Liquid-pumping heart replicas could lead to better cardiac treatments

Before operating on someone, it would be very helpful if cardiac surgeons could examine a physical model of that specific individual’s heart. Well, they should soon be able to do so – and the model will actually pump liquid, just like the patient’s rea… Continue reading Liquid-pumping heart replicas could lead to better cardiac treatments

MIT team makes a case for direct carbon capture from seawater, not air

Pulling greenhouse gases out of water is an odd-sounding idea, but the oceans are the planet’s number one carbon sink, and direct air carbon capture has pretty serious problems: it costs a lot, and uses a lot of energy. According to IEA figures from 20… Continue reading MIT team makes a case for direct carbon capture from seawater, not air

Modular voxel tech could bring swimming robots into the mainstream

Bioinspired underwater robots that swim by undulating their bodies may be more energy-efficient than their rigid counterparts, but they’re also quite difficult to build. That could soon change however, thanks to a new modular robotics system.Continue R… Continue reading Modular voxel tech could bring swimming robots into the mainstream

Bottlebrush-shaped molecules carry drug combos to combat cancer

Scientists at MIT have developed bottlebrush-shaped molecules that can carry groups of different cancer drugs in just the right ratio. Tests in mice showed significantly improved outcomes compared to just giving the drugs loose.Continue ReadingCategory… Continue reading Bottlebrush-shaped molecules carry drug combos to combat cancer

Toroidal Propellers Make Drones Less Annoying

A black quadcopter sits on a grey surface. In place of traditional propellers are four figure eight propellers with sharp tips where the top and bottom of the eight would be.

Despite being integral to aviation for more than a century, propellers have changed remarkably little since the Wright Brothers. A team at MIT’s Lincoln Lab has developed a new propeller …read more Continue reading Toroidal Propellers Make Drones Less Annoying

Secret ingredient found to help ancient Roman concrete self-heal

Neglect a modern concrete structure for a few decades and it’ll start to fall apart – and yet, structures built by the ancient Romans are still standing strong after 2,000 years. Now, engineers have found an inclusion that helps ancient concrete self-h… Continue reading Secret ingredient found to help ancient Roman concrete self-heal

First human trials test light & sound therapy for Alzheimer’s disease

A promising new therapy for Alzheimer's involves exposure to a 40-Hz flickering light and sound tone for an hour a day

A new study published in the journal PLoS ONE has reported on the first human tests of an experimental therapy using sound and light to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The initial findings are promising, with the unique treatment leading to some neurological and cognitive improvements, but the small trial size means more study is needed before anyone can say this type of therapy works.

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Continue reading First human trials test light & sound therapy for Alzheimer’s disease

MIT implantable ventilator could literally let patients breathe easier

It’s a sad fact that people with conditions such as muscular dystrophy and ALS often have difficulty breathing, as their diaphragm muscle doesn’t work properly. MIT scientists have set out to give that muscle a boost, with an implantable ventilator.Con… Continue reading MIT implantable ventilator could literally let patients breathe easier