Complex, unfamiliar sentences make the brain’s language network work harder
A new study finds that language regions in the left hemisphere light up when reading uncommon sentences, while straightforward sentences elicit little response.
A carbon-lite atmosphere could be a sign of water and life on other terrestrial planets, MIT study finds
A low carbon abundance in planetary atmospheres, which the James Webb Space Telescope can detect, could be a signature of habitability.
MIT’s top research stories of 2023
A cheaper water desalination device, a wearable ultrasound scanner, and a new kind of supercapacitor were some of MIT News’ most popular articles.
MIT community in 2023: A year in review
Top Institute stories dealt with a presidential inauguration, international accolades for faculty and students, “Dialogues Across Difference,” new and refreshed community spaces, and more.
MIT in the media: 2023 in review
MIT community members made headlines with key research advances and their efforts to tackle pressing challenges.
The science and art of complex systems
Senior and physics major Gosha Geogdzhayev devotes himself to climate modeling and writing poetry.
Nanoparticle-delivered RNA reduces neuroinflammation in lab tests
MIT researchers find that in mice and human cell cultures, lipid nanoparticles can deliver a potential therapy for inflammation in the brain, a prominent symptom in Alzheimer’s.
Computational model captures the elusive transition states of chemical reactions
Using generative AI, MIT chemical engineers and chemists created a model that can predict the structures formed when a chemical reaction reaches its point of no return.
Angela Belcher delivers 2023 Dresselhaus Lecture on evolving organisms for new nanomaterials
MIT professor combines nanoscience and viruses to develop solutions in energy, environment, and medicine.
Deep neural networks show promise as models of human hearing
Study shows computational models trained to perform auditory tasks display an internal organization similar to that of the human auditory cortex.
Ronald Garcia Ruiz named a Popular Science “Brilliant 10”
Assistant professor of physics honored for work on the development of laser spectroscopy techniques to investigate the properties of subatomic particles.
MIT researchers observe a hallmark quantum behavior in bouncing droplets
In a study that could help fill some holes in quantum theory, the team recreated a “quantum bomb tester” in a classical droplet test.
MIT Generative AI Week fosters dialogue across disciplines
During the last week of November, MIT hosted symposia and events aimed at examining the implications and possibilities of generative AI.
Moungi Bawendi honored during Nobel Week in Stockholm
The professor of chemistry participated in various festivities, culminating in the Nobel Prize ceremony on Dec. 10.
Two from MIT named 2024 Marshall Scholars
Anushree Chaudhuri and Rupert Li will pursue graduate studies in the United Kingdom.