Nature-Inspired Disorder Enhances Toughness of Mechanical Metamaterials

Hello and welcome to our February 21st 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 Insights Into Cellular Adhesion and Repair May Lead to Therapies for Tissue Injury, and more.

• Materials - Nature-Inspired Disorder Enhances Toughness of Mechanical Metamaterials, and more.

• Biotechnology & Biomedical Technology - Flexible Micromachined Ultrasound Transducers Pave the Way for Wearable Health Diagnostics, Gold Nanoparticles Outperform Orlistat in Reversing Obesity-Related Damage in Rats.

• Engineering & Technology - Bioinspired Swimming Robot Enhances Aquatic Research with Silent, Agile Propulsion, and more.

• Astronomy & Space - Martian Dust Poses Serious Health Risks for Future Astronauts, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Morpho Butterfly Wings Inspire Low-Cost, Stain-Free Cancer Diagnosis, and more.

• Neuroscience - Scientists Uncover How the Brain Distinguishes Self-Motion from External Motion, and more.

• Environment - Plastic Burning in Developing Cities Poses Growing Health and Environmental Risks, and more.

• Nature - Emus and Rheas Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills, Challenging "Dumb Bird" Stereotype, and more.

• Other Sciences & The Arts - New Study Challenges Assumptions About Neanderthal Origins and Genetic Diversity.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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SCIENCE

New Insights Into Cellular Adhesion and Repair May Lead to Therapies for Tissue Injury: Researchers at Northwestern Medicine have uncovered new mechanisms by which cellular adhesion proteins influence repair processes, findings that could lead to novel therapies for tissue regeneration. The study focuses on the role of alpha-catenin, a protein within adhesive junctions that helps epithelial cells maintain cohesion while adapting to tissue repair demands. Mutations in alpha-catenin were found to cause cytokinesis failure, leading to polyploid cells—potentially beneficial for wound healing. The findings also shed light on the genetic basis of butterfly-shaped pattern dystrophy (BPD), a rare retinal disease linked to alpha-catenin mutations.

Scientists Develop Greener Method for Ethylene Oxide Production, Reducing CO₂ Emissions: Researchers have discovered a more sustainable way to produce ethylene oxide, a crucial industrial chemical used in plastics, textiles, and disinfectants. The breakthrough replaces toxic chlorine with nickel-enhanced silver catalysts, maintaining efficiency while significantly cutting carbon dioxide emissions. This innovation, six years in the making, could make production safer and more cost-effective. With patents filed and discussions underway with industry leaders, the discovery has the potential to revolutionize ethylene oxide manufacturing and reduce its environmental impact.

MATERIALS

Nature-Inspired Disorder Enhances Toughness of Mechanical Metamaterials: Researchers at Penn Engineering, Penn Arts & Sciences, and Aarhus University have discovered that introducing controlled disorder into mechanical metamaterials can more than double their resistance to cracking. Inspired by natural structures like bone and seashells, the team found that an optimal level of irregularity in the internal geometry distributes stress more effectively, preventing cracks from propagating in straight lines. Through computational simulations and precise laser-cutting experiments, they demonstrated that these disordered structures significantly improve material toughness without altering composition. This breakthrough could lead to stronger, more durable materials for aerospace and other structural applications.

3D-Printed Thermoelectric Materials Offer Cost-Effective Cooling Solutions: Researchers at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) have developed a novel 3D printing technique to fabricate high-performance thermoelectric materials, significantly reducing production costs and material waste. Published in Science, the study demonstrates how these materials can be used to build efficient thermoelectric coolers, which provide localized cooling without moving parts or circulating liquids. The innovative ink formulation ensures strong atomic bonding, enhancing performance to match conventional, expensive ingot-based materials. Potential applications include electronics cooling, medical treatments, and energy harvesting, making this a promising breakthrough for sustainable thermoelectric technology.

AI-Powered Deep Nanometry Enables Ultra-Sensitive Cancer Detection: Researchers from the University of Tokyo have developed Deep Nanometry (DNM), a cutting-edge analytical technique that combines advanced optics with AI-driven noise reduction to detect rare nanoparticles with unprecedented accuracy. The method enables high-speed detection of particles as small as 30 nanometers, identifying over 100,000 particles per second. DNM has demonstrated potential for early colon cancer detection by analyzing extracellular vesicles (EVs) without costly pre-enrichment steps. Beyond medicine, the technique could revolutionize vaccine development, environmental monitoring, and other industries requiring high-precision nanoparticle detection.

Advanced Coatings Enable JUICE Mission's Sensors to Study Jupiter's Icy Moons: Dr. Babak Bakhit of the University of Cambridge has played a crucial role in the European Space Agency’s JUICE mission by developing specialized coatings for Langmuir probes aboard the spacecraft. These probes, part of the Radio and Plasma Wave Instrument (RPWI), will analyze plasma and radio emissions around Jupiter’s icy moons—Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa. Bakhit’s team engineered a titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN) coating using magnetron sputtering, overcoming significant technical challenges to ensure durability in extreme space environments. JUICE is set to reach Jupiter in 2031, offering insights into extraterrestrial oceans and potential habitability.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Flexible Micromachined Ultrasound Transducers Pave the Way for Wearable Health Diagnostics: A new review article from KU Leuven, published in Microsystems & Nanoengineering on January 16, 2025, provides an in-depth look at flexible micromachined ultrasound transducers (MUTs) — including both piezoelectric (PMUT) and capacitive (CMUT) types. These innovative devices, which combine advances in MEMS and flexible sensor technology, can conform to the body's contours to enhance diagnostic accuracy and enable continuous, user-friendly monitoring. The review explores state-of-the-art fabrication methods, compares key performance metrics such as resonance frequency and sensitivity, and outlines the integration challenges with existing medical systems. It also highlights future research directions aimed at overcoming technical limitations, ultimately paving the way for smart, wearable ultrasound applications in remote patient care and disease prevention.

Gold Nanoparticles Outperform Orlistat in Reversing Obesity-Related Damage in Rats: A study by researchers from Alexandria University, Erbil Polytechnic University, and Pharos University found that high-dose gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) significantly reduced obesity-related damage in rats, outperforming the commonly used drug orlistat. The study demonstrated that AuNPs lowered body fat, improved metabolic health, and restored liver and kidney function more effectively than orlistat. The findings suggest AuNPs as a promising alternative for obesity treatment, though further research is needed to assess safety and efficacy in humans.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Bioinspired Swimming Robot Enhances Aquatic Research with Silent, Agile Propulsion: Researchers at EPFL and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems have developed a miniature swimming robot that mimics marine flatworms, offering a silent and efficient alternative to propeller-based devices. Weighing just 6 grams and smaller than a credit card, the robot uses undulating fins to navigate tight spaces, making it ideal for pollution tracking, ecological studies, and precision agriculture. Its compact electronics deliver high-voltage, low-power operation, enabling autonomous movement towards light sources. The team aims to improve the robot’s autonomy and durability for real-world applications.

Stanford Chemists Develop Scalable, Low-Cost Carbon Capture Technology: Researchers at Stanford University have developed a groundbreaking process to permanently remove atmospheric carbon dioxide using a scalable, low-cost mineral-based approach. Their method accelerates natural weathering by heating common silicate minerals to create highly reactive materials that spontaneously capture and store CO2. The technique requires significantly less energy than current direct air capture technologies and could be integrated into agricultural practices, improving soil health while reducing emissions. With the potential to utilize mining tailings and existing cement kiln infrastructure, the process offers a promising path toward large-scale carbon sequestration.

Renewable Energy Outperforms Carbon Capture in Cost, Efficiency, and Health Benefits: A new study finds that transitioning entirely to wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower by 2050 would significantly reduce global energy needs, costs, and air pollution while mitigating climate change more effectively than carbon capture technologies. Researchers at Stanford University, led by Professor Mark Jacobson, argue that investing in renewables over carbon removal strategies like direct air capture is more cost-effective, as it eliminates fossil fuel combustion entirely. Their analysis across 149 countries suggests that full electrification could cut energy demand by 54% and reduce annual energy costs by nearly 60%, preventing millions of air pollution-related deaths. The study strongly advocates for policies prioritizing renewables over carbon capture technologies.

ASTRONOMY & SPACE

Martian Dust Poses Serious Health Risks for Future Astronauts: A study led by the Keck School of Medicine at USC highlights the dangers of Martian dust for future crewed missions. Researchers found that the fine, silica-rich dust on Mars can penetrate deep into the lungs, potentially causing respiratory diseases similar to black lung and silicosis. Toxic components, including perchlorates and heavy metals, further increase health risks. Scientists emphasize the need for preventive measures such as dust filtration and habitat contamination controls, while also exploring vitamin C and iodine as possible countermeasures. These findings underscore the challenges astronauts will face on Mars.

Studies Reveal Key Insights for Future Asteroid Deflection Missions: Two studies (1,2) published in Nature Communications analyze NASA's 2022 DART mission, which successfully impacted the asteroid Dimorphos, marking a milestone in planetary defense. Researchers from Politecnico di Milano and Georgia Tech used Hubble images and simulations to study ejecta behavior, finding that solar radiation pressure significantly influences debris movement. A second study revealed that an asteroid’s shape affects the efficiency of deflection, with rounded surfaces reducing the impact force by 56%. Scientists suggest that using multiple smaller impactors could enhance asteroid deflection strategies, offering a more cost-effective and flexible approach for planetary defense.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Morpho Butterfly Wings Inspire Low-Cost, Stain-Free Cancer Diagnosis: Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a novel method for analyzing cancer biopsy samples using the natural nanostructures of Morpho butterfly wings. The study demonstrates how placing biopsy samples on a Morpho wing and viewing them under a standard microscope enhances the detection of fibrosis—a key indicator of cancer progression—without the need for chemical stains or costly imaging equipment. By amplifying collagen fiber signals using polarized light, this technique offers a more objective and accessible diagnostic tool, particularly beneficial for resource-limited regions. The approach could be extended to diagnosing other fibrotic diseases.

Windborne Transmission of H5N1 Suspected in Secure Czech Chicken Farm: Veterinarians from the State Veterinary Institute Prague have reported possible evidence of windborne transmission of the H5N1 avian flu virus in a highly secure chicken research farm. The study details an outbreak in a facility with no exposure to other birds, feces, or contaminated water, suggesting airborne virus transport as the only plausible cause. While prior research has focused on transmission via bodily fluids, this case raises concerns about the potential for wind to spread the virus. The findings could have significant implications for biosecurity measures in poultry farming.

Key Gene Linked to Colon Cancer Progression May Lead to New Therapies: Researchers at Johns Hopkins have identified the HMGA1 gene as a critical driver of colon cancer development. The study reveals that HMGA1 acts as a molecular "key," unlocking genomic regions that activate tumor-promoting stem cell genes. Using mouse models, the team found that reducing HMGA1 levels significantly lowered tumor formation and improved survival rates. The findings may explain rising colon cancer rates in younger populations and suggest HMGA1 as a promising therapeutic target. Future research will explore ways to block HMGA1 to develop new cancer treatments.

Experts Strongly Advise Against Spine Injections for Chronic Back Pain: A panel of international experts, in a BMJ "Rapid Recommendations" report, strongly advises against using spine injections for chronic back pain, citing minimal or no benefit over sham procedures. The analysis, based on randomized trials and observational studies, found no high-certainty evidence supporting the effectiveness of epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, or radiofrequency ablation for non-cancer-related back pain. Given the procedures' costs, potential risks, and lack of meaningful relief, experts recommend that most patients avoid them. The findings add to growing calls for a major shift in chronic pain management strategies.

NEUROSCIENCE

Scientists Uncover How the Brain Distinguishes Self-Motion from External Motion: Neuroscientists at the Sainsbury Wellcome Center (UCL) have identified how the brain separates visual motion caused by an observer's movement from motion occurring in the external world. Published in Cell, the study utilized a novel experimental setup called the Translocator, which allowed mice to experience self-controlled and externally induced motion while researchers recorded neural activity. The findings reveal that motor and vestibular signals converge in the primary visual cortex and other sensory areas, helping the brain generate an internal reference for motion perception. This discovery sheds light on fundamental mechanisms of sensory processing and navigation.

Brain’s “Optimist” and “Pessimist” Neurons Shape Risk-Based Decision-Making: Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Harvard University have identified two groups of neurons in the brain that help distinguish between better- and worse-than-expected outcomes when making decisions. The study used machine-learning principles and mouse experiments to explore how the brain evaluates potential rewards. The findings suggest that these neurons work together to gauge risk and reward, influencing decision-making behavior. If confirmed in humans, this discovery could improve our understanding of conditions like depression and addiction, which can impair risk assessment and reward processing.

Transient Ischemic Attacks Linked to Long-Term Cognitive Decline: A study led by the University of Alabama at Birmingham, suggests that first-time transient ischemic attacks (TIA) are associated with long-term cognitive decline, similar to stroke. Analyzing data from the REGARDS study, researchers found that while TIA patients did not experience an immediate cognitive drop, their annual decline rate matched that of stroke patients, particularly in memory function. These findings challenge the assumption that TIA leaves no lasting impact and highlight the need for further research into post-TIA interventions to prevent cognitive deterioration.

ENVIRONMENT

Plastic Burning in Developing Cities Poses Growing Health and Environmental Risks: A study led by Curtin University highlights the increasing use of plastic as household fuel in developing nations due to a lack of affordable energy sources. Researchers found that urban poor communities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America resort to burning plastic for heating and cooking, exposing millions to harmful toxins like dioxins and heavy metals. The study warns of worsening health risks, particularly for women and children, as plastic use and urban inequality rise. Experts call for policy interventions, including cleaner fuel subsidies, improved waste management, and educational campaigns to mitigate the issue.

Marine Snow Bacteria Play a Global Role in Ocean Nitrogen Fixation: A new study challenges long-standing assumptions about nitrogen fixation in the ocean. Researchers used mechanistic mathematical models to demonstrate that bacteria attached to marine snow particles can fix nitrogen (N₂) across a wide range of ocean temperatures, from the tropics to the poles and from surface waters to deep-sea environments. These bacteria contribute approximately 10% of global oceanic N₂ fixation, extending beyond the previously recognized role of cyanobacteria. Their activity, concentrated in oxygen minimum zones, suggests a delayed yet significant impact on the ocean's nitrogen cycle, with potential implications for future climate-driven changes in marine productivity.

UV and Chlorine Treatment Effectively Neutralizes Algal Toxins in Drinking Water: A study by the University of Cincinnati found that combining ultraviolet (UV) light with chlorine significantly improves the removal of toxins from harmful algal blooms in drinking water. The research demonstrated that this method degrades cyanotoxins more efficiently than chlorine alone, while keeping disinfection byproducts within safe limits. Given the increasing prevalence of toxic algae blooms worldwide, this approach offers a promising low-energy, low-chemical solution for water treatment plants to ensure safe drinking water.

NATURE

Emus and Rheas Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills, Challenging "Dumb Bird" Stereotype: A new study shows that large palaeognath birds like emus and rheas can innovate to solve technical problems, contradicting previous assumptions about their intelligence. Researchers at the University of Bristol found that emus successfully aligned a rotating hole with a food chamber, while a rhea developed an additional technique to dismantle the task. This discovery suggests that technical innovation in birds may have evolved much earlier than previously thought and could provide insight into the cognitive abilities of dinosaurs, their closest relatives.

Scientists Discover Play-Like Behavior in Fruit Flies: For the first time, researchers have observed play-like behavior in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), challenging the notion that playful activity is exclusive to vertebrates. The study found that some flies voluntarily and repeatedly engaged with a rotating carousel, suggesting an intrinsic motivation for movement-based stimulation. The study, conducted with 190 individual flies over 3 to 14 days, tracked their interactions using automated software. While many flies avoided the carousel, others actively sought it out and followed its movement. These findings pave the way for genetic, neuronal, and biochemical research into play behavior, potentially offering insights into how humans develop self-awareness and body perception.

New Approach to Studying Animal Consciousness May Deepen Understanding of the Mind: Researchers have proposed a novel "marker method" to assess animal consciousness, described in a recent Science essay. This approach identifies behavioral and anatomical features associated with conscious processing in humans and searches for similar properties in nonhuman species. The paper builds on the New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness, which asserts scientific backing for consciousness in all vertebrates and many invertebrates. The researchers advocate for new lines of inquiry, including non-invasive methods, while acknowledging the complexities of defining consciousness across species. They emphasize the importance of remaining open-minded as evidence continues to evolve.

OTHER SCIENCES & THE ARTS

New Study Challenges Assumptions About Neanderthal Origins and Genetic Diversity: A study published in Nature Communications questions the long-held belief that Neanderthals originated following a major genetic bottleneck. Researchers analyzed inner ear morphology from fossil samples in Atapuerca (Spain) and Krapina (Croatia), finding that early Neanderthals had as much morphological diversity as their pre-Neanderthal ancestors. This contradicts the idea that Neanderthals experienced a genetic diversity loss at their origin, although a later bottleneck around 110,000 years ago remains supported. The findings suggest a need for new theories on Neanderthal evolution and their genetic history.