National Science Foundation (NSF)

Brain waves encode rules for behaviorFluctuations in electrical activity may also allow the brain to form thoughts and memories.

Fighting bacteria with mucusStudy shows that key proteins in mucus prevent bacterial adhesion to surfaces, could help prevent growth of biofilms.

Sitting still or going hunting: Which works better?If you’re a microbe floating in the ocean, there’s no single best strategy for getting food, MIT research shows.

Q&A: Michel DeGraff on teaching STEM in KreyòlA model for reaching science-hungry students around the world who speak local languages

Jaenisch, Suresh named Franklin Institute laureates

New technique reveals lithium in actionFundamental reactions behind advanced battery technology, revealed in detail by advanced imaging method, could lead to improved materials.

MIT team builds most complex synthetic biology circuit yetNew sensor can detect four different molecules, could be used to program cells to precisely monitor their environments.

DeGraff awarded $1 million NSF grant to continue linguistics research in HaitiFunding will help develop classroom tools to teach science and math in Creole for the first time.

Measuring the universe’s ‘exit door’For the first time, an international team has measured the radius of a black hole.

Weapon-wielding marine microbes may protect populations from foesIn some populations, natural antibiotics are produced by a few individuals whose closest relatives carry genes conferring resistance.

A one-way street for spinning atomsWork correlating ultracold atoms’ spin with their direction of motion may help physicists model new circuit devices and unusual phases of matter.

Single-photon transmitter could enable new quantum devicesLong-sought goal for quantum devices — the ability to transmit single photons while blocking multiple photons — is finally achieved.

Research update: Chips with self-assembling rectanglesNew technique allows production of complex microchip structures in one self-assembling step.

Dripping faucets inspire new way of creating structured particlesResearchers find new method for making spherical particles, from nanoscale to pinhead-sized — including complex beach-ball-like shapes.

Researchers explain how dye-based nanotubes can help harvest light’s energyTiny cylinders help reveal how natural-light-harvesting antennae collect light with exceptional efficiency.

All in a day’s work: Design and print your own robotMIT project, funded with $10 million NSF grant, could transform robotic design and production

Scott Aaronson wins NSF’s Alan T. Waterman AwardNational Science Foundation’s most prestigious award will help fuel CSAIL researcher’s work.

Young scientists and babies: White House policy begins with alumna requestA new White House initiative to provide workplace flexibility to young scientists — starting with the National Science Foundation — has MIT fingerprints all over it.

Vest wins NSB's Vannevar Bush awardPresident emeritus honored for public service leadership

Suresh awarded prestigious Padma Shri from government of IndiaNSF director and former MIT engineering dean receives highest civilian honor.

Martin Hackl's Experimental Syntax and Semantics Lab generates knowledge about meaning formationRole of linguistic form stronger than previously realized.

How liquids behaveResearchers identify a fundamental property of how water and other liquids move at different temperatures.

Graphene electrodes for organic solar cellsResearchers identify technique that could make a new kind of solar photovoltaic panel practical.

Suresh discusses the role of engineering in the study of infectious diseaseIn public lecture at MIT, former dean describes progress in understanding malaria.

Can telecom data help redraw political boundaries?By analyzing one of the world’s largest databases of phone data, researchers partition Great Britain into densely interconnected regions.

Harrell convenes thought-leaders to catalyze new research informed by science, humanities and arts disciplines