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Elastic Hydrogel Breakthrough Paves the Way for 3D-Printed Organs
The STEAM Digest
February 23, 2025
Hello and welcome to our February 23rd edition. The STEAM Digest is a curated newsletter that brings you the latest news in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
In today’s edition:
Science - Yale Study Uncovers Rapid, Non-Genetic Adaptation in Migrating Bacteria, and more.
Materials - Monolayer Amorphous Carbon: A Breakthrough in 2D Material Toughness, and more.
Biotechnology & Biomedical Technology - Elastic Hydrogel Breakthrough Paves the Way for 3D-Printed Organs, and more.
Engineering & Technology - Magnetic Field-Assisted 3D Printing Cuts Pore Defects by 80%, and more.
Health & Medicine - Aspartame and Atherosclerosis: Uncovering the Cardiovascular Risks, and more.
Neuroscience - Breathing Modulates Pupil Size, Influencing Vision, and more.
Environment - Global Ocean Evaporation Declines Amid Rising Sea Temperatures.
Nature - New Study Uncovers Cuttlefish Camouflage Tactics for Ambushing Prey, and more.
Until Tomorrow,
~The STEAM Digest
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SCIENCE
Yale Study Uncovers Rapid, Non-Genetic Adaptation in Migrating Bacteria: In this study, Yale researchers demonstrate that migrating bacterial cells can quickly adapt to new environments without relying on genetic mutations or changes in gene expression. By observing genetically identical Escherichia coli with varying swimming behaviors in both liquid and porous settings, the team discovered that adaptation occurs as faster or more suitably maneuvering cells lead the migration while less efficient swimmers are left behind. In liquid environments, bacteria that swim straight become dominant, whereas in more obstructed, porous conditions, cells that change direction more frequently gain the upper hand. This rapid, non-genetic mechanism—allowing adaptation within just two to three generations—provides new insights into how collective migration can shape cell behavior and has significant implications for understanding processes in microbial evolution, cancer metastasis, and embryonic development.
Revolutionizing Heritage Conservation: Non-Invasive Analysis of Historic Preservation Fluids: Researchers have pioneered a non-invasive method to determine the chemical makeup of preservation fluids in historic jars. Utilizing a handheld Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) device—which works by analyzing the wavelength shifts of laser light reflected through glass—the technique accurately identifies the dominant substances within these fluids without the need to open the jars. Originally developed at STFC's Central Laser Facility and now widely used in airport scanners, SORS has demonstrated its potential not only to verify chemical identities but also to differentiate concentration levels in preserved water samples. This innovative approach offers significant benefits for heritage conservation, particularly for artifacts from periods like the Victorian era, where documentation may be sparse or specimens have experienced component loss.
Lattice QCD Unifies Pion Reactions, Illuminating the Strong Force: Early-career physicist Felipe Ortega-Gama has achieved a breakthrough by using lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) to mathematically link two pion reactions that were previously viewed as distinct. His work demonstrates that the spacelike process—where an electron scatters off a pion—and the timelike process—where an electron–positron pair annihilates to produce two pions—are governed by the same underlying physics. Collaborating with Raúl Briceño and Jozef Dudek, Ortega-Gama’s calculation not only corroborates experimental observations but also advances our understanding of the strong interaction. By overcoming challenges inherent in finite-volume numerical methods, this research paves the way for more comprehensive studies of hadronic properties and the fundamental forces that bind quarks and gluons.
MATERIALS
Monolayer Amorphous Carbon: A Breakthrough in 2D Material Toughness: A new two-dimensional carbon material called monolayer amorphous carbon (MAC) has been found to be eight times tougher than graphene. MAC’s composite structure—combining crystalline and amorphous regions—significantly impedes crack propagation. Rice University scientists and collaborators demonstrated this enhanced toughness using in situ tensile testing within a scanning electron microscope and molecular dynamics simulations. This breakthrough offers promising avenues for developing more robust 2D materials for advanced electronics, energy storage, sensors, and wearable technologies.
Revolutionizing Ceramic Fabrication: 3D-AJP Nanoprinting for Advanced Applications: A new aerosol jet 3D nanoprinting technique—3D-AJP—enables the production of intricate ceramic structures at scales as fine as 10 micrometers, without relying on additives. This breakthrough method reduces post-printing shrinkage to just 2–6%, compared to the 15–43% seen in traditional processes, ensuring high design fidelity. The study demonstrates the ability to print dual-ceramic materials in a single structure. These complex ceramics, featuring microscale pillars, spirals, and lattices with controlled porosity, promise significant advances in rapid disease detection (with biomarkers identified in just 20 seconds), enhanced water purification through increased chemical degradation under UV light, and improved thermal insulation for applications like space shuttle components.
Researchers Unveils Light-Triggered Process for Efficient Plastic Recycling: A team of materials scientists and engineers at ETH Zurich has discovered a novel method to recycle plastics by breaking down polymers into their original monomers. Using a dichlorobenzene solvent and violet light—while maintaining the reaction above 90°C—the process generates chlorine radicals that abstract hydrogen atoms from the polymer, initiating a chain reaction that cleaves the polymer into monomers. Although the reaction is relatively slow, it offers high yields and an inexpensive, straightforward approach that could revolutionize plastic recycling and help address global microplastic pollution.
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
Elastic Hydrogel Breakthrough Paves the Way for 3D-Printed Organs: Researchers led by Guohao Dai at Northeastern University have developed a novel elastic hydrogel that could revolutionize bioprinting by enabling the fabrication of soft, living tissues such as blood vessels and eventually entire organs. Unlike traditional hydrogels—which are too fragile for 3D printing—this new material can be extruded in a liquid form and then solidified via blue light exposure, transforming into an elastic scaffold that supports cell growth. Its high water content mimics the natural environment of the human body, and its biodegradable nature allows it to be gradually replaced by cells forming natural tissue structures. Although early printed blood vessels currently remain too weak to handle human blood pressure, extending the culturing period and optimizing the hydrogel’s degradation could lead to fully functional, patient-specific vascular tissues and organs.
Novel Lipid Nanoparticles Successfully Deliver mRNA Across the Blood-Brain Barrier: Scientists have developed a breakthrough lipid nanoparticle system capable of delivering messenger RNA (mRNA) to the brain via intravenous injection—a challenge long hindered by the blood-brain barrier. In studies using mouse models and isolated human brain tissue, the researchers demonstrated that their lead formulation, MK16 BLNP, efficiently transports mRNA into the brain by leveraging natural transport mechanisms such as caveolae- and γ-secretase-mediated transcytosis. This innovative approach could pave the way for mRNA-based therapies targeting various neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, brain cancer, and drug addiction. The findings, which highlight both the potential and the need for further safety and efficacy studies.
Tweaking ECM Binding Spacing Boosts Ultrasound Efficacy in Killing Cancer Cells: A study has revealed that adjusting the spacing between binding domains on the extracellular matrix (ECM) can significantly improve the effectiveness of low-frequency ultrasound treatment in destroying cancer cells. Normally, the ECM exhibits binding site spacings of 50–70 nanometers, but in tumors, excessive ECM secretion compresses these distances below 50 nm, which hampers the cancer cells’ ability to generate the myosin forces needed for effective ultrasound-induced cell death. By fabricating arrays of gold nanodots with controlled spacings (35, 50, and 70 nm) to mimic ECM conditions, the researchers found that cancer cells on 50 and 70 nm platforms experienced increased membrane stretching, calcium influx, mitochondrial damage, and subsequent cell death upon ultrasound exposure. Furthermore, they discovered that administering a very low dose of the drug cilengitide—a known blocker of integrin-ECM binding—can trick cancer cells into sensing a wider binding spacing, thereby enhancing ultrasound treatment efficacy. This innovative approach, which holds promise for improving treatments for cancers like oral cancer,
ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Magnetic Field-Assisted 3D Printing Cuts Pore Defects by 80%: Researchers have developed a breakthrough technique to significantly reduce imperfections in laser-based 3D printing of metal alloys. Using high-speed synchrotron X-ray imaging at the Advanced Photon Source, the team observed that the laser creates a volatile, keyhole-shaped depression in the molten metal, which often collapses to form pores. By applying an appropriate magnetic field during the process, they stabilized the keyhole shape—transforming it from an unstable “J” shape to a stable “I” shape—thereby reducing pore formation by 80%. This advancement promises to produce stronger, more durable safety-critical components for applications ranging from aircraft and Formula 1 racing cars to biomedical implants.
EUREICA Framework Empowers Grid-Edge Devices to Bolster Power Grid Resilience: MIT engineers have unveiled a blueprint for harnessing untapped grid-edge resources—such as residential solar panels, batteries, electric vehicles, and smart thermostats—to reinforce local power grids during outages. Their framework, named EUREICA (Efficient, Ultra-Resilient, IoT-Coordinated Assets), leverages a decision-making algorithm that identifies trustworthy IoT devices within a regional network to either inject power into the grid or reduce consumption during cyber attacks, natural disasters, or other disruptions. By effectively creating local electricity markets, this approach could enable decentralized microgrids to quickly restore stability and provide a resilient, scalable solution to modern energy challenges.
Sodium-Ion Batteries Face Early Thermal Runaway Risks, Study Warns: A study reveals that sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) may be significantly less safe than lithium-ion batteries. Despite their advantages in cost and resource availability, SIBs can experience early thermal runaway due to the formation of highly reactive sodium clusters in hard carbon anodes. These clusters, which show enhanced electronic activity compared to bulk metallic sodium, lower the self-heating onset temperature to as low as 92°C at elevated states of charge. This early triggering of thermal runaway accelerates electrolyte decomposition and creates localized "electronic storms." The research suggests that transitioning from liquid to solid-state electrolytes could help mitigate these safety risks.
HEALTH & MEDICINE
Aspartame and Atherosclerosis: Uncovering the Cardiovascular Risks: A recent study reveals that aspartame, a widely used artificial sweetener, may contribute to cardiovascular problems. In experiments with mice—given doses equivalent to about three cans of diet soda per day—researchers observed that aspartame consumption triggered a surge in insulin levels. This insulin spike activated an immune signal (CX3CL1) that attracted inflammatory cells to the arteries, promoting the buildup of fatty plaques, a precursor to atherosclerosis. These findings suggest that aspartame could inadvertently increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, highlighting the need for further research in humans to fully understand the long-term impact on vascular health.
Early-Life HSV Exposure Linked to Later Cognitive Decline: A Dartmouth-led study in collaboration with Harvard Medical School reveals that even a very low dose of herpes simplex virus (HSV) administered to newborn mice can lead to cognitive deficits in later life. In this study, one-day-old mice given a minimal intranasal dose of HSV—despite showing no immediate symptoms—exhibited impaired learning and memory abilities as adults. The researchers also discovered that maternal vaccination protected the offspring by transferring antibodies, suggesting a promising strategy to prevent such long-term neurological damage. These findings are significant given emerging human data that associate HSV with Alzheimer's disease, potentially offering insights into preventing neurodegenerative disorders.
NEUROSCIENCE
Breathing Modulates Pupil Size, Influencing Vision: Researchers have uncovered that our breathing cycle directly affects pupil size. In a study the team demonstrated that the pupil is smallest during inhalation and largest during exhalation. This discovery introduces breathing as a fourth mechanism controlling pupil size—joining the well-known influences of light levels, focus distance, and cognitive factors. Through five experiments involving over 200 participants, the researchers found that this cyclical change in pupil diameter persists regardless of breathing rate, method (nasal or oral), lighting, or visual task. The mechanism, likely driven by the brainstem, could mean that our vision alternates within each breath between enhanced detail detection during inhalation and improved sensitivity to faint objects during exhalation. Additionally, these findings may pave the way for new diagnostic or therapeutic approaches for neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
DeepFocus: A Minimally Invasive Breakthrough in Deep Brain Stimulation: Researchers have introduced "DeepFocus," an innovative deep brain stimulation method that combines transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) with transnasal electrical stimulation (TnES). By leveraging the highly conductive pathways offered by the thin nasal cavity bones, this technique delivers more accurate and larger electric fields to deep brain regions that are typically hard to reach with conventional scalp electrodes. DeepFocus offers a less invasive, steerable alternative to traditional invasive deep brain stimulation, potentially improving treatment for neurological and psychiatric conditions such as depression, PTSD, OCD, and addiction. Complementing this breakthrough is DeepROAST, a simulation platform that optimizes electrode placement and current patterns, enhancing both the safety and efficacy of the method.
From Unstable Beginnings to Reliable Vision: Early Cortical Development in Ferrets: Researchers investigated how visual circuits in the ferret brain develop from birth. Using in vivo calcium imaging, they observed that before eye opening, the visual cortex shows spontaneous, internally generated activity. At eye opening, visual stimuli evoke robust yet highly variable patterns that limit clear stimulus discrimination. Remarkably, after just one week of visual experience, these patterns reorganize into stable, low-dimensional representations. The team’s computational model suggests that this transformation results from the alignment of feedforward sensory signals with recurrent internal networks, offering new insights into early brain development and potential implications for artificial intelligence.
ENVIRONMENT
Global Ocean Evaporation Declines Amid Rising Sea Temperatures: A recent study challenges the conventional belief that rising sea surface temperatures always boost ocean evaporation. Researchers from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences analyzed satellite-based ocean heat flux data, revealing that while ocean evaporation increased from 1988 until the late 2000s, it has actually decreased over the past decade. The study attributes this unexpected decline to a phenomenon known as "wind stilling"—a reduction in wind speeds likely linked to shifts in atmospheric circulation patterns, particularly changes in the Northern Oscillation Index. The findings underscore the complexity of Earth's climate system, suggesting that natural climate oscillations may drive these variations rather than a simple response to warming.
Rising Storms on the Horizon: Decade-Long Forecast Predicts More Frequent and Intense Hurricanes: A recent study forecasts a significant uptick in hurricane activity over the next decade. Using the UK Met Office’s advanced DePreSys4 forecasting software and a novel storm-tracking algorithm, the study projects that Atlantic tropical cyclone numbers could more than double compared to the 1970s, with storm energy in the North Atlantic potentially doubling as well. Similarly, the eastern Pacific is expected to see more than a one-third increase in hurricane activity. The predicted changes are attributed to rising ocean surface temperatures and evolving atmospheric wind patterns, underscoring the urgent need for coastal communities in North and Central America to prepare for increasingly severe storm events.
NATURE
New Study Uncovers Cuttlefish Camouflage Tactics for Ambushing Prey: A team of marine biologists spent several months off the coast of New Guinea filming 98 wild broadclub cuttlefish as they hunted. Their study revealed that these mollusks employ four distinct camouflage displays to deceive their prey. In one tactic, dubbed "the leaf," a cuttlefish flattens its body and adopts a leaf-like color pattern, while another method, called "passing stripe," involves turning dark gray with a moving black stripe along its back, which effectively obscures its body. The third display, known as "branching coral," sees the animal raise and splay its arms in a manner reminiscent of coral, blending into its environment. The fourth, termed "the pulse," features dark pulses of color traveling along the body as the cuttlefish extends its arms forward, although the precise function of this pattern in prey capture remains unclear. This research sheds light on the sophisticated and dynamic camouflage strategies cuttlefish use not only to evade predators but also to ambush unsuspecting prey.
Evolving Eavesdroppers: Hawaiian Flies Sharpen Their Hearing to Track Crickets: Researchers have discovered that a parasitic fly in Hawaii, likely introduced by Polynesian settlers and European cargo ships, has rapidly evolved enhanced auditory sensitivity to eavesdrop on the mating calls of Pacific field crickets. The study reveals that these Hawaiian flies have adapted their hearing across a broad range of sound frequencies—particularly those associated with recently modified cricket songs—to improve host detection for their larvae. Behavioral and neural experiments comparing Hawaiian flies to a Florida population showed that while the flies still favor louder, typical cricket calls, they can also detect subtler variations like purring and rattling songs. This evolutionary arms race between the crickets, which are altering their songs to evade parasitism, and the flies, which are counter-adapting, not only deepens our understanding of sensory evolution but may also inspire technological innovations.
Deep-Sea Architects: Uncovering Burrowing Activity in the Japan Trench: Analyses of sediment cores from 7.5 km beneath the Pacific Ocean in the Japan Trench reveal evidence of bioturbation—organisms burrowing and feeding within deep-sea sediments. Using X-ray scanning, geochemical, and grain size analyses, researchers found that gravity flows deposit nutrient-rich sediments, which are then quickly colonized by deep-sea dwellers, potentially including sea cucumbers. As organic matter decomposes, the environment shifts to oxygen-starved conditions that later attract other invertebrates relying on microbial communities. These findings, presented in Nature Communications, shed light on the self-engineering nature of deep-sea ecosystems and enhance our understanding of nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning in one of Earth's most isolated habitats.