under the microscope
MIT’s cyborg plant can drive itself into the light.
“Researchers at MIT have now created ‘cyborg plants’ that can control a robot base to drive themselves where they want to go.” | learn more
Tag: MIT
under the microscope
MIT study finds fasting doubles stem cell regenerative capacity.
“Researchers at MIT have discovered that fasting for 24 hours flips a metabolic switch in mice, causing their guts to enhance their intestinal stem cells.” | learn more
big ideas
MIT media lab does cool stuff.
“For more than 30 years, MIT has been recruiting people with crazy ideas to work in their Media Lab, where life-changing inventions are created. 60 Minutes got a peek at what they’re working on now.” | learn more
big ideas
MIT’s device generates electricity from air’s daily temperature cycle.
Almost as if by magic, MIT uses a thermal resonator to pull energy out of thin air. More accurately, out of the changes in air temperature throughout the day. This technology has room for improvement, and can ultimately be used […]
big ideas
I tend not to prefer videos.
However, this week I’m sharing two. It’s because they’re both that interesting. The first is from Swedish professor Hans Rosling, who will absolutely blow your mind with global public health data. The second is from Laura Deming, who graduated from MIT at 14 and […]
under the microscope
Origami-inspired soft robot muscles can lift 1,000x their weight.
One of the challenges of robots is a trade-off between strength and ability to handle fragile items. Clamp down with too much force on an apple, and you have apple sauce. A new design from scientists at MIT and Harvard […]
tech, startups, internet
The 7 deadly sins of AI predictions.
I’ll admit it – I’m guilty of being over-enthusiastic about AI ever since reading Nick Bostrom’s Superintelligence a few years ago. Robotics engineer and AI smarty-pants Rodney Brooks published this post in the MIT Technology Review that pours some much-needed cold water […]
tech, startups, internet
Amazon’s developing an AI fashion designer.
This MIT Technology Review article discusses their use of Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN), a machine learning technique, to better understand fashion and style. | learn more
under the microscope
Blocking an enzyme may reverse memory loss.
MIT researchers have found a way to interfere with HDAC2, an enzyme that blocks memory-linked genes in mice. The therapy used is not suitable for drugs because the protein fragment is too large, but further research may find a solution. | learn […]
fun facts
Insider trader caught after googling ‘insider trading’.
An example of a really dumb smart guy (he’s an MIT researcher). “Prosecutors say Yan searched ‘how sec detect unusual trade’ before he bought numerous stocks and options that netted him around $120,000 in illicit profits.” |learn more