Rare Red Sea Fish Uses Light to Disappear: Study Sheds Light on Bioluminescent Camouflage

Hello and welcome to our March 26, 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 - Scientists Use Light to Reshape Quantum Dots and Unlock New Material Properties, and more.

• Materials - New Sun-Powered Nanomats Clean Polluted Water with High Efficiency, and more.

• Biotechnology & Biomedical Technology - Frog-Inspired Synthetic Antibiotics Show Promise Against Drug-Resistant Bacteria, and more.

• Engineering & Technology - Radiocarbon Battery Could Power Devices for Decades, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Hormone-Free Male Birth Control Pill Shows Promise in Preclinical Studies, and more.

• Neuroscience - First-Ever Brain Energy Atlas Maps Mitochondria to Unlock Clues to Brain Health, and more.

• Environment - Severe Water Shortage Threatens Lithium Mining in South America’s Lithium Triangle, and more.

• Nature - Rare Red Sea Fish Uses Light to Disappear: Study Sheds Light on Bioluminescent Camouflage, and more.

• Other Sciences & The Arts - Study Reveals Over 100,000 Medieval Manuscripts Were Copied by Women, and more.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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SCIENCE

Scientists Use Light to Reshape Quantum Dots and Unlock New Material Properties: Researchers have discovered that light pulses can alter the atomic structure of lead sulfide quantum dots, temporarily restoring symmetry in their crystal lattice. The study shows that exposing these tiny semiconductor crystals to ultrafast light causes lead atoms to shift into more organized positions, improving symmetry and reducing bandgap energy, which influences how the material conducts electricity and interacts with light. Using advanced tools like ultrafast electron diffraction and X-ray scattering, the team observed these symmetry shifts at timescales as short as a trillionth of a second. They also found that quantum dot size and surface chemistry impact these structural changes. The breakthrough opens new possibilities for designing customizable materials for electronics, imaging, and other nanotechnology applications.

Scientists Discover First New Class of Antibiotics in Decades: Lariocidin Shows Promise Against Drug-Resistant Bacteria: Researchers have identified lariocidin, a newly discovered molecule and potential antibiotic that represents the first new class of antibiotics in nearly 30 years. Found in a soil bacterium from a Hamilton backyard, lariocidin is a lasso peptide that uniquely disrupts bacterial protein synthesis, making it effective against highly drug-resistant strains. The molecule is non-toxic to human cells, bypasses common resistance mechanisms, and has shown success in animal infection models. This breakthrough offers hope amid the global crisis of antimicrobial resistance, which causes 4.5 million deaths annually. Researchers are now working to optimize and mass-produce lariocidin for clinical use.

New Chemical Method Recycles Waste Rubber into Valuable Epoxy Resins:
A study introduces a novel, eco-friendly method for breaking down waste rubber, such as used tires, into valuable materials for epoxy resins. The method uses C–H amination and polymer backbone rearrangement to transform tough, cross-linked rubber into soluble, amine-functionalized polymers under mild conditions (35–50°C). In tests, the process reduced a model polymer’s molecular weight from 58,100 g/mol to 400 g/mol, and fully broke down real tire rubber in just six hours. The resulting materials performed comparably to commercial epoxy resins and offered a sustainable alternative to current recycling methods like pyrolysis, which produce harmful byproducts. The team also assessed the process’s environmental impact using the E-factor and is working to improve its green chemistry credentials for large-scale application.

MATERIALS

New Sun-Powered Nanomats Clean Polluted Water with High Efficiency: Researchers have developed nanomats made of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) infused with copper that can use sunlight to break down pollutants in water and air. The study shows that these fiber-like mats, created using soft chemistry and electrospinning, significantly improve photocatalytic efficiency by absorbing more visible light—overcoming the limitations of traditional TiO₂ systems, which rely only on UV light. The lightweight, reusable mats can float on water and clean pollutants without producing toxic byproducts, offering a green, scalable solution for environmental cleanup and potential solar power generation. Researchers see promise for widespread use in water remediation, especially in developing regions, and plan further optimization of the material.

Bendable Film Reveals Hidden Colors Using Nanoscale Wrinkles: Researchers developed a transparent film that reveals colorful patterns—such as traditional Korean Dancheong—when bent, using nanoscale wrinkles to produce structural colors. The team created wrinkle “pixels” with spacings from 800 to 2,400 nm and heights of 100 to 450 nm, enabling color display across the full visible spectrum. When the film is flat, it remains transparent; when bent, vivid patterns appear. The durable, dye-free technology has potential uses in smart displays and anti-counterfeiting and is being licensed to a domestic security firm.

Breakthrough CNT Wires Offer Lightweight, High-Performance Solution for Wearable Electronics: A team of researchers has developed functional carbon nanotube (CNT) wires using conventional fiber spinning techniques, offering a lightweight, high-performance alternative to copper for wearable electronics. The research overcomes long-standing challenges in dispersing CNTs by introducing oxygen functional groups and graphene oxide, enabling the production of flexible, conductive multi-filament wires. The CNT wires demonstrated strong energy storage in textile supercapacitors and excellent gas-sensing performance, making them ideal for smart clothing and defense applications. This innovation could also impact electric vehicles and drones by replacing heavy copper wiring, improving both weight and energy efficiency.

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Frog-Inspired Synthetic Antibiotics Show Promise Against Drug-Resistant Bacteria: In a study researchers engineered synthetic antibiotics based on a natural peptide secreted by Odorrana andersonii, a South Asian frog. The original peptide, Andersonnin-D1, has antimicrobial properties but is prone to clumping and toxicity. Using structure-guided design, the team modified the peptide to create safer, more effective antibiotic candidates. These synthetic versions performed as well as last-resort antibiotics like polymyxin B in preclinical tests, targeting harmful bacteria while sparing human cells and beneficial microbes. If further testing succeeds, the compounds could advance to FDA approval steps, offering a potential new weapon against antibiotic-resistant infections.

Scientists Recreate Amber-Like Resin in the Lab Using Heat and Pressure: Researchers have successfully produced a lab-made analog of amber and copal by heating and pressurizing pine resin encased in sediment, mimicking natural fossilization. The study shows that under controlled conditions (130–150°C and 159–241 bar), resin from pine trees transformed into hardened, translucent material with visual and chemical properties similar to natural amber. Microscopy and spectroscopy confirmed structural features like flow lines and reduced carbonyl signals, indicating chemical aging consistent with fossil resins. This synthetic resin provides a sacrificial material for destructive chemical testing, helping scientists develop better analysis methods without damaging rare, fossilized specimens. Future work will refine the process to more closely replicate natural amber formation.

New Sensor Tracks Hundreds of Metabolites in Real Time, Unlocking Insights into Health and Disease: A UCLA-led research team has developed “tandem metabolic reaction-based sensors” (TMR sensors) that continuously monitor a wide range of metabolites—far beyond the capabilities of current methods. Built with single-wall carbon nanotube electrodes and powered by natural enzymes and cofactors, these sensors mimic the body’s metabolic pathways to detect over 800 metabolites directly, and over two-thirds with minimal conversion. In tests, the TMR sensors reliably tracked 12 key metabolites in sweat, saliva, and brain tissue, with high sensitivity and low noise. This breakthrough could revolutionize diagnostics, treatment personalization, fitness tracking, drug development, and research into the gut-brain connection by enabling real-time insights into the body’s biochemical processes.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Radiocarbon Battery Could Power Devices for Decades: Scientists have developed a radiocarbon-powered nuclear battery that could last decades without recharging. Using carbon-14 and a titanium dioxide-based semiconductor, the battery harnesses beta radiation to generate electricity safely. Adding radiocarbon to both electrodes boosted energy conversion efficiency from 0.48% to 2.86%. Though current output is low, future improvements could make these long-lasting, eco-friendly batteries ideal for medical devices, sensors, and remote technologies.

UChicago Researchers Develop PFAS-Free Battery Materials to Prevent Future Pollution: To avoid future environmental damage from PFAS "forever chemicals" used in battery production, a researcher has developed two new families of PFAS-free battery solvents. The research presents safe, high-performance alternatives for both lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries.

The new materials showed better temperature stability, longer cycle life, and faster charging compared to current PFAS-based designs. By proving that PFAS aren’t necessary for high-functioning batteries, the team hopes to shift industry practices and prevent future health and environmental risks tied to PFAS contamination.

Magnetic Tweezer System Enables Remote, Precise Microrobot Control for Medical Use: Researchers have developed a magnetic tweezer system that allows operators to remotely control microrobots in liquid environments with real-time haptic feedback. The system enables users to feel forces acting on the robots, enhancing precision in delicate tasks like drug delivery, biopsies, and surgery. By generating magnetic fields with a specialized coil setup, the device can move microrobots from over 1,300 miles away. The system also integrates 3D imaging and force feedback for accurate, safe control—potentially transforming remote medical procedures with non-invasive, human-in-the-loop microrobotic technology.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Hormone-Free Male Birth Control Pill Shows Promise in Preclinical Studies:
A University of Minnesota-led study has advanced the development of YCT-529, the first hormone-free, oral male contraceptive to enter clinical trials. In preclinical tests, the drug stopped sperm production in male mice and non-human primates, achieving 99% pregnancy prevention in mice within four weeks and reversible infertility with no side effects. Mice regained fertility in six weeks, and primates recovered sperm counts within 10–15 weeks after stopping the drug. Developed in collaboration with Columbia University and YourChoice Therapeutics, YCT-529 is now undergoing safety and efficacy testing in ongoing human clinical trials, offering a potential new contraceptive option for men.

Glutamate Found to Trigger Liver Regeneration: Researchers at Spain’s CNIO have discovered that the amino acid glutamate rapidly triggers liver regeneration after acute damage by activating immune cells in the bone marrow. The study shows that glutamate prompts macrophages to release growth factors that stimulate liver cell growth. The findings suggest glutamate supplements could support recovery in patients with liver damage or after surgery, offering a potential new therapeutic strategy.

Mild COVID-19 May Cause Lasting Heart Imbalances, Study Finds: A study has found that people who had mild COVID-19 showed significantly reduced heart rate variability (HRV) up to a year after infection, indicating poor autonomic heart function. Those tested within six weeks of infection had the worst HRV, which gradually improved over time but never matched levels in uninfected individuals. The study also found a dominance of the sympathetic nervous system—linked to stress responses—over the parasympathetic system, which can increase cardiovascular risk. Symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, and shortness of breath were more common in those with worse HRV. Researchers urge post-COVID rehabilitation, even for those who had mild cases.

NEUROSCIENCE

First-Ever Brain Energy Atlas Maps Mitochondria to Unlock Clues to Brain Health:
Columbia University researchers have created MitoBrainMap, the first comprehensive atlas of mitochondria in the human brain, revealing how these energy-producing organelles vary by region and function. By analyzing over 700 small brain cubes from a frozen brain sample and using computational modeling, the team found that newer, human-specific brain regions had more and more efficient mitochondria than older areas. This work bridges the gap between microscopic and whole-brain studies, paving the way for noninvasive imaging of brain bioenergetics via MRI. The findings may offer new insights into cognition, mood, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Higher Education Linked to Faster Mental Decline After Stroke, Study Finds:
A Michigan Medicine study of over 2,000 stroke patients found that while college-educated individuals had higher cognitive function immediately after a stroke, they experienced faster declines in executive functioning over time compared to those with less education. The research challenges the assumption that higher education protects against long-term cognitive decline. Researchers suggest that educated individuals may have greater cognitive reserve initially, but once a threshold of brain injury is reached, their ability to compensate drops sharply. The rate of decline was unrelated to genetic risk (ApoE4) or the number of strokes, suggesting a single stroke may trigger this rapid decline in some. These findings could help identify high-risk patients for future interventions.

Brain Prioritizes Sight Over Sound During Movement, Study Finds: A study has revealed that the brain dynamically shifts between visual and auditory processing depending on whether we are still or moving. Using brain imaging and optogenetics in mice, researchers found that when stationary, the brain relies more on auditory cues, but during movement, it prioritizes visual input for navigation. The study identified the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) as the decision-making hub and the secondary motor cortex (M2) as the gatekeeper that suppresses sound signals during motion. This insight into sensory prioritization may help improve understanding and treatment of sensory processing disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.

ENVIRONMENT

Severe Water Shortage Threatens Lithium Mining in South America’s Lithium Triangle: A new study reveals that freshwater inflow in the Lithium Triangle—spanning Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia—is far lower than previously estimated. Using a new model (LiCBWA), researchers found an average of just 11 mm of annual freshwater inflow across 28 basins, compared to 90–230 mm predicted by global models. 27 out of 28 basins were classified as critically water scarce, even before accounting for current or future lithium mining demands. Additionally, 56% of direct lithium extraction (DLE) sites use more water than older evaporative methods, with 31% using 10 times more. The study calls for immediate action to reduce water use and improve monitoring, as lithium demand surges amid the global green energy transition.

Tropical Clouds May Amplify Global Warming More Than Expected, Study Finds:
Researcher shave discovered that tropical marine low clouds may amplify the greenhouse effect by 71% more than previously estimated. Using a new Pareto optimization method combined with Bayesian analysis, the team evaluated 28 climate models and identified key factors—local sea surface temperatures and lower troposphere temperature—that better predict cloud feedback. The study shows that warming patterns in tropical oceans reduce the cooling effect of low clouds, making Earth's climate more sensitive to CO₂ increases than earlier thought. The findings significantly reduce uncertainty in climate projections and improve our ability to prepare for future climate change.

Microbes Highlighted as Key Climate Change Solution: A new report outlines how microbial technologies can help fight climate change. Key areas include using microbes for methane reduction, non-fossil carbon alternatives, and ecosystem resilience. The report emphasizes the need for global collaboration, economic viability, and biosafety to scale these innovations alongside other climate strategies like renewable energy and reforestation.

NATURE

Rare Red Sea Fish Uses Light to Disappear: Study Sheds Light on Bioluminescent Camouflage: In a first-of-its-kind study scientists examined the light-producing organs of Vinciguerria mabahiss, a rare bioluminescent fish from the Red Sea. Rather than using light to lure prey, this species employs counterillumination, emitting blue light from 140–144 downward-facing photophores to camouflage itself from predators below. The research revealed that all photophores, despite varying in size, share the same structure: a light-producing bacterial reaction, reflective layers to amplify light, and lenses to direct it outward. These findings offer foundational insights for future studies on bioluminescence in deep-sea fish.

Sharks Caught on Mic: First Evidence of Sound-Making Behavior Observed: In a surprising discovery, researchers have recorded the first known instance of sharks intentionally producing sounds. While handling juvenile rig sharks during behavioral training in a tank, marine biologists heard clicking noises. Follow-up tests using underwater microphones confirmed that the sharks made the sounds consistently when touched. Previously thought incapable of sound production due to lacking swim bladders or related anatomy, these sharks may be creating clicks by rubbing their plate-like teeth together. The study suggests the clicks may be a defensive response to confuse predators rather than a form of communication, as the sounds fall outside sharks' typical hearing range.

Struck and Thriving: Some Tropical Trees Benefit from Lightning Hits:
A new study reveals that Dipteryx oleifera, a tropical tree native to Central and South America, can not only survive lightning strikes but also benefit from them. Researchers tracked 93 lightning-struck trees in Panama and found that all nine Dipteryx trees survived, while 64% of other species died within two years. Strikes also killed an average of 9.2 nearby trees and reduced parasitic vine infestations by 78%, giving Dipteryx trees more space, light, and nutrients. These trees, which are taller and have broader crowns than their neighbors, appear up to 68% more likely to be struck—possibly an evolved trait. Lightning may give them a long-term competitive edge, increasing offspring production by up to 14 times. As climate change drives more lightning events, understanding this phenomenon could be crucial for forest management and conservation.

OTHER SCIENCES & THE ARTS

Study Reveals Over 100,000 Medieval Manuscripts Were Copied by Women:
A study has estimated that at least 1.1% of medieval manuscripts (c. 800–1626 CE) were copied by female scribes—amounting to over 110,000 texts, with about 8,000 likely still surviving. The research analyzed 23,774 manuscript colophons, identifying 254 definitively linked to women through clear gender markers. While female scribes were consistently active from 800–1400 CE, their numbers rose notably after 1400, particularly in manuscripts written in local languages. The study suggests many undocumented women’s scribal communities likely existed and calls for further research into the social and historical factors that enabled women’s roles in manuscript culture.

Unprecedented Dog Assemblage in Roman Britain Linked to Ritual Use: A study analyzed over 5,400 dog bones from a Romano-British ritual shaft at Nescot, Surrey—one of the largest such assemblages ever found in Roman Britain. Dating to the late 1st to early 2nd century CE, the shaft contained at least 140 dogs, many of them small breeds with features similar to modern corgis or Maltese, and showing signs of good care and old age, suggesting ritual, not utilitarian, deposition. The presence of human remains, coins, and gaming tokens supports the shaft’s ritual significance, likely reflecting cultural selection of dogs based on Roman religious practices. In contrast, a later phase of the shaft’s use showed signs of domestic waste disposal, including butchery marks, indicating a shift away from ritual use. The study sheds new light on dog symbolism and sacrificial practices in Roman Britain.