Scientists & Engineers Develop Breakthrough Material to Prevent Battery Fires and Thermal Runaway

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

In today’s edition:

• Science - New Hydrodynamic Reactor Could Revolutionize PFAS Removal from Water Supplies, and more.

• Technology and AI - Reducing Cloud Computing's Carbon Footprint with GreenSKUs: A Step Towards Greener ICT, and more.

• Engineering - Scientists & Engineers Develops Breakthrough Material to Prevent Battery Fires and Thermal Runaway, and more.

• Astronomy & Space - Feeding Bacteria Asteroid Material Could Sustain Astronauts on Long-Distance Space Journeys, and more.

• Health & Medicine - New Phage Therapy Shows Promise in Fighting Drug-Resistant Klebsiella Infections, and more.

• Neuroscience - New Molecule Discovery Offers Hope for Parkinson’s Disease Treatment, and more.

• Environment - Discovery of 2-Billion-Year-Old Microbes in South African Rock Fracture Could Unlock Clues to Life on Mars, and more.

• Nature - Tokay Geckos' Hidden “Sixth Sense” Sheds Light on Evolution of Hearing and Balance in Vertebrates, and more.

• Other Sciences & Arts - Groundbreaking Research at Casas del Turuñuelo Reveals Advanced Sustainable Construction by Tartessians, Neuroscientists Discover Why Vermeer’s "Girl With The Pearl Earring" Captivates Viewers.

Until Tomorrow.

~The STEAM Digest

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This newsletter is curated by The STEAM Digest.

SCIENCE

New Hydrodynamic Reactor Could Revolutionize PFAS Removal from Water Supplies: Researchers at Oxford Brookes University have developed a hydrodynamic reactor that efficiently removes toxic per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as "forever chemicals," from water. Using cavitation, where bubbles form and collapse due to pressure changes, the reactor achieved a 36% degradation of PFAS variants in just 30 minutes during testing. Unlike existing costly and chemical-dependent methods, this eco-friendly solution offers a scalable and energy-efficient alternative. The team plans to scale up the technology to treat larger volumes of wastewater, aiming to support the EU’s 2035 strategy for PFAS removal.

Zinc Supplements Show Promise in Reducing the Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance in the Gut: Researchers at Iowa State University have found that dietary zinc supplements can inhibit the transfer of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes between bacteria in the gut. The study reveals that zinc reduces plasmid transmission—genetic material responsible for spreading AMR—without significantly affecting gut bacteria. This discovery offers a potential low-cost solution to slow the spread of AMR infections, which are responsible for thousands of deaths annually. The next steps include testing the effects in animal models and further exploring the mechanisms by which zinc disrupts plasmid transfer.

New Molecule Mimics Exercise and Fasting Benefits, Offering Potential for Health and Recovery: Researchers from Aarhus University have developed a molecule called LaKe that mimics the beneficial metabolic effects of exercise and fasting, without requiring physical exertion or skipping meals. The molecule increases levels of lactate and ketones, which can improve heart health, reduce fat in the blood, and suppress appetite—similar to running 10 kilometers on an empty stomach. The study marks a potential breakthrough for individuals unable to engage in regular exercise, with clinical trials in humans already underway. LaKe also shows promise for treating brain conditions such as Parkinson's and dementia, where boosting energy levels in the brain may improve cognitive function.

New Insights into Superconducting Quantum Circuits May Lead to More Stable Quantum Bits: Researchers from Université Grenoble Alpes have made a significant breakthrough in quantum computing by directly measuring the sin(2𝜑) current phase relation in a graphene-based superconducting quantum interference device. This effect, observed in Josephson junctions, is critical for the development of superconducting quantum circuits, which are essential for building stable quantum computers. The team's experiment demonstrated that their device can achieve a more complex current phase relation, potentially contributing to quantum bits that are less prone to decoherence. The researchers plan to explore new circuit designs to further enhance quantum bit stability in future studies.

TECHNOLOGY AND AI

Reducing Cloud Computing's Carbon Footprint with GreenSKUs: A Step Towards Greener ICT: While gas-powered vehicles and industries are often blamed for carbon emissions, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is currently responsible for 2-4% of global emissions, a figure expected to rise to 20% by 2030. Cloud computing significantly contributes to ICT emissions, both from operational power use and hardware production. To tackle this, a team from Carnegie Mellon University developed a design approach for carbon-efficient cloud servers known as GreenSKUs. Their systematic framework, tested under Microsoft Azure’s constraints, reduced emissions by 10%, a reduction that could impact global emissions by up to 0.2% by 2030. This research paves the way for more carbon-efficient server designs and addresses issues like ICT waste from planned obsolescence.

Meta Unveils New AI Tool "Movie Gen" for Creating Custom Videos from Text and Photos: Meta has introduced a new generative AI model, "Meta Movie Gen," designed to create short, custom videos, complete with audio, from text prompts and photos. This breakthrough AI engine can generate videos up to 16 seconds long, opening possibilities for filmmakers, creators, and everyday users. While Meta has not revealed the release date for Movie Gen, it plans to gather feedback from creators as part of its development process. The rise of AI-generated videos has raised concerns about "deepfakes," but Meta emphasized that its tool is not intended to replace human artists or animators.

Colombian Student Develops AI System to Combat Landmines and Promote Peace: Mateo Dulce Rubio, a Colombian doctoral student at Carnegie Mellon University, leads a research team developing RELand, an AI-powered system designed to more accurately predict landmine locations in war-torn areas. The system, currently being field-tested in Colombia, has already helped locate and remove landmines, improving safety for local communities. RELand uses machine learning to analyze geographic and sociodemographic data, allowing humanitarian organizations like the Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines to deploy demining efforts more effectively. With continued testing and refinement, RELand has the potential to assist landmine removal efforts worldwide and contribute to peace-building in conflict-affected areas.

ENGINEERING

Scientists & Engineers Develops Breakthrough Material to Prevent Battery Fires and Thermal Runaway: Engineers and materials scientists at LG Chem have developed a new material that could significantly reduce the risk of thermal runaway and fires in batteries. The study details the creation of a Safety Reinforcement Layer (SRL), a metal composite just one micrometer thick that is placed between a battery’s cathode and collector. The SRL automatically increases resistance at high temperatures, cutting off the current and preventing overheating. Tested in real-world conditions, such as being punctured or crushed, the batteries with SRL either did not ignite or extinguished small fires quickly. The team aims to commercialize this safety technology for widespread use in different battery types.

Bacteria-Powered Artificial Plants: A Green Solution for Indoor Air Quality: Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors, where poor air quality can impact health. To address this, Binghamton University researchers, Professor Seokheun Choi and Ph.D. student Maryam Rezaie, have developed bacteria-powered artificial plants. These plants not only capture carbon dioxide and generate oxygen but also produce a small amount of electricity. Initially created for fun, the concept has broader potential applications, including powering small devices like cell phones. The researchers aim to improve efficiency, integrate energy storage, and reduce maintenance, envisioning these artificial plants in every household.

CARMA: A Fair and Effective System to Reduce Rush-Hour Traffic Without Extra Costs: Rush-hour traffic congestion is a global issue, wasting countless hours for commuters. Kenan Zhang from EPFL and colleagues at ETH Zurich have developed CARMA, a novel traffic management system designed to ease congestion without imposing financial burdens. CARMA allows commuters to use "karma credits" to bid for access to fast lanes, while those in less of a hurry can choose slower lanes. The system redistributes credits to all users daily, promoting fairness by not favoring higher-income commuters, unlike toll-based systems. CARMA also protects user privacy, as it doesn’t collect personal commuting data. The team plans to test the system in real-world conditions, offering a promising new approach for city planners tackling traffic problems.

ASTRONOMY & SPACE

Feeding Bacteria Asteroid Material Could Sustain Astronauts on Long-Distance Space Journeys: Engineers and planetary scientists at Western University, Canada, have proposed using asteroid material to feed bacteria, which could then grow into edible biomass for astronauts on long-duration space missions. The study explores how much asteroid material would be required to sustain astronauts. Using asteroid Bennu as a model, they estimated that if microbes consumed the entire asteroid, it could feed one astronaut for 600 to 17,000 years. While the concept is promising, the researchers note that more testing is needed to ensure the resulting biomass is non-toxic and palatable, and that asteroid composition presents additional challenges.

JWST Uncovers Early Galaxies That Challenge Existing Cosmological Models: The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has discovered some of the earliest and most distant galaxies, offering a glimpse into the universe just 300 million years after the Big Bang. These galaxies, which are surprisingly bright and massive for their age, suggest that star formation and galaxy growth occurred more rapidly than current models of cosmology predict. Scientists are now rethinking how efficiently gas was converted into stars and considering possible revisions to cosmological theories. JWST’s findings continue to refine our understanding of galaxy formation and the universe's early evolution.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

New Phage Therapy Shows Promise in Fighting Drug-Resistant Klebsiella Infections: Researchers from the University of Chicago have developed a phage cocktail that can effectively target and treat antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infections, as demonstrated in mice. The study highlights the complexity of phage-bacteria interactions. Although the phages showed promise in some cases, bacteria evolved resistance in others, underscoring the dynamic nature of this approach. Despite the challenges, phages remain a promising strategy for combating drug-resistant infections, and the team is working toward FDA approval for clinical trials in patients with recurrent urinary tract infections caused by Klebsiella.

Colonoscopy Rates Triple Among Younger Americans, but Screening Gaps Persist: A new study from Yale School of Public Health reveals that the recommendation to lower the starting age for colonoscopy screenings from 50 to 45 has led to a threefold increase in screening rates among Americans aged 45 to 49. Despite this, only 11.5% of eligible individuals in this age group have been screened, signaling that screening rates remain low. The study also highlights disparities in screening rates based on income and location, with those in high-income or urban areas more likely to get screened. Researchers emphasize the need to address barriers for people in low-income and rural areas to ensure wider access to colorectal cancer screening.

"Forever Chemicals" Linked to Poor Sleep in Young Adults, Study Reveals: Researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC have found that elevated levels of "forever chemicals" (PFAS) in the blood are associated with sleep disruptions in young adults. The study examined blood samples from 144 participants and identified four PFAS chemicals—PFDA, PFHxS, PFOA, and PFOS—that significantly reduced sleep duration and quality. The researchers also explored the underlying molecular mechanisms, finding that genes involved in the body's immune system and cortisol regulation may be disrupted by PFAS, potentially affecting sleep patterns. These findings suggest that PFAS exposure could have immediate health impacts, contributing to the need for stricter regulation of these chemicals.

NEUROSCIENCE

New Molecule Discovery Offers Hope for Parkinson’s Disease Treatment: Researchers from the University of California, Irvine have discovered that ophthalmic acid, a molecule in the brain, functions like a neurotransmitter, potentially offering a new therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. In their study the team found that ophthalmic acid activates calcium-sensing receptors, reversing motor impairments in Parkinson’s mouse models for over 20 hours—significantly longer than the effects of traditional dopamine-based treatments like L-dopa. This breakthrough could pave the way for new treatments that bypass the limitations of current therapies, particularly in sustaining motor function without leading to dyskinesia.

Study Highlights Link Between Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline in Adults: A large study from France has reinforced the connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline, suggesting that individuals with mild or disabling hearing loss are more likely to experience cognitive impairment. The research found that 27% of those with mild hearing loss and 37% with disabling hearing loss showed cognitive decline, compared to 16% of participants with normal hearing. While hearing aids improve quality of life, the study found no significant difference in cognitive outcomes between individuals with disabling hearing loss who used hearing aids and those who did not, though hearing aids may reduce cognitive impairment risk in people with both hearing loss and depression.

ENVIRONMENT

Discovery of 2-Billion-Year-Old Microbes in South African Rock Fracture Could Unlock Clues to Life on Mars: A team from the University of Tokyo has discovered microbes that have existed in a sealed rock fracture almost 50 feet underground in South Africa for 2 billion years, making it the oldest known life in such conditions. This discovery, beneath the Bushveld Igneous Complex, could help scientists better understand early evolutionary life on Earth and potentially Mars. Using advanced imaging techniques, the researchers confirmed that the microbes were both alive and native to the environment. The research could also aid NASA’s search for life on Mars, as the rover Perseverance is set to return samples of similar age.

Antarctic Peninsula’s Vegetation Cover Increases Tenfold Due to Climate Change: A new study reveals that vegetation cover on the Antarctic Peninsula has increased over tenfold in the past four decades, expanding from less than one square kilometer in 1986 to nearly 12 square kilometers by 2021. The research, conducted by the universities of Exeter and Hertfordshire and the British Antarctic Survey, used satellite data to document this "greening" trend, which has accelerated in recent years. The rapid growth of mosses and other plants is a response to warming temperatures, raising concerns about potential invasive species and the need for further research into the environmental impacts of these changes. The findings highlight how even remote regions like Antarctica are being affected by anthropogenic climate change.

New Testing Method Using Synchrotron Light Could Improve Selenium Contamination Remediation: Researchers from the University of Waterloo have developed a new technique using synchrotron light to better monitor the effectiveness of selenium contamination removal from mining activities. Selenium, while essential in small quantities, can be harmful at higher concentrations, impacting both human and animal health. The new method tracks changes in selenium isotopes to determine whether remediation efforts, such as using sulfur-reducing bacteria, are effectively and permanently removing selenium from water bodies. The study offers a way to test and improve the effectiveness of cleanup systems, with plans to expand this research to other mining pollutants like mercury.

NATURE

Tokay Geckos' Hidden “Sixth Sense” Sheds Light on Evolution of Hearing and Balance in Vertebrates: A recent study reveals that the brightly spotted tokay gecko (Gekko gecko) has a “sixth sense” that allows it to detect low-frequency vibrations through a part of its inner ear called the saccule, typically linked to balance. This discovery shows that geckos can sense vibrations from the ground or water, in addition to airborne sounds, offering new insights into reptilian and amphibian sensory systems. The research suggests that other reptiles may use similar vibrational pathways for communication, challenging previous assumptions about their hearing abilities. These findings provide a window into the evolution of hearing and balance in vertebrates, with potential implications for understanding human sensory systems.

How Pterosaurs’ Hands and Feet Helped Them Conquer the Skies: A new study explores how adaptations in the hands and feet of pterosaurs played a crucial role in their evolution as the first flying vertebrates. Early pterosaurs were specialized for tree-climbing, with claws and limb structures ideal for grasping vertical surfaces. Over time, these adaptations shifted, allowing later pterosaurs to walk on land and grow larger. This shift, occurring in the Middle Jurassic, enabled them to exploit new ecological niches, eventually leading to massive wingspans and diverse feeding strategies. The findings offer a deeper understanding of how these ancient creatures thrived both in the air and on the ground.

Winter Habitat Quality Impacts Migratory Birds’ Survival During Spring Migration and Breeding: A study from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute reveals that environmental conditions in migratory birds' winter habitats significantly affect their survival during spring migration and the breeding season. The research focuses on the Kirtland's warbler and black-throated blue warbler, finding that reduced rainfall and vegetative productivity in their Caribbean non-breeding habitats lower survival rates during migration. The study highlights how climate change-induced habitat degradation in wintering grounds could exacerbate bird population declines, stressing the need for targeted conservation efforts in drought-resistant areas.

OTHER SCIENCES & ARTS

Groundbreaking Research at Casas del Turuñuelo Reveals Advanced Sustainable Construction by Tartessians: An international team of researchers has reconstructed the construction process of the monumental Casas del Turuñuelo site in Guareña, Spain, the best-preserved earthen building in the western Mediterranean. The research highlights the advanced architectural skills and sustainable building practices of the Tartessians, who utilized local materials to construct the structure. By studying the processing of earthen materials, labor organization, and resource management, researchers gain insights into how this ancient society thrived. The findings also offer potential lessons for modern sustainable construction and project management.

Neuroscientists Discover Why Vermeer’s "Girl With The Pearl Earring" Captivates Viewers: A new study commissioned by the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague has revealed why Johannes Vermeer’s "Girl With The Pearl Earring" holds such powerful appeal. Using EEG and MRI brain scans, neuroscientists discovered that the painting triggers a unique "Sustained Attentional Loop" in the brain, where the viewer’s eyes cycle between the girl’s eye, mouth, and pearl, creating an irresistible draw. The brain’s precuneus, which governs consciousness and identity, was found to be highly stimulated when viewing the original painting. This neurological response helps explain why the portrait has become one of the world’s most iconic artworks.