Biodiversity Crisis: How Species Loss Can Make Us Sick

On this day, May 23, 1883, a brilliant feat of engineering, the Brooklyn Bridge was opened. The bridge spans the East River from Brooklyn to Manhattan Island in New York City and was designed by civil engineer John Augustus Roebling.

Good Morning and welcome to The STEAM Digest,

We are a daily newsletter that delivers interesting, curated, and written articles on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics). We aim to provide you with informative and educational news related to STEAM, including current events, industry insights, technology trends, cutting-edge research, advances in STEAM education, innovation, STEAM companies, case studies, and resources for budding, young, seasoned, and retired STEAM professionals.

In today’s edition:

• Science - The science behind slippery ice.

• Technology & AI - AI boosts farming.

• Engineering - Floating solar panels could replace damns in Africa.

• Nature - Retrofits to your house that can save your life.

• Health - Youth turning to weight-loss and diabetes drugs.

• Environment - Biodiversity Crisis: How Species Loss Can Make Us Sick.

• STEAM Education-The rise of certificate programs in U.S. Higher Ed.

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The following articles are curated by The STEAM Digest.

SCIENCE

The Science Behind Slippery Ice: Unveiling the Mystery: For over 160 years, scientists have debated why ice is slippery. New research reveals that ice's surface features a quasi-liquid layer, forming even at temperatures well below freezing due to molecular defects and the coexistence of different ice structures. Using atomic force microscopy, researchers visualized these surface structures, showing how slight temperature increases amplify disorder, contributing to the slippery effect. These insights into ice's surface dynamics advance our understanding of this common yet complex phenomenon.

Turning CO2 into Power: A Game-Changer in Green Energy: Researchers in Australia have developed a groundbreaking device that generates electricity by absorbing carbon dioxide. This carbon-negative power generator uses boron nitride flakes coated with polyethyleneimine within a hydrogel. When exposed to CO2, the device produces positively and negatively charged particles, creating electricity. While currently a small-scale proof-of-concept, this innovation holds potential for portable electronics and large-scale industrial applications, providing a dual benefit of power generation and carbon capture.

Grounds for Change: Coffee Waste Cleans up Toxic Water: Scientists have discovered that used coffee grounds can effectively remove 70% of the herbicide bentazone from water. By transforming coffee waste into activated carbon, researchers created a highly porous material that acts as a sponge for toxins. This innovative approach not only addresses the pollution caused by agricultural chemicals but also offers a sustainable use for the 18 million tonnes of coffee grounds discarded annually. The method shows promise for enhancing environmental health and recycling waste.

Scorching Future: The Heat Risks Facing Older Adults : By 2050, extreme heat will endanger millions more older adults, especially in Africa and Asia. A new study projects that 23% of the global population aged 69 and older will face dangerously high temperatures, up from 14% today. Older adults are particularly vulnerable due to less efficient cooling, chronic illnesses, and social isolation. The study emphasizes the need for adaptive measures, including enhanced healthcare, cooling centers, and urban planning to mitigate heat risks.

TECHNOLOGY & AI

Artificial Intelligence Boosting Farming: Artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize crop production by enhancing sustainability and efficiency. A study from PhenoRob at the University of Bonn outlines the potential of AI-driven technologies like drones, robotic weeders, and precision fertilization to reduce environmental impacts and improve yields. However, realizing this potential requires addressing research gaps, integrating diverse data sets, and understanding farmer adoption barriers. By optimizing inputs and reducing waste, AI can help agriculture mitigate its significant greenhouse gas emissions.

ENGINEERING

Building Greener: Transforming Concrete with Earth’s Most Abundant Mineral: Engineers have developed a novel method to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete by using olivine, a common mineral. By converting olivine into a cement substitute, they can significantly cut emissions from traditional concrete production. This new process not only sequesters CO2 but also uses renewable energy, potentially leading to carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative concrete. This breakthrough could revolutionize the construction industry and help mitigate climate change.

Floating Solar Panels Could Replace New Dams in Africa: A new continental-scale study reveals that floating solar panels on existing hydropower reservoirs could eliminate the need for many planned dams in Africa. This approach offers more climate resilience and efficient energy production, potentially providing 6-7% of Africa's projected 2050 energy demand. Floating photovoltaics (FPV) mitigate the environmental and social impacts associated with new dams and ensure more reliable electricity during droughts. The study emphasizes FPV’s cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits over traditional dam construction.

Revolutionary Circuit Boards: A Green Solution to E-Waste: Engineers at the University of Washington have developed recyclable circuit boards made from vitrimer, a plastic that can be repeatedly dissolved and reformed. Unlike traditional boards that are burned to recover metals, causing pollution, these new boards can be easily separated into reusable components. This innovation promises a sustainable approach to electronic waste, offering similar performance to current materials but with significant environmental benefits.

Financing Green Wastewater: The Triple Win: A new study highlights the potential for carbon markets to fund green wastewater infrastructure in the U.S., achieving stringent water quality standards, reducing carbon emissions, and saving money. Green infrastructure, such as constructed wetlands, could cut 30 million metric tons of emissions and save $15.6 billion over 40 years. By integrating wastewater treatment into carbon markets, this approach offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods.

NATURE

Whale Chat: Unlocking The Secret Language of Sperm Whales: Recent research reveals that sperm whales use a complex communication system, far more intricate than previously thought. Scientists discovered that these whales transform 21 basic click patterns into hundreds of variations, akin to a "sperm whale phonetic alphabet." This finding suggests a rich, sophisticated form of communication that could enhance our understanding of marine life and boost conservation efforts. The study highlights the potential for using AI and advanced monitoring to decode whale conversations further.

Cooling Down: How Trees Can Reduce ER Visits During Heatwaves: A study by the Los Angeles Urban Cooling Collaborative reveals that increasing tree cover and using reflective materials like white paint can significantly reduce emergency room visits during heatwaves. Researchers found that even modest increases in tree coverage could lower temperatures, potentially cutting heat-related ER visits by up to 50%. These findings highlight the importance of simple, nature-based solutions to combat the health impacts of rising temperatures.

Biodiversity Crisis: How Species Loss Can Make Us Sick: A global study reveals that dwindling biodiversity significantly heightens the risk of infectious diseases. Researchers found that biodiversity loss increases disease prevalence more than climate change or invasive species. This is because reduced biodiversity leads to an increase in disease-carrying species. The study underscores the urgent need for biodiversity conservation to protect human health by reducing the transmission of infectious diseases.

Weathering the Storm: Passive Retrofits for Extreme Climate Resilience: A study by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory reveals that passive energy retrofits can significantly enhance building resilience to extreme weather. Simple measures like adding insulation, air sealing, and phase-change materials can extend safe indoor temperatures from 2 to 42 hours during winter storms and from 12 to 37 hours during heatwaves. These retrofits not only save lives during power outages but also improve energy efficiency and combat climate change.

HEALTH

Surge in Youth Turning to Weight Loss and Diabetes Drugs: From 2020 to 2023, prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy among young people surged by nearly 600%, with over 60,000 adolescents and young adults now using these medications. This spike, particularly notable among young women, reflects growing interest in these drugs for their weight loss benefits. Despite their popularity, experts express concerns about long-term safety and effects, emphasizing the need for further research. The findings highlight a significant trend and potential societal biases influencing drug use among youth​

Unlocking Addiction: The Neutral Secrets of Fentanyl’s Grip: Researchers have identified two distinct neural pathways that make fentanyl and similar opioids highly addictive. The study, conducted on mice, reveals that the brain circuits responsible for euphoria and withdrawal are separate. While the ventral tegmental area drives the drug's rewarding effects, the central amygdala is key to withdrawal symptoms. Understanding these pathways could pave the way for targeted therapies to combat opioid addiction, offering hope for more effective treatments​.

Heart-Brain Connection: Unlocking Mental Health Mysteries: Recent research highlights the intricate relationship between the heart and the brain, emphasizing its potential implications for mental health treatments. Scientists are increasingly recognizing that the heart sends critical signals to the brain, influencing emotions and cognitive functions. This connection suggests that the heart could play a role in mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.

The heart-brain communication involves complex pathways where heart rhythms can impact brain activity. This discovery opens up new avenues for developing treatments that target these pathways, potentially offering more effective interventions for mental health issues. Additionally, understanding this connection better could lead to innovative therapies that leverage the heart's role in regulating emotions and consciousness.

The ongoing research aims to decipher the exact mechanisms behind this heart-brain interaction, which could revolutionize the way mental health conditions are understood and treated in the future​.

ENVIRONMENT

Revolutionizing Desalination: A Low-Cost Solution: Researchers from Australia have developed a novel desalination technique called thermodiffusive desalination (TDD) that requires significantly less energy than conventional methods. TDD utilizes a temperature gradient to separate salt from seawater without needing high pressure, high temperatures, or complex membranes. This method, which only needs low-grade heat, like sunlight, offers an efficient and affordable way to produce fresh water, particularly beneficial for agriculture and regions facing water scarcity.

Car Lifespan Caps: A Limited Solution for Emissions: A study reveals that capping the lifespan of cars to reduce emissions has minimal impact unless paired with other measures. Researchers found that without integrating new technologies and decarbonizing the power grid, lifespan caps alone could only cut emissions by up to 0.1%. Effective strategies include widespread adoption of electric vehicles and making cars more fuel-efficient. The study highlights that combining multiple approaches is essential for significant emission reductions.

The True Cost of Surfing: Internet Users Surprising Carbon Footprint: A new analysis reveals the substantial carbon footprint of average internet usage, with users spending 3,230 hours online annually, producing 229 kilograms of CO2 emissions. This accounts for 41% of an individual's carbon budget for limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Key strategies to reduce this impact include decarbonizing the electric grid and extending the lifespan of electronic devices. The study highlights the broader environmental costs, emphasizing the need for sustainable digital practices.

Ignoring Climate Change Can Really Hurt Your Bottom Line: A pioneering study reveals that companies failing to address climate change risks lose market value. Analyzing earnings calls of 4,719 U.S. firms, researchers found that proactive responses to climate risks, like sustainable investments and green technologies, are rewarded by the market. In contrast, companies ignoring these risks face decreased valuations and increased carbon emissions. This underscores the financial benefits of addressing climate change proactively.

STEAM EDUCATION

Degrees Decline as Certificate Programs Gain Popularity in U.S. Higher Education: According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, the number of students earning degrees dropped by 1.6% in the last academic year, continuing a trend observed over the past several years. This decrease spans associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.

Conversely, the number of students earning certificates increased by 3.6%. Certificates are becoming more popular as they often require less time and money to complete compared to traditional degrees, and they can offer direct pathways to employment in specific fields. This shift is influenced by various factors, including the rising costs of higher education and the changing demands of the labor market, which increasingly values skills and credentials that can be obtained quickly.

These trends highlight a significant transformation in higher education, where the focus is shifting towards shorter, more targeted educational programs that provide immediate workforce benefits​.

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