The age-old problem of long-term care

Informal help is a huge share of elder care in U.S., a burden that is only set to expand. A new book explores different countries’ solutions.

Peter Dizikes | MIT News • mit
May 5, 2025 ~8 min

Who gets to be called an astronaut? Private space travel has reignited debate over use of prestigious title

A new wave of space travellers has sparked debate over how the term is used.

Ian Whittaker, Senior Lecturer in Physics, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
May 2, 2025 ~8 min


3D modeling you can feel

TactStyle, a system developed by CSAIL researchers, uses image prompts to replicate both the visual appearance and tactile properties of 3D models.

Adam Conner-Simons | MIT CSAIL • mit
April 22, 2025 ~6 min

Why don’t humans have hair all over their bodies? A biologist explains our lack of fur

Human beings don’t have a thick coat of fur like many other mammals do. Scientists think it has to do with something else that comes out of skin: sweat.

Maria Chikina, Assistant Professor of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
April 21, 2025 ~6 min

How should we prioritize patients waiting for kidney transplants?

A comprehensive study of the U.S. system could help policymakers analyze methods of matching donated kidneys and their recipients.

Peter Dizikes | MIT News • mit
April 17, 2025 ~6 min

The sudden dismissal of public records staff at health agencies threatens government accountability

Public records requested under the Freedom of Information Act have helped shape health policy and keep the government accountable – but recent staff cuts may make this impossible.

Reshma Ramachandran, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Yale University • conversation
April 16, 2025 ~10 min

We need to stop pretending AI is intelligent – here’s how

AI may appear human, but it is an illusion we must tackle.

Guillaume Thierry, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, Bangor University • conversation
April 14, 2025 ~7 min

Trump’s nomination for NASA leader boasts business and commercial spaceflight experience during a period of uncertainty for the agency

Billionaire CEO Jared Isaacman has worked closely with SpaceX. He expressed an interest in sending missions to both the Moon and Mars if confirmed.

Wendy Whitman Cobb, Professor of Strategy and Security Studies, Air University • conversation
April 10, 2025 ~9 min


Supersize me

Political scientist Kathleen Thelen’s new book explains how America’s large retailers got very, very large.

Peter Dizikes | MIT News • mit
April 8, 2025 ~8 min

The human body, its movement, and music

Connected by MIT’s Human Insight Collaborative, Lecturer Mi-Eun Kim and Research Scientist Praneeth Namburi want to develop an understanding of musical expression and skill development.

Benjamin Daniel | School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences • mit
April 7, 2025 ~7 min

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