Harvard Athletics’ Lael Ayala has ingeniously combined her love for softball and engineering in her senior thesis project. The mechanical engineering student and outfielder developed an autonomous robot designed to locate and collect softballs in the outfield during practice drills. Professor Seymur Hasanov, who advised Ayala on the project, noted her strong motivation to solve…
Institutions of higher education are rapidly incorporating artificial intelligence into their programs. A study of 65 R1 universities revealed that 63% are actively promoting the use of generative AI, with many offering detailed guidance for its integration into teaching (McDonald et al., 2025). The expectation is that AI will enhance student thinking, customize learning, and…
Many individuals have their own perception of what distance learning entails, typically viewing it as an educational method that involves technology and a separation between instructor and student. This separation introduces unique challenges that aren’t usually present in traditional classroom settings. According to Adair and Diaz (2014, 12), “Because learner support provides a foundation for…
Stress can significantly impact gut health by tightening the stomach and slowing digestion, especially for individuals with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). While some people quickly recover, others do not. A new study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) has identified how stress hormones disrupt gut function through a specific nerve network, suggesting potential…
As part of the Commencement 2026 series celebrating Harvard’s 375th Commencement, Ph.D. candidate Isaac Witte reflects on the “incremental advances” that led to the CRISPR breakthrough. His journey began with a fascination for DNA replication during high school in Overland Park, Kansas, captivated by the complex orchestration of proteins essential for life. Witte’s interest was…
The rapid expansion of prediction markets, where individuals can wager on events ranging from the 2028 U.S. elections to Taylor Swift’s wedding date, is raising concerns about insider trading and market manipulation. Recently, a U.S. Army soldier was accused of using classified information to bet on a military operation involving Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, reportedly…
Researchers from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have utilized an advanced single-molecule imaging technique to reveal how certain proteins related to cancer interact within living cells. This method uses stable nanoparticle probes that illuminate single molecules for extended periods. For the first time, the team observed individual receptors on the cell membrane as…
The Haystack 37m Telescope, a significant tool in radio astronomy and solar system radar studies since 1964, has played a crucial role in various scientific achievements, including aiding NASA’s Apollo missions, mapping Venus, testing Einstein’s theories, and pioneering VLBI developments. Recently, after extensive upgrades, it has resumed its role in cutting-edge astronomical research at MIT…
In the wake of a powerful earthquake, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) could navigate through collapsed structures to map the area, providing crucial data for rescuers to reach survivors swiftly. However, this poses a significant challenge for autonomous robots, which must quickly alter their paths to avoid unexpected obstacles while maintaining their route. Researchers from MIT…
Sarah L. Kaufman, a Pulitzer-winning dance critic, shares insights on enhancing writing in her new book, “Verb Your Enthusiasm: How to Master the Art of the Verb and Transform Your Writing,” published by Penguin Press. The book highlights how writers can set their work apart from AI-generated content by using fresh verbs to surprise readers…
