Bacteria Offers Hope for Breaking Down Persistent "Forever Chemicals”

Hello and welcome to our January 26th 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 - Bacteria Offers Hope for Breaking Down Persistent "Forever Chemicals”, and more.

• Materials - Machine Learning Revolutionizes Lightweight, Ultra-Strong Nano-Materials, and more.

• Biotechnology & Biomedical Technology - Light-Activated Ink Enables Non-Invasive Heart Tissue Repair, and more.

• Engineering & Technology - 3D-Printed Mud Molds Offer Sustainable, Cost-Effective Solution for Concrete Construction, and more.

• Astronomy & Space - Scientists Detect "Chirping" Cosmic Waves in Unexpected Space Region, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Mitochondria’s Role in Regulating Inflammation Offers New Therapeutic Potential, and more.

• Neuroscience - Physical Inactivity Linked to Brain Health Decline and Alzheimer’s Risk, and more.

• Environment - Shifting Agroclimatic Zones Threaten Central European Agriculture.

• Nature - New Insights into Hairy Mussel Adhesion Unveil Sustainable Underwater Bio-adhesives, and more.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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SCIENCE

Bacteria Offers Hope for Breaking Down Persistent "Forever Chemicals”:
Researchers from the University at Buffalo have identified a bacterial strain, Labrys portucalensis F11 (F11), capable of breaking down and metabolizing several types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including the notoriously persistent PFOS. In laboratory tests, F11 degraded over 90% of PFOS in 100 days and showed significant breakdown of other PFAS compounds, even removing fluorine from some toxic byproducts. PFAS are challenging to degrade due to their strong carbon-fluorine bonds, but the F11 bacteria have evolved to metabolize the carbon in PFAS as an energy source. Researchers now aim to accelerate this process by optimizing conditions to encourage F11’s activity, potentially enabling its use in wastewater treatment plants and contaminated sites. This discovery represents a promising step toward effective PFAS remediation using bioaugmentation techniques.

Dying Cells Spread Lethal Signals, Worsening Sepsis: Researchers at UConn School of Medicine have identified a mechanism in which dying cells exacerbate sepsis by releasing lethal vesicles containing gasdermin-D pores. These vesicles, ejected by infected cells attempting to survive, carry gasdermin-D pores that punch into neighboring healthy cells, causing them to spill their contents and die. This process fuels the runaway inflammation characteristic of sepsis, a condition responsible for 11 million deaths annually. The discovery provides new insights into the deadly chain reaction underlying sepsis and offers a potential target for therapies aimed at disrupting gasdermin-D vesicles, potentially mitigating inflammation and improving outcomes for inflammatory diseases

MATERIALS

Machine Learning Revolutionizes Lightweight, Ultra-Strong Nano-Materials: Researchers have developed nano-architected materials with strength comparable to carbon steel but as light as Styrofoam. The study describes how machine learning optimized the design of nanolattices, resulting in materials with double the strength of previous iterations. The team used a multi-objective Bayesian optimization algorithm to create innovative lattice geometries that enhanced stress distribution and increased strength-to-weight ratios. Prototypes, produced via cutting-edge 3D printing, achieved unprecedented results—five times the strength of titanium. This breakthrough, the first to apply machine learning to nano-architected materials, promises transformative applications in aerospace, reducing fuel demands and carbon emissions. Future work will focus on scaling production and further refining material designs to achieve even greater strength and efficiency.

Deep-Ultraviolet Microscope Unlocks Nanoscale Insights into Diamond and Ultrawide-Bandgap Semiconductors: Researchers have developed a groundbreaking deep-ultraviolet (DUV) laser microscope that enables precise nanoscale studies of ultrawide-bandgap semiconductors like diamond. These materials, ideal for next-generation electronics, are challenging to probe with traditional visible-light methods due to their large energy gaps. The DUV microscope creates nanoscale heat patterns on material surfaces, allowing researchers to study heat, charge, and mechanical wave transport with spatial resolutions as fine as 287 nanometers. The team validated the system using thin gold films and then applied it to diamond, revealing nanoscale charge carrier dynamics without altering the material. This advancement offers new insights into the thermal and electronic properties of materials critical for high-performance power electronics, communication systems, and quantum technologies, paving the way for more efficient and durable devices.

Supranano Engineering Boosts Strength and Ductility in Alloys: A City University of Hong Kong-led team has advanced material science by using supranano engineering to enhance the strength and ductility of bulk structural alloys. The study demonstrates how controlling grain interiors and boundaries below 10 nanometers enables a supranano magnesium alloy with a tensile strength of 2.6 GPa and a 10% strain capacity—significantly surpassing the typical yield strength of 1.5–2 GPa for nanostructured alloys. The approach promotes uniform distribution of defects and increases dislocation interactions, resulting in higher strain-hardening rates and improved material performance. This breakthrough has potential applications in aerospace, automotive, electronics, and construction industries requiring super-strong, durable materials.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Light-Activated Ink Enables Non-Invasive Heart Tissue Repair: Researchers have developed a groundbreaking technique using light-activated ink in 3D bio-printed heart tissue. This non-invasive approach stimulates electrical activity in engineered cardiac tissue, potentially revolutionizing heart repair therapies. The "optoelectronically active" ink enables the printed tissue to be remotely controlled by light, eliminating the need for invasive wires and electrodes. In preclinical models, these dynamic tissues successfully synchronized with and accelerated heart rhythms when exposed to light. This innovative method offers a promising pathway for non-invasive cardiac therapies, tissue regeneration, and better integration with the heart's biology.

Advanced MOF-Based Material Enhances Enzyme Efficiency for Biosensors:
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking material using modified metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to significantly improve the efficiency and stability of enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors. By incorporating redox mediators into MOFs, the team enabled effective electron transfer between enzymes and electrodes while preventing enzyme leaching, resulting in enhanced long-term stability and device performance. This innovation paves the way for high-efficiency biosensors with potential applications in health care, environmental monitoring, and sustainable energy technologies, contributing to scientific advancements and improving quality of life.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

3D-Printed Mud Molds Offer Sustainable, Cost-Effective Solution for Concrete Construction: MIT researchers have developed an innovative method, called EarthWorks, that uses 3D-printed mud as formwork molds for concrete construction. By incorporating lightly treated soil, such as that from a construction site, the technique eliminates the need for costly and resource-intensive wooden molds. The approach, which involves additive materials like straw and a water-resistant coating, is recyclable and significantly reduces both costs and carbon emissions associated with traditional concrete construction. It also enables architects to create customized, shape-optimized concrete structures that require less material, potentially cutting carbon emissions by over 50%. The technique could revolutionize the construction industry by allowing builders to print complex molds on-site using large 3D printers. Future applications include creating templates for entire buildings made of earth, combining traditional materials with modern technology to make construction more sustainable and affordable.

Tiny Spectral Sensor Could Revolutionize Smartphones and Wearables: Researchers have developed a miniature spectral sensor that could enable smartphones and wearable devices to diagnose diseases, detect counterfeit drugs, and assess food safety. Unlike traditional bulky and expensive laboratory equipment, this sensor measures just 5 micrometers by 5 micrometers, making it ideal for integration into everyday electronics. The device uses an innovative optoelectronic interface and intelligent algorithms to analyze materials based on their light interaction, achieving a remarkable precision of ~0.2 nanometers in wavelength identification. During training, it "learned" to generate unique electrical fingerprints for various materials, enabling accurate composition analysis. This breakthrough combines tunable hardware and advanced algorithms, opening new possibilities for applications in healthcare, food safety, autonomous driving, and more. Researchers envision these ultra-compact sensors bringing the power of advanced spectroscopy to consumer devices, transforming how we interact with technology.

Bioinspired Material Design Enhances Toughness Through 3D Crack Manipulation: Researchers have uncovered how tortuous crack fronts in bioinspired heterogeneous materials amplify toughness. Their study demonstrated that 3D helical crack-tip geometries—formed when cracks interact with anisotropic heterostructures—provide significant toughening effects compared to straight crack fronts. Using 3D-printed bioinspired models, the team found that manipulating microstructural orientation influenced crack behavior, creating a combination of twisting and bridging effects. Simulations revealed nonlinear relationships between crack geometry, fracture toughness, and fiber orientation, allowing researchers to design optimized plywood-like materials with enhanced durability. This breakthrough provides a foundation for developing tougher, more efficient materials inspired by natural heterogeneity, with potential applications in engineering and materials science.

ASTRONOMY & SPACE

Scientists Detect "Chirping" Cosmic Waves in Unexpected Space Region: Scientists have detected plasma waves, called chorus waves, over 62,000 miles from Earth—farther than ever before. These waves, which ripple at human hearing frequencies, sound like high-pitched bird chirps when converted to audio. Previously detected near Earth and other planets like Jupiter and Saturn, these waves are influenced by magnetic fields and are among the strongest waves in space, capable of disrupting satellite communications. The latest discovery, made using NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale satellites, raises new questions about how these waves form in regions where Earth's magnetic field stretches unexpectedly. Researchers hope further studies will unveil more about these captivating phenomena.

Mysterious Fast Radio Burst Detected in Unexpected Location: Astronomers using the CHIME radio telescope and its new outriggers have precisely pinpointed the origin of a fast radio burst (FRB 20240209A) in the outskirts of a 11.3-billion-year-old elliptical galaxy located 2 billion light-years from Earth. This surprising location challenges existing theories, as such energetic bursts are thought to originate from young, magnetized neutron stars (magnetars) typically found in star-forming galaxies. The discovery raises questions about how magnetars or similar sources could exist in regions where star formation ceased long ago. The CHIME telescope’s upgraded precision, bolstered by additional outrigger arrays, aims to isolate more FRBs to their galaxies, enabling optical telescopes to investigate their origins further. Researchers suggest the FRB might be linked to a globular cluster of ancient stars, opening new possibilities for understanding these mysterious phenomena.

Universe’s Structural Growth May Be Slower Than Expected, Study Suggests:
New research suggests that the universe's distribution of matter is less "clumpy" than expected, hinting at a potential slowing in structural growth. Using data from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), researchers compared ancient Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) maps to modern galaxy distributions. This combination of datasets revealed a small discrepancy in the clumpiness of matter at later epochs, as measured by Sigma 8 (σ8). While this finding could be random, it raises questions about whether dark energy or unknown physics might be moderating cosmic structure formation. Future observations, such as those from the upcoming Simons Observatory, aim to refine these measurements and provide deeper insights into the evolution of the universe.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Mitochondria’s Role in Regulating Inflammation Offers New Therapeutic Potential: A study by researchers highlights how mitochondria influence immune responses by regulating the release of the anti-inflammatory protein IL-10 through reactive oxygen species (ROS) from mitochondrial complex III. Using mouse models, the team found that defects in mitochondrial complex III reduced IL-10 production, impairing recovery from infections and inflammation. Restoring a ROS-dependent signaling pathway corrected IL-10 release, underscoring mitochondria’s role in controlling inflammation. The findings suggest targeting mitochondrial pathways as a promising approach for treating inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and sepsis, either by enhancing IL-10 production or modulating mitochondrial activity to support existing immunotherapies.

New Drug Candidate Shows Promise in Restoring Vision for MS Patients: Researchers have identified a drug candidate, LL-341070, that accelerates the repair of damaged myelin—the protective sheath around nerve fibers—offering potential treatment for vision loss and cognitive decline caused by multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological conditions. In preclinical studies on mice, the drug significantly enhanced the brain's ability to repair myelin, improving vision-related brain functions even after severe damage. Researchers emphasized the importance of early intervention, noting that even partial repair resulted in noticeable improvements. The team plans further studies to expand the drug's applications across different brain regions, with hopes of making it a viable therapy to improve brain function and quality of life for patients with MS and similar conditions. This groundbreaking discovery could represent a major step toward reversing neuronal damage and restoring lost functions.

Sound's Role in Balance: New Insights for Treating Vestibular Disorders: A recent study highlights the impact of sound on balance, particularly in individuals with vestibular hypofunction—a disorder of the inner ear that impairs balance. Researchers found that combining moving visual stimuli with auditory inputs (e.g., white noise or subway sounds) caused significant instability in participants with vestibular hypofunction. Healthy participants were unaffected by sound. The study utilized virtual reality simulations of a subway environment, where participants' sway and head movements were monitored under various conditions. These findings suggest the need to integrate sound into balance assessments and therapy programs. Lead author Anat Lubetzky emphasizes the importance of using task-specific, real-world sounds in treatment to improve outcomes for those with balance disorders. Portable virtual headsets are proposed as a promising tool for such interventions.

NEUROSCIENCE

Physical Inactivity Linked to Brain Health Decline and Alzheimer’s Risk: A study led by Frank Booth and Nathan Kerr at the University of Missouri reveals that just 10 days of physical inactivity can lead to insulin resistance and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the hippocampus, a brain region essential for memory and learning. The research also found elevated markers associated with Alzheimer’s disease, underscoring the importance of staying active for both physical and brain health. Booth emphasizes that adopting even periodic exercise can significantly improve health and potentially delay neurodegenerative diseases, with brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s often starting decades before diagnosis. The findings highlight the critical role of early lifestyle habits in preserving brain function and overall quality of life.

ADM2 Growth Factor: A Potential Key to Relieving Anxiety via Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity: A study reveals that the angiogenic growth factor adrenomedullin 2 (ADM2) may alleviate anxiety-like behaviors by enhancing the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a protective layer that regulates substance exchange between the bloodstream and the brain. The research highlights how ADM2 strengthens the BBB by promoting VE-cadherin protein expression and reducing the leakage of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-II), which is critical for brain function. Using male mice, the team conducted behavioral tests and applied pharmacological and optogenetic techniques to investigate the link between ADM2, BBB function, and anxiety. Results showed that ADM2 activation triggers the AKT-GSK3β-mTOR signaling pathway, helping maintain BBB integrity and reducing anxiety-like behaviors. The findings suggest ADM2 as a promising therapeutic target for anxiety, though further research is needed to validate its efficacy in humans and explore its potential for new pharmacological treatments.

Oxytocin Nasal Spray Reduces Apathy in Frontotemporal Dementia: A study led by researchers found that intranasal oxytocin may reduce apathy, a key symptom of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Over a five-year trial involving 74 patients, participants received oxytocin nasal sprays twice daily every third day for six weeks. Care partners reported modest but meaningful improvements in patients' behavior, such as increased engagement with family and small acts of thoughtfulness. The findings represent a significant step in developing treatments for FTD's neuropsychiatric symptoms, with researchers noting the urgent need for symptom-specific therapies for this early-onset dementia.

ENVIRONMENT

Shifting Agroclimatic Zones Threaten Central European Agriculture: New research explores 2,000 years of climate data, combining tree ring isotopes and climate models to analyze shifts in agricultural climate (agroclimate). The study reveals significant losses of highly productive agricultural land in Central Europe, with hot and dry conditions expanding in Slovakia, Austria, and the Czech Republic over the past 50 years. By 2100, under a high-emissions scenario, much of western Slovakia may become unsuitable for crop growth. While some crops, like grapevines, may benefit from these changes, others, such as wheat and sugar beet, are likely to suffer, potentially impacting food security. This research underscores the urgency of adapting agricultural practices and infrastructure to sustain food production in the face of climate change and rising global demand.

NATURE

New Insights into Hairy Mussel Adhesion Unveil Sustainable Underwater Bio-adhesives: Researchers have uncovered the molecular mechanism enabling the strong underwater adhesion of hairy mussels (Barbatia virescens). Their study identifies an oxidation-independent process involving interactions between EGF/EGF-like domains and GlcNAc-based biopolymers, resulting in adhesion energy over three times greater than traditional wet-adhesive proteins like mefp-5. This mechanism provides durable, reversible adhesion, effective in both wet and dry environments. The findings have broad implications for bioelectronics, tissue engineering, and antifouling coatings, paving the way for sustainable, high-performance underwater adhesives and medical-grade bio-adhesives.

Loggerhead Sea Turtles Race Northward to Adapt to Warming Oceans:
A 27-year analysis by Stanford researchers reveals that North Pacific loggerhead sea turtles are shifting their foraging grounds northward by an average of 200 kilometers per decade, six times faster than most marine species. This movement is a response to rising sea temperatures and reduced ecosystem productivity in their traditional habitats. Despite adapting effectively to the changing ocean, turtles face risks such as entanglement in fishing equipment and cold-stunning when encountering frigid waters. The ongoing Loggerhead Sea Turtle Research Experiment (STRETCH) aims to deepen understanding of these migrations, using satellite-tagged turtles to explore the impact of ocean changes on marine life.

Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Georgia for the First Time: Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurological illness affecting deer, has been identified in Georgia for the first time. The disease was detected in a 2½-year-old white-tailed deer in Lanier County during routine surveillance. CWD, caused by misfolded prion proteins, leads to weight loss, unsteady gait, diminished fear of humans, and death in deer, elk, and moose. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has established a CWD Management Area around the detection site to monitor the spread and infection rates. The public is urged to minimize the disease's spread by avoiding the movement of live deer, properly disposing of carcasses, and reporting sick deer. While no human cases of CWD have been confirmed, the CDC advises testing deer before consumption and avoiding meat from infected animals. CWD is now present in 35 U.S. states, including neighboring Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina, highlighting its expanding reach.