Renowned data scientist Paul Boutros, PhD, MBA, has been named the new director of the National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. He is the first computational biologist to oversee an NCI-designated cancer center, a network of 73 basic, clinical and comprehensive centers created as part of the National Cancer Act of 1971.

As drones become increasingly common in U.S. skies – delivering packages, inspecting bridges, even monitoring crops – the danger of cyberattacks has grown too. A drone hijacked by hackers could suddenly veer off course, speed up, stall in midair, or crash. Once compromised, the machine is useless, often left as little more than expensive junk. Florida International University researchers have found a way to fight back. At the IEEE International Conference on Dependable Systems and Networks, FIU computer scientists unveiled SHIELD, a defensive system that can detect and neutralize cyberattacks on drones in real time and, crucially, allow the drone to finish its mission.

MIT scientists developed a method to predict how plasma in a tokamak fusion machine will behave during a rampdown, when the reactor’s plasma current is shut off. The research could improve the safety and reliability of future fusion power plants. 

Artificial intelligence can solve problems at remarkable speed, but it’s the people developing the algorithms who are truly driving discovery. At The University of Texas at Arlington, data scientists are creating sophisticated formulas that enable AI to interpret massive biological datasets to uncover how diseases start, how the immune system responds, and what treatments might work best.

MIT engineers have developed a recipe for a printable aluminum alloy that can withstand high temperatures and is five times stronger than traditionally manufactured aluminum. 

A new research study led by Prahalada Rao shows that additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence promise more precision and less waste for much-needed submarine and aircraft components.