DNA sequencing bottlenecked in a deluge of data
BGI, based in China, is the world’s largest genomics research institute, with 167 DNA sequencers producing the equivalent of 2,000 human genomes a day.
Chu visits MIT, gives talk on clean energy
U.S. Secretary of Energy and Nobel Laureate in Physics Steven Chu visited MIT to map out his strategies to restore U.S. competitiveness in clean energy in a talk at Kresge Auditorium this Wednesday. This is his first visit to the Institute since his Compton lecture in 2009. The event was sponsored by the student-run MIT Energy Club.
MIT hosts White House manufacturing conference
Government officials and regional leaders in industry and academia gathered at MIT on Monday for a day-long forum as part of a White House initiative that aims to turn America’s laboratory advances into new technologies to boost the U.S. economy. The meeting was part of the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP), created by President Obama in June as a national effort to bring together industry, universities, and the federal government to invest in new technologies that will “create high quality manufacturing jobs and enhance global competitiveness,” according to an MIT/White House press release. The AMP Steering Committee is co-chaired by President Susan J. Hockfield and Andrew Liveris, CEO of Dow Chemical.
CORRECTIONS
An arts review published Tuesday incorrectly said that The Postelles and The Kooks performed at Paradise Rock Club on Nov. 19. The bands played at Boston’s House of Blues.
News Briefs
Economy Hardware in Central Square has reopened after nearly a year of renovation. The store, which underwent reconstruction last December, was set to open in the spring but was initially delayed until October and finally opened today. Economy Hardware has been in Cambridge for over 60 years, store owner Larry Friedman told The Tech in January. Some of their original space is now being used by Cambridge Community Television. They are located at 438 Mass. Ave. and also have locations in Boston and Brookline.
European Central Bank head suggests wider rescue is possible, pending spending discipline
FRANKFURT, Germany — Mario Draghi, the president of the European Central Bank, laid the groundwork for a more aggressive response to the debt crisis Thursday, suggesting that the bank could increase its support for the European economy if political leaders took more radical steps to enforce spending discipline among members.
EU tightens sanctions against Iran after embassy attack
BERLIN — The European Union announced tightened sanctions against Iran on Thursday in the aftermath of the storming of Britain’s Tehran embassy, adding 180 Iranian officials and companies to a blacklist that freezes their assets and bans travel to member states.
Shorts (right)
CAIRO — The Muslim Brotherhood’s political arm Thursday distanced itself from a more conservative Islamist party as early vote tallies indicated that the two factions would claim the two largest roles in the first Parliament elected since the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.
Shorts (left)
HONG KONG — The Chinese manufacturing sector contracted in November, according to a closely watched barometer, indicating that a key engine of global growth is getting dragged down by the economic woes of Europe and the United States and by the Chinese authorities’ moves to cool inflation.
After Clinton visit, US to relax some curbs on aid to Myanmar
YANGON, Myanmar — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday that the United States would loosen some restrictions on international financial assistance and development programs in Myanmar, in response to a nascent political and economic opening in the country.
Seasonal temperatures for now, but warming up
Earlier this week, New England experienced above normal temperatures. Highs have been in the mid to upper 60s (18–20°C) with generally clear weather (despite the quick 0.76” of rain at Logan Airport last Tuesday night). But today, cooler weather has arrived since winds have become northerly and are bringing air down from Canada. A high pressure just to our west will keep cool air blowing in through Saturday.
Congress needs to get its act together
Lost hopes and broken dreams: these seem to be the recurring themes with Congress nowadays. I’m sure most of you remember what happened back in August with the federal budget; if not, here’s a brief recap.
MOVIE REVIEW Smiley, Smiley, where’s your smile?
A clandestine meeting at an outdoor cafe in Budapest ends with panicked shooting. Some cobblestones away, a baby still strains to suck on his mother’s breast, even as the blood begins to trickle from the hole in her head.
CONCERT REVIEW Sad songs about girls and life
The Airborne Toxic Event (TATE) has seen the spotlight this past year. They performed on the The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, were selected for the soundtrack of summer romantic comedy hit Crazy Stupid Love, and even made a cameo appearance on the season finale of Gossip Girl — and a cameo on Gossip Girl can mark the beginning of an indie band’s journey to mainstream fame.
VIDEO GAME REVIEW Zelda fans, rejoice
Skyward Sword might just be the best Zelda game ever made.
Sophomore Emily Dunne runs NYC marathon
On Nov. 6, 2011, MIT sophomore Emily L. Dunne ’14 ran in the New York City Marathon. For her, the experience was “even better than I could have imagined.” The ING NYC Marathon is held every year on the first Sunday of November. Runners traverse all five boroughs of New York City throughout the 26.1 mile event, starting on Staten Island and finishing near Central Park. Emily finished the marathon in 3:59:56, making her the ninth fastest female 19 years old or younger. Emily is a Course 2 sophomore who hails from Bermuda. We caught up with her to ask a few questions about her experience.
Men’s basketball defeats Emerson by 32 points
MIT’s Men’s Basketball team is on the move. After winning two games last week, the Engineers established a 5-0 record, moving them up from the 10th place spot to ninth in the national Division III rankings. The team has averaged a resounding 25.5-point margin of victory in its first six games of the season after beating Emerson on Tuesday by 32 points, 89-57.
RANDOM NEURONAL FIRINGS Winter weather for dummies!
The red and yellow leaves beautifying trees around campus not long ago have started falling. Most trees now stand bare, reminding us of the Boston winter that is slowly creeping in. Boston is pretty windy, rainy, and snowy — MIT even closes down sometimes due to snowstorms. But we can’t just lock ourselves in our dorm rooms, right? We need to combat the cold and the wind and finish our p-sets and graduate. Check out the tips below and see if you have everything ready!
