A Helmet to Prevent Paralysis

Engineers are designing a helmet that could protect the spine from serious injury.

Reporting by Lauren Gravitz
January 6, 2010

We won’t use CRISPR to make super-smart babies—but only because we can’t

Gene experts speculate that our worst gene-editing fears won’t come true because they are too complex for us to pull them off.

by Antonio Regalado
Electric nanoparticles can target and kill cancer cells by zapping them

Particles that produce electrical signals when bombarded with ultrasound could be a way to direct a cell-killing treatment directly to tumors.

by Emerging Technology from the arXiv
Gene engineers make super-size plants that are 40% larger

Researchers hope to create a new “green revolution” by improving photosynthesis.

by Antonio Regalado

Want more award-winning journalism? Subscribe and become an Insider.

Insider Plus {! insider.prices.plus !}* Best Value

{! insider.display.menuOptionsLabel !}

Everything included in Insider Basic, plus the digital magazine, extensive archive, ad-free web experience, and discounts to partner offerings and MIT Technology Review events.

{! insider.buttons.plus.buttonText !}

See details+

Print + Digital Magazine (6 bi-monthly issues)

Unlimited online access including all articles, multimedia, and more

The Download newsletter with top tech stories delivered daily to your inbox

Technology Review PDF magazine archive, including articles, images, and covers dating back to 1899

10% Discount to MIT Technology Review events and MIT Press

Ad-free website experience
Insider Basic {! insider.prices.basic !}*

{! insider.display.menuOptionsLabel !}

Six issues of our award winning print magazine, unlimited online access plus The Download with the top tech stories delivered daily to your inbox.

{! insider.buttons.basic.buttonText !}

See details+

Print Magazine (6 bi-monthly issues)

Unlimited online access including all articles, multimedia, and more

The Download newsletter with top tech stories delivered daily to your inbox
Insider Online Only {! insider.prices.online !}*

{! insider.display.menuOptionsLabel !}

Unlimited online access including articles and video, plus The Download with the top tech stories delivered daily to your inbox.

{! insider.buttons.online.buttonText !}

See details+

Unlimited online access including all articles, multimedia, and more

The Download newsletter with top tech stories delivered daily to your inbox

* {! insider.display.footerLabel !}

See international prices

See U.S. prices

Revert to MIT Enterprise Forum pricing

Revert to standard pricing

You've read of three free articles this month. Subscribe now for unlimited online access. You've read of three free articles this month. Subscribe now for unlimited online access. This is your last free article this month. Subscribe now for unlimited online access. You've read all your free articles this month. Subscribe now for unlimited online access. You've read of three free articles this month. Log in for more, or subscribe now for unlimited online access. Log in for two more free articles, or subscribe now for unlimited online access.

Why we made this change

Video

A Helmet to Prevent Paralysis

Engineers are designing a helmet that could protect the spine from serious injury.