Combating colon cancer + efficient computing + signs of dementia

[view in browser]( MIT Weekly [MIT Logo] March 2, 2024 Greetings! Here’s a roundup of the latest from the MIT community.  Want a daily dose of MIT in your inbox? [Subscribe to the MIT Daily](. Combating Colon Cancer #[On dark background is a snake-like shape of colorful tumor cells, mainly in blue. Near top are pinkish-red cells, and near bottom are lime-green cells.]( One of the immune system’s primary roles is to detect and kill cells with cancerous mutations. Researchers have now discovered that precancerous colon cells turn on the gene SOX17, which helps them evade detection and develop into tumors. The finding may offer a new way to treat early-stage cancers before they grow into larger tumors. [Full story via MIT News →]( Top Headlines Researchers harness 2D magnetic materials for energy-efficient computing An MIT team precisely controlled an ultrathin magnet at room temperature, which could enable faster, more efficient processors and computer memories. [Full story via MIT News →]( [MIT Heat Island]( How cognition changes before dementia hits A study finds language-processing difficulties are an indicator — in addition to memory loss — of amnestic mild cognitive impairment. [Full story via MIT News →]( [MIT Heat Island]( Professor Edward Roberts, management scholar, champion of entrepreneurship, and “MIT icon,” dies at 88 The trailblazing MIT Sloan professor identified keys to successful technology-based business, helping generations of MIT students and faculty to start firms. [Full story via MIT News →]( [MIT Heat Island]( Device could jumpstart work toward quantum internet The exquisitely small device could allow the quick, efficient flow of quantum information over large distances. [Full story via MIT Materials Research Laboratory →]( [MIT Heat Island]( Moving past the Iron Age Graduate student Sydney Johnson looks at how to achieve greener steel. [Full story via MIT News →]( [MIT Heat Island]( A new shepherd’s staff to lead “the flock” during MIT Commencement Gifted by Professor Lily Tsai, former chair of the faculty, and designed by Professor Brandon Clifford, the staff is a new, integral part of MIT Commencement. [Full story via MIT News →]( [MIT Heat Island]( #ThisisMIT #[Jaylen Brown, right, poses with Tim the Beaver in portrait. Text via @‌mittimthebeaver: MIT Sports Innovation Speaker Series invited @‌celtics player Jaylen Brown (@‌fchwpo) last semester to speak about his foundation @‌7uicefoundation. Tim and Jaylen make a great duo. Photo credit: @‌2bmediallc]( [Follow @mittimthebeaver on Instagram→]( In the Media So, you love sending voice notes. Do your friends love getting them? // The New York Times Professor Sherry Turkle discusses the psychological implications of receiving and sending voice memos as a method of communication. [Full story via The New York Times→]( How to find meaning in your science career: six expert tips // Nature Professor Abhijit Banerjee, who “has attributed his own career to a series of happy accidents,” advises scientists who are hoping to make an impact on the world to “be willing to work hard.” [Full story via Nature→]( Opinion: New York’s congestion pricing is a good start, but Boston can do better // The Boston Globe Professor of the practice Carlo Ratti addresses New York’s congestion pricing plan — an attempt to prevent traffic build up and improve public transportation — and ways Boston can develop a similar and more effective policy. [Full story via The Boston Globe →]( AI can restore the jobs that automation and globalization killed, a report says // Quartz A working paper by Professor David Autor shows that “AI could enable more workers to perform higher-stakes, decision-making tasks that are currently relegated to highly-educated workers such as doctors and lawyers.” [Full story via Quartz→]( Digit 86 Percent of Class of 2023 graduates with no student loan debt [Learn more via MIT Facts→]( [“] I’m continually inspired by how humans and humanity have a constant desire to explore. And we, as humans, continually come up with solutions to overcome any hurdle that stands in the way of better understanding our world or the universe. —Allison Porter SM ’20, a 2023 Morningside Academy for Design Fellow and AeroAstro PhD student who is working on integrating automation for better health for people during spaceflight [Full story via MIT AeroAstro→]( Verse The stormy March is come at last, With wind, and cloud, and changing skies, I hear the rushing of the blast, That through the snowy valley flies. Ah, passing few are they who speak, Wild stormy month! in praise of thee; Yet, though thy winds are loud and bleak, Thou art a welcome month to me. For thou, to northern lands, again The glad and glorious sun dost bring, And thou hast joined the gentle train And wear’st the gentle name of Spring. And, in thy reign of blast and storm, Smiles many a long, bright, sunny day, When the changed winds are soft and warm, And heaven puts on the blue of May. Then sing aloud the gushing rills And the full springs, from frost set free, That, brightly leaping down the hills, Are just set out to meet the sea. The year’s departing beauty hides Of wintry storms the sullen threat; But in thy sternest frown abides A look of kindly promise yet. Thou bring’st the hope of those calm skies, And that soft time of sunny showers, When the wide bloom, on earth that lies, Seems of a brighter world than ours. ​—“[March]( by William Cullen Bryant This edition of the MIT Weekly was brought to you by [an aerial view of old-timey MIT](. 🎩 Have feedback to share? Email mitdailyeditor@mit.edu. Thanks for reading, and have a great week! —MIT News [Forward This Email]( [Subscribe]( [MIT Logo] This email was sent to {EMAIL} because of your affiliation with MIT, or because you signed up for our newsletters. 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