Concrete That Heals Like Skin: New Synthetic Lichen System Offers Breakthrough in Self-Repairing Infrastructure

Hello and welcome to our May 13th 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 - Unlocking the Secrets of Water in Enzyme Reactions: Research Team Maps Molecular Networks, and more.

• Materials - Turning Sulfur Waste into Sustainable Plastics: Bayreuth Researchers Develop Recyclable Polyester Breakthrough, and more.

• Biotechnology & Biomedical Technology - Real-Time Footage Reveals How Estrogen Receptors Activate Genes.

• Engineering & Technology - Concrete That Heals Like Skin: New Synthetic Lichen System Offers Breakthrough in Self-Repairing Infrastructure, and more.

• Robotics, AI, Hardware, Software, Gadgets - Two Tiny Vibrators, One Big Signal: Nagoya University Uncovers New Route to Massive Amplification, and more.

• Astronomy, Space, & Astrobiology - New Bacterial Species Found in NASA Cleanrooms May Impact Space Missions and Biotechnology.

• Health & Medicine - New ‘Epigraph’ Flu Vaccine Shows Promise for Universal, Long-Term Immunity, and more.

• Environment & Earth Sciences - Virus Attacks on Toxic Algae May Worsen Water Contamination, Study Finds, and more.

• Nature & Ecology - How Wild Ginger Evolves the Stench of Death to Attract Pollinators, and more.

• Other Sciences & The Arts - Ancient Tools on Isle of Skye Reveal Britain’s Northernmost Ahrensburgian Site, and more.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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SCIENCE

Unlocking the Secrets of Water in Enzyme Reactions: Research Team Maps Molecular Networks: A groundbreaking study led by the University of Adelaide, reveals how water molecules are organized and behave during plant hydrolytic reactions. Using advanced tools like X-ray crystallography, molecular dynamics, and ancestral sequence reconstruction, the team identified enzyme components that regulate water flux and form non-random molecular networks. Since water is central to over 80,000 life-sustaining enzymes, these findings could transform enzyme design across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and food processing, paving the way for more efficient and tailored industrial biocatalysts.

Ultra-Thin Cr₂Se₃ Defies Expectations, Becomes Ferromagnetic in 2D—Paving the Way for Spintronics Breakthroughs: A new study reveals that chromium selenide (Cr₂Se₃)—long considered non-magnetic in bulk—exhibits ferromagnetism when reduced to single-atom layers on a graphene substrate. Contrary to theoretical predictions, researchers found that magnetic order strengthens as the material becomes thinner. Micro-ARPES analysis shows that electron transfer from graphene enables this surprising behavior, opening new frontiers for spintronics, a next-generation electronics field leveraging both charge and spin. This discovery could lead to faster, smaller, and more energy-efficient devices for computing, data storage, and communications.

MATERIALS

Turning Sulfur Waste into Sustainable Plastics: Bayreuth Researchers Develop Recyclable Polyester Breakthrough: Scientists have developed a method to make polyesters more recyclable by integrating dynamic sulfur bonds using sulfur waste from petroleum refining. The study shows how elemental sulfur and epoxides can be combined under mild conditions using a simple lithium alkoxide catalyst. These dynamic bonds enable plastics that are easier to repair, reshape, or recycle, without degrading in quality. The approach enhances polyester sustainability and may enable new applications like reusable adhesives and customizable materials.

Engineered Enzymes Use Visible Light to Drive Greener, Precision Chemical Reactions: In a major breakthrough, researchers at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology have engineered enzymes powered by visible light to drive highly selective chemical reactions. By embedding thioxanthone—a visible-light sensitizer—into enzymes, the team created efficient "photoenzymes" like VEnT1.3 and SpEnT1.3, capable of producing complex, valuable chemicals such as spirocyclic β-lactams. This innovation avoids the drawbacks of UV-based systems and opens doors to cleaner, safer, and more sustainable manufacturing in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials science, while dramatically improving reaction speed, selectivity, and energy efficiency.

New Alloy Design Model Captures Atomic Defects to Speed Up Materials Innovation: A new computational model developed by researchers at Northeastern University offers a faster, more accurate method for designing alloys by accounting for real-world material defects like grain boundaries and solute segregation—factors traditionally ignored in AI-based models. The model, developed by Professor Moneesh Upmanyu and Changjian Wang, can simulate alloy behavior in seconds and predict mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties with lab-level accuracy. Initially tested on steel, the approach is broadly applicable to metals and ceramics, promising cleaner, more efficient material design for industries from construction to electronics.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Real-Time Footage Reveals How Estrogen Receptors Activate Genes: In a groundbreaking study, scientists have used high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) to directly observe how the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) binds to DNA and activates genes in real time. The footage shows ERα forming dimers and attaching precisely to estrogen response elements (EREs) when estrogen is present—supporting a newly proposed Ligand-Induced Dimerization (LID) model. This insight into hormone-driven gene regulation could pave the way for targeted therapies in diseases like breast cancer.

Targeted Nanotherapy Breakthrough Offers New Hope Against Drug-Resistant Fungal Infections: A Brown University research team has developed peptide-decorated liposomes that dramatically enhance antifungal drug delivery to Candida species, including the drug-resistant superbug C. auris. The study shows that adding the peptide penetratin to liposomes filled with posaconazole boosted the drug’s effectiveness—reducing required doses by up to 1,300 times for biofilm inhibition and 8 times for general fungal growth. The system showed no toxicity to human cells and cut fungal burden by 60% in mice, suggesting a powerful new strategy for combating fungal infections with precision and safety.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Concrete That Heals Like Skin: New Synthetic Lichen System Offers Breakthrough in Self-Repairing Infrastructure: In a study published in Materials Today Communications, Dr. Congrui Grace Jin has introduced a synthetic lichen-based system that allows concrete to autonomously repair its own cracks, inspired by nature’s own symbiosis. By combining cyanobacteria (which use sunlight to create nutrients) and filamentous fungi (which deposit crack-sealing minerals), the system operates without external nutrient inputs—a major leap beyond traditional self-healing concrete methods. Tested successfully in lab conditions, this innovation could revolutionize sustainable construction, reduce infrastructure repair costs, and enhance safety across sectors—including future space applications.

Cornell Chemists Develop Sunlight-Powered Carbon Capture Inspired by Plants:
Cornell researchers have created the first light-powered system that captures and releases carbon dioxide using sunlight, mimicking the carbon-fixing mechanism in plants. The method uses a stable enol compound to "grab" CO₂ and sunlight-driven pH changes to release it—eliminating the need for energy-intensive and unstable amine-based processes. Tested successfully on real flue gas from Cornell’s power plant, this innovation could lower carbon capture costs and emissions. The team envisions scalable "carbon-sucking" panels and is exploring broader applications for gas separation technologies.

New Aluminum Alloy Design Promises High Strength and Lower Costs for Demanding Applications: Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and MIT have developed a new aluminum alloy system—Al-Ni-Er-Zr-Y—optimized for additive manufacturing and high-temperature applications. The study used computational modeling and machine learning to design alloys that retain 95% of the strength of benchmark printable aluminum alloys with up to 15% cost savings. A separate formulation achieved 80% cost savings while matching benchmark strength at room temperature. The work opens new possibilities for replacing expensive titanium alloys in applications like engine parts and aerospace components.

ROBOTICS, AI, HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, GADGETS

Two Tiny Vibrators, One Big Signal: Nagoya University Uncovers New Route to Massive Amplification: Researchers have discovered that coupling just two weakly vibrating elements with a delay can amplify their signal by up to 100 million times. This counterintuitive breakthrough suggests that timing—not energy input or large numbers—is key to generating powerful signals. Mimicking wave resonance, the system’s delay-enabled coupling creates amplified "wave packets," potentially transforming low-power communication and medical technologies. It also challenges assumptions in biology, suggesting even heartbeats and brain waves could arise from just a few well-timed components.

Smart Home Surveillance Is Harming Domestic Workers’ Privacy and Well-Being, Study Finds: A new study by King's College London reveals that the rise of smart home devices—particularly in China—is eroding the privacy and mental health of domestic workers. Based on interviews with 26 workers and five agencies, the research found constant monitoring via smart cameras and AI-enabled tracking exacerbates power imbalances, often without informed consent. Workers reported feeling mentally abused, especially in live-in situations where surveillance extended to bedrooms. The study calls for legal reforms, clearer privacy policies, and better training to safeguard workers’ rights.

Oxford Study Reveals Alarming Rise in Publicly Available Deepfake Tools Targeting Women: A new study from the Oxford Internet Institute has uncovered nearly 35,000 downloadable AI deepfake tools, responsible for generating non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII)—primarily targeting women. These tools, hosted on platforms like Civitai, have been downloaded almost 15 million times since late 2022. Using accessible techniques like LoRA, users can generate deepfakes from just 20 images in 15 minutes. The study calls for urgent regulation, stronger platform policies, and technical safeguards to combat this growing abuse of AI.

Dual-Mode Disinfection Robot Automates Hospital Hygiene with Wiping and UV-C Precision: Researchers have developed an Intelligent Autonomous Wiping and UV-C Disinfection Robot that automates and standardizes hospital disinfection. The system features a robotic arm that physically wipes surfaces and a UV-C light system for sanitizing hard-to-reach areas. Tested successfully at Pohang St. Mary’s Hospital, the robot showed consistent performance and effective bacterial reduction. Its self-sanitizing station and wireless charging support long-term use. Researchers aim to extend the technology to public facilities and infrastructure in preparation for future pandemics.

ASTRONOMY, SPACE, & ASTROBIOLOGY

New Bacterial Species Found in NASA Cleanrooms May Impact Space Missions and Biotechnology: A new study published in Microbiome by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and international collaborators has identified 26 previously unknown bacterial species thriving in the highly controlled cleanrooms used for spacecraft assembly. These bacteria possess genetic traits that make them resilient to radiation, desiccation, and other extreme conditions—traits useful both for understanding planetary contamination risks and for potential applications in medicine and food preservation.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

New ‘Epigraph’ Flu Vaccine Shows Promise for Universal, Long-Term Immunity:
A team led by virologist Eric Weaver at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has developed a universal influenza vaccine that could eliminate the need for yearly flu shots. The study reveals that the Epigraph-designed vaccine offers broad, long-lasting immunity across swine, human, and avian influenza A strains, including H1N1 and bird flu. In swine trials, it provided protection against all 12 tested flu variants, with immunity projected to last up to a decade. The vaccine uses computational design to target shared epitopes from over 6,000 strains, potentially preventing cross-species transmission and future pandemics.

How the Brain Splits—and Shares—Visual Space for Smarter Perception: A new review by MIT neuroscientists reveals that the brain strategically splits visual spatial processing between its two hemispheres—a real, functional divide that helps avoid perceptual blind spots and optimize attention and memory. Even in high-level regions like the prefrontal cortex, each hemisphere preferentially processes visual information from the opposite side of gaze. The brain then smoothly coordinates this division during motion or shifting attention, similar to a mobile phone switching between towers. This lateral division applies only to where objects are, not features like color or shape. The findings could inform new tools and treatments for neurological disorders affecting interhemispheric coordination.

Vanderbilt Study Extends Ketamine’s Antidepressant Effects by Enhancing Brain Signaling Pathway: In a preclinical study by Vanderbilt University researchers show that inhibiting the DUSP6 enzyme with the compound BCI prolongs the antidepressant effects of ketamine in mice by sustaining ERK pathway activation. A single dose of ketamine combined with BCI resulted in enhanced synaptic plasticity, longer-lasting behavioral benefits (up to eight weeks), and increased synaptogenesis in the hippocampus. These findings suggest a potential strategy to reduce the frequency of ketamine treatments, minimizing side effects like dissociation and addiction. Human trials are needed to confirm the approach's clinical potential.

ENVIRONMENT & EARTH SCIENCES

Virus Attacks on Toxic Algae May Worsen Water Contamination, Study Finds:
A study reveals that when viruses infect Microcystis aeruginosa, a major contributor to harmful algal blooms (HABs), they trigger the release of dangerously high levels of the liver toxin microcystin-LR. The research challenges the idea that viruses help mitigate HABs and warns that viral infections may make affected waters even more hazardous—despite appearing visually clearer. The findings call for deeper investigation into virus-algae dynamics to better manage bloom-related public health and environmental risks.

Why CO₂ Concentrations Are Still Rising—Despite Slowing Emissions: Though global CO₂ emissions growth has slowed to 0.6% annually, concentrations in the atmosphere continue to rise—and faster than ever. In 2024, human activities emitted a record 10.2 gigatons of carbon, while atmospheric CO₂ levels jumped by 3.5 ppm, the fastest rate on record, reaching 424 ppm—over 50% higher than pre-industrial levels. Research, including data from Australia’s Cape Grim Station, shows Earth’s natural carbon sinks (forests, soils, oceans) can no longer keep pace, especially under pressure from wildfires and droughts. Like an overflowing bathtub, we’re pouring in more CO₂ than Earth can drain. Stabilizing climate requires urgent emission cuts—nature’s plughole alone won’t save us.

Toxic Threats to European Agriculture and Water: VUB Study Exposes Gaps in Pollution Controls: Research by Vrije Universiteit Brussel, reveals that heavy metals and hormone-disrupting estrogens pose ongoing risks to European agriculture and water systems. Using advanced techniques like DGT samplers and ER-CALUX bioassays, The study found that animal manure is less harmful than phosphate fertilizers or sewage sludge in terms of metal contamination. In the Scheldt estuary, estrogen levels have declined over four decades, showing regulatory success—but also highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring amid evolving pollution sources and regulatory gaps.

NATURE & ECOLOGY

How Wild Ginger Evolves the Stench of Death to Attract Pollinators: In a study, researchers from Japan reveal that wild ginger plants (Asarum spp.) evolved the foul stench of rotting flesh—used to attract carrion-loving pollinators—through a clever molecular trick. By tweaking just three amino acids, the plant repurposed a common detox enzyme, methanethiol oxidase (MTOX), into disulfide synthase (DSS), enabling the production of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS). This transformation independently evolved three times across different flowering plant lineages, highlighting how minimal genetic changes can unlock powerful, repeated adaptations like floral mimicry of decay.

Flamingo Tornadoes: How These Graceful Birds Use Fluid Dynamics to Hunt Like Predators: In a study, researchers reveal that flamingos are not passive filter feeders but active hunters, using complex vortex-generating techniques to capture prey like brine shrimp. The team used real flamingos, 3D-printed models, and fluid simulations to show how foot stomping, head plunging, and rapid beak chattering create swirling vortices that concentrate food. This sophisticated, multi-step feeding behavior combines biomechanics and fluid dynamics—offering new insights into both biology and bio-inspired tech like self-cleaning filters or mud-walking robots.

Floating Solar's Hidden Ripple Effect: What We Need to Know About Waterbirds and Clean Energy: As floating solar photovoltaics (FPVs or “floatovoltaics”) expand across reservoirs and ponds worldwide, a new study from UC Davis, urges greater attention to their effects on water-birds. The researchers, part of the Wild Energy Center, document both positive interactions—like nesting and roosting—and unknown risks, such as potential pollutants and habitat disturbance. The team outlines five key research priorities to ensure floating solar can support both clean energy goals and biodiversity, advocating for thoughtful design at this critical moment in renewable energy expansion.

Why Lab-Grown Microbes Often Fail: Study Reveals Fragile Web of Microbial Interdependence: A new study reveals that microbial communities rely on complex cross-feeding networks—a system of mutual nutrient exchange—making them vulnerable to collapse when key members are missing. Using network theory, researchers demonstrated that even small disruptions, such as removing a species or altering environmental structure, can trigger a tipping point that leads to a sharp drop in biodiversity. The findings explain why lab cultivation often fails and suggest recovery is difficult once microbial ecosystems collapse.

OTHER SCIENCES & THE ARTS

Ancient Tools on Isle of Skye Reveal Britain’s Northernmost Ahrensburgian Site: A study identifies a Late Upper Paleolithic site on the Isle of Skye, marking the most northerly evidence of Ahrensburgian culture in Britain. Excavations at South Cuidrach uncovered 196 stone artifacts—including tanged points and blades—linked to reindeer-hunting groups from mainland Europe during the Younger Dryas (~12,900–11,700 years ago). Nearby intertidal stone alignments at Sconser may also date to the Early Holocene, suggesting broader and more persistent human activity than previously believed. The findings challenge long-held views about prehistoric survival in Scotland’s harsh glacial climate.

Fossil Discovery Reveals Tegus Roamed Southeastern U.S. Millions of Years Ago:
A study in the Journal of Paleontology reveals that tegus—now invasive in Florida—once naturally inhabited the southeastern U.S. during the Miocene epoch. The discovery, based on a single vertebra fossil identified through advanced 3D imaging and machine learning at the Florida Museum of Natural History, led to the naming of a new extinct species, Wautaugategu formidus. The lizard likely reached the region during a warm climate phase millions of years ago but vanished as temperatures cooled, highlighting how climate and technology shape our understanding of species history.

How the Ox-Drawn Plow Sparked a Lasting Surge in Wealth Inequality:
A new study in the Journal of Economic Literature traces the roots of modern wealth inequality to the advent of the ox-drawn plow around 5,000 years ago. While early agriculture allowed for wealth accumulation, inequality remained low due to strong egalitarian norms and community enforcement. The plow shifted economic power from labor to land ownership, enabling wealth to be inherited and concentrated. Combined with the rise of proto-states and cultural shifts away from egalitarianism, this technological change entrenched inequality—echoing today’s concerns about AI and other labor-displacing innovations.

Why Reading Aloud to Children Matters—Even After They Learn to Read: A recent UK report by Harper Collins found that fewer than half of parents regularly read to children aged 0–4, with some stopping once their child can read independently. However, experts stress that reading aloud supports lifelong "unconstrained" literacy skills such as vocabulary and comprehension—skills that continue to develop well into adulthood. Reading together not only introduces complex language and ideas but also fosters emotional closeness and shared enjoyment. Whether it's books, news, or poetry, a few minutes of fun, engaging reading can make a lasting difference, regardless of a child’s age.