This tropical plant builds isolated ‘apartments’ to prevent battles among the aggressive ant tenants it relies on for survival

Squamellaria plants grow special structures to host the ants they symbiotically rely on for nutrients. Distinct compartments help different ant colonies live peacefully side by side.

Susanne S. Renner, Honorary Professor of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis • conversation
yesterday ~6 min

AI shapes autonomous underwater “gliders”

An AI pipeline developed by CSAIL researchers enables unique hydrodynamic designs for bodyboard-sized vehicles that glide underwater and could help scientists gather marine data.

Alex Shipps | MIT CSAIL • mit
July 9, 2025 ~8 min


New postdoctoral fellowship program to accelerate innovation in health care

Launched with a gift from the Biswas Family Foundation, the Biswas Postdoctoral Fellowship Program will support postdocs in health and life sciences.

Michaela Jarvis | Office of Innovation and Strategy • mit
July 7, 2025 ~6 min

War, politics and religion shape wildlife evolution in cities

Humans change the urban landscape with religious, cultural and political activities, which in turn can influence the evolution of urban animals and plants.

Elizabeth Carlen, Living Earth Collaborative Postdoctoral Fellow, Washington University in St. Louis • conversation
July 3, 2025 ~10 min

New method combines imaging and sequencing to study gene function in intact tissue

The approach collects multiple types of imaging and sequencing data from the same cells, leading to new insights into mouse liver biology.

Whitehead Institute • mit
June 30, 2025 ~9 min

MIT and Mass General Brigham launch joint seed program to accelerate innovations in health

The MIT-MGB Seed Program, launched with support from Analog Devices Inc., will fund joint research projects that advance technology and clinical research.

Mary Beth Gallagher | Office of Innovation • mit
June 27, 2025 ~6 min

Mitochondria can sense bacteria and trigger your immune system to trap them – revealing new ways to treat infections and autoimmunity

Not only do mitochondria serve as the engine of the cell – they also act as watchtowers for the immune system.

Andrew Monteith, Assistant Professor of Microbiology, University of Tennessee • conversation
June 25, 2025 ~7 min

Neuropathic pain has no immediate cause – research on a brain receptor may help stop this hard-to-treat condition

Chronic pain affects millions of people in the US. Targeting an oft-overlooked brain receptor could one day offer relief.

Siddhesh Sabnis, Ph.D. Student in Medical Sciences, Texas A&M University • conversation
June 23, 2025 ~7 min


MIT engineers uncover a surprising reason why tissues are flexible or rigid

Watery fluid between cells plays a major role, offering new insights into how organs and tissues adapt to aging, diabetes, cancer, and more.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
June 20, 2025 ~7 min

When Earth iced over, early life may have sheltered in meltwater ponds

Modern-day analogs in Antarctica reveal ponds teeming with life similar to early multicellular organisms.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
June 19, 2025 ~8 min

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