Science

Why happiness is not the best indicator of well-being

Achieving values and pursuing growth is the real secret to a fulfilled life.

Jason Crawford

How Arc Institute is bringing science into the century of biology

Stephen Johnson

A vibrant graphic illustration featuring a large leafy plant with integrated plant sensors, comic-style speech bubbles containing exclamation marks, and a round bubble depicting ants, set against a blue textured background.

Agriculture

Plant sensors could act as an early warning system for farmers

Using sensors made from carbon nanotubes, researchers discovered signals that help plants respond to stresses like heat, light, or attack.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office

3D Printing

This may be the 3D-printed submarine of the future

Using unique construction techniques, this 3D-printed submarine may set the pace for the building of large AUVs to come.

B. David Zarley

CRISPR

CRISPR's big year: top breakthroughs of 2020

2020 was a big year for the gene-editing tool CRISPR. It was used to cure disease, edit DNA in a human's eye, and even gene-edit pigs to grow suitable organs to transplant into humans.

Teresa Carey

Psychology

Want better science? Learn how to lie (with magic).

Some experiment designs need to deceive. These former magicians have some advice.

B. David Zarley

Physics

New atomic clock is the most precise ever created

MIT researchers have created a new kind of atomic clock that exploits quantum entanglement to keep time more precisely.

Kristin Houser

Genetics

Genetically modified pigs get green light from FDA

The FDA has approved Revivicor’s genetically engineered GalSafe pigs for use as food or medical products — a first for genetically modified animals.

Kristin Houser

Paleontology

This digital dinosaur brain has some “quite surprising” insights

The Bristol dinosaur is like a mini-Brontosaurus, a four-legged plant eater. Or so we thought; a new digital dinosaur brain may change what we know about the dino.

B. David Zarley

Deep learning vs. machine learning: Explained

Deep learning vs. machine learning AI: what’s the difference?

B. David Zarley

Biohacking

Gifts for the biohacker in your life

This year has put health front of mind for many of us. Biohackers are all about knowing themselves, and with this gift guide, you’ll look like you know them.

B. David Zarley

CRISPR

A gene drive could wipe out mosquitoes. But what if we want to turn it off?

Gene drives could wipe out malaria. It's risky, but scientists say it's getting safer.

Amanda Winkler

Drugs

CBD does not impair driving, study finds

A new study has demonstrated that CBD is safe for driving, while the effects of THC last only a few hours. This work could inform cannabis use laws.

Teresa Carey

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