New Water-Clay-Graphene Battery Could Power Mars Missions and Revolutionize Energy Storage

Hello and welcome to Saturday’s STEAM newsletter! We bring you summaries of the latest news in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

In today’s edition:

• Science - New Synthetic Apomixis System in Rice Could Revolutionize Hybrid Seed Production.

• Technology and AI - Faster DNA Storage Could Enable Do-It-Yourself Kits and Revolutionize Archiving, and more.

• Engineering - New Water-Clay-Graphene Battery Could Power Mars Missions and Revolutionize Energy Storage, and more.

• Astronomy & Space - Discovery of Complex Carbon Molecules in Space Sheds Light on Origins of Life, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Electric Skin Patches Could Prevent Blood Infections Without Antibiotics, Low-Cost Portable Device Offers Faster, Cheaper Cancer Detection, and more.

• Neuroscience - New Lucid Dreaming App Shows Promising Results Using Sensory Cues, and more.

• Environment - Groundwater PFAS Contamination May Affect Over 20% of U.S. Population, Study Finds, and more.

• Nature - Burmese Pythons' Massive Gape Allows Them to Consume Larger Prey, Worsening Florida's Ecological Crisis, and more.

• Industry - Blade-Like Sails Could Cut Tanker Fuel Use by 30%, Reducing Shipping's Climate Impact.

Until Tomorrow.

~The STEAM Digest

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This newsletter is curated by The STEAM Digest.

SCIENCE

New Synthetic Apomixis System in Rice Could Revolutionize Hybrid Seed Production: Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Science, led by Professor Li Jiayang, have developed a synthetic apomixis system in hybrid rice using the rice gene OsWUS, enabling asexual reproduction through seeds. This breakthrough allows hybrid rice to propagate clonally, bypassing the need for costly hybrid seed production each year. The newly developed "Fix3" lines showed normal growth, high seed-setting rates, and clonal seed efficiency of up to 21.7%. This system has the potential to significantly reduce labor and costs in hybrid rice cultivation and could be adapted for other hybrid crops in the future.

TECHNOLOGY AND AI

Faster DNA Data Storage Could Enable Do-It-Yourself Kits and Revolutionize Archiving: Researchers at Peking University have dramatically improved the speed of encoding data into DNA by mimicking a natural biological process. This breakthrough could make DNA data storage more efficient and accessible, with the potential for DIY kits in the future. By adding methyl groups to DNA strands, they encoded binary data hundreds of times faster than before, successfully storing images with over 97% accuracy. This method allows users to store large amounts of data in DNA, a medium that can last for centuries, making it ideal for archival purposes.

AI-Generated News Articles Found Less Comprehensible Than Traditional Reporting, Study Finds: A study by Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) revealed that news articles produced through automation are less comprehensible than those written manually by journalists. The study, involving over 3,000 UK online news readers, found that AI-generated articles struggled with word choice and the handling of numbers, leading to lower reader satisfaction. Despite these issues, both types of articles were rated similarly in terms of narrative flow. The researchers suggest that more human involvement in sub-editing automated content is needed to improve clarity and reader engagement.

ENGINEERING

New Water-Clay-Graphene Battery Could Power Mars Missions and Revolutionize Energy Storage: Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology have developed a novel battery design that uses only water, clay, and graphene, potentially offering a sustainable and accessible alternative to traditional batteries. This new battery works by confining water in microscopic channels within layers of clay, which helps separate charges and store energy. The battery produced 1.6 volts and maintained efficiency over 60,000 charge cycles. Due to its reliance on abundant materials like water and clay, it could be used on Mars, where similar clays are found, offering a promising solution for off-world energy needs and more sustainable battery technologies.

Breakthrough in Lithium-Sulfur Battery Design Enhances Lifespan and Energy Capacity: SMU mechanical engineer Donghai Wang and his team have developed a hybrid polymer network cathode that significantly improves the performance of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, a promising renewable energy source. This advancement prevents polysulfide dissolution, a major issue that shortens the lifespan of Li-S batteries. The new design allows the batteries to deliver over 900 mAh/g, far surpassing the typical 150–250 mAh/g capacity of lithium-ion batteries. The hybrid cathode also enhances cycling stability, offering a more durable, long-lasting battery, which could revolutionize energy storage for electric vehicles and other devices.

Breakthrough Hydrogel-Semiconductor Hybrid Enhances Bioelectronic Interfaces and Healing: Researchers at the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering have developed a revolutionary material that combines the softness and water affinity of hydrogels with the semiconductive properties needed for bioelectronics. Led by Asst. Prof. Sihong Wang, the team created a hydrogel semiconductor that is stretchable, tissue-like, and capable of transmitting information between living tissue and machines. This innovation could improve implanted medical devices like pacemakers, reduce immune responses, and enhance non-surgical applications such as biosensors and wound care. By rethinking traditional methods, the researchers used a solvent-exchange process to create this unique material, which offers higher sensitivity and better biological interactions.

Thermophotovoltaics: Promising Heat-to-Electricity Conversion for Sustainable Energy Systems: Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) technology is emerging as a low-maintenance and potentially cost-effective solution for converting heat into electricity, using thermal emitters and photovoltaic cells. A recent study examined the economic feasibility of TPV systems integrated with solar energy and phase-change materials for storage. The analysis focused on levelized costs for residential use in Boone, Iowa, revealing that while TPV technology shows promise, its current electricity cost remains above average market prices. Key factors affecting its economic viability include system lifetime, capital costs, and inflation rates. Further research could enhance TPV adoption, contributing to more efficient and sustainable energy solutions.

ASTRONOMY & SPACE

Discovery of Complex Carbon Molecules in Space Sheds Light on Origins of Life: For the first time, complex carbon-based molecules crucial to life on Earth have been detected outside our solar system. Researchers from MIT, led by Brett McGuire, found a molecule called pyrene in the Taurus molecular cloud, a star-forming region about 430 light years away. This discovery offers clues to how carbon monoxide, the most abundant form of carbon in space, could transform into the complex molecules that are essential to life. The presence of cyanopyrene—a form of pyrene—was detected using the Green Bank Observatory. This finding helps trace the chemical pathways that may have led to life on Earth, offering a glimpse into the early stages of solar system formation and the potential origins of biological life in space.

Russian Astronomers Detect Powerful Fast Radio Burst at Low Frequency: Russian astronomers have detected a possible fast radio burst (FRB) at a frequency of 111 MHz using the Large Phased Array (LPA) radio telescope. The burst, designated FRB 20190203, lasted 211 milliseconds with a dispersion measure of 134.4 pc/cm³, indicating an extragalactic origin about 2.3 billion light years away. This is one of the most powerful FRBs ever observed and the second detected at such a low frequency. The researchers suggest that the burst may have been caused by synchrotron maser emission from a magnetar, but no repeating activity has been observed so far.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Electric Skin Patches Could Prevent Blood Infections Without Antibiotics: Researchers at the University of Chicago have developed a patch that uses electrical pulses to kill bacteria on the skin, potentially preventing post-surgery infections and reducing the need for antibiotics. The patch targets Staphylococcus epidermidis, a bacteria that typically lives harmlessly on skin but can cause dangerous bloodstream infections if it enters the body through wounds. The study showed a tenfold reduction in bacterial levels on treated skin samples. This method could help combat antibiotic resistance, but further studies are needed to assess its broader impact on other harmful skin bacteria.

Low-Cost Portable Device Offers Faster, Cheaper Cancer Detection: Researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso, led by Professor XiuJun (James) Li, have developed a portable device that can quickly and inexpensively detect colorectal and prostate cancer. The microfluidic device uses a "paper-in-polymer-pond" system to capture cancer biomarkers from blood samples in just a few minutes. It can diagnose cancer in about an hour, significantly faster and more sensitive than traditional methods like ELISA, which require expensive instruments and take up to 16 hours. The device could be particularly beneficial for developing countries with limited access to healthcare and diagnostic tools.

Menadione Shows Promise in Slowing Prostate Cancer Progression and Treating Rare Muscle Disease: Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, led by Professor Lloyd Trotman, have discovered that the pro-oxidant supplement menadione, a precursor to vitamin K, slows prostate cancer progression in mice by depleting a lipid called PI(3)P, crucial for cell survival. This causes cancer cells to stop recycling materials and eventually burst, offering a potential new approach for men with early-stage prostate cancer. Additionally, the study, published in Science, suggests menadione may help treat myotubular myopathy, a rare and deadly muscle condition in infants, potentially doubling lifespan in mice models. These findings could lead to life-extending therapies for both conditions in humans.

NEUROSCIENCE

New Lucid Dreaming App Shows Promising Results Using Sensory Cues: Neuroscientists at Northwestern University have developed a smartphone app that helps users increase lucid dreaming using a method called targeted lucidity reactivation (TLR). A study showed that participants improved from an average of 0.74 to 2.11 lucid dreams per week by using the app. The method combines pre-sleep training with sensory cues during sleep to stimulate lucidity. While the app shows promise, researchers aim to refine it by incorporating wearable technology to deliver cues during REM sleep, further enhancing the success of lucid dreaming.

Cerebellum's Role in Social Cognition Offers New Hope for Autism Treatment: Professor Frank Van Overwalle of Vrije Universiteit Brussel has highlighted the cerebellum's involvement in both motor and social-cognitive processes, shifting the traditional focus from the cerebrum. His research shows that cerebellar abnormalities are linked not only to motor issues but also to emotional and behavioral disorders. By using non-invasive brain stimulation techniques like transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), Van Overwalle's team has seen improvements in social task performance for individuals with autism. These findings could pave the way for new treatments to enhance social and cognitive functions in autism spectrum disorders.

Home-Based Brain Stimulation Device Shows Promise for Treating Depression: A study demonstrates that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a noninvasive brain stimulation technique, is a safe and effective way to treat depression when used at home. The international research, led by King's College London with U.S. sites at UTHealth Houston, involved 174 adults with moderate to severe depression. Participants using the active tDCS device showed significant improvements, with remission rates nearly three times higher than those in the placebo group. This portable and self-administered therapy could offer a new, accessible alternative for individuals managing depression, complementing or replacing traditional medications and therapies.

ENVIRONMENT

Groundwater PFAS Contamination May Affect Over 20% of U.S. Population, Study Finds: A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study estimates that 71 to 95 million people in the continental U.S. may rely on groundwater containing detectable levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals." These chemicals, found in products like non-stick cookware and firefighting foams, persist in the environment and may pose health risks. The study provides the first national estimate of PFAS contamination in untreated groundwater, particularly affecting public and private wells. An interactive map allows users to explore state-level contamination risks, and the findings emphasize the need for future sampling and testing to protect water quality.

Climate Costs of U.S. Material Production Reach $79 Billion Annually, Study Shows: A study reveals that the production of nine common materials in the U.S., including steel, cement, and plastics, incurs $79 billion in annual climate-related costs due to greenhouse gas emissions. These costs, calculated using the Social Cost of Carbon, are not reflected in current market prices, effectively subsidizing carbon-intensive industries. The study suggests that incorporating these costs could drive innovation in low-emission production methods and increase the competitiveness of alternatives. However, coordinated international policy action is needed to prevent shifting emissions to other countries.

NATURE

Burmese Pythons' Massive Gape Allows Them to Consume Larger Prey, Worsening Florida's Ecological Crisis: A recent study reveals that Burmese pythons in Florida are capable of consuming even larger prey than previously believed, thanks to their massive, flexible jaws. University of Cincinnati researchers found that the largest pythons captured in the Everglades had a gape 40% larger than earlier estimates, allowing them to consume animals like deer and alligators. These findings underscore the grave ecological threat posed by these invasive snakes, which have already decimated native wildlife populations. As Burmese pythons spread across Florida, researchers are racing to understand the full scope of their impact on local ecosystems.

New Zealand Stoneflies Evolve Color Change in Response to Human-Driven Deforestation: A study by the University of Otago reveals that New Zealand's native stoneflies have undergone rapid evolutionary color changes due to human-induced deforestation. In forested areas, the stoneflies developed warning colors mimicking poisonous species to avoid predators. However, with the disappearance of forests and the poisonous species, the stoneflies have evolved a new coloration in deforested regions, abandoning the mimicry strategy. This clear-cut example of human-driven evolution highlights both the resilience of some species and the predictable nature of evolutionary responses to environmental changes caused by humans.

INDUSTRY

Blade-Like Sails Could Cut Tanker Fuel Use by 30%, Reducing Shipping's Climate Impact: The Pacific Grebe, a tanker, is testing a new 20-meter aluminium sail called FastRig, designed by UK-based Smart Green Shipping. This sail could cut fuel consumption of tankers by up to 30%, potentially reducing the climate impact of the global shipping industry, which emitted 858 million tonnes of CO2 in 2022. The trials, part of a £4.5 million project, aim to gather data to convince ship owners to adopt the technology. If successful, FastRig could help decarbonize a sector that has lagged in reducing emissions. Similar projects, like Cargill's WindWings, have shown promising emission cuts.