Surprising findings suggest sunspots and solar flares could be generated by a magnetic field within the sun’s outermost layers, rather than deep within the star. If confirmed, the results could help scientists better predict space weather.

Astronomers have determined how to measure the spin of a nearby supermassive black hole using a new calculation method. Gizmodo reports: “They found the black hole’s spin was less than 25% the speed of light — slow, at least for a black hole.”

New research may explain why we can easily recognize images in both color and black and white. Scientists suggest that early in life, the brain distinguishes objects primarily based on their light intensity. Rich color vision develops later.

“A lot of opportunities only present themselves if you ask for them,” says Audrey Chen ’24. The approach has served her well, from a NASA internship at 15 to running MIT’s autonomous boat team to a leadership position at 3D printing company Formlabs.

Engineers found a way to eliminate the buildup of scar tissue around implantable devices, by coating them with a hydrogel adhesive. The material binds the device to tissue and prevents the immune system from attacking the device.

MIT spinout Boston Metal is commercializing a new method for making steel and other metals that could clean up the highly polluting industry. “All of the fundamental studies and the initial technologies came out of MIT,” Guillaume Lambotte says.