Cuttlefish May Communicate with Arm-Waving and Vibrational Signals, Study Suggests

Hello and welcome to our May 5th 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 - Scientists Recreate Terrell-Penrose Relativistic Rotation Effect in Lab for the First Time, and more.

• Materials - Scientists Induce Superconductivity in Ultra-Thin Material, Marking Major Step Toward Practical Superconductors, and more.

• Biotechnology - Generative AI Enables Breakthrough in Designing Mitochondrial Targeting Sequences for Synthetic Biology, and more.

• Engineering & Technology - LivingLoom: Wearable Plant-Infused Textiles Redefine Human-Environment Connection, and more.

• Robotics, AI, Hardware, Software, Gadgets - MagicTime: New AI Model Learns Real-World Physics to Generate More Realistic Time-Lapse Videos.

• Astronomy, Space, Astrobiology - Mars' Soil Patterns Resemble Earth’s Arctic Terrain, Suggesting Past Freeze-Thaw Activity, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Scientists Target “Mitch” Protein to Boost Fat Burning and Muscle Endurance in Fight Against Obesity, and more.

• Pediatrics - Young People with Mental Health Conditions Use Social Media Differently, Cambridge Study Finds.

• Neuroscience - Meta-Analysis Maps Brain Regions Involved in Reading from Letters to Full Texts, and more.

• Environment & Earth Sciences - Most Mountain Streamflow Is Years-Old Groundwater, New Study Reveals, and more.

• Nature & Ecology- Cuttlefish May Communicate with Arm-Waving and Vibrational Signals, Study Suggests, and more.

• Other Sciences & The Arts - Rare 16th-Century Ethiopian Manuscript Sheds New Light on Islamic Dongola and Early Sudanese Trade, and more.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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SCIENCE

Scientists Recreate Terrell-Penrose Relativistic Rotation Effect in Lab for the First Time: Physicists have successfully demonstrated the long-theorized Terrell-Penrose effect—where ultra-fast-moving objects appear visually rotated—using laser pulses and high-speed cameras. Although this relativistic effect, predicted in 1959, had never been observed due to the impossibility of photographing near-light-speed objects, researchers simulated it by slowing down the effective speed of light to 2 meters per second in a lab setup. By precisely timing laser reflections off moving cubes and spheres, they captured images revealing the predicted optical distortions. This experiment not only confirms a key consequence of Einstein’s special relativity but also exemplifies the fruitful collaboration between science and art.

Physicists Propose Promising Quantum Gravity Theory Compatible with the Standard Model: Physicists have developed a new quantum theory of gravity that aligns with the standard model of particle physics, offering a major step toward the long-sought "theory of everything." The theory frames gravity as a gauge field—similar to electromagnetism and the nuclear forces—rather than relying on general relativity’s spacetime curvature. Early results show that renormalization, a key method for handling infinities in quantum field theory, works for initial calculations, though full mathematical proof is still pending. The breakthrough could eventually explain black holes, the Big Bang, and unify modern physics.

First Experimental Realization of a 2D Room-Temperature Altermagnet Confirmed by HKUST Researchers: In a groundbreaking study, researchers have experimentally confirmed the existence of a two-dimensional layered altermagnet operating at room temperature, marking a major milestone in spintronics research. The team demonstrated momentum-dependent spin splitting—without requiring spin–orbit coupling or net magnetization—in the compound Rb₁₋δV₂Te₂O. Using Spin-ARPES, STM/STS, and first-principles calculations, the researchers observed C-paired spin-valley locking, a key prediction from Prof. Liu’s 2021 theoretical work. The discovery opens the door to novel spintronic and valleytronic devices with high-speed, low-energy potential, and further validates altermagnets as a new class of functional antiferromagnetic materials.

MATERIALS

Scientists Induce Superconductivity in Ultra-Thin Material, Marking Major Step Toward Practical Superconductors: In a groundbreaking study has successfully induced superconductivity in tungsten diselenide—a material only a few atoms thick—by rotating stacked layers at a precise 5-degree angle and cooling them to near absolute zero. This achievement marks one of the first demonstrations of nanoscale structural manipulation creating superconductivity in a non-graphene material. Although the phenomenon still requires extremely low temperatures, the findings provide critical insights into the mechanisms behind superconductivity and pave the way toward engineering next-generation superconductors that could one day operate at room temperature, revolutionizing electronics, energy, and transportation.

Scientists Discover New Hollow Crystal "Zangenite" While Unraveling Crystal Growth Pathways: A new study has revealed a new understanding of how crystals form—showing that they often emerge from amorphous blobs through a two-step process rather than by simple, orderly assembly. Using charged colloidal particles, the team combined high-resolution microscopy and advanced simulations to observe crystal formation at the single-particle level. The research discovered an entirely new, low-density, rod-shaped crystal with hollow channels, which was confirmed through modeling and dubbed “Zangenite.” The finding opens up potential applications in materials science, especially for structures with internal channels used in filtration or photonics.

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Generative AI Enables Breakthrough in Designing Mitochondrial Targeting Sequences for Synthetic Biology: A new study demonstrates how generative artificial intelligence can be used to design novel mitochondrial targeting sequences (MTSs)—key tools for directing proteins into mitochondria. The team used a Variational Autoencoder, an unsupervised deep learning model, to generate over a million potential MTSs based on patterns found in natural sequences. Of 41 tested in yeast, plant, and mammalian cells, up to 100% successfully targeted mitochondria. This breakthrough addresses the limitations of relying on a few natural MTSs and opens the door to more stable, efficient metabolic engineering and therapeutic protein delivery.

University of Edinburgh Unveils AI Tool to Revolutionize Gel Electrophoresis Analysis: Scientists have developed GelGenie, an AI-powered tool designed to streamline and modernize the analysis of gel electrophoresis images—a widely used method in biological research for examining biomolecules like DNA. Traditional analysis methods are manual, error-prone, and outdated, but GelGenie leverages machine learning to automatically identify and quantify bands in gel images with high accuracy, even under challenging conditions. Trained on a dataset of over 500 annotated images, the tool eliminates user bias and increases efficiency. The researchers have released the software, model, and dataset as open-source resources to support widespread adoption and future development.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

LivingLoom: Wearable Plant-Infused Textiles Redefine Human-Environment Connection: Researchers have introduced LivingLoom, a novel approach to textile design that integrates living seeds—such as chia—into wearable fabrics. The project explores human-plant symbiosis through hydrogel-based yarns that allow seeds to sprout when properly cared for. Woven using a digital Jacquard loom, these living textiles promote a deeper emotional and physical connection between wearers and plants. In a user study, participants reported feeling emotionally connected to their sprouting wristbands, likening the shared care experience to nurturing a close companion. The technology also holds promise for environmental sensing and sustainable design applications.

Cornstarch-Based Sanitary Pads Found to Be 17 Times More Eco-Friendly Than Plastic Alternatives: A new study has revealed that sanitary pads made from polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable material derived from cornstarch, are 17 times more environmentally friendly than conventional plastic pads. With traditional pads consisting of 90% plastic and contributing to over 55,000 metric tons of waste annually in North American waters alone, the shift to PLA offers a significant reduction in global warming potential and toxicity. While PLA production uses more land, its renewable sourcing and reduced environmental impact outweigh this drawback. Researchers stress the importance of scaling production to encourage industry adoption and address the 200,000 metric tons of global sanitary waste generated each year.

ROBOTICS, AI, HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, GADGETS

MagicTime: New AI Model Learns Real-World Physics to Generate More Realistic Time-Lapse Videos: Researchers have developed MagicTime, a breakthrough text-to-video AI model that can realistically simulate time-lapse metamorphic processes—such as plant growth or bread baking—by learning physical properties from real-world videos. The model was trained on over 2,000 annotated time-lapse videos and leverages a diffusion-transformer architecture to generate high-resolution, 10-second clips. MagicTime addresses previous limitations in AI-generated video by incorporating physical and biological realism, offering future potential as a scientific tool to aid in simulating complex phenomena and reducing the need for repeated live trials in fields like biology and materials science.

AI Model Accurately Detects Forest Loss, Offering Powerful New Tool for Conservation: Researchers have developed an AI model based on U-Net architecture that can detect forest cover changes with over 94% accuracy using satellite imagery. The model analyzes historical and current Google Earth images to identify areas of deforestation efficiently and with minimal training data. Unlike traditional manual monitoring, the AI tool enables scalable, rapid detection in diverse forest types, empowering governments and environmental agencies to act swiftly against deforestation and support global climate and biodiversity conservation goals.

Secure Messaging Isn’t Foolproof: Research Highlights Human Error and Evolving Threats in Encrypted Apps: Despite the protection offered by end-to-end encryption (E2EE) in messaging apps like Signal, WhatsApp, and iMessage, a new study reveals that encryption alone isn’t enough to ensure true communication privacy. The research shows how man-in-the-middle attacks, user mistakes in group chats, and poor adoption of verification features create vulnerabilities. Saxena’s SPIES Lab is developing solutions such as automated contact verification, secure message syncing across devices, and encrypted keyboards to thwart surveillance tactics like client-side scanning. The team is also exploring privacy-preserving AI tools for future messaging apps.

ASTRONOMY, SPACE, ASTROBIOLOGY

Mars' Soil Patterns Resemble Earth’s Arctic Terrain, Suggesting Past Freeze-Thaw Activity: A new study reveals that wave-shaped soil patterns on Mars closely resemble solifluction lobes—features found in Earth's cold, mountainous regions like the Arctic and Rockies. By comparing high-resolution images of nine Martian craters to terrestrial analogs, scientists found that Martian lobes are about 2.6 times taller, consistent with expectations under Mars’ weaker gravity and unique soil properties. These findings suggest Mars once experienced freeze-thaw-like cycles, possibly driven by sublimation, offering clues about the planet’s climate history and guiding the search for signs of past life.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Scientists Target “Mitch” Protein to Boost Fat Burning and Muscle Endurance in Fight Against Obesity: A team of scientists has uncovered a promising strategy for combating obesity by silencing a protein called MTCH2, or “Mitch,” in muscle and fat cells. The new study shows that removing Mitch from human cells dramatically boosts fat and carbohydrate metabolism, inhibits fat cell formation, and increases muscular endurance. Originally observed in mice, this effect is linked to the mitochondria—the cell’s energy producers—becoming less efficient and forcing cells to burn more nutrients, especially fat, for energy. Given Mitch’s key role in mitochondrial fusion and fat storage, the researchers are now working to develop a Mitch-inhibiting drug as a novel weight-loss therapy.

Even Small Amounts of Exercise Can Significantly Boost Brain Health, Study Finds: A new review confirms that physical activity—particularly high-intensity exercise—can significantly protect against cognitive decline and dementia. The study highlights how even small doses of vigorous activity, such as brisk walking, enhance brain plasticity, blood flow, immune function, and reduce inflammation—key factors in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. The researchers emphasize that it’s never too late to start exercising and urge health authorities to update guidelines to reflect the powerful brain benefits of even brief, intense workouts.

Breakthrough Study Reveals How Promising Parkinson’s Drug Targets Mitochondrial Quality Control Protein: Researchers have uncovered the molecular mechanism by which a potential Parkinson’s disease drug inhibits the enzyme USP30, a key player in mitochondrial quality control. The study used engineered "chimeric" versions of USP30 to overcome challenges in visualizing the protein’s flexible structure. The resulting crystal images revealed that the inhibitor binds to both a previously unknown regulatory pocket and a common active site, effectively shutting down USP30's activity. This insight not only advances Parkinson’s drug development but also opens doors for designing treatments for other diseases involving dysfunctional mitophagy and the DUB enzyme family.

PEDIATRICS

Young People with Mental Health Conditions Use Social Media Differently, Cambridge Study Finds: A new study reveals that adolescents with mental health conditions—particularly internalizing disorders like anxiety and depression—report distinct and more negative experiences with social media compared to their peers. The study analyzed data from over 3,300 UK adolescents and found those with mental health diagnoses spend around 50 minutes more on social media daily and are more likely to experience social comparison, mood shifts from online feedback, and dissatisfaction with friend counts. These youth also report lower self-control over usage. While the study does not establish causation, it highlights the need for further research into the nuanced interplay between mental health and online behavior.

NEUROSCIENCE

Meta-Analysis Maps Brain Regions Involved in Reading from Letters to Full Texts: Researchers have conducted a large-scale meta-analysis of 163 neuroimaging studies to better understand how the human brain processes written language. The study reveals that reading consistently engages classical left-hemispheric language areas, with specific subregions activated depending on whether individuals read letters, words, pseudowords, sentences, or entire texts. The team also found distinct neural patterns for overt (aloud) versus covert (silent) reading, and differences between explicit reading tasks and lexical decision-making. This comprehensive map of reading-related brain activity may guide future research on reading disorders like dyslexia and inform targeted interventions.

Global Study Maps Lifespan Evolution of Brain Connectivity: Researchers have conducted a large-scale global study to understand how the brain's functional connectivity evolves from infancy to old age. Using MRI data from over 33,000 individuals across 132 global sites—spanning from 32 weeks postmenstrual age to 80 years—the team identified key inflection points in brain development. Their findings reveal that brain connectivity peaks in strength and diversity during early and mid-adulthood and follows a spatiotemporal progression from sensorimotor to higher-order regions. The researchers created detailed brain atlases that chart functional specialization across life stages, offering a new reference for studying development, aging, and neuropsychiatric disorders.

ENVIRONMENT & EARTH SCIENCES

Most Mountain Streamflow Is Years-Old Groundwater, New Study Reveals:
A groundbreaking study challenges long-held assumptions about mountain water systems in the Western U.S. The researchers found that the majority of streamflow feeding reservoirs each spring is not from that year’s snowmelt, but from groundwater that may be 3 to 15 years old. Using tritium isotope analysis on runoff samples from 42 sites across six Western states, the team discovered extensive underground water storage previously unaccounted for in most hydrological models. This insight reveals a critical time lag in how snowfall influences streamflow, with implications for water forecasting and management in the face of climate change.

Biological Particles Found to Drive Cloud Ice Formation and Extreme Weather, Study Shows: A new study reveals that biological particles like pollen, bacteria, spores, and plant matter play a major role in ice formation within clouds—crucial for precipitation and linked to extreme weather events. Researchers found that these particles, whose atmospheric concentrations vary with daily temperature cycles, strongly influence cloud behavior and precipitation patterns. The findings, based on data from Mount Helmos in Greece, highlight the need to include biological aerosols in weather and climate models, especially as warming climates may increase their prevalence. The research is part of the broader CleanCloud and CHOPIN campaigns, which aim to refine predictive models and support Earth observation initiatives like the European Space Agency’s EarthCare satellite.

NATURE & ECOLOGY

Cuttlefish May Communicate with Arm-Waving and Vibrational Signals, Study Suggests: Neuroscientists have found potential evidence that cuttlefish use arm-waving gestures and vibrational waves as a form of communication. The team observed cuttlefish performing four distinct arm-waving patterns—up, side, roll, and crown—which elicited reciprocal responses when played back via video. Reactions were significantly muted when videos were flipped upside down. The researchers also discovered that these gestures create vibrational signals, to which cuttlefish only responded when played in their original sequence. While more research is needed, the findings hint at a sophisticated, possibly symbolic communication system in cuttlefish.

Climate Change Drives Northward Shift in Bat Hibernation Zones, Study Finds:
A new study reveals that rising temperatures caused by climate change are reshaping the hibernation zones of the common noctule bat in Europe. Using experimental data on bat torpor and energy use, combined with historical and projected climate models, the team found that suitable hibernation areas have already shifted 260 km northward since 1901 and may expand northeast by up to 14% by 2100. While noctules can adapt by relocating, challenges may arise if food sources and safe hibernation sites are lacking in new regions, underscoring the need for continued monitoring and targeted conservation efforts.

OTHER SCIENCES & THE ARTS

Rare 16th-Century Ethiopian Manuscript Sheds New Light on Islamic Dongola and Early Sudanese Trade: A newly re-examined 16th-century manuscript by Ethiopian monk Takla 'Alfā, translated by Dr. Dorota Dzierzbicka and Dr. Daria Elagina, provides fresh insights into the Islamic transformation and trade networks of old Dongola, Sudan. The study reveals that Dongola was already a fully Islamized society by 1596—earlier than previously believed—and a thriving trade hub. The monk’s account, long overlooked due to linguistic and disciplinary barriers, documents the presence of gelaba (long-distance traders), marking the earliest known use of the term in Sudanese sources. These findings complement archaeological discoveries by the UMMA project, confirming Dongola’s role in regional commerce and sociocultural change during the post-Christian Makurian era.

Picuris Pueblo Leads Groundbreaking DNA Study Linking Tribe to Chaco Canyon Ancestry: In a historic first, the Picuris Pueblo tribe of New Mexico has led a DNA research project confirming their ancestral ties to Chaco Canyon—an ancient cultural center for Pueblo peoples. The study shows strong genetic links between present-day Picuris members and 16 ancient individuals buried near the canyon from 1300–1500 A.D. The project marks a significant shift in Indigenous-led science, blending oral tradition with genomics to assert tribal heritage and bolster efforts to protect sacred lands. Tribal leaders say the findings offer scientific validation of stories they've passed down for generations.

Global Study Finds Flourishing Differs from Happiness—and Younger Generations Are Struggling Most: A new large-scale study reveals that overall well-being—or “flourishing”—varies significantly across countries, and is not the same as happiness. The Global Flourishing Study surveyed over 207,000 people in 22 countries and Hong Kong, measuring six domains: happiness, health, meaning, character, relationships, and financial security. Indonesia, Mexico, and the Philippines topped the rankings, while countries typically high in happiness, like the U.S. and Sweden, ranked only average in flourishing. Notably, younger adults reported the lowest levels of flourishing globally, citing a lack of purpose. The study highlights the need for structural solutions to improve societal well-being.