A faster way to solve complex planning problems

By eliminating redundant computations, a new data-driven method can streamline processes like scheduling trains, routing delivery drivers, or assigning airline crews.

Adam Zewe | MIT News • mit
April 16, 2025 ~8 min

Why the meteorites that hit Earth have less water than the asteroid bits brought back by space probes – a planetary scientist explains new research

Water-rich meteorites contain key ingredients for life, yet they barely appear in meteorite collections. Recent research using shooting stars may explain why.

Patrick M. Shober, Postdoctoral Fellow in Planetary Sciences, NASA • conversation
April 14, 2025 ~8 min


Are twins allergic to the same things?

An allergic reaction happens when your immune system overreacts to something that should be harmless. Whether that happens can be thanks to your genes, your environment or a combination.

Breanne Hayes Haney, Allergy and Immunology Fellow-in-Training, School of Medicine, West Virginia University • conversation
April 14, 2025 ~8 min

Researchers teach LLMs to solve complex planning challenges

This new framework leverages a model’s reasoning abilities to create a “smart assistant” that finds the optimal solution to multistep problems.

Adam Zewe | MIT News • mit
April 2, 2025 ~7 min

Measles can ravage the immune system and brain, causing long-term damage – a virologist explains

Complications from measles infection are surprisingly common.

Peter Kasson, Professor of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology • conversation
March 31, 2025 ~6 min

What causes the powerful winds that fuel dust storms, wildfires and blizzards? A weather scientist explains

One long line of powerful winds can whip up dust storms, spread wildfires, spin up tornadoes and fuel blizzards – all at the same time across different states.

Chris Nowotarski, Associate Professor of Atmospheric Science, Texas A&M University • conversation
March 20, 2025 ~8 min

As mountain glaciers melt, risk of catastrophic flash floods rises for millions

When mountain permafrost thaws and glaciers melt, glacial lakes can become lethal flood risks for anyone downstream.

Alton C. Byers, Faculty Research Scientist, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
March 19, 2025 ~10 min

As mountain glaciers melt, risk of catastrophic flash floods rises for millions − World Day for Glaciers carries a reminder

When mountain permafrost thaws and glaciers melt, glacial lakes can become lethal flood risks for anyone downstream.

Alton C. Byers, Faculty Research Scientist, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
March 19, 2025 ~10 min


Plans to link electricity bills to where you live are unlikely to bring down prices – and that’s a big problem for net zero

‘Zonal pricing’ would not address price distortions caused by gas.

Nicholas Harrington, Research Associate in Electricity Market Reform, University of Glasgow • conversation
March 17, 2025 ~8 min

When humans use AI to earn patents, who is doing the inventing?

US patent law says inventors must be human, but they can use AI. This changes the nature of invention and raises the question: Is this what the founders had in mind when they set up the patent system?

W. Keith Robinson, Professor of Law, Wake Forest University • conversation
March 14, 2025 ~8 min

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