a swallowable capsule (right) for easy and safe oral delivery.

New material opens possibilities for super-long-acting pills

A pH-responsive polymer gel could create swallowable devices, including capsules for ultra-long drug delivery.

July 27, 2015

Swedish astronaut Christer Fuglesang tries out the new centrifuge while MIT professor Larry Young coaches him on.

Working out in artificial gravity

A combination of exercise and artificial gravity may lessen negative effects of weightlessness in space.

July 2, 2015

Young Fellows John Arroyo, Or Gadish, Steven Keating, Iris Zielski, Mitali Thakor, William Li, and Georgia Lagoudas

Hugh Hampton Young Fellowship celebrates 50 years

New cohort of fellows to carry on humanitarian tradition at MIT.

May 29, 2015

Sealed cup sits atop reflective surface with a prescription label and text that reads "Probiotics" and "Use: cancer detection".

Diagnosing cancer with help from bacteria

Engineered probiotics can detect tumors in the liver.

May 27, 2015

Sangeeta Bhatia wins $250,000 Heinz Award

Bhatia is recognized for her work in tissue engineering, disease detection, and advocacy for women in STEM.

April 23, 2015

How a computer can help your doctor better diagnose cancer

Model from MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory aims to automatically distinguish lymphoma subtypes.