Climbing Gyms Found to Have High Levels of Harmful Airborne Chemicals from Shoe Soles

Hello and welcome to our April 29th 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 - Skin Yeast Produces Potent Antimicrobial Compound Against Drug-Resistant Staph Infections, and more.

• Materials - Magnet-Guided Silk Particles Offer New Hope for Targeted, Noninvasive Drug Delivery, and more.

• Biotechnology & Biomedical Technology - MyoStep: Soft Exoskeleton Offers New Hope for Children with Cerebral Palsy, and more.

• Astronomy, Space, Astrobiology - NASA’s Juno Reveals Jupiter’s Wild Polar Cyclones and Io’s Volcanic Heartbeat, and more.

• Engineering & Technology - Scientists Develop Flexible, Sponge-Like Thermoelectric Generator for Wearable Sensors, and more.

• Robotics, AI, Hardware, Software, Gadgets - Researchers Use AI and CT Scans to Predict Early Kidney Damage from Cancer Therapy.

• Health & Medicine - Plastic Chemical DEHP Linked to Over 365,000 Global Heart Disease Deaths in 2018, Study Finds, and more.

• Neuroscience - Brain Damage in Prefrontal Cortex Increases Susceptibility to Impulsive Influence, Study Finds, and more.

• Environment - Climbing Gyms Found to Have High Levels of Harmful Airborne Chemicals from Shoe Soles, and more.

• Nature - Young Fringe-Lipped Bats Learn to Avoid Toxic Prey Through Experience, Study Finds.

• Other Sciences & The Arts - New Study Debunks Long-Held Belief About Tomb of Persephone's Occupants, and more.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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SCIENCE

Skin Yeast Produces Potent Antimicrobial Compound Against Drug-Resistant Staph Infections: Researchers have discovered that a skin-dwelling yeast, Malassezia sympodialis, produces hydroxy fatty acids that rapidly kill Staphylococcus aureus, a drug-resistant bacterium responsible for hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations annually in the U.S. These fatty acids, generated from skin lipids, act like detergents—disrupting bacterial membranes within minutes under the acidic conditions typical of human skin. While the bacteria can eventually develop tolerance, this study highlights the untapped potential of skin fungi as a new source of antibiotics in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

Ultrafast Laser Technique Reveals How Electrical Double Layers Form at Charged Interfaces: Researchers have developed an ultrafast optical technique to observe the formation of electrical double layers—critical for processes in batteries, capacitors, electrolysis, and biological membranes. Using infrared laser pulses, they tracked how ions like H₃O⁺ respond to surface charge changes in real time. The study confirms that electric fields drive double-layer formation even at high ion concentrations and validates existing theoretical models, opening new doors for studying fast interfacial dynamics in energy and biological systems.

Virginia Tech Develops Stronger, Energy-Efficient Biodegradable Packaging from Cellulose: Researchers have created a low-energy method to enhance the strength and functionality of biodegradable, cellulose-based packaging, offering a promising alternative to plastic. The study shows that low-pressure treatments significantly improve the material’s durability, gas barrier properties, and transparency—key qualities for food packaging—without the damage caused by traditional high-energy methods. This eco-friendly innovation could accelerate the transition away from petroleum-based plastics and is already drawing industry interest for potential large-scale adoption.

MATERIALS

Magnet-Guided Silk Particles Offer New Hope for Targeted, Noninvasive Drug Delivery: A research team has developed silk iron microparticles (SIMPs)—biodegradable, magnetically directable carriers designed to precisely deliver treatments to targeted areas in the body, such as aneurysms or tumors. The study showcases SIMPs created by chemically bonding magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles to silk, a biocompatible material. The particles can be magnetically guided through the body, potentially allowing for noninvasive treatment delivery. This innovation could revolutionize regenerative medicine and targeted therapies, reducing the need for surgery and minimizing drug side effects.

New Strategy Enables Chirality Control in Mechanically Interlocked Molecules: A new study reveals a strategy for controlling mechanical chirality in compact catenanes—molecules composed of interlocked rings—without altering their shape. Using a method called isostructural desymmetrization, researchers from the study created a catenane (BPHC⁴⁺) from achiral components that exhibit co-conformational mechanical chirality. The interlocked rings adopt chiral configurations through conformational changes, which can be influenced by chiral additives to favor one form over another. This breakthrough offers a novel route for designing chiral molecules with potential applications in pharmaceuticals and molecular machines.

Molecular Chainmail: 2D Interlocked Polymer Offers Breakthrough in Flexible, Strong Materials: Researchers have created a two-dimensional crystalline polymer that mimics medieval chainmail at the molecular level, combining exceptional flexibility with stiffness. The material consists of billions of interlocked [c2]daisy chains per square centimeter, forming a honeycomb structure with mechanical bonds instead of chemical ones. This purely organic, micrometer-scale material resists cracking and deformation, potentially transforming lightweight armor, protective gear, and smart materials. Unusually, the thinner the layers, the stiffer the material becomes—challenging traditional assumptions about material strength and thickness.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

MyoStep: Soft Exoskeleton Offers New Hope for Children with Cerebral Palsy:
A multidisciplinary team has introduced MyoStep, a next-generation soft exoskeleton designed to help children with cerebral palsy walk more independently. Unlike traditional bulky exoskeletons, MyoStep is lightweight, adjustable, and made of smart fabrics with embedded sensors and artificial muscles. It monitors movement in real time and provides targeted assistance while ensuring safety with features like temperature control. The device represents a breakthrough in pediatric mobility, aiming to improve quality of life, self-confidence, and physical development.

Ultrasound-Activated Cilia Could Revolutionize Cleaning of Urinary Stents and Catheters: Researchers have developed a groundbreaking method to clean urinary stents and catheters non-invasively using ultrasound-activated artificial cilia. These microstructures, when triggered through the skin, generate powerful acoustic streaming that removes harmful biofilms and mineral deposits (encrustations) in seconds. This innovation could dramatically reduce the need for frequent stent replacements, improve patient quality of life, and lower healthcare costs. The team now plans to test prototypes in animal models and explore scalable production for future clinical use.

ASTRONOMY, SPACE, ASTROBIOLOGY

NASA’s Juno Reveals Jupiter’s Wild Polar Cyclones and Io’s Volcanic Heartbeat: NASA’s Juno mission has revealed groundbreaking details about Jupiter’s polar atmosphere and its volcanic moon Io. Using infrared and microwave instruments, scientists observed subsiding magma beneath Io’s surface, suggesting active lava flows across 10% of the moon. They also confirmed that Io’s largest recorded eruption continues months after detection. On Jupiter, radio occultation experiments measured the temperature structure of the north polar stratosphere, finding it 11°C cooler than surrounding regions and circled by jet streams over 100 mph. Long-term tracking of Jupiter’s massive polar cyclones uncovered a dynamic, spring-like interaction driven by beta drift, deepening our understanding of cyclonic systems on gas giants—and possibly Earth.

Magnetar Giant Flare Identified as Source of Gold and Heavy Elements in the Milky Way: Astronomers at the Flatiron Institute have discovered that giant flares from magnetars—supermagnetized neutron stars—are a newly confirmed birthplace of heavy elements like gold and platinum. Their analysis of a mysterious 2004 signal revealed that such flares can eject neutron-rich material into space, enabling r-process nucleosynthesis, the same mechanism seen in neutron star collisions. The 2004 flare alone may have forged Mars-sized amounts of heavy metals, suggesting magnetars could account for up to 10% of these elements in the Milky Way. This breakthrough not only solves a 20-year-old mystery but also reshapes our understanding of cosmic element formation.

Astronomers Investigate One of the Most Luminous Obscured Quasars: SRGA J2306+1556: Using the Spektr-RG space observatory have conducted a detailed study of SRGA J2306+1556—a radio-loud, heavily obscured quasar with exceptional X-ray luminosity at a redshift of ~0.44. Complemented by data from NASA’s Swift mission, the observations reveal an unabsorbed X-ray luminosity between 1.0 and 6.0 quattuordecillion erg/s and evidence of a major X-ray outburst between 2020 and 2021. The quasar also exhibits complex radio morphology characteristic of a giant FR II-type radio galaxy. With a bolometric luminosity of 60 quattuordecillion erg/s and a central black hole of approximately 1.4 billion solar masses, SRGA J2306+1556 stands out as one of the most luminous obscured quasars known, accreting matter at a very high rate.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Scientists Develop Flexible, Sponge-Like Thermoelectric Generator for Wearable Sensors: Researchers have developed a flexible thermoelectric generator (TEG) using a sponge-like carbon nanotube (CNT) structure infused with Bi₀.₄₅Sb₁.₅₅Te₃ (BST) particles. This novel CNT/BST foam exhibits a 5.7× performance boost over conventional CNT foams, achieving a zT of 7.8 × 10⁻³ and producing 15.7 µW of power under modest temperature differences—enough to operate wearable sensors. The device retains its performance after 10,000 bending cycles and can be fabricated in just four hours, making it promising for scalable, self-powered flexible electronics and future applications in battery systems and AI hardware.

Automated Thermoplastic CFRP Process Slashes Aircraft Door Production Time by 96%: A collaboration between Fraunhofer Institutes, Airbus Helicopters, and Trelleborg has revolutionized aircraft door manufacturing by replacing traditional materials with weldable thermoplastic carbon fiber composites (CFRP). This shift enables fully automated assembly—reducing production time from 110 hours to just 4. The TAVieDA project also introduced modular designs and standardized components across door variants, with automated clamping and welding systems allowing rapid, scalable production of up to 4,000 doors annually. Economic simulations confirm the approach is cost-effective, factoring in equipment costs, energy use, and system flexibility—making it a compelling case for next-generation aerospace manufacturing.

ROBOTICS, AI, HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, GADGETS

Researchers Use AI and CT Scans to Predict Early Kidney Damage from Cancer Therapy: Scientists have developed an AI-powered method to detect early-stage kidney damage caused by cancer treatments like lutetium-177 PSMA therapy. By analyzing CT scans, the team found that a subtle decrease in kidney volume—10% or more within six months—can predict future decline in kidney function before standard tests show any issues. This non-invasive approach could allow clinicians to adjust treatment plans earlier, minimizing organ damage. The method may also help detect other therapy-related side effects, such as blood production issues indicated by spleen changes.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Plastic Chemical DEHP Linked to Over 365,000 Global Heart Disease Deaths in 2018, Study Finds: A new global study estimates that exposure to the plastic additive DEHP—a common phthalate used in household and medical items—was linked to over 365,000 heart disease deaths in 2018, particularly in Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. The research found that DEHP may contribute to artery inflammation, raising heart attack and stroke risk. Economic losses from these deaths may exceed $3.7 trillion. The findings underscore urgent calls for stricter international regulation of phthalates, especially in rapidly industrializing regions with limited oversight.

Climate Change and Socioeconomic Gaps Could Accelerate Antimicrobial Resistance by 2050: A global study warns that failing to meet climate and sustainable development goals could increase antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by up to 2.4% globally by 2050, especially in lower-income countries. While antibiotic overuse remains a key factor, researchers emphasize the need to address broader socioeconomic and environmental drivers, such as healthcare access, sanitation, and climate change. The study shows that improving sustainable development metrics could reduce AMR prevalence by 5.1%, more than double the impact of reducing antibiotic use alone. Urgent, integrated action is needed to curb this growing global health threat.

Same-Arm COVID Boosters Trigger Faster, Stronger Immune Response, Sydney Study Finds: A study led by the Garvan Institute and the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney has shown that receiving a COVID-19 booster in the same arm as the first dose can produce a faster and more effective immune response. The research, conducted in mice and validated in humans, found that specialized immune cells in nearby lymph nodes help memory B cells generate higher-quality antibodies more quickly when the booster is given in the same location. While long-term protection levels even out, early enhanced immunity may be crucial during outbreaks or against fast-spreading variants like delta and omicron.

NEUROSCIENCE

Brain Damage in Prefrontal Cortex Increases Susceptibility to Impulsive Influence, Study Finds: A new study reveals that damage to specific regions of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in the brain makes individuals both more impulsive and more likely to be influenced by impulsive decisions made by others. Researchers studied 121 participants, including those with brain damage. They found that lesions in the dorsomedial mPFC increased vulnerability to social influence by impulsive behavior, while damage to the ventromedial mPFC made people more impulsive in general. These findings highlight the distinct neural basis of how impulsivity and social influence interact, with implications for understanding behaviors in contexts ranging from financial decisions to misinformation susceptibility.

UCL Study Reveals Clues to Nerve Cell Resilience in Dementia and ALS:
Researchers at UCL have discovered why some nerve cells survive while others die in dementia and ALS, using fruit flies with a C9orf72 gene mutation—the most common genetic cause of both diseases. The study found that nerve cells better at clearing protein waste, particularly through higher activity of a protein called Xbp1, were more resistant to damage. Boosting Xbp1 helped protect fly brains from toxic protein buildup. While it's uncertain if the same applies to humans, the findings mark a promising step toward developing treatments that enhance cellular resilience in neurodegenerative diseases.

Toronto Scientists Develop Skin Test to Detect Rare Neurodegenerative Disease PSP: Researchers have developed a skin-based test that can detect misfolded tau proteins specific to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare and often misdiagnosed neurodegenerative disease. The study shows the test has 90% sensitivity and specificity, offering a more accurate and accessible alternative to current diagnostic methods like lumbar punctures. The breakthrough could improve patient selection for clinical trials and future precision treatments targeting misfolded proteins. A clinical trial is now underway to further validate the assay.

ENVIRONMENT

Climbing Gyms Found to Have High Levels of Harmful Airborne Chemicals from Shoe Soles: A new study led by researchers from the University of Vienna and EPFL Lausanne reveals that climbing gyms can contain dangerously high levels of airborne rubber additives released from the abrasion of climbing shoe soles. The study found that chemical concentrations in some gyms exceeded those on busy urban roads. These additives, similar to those used in car tires, include substances like 6PPD, known for environmental harm. Although health effects on humans remain unclear, the researchers call for precautionary measures, improved ventilation, and reformulation of climbing shoe materials to protect climbers, particularly vulnerable groups like children.

Adirondack Lakes Show Major Recovery from Metal Pollution Thanks to Clean Air Act: A new study from the University at Albany has found that Adirondack surface waters have experienced over 90% reduction in metal pollution since the Clean Air Act was enacted, marking the first documented near-complete recovery of its kind. By analyzing lake sediment cores from four Adirondack ponds, researchers traced levels of lead, copper, and zinc back thousands of years, identifying a sharp pollution decline since the 1970s. While federal policy drove the improvement, local environmental factors also played a role. The findings highlight a landmark environmental success but also underscore ongoing concerns as new studies explore pollution from microplastics and ecological regime shifts in the region.

“Forever Chemicals” Threaten Arctic Wildlife and Human Health, Global Study Warns: A major international study has found alarming levels of PFAS ("forever chemicals") in Arctic animals and Indigenous human populations, raising serious health and environmental concerns. The research shows PFAS—used in products like non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing—are accumulating in polar bears, seals, seabirds, and humans who rely on traditional diets. The chemicals are linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and immune system damage. Despite some restrictions, new PFAS variants are appearing in the Arctic, prompting urgent calls for global cooperation and stricter regulation to address this growing threat.

NATURE

Young Fringe-Lipped Bats Learn to Avoid Toxic Prey Through Experience, Study Finds: Scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have discovered that fringe-lipped bats—predators known for locating frogs and toads by eavesdropping on their mating calls—learn to distinguish between palatable and toxic prey as they mature. The study is the first to compare how juvenile and adult bats respond to prey sounds. While adult bats selectively target palatable species, juveniles initially respond indiscriminately, showing they must learn to avoid toxic frogs over time. The findings underscore the importance of early-life experience in shaping predator behavior, and may reflect a broader pattern across animal species.

OTHER SCIENCES & THE ARTS

New Study Debunks Long-Held Belief About Tomb of Persephone's Occupants:
A multidisciplinary team from Europe and the U.K. has determined that the remains in the Tomb of Persephone in Greece’s Great Tumulus of Vergina do not belong to Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, as previously believed. The study used radiocarbon dating and isotopic analysis to show that the male remains were too young to be Philip II, and the female remains were not his wife. Additionally, bones from multiple infants found in the tomb were buried centuries later. The true identities of the interred individuals remain unknown, though they were likely of high social rank.

Tropical Cyclones Disrupt Education in Developing Countries, With Girls Most Affected: New research reveals that tropical cyclones significantly hinder educational access in low- and middle-income countries, particularly for young girls. Analyzing records from over 5.4 million individuals across 13 countries, the study found that exposure to cyclones during preschool age reduces primary school enrollment by up to 8.8% in storm-infrequent regions. Over the past two decades, these storms have prevented more than 79,000 children from starting school and caused a cumulative loss of 1.1 million school years. The findings call for targeted disaster risk reduction and education infrastructure support, especially in vulnerable, underprepared regions.

New Rock Art Style Revealed in Australia's Kimberley Region Reflects Socio-Environmental Shifts: A research team has identified a new mid-to-late Holocene rock art style in the Kimberley region of Australia, distinct from the previously known Irregular Infill Animal Period (IIAP). Known as Linear Naturalistic Figures (LNF), these images primarily depict animals like macropods in simple linear outlines and static poses, contrasting with the dynamic, infilled figures of IIAP. Found superimposed on older styles and underlying Wanjina art, LNF likely emerged in response to socio-environmental changes such as stabilized sea levels and evolving technologies. The findings highlight the symbolic and cultural significance of macropods to Aboriginal communities and offer new insights into how rock art reflected social adaptation and identity in ancient Australia.