Engineers Develop Artificial Eye Inspired by Cats for Improved Night Vision and Target Tracking

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

In today’s edition:

• Science - University of Southampton Scientists Store Full Human Genome on 5D Memory Crystal for Billions of Years, and more.

• Technology and AI - Study Reveals Biases and Inconsistencies in AI Models Used for Home Surveillance, and more.

• Engineering - Engineers Develop Artificial Eye Inspired by Cats for Improved Night Vision and Target Tracking, and more.

• Health & Medicine - McGill Researchers Discover Promising Drug Compound for Early-Onset Parkinson’s Disease Treatment, Study Reveals Breastfeeding's Role in Shaping Infant Microbiome and Reducing Asthma Risk.

• Neuroscience - Superior Colliculus Found to Play Key Role in Complex Cognitive Decisions, and more.

• Environment - New Research Reveals Earth's Mantle Is More Chemically Uniform Than Previously Thought.

• Nature - New Study Predicts Increased Hydraulic Failure in Tropical Forests Due to Climate Change, and more.

• Other Sciences & Arts - Study Finds Growth Mindset and Belonging Key to Reducing Medical Student Burnout, New Study Shows Wealth Bias in Toddlers as Early as 14 Months, and more.

• Industry - Lionsgate's AI Partnership and Its Potential Impact on Hollywood, and more.

Until Tomorrow.

~The STEAM Digest

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This newsletter is curated by The STEAM Digest.

SCIENCE

University of Southampton Scientists Store Full Human Genome on 5D Memory Crystal for Billions of Years: Researchers at the University of Southampton, led by Professor Peter Kazansky, have stored the entire human genome on a 5D memory crystal, a revolutionary data storage format capable of surviving for billions of years. Developed by the Optoelectronics Research Center, the crystal can hold up to 360 terabytes of data and endure extreme temperatures and conditions without degradation. This technology offers a potential blueprint to restore humanity and endangered species in the future, should advances in synthetic biology allow. The crystal encodes data using five dimensions—two optical and three spatial coordinates—and includes a visual key to guide future intelligences in retrieving the data. The stored genome is housed in the Memory of Mankind archive in Hallstatt, Austria.

MIT Scientists Engineer New Material with Unique Superconducting and Metallic Properties Through Wavy Atomic Layers: MIT physicists, led by Joseph Checkelsky, have created a new material with unique superconducting and metallic properties by designing wavy atomic layers that repeat across a large crystal. This breakthrough, simplifies the exploration of quantum behaviors by producing a sample that is both macroscopic and manipulable. The wavy structure, formed by mismatches in the crystal lattice, influences electron flow and superconductivity, leading to directional conductivity and varying strengths of superconducting behavior. The material was synthesized through rational design, offering potential for the creation of more materials with novel properties.

ORNL Researchers Develop AI Model to Identify New Alloys for Nuclear Fusion Reactors: Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), led by Massimiliano Lupo Pasini, have developed an AI model to identify new alloys for use as shielding in nuclear fusion reactors. The study marks significant progress in advancing nuclear fusion technologies. The AI-driven approach helps efficiently identify promising alloy candidates, bypassing the traditional trial-and-error method. The research, which began under David Womble and continues under ORNL's Artificial Intelligence for Scientific Discovery initiative, utilized supercomputers at ORNL and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to generate a large dataset for training the model. The researchers aim to use the model to explore new combinations of elements that offer superior performance at high temperatures, pushing the boundaries of materials science in nuclear fusion applications.

Scientists Use Advanced Computational Techniques to Unravel the Quantum Mystery of the Pseudogap: In a breakthrough study, researchers have applied a computational technique called diagrammatic Monte Carlo to gain new insights into the pseudogap, a quantum phenomenon closely tied to superconductivity. The research, clarifies how the pseudogap evolves as materials cool towards absolute zero, resolving key debates in the field. The team discovered that the pseudogap state leads to the formation of electron "stripes" at low temperatures, while certain model modifications can result in superconductivity. These findings advance the quest for room-temperature superconductivity, which could revolutionize energy transmission and technology. The work also bridges theory and experiment, promising future developments in quantum gas simulation.

TECHNOLOGY AND AI

Study Reveals Biases and Inconsistencies in AI Models Used for Home Surveillance: A study by MIT and Penn State researchers reveals that large language models (LLMs) could recommend calling the police based on surveillance footage, even when no crime is evident. The models were found to be inconsistent in their decisions and exhibited biases, such as recommending fewer police interventions in predominantly white neighborhoods. These inconsistencies raise concerns about deploying AI in high-stakes situations, as the models reflect inherent biases without transparency in their training data. The study highlights the risks of using AI for normative decisions like home surveillance.

New Image Processing System Enhances Forest Fire Detection: Researchers Zhuangwei Ji and Xincheng Zhong have developed an advanced image segmentation model based on STDCNet to improve forest fire detection. Using a bidirectional attention module (BAM), the system efficiently distinguishes flames from the forest background, even detecting small-scale fires. Tests show improved accuracy and computational efficiency compared to existing methods. The technology, potentially deployable via drones, offers a more adaptable and cost-effective alternative to traditional ground-based sensors and satellite imagery for real-time fire monitoring.

AI-Enabled Smartphones: Power, Risks, and Ethical Challenges: Apple's iPhone 16 and Google's Pixel 9, released in 2024, showcase the integration of AI into consumer devices, offering powerful features like advanced image editing. While these tools democratize professional-level editing, they raise concerns about misinformation, deepfakes, and ethical risks, particularly regarding young users and mental health. The inclusion of AI in everyday devices is transforming industries and altering competition in the smartphone market, but it also prompts questions about job impacts and the responsible use of AI.

ENGINEERING

Engineers Develop Artificial Eye Inspired by Cats for Improved Night Vision and Target Tracking: A team of engineers from Seoul National University, the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology have created a new type of artificial eye modeled after natural cat eyes. Published in Science Advances, the study highlights two key features that enhance the eye’s ability to detect camouflaged objects and see in the dark. By mimicking the vertical slits of cat eyes, the artificial eye focuses on target objects while blurring the background, improving tracking. Additionally, the team integrated silver metal reflectors, similar to a cat’s tapetum lucidum, boosting night vision capabilities. These advancements may enhance visual technology for drones and robots.

MIT Engineers Develop 3D-Printed Recyclable Glass Bricks for Sustainable Circular Construction: MIT engineers, led by Kaitlyn Becker and Michael Stern, have developed 3D-printed, interlocking glass bricks designed for circular construction—an eco-friendly concept that allows building materials to be reused and repurposed. Using a custom 3D glass printing technology from MIT spinoff Evenline, the team created strong, recyclable glass bricks shaped like figure eights, which can be easily assembled and disassembled, much like LEGO blocks. These bricks can withstand pressures comparable to concrete and could revolutionize construction by minimizing the need for new materials, reducing embodied carbon, and promoting sustainability. The researchers envision their glass masonry being reused for future structures, offering endless possibilities for reconfigurable buildings.

Breakthrough Organic Thermoelectric Device Harvests Energy Without Temperature Gradient: Researchers from Kyushu University have developed a novel organic thermoelectric device that can generate power at room temperature without needing a temperature gradient. By using compounds like copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) and copper hexadecafluoro phthalocyanine (F16CuPc), the team enhanced electron transfer, resulting in an efficient energy harvester. This breakthrough opens new possibilities for thermoelectric power generation and could lead to more sustainable energy solutions without the limitations of traditional thermoelectric devices.

Breakthrough Carbon-Free Method for Alloy Production Cuts CO2 Emissions and Energy Use: Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials (MPI-SusMat), led by Dr. Shaolou Wei and Professor Dierk Raabe, have developed a revolutionary single-step process for producing Invar alloys without CO2 emissions. This method, using hydrogen as a reducing agent instead of carbon, combines metal extraction, alloying, and processing into one energy-efficient operation. It not only eliminates carbon emissions by producing water as a byproduct but also produces alloys with superior mechanical properties due to refined grain structures. Although the process shows promise, challenges remain in scaling it for industrial use, such as handling impurity-laden oxides and optimizing hydrogen use.

Chinese Scientists Develop Ultra-Efficient Nuclear Battery, 8,000 Times More Efficient Than Predecessors: A team of physicists and engineers in China has developed a highly efficient nuclear battery, up to 8,000 times more efficient than previous versions. The new device uses americium embedded in a crystal to generate energy through alpha particle radiation, which produces a glowing green light. This light is then converted into electricity via a photovoltaic cell. Despite its remarkable efficiency, the device produces only small amounts of power—it would take 40 billion units to light a 60-watt bulb. However, with a long operational lifespan, these batteries could be ideal for powering small, remote devices like deep-space probes.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

McGill Researchers Discover Promising Drug Compound for Early-Onset Parkinson’s Disease Treatment: Researchers from McGill University, led by biochemistry professor Kalle Gehring, are investigating a novel drug compound that could potentially treat early-onset Parkinson's disease by reactivating the brain's housekeeping functions. Developed by Biogen, the compound effectively activates parkin, a protein responsible for recycling damaged mitochondria. Dysfunctional parkin leads to mitochondrial buildup, a key factor in Parkinson's disease progression. Using advanced protein crystallography techniques, Gehring and his team identified how the drug binds to parkin and activates it, particularly in younger patients with specific mutations. This breakthrough holds promise for future Parkinson's treatments, though further development is required by Biogen.

Study Reveals Breastfeeding's Role in Shaping Infant Microbiome and Reducing Asthma Risk: A study led by researchers at NYU Langone Health and the University of Manitoba demonstrates that breastfeeding for more than three months helps regulate an infant's microbiome, reducing the risk of developing asthma. The research shows that breast milk promotes a gradual maturation of microbes in the gut and nasal cavity, essential for immune system development. Weaning before three months, on the other hand, leads to an earlier appearance of certain microbes, such as Ruminococcus gnavus, linked to asthma risk. By tracking microbial changes in 3,500 children from the CHILD Cohort Study, researchers found that breastfeeding duration plays a key role in preventing asthma, offering valuable insights for public health guidelines and future asthma prevention strategies.

NEUROSCIENCE

Superior Colliculus Found to Play Key Role in Complex Cognitive Decisions: New research from the University of Chicago, led by Dr. David Freedman and Dr. Barbara Peysakhovich, has uncovered that the superior colliculus (SC), a midbrain region traditionally associated with simple orienting behaviors, is significantly involved in complex cognitive tasks such as visual categorization and decision making. The study shows that the SC plays a more critical role than the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) in guiding category decisions, challenging the long-held belief that such tasks are managed primarily by the neocortex. By monitoring brain activity in monkeys performing visual categorization tasks, researchers demonstrated that the SC is not only crucial for spatial orientation but also contributes to higher-order cognitive functions across vertebrates.

Stanford Law Students Collaborate on UN Report Highlighting Racial Justice in AI and Education: A collaboration between Stanford Law School and the Stanford Center for Racial Justice (SCRJ) has resulted in a groundbreaking report on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and education, commissioned by Ashwini K.P., the UN Special Rapporteur on Racism. Stanford students researched AI’s potential to both improve education and exacerbate racial disparities, particularly due to biased historical data used in algorithm development. The report stresses the need for transparency, community input, and careful regulation of AI in education to prevent reinforcing systemic biases. This research contributes to the global conversation on AI’s role in addressing racial inequities in education.

University of Fribourg Study Reveals How Bodily Rhythms Impact Visual Perception: A groundbreaking study from the University of Fribourg, led by psychologist and neuroscientist Juliane Britz, has discovered that cardiac and respiratory rhythms influence visual perception and consciousness. The research shows that the heart's relaxation phase and exhalation speed up the brain’s recognition of visual stimuli by 150 milliseconds, while contraction and inhalation delay it. The study reveals two distinct brain circuits involved in processing visual stimuli, depending on signals from the body. These findings challenge the traditional "brain-centered" view in neuroscience, highlighting the vital role of bodily rhythms in shaping consciousness.

ENVIRONMENT

New Research Reveals Earth's Mantle Is More Chemically Uniform Than Previously Thought: A recent study by Dr. Matthijs Smit from the University of British Columbia and Dr. Koenraad Kooijman from the Swedish Museum of Natural History reveals that volcanic hotspot lavas worldwide likely originate from a chemically uniform reservoir in Earth's mantle. The research challenges previous assumptions that the mantle contains distinct chemical reservoirs and shows that differences in lava composition arise from interactions with rocks during magma's ascent to the surface. This discovery reshapes our understanding of mantle composition, plate tectonics, and Earth's chemical evolution.

NATURE

New Study Predicts Increased Hydraulic Failure in Tropical Forests Due to Climate Change: A study led by Zachary Robbins of Los Alamos National Laboratory, reveals that rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns are expected to increase hydraulic failure in tropical forests. Hydraulic failure occurs when plants lose more water through transpiration than they can absorb through their roots, leading to a loss of xylem conductivity and eventual plant death. The study, using the FATES-HYDRO model, highlights that increased failure rates could drive higher plant mortality, alter forest composition, and reduce natural carbon storage. While some plants may adapt through trait assemblages like adjusting stomata activity, the overall risk of forest dieback and wildfire may rise, with global ecological consequences. The research underscores the importance of understanding plant responses to climate change to mitigate future environmental impacts.

OTHER SCIENCES & ARTS

Study Finds Growth Mindset and Belonging Key to Reducing Medical Student Burnout: A large-scale study, led by Yoi Tibbetts of the University of Virginia's School of Education and Human Development, examined the well-being of medical students, revealing that growth mindset, sense of belonging, and purpose can reduce burnout and improve mental health. Data from 6,622 students showed that nearly two-thirds of osteopathic medical students felt moderately to severely burned out by graduation, a rate significantly higher than when they started medical school. The study also highlighted that students from historically marginalized backgrounds demonstrated higher resilience and growth mindset, defying common assumptions of deficits. The researchers are now working with medical faculty to create supportive learning environments aimed at improving student well-being.

New Study Shows Wealth Bias in Toddlers as Early as 14 Months: A recent study led by UC Berkeley psychologist Arianne Eason reveals that biases favoring wealthier individuals can form in children as young as 14 months. The study shows that toddlers not only favor those with more resources but also show a negative bias toward those with fewer resources. Through a series of experiments, researchers found that children tracked resource distribution and preferred wealthier individuals, raising concerns about the early roots of wealth-based biases. The findings suggest the need for proactive efforts to combat wealth inequality by addressing biases that form early in life.

New Method to Study Tooth Enamel Proteins Offers Insight into Health of Ancient and Modern Populations: Researchers, led by Tammy Buonasera of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, have developed a novel method for analyzing immune proteins in human tooth enamel, which could provide new insights into the health of past and modern populations. The study, focuses on two key proteins: immunoglobulin G, an infection-fighting antibody, and C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation. By examining tooth enamel from various populations—including ancestral Ohlone people, European settlers, and modern military cadets—the team linked elevated protein levels to high stress and disease, particularly among Indigenous populations affected by colonialism. This groundbreaking approach could help scientists explore human health and disease across thousands of years and offer comparisons with modern lifestyles.

INDUSTRY

Lionsgate's AI Partnership and Its Potential Impact on Hollywood: Lionsgate has partnered with Runway AI to utilize its extensive movie catalog for AI model training. This AI integration aims to streamline storyboarding and pre-production, reducing costs and enhancing efficiency. While digital actors aren't part of this deal, the move raises concerns about job security for creatives in the industry. As one of the first major Hollywood studios to embrace AI, Lionsgate's collaboration signals a significant shift in how movies might be made in the future.

UN Experts Urge Global Cooperation on AI Development: A UN panel of 40 experts has called for global cooperation in managing artificial intelligence (AI), cautioning against relying solely on market forces. While they stopped short of recommending a global governing body, the panel proposed a "light-touch" coordination framework within the UN, similar to the IPCC for climate change. Their report highlights the risks AI poses, such as disinformation and misuse by criminal groups, and urges ongoing assessments to ensure global preparedness for future challenges.

K Faces "Butterfly Emergency" as Species Decline Amid Environmental Threats: Conservationists in the UK have declared a "butterfly emergency" following a significant drop in butterfly populations. The Big Butterfly Count, led by Butterfly Conservation, revealed that 2024 saw the lowest butterfly numbers in 14 years, with an 81% decrease compared to the previous year. Factors such as a wet summer, land use changes, pesticides, and climate change have contributed to this decline. Half of the UK's butterfly species are now listed as threatened or near threatened. Conservationists are calling for stronger habitat protections and a ban on harmful neonicotinoid insecticides to protect these vital pollinators and biodiversity.