Cooper’s Hawk Uses Pedestrian Signals and Traffic Flow to Ambush Prey in Urban New Jersey

Hello and welcome to our May 26th edition. The STEAM Digest is a curated newsletter that brings you the latest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

In today’s edition:

• Physics - New Plasma Simulation Method Boosts Accuracy and Efficiency for Chip Manufacturing, and more.

• Biology - Researchers Uncover RNA Editing Mechanism Driving Symptom Expression in Virus-Infected Fungi, and more.

• Chemistry - Researchers Develop Controllable Bilayer Graphene Molecule with Tunable Conductivity and Photosynthetic Mimicry.

• Materials - Quantum Coupling Between Carbyne and Nanotubes Unlocks Nanoscale Sensor Potential.

• Biotechnology & Biomedical Technology - Biotech Explorers Pathway Prepares Undergrads for Real-World Science and Innovation, and more.

• Engineering & Technology - APL and Samsung Unveil Scalable, High-Efficiency Solid-State Refrigeration Using CHESS Nanomaterials, and more.

• Robotics, AI, Hardware, Software, Gadgets - AI Study Identifies Visual Triggers of Driver Stress to Inform Safer Urban Design, and more.

• Astronomy, Space, & Astrobiology - JWST Detects Water Ice in Young Star's Debris Disk, Suggesting Kuiper Belt-Like Composition.

• Health & Medicine - Engineered Spleen Enables Long-Term Diabetes Control with Islet Transplants and Minimal Immunosuppression, and more.

• Neuroscience- RTP801 Protein Identified as Key Driver of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s via Astrocyte Dysfunction, and more.

• Nature & Ecology - Cooper’s Hawk Uses Pedestrian Signals and Traffic Flow to Ambush Prey in Urban New Jersey, and more.

• Other Sciences & The Arts - Ancient Infant Rattles Reveal Everyday Childhood Life in Bronze Age Syria.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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PHYSICS

New Plasma Simulation Method Boosts Accuracy and Efficiency for Chip Manufacturing: Researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Applied Materials Inc., and academic partners have developed a more stable and efficient method for simulating inductively coupled plasmas, key to industrial processes like semiconductor manufacturing. The improved particle-in-cell code offers accurate kinetic modeling by better calculating electromagnetic fields, particularly the solenoidal electric field. Enhancements ensure energy conservation and allow for larger, more realistic plasma simulations. Already in use by industry partner Applied Materials, the tool is expected to advance precision in chip fabrication and other plasma-based technologies.

Ultrasound-Induced Droplet Spin Offers New Tool for Biomedical and Physics Applications: Researchers at North Carolina State University have unveiled the physics behind a novel method of inducing spin in liquid droplets using ultrasound waves, concentrating solid particles into a central point. The study shows how oscillations on a piezoelectric surface create internal circular flows within droplets, driving particles along helical paths. By manipulating surface tension, droplet size, and ultrasound amplitude, scientists can precisely control particle behavior. The technique has potential applications in biomedical testing, drug development, and micro-scale physics experiments, such as modeling vortex flows or Coriolis effects in compact, low-cost setups.

Physicists Achieve First Glimpse of Nuclear Glue Using Subthreshold Gluon Imaging: A team of physicists has achieved a groundbreaking first measurement of gluon behavior inside atomic nuclei, using data from the Jefferson Lab’s GlueX experiment. The study reveals that gluons—the particles mediating the strong force binding quarks—may behave differently inside bound protons and neutrons compared to isolated ones. Researchers measured subthreshold production of J/ψ particles, which originate from photon-gluon interactions, by targeting light nuclei with below-threshold photons. This innovative approach, enabled by the internal motion of nucleons, bypassed previous energy limitations. The findings suggest previously unknown features of nuclear glue and pave the way for future detailed investigations, including experiments at the upcoming Electron-Ion Collider.

BIOLOGY

Researchers Uncover RNA Editing Mechanism Driving Symptom Expression in Virus-Infected Fungi: A Japanese-led research team has uncovered how RNA editing and transcriptional reprogramming govern symptom development in virus-infected fungi. Using Neurospora crassa, researchers identified two RNA-editing enzymes, OLD-1 and OLD-2, which modify adjacent transcription factor genes zao-1 and zao-2 during viral infection. These edits lead to the production of full-length ZAO proteins that reprogram gene expression. In RNAi-deficient mutants, excessive ZAO-2FL triggers strong antiviral responses and visible symptoms. However, the absence of both zao genes restores asymptomatic growth, revealing a finely balanced regulatory network. The study highlights a conserved antiviral defense mechanism in fungi and opens doors for antifungal biotech applications.

Scientists Identify Key Fungal Molecule Behind Wheat Blight, Paving Way for Disease-Resistant Crops: Researchers have identified a fungal molecule, FgTPP1, that plays a critical role in enabling Fusarium graminearum to cause Fusarium Head Blight—a disease responsible for over $1 billion in annual losses in U.S. wheat and barley. The study shows that deleting the gene for FgTPP1 significantly reduces disease severity. FgTPP1 disables wheat's natural defenses, allowing fungal spread. Understanding its function opens the door to breeding or engineering wheat varieties that resist infection—offering farmers a promising new tool to combat crop losses and grain contamination.

Scientists Caution Against Creating Mirror Bacteria Despite Fascinating Potential: An international team of scientists has assessed the potential and risks of engineering mirror bacteria—hypothetical organisms made entirely of mirror-image biomolecules. Although such bacteria could evade immune detection and resist phage attacks, making them useful in industrial and medical contexts, the researchers—led by Kate Adamala (University of Minnesota) and Vaughn Cooper (University of Pittsburgh)—warn against pursuing this line of work. The report concludes that mirror bacteria could bypass natural immune defenses and become uncontrollable pathogens. While technically out of reach today, the group advocates for preemptive regulation and global dialogue to mitigate future biosecurity risks.

CHEMISTRY

Researchers Develop Controllable Bilayer Graphene Molecule with Tunable Conductivity and Photosynthetic Mimicry: A collaborative study has produced a novel molecular model of bilayer graphene with controllable rotational alignment, enabling tunable electrical conductivity and advanced semiconducting behavior. The research also demonstrates unique ionic bonding between organic molecules—rare among carbon systems—and models electron transfer similar to that in natural photosynthesis. This breakthrough paves the way for efficient, durable artificial molecules tailored for advanced photovoltaic and transistor applications, potentially mimicking biological energy conversion systems with unprecedented precision.

MATERIALS

Quantum Coupling Between Carbyne and Nanotubes Unlocks Nanoscale Sensor Potential: An international team led by the University of Vienna has unraveled a long-standing mystery in nanomaterials by explaining unexpected vibrational interactions between carbyne chains and carbon nanotubes. Using Raman spectroscopy, theoretical modeling, and machine learning, the researchers discovered strong quantum mechanical coupling of vibrations—despite electronic isolation—between the two structures. The study reveals that carbyne's extreme sensitivity to external influences makes it a promising candidate for use as a contactless, nanoscale optical sensor, such as for local temperature measurements in advanced materials and devices.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Biotech Explorers Pathway Prepares Undergrads for Real-World Science and Innovation: Washington University’s Biotech Explorers Pathway (BEP) program is revolutionizing undergraduate STEM education by immersing first-year students in interdisciplinary, hands-on biotech experiences. BEP blends biology, chemistry, entrepreneurship, and soft skills like communication and teamwork across three semesters. Students engage with local biotech companies, develop real-world research projects, and explore diverse career paths early in their academic journey. Created by Professor Joe Jez, BEP also builds strong bridges between academia and industry, positioning students to lead the next generation of biotech innovation with both scientific expertise and practical, team-based skills.

Portable "MARTINIS" Lab Offers Real-Time Soil Chemistry Monitoring with Open-Source Tech: Researchers have developed MARTINIS (Multi Analyte Real Time In-situ Imaging System), a low-cost, open-source, tube-shaped mini-lab that uses planar optode sensors to monitor soil chemistry—like oxygen and pH levels—in real time and in situ. The system combines LED lighting, a mobile camera, and a Raspberry Pi computer to create panoramic chemical profiles of the soil with minimal disturbance. Tested in diverse conditions, MARTINIS shows promise for agriculture, climate studies, and environmental monitoring, offering unprecedented access to dynamic underground processes.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

APL and Samsung Unveil Scalable, High-Efficiency Solid-State Refrigeration Using CHESS Nanomaterials: Researchers at Johns Hopkins APL, in partnership with Samsung Electronics, have developed a scalable solid-state refrigeration system using nano-engineered materials known as CHESS (Controlled Hierarchically Engineered Superlattice Structures). The study shows that CHESS thin films deliver up to 100% improvement in thermoelectric efficiency and a 70% increase in system-level cooling performance over traditional bulk materials. Manufactured via scalable MOCVD processes, CHESS uses minimal material and integrates easily into existing semiconductor workflows. This innovation paves the way for compact, eco-friendly refrigeration and HVAC systems, with future applications in energy harvesting, prosthetics, and space technology.

Researchers Develop High-Efficiency Elastic Alloy for Green Heat Pumping:
Researchers have developed a new elastic alloy, Ti₇₈Nb₂₂, which achieves a 20-fold greater reversible temperature change (ΔT) than conventional metals when stretched or compressed. The study shows that this martensitic alloy enables solid-state heat pumping with 90% of Carnot efficiency—far exceeding traditional vapor-compression systems. This breakthrough challenges long-held assumptions about the weakness of the thermoelastic effect and presents the first non-phase-transition-based approach for green, high-efficiency heating. Prototype development for industrial applications is underway, offering a transformative alternative to fossil-fuel-based heat systems.

Researchers Develop Gas-Phase Technique to Boost Lithium-Metal Battery Safety and Lifespan: Researchers have developed a gas-phase surface treatment that significantly improves the safety and durability of lithium-metal batteries (LMBs). The study presents a method using fluoroalkyl silane to remove the unstable native passivation layer on lithium anodes and replace it with a stable, ion-conductive solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). This new SEI suppresses dendrite growth, improves lithium plating/stripping, and doubles battery lifespan, even in standard electrolytes. The scalable, low-temperature process enhances both performance and safety, paving the way for next-generation high-energy batteries.

ROBOTICS, AI, HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, GADGETS

AI Study Identifies Visual Triggers of Driver Stress to Inform Safer Urban Design:
A research team has shown that the visual context of roads significantly influences driver stress. The study used AI models—including CNNs and temporal segment networks—to analyze real-world driving footage without relying on biometric or vehicle data. Key stressors included pedestrians, large vehicles, signage, and complex urban features. The findings pave the way for smarter driver assistance systems and stress-reducing urban infrastructure, offering valuable insights for road safety improvements and future multimodal research on driver well-being.

Jellyfish Cyborgs: AI-Controlled Swimmers Offer Eco-Friendly Ocean Monitoring:
Researchers have developed “jellyfish cyborgs” by gently stimulating jellyfish with electric pulses, enhancing their swimming speed without disrupting natural motion. The study used mini-electrodes and a lightweight AI model to predict and control the jellyfish's movement. This breakthrough showcases "embodied intelligence"—leveraging the animal's body for computation—and opens new possibilities for sustainable ocean monitoring. The approach avoids motors or batteries, offering a low-energy alternative to conventional marine probes for tracking climate change, coral health, and pollution.

Self-Supervised AI Models Mimic Human Visual Attention, Study Finds: In a breakthrough study, researchers from the University of Osaka demonstrate that vision transformers (ViTs) trained via self-supervised learning (DINO) can spontaneously develop human-like visual attention patterns. Without labeled data, DINO-trained ViTs learned to focus on faces, bodies, and backgrounds in ways that closely mirrored human gaze behavior recorded in eye-tracking studies. These emergent attention clusters suggest that such models naturally segment scenes in a manner similar to human perception. The findings not only advance AI capabilities in visual understanding but also provide insights into the nature of human cognition, with potential applications in human-robot interaction and developmental support.

ASTRONOMY, SPACE, & ASTROLOBIOLOGY

JWST Detects Water Ice in Young Star's Debris Disk, Suggesting Kuiper Belt-Like Composition: Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers from Johns Hopkins University have detected water ice in the debris disk surrounding HD 181327, a young F6-type star located about 155.5 light-years from Earth. This marks the first definitive evidence of water ice in an extrasolar debris disk. Spectral analysis via JWST's NIRSpec revealed characteristic 3.1 µm Fresnel peaks and absorption features consistent with crystalline water ice, suggesting the presence of large ice grains. The disk, located 84–105 AU from the star and resembling a young Kuiper belt, also contains iron sulfide and olivine—materials linked to comets and micrometeorites. The findings enhance our understanding of icy body formation and planetary system evolution beyond the solar system.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Engineered Spleen Enables Long-Term Diabetes Control with Islet Transplants and Minimal Immunosuppression: Researchers have developed a novel islet transplantation strategy using nanoparticle-remodeled spleens to restore insulin production in diabetic animals. The study shows that glucomannan-coated silica nanoparticles reprogram the spleen into a vascularized, immune-tolerant site for islet engraftment. In mice and macaques, transplanted islets maintained blood glucose control for up to 90 days (mice) and 28 days (macaques), with reduced need for immunosuppression. The remodeled spleen promoted vascular integration and anti-inflammatory immune responses, offering a promising, less invasive alternative to liver-based islet transplantation in type 1 diabetes treatment.

BLIPI Device Enables Rapid, Drop-of-Blood Immune Profiling for Newborns at Risk of Sepsis and NEC: Researchers from SMART and KK Women's and Children's Hospital have developed BLIPI (Biophysical Immune Profiling for Infants), a groundbreaking diagnostic device that profiles newborn immune responses using just one drop of blood. The study shows BLIPI can detect early immune changes in infants at risk for sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis within 15 minutes—20 times faster and with far less blood than current methods. By assessing immune cell size and flexibility via microfluidics, BLIPI offers real-time, point-of-care diagnostics for NICUs, enabling faster, targeted interventions and reducing reliance on slow, invasive lab tests.

Mixed Reality Glasses Help Restore Peripheral Vision for Stroke Survivors:
A University of Alberta team has developed a software solution for mixed reality glasses that partially restores peripheral vision in patients with hemianopsia, a condition affecting about 30% of stroke survivors. The system uses Microsoft HoloLens 2 to compress real-time visual input and display it in the patient’s remaining visual field, improving obstacle detection and navigation. In tests, participants wearing the glasses avoided more obstacles and rated the system as highly helpful. The open-source software, developed by ophthalmologist Edsel Ing and collaborators, offers a promising aid for safer mobility and daily life in stroke and brain injury patients.

NEUROSCIENCE

RTP801 Protein Identified as Key Driver of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s via Astrocyte Dysfunction: Researchers have identified the RTP801 protein as a crucial contributor to Alzheimer’s-related cognitive decline through its activity in astrocytes, not just neurons. The study shows that silencing RTP801 in the hippocampal astrocytes of Alzheimer’s model animals reduced neuroinflammation, restored GABA production, and improved brain network connectivity by protecting parvalbumin-positive (PV⁺) interneurons. These findings reveal a novel therapeutic target and highlight astrocytes' active role in neurodegeneration, opening new avenues for gene therapy in treating Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists Combine Brain Stimulation and Cognitive Training to Curb Unhealthy Eating Habits: Researchers have pioneered a combined approach using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and inhibitory control training to improve food-related decision-making in people prone to binge eating or obesity. The study shows that this non-invasive method reduces impulsivity toward unhealthy food by strengthening reflective brain systems. The intervention includes the FoodTrainer app, behavioral tasks, and brain imaging to assess cognitive and neural changes. Early results suggest enhanced self-control, better eating patterns, and long-term potential for personalized, neuroscience-based weight management strategies.

NATURE & ECOLOGY

Cooper’s Hawk Uses Pedestrian Signals and Traffic Flow to Ambush Prey in Urban New Jersey: A study by University of Tennessee researcher Vladimir Dinets documents a novel hunting strategy by an immature Cooper’s hawk in suburban West Orange, New Jersey. Over 18 winter weekdays, the hawk was observed timing its attacks with pedestrian signal sounds that extended red lights and increased vehicle queues. Using cars as visual cover, it launched ambushes from a fixed perch, successfully catching prey during these predictable traffic phases. This behavior—never observed on low-traffic weekends—suggests a sophisticated understanding of urban cues and environmental mapping, indicating advanced cognitive abilities. It marks only the second known case of urban-infrastructure-based hunting in this species.

Chimpanzees Use Stones as Communication Tools in Cultural Display, Study Finds: A five-year study in Guinea-Bissau has revealed a unique behavior among wild West African chimpanzees: adult males striking stones against trees in a rhythmic fashion, creating what researchers term "stone-assisted drumming." This behavior, likely used for long-distance communication or dominance display, differs from traditional chimpanzee drumming by occurring after vocalizations rather than before. The sound produced may travel further through dense forests. The behavior appears to be culturally transmitted among the chimpanzees, highlighting non-human culture and raising implications for conservation strategies.

Cyclones Threaten Island Biodiversity: Dozens of Species One Storm Away from Extinction: A new global study reveals that severe tropical cyclones pose a major but underrecognized threat to island biodiversity. Mapping 50 years of cyclone activity against global biodiversity hotspots, researchers found that 75% of high-intensity cyclones struck island regions, with 95% affecting just five hotspots—Japan, Polynesia-Micronesia, the Philippines, Madagascar and nearby islands, and the Caribbean. Species with small, isolated populations are especially vulnerable, and many could be wiped out by a single storm. The study identifies 60 vertebrate species at extreme risk, most found on only one island, yet only a minority are under active conservation. Researchers call for urgent international coordination, proposing an IUCN-led task force to better prepare and respond to cyclone-driven extinction threats.

OTHER SCIENCES & THE ARTS

Ancient Infant Rattles Reveal Everyday Childhood Life in Bronze Age Syria:
A study led by Dr. Georges Mouamar and colleagues identifies 19 ceramic rattle fragments from Early Bronze Age IV (ca. 2500–2000 BCE) Hama, Syria. Long overlooked in museum collections, these small, handle-equipped rattles were likely used to soothe infants. Their domestic context, sound properties, and size suggest a primary role as children’s toys rather than musical or ritual instruments. The finds represent a distinct northern Levantine variant and provide rare insight into childhood in ancient urban households during a time of population growth and shifting settlement patterns.