Researchers Develop Liquid Nanofoam to Protect Organs from Blunt Force Trauma

Hello and welcome to our March 16, 2025 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 - Researchers Use Structured Light to Control Atom Ionization, and more.

• Materials - Carnegie Mellon Researcher Develops Rapid, Energy-Efficient Method to Produce Radiation-Shielding MXene, and more.

• Biotechnology & Biomedical Technology - Researchers Develop Liquid Nanofoam to Protect Organs from Blunt Force Trauma, and more.

• Engineering & Technology - Biorobotic Arm with Artificial Muscles Offers Hope for Tremor Suppression, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Scientists Identify Genes Behind Brain Aging and 13 Existing Drugs That May Slow It Down, and more.

• Neuroscience - Blood-Brain Barrier Breakdown Linked to Major Neurodegenerative Diseases, Study Finds.

• Environment - Microplastics Threaten Global Food Supply by Disrupting Photosynthesis, Study Finds, and more.

• Nature - Brook Trout Show Genetic Adaptation to Heat Waves in Groundbreaking Study.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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SCIENCE

Scientists Develop Dye Stack That Mimics Key Step in Plant Photosynthesis: Researchers have made a major advance in artificial photosynthesis by synthesizing a stack of dye molecules that mimics the natural photosynthetic process in plants. The study demonstrates that this molecular stack can absorb light, separate charge carriers, and efficiently transfer electrons, replicating one of the first key steps in natural photosynthesis. The structure consists of four perylene bisimide dye molecules, arranged to simulate how plants channel solar energy. This light-triggered charge transport is both fast and efficient, marking a significant step toward creating functional systems for converting solar energy into fuels like hydrogen or capturing carbon dioxide. The team’s next goal is to expand this stack into a longer supramolecular wire, enabling broader light absorption and energy transport for potential use in solar-to-chemical energy conversion.

Researchers Use Structured Light to Control Atom Ionization: A research team from the University of Ottawa has discovered a new way to control atomic and molecular ionization using optical vortex beams—structured light that carries orbital angular momentum. The study overturns long-held assumptions about the limits of ionization control and introduces a new concept called optical dichroism, where ionization rates are influenced by the light beam’s handedness and structure. The research shows that the position and properties of these vortex beams can precisely influence how electrons are ejected from atoms. This breakthrough has potential applications in medical imaging, particle acceleration, attosecond science, and quantum computing, where fine control of particles is essential.

Scientists Use Super-Resolution Imaging to Uncover Molecular Structure of Cellular Condensates: In a major breakthrough, researchers have used super-resolution microscopy and fluorogen-based imaging to map the internal structure of biomolecular condensates—dynamic, droplet-like assemblies in cells that organize DNA, RNA, and proteins. These condensates are involved in key cellular functions and have been linked to diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration. The study demonstrates that environmentally sensitive fluorogens can light up only in specific chemical environments, enabling scientists to track individual molecules within condensates and identify molecular “hubs.” This single-molecule mapping approach provides an unprecedented look at how condensates form, shift, and dissolve—offering a powerful new tool to study complex cellular processes.

MATERIALS

Carnegie Mellon Researcher Develops Rapid, Energy-Efficient Method to Produce Radiation-Shielding MXene: An engineering professor has developed a single-step microwave synthesis method that reduces the production time of MXene, a 2D material known for its radiation shielding properties, from 40 hours to just 90 minutes, while cutting energy consumption by 75%. The study shows that this faster method maintains the material’s shielding performance, even at the lab scale. MXene can protect against radiation in environments such as spacecraft and electronic systems, and the new process allows customization of its composition to shield different radiation types. Jayan’s team has tested MXene across the X-band radio frequencies and plans to collaborate with aerospace partners to test its effectiveness against cosmic radiation. The breakthrough could have a major environmental impact by lowering emissions from traditional chemical manufacturing.

AI-Enhanced Electron Microscopy Reveals Atomic-Level Dynamics of Nanoparticles: In a groundbreaking study, a team of researchers has developed a method that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and electron microscopy to visualize the dynamic behavior of nanoparticles at the atomic level. This innovation provides unprecedented insight into how nanoparticles—key to industries like pharmaceuticals, electronics, and energy—respond to stimuli in real time. The team trained a deep neural network to reduce noise in high-speed electron microscope images, enabling clear visualization of atoms in motion during catalytic reactions. A new statistical tool based on topological data analysis was also introduced to track changes in particle structure and stability. This breakthrough could lead to better design and understanding of catalytic systems, which play a role in 90% of manufactured products.

New “Hypotaxy” Method Enables Scalable Growth of High-Quality 2D Semiconductors: Researchers have developed a novel synthesis technique called hypotaxy that enables the direct, wafer-scale growth of single-crystal 2D semiconductors on various substrates. The method uses 2D materials like graphene as templates to guide the alignment of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs)—promising materials for next-generation, low-power semiconductor devices. Unlike existing methods such as chemical vapor deposition and epitaxy, hypotaxy works at low temperatures (400°C), eliminates the need for transfer steps, and is compatible with current semiconductor fabrication processes. The technique demonstrated excellent charge carrier mobility and uniformity in fabricated devices, marking a major step toward commercializing high-performance 2D semiconductor technologies for AI and advanced electronics. Hypotaxy may also revolutionize the synthesis of other crystalline thin films beyond semiconductors.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Researchers Develop Liquid Nanofoam to Protect Organs from Blunt Force Trauma: Engineers and scientists have enhanced a liquid nanofoam material—originally designed to protect against brain injuries—to now shield vital internal organs from blunt force trauma. The study shows that when sealed in a flexible, wearable pouch, the nanofoam absorbs and disperses impact energy without damaging biological tissues such as the liver, kidneys, heart, and lungs. The material consists of water-filled nano-scale pores that adjust their response to match the soft, delicate nature of human organs. In lab tests simulating collisions and falls, the liquid nanofoam successfully prevented tissue damage, showing promise for future applications in automotive safety, wearable body armor, sports gear, and even earthquake-proof construction.

Harvard Researchers Develop Anti-Biofouling Coating to Extend Lifespan of Implantable Biosensors: Scientists have created a new coating technology that significantly improves the durability and performance of implantable and wearable biosensors. These sensors, which detect biological molecules for health monitoring, often fail over time due to biofouling—the buildup of bacteria, cells, and proteins that block sensor function. The study demonstrates that the new coating—made from bovine serum albumin (BSA) and functionalized graphene—can prevent biofilm formation, reduce immune responses, and maintain accurate signal detection for over three weeks. This advancement could enable long-term, continuous in vivo monitoring of chronic conditions and enhance personalized medicine and clinical research.

Researchers Develop Nanogel Delivery System to Effectively Treat UTIs:
A multidisciplinary team has created a nanogel-based antibiotic delivery system that significantly improves treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). The study demonstrates that combining gentamicin with a cell-penetrating peptide allows the antibiotic to reach bacteria hidden inside bladder cells. In animal models, the method eliminated over 90% of bacteria, while reducing toxicity and minimizing side effects. The nanogels increased drug delivery to infected cells by 36% compared to standard methods and released the drug quickly to accelerate bacterial clearance. This targeted approach could reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance and holds promise for broader clinical applications beyond UTIs.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Biorobotic Arm with Artificial Muscles Offers Hope for Tremor Suppression: A research team has developed a biorobotic arm—called the mechanical patient—to simulate and suppress tremors using soft robotic muscles. These artificial muscles, based on HASEL (Hydraulically Amplified Self-healing Electrostatic actuators) technology, contract and relax to counteract tremor movements, effectively reducing or eliminating visible shaking. The project aims to accelerate the development of wearable assistive devices for the 80 million people worldwide affected by tremors, such as those caused by Parkinson’s disease. The platform allows researchers to test and fine-tune new soft robotic technologies without needing costly or legally restricted clinical trials on real patients. The team envisions discreet, comfortable garments built with HASELs to help individuals regain control in everyday activities.

“Morpho” Software Revolutionizes Design of Soft and Hybrid Materials: Researchers at Tufts University have developed Morpho, a free and open-source software designed to tackle shape optimization problems for soft materials, such as biological tissues, membranes, and fluids. Unlike traditional modeling tools made for rigid materials, Morpho can simulate the complex behavior of soft or hybrid systems by using finite element analysis. It helps predict how these materials respond to forces, pressure, and environmental changes—useful for applications like artificial organs, soft robotics, and packaging optimization. The tool is accessible, easy to learn, and powerful enough for both research and real-world engineering use.

Tree of Robots” Encyclopedia Revolutionizes Robot Classification Through Performance-Based Metrics: Researchers have developed the "Tree of Robots", a dynamic and evolving encyclopedia designed to classify robotic systems based on their real-world performance and safety, rather than just mechanical specifications. The system introduces new fitness metrics—such as tactility fitness and motion fitness—to evaluate how effectively robots can interact with their environment, especially through touch. Unlike traditional classification methods, this approach considers how components interact to achieve task performance, ultimately guiding better design and deployment of robots across industries. The Tree of Robots aims to serve as a Wikipedia-like platform to help researchers and developers compare robotic systems, inform algorithm testing, and improve safety and efficiency in human-robot collaboration.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Scientists Identify Genes Behind Brain Aging and 13 Existing Drugs That May Slow It Down: A new study analyzed MRI and genetic data from nearly 39,000 participants in the UK Biobank and identified seven key genes (including MAPT and GZMB) linked to accelerated brain aging. Using deep learning models, researchers accurately estimated biological brain age and pinpointed brain regions most affected by aging, such as the lentiform nucleus and posterior limb of the internal capsule. The study also found 13 existing drugs and supplements—including hydrocortisone, testosterone, diclofenac, and metformin—that could potentially be repurposed to slow brain aging. The findings offer new avenues for preventing neurodegeneration and extending healthy lifespan, though further research across more diverse populations is needed to confirm their global relevance.

Open-Source AI Rivals GPT-4 in Solving Complex Medical Cases, Harvard Study Finds: A new study reveals that the open-source AI model Llama 3.1 405B performs as well as the proprietary model GPT-4 in diagnosing complex medical cases. Researchers at Harvard Medical School tested both models on 92 challenging clinical scenarios from The New England Journal of Medicine. Llama correctly diagnosed 70% of the cases, outperforming GPT-4's 64% accuracy. The findings suggest that open-source AI is becoming a viable and competitive tool in clinical diagnostics. Unlike closed-source models, open-source tools offer greater data privacy, customization, and local control, making them attractive for hospitals and clinicians. The study underscores the potential for AI to enhance diagnostic accuracy and reduce medical errors—if integrated responsibly into healthcare systems.

New CRISPR-Cascade Test Detects Drug-Resistant Bacteria Without Amplification: A research team has developed a highly sensitive CRISPR-based diagnostic test capable of rapidly detecting multi-drug-resistant bacteria and other pathogens in blood samples without the need for nucleic acid amplification. The new method—called CRISPR-Cascade—uses two CRISPR/Cas units to create a positive feedback loop, significantly enhancing signal detection at extremely low pathogen concentrations. The test successfully identified multi-drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and other pathogens with a simple "yes/no" output, offering a major advancement in fast, accurate diagnostics for bloodstream infections.

NEUROSCIENCE

Blood-Brain Barrier Breakdown Linked to Major Neurodegenerative Diseases, Study Finds: In a groundbreaking study, researchers have uncovered a shared mechanism of blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction across Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The team, led by MD/PhD candidate Omar Moustafa Fathy and Dr. Patrick A. Murphy, discovered that endothelial cells—which form the core of the BBB—show depletion of TDP-43, a protein previously linked primarily to neurons in neurodegenerative diseases. Using an advanced technique called inCITE-seq to study protein-level activity in single endothelial cells from human brain tissue, the researchers found striking similarities in vascular changes across all three diseases. The findings suggest that vascular dysfunction is a key driver, not just a consequence, of neurodegeneration, opening new paths for therapeutic targets and biomarker development.

Brain4care's Non-Invasive Sensor Accurately Measures Intracranial Pressure, Study Confirms: A new study highlights the success of Brain4care, a Brazilian medical technology company, in developing a non-invasive device that accurately measures intracranial pressure (ICP). The sensor detects nanometric skull expansions during cardiac cycles and uses AI-powered analysis to provide real-time readings of ICP trends, morphology, and numerical values. Tested across multiple countries, the device achieved a low error margin of 2.6 mmHg, outperforming existing non-invasive methods. This portable, easy-to-use technology allows for early detection of neurological complications, expanding ICP monitoring access beyond intensive care units. Already approved by ANVISA and the FDA, Brain4care’s device is used in over 85 Brazilian healthcare facilities and is now being introduced internationally.

ENVIRONMENT

Microplastics Threaten Global Food Supply by Disrupting Photosynthesis, Study Finds: A new study warns that microplastics may significantly reduce global photosynthesis, potentially disrupting food production and ecological balance. By analyzing data from 157 studies using machine learning, researchers found that microplastics reduce photosynthesis rates by 7–12% in plants and algae, and by up to 18.25% in freshwater algae due to decreased chlorophyll a levels. These reductions could result in the annual loss of 110–361 million metric tons of crops and 1–24 million metric tons of seafood. While the findings are based on extrapolated data and require further validation, they highlight the urgent threat microplastic pollution poses to food security and planetary health. The researchers call for immediate global action to reduce plastic pollution and integrate mitigation strategies into hunger and sustainability efforts.

Study Warns Moderate Local Earthquakes Could Cause Significant Damage in Mexico City: A new study published reveals that moderate-magnitude local earthquakes—up to magnitude 5.5—could cause surprisingly strong ground shaking and significant building damage in Mexico City, depending on regional geology. Researchers modeled three earthquake scenarios based on recent seismic events and found that soft, water-saturated lakebed zones, like Juan de Aragón, could see up to 15% damage in one- to two-story buildings, compared to 13% in transition zones and 5% in highland areas like Milpa Alta. Improved seismic instrumentation has revealed that recent small earthquakes have produced higher peak ground accelerations than even some past major quakes, prompting concern about the city’s vulnerability to local crustal seismic sources. The findings highlight the need for urban planners and engineers to factor in moderate, shallow earthquakes—not just large subduction events—when assessing seismic risk in Mexico City.

Study Identifies Ocean Currents and Vertical Mixing as Key Drivers of Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt: A recent study reveals that the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, which has overwhelmed Caribbean coastlines since 2011, was triggered by shifting ocean currents, wind patterns, and ideal growing conditions in the tropical Atlantic. Researchers used computer models to show that two consecutive years of a strong negative North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) pushed sargassum algae south from the Sargasso Sea, where it found warm, nutrient-rich waters and abundant sunlight—perfect for growth. Contrary to earlier assumptions, the study attributes the nutrient supply fueling these massive blooms not to river runoff but to vertical mixing, an oceanic process that brings nutrient-rich deep waters to the surface. This discovery provides new insight into the origins and persistence of the belt, which continues to impact tourism, marine ecosystems, and local economies across the region.

NATURE

Brook Trout Show Genetic Adaptation to Heat Waves in Groundbreaking Study: A new study reveals that brook trout can mount a genetic response to heat waves, potentially increasing their tolerance to rising temperatures. The research showed that certain genes related to immune function and metabolism were consistently activated during two summer heat waves in Pennsylvania streams. This suggests the fish can "prime" themselves for repeated thermal stress. Using a technique called landscape transcriptomics, the team analyzed gene expression in wild fish and identified 43 key genes linked to heat stress. While this adaptive response is promising, scientists warn that climate change, habitat loss, and invasive species still threaten brook trout populations. The study highlights the importance of real-world genetic monitoring to understand how species respond to environmental stress.