Five human technologies inspired by nature – from velcro to racing cars

Humans often look to nature for the solutions to complex problems – here are five times where biological processes have inspired innovation.

Amin Al-Habaibeh, Professor of Intelligent Engineering Systems, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Dec. 30, 2022 • ~7 min

Heart rate variability – what to know about this biometric most fitness trackers measure

Tiny fluctuations in the time between each beat of your heart can provide clues about how much stress your body is experiencing.

Anne R. Crecelius, Associate Professor of Health and Sport Science, University of Dayton • conversation
Dec. 26, 2022 • ~8 min

MIT’s top research stories of 2022

Popular stories this year covered the detection of radio signals from space, a new battery design, immigrants’ entrepreneurial activity, and more.

Zach Winn | MIT News Office • mit
Dec. 21, 2022 • ~5 min

When fishing boats go dark at sea, they're often committing crimes – we mapped where it happens

Understanding when, where and why fishing vessels sometimes turn off their transponders is a key step toward curbing illegal fishing and other crimes on the high seas.

Heather Welch, Researcher in Ecosystem Dynamics, University of California, Santa Cruz • conversation
Dec. 21, 2022 • ~9 min

Should we tax robots?

Study suggests a robot levy — but only a modest one — could help combat the effects of automation on income inequality in the U.S.

Peter Dizikes | MIT News Office • mit
Dec. 21, 2022 • ~7 min

Did He Jiankui 'Make People Better'? Documentary spurs a new look at the case of the first gene-edited babies

Scientific and public uproar resulted when the Chinese scientist announced the births of the first human babies with heritable edits to their genes. A new documentary reexamines the saga.

G. Owen Schaefer, Assistant Professor in Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore • conversation
Dec. 20, 2022 • ~11 min

Biodiversity: one way to help countries stick to their commitments to restore nature

Human rights law could be used to make sure countries abide by the agreement made at the COP15 summit.

Claudia Ituarte-Lima, Leader of the Human Rights and Environment Thematic Area at the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Lund University • conversation
Dec. 20, 2022 • ~7 min

This course teaches students how to connect with older adults to forge intergenerational bonds and help alleviate loneliness and isolation

Social isolation and loneliness in aging adults have been linked to numerous physical and mental health ailments. Teaching students how to listen deeply to older people can lessen those effects.

Jeremy Holloway, Assistant Professor of Geriatric Education, University of North Dakota • conversation
Dec. 20, 2022 • ~7 min

London Underground polluted with particles small enough to enter the human bloodstream -- new research

New research reveals that the London Underground is polluted with small particles which may carry negative health effects for humans.

Hassan Aftab Sheikh, PhD Researcher in Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge • conversation
Dec. 19, 2022 • ~7 min

UN biodiversity conference: what does living in harmony with nature look like?

Human-wildlife conflict can undermine public support for conservation.

Alexandra Zimmermann, Senior Research Fellow, University of Oxford • conversation
Dec. 16, 2022 • ~6 min

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