Research Examines Mechanical Mechanisms Behind Pre-Cancerous Ductal Carcinoma

In research recently published in Tissue Engineering Part A, Kristen Mills, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and her lab sought to explore the mechanical mechanisms behind the progression of pre-cancerous ductal carcinoma in situ to invasive ductal carcinoma. 

New Perspectives on Old Problems

The latest episode of Why Not Change the World? The RPI Podcast features researchers who have come up with new ways of looking at — and improving — things that have been around for a long time.

Not Just For Numbers: Anchoring Biases Decisions Involving Sight, Sound, and Touch

Numeric anchoring is a long-established technique of marketing communication. Once a price is mentioned, that number serves as the basis for — or “anchors” — all future discussions and decisions. But new research shows that this phenomenon is not limited to decisions that involve numbers, the use and understanding of which require high-level cognitive thinking. Anchoring also biases judgments at relatively low levels of cognition when no numbers are involved.

Rise of Connected Autonomous Vehicles Will Require New Models for Managing Traffic

Future roads will likely carry autonomous vehicles that communicate with one another in a system where vehicles relay information — like destination, speed, or upcoming lane change — and then receive real-time feedback about decisions like route changes necessary to avoid traffic. Such an intelligent connected vehicle system could vastly improve mobility and safety, while reducing congestion and emissions from vehicles idling in traffic, but it will also add significant complexity to already dynamic traffic patterns, making vehicle flow vulnerable to instability.

Stopping SARS-CoV-2

Why Not Change the World? The RPI Podcast kicks off its fourth season with an episode focused on promising research projects aimed at stopping SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from spreading and infecting humans.

Podcast Featuring Rensselaer Researchers Launches Fourth Season

The fourth season of Why Not Change the World? The RPI Podcast launched today with an episode focused on research efforts to stop SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from spreading and infecting humans. Each episode of Why Not Change the World? brings together multiple experts from different backgrounds to explore big ideas and pressing global challenges. In this way, the podcast highlights the interdisciplinary model for research and education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

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