Nano ‘camera’ made using molecular glue allows real-time monitoring of chemical reactions

Researchers have made a tiny camera, held together with ‘molecular glue’ that allows them to observe chemical reactions in real time.

Cambridge University News • cambridge
Sept. 2, 2021 ~6 min

Countering climate change with cool pavements

Researchers affiliated with the MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub find that paving material selection could mitigate extreme heat and greenhouse gas emissions.

Andrew Logan | MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub • mit
Aug. 22, 2021 ~10 min


An AI expert explains why it's hard to give computers something you take for granted: Common sense

Common sense is a broad and diverse set of abilities that help define what it means to be human. AI researchers are struggling to endow computers with it.

Mayank Kejriwal, Research Assistant Professor of Industrial & Systems Engineering, University of Southern California • conversation
Aug. 17, 2021 ~9 min

Team cracks mystery of ‘promiscuous’ smell receptors

Smell receptors were discovered 30 years ago, but how they work to recognize many different odors has been a mystery. New research has some answers.

Katherine Fenz-Rockefeller • futurity
Aug. 10, 2021 ~9 min

The ocean is full of tiny plastic particles – we found a way to track them with satellites

New research suggests that an effective way to locate and track large concentrations of microplastics in the ocean could be from high in the sky.

Christopher Ruf, Professor of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, University of Michigan • conversation
July 9, 2021 ~8 min

Older folks lose sense of smell for some things, but not others

With age, people's sense of smell declines. But new research shows it's not across the board: Older people can smell certain foods better than others.

Maria Hornbek-Copenhagen • futurity
July 1, 2021 ~6 min

Study shows brain differences in interpreting physical signals in mental health disorders

Researchers have shown why people with mental health disorders, including anorexia and panic disorders, experience physical signals differently.

Cambridge University News • cambridge
June 22, 2021 ~5 min

Pollution nearly doubles the risk of losing your sense of smell

New research looks at air pollution as a cause of anosmia, the loss of sense of smell. The researchers say long-term exposure can almost double the risk.

WaunShae Blount - Johns Hopkins • futurity
June 1, 2021 ~5 min


Poor sense of smell may indicate pneumonia risk

New research links poor sense of smell in older adults with higher risk of getting pneumonia.

Michigan State • futurity
May 13, 2021 ~4 min

Your brain plays ‘tricks’ to sync sights and sounds

Light and sound move at different speeds. To make sense of the sights and sounds around you, your brain has a few tricks to account for the difference.

Shawn Hayward-McGill • futurity
May 11, 2021 ~7 min

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