MIT researchers have developed a method to produce lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) more quickly and with precise control over their size and shape. This new process can greatly speed up the development of RNA and DNA therapeutics, allowing for more targeted delivery to different organs and tissues. The technique can help determine optimal parameters for LNPs before testing their performance, potentially leading to more effective treatments.
A new tool developed by scientists at MIT's McGovern Institute for Brain Research uses a custom-built list of words and phrases linked to 49 suicide risk factors to estimate an individual's risk. The tool was tested in text conversations with crisis counselors and is already helping clarify which factors matter most in times of crisis. With more validation, it could be used in clinical settings and crisis-support situations.
MIT researchers have identified a cellular pathway crucial for colorectal cancer metastasis, which is activated by a protein called YAP1. This pathway promotes cell proliferation and migration, and a high-fat diet can activate it through ceramide production. The researchers suggest that drugs that block ceramide production could help prevent metastasis in colon cancer patients. The pathway is druggable, and shutting down ceramide production can prevent tumor cells from switching on the regenerative program and failing to seed metastases in the liver.
A new handheld device developed by MIT researchers can collect living cells from specific locations in the fallopian tube, potentially improving early cancer detection. The device, described in a study in the journal Device, enables targeted sampling of newly excised tissue and is capable of recovering living cells for diagnostics, organoid cultivation, and disease modeling. The researchers believe this technique could one day be used to catch cancers earlier and more effectively, and to create personalized treatments based on individual patient samples.
Researchers from MIT's Senseable City Lab used machine learning to analyze traffic cameras in New York City, identifying vehicle types and estimating emissions. Visual AI can address urban planning questions, but concerns about privacy and fairness are growing. While useful, researchers caution against over-reliance on visual data.
A new MIT study finds that the brain uses neural ensembles to encode information throughout the decision-making process, ensuring distinct representation of options and preventing interference. This dynamic reorganization of information helps the brain meet changing task demands during decision-making.
The Great Miami Hurricane of 1926 was a significant event that highlighted the challenges in predicting extreme weather events and warning the public. It was a turning point in the advancement of weather forecasting, with the use of satellites, aircraft reconnaissance, computer models, radio, television, and the internet. The presentation discusses the event's effects, the state of forecasting at the time, lessons learned, and the progress made in the following 100 years.
The origins of NOAA’s National Ocean Service | NOAA Ocean Podcast Official seal of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey featuring an eagle, shield, anchors, globe, and the year 1807. (Image credit: NOAA) September 21, 2026 The Origins of NOAA’s National Ocean Service | NOAA Ocean Podcast Ocean & Coasts Heritage heritage history Heritage stories ocean 0 Off
The federal recreational red snapper season will open for three days this year from October 9 through October 11 —one day longer than last year’s two-day recreational season.
MIT researchers have developed tiny batteries that can safely break down in the GI tract, making ingestible devices safer and more environmentally friendly. The batteries, powered by magnesium and molybdenum trioxide, can power RFID tags and stimulate ghrelin production in capsules. The technology could be applied to a range of ingestible devices for sensing and therapeutic applications.
MilleMiglia is an open-source tool that provides realistic benchmarks for optimizing complex middle-mile logistics networks. This bridges the gap between academic theory and industrial logistics, enabling researchers to improve global supply chains. Despite its importance, middle-mile logistics has received less attention in operational research due to a lack of public, high-quality data. It has applications in various supply chain scenarios, including e-commerce, retail, and time-sensitive movements.
MIT researchers are mapping the risks of extreme weather events and developing tools to help communities anticipate and prepare for them. The projects, focusing on forecasting, risk assessment, and resilient infrastructure, have yielded 29 research papers and digital tools, with four years of collaborations among over 40 faculty and student researchers. The initiative, part of MIT's Climate Grand Challenges, aims to accelerate science-based solutions to climate problems.
A new study reveals aminovaleramididine synthetase (AvaS), the first enzyme responsible for producing a chemical modification linked to bacterial protein production. This discovery opens new avenues for studying bacterial adaptation and developing antimicrobial therapeutics. The research was led by scientists from the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology's Antimicrobial Resistance interdisciplinary research group.
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