Unpacking black-box models
Researchers create a mathematical framework to evaluate explanations of machine-learning models and quantify how well people understand them.
Astronomers discover a rare “black widow” binary, with the shortest orbit yet
The system is orbited by third stellar companion and may have originated near the center of the Milky Way.
An easier way to teach robots new skills
Researchers have developed a technique that enables a robot to learn a new pick-and-place task with only a handful of human demonstrations.
“Spring-loaded” system pops phosphorus into molecular rings
An alternative to methods requiring harsh chemical conditions, the reaction offers a new route to making useful phosphorous-containing compounds.
Structures considered key to gene expression are surprisingly fleeting
Study finds genome loops don’t last long in cells; theories of how loops control gene expression may need to be revised.
Joystick-operated robot could help surgeons treat stroke remotely
The system could provide teleoperated endovascular treatment to patients during the critical time window after a stroke begins.
Engineers enlist AI to help scale up advanced solar cell manufacturing
Perovskite materials would be superior to silicon in PV cells, but manufacturing such cells at scale is a huge hurdle. Machine learning can help.
Engineered bacteria could help protect “good” gut microbes from antibiotics
Microbes that safely break down antibiotics could prevent opportunistic infections and reduce antibiotic resistance.
New tool reveals how immune cells find their targets
MIT biological engineers have developed a simple way to identify B or T cells that interact with viral or bacterial proteins.
Study reveals the dynamics of human milk production
A new analysis shows how milk-producing cells change over time in nursing mothers.
System helps severely motor-impaired individuals type more quickly and accurately
For individuals who communicate using a single switch, a new interface learns how they make selections, and then self-adjusts accordingly.
Solving the challenges of robotic pizza-making
A new technique could enable a robot to manipulate squishy objects like pizza dough or soft materials like clothing.
A better way to separate gases
A new membrane material could make purification of gases significantly more efficient, potentially helping to reduce carbon emissions.
Scientists develop the largest, most detailed model of the early universe to date
Named after a goddess of the dawn, the Thesan simulation of the first billion years helps explain how radiation shaped the early universe.
Study finds neurons that encode the outcomes of actions
These cells, located in the brain’s striatum, appear to help with decision-making that requires evaluating risks and benefits.