A study by MIT researchers suggests that using robotically assembled building blocks could offer a more sustainable and efficient method for constructing large structures compared to some current techniques. The team evaluated the feasibility of building with “voxels,” modular 3D units that form complex, strong structures. They developed three new voxel designs, a robotic assembler,…
Illustrations by Liz Zonarich accompany a health guide on gut wellness. Sy Boles from Harvard reports that about 40% of Americans experience bowel movement issues that affect their daily life, as noted by Trisha Pasricha, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. Pasricha, a gastroenterologist and contributor to The Washington Post’s “Ask a Doctor” column,…
During a discussion at Harvard’s Mahindra Humanities Center, Catherine Lacey shared how fiction serves as a means to explore personal truths. She explained, “When I try to decide what to reveal or hide, it fails,” emphasizing that personal elements inevitably surface in her writing, or the story won’t come together. Lacey’s debut novel, “Nobody Is…
MIT researchers have uncovered an unexpected phenomenon in optical physics that may lead to a new, faster, and higher-resolution bioimaging method. They found that, under specific conditions, chaotic laser light can spontaneously organize into a focused “pencil beam.” This beam allowed them to capture 3D images of the human blood-brain barrier 25 times faster than…
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is leading to predictions that data centers could use up to 12% of the United States’ electricity by 2028, as reported by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Scientists are working to enhance the energy efficiency of data centers to make AI more sustainable. MIT researchers, along with the MIT-IBM…
The value of a Humanities education is increasingly under scrutiny. With fewer students majoring in Humanities and more opting for professional fields, the perception of Humanities degrees as lacking in job-ready skills is widespread. While career services can assist students with their post-graduation plans, faculty also have a key role in helping students translate their…
University staff often encounter students who grasp course material but struggle with multiple-choice exams. Students may express confusion, noting that despite extensive studying, their grades remain low. This issue often stems from a lack of strategic test-taking skills rather than content knowledge. Such strategies, while influential, are seldom directly taught, forming a “hidden curriculum” that…
John Torous, an expert in psychosis treatment, anticipated a surge in patients due to reports of AI psychosis. However, this influx did not materialize. “It’s intriguing when media narratives don’t align with clinical observations,” noted Torous, who holds a psychiatry associate professorship at Harvard Medical School and leads the Digital Psychiatry division at Beth Israel…
A visitor examines items featured in an exhibit at Pusey Library, highlighting Harvard University’s influence in America’s founding. The display, titled “Harvard and the American Revolution,” includes documents from the Harvard University Archives and will be available both in-person and digitally until December 18. Minutes from a 1775 faculty meeting reveal uproar over students objecting…
In today’s faculty meetings and offices, discussions often revolve around artificial intelligence (AI). While some educators are eager to experiment, others remain cautious or resistant. The majority are working to understand how to adapt to this potential shift without compromising the value of their teaching. Initially, AI is being used by educators to create quizzes,…
