A new way to detect light in the brain using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could enable researchers to map changes in gene expression, map anatomical connections between cells, or reveal how cells communicate with each other.

MIT graduate student Ashutosh Kumar applies skills from his materials science background toward studying the relationship between bacteria and cancer. “There’s an unmet need to understand a lot of gynecological cancers,” he says.

EAPS researchers have found that heavy snowfall and rain likely contributed to a swarm of earthquakes over the past several years in Japan’s Noto Peninsula. The study is the first to show that climate conditions could initiate some earthquakes.

WMBR 88.1 FM, MIT’s all-volunteer radio station, builds community connections with its music and spoken-word shows. “It’s really fun ... being able to hang out with people who love music just as much as you do,” says co-general manager Maggie Lin.

CSAIL researchers have used machine learning to decode a phonetic “alphabet” used by sperm whales. They found the structure of the whales’ click patterns varies significantly depending on the conversational context, suggesting an intricate communication system.

Via @neisacollegesailing on Instagram: “Congratulations to the recipient of Women’s Sportsperson of the year, Brooke Schmelz! … This award goes to the most outstanding sportsperson in women’s sailing in NEISA.”