Study Finds Microplastics Reach Mouse Brains in Hours, Impacting Memory and Motor Skills

Hello and welcome to our January 29th 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 - New Metal-Organic Cage Technology Offers Breakthrough in Water Purification, and more.

• Materials - Texas A&M Researchers Revolutionize Droplet Microfluidics for High-Accuracy Screening, Physicists Discover New Form of Memory Storage in Materials, and more.

• Biotechnology - Bacterial Cellulose: A Sustainable Future for Fashion and Textiles.

• Engineering & Technology - Soft Robotics Breakthrough: Nature-Inspired Mechanism Enables Powerful, Rapid Movements, Soft Robots Evolve: Cornell’s Worm and Jellyfish Bots Advance Energy Efficiency, and more.

• Astronomy & Space - Study Reveals Recent Tectonic Activity on the Moon’s Far Side.

• Health & Medicine - Study Links Heavy Cannabis Use to Reduced Brain Activity in Working Memory Tasks, and more.

• Neuroscience - New Brain Circuit Target Identified for Anxiety Treatment Without Side Effects, and more.

• Environment - Study Finds Microplastics Reach Mouse Brains in Hours, Impacting Memory and Motor Skills, Turning Harmful Algae Into a Solution: New Material Removes Phosphorus to Prevent Water Pollution.

• Nature - Hummingbird Flower Mites Use Electrostatic Forces to Hitch Rides on Hummingbirds, and more.

• Other Sciences & The Arts - Study Reveals How Novel Combinations Drive Creativity and Innovation.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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SCIENCE

New Metal-Organic Cage Technology Offers Breakthrough in Water Purification:
Scientists from The University of Manchester have developed a metal-organic cage (MOC) material that can effectively trap harmful pollutants in water, such as residues from medicines and cosmetics. The study introduces a water-compatible MOC that uses hydrophobic binding to selectively capture contaminants. This innovation could revolutionize water purification, particularly in urban and industrial areas. Researchers are now working on expanding its capabilities and developing sustainable recycling methods to enhance its real-world application.

Researchers Achieve Helical Polymerization Using Chiral Liquid Crystals: Scientists at the University of Tsukuba have developed a groundbreaking method to synthesize optically active helical polymers using liquid crystals as reaction sites. The study demonstrates the living polymerization of polyisocyanides—polymers with stable, helical structures—through a physical rather than chemical process. This approach mimics biological processes, resembling how proteins form helical structures. The discovery also identifies the twisted-bend nematic phase within the reaction, a significant finding in liquid crystal research. This advancement could lead to new biomimetic materials with applications in optics and polymer science.

Study Reveals How the Three-Nucleon Force Strengthens Nuclear Stability:
Researchers from Kyushu University have uncovered how the three-nucleon force—an interaction between three nucleons—enhances nuclear stability, particularly in heavier elements. The study used supercomputer simulations to show that this force increases energy gaps between nuclear shells, making nuclei more stable. This effect grows stronger as atomic mass increases and may influence the formation of heavy elements in stars. Additionally, the study found that the three-nucleon force induces quantum entanglement between nucleons, with potential implications for quantum computing and nuclear physics.

MATERIALS

Texas A&M Researchers Revolutionize Droplet Microfluidics for High-Accuracy Screening: A research team at Texas A&M University has developed NOVAsort (Next-generation Opto-Volume-based Accurate droplet sorter), a breakthrough technology that dramatically enhances the accuracy of droplet microfluidics. The system significantly reduces error rates—lowering them from 5% to just 0.01%—while maintaining high throughput screening. This innovation has far-reaching applications in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical diagnostics, and biomanufacturing, enabling rapid and precise testing of millions of molecules and cells. By eliminating errors, NOVAsort could accelerate drug discovery, pathogen detection, and AI-driven biomedical research.

Physicists Discover New Form of Memory Storage in Materials: A research team from Penn State has discovered that certain materials can defy mathematical predictions to store sequential memories, even under one-directional force. The study explores how "frustrated hysterons"—elements within materials that interact in conflicting ways—enable this unique memory formation. The findings could inspire new ways to store and recall information in mechanical systems, from advanced combination locks to energy-free computing. By identifying these rare behaviors, researchers hope to design artificial materials with built-in memory for sensing, computation, and adaptive responses.

Researchers Develop Stable Platinum Catalysts for Efficient Hydrogenation: A research team at UC Davis has developed a novel method to stabilize platinum catalysts, improving their efficiency for hydrogenation reactions. The study demonstrates that platinum clusters confined on tiny cerium oxide islands remain highly active while resisting clumping, a common issue that reduces catalytic performance. These confined clusters act as miniature chemical reactors, maintaining stability under harsh reaction conditions. The breakthrough offers a promising approach for designing durable, high-performance catalysts for industrial chemical processes.

Breakthrough in Polycotton Recycling: Converting Textile Waste into Glucose and Polyester: Researchers from the University of Amsterdam and Avantium have developed an efficient method to recycle polycotton textiles, a major challenge in the textile industry. Tthe process uses superconcentrated hydrochloric acid at room temperature to fully separate cotton and polyester fibers. The cotton is converted into glucose, which can be used for bioplastics, while the polyester remains intact for recycling. This scalable, cost-effective approach not only enables full polycotton recycling but also provides a new sustainable source of non-food glucose for industrial applications.

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Bacterial Cellulose: A Sustainable Future for Fashion and Textiles: Researchers are exploring bacterial cellulose—produced by SCOBY cultures in sugared tea—as a sustainable alternative to cotton and synthetic textiles. The study highlights bacterial cellulose's impressive strength, purity, and biodegradability. This eco-friendly fiber could replace conventional fabrics, reducing the environmental impact of cotton farming and synthetic fibers. While challenges remain in scaling production efficiently, bacterial cellulose offers promising applications in clothing, accessories, and biomedical materials. Future breakthroughs in fermentation technology could pave the way for a sustainable fashion industry based on sugar and tea.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Soft Robotics Breakthrough: Nature-Inspired Mechanism Enables Powerful, Rapid Movements: Researchers at Seoul National University have developed the Hyperelastic Torque Reversal Mechanism (HeTRM), enabling soft robots to perform rapid and forceful movements. The study draws inspiration from nature, mimicking the powerful strikes of mantis shrimp and the jumps of fleas. By leveraging the elastic properties of soft materials, the mechanism stores and instantaneously releases energy, allowing robots to grip, crawl, and wrap around objects with high efficiency. This advancement opens new possibilities for soft robotics in areas like gripping, mobility, and adaptive structures

Soft Robots Evolve: Cornell’s Worm and Jellyfish Bots Advance Energy Efficiency: Cornell University researchers have developed innovative soft robots—a modular worm and a jellyfish—powered by an advanced "embodied energy" approach. This method integrates redox flow batteries directly into the robots’ structures, enhancing energy efficiency while reducing weight and cost. The jellyfish robot, benefiting from improved battery capacity, moves by contracting and relaxing its bell, while the worm bot uses modular pods for movement, mimicking early land organisms. These robots demonstrate significant advancements in energy storage, mobility, and potential applications, such as underwater exploration and pipe inspections.

ANEMEL Develops High-Performance Platinum-Free Catalyst for Green Hydrogen: Researchers at ANEMEL have developed an efficient and stable catalyst for water splitting, eliminating reliance on costly platinum group metals (PGMs). The study introduces a nickel-molybdenum catalyst grown via electrodeposition onto a carbon paper gas diffusion layer (GDL). This innovative method, which omits traditional buffering agents, allows electrolyzers to achieve stable operation at high current densities (3 A/cm²), matching or even surpassing platinum-based alternatives. The breakthrough enhances the feasibility of large-scale green hydrogen production by reducing costs, improving recyclability, and increasing performance.

Mastering Jenga with AI: UC Berkeley’s Robots Learn Complex Tasks: Researchers at UC Berkeley’s Robotic AI and Learning Lab have developed an AI-powered training system that enables robots to perform intricate tasks with a 100% success rate. Aided by reinforcement learning and human intervention, these robots mastered "Jenga whipping," flipping an egg, assembling a motherboard, and handling complex objects. The training process allows robots to adapt dynamically to changes in real-world environments, making them ideal for advanced manufacturing applications. This breakthrough, part of a broader trend in robotics, promises more adaptive and reliable AI-driven automation in industries like electronics and aerospace.

CSIRO Demonstrates Quantum Computing's Power for Big Data Challenges:
Researchers from CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, have showcased how quantum computing can revolutionize data analysis, significantly outperforming traditional computers in handling large datasets. By leveraging quantum properties like superposition and entanglement, the team demonstrated quantum machine learning’s ability to compress and analyze data efficiently without loss of crucial information. Their study, focused on groundwater monitoring, highlights broader applications in traffic optimization, healthcare, agriculture, and energy management. The research contributes to global quantum advancements, reinforcing Australia’s leadership in the field ahead of UNESCO’s 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.

ASTRONOMY & SPACE

Study Reveals Recent Tectonic Activity on the Moon’s Far Side: New research challenges the long-held belief that the Moon's geological activity ceased billions of years ago. Scientists from the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Maryland identified 266 small ridges on the Moon’s far side that formed within the last 200 million years—relatively recent in lunar history. Using crater counting techniques, researchers found evidence suggesting these ridges were shaped by ongoing tectonic forces, possibly linked to the Moon’s gradual shrinking and orbital shifts. The findings could influence the placement of future lunar missions and infrastructure.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Study Links Heavy Cannabis Use to Reduced Brain Activity in Working Memory Tasks: A large-scale study examined the impact of cannabis use on brain function in over 1,000 young adults (ages 22-36) using MRI scans. Researchers found that 63% of heavy lifetime cannabis users and 68% of recent users exhibited reduced brain activity in areas related to working memory, which affected task performance. The study identified significant impairment in the prefrontal cortex and anterior insula, regions involved in decision-making and attention. While abstaining may improve cognitive function, researchers call for further long-term studies to assess cannabis’s lasting neurological effects.

Carnivore Diet Linked to Severe Cholesterol Buildup in Man’s Skin: A team of cardiologists from Tampa General Hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center reported a case of extreme cholesterol buildup in a man following a strict carnivore diet. The case details how the patient, in his 40s, developed yellowish nodules (xanthelasma) on his hands, feet, and elbows after consuming nearly 10 pounds of animal fats daily for eight months. Blood tests revealed cholesterol levels four times higher than normal, posing serious cardiovascular risks. Doctors advised dietary changes but noted that the nodules would require surgical removal or cryotherapy.

New Study Reveals How Gut Cells Regulate Food Tolerance and Immunity: Researchers have identified specific gut cells that help the immune system distinguish between food and harmful pathogens, offering insights into food tolerance and potential causes of food allergies. The study used advanced cell-tracking technology to pinpoint antigen-presenting cells (APCs) responsible for tolerance, primarily cDC1s and Rorγt+ APCs. The study also found that intestinal infections can disrupt this balance, shifting immune responses toward inflammation. These findings could inform future treatments for food allergies by targeting immune mechanisms that regulate gut tolerance.

NEUROSCIENCE

New Brain Circuit Target Identified for Anxiety Treatment Without Side Effects: Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have identified a specific brain circuit that, when inhibited, reduces anxiety without cognitive impairments, offering a promising new target for anxiety treatment. The study used photopharmacology to map the effects of activating the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2) in different circuits of the amygdala. While some circuits reduced anxiety but caused memory impairment, targeting the insula-to-amygdala circuit alleviated anxiety without side effects. This breakthrough provides a foundation for developing more precise anxiety treatments and a broader strategy for mapping drug effects in the brain.

RIKEN Study Reveals How Larger Groups Can Enhance Cooperation: New research from the RIKEN Center for Brain Science challenges the assumption that larger groups reduce cooperation. In an experiment using the "prisoner's dilemma" game with groups of varying sizes, researchers found that cooperation increased as group size grew, with 57% of decisions being cooperative. Functional MRI scans revealed that when memory was unclear, participants defaulted to prosocial behaviors, promoting group harmony. These findings suggest that flexible social structures and innate cooperation instincts help humans thrive in large groups, offering insights for improving teamwork in schools, workplaces, and online communities.

Brain-Resident Tregs Identified as Gatekeepers Against Inflammation and Memory Decline: Harvard Medical School researchers have discovered a unique population of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the brain’s protective meninges that not only control inflammation but also regulate nerve cell renewal in the hippocampus. The study found that depleting these Tregs in mice led to widespread brain inflammation, hippocampal damage, and persistent short-term memory deficits. These findings suggest that Tregs play a critical role in brain health and could be a target for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. The team is now investigating Treg function in human brains to explore therapeutic potential.

ENVIRONMENT

Study Finds Microplastics Reach Mouse Brains in Hours, Impacting Memory and Motor Skills: A new study reveals that microplastics consumed by mice travel from the digestive system to the brain within hours. Researchers from the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Duke University, and the National University of Singapore tracked fluorescent microplastics in mice using two-photon microscopy and found that plastic particles accumulated in the brain, causing immune cell blockages. Behavioral tests showed memory loss, reduced motor skills, and lower endurance. While human impacts remain unclear, the findings highlight the urgent need for further research on microplastic exposure and health risks.

Turning Harmful Algae Into a Solution: New Material Removes Phosphorus to Prevent Water Pollution: Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have developed a novel method to combat harmful algal blooms (HABs) by transforming cyanobacterial biomass into phosphate-adsorbing materials. The study used microwave heating to create activated carbon adsorbents modified with lanthanum chloride, which successfully removed over 99% of phosphorus from water. This technique offers a sustainable, cost-effective way to reduce nutrient pollution, mitigate HABs, and improve water quality. With further refinement, this algae-based approach could play a key role in global water management efforts.

Satellite Study Reveals Long-Term Air Pollution Inequality Near Swine Farms:
A study from the University of Virginia has used satellite data to confirm long-standing air pollution disparities linked to industrial swine operations in Eastern North Carolina. Over a 15-year period (2008–2023), researchers found ammonia (NH3) concentrations were significantly higher in Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous communities, with levels rising up to 49% higher than in white communities. Hot and calm weather conditions intensified these inequalities, affecting populations even kilometers away. The findings highlight the environmental justice implications of industrial agriculture and underscore the need for stronger air quality regulations.

NATURE

Hummingbird Flower Mites Use Electrostatic Forces to Hitch Rides on Hummingbirds: A new study reveals that hummingbird flower mites rely on electrostatic forces to travel between flowers. Researchers from the University of Connecticut, the Organization for Tropical Studies, and the University of Bristol found that the mites detect the electric field generated by hummingbird wing flaps using specialized hairs on their front legs. When the bird approaches a flower, the mites are pulled through the air by electrostatic attraction, landing on the bird’s beak before hiding in its nostrils for transport. This discovery highlights a novel form of electroreception in mites.

Scientists Create First Bi-Paternal Mouse Using Embryonic Stem Cell Engineering:
A research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has successfully created a bi-paternal mouse—born from two male parents—using embryonic stem cell engineering. The study overcame previous barriers to unisexual reproduction by modifying 20 key imprinting genes, allowing embryos to develop to adulthood. However, only 11.8% of embryos reached birth, and many exhibited developmental defects and sterility. While this breakthrough could advance regenerative medicine, ethical guidelines currently prohibit similar experiments in humans. Researchers now aim to refine the technique and explore its applications in larger mammals.

Blood-Powered Toes: How Wandering Salamanders Glide and Grip with Precision: A new study reveals that wandering salamanders (Aneides vagrans) use a unique blood-powered mechanism to control their toe grip, enabling precise movement through redwood canopies. Researchers from Washington State University discovered that these salamanders regulate blood flow to their toe tips, inflating them before detachment to reduce surface contact and minimize energy use. This novel physiological adaptation not only sheds light on salamander locomotion but may also inspire advancements in adhesives, prosthetics, and robotic designs. Future research aims to explore whether similar mechanisms exist in other salamander species.

OTHER SCIENCES & THE ARTS

Study Reveals How Novel Combinations Drive Creativity and Innovation: A study published in Nature Communications explores how creativity and innovation emerge from combining existing elements rather than simply discovering new ones. The research introduces the Edge-Reinforced Random Walk with Triggering (ERRWT) model, which simulates how novel ideas form through reinforcing and creating connections. Analyzing datasets from music, literature, and scientific papers, the study found that combinatorial innovation follows predictable patterns governed by Heaps’ law. These insights could inform strategies to foster creativity in science, education, and culture.