AI Designs Synthetic DNA to Control Gene Expression in Living Cells for the First Time

Hello and welcome to our May 12th edition. The STEAM Digest is a curated newsletter that brings you the latest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

In today’s edition:

• Science - Scientists Discover Self-Limiting “Selfish” Gene That Skews Sex Ratios in Fruit Flies Without Driving Extinction, and more.

• Materials - Scientists Uncover the Hidden Physics Behind Crack Formation and Asymmetry in Materials, and more.

• Biotechnology & Biomedical Technology - Nanoparticle-Based Eyedrops Show Promise in Reversing Corneal Damage from Mustard, and more.

• Engineering & Technology - Revolutionary Solid Refrigerants Could Transform Air Conditioning and Slash Emissions.

• Robotics, AI, Hardware, Software, Gadgets - AI Designs Synthetic DNA to Control Gene Expression in Living Cells for the First Time, and more.

• Astronomy, Space, & Astrobiology - Two New Exoplanets Discovered Orbiting Sun-like Star HD 35843, One a Promising JWST Target.

• Health & Medicine - Decades-Old Redlining Still Impacts Breast Cancer Outcomes, New Studies Show, and more.

• Pediatrics - Soft Robotic “BabyBot” Mimics Infant Feeding to Advance Pediatric Medical Research, and more.

• Neuroscience - MIT Study Finds Brain Wave "Phase Misalignment" as a Common Signature of Anesthesia-Induced Unconsciousness, and more.

• Environment & Earth Sciences - Engineered Bacteria Break Down Toxic Pollutants in Saline Wastewater, Offering Hope for Cleaner Marine Environments.

• Other Sciences & The Arts - Fossil Discovery of Living Endangered Tree in Borneo Highlights Ancient Roots of Asia's Rainforests.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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SCIENCE

Scientists Discover Self-Limiting “Selfish” Gene That Skews Sex Ratios in Fruit Flies Without Driving Extinction: A study by researchers from the Whitehead Institute and MIT has revealed that the stellate (Ste) gene in Drosophila melanogaster acts as a unique meiotic driver—a type of "selfish" gene that biases inheritance to favor its own transmission. Unlike typical drivers, which often skew sex ratios dangerously toward females, Ste contains a built-in self-limiting mechanism that helps preserve male offspring by asymmetrically segregating during meiosis and selectively harming only a portion of Y-bearing sperm. This novel form of genetic self-restraint prevents population collapse while still biasing transmission, challenging long-held assumptions about male meiosis and offering new insights into genetic conflict and evolutionary balance.

ALICE Experiment Confirms Gold Can Be Created from Lead in High-Energy Collisions—But Not for Profit: In a milestone study, CERN’s ALICE collaboration has experimentally confirmed that lead can be transmuted into gold during ultra-peripheral collisions in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Unlike medieval alchemy, this transformation occurs not by mystical means but through intense electromagnetic interactions in near-miss lead–lead collisions. These generate powerful photon pulses capable of knocking out protons and neutrons from lead nuclei, occasionally forming gold (with 79 protons). Though gold production reached 89,000 nuclei per second, the resulting mass is minuscule—just 29 picograms over Run 2 (2015–2018). The gold nuclei survive for only fractions of a second before fragmenting. The study enhances our understanding of nuclear electromagnetic dissociation and improves models of beam loss in particle accelerators, marking a significant advance in both fundamental and applied nuclear physics.

Researchers Observe Phonon Interference in Single Molecules, Unlocking New Paths for Heat Control in Materials: In a groundbreaking study, engineers and materials scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder have, for the first time, observed phonon interference—vibrational energy clashing or amplifying—within a single molecule at room temperature. Using a record-breaking thermal probe, smaller than a grain of sand, the team measured heat flow at the molecular level and discovered that molecular structure can cause destructive interference, suppressing heat transmission. This insight into phonons—vibrations that carry heat in insulating materials—could revolutionize thermal management in electronics, polymers, and thermoelectric devices. The discovery marks the beginning of a new era in molecular phononics, offering promising routes to design materials that control heat with unprecedented precision.

MATERIALS

Scientists Uncover the Hidden Physics Behind Crack Formation and Asymmetry in Materials: Two groundbreaking studies (1,2) reveal that internal material disorder plays a crucial role in the unpredictable behavior of crack propagation. Using advanced 3D computer simulations, researchers showed that cracks in seemingly uniform materials deviate from symmetrical paths and branch out due to microscopic irregularities near the crack tip—regions of extreme stress. As tensile forces increase, these internal inconsistencies cause local instabilities, leading to branching and slower crack velocities. The findings also explain the formation of stepped fracture patterns when combined with subtle asymmetries in external forces. This new theoretical framework could inform the design of more crack-resistant materials and sheds light on how natural structures like bones and teeth may exploit internal disorder to prevent catastrophic failure.

Engineers Unlock Nanopore Chemistry to Enhance Water Treatment and Environmental Applications: Researchers have developed a novel approach to study and control the chemical environment inside nanopores—tiny structures critical for applications such as water desalination, carbon capture, and catalysis. The study used advanced plasmonic nanosensors combined with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to measure pH and ion concentrations within functionalized nanopores. The team found that surface chemical groups significantly influence acidity and ion selectivity inside pores, often deviating greatly from bulk solution conditions. These findings provide a foundational understanding that could lead to more effective design of materials for environmental and industrial processes.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Nanoparticle-Based Eyedrops Show Promise in Reversing Corneal Damage from Mustard: Researchers at Northwestern Medicine have developed innovative eyedrops containing synthetic nanoparticles that successfully regenerate damaged eye tissue caused by mustard keratopathy and other inflammatory corneal diseases. These nanoparticles mimic high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), leveraging their natural anti-inflammatory and healing properties. The treatment demonstrated the ability to reduce inflammation and restore limbal epithelial stem cells in mice, effectively reversing limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) for the first time. This breakthrough offers significant potential for treating various eye conditions resulting from injury, inflammation, or chemical exposure.

Researchers Develops Tiny Light-Emitting Fiber Device for Medical Probes and Cancer Therapy: Researchers have created a miniature light-emitting microstructure made from modified hollow-core optical fiber that could revolutionize endoscopic medical probes. The device consists of a glass tube lined with polymer and quantum dot layers, capped with polymer membranes. When equipped with mirrors, it functions as a laser with tunable wavelengths, potentially useful in photodynamic cancer therapy. Without mirrors, it becomes a diffuse light source for diagnostics and imaging. A key innovation is a heat treatment that reduces internal light losses by fusing nanoparticles, improving efficiency. The device can emit targeted light across a wide wavelength range (0.3–6 μm), offering promise for minimally invasive diagnostics and therapeutic applications.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Revolutionary Solid Refrigerants Could Transform Air Conditioning and Slash Emissions: Researchers at the University of Cambridge and Barocal have developed a new class of "solid refrigerants" that could dramatically reduce the environmental impact of air conditioning. Unlike conventional gas-based systems, these plastic crystals use pressure to trigger the barocaloric effect, cooling their surroundings without leaking harmful greenhouse gases. The startup Barocal, spun out of Moya’s lab, has created a working prototype that chills a refrigerator using this new method. While not yet optimized for consumer use, the technology could cut emissions from cooling systems by up to 75% and reduce energy bills. Backed by €4 million in funding—including from Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy—the team aims to bring commercial cooling units to market within three years, starting with large facilities like shopping centers and schools before eventually reaching homes.

ROBOTICS, AI, HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, GADGETS

AI Designs Synthetic DNA to Control Gene Expression in Living Cells for the First Time: In a breakthrough study, researchers at the Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG) have developed the first generative AI tool capable of designing synthetic DNA sequences that precisely control gene expression in healthy mammalian cells. The AI models were trained on a massive dataset of over 64,000 custom-built DNA enhancers tested across different stages of blood cell development in mice. These enhancers, which regulate when and where genes are turned on or off, were successfully used to activate or repress gene expression in specific cell types—offering a novel, programmable approach for targeted gene therapies. Unlike traditional methods constrained by naturally existing DNA sequences, this AI can invent new "regulatory grammar" to fine-tune genes for therapy, potentially revolutionizing treatments for diseases caused by faulty gene expression.

Carnegie Mellon AI Builds Stable LEGO Structures from Text Prompts Using Physics-Aware Design: Engineers and AI researchers have developed an AI system that can generate physically stable LEGO structures from simple text prompts. The system is based on Meta’s large language model LLaMA-3.2-1B-Instruct, repurposed to predict “next bricks” rather than “next words.” The model was trained on a dataset of 47,000 stable LEGO structures and enhanced with a physics module to ensure structural integrity. Using a recursive placement-and-testing strategy, the system achieved a 98.8% real-world stability success rate. The team validated their designs both manually and with robot-built prototypes, outperforming other 3D generative models in stability. The research highlights the potential for combining language models with physical reasoning to design buildable objects.

ASTRONOMY, SPACE, & ASTROBIOLOGY

Two New Exoplanets Discovered Orbiting Sun-like Star HD 35843, One a Promising JWST Target: An international team of astronomers has discovered two new exoplanets orbiting the metal-poor sun-like star HD 35843 (TOI 4189). NASA’s TESS mission initially detected a transit signal, which follow-up observations confirmed as a planet, HD 35843 c—a sub-Neptune about 2.5 times Earth's size and 11.3 times its mass. A second, closer non-transiting planet, HD 35843 b, classified as a super-Earth, was found using radial velocity data. With an equilibrium temperature of just 479 K, HD 35843 c is one of the coolest exoplanets identified by TESS and a strong candidate for atmospheric analysis by the James Webb Space Telescope due to its favorable transmission spectrum.

Seismic Data Reveals Vast Underground Water Reservoir on Mars, Solving Mystery of the Red Planet’s “Missing” Water: A new study presents compelling evidence of a massive underground reservoir of liquid water on Mars, possibly solving the mystery of the planet’s missing ancient water. Using seismic data from NASA's InSight mission, researchers identified a “low-velocity layer” 5.4 to 8 kilometers beneath the Martian surface, where seismic waves slow down—indicating porous rock saturated with liquid water. This hidden aquifer may contain enough water to form a global ocean 520–780 meters deep, aligning with estimates of water unaccounted for after surface loss to space, freezing, and mineral absorption. The discovery bolsters prospects for future life detection missions and human exploration, while highlighting Mars’ potential habitability deep underground.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Decades-Old Redlining Still Impacts Breast Cancer Outcomes, New Studies Show:
Two new studies (1,2) reveal that historical redlining—a discriminatory housing policy banned in 1968—continues to negatively impact breast cancer risk and survival rates among women in the U.S. The research shows that women living in formerly redlined neighborhoods face significantly lower five-year survival rates after diagnosis and have higher exposure to aggressive breast cancer types. An analysis of nearly 61,000 cases in New York State found a clear gradient: survival worsened with each lower redlining grade. A complementary nationwide study showed redlined neighborhoods averaged more high-risk breast cancer factors, such as physical inactivity and lack of insurance. These findings underscore how historical structural racism has shaped present-day health disparities, with enduring effects on access to care, environmental exposures, and socioeconomic conditions.

Scientists Bioprint Functional Human Spinal Disks to Advance Back Pain Research and Regenerative Therapies: In a breakthrough for spinal health research, scientists have successfully bioprinted functional human spinal disk models using living cells and gel-based bio-inks. The study reveals that tissue stiffness and oxygen levels critically influence the production of key biological materials like collagen and hyaluronic acid, which are essential to spinal disk function. Using advanced 3D bioprinting technology, the team created disk structures that mimic the biological and mechanical complexity of real human disks, offering a scalable platform to study degeneration and develop regenerative therapies. The research represents a major step toward understanding and potentially treating chronic back pain, which affects over 600 million people globally

Gum Disease Bacterium Linked to Heart Scarring and Atrial Fibrillation, New Study Finds: A groundbreaking study has revealed that Porphyromonas gingivalis—a key bacterium in gum disease—can travel through the bloodstream and infiltrate the heart’s left atrium, where it promotes scarring (fibrosis) and raises the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Using a mouse model and human heart tissue samples, researchers found that P. gingivalis not only accelerates heart damage over time but is more abundant in patients with severe periodontitis. The bacterium’s ability to evade immune defenses allows it to quietly drive inflammation and tissue stiffening. The findings highlight a critical connection between oral hygiene and heart health, suggesting that periodontal care could play a preventative role in managing AFib and improving cardiovascular outcomes.

PEDIATRICS

Soft Robotic “BabyBot” Mimics Infant Feeding to Advance Pediatric Medical Research: A research collaboration between CREATE Lab, EPFL, and Nestlé Research Lausanne has produced a highly realistic soft robot named BabyBot that mimics the feeding behavior of human infants from birth to six months old. The robot features a sensor-equipped mouth, soft tongue, and neural control circuits that replicate behaviors such as suckling, swallowing, and even gagging or choking. Designed to overcome the challenges of invasive pediatric testing, BabyBot allows researchers to develop and evaluate feeding-related medical procedures in a safe and controlled environment. The robot can adapt its anatomy and feeding style as it “ages,” transitioning from liquids to semi-solids. Future enhancements include simulating chewing and incorporating artificial saliva for even greater realism.

Newborn Rotavirus Vaccine Boosts Gut Health and Early Protection, Study Finds:
A study reveals that administering the RV3-BB rotavirus vaccine at birth significantly enhances gut microbiome health and improves vaccine response in infants. Analyzing stool samples from nearly 300 babies in Indonesia and Malawi, researchers found that those vaccinated within five days of birth had higher levels of beneficial gut bacteria and greater resistance to rotavirus infection, compared to infants who received their first dose at 6–8 weeks. The findings suggest early vaccination helps shape a healthier microbiome and offers a critical window for protection against severe gastroenteritis, particularly in low-income countries where rotavirus causes over 230,000 deaths annually. The RV3-BB vaccine is now being licensed for broad, low-cost global distribution.

NEUROSCIENCE

MIT Study Finds Brain Wave "Phase Misalignment" as a Common Signature of Anesthesia-Induced Unconsciousness: A new study from MIT’s Picower Institute has identified a potential universal signature of unconsciousness induced by anesthetics: the disruption of brain wave phase alignment. Despite acting through different molecular mechanisms, both ketamine and dexmedetomidine were found to cause similar shifts in brain wave phase in anesthetized animals, particularly disrupting local communication within the prefrontal cortex while increasing interhemispheric synchronization. This suggests that unconsciousness may be marked not just by changes in brain wave power but by how aligned or misaligned those waves are across different regions. The findings open a path toward using brain wave phase as a measurable indicator of unconsciousness, which could improve anesthesia monitoring and support development of automated, closed-loop drug delivery systems.

Scientists Discover Molecule That Blocks Cell Death, Offering Hope for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Treatments: In a groundbreaking study, researchers have identified a small molecule capable of blocking a key cell death protein called BAX. Excessive cell death is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and this discovery could pave the way for the first treatments that halt disease progression. The molecule, found through a high-throughput screen of over 100,000 compounds, prevents BAX from damaging mitochondria, thereby keeping cells alive. This research builds on decades of pioneering work in apoptosis and marks a major step toward the development of neuroprotective drugs for currently incurable degenerative conditions.

Neural Activity Found to Drive Brain’s Lymphatic System Development Through Glia-Fibroblast Coordination: A groundbreaking study reveals how neural activity regulates the development of the brain’s meningeal lymphatic system—a vital network responsible for waste clearance and immune cell transport. Using long-term imaging in zebrafish, researchers showed that enhanced neural activity boosts the formation of mural lymphatic endothelial cells (muLECs), while reduced activity diminishes them. The study identified a specific glial cell type (slc6a11b+ RAs) as the key source of Vegfc, a growth factor essential for lymphatic development, whose expression is stimulated by neural signals. The conversion of Vegfc into its active form requires ccbe1+ fibroblasts, confining lymphatic growth to the brain surface and preventing harmful infiltration into brain tissue. This neural-glia-fibroblast-lymphatic axis reveals how the brain shapes its own immune environment and may offer new therapeutic targets for neurological disorders.

ENVIRONMENT & EARTH SCIENCES

Engineered Bacteria Break Down Toxic Pollutants in Saline Wastewater, Offering Hope for Cleaner Marine Environments: In a study, a team of researchers has genetically engineered Vibrio natriegens to efficiently degrade complex organic pollutants—such as biphenyl, phenol, naphthalene, dibenzofuran, and toluene—in saline wastewater and soils. These persistent pollutants, common in industrial waste from oil refining and chemical processing, are resistant to natural breakdown and pose major environmental and health risks. Using synthetic biology, researchers inserted custom-built gene clusters into the bacterial genome, creating the strain VCOD-15. In lab tests, it achieved over 90% pollutant reduction within 48 hours under high-salinity conditions. This breakthrough could enable effective bioremediation in harsh industrial and marine environments, offering a scalable solution to pollution in coastal ecosystems.

OTHER SCIENCES & THE ARTS

Fossil Discovery of Living Endangered Tree in Borneo Highlights Ancient Roots of Asia's Rainforests: In a groundbreaking study, researchers from Penn State and international collaborators reported the first fossil evidence of a living endangered tropical tree species. Fossilized leaves of Dryobalanops rappa—a towering dipterocarp known as Kapur Paya—were discovered in Brunei and dated to at least 2 million years old. This is the first time a currently living endangered tropical tree has been identified in the fossil record. The finding underscores the long-standing ecological significance of Asia’s rainforests and intensifies the call for conservation of dipterocarps, which are essential for biodiversity and carbon storage. The discovery provides vital historical context for preserving these ancient forest ecosystems now under threat from deforestation.