Myriam Heiman, currently the John and Dorothy Wilson Professor of Neuroscience at MIT, will take over as director of the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at MIT, starting July 1. She follows Picower Professor Li-Huei Tsai, who is resigning after 16 years in the role. Heiman, a molecular neurobiologist and geneticist, investigates neurodegenerative diseases…
John Overholt, a curator at Houghton Library, described a Paul Revere illustration of the Boston Massacre as “one of the most powerful propaganda images of the whole Revolution.” This image is part of an exhibit showcasing various media pieces related to the American Revolution, providing insight into how ordinary people at the time learned about…
Psychiatrists have traditionally used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to treat depression by delivering magnetic pulses to stimulate neurons. Recent research suggests they can now refine this approach to target specific symptoms, opening doors for more precise treatments. In a series of studies, including one published in Nature Molecular Psychiatry, researchers stimulated two brain circuits in…
Jill Lepore, in her Pulitzer-winning book “We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution,” argues for the urgent need to update the U.S. Constitution, highlighting the barriers that have emerged over time. Lepore, a professor at Harvard, examines the Constitution’s origins and its intended flexibility for amendments. The U.S. Constitution, made from living materials…
Researchers at MIT have developed a new kernel named Fractal, which provides a clearer understanding of processor activities. This kernel has already revealed previously unknown behaviors in Apple’s M1 chip. Traditionally, security researchers seeking to investigate processor functions modify existing operating systems like macOS or Linux, a method that is unstable and difficult to replicate,…
Reading medical ultrasound images is challenging, as technicians must convert 2D visuals into a mental 3D model of tissue. MIT researchers introduced a new method that enables users to view a 3D augmented-reality image of scanned objects. With a virtual-reality headset, users can see an accurate 3D digital representation, facilitating easier identification and analysis. This…
Faculty workloads today consist of both tangible and intangible elements. The tangible parts include courses, syllabi, advising hours, and meetings. The intangible involves managing discussions, addressing student emails, providing feedback late into the night, and the mental strain from constant digital access. In online teaching, work quietly and continuously expands, leading to eroded boundaries and…
In higher education, faculty are increasingly tasked with creating learning environments that enhance not just academic success, but also student engagement, belonging, and well-being. A key factor in achieving these outcomes is the intentional structuring of collaborative activities by instructors. When cooperative and experiential learning is combined with strong pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), it can…
In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence for gathering information has surged significantly. A newer trend involves large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini being utilized for news verification and consumption. According to the Pew Research Center, one in five U.S. teenagers frequently uses LLMs for news, and one in four…
A growing number of children are embracing ebooks, but experts express concern. Certain features of digital books can aid comprehension skills, yet they also pose distractions, particularly when children read less than before. Assistant Professor of Education Ying Xu, who researches the impact of technology on children’s language and literacy, noted that ebooks are more…
