Science

The Techno-Humanist Manifesto

Why happiness is not the best indicator of well-being

Achieving values and pursuing growth is the real secret to a fulfilled life.

Jason Crawford

How Arc Institute is bringing science into the century of biology

Stephen Johnson

A vibrant graphic illustration featuring a large leafy plant with integrated plant sensors, comic-style speech bubbles containing exclamation marks, and a round bubble depicting ants, set against a blue textured background.

Agriculture

Plant sensors could act as an early warning system for farmers

Using sensors made from carbon nanotubes, researchers discovered signals that help plants respond to stresses like heat, light, or attack.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office

Agriculture

An ancient enzyme could supercharge photosynthesis

Researchers have resurrected an ancient version of the enzyme Rubisco in the hope of supercharging photosynthesis in today’s plants.

Kristin Houser

Genetics

Mutations in 16 species reveal clues to human aging

A surprising pattern in how often mammal cells undergo somatic mutations could be a boon to longevity research.

Kristin Houser

Neuroscience

Stanford scientists can control specific brain cells at a distance

Using infrared light and a Nobel Prize-winning molecule that detects chili pepper heat, researchers can control brain cells from a distance.

B. David Zarley

Virology

A shapeshifting volcano virus’s secret has been discovered

The secret to a shapeshifting volcano virus may help us create new, better drug and vaccine delivery platforms.

B. David Zarley

Agriculture

Silencing one gene with CRISPR boosts crop yields by 10%

Using CRISPR to knock out a single gene in corn and rice increased crop yields by up to 10% in field trials.

Kristin Houser

CRISPR

CRISPR could create hypoallergenic cats

The results of a recent study found that genetically engineering cats could be a solution to eliminating cat allergies.

Peter Rogers

Planet Earth

Welcome to Null Island, where lost data goes to die

Frank Jacobs

Genetics

Should we use genome editing to make better babies?

Over the years, many different people, from preachers to philosophers, have voiced their concerns over the safety and ethics of gene editing.

Tim Brinkhof

Physics

Nuclear fusion hit a milestone thanks to better reactor walls

A team of scientists have shattered the record for the amount of energy produced during a controlled, sustained fusion reaction.

Livia Casali and David Donovan

Food

A new ingredient saves ice cream from being ruined by ice

Special particles in plants can prevent the formation of texture-ruining ice crystals in ice cream — and maybe help preserve donor organs.

Kristin Houser

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