Sparse, small, but diverse neural connections help make perception reliable, efficient
First detailed mapping and modeling of thalamus inputs onto visual cortex neurons show brain leverages “wisdom of the crowd” to process sensory information.
Why 1968 still matters
Professor Heather Hendershot’s new book about that year’s Democratic National Convention explores how anger at the media became part of our culture wars.
Engineers invent vertical, full-color microscopic LEDs
Stacking light-emitting diodes instead of placing them side by side could enable fully immersive virtual reality displays and higher-resolution digital screens.
Physicists observe rare resonance in molecules for the first time
The findings could provide a new way to control chemical reactions.
To decarbonize the chemical industry, electrify it
Researchers urge industry and the research community to explore electrification pathways to reduce chemical industry emissions.
How to make hydrogels more injectable
A new computational framework could help researchers design granular hydrogels to repair or replace diseased tissues.
“Spleen-on-a-chip” yields insight into sickle cell disease
With this microfluidic device, researchers modeled how sickled blood cells clog the spleen’s filters, leading to a potentially life-threatening condition.
Study: Superconductivity switches on and off in “magic-angle” graphene
A quick electric pulse completely flips the material’s electronic properties, opening a route to ultrafast, brain-inspired, superconducting electronics.
Making computer science research more accessible in India
Passionate about creating educational opportunities in India, PhD student Siddhartha Jayanti recently explored multiprocessor speed limits, in a paper written in the Indian language Telugu.
Unnatural selection
In a new book, “Risky Business,” Amy Finkelstein examines the core issue of the insurance industry: Who gets to be a customer?
Chess players face a tough foe: air pollution
Study: Even chess experts perform worse when air quality is lower, suggesting a negative effect on cognition.
When should data scientists try a new technique?
A new measure can help scientists decide which estimation method to use when modeling a particular data problem.
Targeting cancer with a multidrug nanoparticle
Using bottlebrush-shaped particles, researchers can identify and deliver synergistic combinations of cancer drugs.
MIT Gas Turbine Laboratory prepares to jet into the future
With 75 years of aviation industry-focused research and education under its belt, the lab continues to develop propulsion systems for next-generation aircraft.
Portable cap can measure cognition with pulsed laser light
The cap will help researchers gain new insight into how the brain functions.