Robotic Materials That Flow and Reconfigure Like Living Tissue

Hello and welcome to our February 22nd 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 - MIT Study Reveals 3D Splash Dynamics of Raindrops, Aiding Environmental and Health Research, and more.

• Materials - Breakthrough in Perovskite Nanocrystal Synthesis Enhances Optoelectronic Applications, and more.

• Biotechnology & Biomedical Technology - mRNA Therapy with New Lipid Nanoparticle Shows Promise for Healing Lung Damage, and more.

• Engineering & Technology - Robotic Materials That Flow and Reconfigure Like Living Tissue, and more.

• Astronomy & Space - Moon Dust to Rocket Fuel: Energy Estimates for In-Situ Lunar Propellant Production.

• Health & Medicine - CDC Study Reveals Fatal Bird Flu Transmission from Farm Workers to Domestic Cats, and more.

• Neuroscience - New Research Separates Cognitive and Motor Brain Activity in Mice, and more.

• Environment - New Detection Methods Reveal Alarming Rise in PFAS Contamination in Birds, and more.

• Nature - Mosquito Antennae Inspire Breakthrough in Disaster Detection, Dogs Mimic Each Other’s Blinks, Suggesting Social Bonding, and more.

• Other Sciences & The Arts - Oldest Megaraptorid and First Carcharodontosaurs Found in Australia Rewrite Dinosaur Evolution, Unraveling the Origins of Feathers: New Insights from Fossil Evidence, and more.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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SCIENCE

MIT Study Reveals 3D Splash Dynamics of Raindrops, Aiding Environmental and Health Research: MIT scientists have used high-speed imaging to analyze the full evolution of raindrop splashes in deep pools, capturing both above- and below-surface dynamics in unprecedented detail. The study tracked how droplets create cavities and crown-like splashes, ejecting secondary droplets that can carry surface particles, such as pollen, pesticides, or pathogens. The research provides a mathematical model that predicts splash behavior, with implications for environmental science, disease transmission, and chemical dispersion. The findings enhance understanding of fluid interactions in nature.

Scientists Map Proton’s Inner Forces, Unveiling New Insights into Fundamental Physics: An international team, including researchers from the University of Adelaide, has mapped the forces acting inside a proton using lattice quantum chromodynamics. This computational method allowed them to simulate the strong force binding quarks, revealing force magnitudes of up to half a million Newtons within an area smaller than an atomic nucleus. The findings enhance understanding of proton dynamics in high-energy collisions, such as those at the Large Hadron Collider, and could influence advancements in medical technologies like proton therapy.

MIT Study Uncovers New Layer of RNA Splicing Regulation in Gene Expression:
MIT researchers have identified a previously unknown mechanism that regulates RNA splicing, a fundamental process in gene expression. Their study reveals that a family of proteins called LUC7 helps determine spliceosome targeting for about 50% of human genes. These proteins interact with distinct splice site subclasses, adding an extra layer of regulation to RNA processing. The findings have implications for understanding diseases like acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and could inform the development of targeted therapies. The research also suggests that this regulatory mechanism is conserved across plants and animals but was lost in fungi.

MATERIALS

Breakthrough in Perovskite Nanocrystal Synthesis Enhances Optoelectronic Applications: Researchers have developed a novel method for synthesizing perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) with greater uniformity and efficiency, overcoming limitations of conventional techniques. By utilizing liquid crystals (LC) as an antisolvent in the ligand-assisted reprecipitation (LARP) method, the team precisely controlled nanocrystal growth, reducing defects and enhancing luminescence properties. This scalable, room-temperature synthesis method holds promise for improving LEDs, solar cells, lasers, and other optoelectronic devices, accelerating their commercialization.

Deep Nanometry: AI-Powered Nanoparticle Detection Breakthrough for Early Cancer Diagnosis: Researchers have developed Deep Nanometry (DNM), a high-speed nanoparticle detection method that combines advanced optical equipment with an AI-driven noise-removal algorithm. DNM can detect extracellular vesicles (EVs)—key indicators of early-stage colon cancer—without the need for time-consuming pre-enrichment processes. The technique detects particles as small as 30 nanometers at a rate of over 100,000 particles per second, offering potential applications in medical diagnostics, vaccine development, and environmental monitoring.

Eco-Friendly 3D-Printed Graphene Ink Unlocks New Possibilities in Technology and Sustainability: Researchers have developed the world’s first all-graphene ink, a water-based, additive-free material that enables 3D printing of conductive graphene structures. The study demonstrates how this eco-friendly ink overcomes traditional challenges in shaping graphene, expanding its potential applications. Possible uses include wearable sensors, lightweight vehicle components, water filtration, and carbon capture. The breakthrough, achieved via a scalable two-step electrochemical process, paves the way for sustainable advancements in electronics, energy storage, and environmental cleanup.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

mRNA Therapy with New Lipid Nanoparticle Shows Promise for Healing Lung Damage: Researchers have developed an injectable mRNA therapy that could help repair lung damage caused by viruses, inflammation, or trauma. The study introduces a new lipid nanoparticle, ionizable amphiphilic Janus dendrimers (IAJDs), which specifically target the lungs for mRNA delivery. Once delivered, the mRNA triggers the production of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-b), promoting tissue repair. Unlike traditional mRNA lipid nanoparticles, this platform is easier to store and manufacture, with potential applications beyond lung treatment.

Genome-Edited Rice Offers Hope Against Bacterial Blight in Kenya: Researchers have developed bacterial blight (BB)-resistant rice varieties using genome editing. This innovation aims to reduce crop losses and improve productivity for farmers in Kenya, where BB outbreaks—exacerbated by climate change—have led to significant yield declines. By modifying key genetic "locks" in rice plants, researchers have made them resistant to all known Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) strains in Africa and Asia. With regulatory guidelines in place, these bioengineered rice lines are now being evaluated for potential use by Kenyan farmers.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Robotic Materials That Flow and Reconfigure Like Living Tissue: Researchers have developed a collective of autonomous, disk-shaped robots that can assemble into smart materials with tunable rigidity and shape, mimicking the behavior of embryonic tissues. Drawing inspiration from how cells in an embryo transition between fluid and solid states to form structures, the team from the University of California, Santa Barbara engineered robots that use magnetic adhesion and motorized gears to control inter-unit forces. Light sensors with polarized filters serve as a global coordinate system, directing the robots to reconfigure from a rigid state—capable of bearing heavy loads—to a fluid state that allows reshaping and self-healing. Although the current proof-of-concept consists of 20 relatively large units, simulations suggest that this approach could be scaled to thousands of miniaturized units, opening new possibilities in robotics and materials science.

New H-Shaped Piezoelectric Robot Mimics Cheetah Gait for Versatile Navigation: Researchers have developed an innovative H-shaped bionic piezoelectric robot inspired by the running gait of cheetahs. The lightweight prototype (38 g, 150×80×31 mm³) uses bending vibrations of piezoelectric beams to drive its four legs, enabling linear motion as well as turns with adjustable radii via a voltage differential driving method. Finite element analysis was employed to optimize its dynamics and kinematics. Real-world tests showed the robot achieving a maximum velocity of 66.79 mm/s, a load capacity of 55 g, and effective ramp-climbing abilities. The design’s simplicity suggests it could be easily fabricated and further enhanced with sensors or cameras for broader applications in challenging environments.

Downbursts, Not Hurricanes, Drove Unexpected Damage to Houston’s Tall Buildings: A study reveals that the significant damage to Houston’s skyscrapers during the May 16, 2024 derecho was due to intense, localized downbursts rather than hurricane-force winds. Although these buildings were engineered to withstand winds up to 67 m/s (as seen in hurricanes), the derecho only reached peak speeds of 40 m/s. However, downbursts—strong downward winds that spread out upon hitting the ground—created powerful suction forces, especially around the lower floors, dislodging facade panels, damaging cladding, and shattering windows. Simulations at the “Wall of Wind” facility demonstrated that wind interference among tall buildings amplified these effects. The findings underscore the need to revise design guidelines for tall structures in urban centers, particularly as climate change increases the frequency of such extreme weather events.

ASTRONOMY & SPACE

Moon Dust to Rocket Fuel: Energy Estimates for In-Situ Lunar Propellant Production: An international team of engineers and space scientists has calculated the energy needed to convert lunar regolith into rocket fuel. In their study, the researchers detail the processes involved—from purifying ilmenite and reacting it with hydrogen (sourced from lunar water) at high temperatures to splitting and liquefying the oxygen. Their analysis estimates that producing one kilogram of liquid oxygen requires about 24 kW-hr of energy. Based on a starship fuel tank capacity of roughly 500 metric tons of liquid oxygen, a single, continuously operating system would take about two years to produce enough fuel for one voyage, though using multiple systems could reduce this production time.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

CDC Study Reveals Fatal Bird Flu Transmission from Farm Workers to Domestic Cats: A CDC study details two Michigan household case studies from May 2024, revealing that people working near bird flu–infected dairy farms can transmit the virus to their pet cats with deadly results. In one household, a five-year-old indoor cat rapidly developed severe neurological symptoms and was euthanized within four days after contracting bird flu. In another case, a six-month-old Maine Coon, whose owner routinely handled unpasteurized milk without protective measures, died within 24 hours. The report also highlights emerging evidence that the virus can infect cats through contaminated pet food and spread among big cats in shelters. With 69 human cases already reported and experts warning of a potential mutation that could enable efficient human-to-human transmission, the CDC advises farmworkers to decontaminate before entering their homes.

Engineered Vascular Cells Boost Islet Transplant Success in Preclinical Diabetes Model: Weill Cornell Medicine investigators have pioneered a novel approach to islet transplantation by combining engineered human blood vessel-forming cells—termed reprogrammed vascular endothelial cells (R-VECs)—with islet cells. In a preclinical study, diabetic mice that received subcutaneous transplants of both islets and R-VECs showed significantly enhanced survival of the insulin-producing cells and a reversal of diabetes. This method, which circumvents some of the limitations of the current liver-based transplant technique (such as the need for long-term immunosuppression and uncontrolled islet dispersal), offers a promising pathway toward safer and more durable treatment options for type 1 diabetes. While the findings, published in Science Advances on January 29, mark an important step forward, further development and testing are necessary to address challenges like immune rejection and scaling up the procedure for clinical use.

Zika Virus Hijacks Tunneling Nanotubes to Evade Immune Detection and Cross the Placenta: Researchers have discovered that Zika virus employs a stealthy strategy to infect placental cells. In their study they report that the virus’s NS1 protein triggers the formation of tunneling nanotubes—tiny cellular tunnels that allow viral particles, along with RNA, proteins, and even mitochondria, to move directly between cells. This covert cell-to-cell spread helps Zika bypass robust antiviral responses, such as interferon lambda signaling, thereby facilitating fetal infection without alarming the immune system. These insights not only shed light on how Zika crosses the placental barrier but also suggest potential therapeutic targets to block this transmission route.

NEUROSCIENCE

New Research Separates Cognitive and Motor Brain Activity in Mice: A study by researchers introduces a novel method for distinguishing cognitive and motor processes in the brain. Using a specialized behavioral task for mice, the team separated brain signals linked to internal thought processes from those associated with spontaneous movements. Their approach does not require additional tracking equipment and could advance neuroscience research by refining models of neural circuit function. These findings could also contribute to the development of improved brain-inspired computational models.

Chronic Stress Shifts Brain Circuits from Flexible Decisions to Rigid Habits: Researchers have uncovered how chronic stress alters brain function by flipping activity between two key amygdala–striatal pathways. In a study male and female mice exposed to chronic mild unpredictable stress showed impaired goal-directed decision-making. Specifically, stress suppressed the reward-related activity of the basolateral amygdala–dorsomedial striatum (BLA→DMS) pathway—essential for linking actions to outcomes—while recruiting the central amygdala–dorsomedial striatum (CeA→DMS) circuit, which promotes habitual behavior. These findings provide insight into the neural mechanisms underlying stress-induced rigid, habitual behaviors, offering potential targets for treating psychiatric disorders such as substance use, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression.

Isolating Cognitive and Motor Signals: A New Mouse Brain Research Approach:
Researchers at Boston University have developed an innovative experimental method that distinguishes cognitive processes from motor functions in the mouse brain. By designing a behavioral task that incorporates both task-driven and spontaneous movements, the team was able to separate neural signals associated with internal thought from those linked to physical actions. Their approach, which utilizes subspace decomposition to isolate distinct neural dynamics and cell populations, promises to enhance our understanding of neural circuits and improve brain-inspired computational models.

ENVIRONMENT

New Detection Methods Reveal Alarming Rise in PFAS Contamination in Birds:
Researchers have discovered significantly higher levels of toxic PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in migratory birds and their food sources than previously recorded, with wading birds' livers containing up to 180 times more PFAS. A new detection method, the Total Oxidizable Precursor (TOP) assay, has improved the ability to identify these persistent "forever chemicals," which accumulate in the environment and pose severe health risks to wildlife and humans. The study underscores the urgent need for further research into PFAS sources and their long-term effects.

Study Reveals How Extreme Weather Affects Public Transit Ridership Across U.S. Cities: A comprehensive study by University of Oregon examines the impact of extreme weather on public transit ridership across 48 U.S. cities over 17 years. The study finds that extreme heat, cold, and precipitation correlate with declines in ridership, especially for buses. The rise of ride-hailing services and micromobility options may be influencing these trends. The findings highlight the need for city-specific strategies, such as improved bus shelters and expanded transit networks, to maintain accessibility and combat climate change-related disruptions.

Ancient Arabia’s Deluge: Uncovering Extreme Rainfall Patterns and Climate Shifts: A study led by researchers has revealed that Arabia experienced extraordinarily intense rainfall in the past—up to five times more extreme 400 years ago—compared to today’s arid conditions. By extracting sediment cores from a deep-sea brine pool in the Gulf of Aqaba using a remotely operated vehicle, the team reconstructed a 2,000-year record of rainfall trends. Their findings indicate that the region once resembled a vegetated savannah, a stark contrast to its current hyper-arid desert state, and highlight significant fluctuations in rainfall, including a period when it was nearly double modern levels. These insights underscore the critical need for improved climate resilience and disaster preparedness amid rapid urbanization and major development projects like Saudi Arabia’s NEOM, especially given the recent catastrophic flooding events.

NATURE

Mosquito Antennae Inspire Breakthrough in Disaster Detection: Researchers at Purdue University are studying mosquito antennae to improve vibration sensitivity in disaster monitoring systems. Led by professors Pablo Zavattieri and Ximena Bernal, the multidisciplinary team is using micro-CT imaging and 3D printing to analyze how mosquitoes detect sound and vibrations. Their findings suggest that mosquito-inspired acoustic sensors could enhance early detection of natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis. Additionally, the research may contribute to advancements in noise-canceling materials and urban acoustic monitoring.

Dogs Mimic Each Other’s Blinks, Suggesting Social Bonding: A study by researchers at the University of Parma reveals that dogs blink more often when watching videos of other dogs blinking. Testing 54 dogs with heart monitors, the scientists found a 16% increase in blinking responses when dogs viewed blinking footage compared to other behaviors, such as nose-licking. This involuntary response mirrors similar behaviors observed in humans and primates, suggesting that blinking may play a role in canine social bonding and facial mimicry. The findings open new avenues for exploring nonverbal communication in dogs.

Drunken Birds? Robins in Rhode Island Feast on Fermented Berries: Roger and Gail Greene have noticed unusual behavior among robins in their yard—stumbling, disoriented flights, and even collisions with windows. According to wildlife ecologist Scott McWilliams of the University of Rhode Island, these birds are likely intoxicated from consuming fermented winter berries, such as holly. The freezing and thawing process increases sugar content in the berries, leading to fermentation and mild inebriation in birds. While mostly harmless, excessive intoxication can lead to dangerous crashes. McWilliams reassures that this behavior is temporary and distinct from symptoms of avian flu.

OTHER SCIENCES & THE ARTS

Oldest Megaraptorid and First Carcharodontosaurs Found in Australia Rewrite Dinosaur Evolution: New research has revealed the world's oldest known megaraptorid fossils and the first evidence of carcharodontosaurs in Australia. The study analyzed theropod fossils from Victoria’s coastline, showing a unique predator hierarchy in Early Cretaceous Australia. Unlike South America, where giant carcharodontosaurs dominated, Australia’s ecosystem saw megaraptorids as apex predators. The findings provide new insights into Gondwanan dinosaur evolution and faunal exchange between Australia and South America via Antarctica.

Unraveling the Origins of Feathers: New Insights from Fossil Evidence: A recent review examines the ongoing debate over when and how feathers evolved in dinosaurs. While the first fossilized feathers were discovered in the 1990s, researchers remain divided on whether all dinosaurs inherited feathers from a common ancestor or if feathers evolved multiple times. Some scientists propose that feathers date back to the ancestor of dinosaurs and pterosaurs, while others believe they originated solely within theropod dinosaurs. To resolve this debate, paleontologists are searching for early Jurassic and Triassic fossils and refining the definition of what constitutes a true feather.

Study Reveals How Evolution Can Enhance Future Adaptability: A groundbreaking study (1,2) from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology (MPI-EB) provides experimental evidence that natural selection can shape genetic systems to enhance future evolvability. Over a three-year experiment with microbial populations, researchers observed the emergence of a hyper-mutable genetic locus, increasing mutation rates by up to 10,000 times. This adaptation allowed microbes to rapidly switch phenotypic states, suggesting that evolution is not entirely random but can refine mechanisms to anticipate environmental changes. The findings, published in Science, challenge traditional views of evolution and have implications for understanding microbial pathogens and broader evolutionary dynamics.