A new tool for modeling the human gut microbiome
Bacteria linked to Crohn’s disease are difficult to grow in the lab, but MIT engineers have found a way.
Aug. 6, 2020 • ~7 min
medicine bacteria microbes disease research mechanical-engineering school-of-engineering national-institutes-of-health-nih biological-engineering health-sciences-and-technology
Gene-controlling mechanisms play key role in cancer progression
Study finds “epigenomic” alterations evolve as lung tumors become more aggressive and metastasize.
July 23, 2020 • ~7 min
dna cancer biology research school-of-science national-institutes-of-health-nih koch-institute
Mapping the brain’s sensory gatekeeper
New analysis could help uncover potential drug targets for attention deficits and sensory hypersensitivity.
July 22, 2020 • ~7 min
neuroscience mental-health autism broad-institute research school-of-science brain-and-cognitive-sciences national-institutes-of-health-nih mcgovern-institute
Chemists make tough plastics recyclable
New method for producing thermoset plastics allows them to be broken down more easily after use.
July 22, 2020 • ~7 min
chemistry sustainability recycling research polymers school-of-science national-science-foundation-nsf national-institutes-of-health-nih materials-science-and-engineering
MIT team collaborates with 3M to develop rapid Covid-19 test
Company working with Sikes Lab to test feasibility of low-cost diagnostic that could be manufactured by the millions each day.
July 14, 2020 • ~7 min
medicine covid-19 industry pandemic research invention school-of-engineering innovation-and-entrepreneurship-ie global collaboration national-institutes-of-health-nih chemical-engineering singapore-mit-alliance-for-research-and-technology-smart deshpande-center diagnostics
Engineers design a reusable, silicone rubber face mask
The prototype mask, which includes an N95 filter, can be easily sterilized and worn many times.
July 9, 2020 • ~7 min
medicine covid-19 pandemic research medical-devices mechanical-engineering school-of-engineering national-institutes-of-health-nih koch-institute health-sciences-and-technology
How worms move: Dopamine helps nematodes coordinate motor behaviors
To spy on worms for days on end, Picower Institute scientists invent a new open-source microscopy platform.
June 30, 2020 • ~8 min
neuroscience microscopy animals research school-of-science brain-and-cognitive-sciences national-science-foundation-nsf national-institutes-of-health-nih picower-institute
Engineers use “DNA origami” to identify vaccine design rules
In lab tests, virus-like DNA structures coated with viral proteins provoke a strong immune response in human B cells.
June 29, 2020 • ~7 min
covid-19 broad-institute ragon-institute vaccines research school-of-engineering national-institutes-of-health-nih materials-science-and-engineering dmse biological-engineering koch-institute
A focused approach to imaging neural activity in the brain
New molecule for imaging calcium in neurons reduces crosstalk from neighboring neurons.
June 26, 2020 • ~7 min
neuroscience imaging research media-lab school-of-architecture-and-planning school-of-engineering school-of-science brain-and-cognitive-sciences national-institutes-of-health-nih biological-engineering koch-institute mcgovern-institute
Study sheds light on a classic visual illusion
Neuroscientists delve into how background brightness influences our perception of an object.
June 16, 2020 • ~9 min
neuroscience vision india research school-of-science brain-and-cognitive-sciences national-institutes-of-health-nih
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