MIT engineers developed an atmospheric water harvester that produces fresh water anywhere — even Death Valley, California.
How the Brain Solves Complicated Problems
Study shows humans flexibly deploy different reasoning strategies to tackle challenging mental tasks — offering insights for building machines that think more like us.
Study shows humans flexibly deploy different reasoning strategies to tackle challenging mental tasks — offering insights for building machines that think more like us.
Inroads to Personalized AI Trip Planning
A new framework from the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab supercharges language models, so they can reason over, interactively develop, and verify valid, complex travel agendas.
A new framework from the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab supercharges language models, so they can reason over, interactively develop, and verify valid, complex travel agendas.
How We Really Judge AI
Forget optimists vs. Luddites. Most people evaluate AI based on its perceived capability and their need for personalization.
Forget optimists vs. Luddites. Most people evaluate AI based on its perceived capability and their need for personalization.
How the Brain Distinguishes Between Ambiguous Hypotheses
Neural activity patterns can encode competing hypotheses about which landmark will lead to the correct destination.
Neural activity patterns can encode competing hypotheses about which landmark will lead to the correct destination.
Infinite Threads Popup Thrift Store Helps the MIT Community and the Planet
With items selling for as little as $2, the initiative diverted about 750 pounds of textiles from landfills in 2024-25.
With items selling for as little as $2, the initiative diverted about 750 pounds of textiles from landfills in 2024-25.
Study Helps Pinpoint Areas Where Microplastics Will Accumulate
“Microplastics are definitely in the news a lot,” Nepf says, “and we don’t fully understand where the hotspots of accumulation are likely to be. This work gives a little bit of guidance.”
“Microplastics are definitely in the news a lot,” Nepf says, “and we don’t fully understand where the hotspots of accumulation are likely to be. This work gives a little bit of guidance.”
Teaching AI Models What They Don’t Know
A team of MIT researchers founded Themis AI to quantify AI model uncertainty and address knowledge gaps.
A team of MIT researchers founded Themis AI to quantify AI model uncertainty and address knowledge gaps.
New 3D Printing Method Enables Complex Designs and Creates Less Waste
MIT engineers developed a technique for making intricate structures with supports that can be dissolved and reused instead of thrown away.
MIT engineers developed a technique for making intricate structures with supports that can be dissolved and reused instead of thrown away.
A High-Fat Diet Sets off Metabolic Dysfunction in Cells, Leading to Weight Gain
Researchers also found these effects can be reversed by treatment with an antioxidant.
Researchers also found these effects can be reversed by treatment with an antioxidant.
Learning How to Predict Rare Kinds of Failures
Researchers are developing algorithms to predict failures when automation meets the real world in areas like air traffic scheduling or autonomous vehicles.
Researchers are developing algorithms to predict failures when automation meets the real world in areas like air traffic scheduling or autonomous vehicles.
Daily Mindfulness Practice Reduces Anxiety for Autistic Adults
After six weeks of practicing mindfulness with the help of a smartphone app, adults with autism reported lasting improvements in their well-being.
After six weeks of practicing mindfulness with the help of a smartphone app, adults with autism reported lasting improvements in their well-being.
Startup Helps Farmers Grow Plant-Based Feed and Fertilizer Using Wastewater
Founded by former MIT Tata Center translational research director Jason Prapas, Fyto has built an automated system for harvesting the aquatic plant Lemna on dairy farms.
Founded by former MIT Tata Center translational research director Jason Prapas, Fyto has built an automated system for harvesting the aquatic plant Lemna on dairy farms.
Eldercare Robot Helps People Sit and Stand, and Catches Them if They Fall
The new design could assist the elderly as they age in place at home.
The new design could assist the elderly as they age in place at home.
The Age-Old Problem of Long-Term Care
Informal help is a huge share of elder care in the U.S., a burden that is only set to expand. A new book explores different countries’ solutions.
Informal help is a huge share of elder care in the U.S., a burden that is only set to expand. A new book explores different countries’ solutions.
Study of Facial Bacteria Could Lead to Probiotics That Promote Healthy Skin
During the early teen years, many new strains of C. acnes colonize the skin on our faces. This could be an optimal time for probiotic treatment.
During the early teen years, many new strains of C. acnes colonize the skin on our faces. This could be an optimal time for probiotic treatment.