Algorithms

Finding a gecko in the crowdA combination of crowdsourcing and computer vision could identify individuals within endangered populations.

Short algorithm, long-range consequencesA new technique for solving ‘graph Laplacians’ is drastically simpler than its predecessors, with implications for a huge range of practical problems.

Demaine named Presburger Award recipientProfessor Erik Demaine was cited for his contributions to computational geometry and data structures.

Toward practical compressed sensingResearchers show how the vagaries of real-world circuitry affect the performance of a promising new technique in signal processing and imaging.

Guaranteed delivery — in ad hoc networksA new algorithm for message dissemination in decentralized networks is faster than its predecessors but, unlike them, guarantees delivery.

Explained: GraphsA simple tool for representing relationships between data, devices or almost anything else has ubiquitous applications in computer science.

Speeding algorithms by shrinking dataA new approach to processing ‘big data’ creates succinct representations of huge data sets, so that existing algorithms can handle them efficiently.

Predicting what topics will trend on TwitterA new algorithm predicts which Twitter topics will trend hours in advance and offers a new technique for analyzing data that fluctuate over time.

Mapping neurological diseaseNew algorithm can analyze information from medical images to identify diseased areas of the brain and connections with other regions.

Autonomous robotic plane flies indoorsNew algorithms allow an autonomous robotic plane to dodge obstacles in a subterranean parking garage, without the use of GPS.

Research update: SPHERES to get powerful magnets and gogglesNew wireless power and camera setups will expand the mini-satellites’ vision and navigation capabilities.

Writing graphics software gets much easierA new programming language for image-processing algorithms yields code that’s much shorter and clearer — but also faster.

Autonomous robot scans ship hulls for minesAlgorithms enable robot to navigate and view propellers and other complex structures.

Mechanical engineers develop an ‘intelligent co-pilot’ for carsSemiautonomous system takes the wheel to keep drivers safe.

Searching genomic data fasterBiologists’ capacity for generating genomic data is increasing more rapidly than computing power. A new algorithm will help them keep up.

Sharing data links in networks of carsA new algorithm lets networks of Wi-Fi-connected cars, whose layout is constantly changing, share a few expensive links to the Internet.

Robotic assistants may adapt to humans in the factoryNew algorithm allows robots and humans to work side by side.

System improves automated monitoring of security camerasNew approach uses mathematics to reach a compromise between accuracy, speed.

Lynch named Athena LecturerProfessor honored for advances in distributed systems that enable dependable Internet and wireless network applications.

Self-sculpting sandNew algorithms could enable heaps of ‘smart sand’ that can assume any shape, allowing spontaneous formation of new tools or duplication of broken mechanical parts.

Robots go head to head, 250 miles above EarthThird annual Zero Robotics competition pits robots against each other on the International Space Station.

Data mining without prejudiceA new technique for finding relationships between variables in large datasets makes no prior assumptions about what those relationships might be.

Double dutyA computational biologist and physician, Collin Stultz takes a unique approach to studying diseases that could lead to new treatments.

At a crossroadsNew research predicts which cars are likeliest to run lights at intersections.

New algorithm could substantially speed up MRI scansFaster scans could reduce the time patients spend in the machine from 45 to 15 minutes.

Smarter robot armsA combination of two algorithms developed at MIT allows autonomous robots to execute tasks much more efficiently — and move more predictably.

Andrew Lo joins CSAILEconomist hopes to merge the fields of computer science and artificial intelligence with research on financial markets and risk.

Milestone for MIT Press’s bestsellerWhat began as lecture notes for an MIT computer-science class has become the standard text in the field, selling half a million copies in 20 years.