Neuroscientists Uncover Mechanism for Reactivating Neural Stem Cells, Offering Hope for Neurodegenerative Disease Therapies

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 - Scientists Develop Spider-Man-Inspired Silk-Shooting Technology for Lifting Objects, and more.

• Technology and AI - New Brain-Computer Interface Training Enables Precise Prosthetic Hand Control in Study with Rhesus Monkeys, AI Tool Outperforms Existing Methods in Detecting Skin Cancer, Offering Hope for Faster Diagnosis, and more.

• Engineering - New Iron-Based Battery Technology Shows Promise for Renewable Energy Storage, Low-Cost AnySkin Sensor Enhances Robot Perception for Precise Manipulation Tasks.

• Astronomy & Space - Discovery of Lithium-Rich Star Challenges Stellar Evolution Models, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Study Links Increased Autism Risk to the Y Chromosome, Explaining Higher Prevalence in Males, RSV Vaccine Proven Highly Effective in Older Adults, Reducing Hospitalizations and Deaths by 80%, and more.

• Neuroscience - Neuroscientists Uncover Mechanism for Reactivating Neural Stem Cells, Offering Hope for Neurodegenerative Disease Therapies, and more.

• Environment - Poleward Shift of Atmospheric Rivers Worsens Droughts and Flooding Globally, and more.

• Nature - Assisted Migration to Save Monarch Butterfly Habitat: Planting Sacred Firs in Higher Altitudes.

• Industry - Innovative Project Aims to Reoxygenate Baltic Sea, Tackle Ocean Deoxygenation, Nuclear Power Gains Renewed Focus Amid Growing Energy Demands and Climate Goals, AI's Role in the Future of Visual Effects: Balancing Efficiency with Creativity.

Until Tomorrow.

~The STEAM Digest

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This newsletter is curated by The STEAM Digest.

SCIENCE

Scientists Develop Spider-Man-Inspired Silk-Shooting Technology for Lifting Objects: Researchers at Tufts University have created a "web-slinging" technology that can shoot sticky fibers from a device, solidify them mid-air, and lift objects—much like Spider-Man’s web-shooters. Using silk fibroin from silk moth cocoons, treated with dopamine and chitosan, the fibers can solidify almost instantly, gaining impressive tensile strength and adhesiveness. The fibers can pick up objects 80 times their own weight, making this breakthrough a potential game-changer for various technological applications. Inspired by nature and comic books, the study, demonstrates how imagination can fuel scientific innovation.

2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Honors Machine Learning Breakthroughs in Protein Folding and Design: The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker for their groundbreaking work using machine learning to solve one of biology's biggest challenges: predicting the 3D structure of proteins and designing new ones from scratch. This award stands out because it highlights research from a tech company—DeepMind—rather than traditional academia. Their work has revolutionized the field of protein science, with DeepMind's AlphaFold2 accurately predicting the structure of over 200 million proteins. This achievement, along with Baker's AI-based design of novel proteins, opens new frontiers in drug discovery and personalized medicine, underscoring AI's growing role in advancing science across disciplines.

New 'V-Score' Benchmark to Tackle Quantum Many-Body Problems and Advance Quantum Computing: Scientists have developed the V-score, a breakthrough method to compare the accuracy of different quantum methods for solving complex quantum many-body problems, which are crucial in fields like chemistry, materials science, and quantum computing. Led by Giuseppe Carleo at EPFL, the V-score combines a system’s energy and its fluctuations to rank methods based on their accuracy. The V-score has already identified the hardest-to-solve quantum systems and areas where quantum computing could have the biggest impact. By providing a consistent way to measure progress, the V-score could help direct future research and development, especially in industries such as pharmaceuticals and energy that depend on quantum simulations.

TECHNOLOGY AND AI

New Brain-Computer Interface Training Enables Precise Prosthetic Hand Control in Study with Rhesus Monkeys: Researchers at the German Primate Center have developed a novel brain-computer interface (BCI) training protocol that allows precise control of prosthetic hands using only neural signals. In a study with rhesus monkeys, the team discovered that signals representing hand postures, rather than movement velocity, are crucial for controlling these neuroprostheses. This breakthrough could significantly enhance the fine motor skills of prosthetic devices, improving mobility for patients with paralysis or diseases like ALS. By refining the BCI algorithm, the study achieved accurate hand control in a virtual environment, offering hope for more effective prosthetic solutions in the future.

AI Tool Outperforms Existing Methods in Detecting Skin Cancer, Offering Hope for Faster Diagnosis: A team of researchers from Anglia Ruskin University, Check4Cancer, University of Essex, and Addenbrooke's Hospital has developed an AI tool that significantly outperforms current methods for detecting skin cancer. Using data from 53,601 skin lesions and 25,105 patients, the AI model identified key risk factors like lesion changes and hair color at age 15 to create the C4C Risk Score, which achieved 69% accuracy, surpassing older methods like the 7PCL (62%) and Williams score (60%). This AI tool could reduce unnecessary biopsies, speed up diagnoses, and improve patient outcomes. The researchers hope for regulatory approval by 2025.

Korean Researchers Develop Autonomous Smart Valve System for Naval Vessels' Fire Safety: For the first time in Korea, researchers have successfully verified an innovative "smart valve system" capable of autonomously responding to pipe ruptures in a vessel's fire extinguishing system without crew intervention. Led by Principal Researcher Byungchang Jung of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), this system can autonomously control damage within 60 seconds, enhancing ship survivability, especially on naval vessels like next-generation destroyers. Tested on a 3,200-ton vessel under construction by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, the system could address crew shortages caused by demographic changes and be applied across various industries, including petroleum and marine plants. This technology marks a significant milestone for autonomous disaster response in the maritime sector.

ENGINEERING

New Iron-Based Battery Technology Shows Promise for Renewable Energy Storage: Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), led by Professor Xiaowei Teng, have developed a breakthrough in battery technology that could address challenges in renewable energy storage. Their study, published in ChemSusChem, demonstrates that adding silicate to the electrolyte of iron-based alkaline batteries can prevent hydrogen gas formation during charging, significantly improving energy efficiency. This advancement could make iron—a sustainable, abundant, and recyclable material—a more viable alternative to lithium, nickel, and cobalt for large-scale energy storage. The discovery holds potential for enhancing energy storage in microgrids and renewable power systems, helping to balance supply and demand in solar and wind energy.

Low-Cost AnySkin Sensor Enhances Robot Perception for Precise Manipulation Tasks: Researchers at New York University have developed AnySkin, a highly accessible and durable tactile sensor that could revolutionize robotics research by improving robots' ability to detect and respond to tactile signals. The low-cost sensor is easy to assemble, repair, and integrate with robotic systems, addressing key challenges faced by researchers in the field. Initial tests show that AnySkin performs comparably to established tactile sensors and can be used for precise tasks such as inserting plugs, swiping cards, and connecting USB sticks. The sensor's adaptability and consistent performance across multiple units make it a promising tool for large-scale deep learning and robotic manipulation applications.

ASTRONOMY & SPACE

Discovery of Lithium-Rich Star Challenges Stellar Evolution Models: Astronomers have discovered a star, J0524-0336, that defies conventional models of stellar evolution by containing an unusually high amount of lithium, an element typically depleted in older stars. The star, about 30 times the size of the sun and in an evolved phase, was found during a Milky Way survey. Researchers initially suspected an error in their data but later confirmed the lithium abundance using spectroscopy. The study, led by the University of Florida and NC State researchers, suggests two possible explanations: J0524-0336 may be in a previously unobserved phase of its life cycle, or it may have absorbed a nearby lithium-rich body. This finding raises new questions about how stars produce and retain elements as they age.

The Mystery of Lonely Quasars: Ancient Black Holes Challenge Cosmic Growth Models: A recent MIT-led study using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has observed five ancient quasars, some of the brightest and most massive objects in the universe, more than 13 billion years old. While past models suggested quasars grew in dense cosmic regions filled with galaxies, these new observations found a surprising variety: some quasars are in crowded fields, while others appear isolated in nearly empty regions. This challenges existing theories of how these massive black holes could have formed so early without surrounding matter to fuel their growth. The team, led by Anna-Christina Eilers, hopes to uncover if hidden galaxies shrouded in dust might explain how these quasars grew so massive in the young universe.

Discovery of a Second Exoplanet Orbiting G-type Star TIC 393818343: Astronomers have confirmed the detection of a second exoplanet, TIC 393818343 c, orbiting the G-type star TIC 393818343, located 300 light years from Earth. The planet is about 30% smaller than Jupiter and has a mass of approximately 0.36 Jupiter masses. It orbits the star every 7.84 days with an equilibrium temperature of about 1,027 K. Classified as a super-Neptunian gas giant, this discovery follows the May 2024 detection of TIC 393818343 b, a warm Jupiter. The second planet's presence was uncovered through observations of Transit Timing Variations of the first planet. Further studies, including atmospheric spectroscopy, are recommended to determine TIC 393818343 c’s full characteristics.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Study Links Increased Autism Risk to the Y Chromosome, Explaining Higher Prevalence in Males: A study by researchers from Geisinger Health System has found a potential link between the Y chromosome and increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), providing new insight into why autism is more prevalent in males. Analyzing data from 177,416 individuals, the study revealed that people with an additional Y chromosome were twice as likely to have an ASD diagnosis, while those with an additional X chromosome showed no change in risk. The findings suggest that autism risk may stem from factors on the Y chromosome, challenging the previous focus on protective factors linked to the X chromosome. Further research is required to identify the specific risk factors associated with the Y chromosome.

RSV Vaccine Proven Highly Effective in Older Adults, Reducing Hospitalizations and Deaths by 80%: A new multi-state study provides the first real-world analysis of the effectiveness of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine in older adults during the 2023–24 respiratory season. The study, conducted by the CDC’s VISION Network, found that the RSV vaccine offered approximately 80% protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death in adults aged 60 and older. Those aged 75 and above were particularly at risk and benefitted most from vaccination. The findings highlight the critical role of the RSV vaccine in preventing serious illness and reducing healthcare costs. Researchers emphasize the importance of following CDC guidelines for vaccination, especially during respiratory disease season.

Study Reveals Cumulative Neurotoxic Effects of Chemical Mixtures in Human Blood Samples: A new study from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) has shown that even low concentrations of chemicals, when combined in complex mixtures, can have cumulative neurotoxic effects on human health. Researchers analyzed over 600 blood samples from pregnant women and found that the effects of multiple chemicals add up, even if the individual concentrations are below harmful thresholds. The study emphasizes the need to rethink risk assessments, focusing on the combined impact of chemical mixtures rather than single substances. These findings could lead to improved understanding of how chemical exposure, especially in early life, contributes to health issues such as immune disorders and developmental conditions.

NEUROSCIENCE

Neuroscientists Uncover Mechanism for Reactivating Neural Stem Cells, Offering Hope for Neurodegenerative Disease Therapies: An international team led by Duke-NUS Medical School has identified a key mechanism that controls the reactivation of dormant neural stem cells, a process crucial for brain repair and regeneration. The study found that a group of proteins involved in SUMOylation—a cellular process where SUMO proteins tag other proteins—triggers the reactivation of neural stem cells. This discovery has broad implications for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The research also links SUMOylation to the Hippo pathway, a key cellular regulator, suggesting potential new targets for therapies aimed at harnessing the body’s natural regenerative abilities.

New Insights into Brain Mechanisms of Attention May Pave the Way for Targeted Treatments of Attention Disorders: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have identified brain mechanisms that control how we focus on specific tasks, providing crucial insights into the complexities of attention. In two recent studies, the team, led by Sridharan Devarajan, uncovered that attention has two distinct components: sensitivity, which enhances how well the brain processes information, and bias, which filters out irrelevant details. By using non-invasive brain stimulation and EEGs, the researchers demonstrated that the right posterior parietal cortex (rPCC) controls the bias component, while sensitivity plays a central role in phenomena like the "attentional blink." These findings open new possibilities for treating attention disorders more precisely without relying on broad psychostimulant drugs that often have harmful side effects.

ENVIRONMENT

Poleward Shift of Atmospheric Rivers Worsens Droughts and Flooding Globally: A new study shows that atmospheric rivers—narrow bands of water vapor responsible for heavy rain—have shifted 6 to 10 degrees toward higher latitudes over the past four decades. This shift, driven by changes in sea surface temperatures and the tropical Pacific's cooling trend, is exacerbating droughts in subtropical regions while intensifying rainfall and flooding in higher latitudes. These changes, especially pronounced during La Niña, are affecting water resources in places like California and the Arctic, where atmospheric rivers play a vital role. As global warming progresses, atmospheric rivers are expected to become more frequent and intense, further influencing global weather patterns and water availability.

New Insights into Sea Spray's Role in Hurricane Intensity Improve Forecasting Accuracy: A collaborative study by researchers from South Korea and Florida State University has advanced hurricane forecasting by incorporating the effects of sea spray into predictive models. The study highlights how sea spray from ocean surfaces enhances heat and moisture transfer into the atmosphere, intensifying hurricanes. By integrating a wave model to better account for sea spray dynamics, researchers found that forecasts of hurricane intensity significantly improved. This new approach was validated through analysis of major hurricanes like Ida, Harvey, Michael, and Ian. The findings offer a promising step toward refining hurricane intensity predictions and understanding storm rapid intensification.

Widespread PFAS Contamination Found in Tap and Bottled Water: Study Reveals Effective Reduction Methods: A study published in ACS ES&T Water reveals the widespread presence of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including PFOA and PFOS, in drinking water samples from the UK, China, and 15 other countries. Researchers found that over 99% of bottled water samples and significant portions of tap water contain PFAS. Chinese tap water had higher concentrations than UK tap water. Simple methods such as boiling and activated carbon filtration can reduce PFAS concentrations by 50% to 90%. While most detected PFAS levels fall below health advisory limits, tap water in Shenzhen exceeded the US Environmental Protection Agency's 2024 PFOS maximum contaminant level. The study highlights the need for ongoing monitoring and suggests that lifestyle and economic factors may influence PFAS exposure.

NATURE

Assisted Migration to Save Monarch Butterfly Habitat: Planting Sacred Firs in Higher Altitudes: The monarch butterfly's migration is a natural wonder, with millions traveling up to 4,800 km from North America to Central Mexico. The species depends on sacred fir trees (Abies religiosa) in high-altitude forests for survival. However, due to global warming, these forests are shifting upwards and may soon run out of suitable habitat. Researchers led by Dr. Cuauhtémoc Sáenz-Romero have proposed "assisted migration"—planting sacred firs on higher mountains like Nevado de Toluca. Early results indicate that survival rates are lower at higher altitudes, but these efforts could create new overwintering sites for monarchs as their current habitats warm.

INDUSTRY

Innovative Project Aims to Reoxygenate Baltic Sea, Tackle Ocean Deoxygenation: A new European initiative, the BOxHy project, is exploring ways to combat ocean deoxygenation in the Baltic Sea by injecting oxygen into its depleted waters. The collaboration, involving researchers from Stockholm University, the French company Lhyfe, and the Finnish startup Flexens, aims to restore marine biodiversity in one of the world’s largest ecological dead zones. Ocean deoxygenation, driven by climate change and nutrient runoff, has caused oxygen levels to plummet, threatening marine life. The project plans to produce oxygen through offshore hydrogen production, injecting it into deep waters to create a more sustainable ecosystem. A pilot phase is set for 2025, with the long-term goal of reversing oxygen depletion over several decades.

Nuclear Power Gains Renewed Focus Amid Growing Energy Demands and Climate Goals: Nuclear power is experiencing a resurgence as nations seek cleaner energy sources and address rising energy needs from technology sectors like data centers and artificial intelligence. Companies such as Microsoft, Oracle, Google, and Amazon are turning to nuclear energy, including innovative small modular reactors (SMRs), to power their operations. With global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and the U.S. aiming for net-zero emissions, nuclear energy is becoming a crucial player, already contributing 20% of U.S. electricity. Recent partnerships, including Microsoft's deal to reopen Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island, highlight nuclear energy’s growing role. As demand rises, nuclear technology companies and uranium miners are benefiting from increased investments and rising stock values.

AI's Role in the Future of Visual Effects: Balancing Efficiency with Creativity: As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into visual effects (VFX) production, the industry faces significant challenges. A recent partnership between Lionsgate and AI startup Runway has heightened concerns, as AI's potential for cost efficiency may come at the expense of jobs and creative integrity. Research reveals VFX artists are apprehensive about AI replacing human creativity, making their work more mechanical and undermining artistic value. Ethical issues, such as compensation for AI training data, further complicate matters. While AI can assist with automating tasks, its current limitations and the absence of clear industry guidelines raise concerns about its broader impact. The industry must strike a balance between leveraging AI for efficiency and preserving the human creativity that defines cinematic magic.