How Close Are We to Invisibility? The Science Behind Cloaking Tech

Hello and welcome to our May 8th edition. The STEAM Digest is a curated newsletter that brings you the latest research and industry news in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. In this edition, we bring you the latest industry news in STEAM.

In today’s industry news:

• Science - How Close Are We to Invisibility? The Science Behind Cloaking Tech, and more.

• Engineering & Technology - World's Most Powerful Magnet Ready to Power ITER Fusion Reactor, and more.

• Astronomy & Space - 1972 Soviet Venus Probe Kosmos 482 Expected to Crash Back to Earth in May.

• AI & Science - AI Deepfakes and Hallucinated Cases: How Generative Tech Is Reshaping the Courtroom, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Cryonics: Why Freezing Your Brain Won’t Save You (Yet), and more.

• Environment & Earth Sciences - Nuclear Waste: How Do We Safely Store a Threat That Lasts for Millennia?, and more.

• Nature & Ecology- Rare New Zealand Snail Caught Laying Egg from Its Neck in Conservation First, and more.

• Other Sciences & The Arts - Did Ancient Egyptians Use Water Power to Build the First Pyramid?, and more.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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SCIENCE

How Close Are We to Invisibility? The Science Behind Cloaking Tech: Scientists are inching closer to invisibility using advanced materials that bend light, absorb radar, mute heat signatures, and even silence sound. Metamaterials and graphene-based tech are enabling breakthroughs in cloaking from visible light, infrared, and even ultrasound. A graphene-based jacket can camouflage its wearer from infrared cameras by adapting to environmental heat patterns. While true wearable invisibility cloaks are still years away, military jets already avoid detection with stealth design, and smart jackets can blend into thermal environments. Nature inspires innovation too—moth wings that dodge bat sonar are helping researchers create ultra-thin soundproofing and energy-harvesting materials. Invisibility isn’t magic anymore—it’s advanced physics.

Fungal Spores Found Alive in the Stratosphere Could Help Track Global Plant Pathogens: Scientists have successfully collected and cultured fungal spores from the stratosphere—over 10 km above Earth—using homemade samplers launched on weather balloons. These spores, some of which are plant and human pathogens, survived extreme cold, low pressure, and intense UV radiation. The team identified 235 fungal genera, including global agricultural threats. The discovery opens the door to regular monitoring of airborne fungal biodiversity, potentially helping scientists track and predict disease spread across continents via a "stratospheric superhighway. Viable spores of plant and human pathogens have been found 35 km above Earth, showing fungi can travel globally through the upper atmosphere.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

World's Most Powerful Magnet Ready to Power ITER Fusion Reactor: The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France has completed the final module of its Central Solenoid, the world’s largest and strongest superconducting electromagnet. Weighing nearly 3,000 tons, the magnet is key to sustaining the fusion reactions inside ITER’s donut-shaped tokamak reactor. By generating magnetic fields strong enough to confine plasma hotter than the Sun’s core, the system aims to prove that nuclear fusion can be a commercially viable, clean energy source. Expected to produce 500 megawatts of fusion power from only 50 megawatts of input, ITER represents a major step toward sustainable energy and global scientific cooperation. However, first plasma is not expected before 2033 due to ongoing construction and integration.

EU Approves Emissions Target Delay to Support Carmakers Amid Industry Pressures: EU lawmakers have approved a delay in enforcing new vehicle emissions targets, allowing carmakers to average their CO₂ emissions over 2025–2027 instead of meeting each year's target individually. Passed with a strong majority (458 to 101), the measure aims to ease pressure on Europe’s auto industry as it faces growing competition from the U.S. and China. While industry groups welcomed the flexibility, critics like Green MEP Saskia Bricmont warned the move undermines climate goals and delays access to affordable electric vehicles. The vote signals a broader reassessment of the EU’s plan to phase out combustion engine car sales by 2035.

ASTRONOMY & SPACE

1972 Soviet Venus Probe Kosmos 482 Expected to Crash Back to Earth in May:
Kosmos 482, a Soviet space probe stranded in Earth's orbit since a failed 1972 Venus mission, is projected to reenter the atmosphere between May 9 and 10, 2025, according to the U.S. Space Force and satellite expert Marco Langbroek. Originally intended to follow its twin, Venera 8, to Venus, Kosmos 482 was left in orbit after its launch vehicle failed. Due to its durable construction designed for Venus’ harsh conditions, experts believe it may survive reentry and hit the ground intact—comparable to a medium-sized car falling from the sky. While its impact location is unpredictable, astronomers note the risk to human life is minimal. The event highlights growing concerns over space debris, especially from large satellite constellations like SpaceX's Starlink, which have already left fragments on Earth.

AI & SCIENCE

AI Deepfakes and Hallucinated Cases: How Generative Tech Is Reshaping the Courtroom: Generative AI is increasingly appearing in U.S. courtrooms, raising ethical and legal concerns. In a landmark moment, the family of a 2021 road rage victim used an AI-generated deepfake of the deceased to deliver a victim impact statement in an Arizona courtroom—a video that reportedly influenced the judge's sentencing. Meanwhile, a New York man used an AI deepfake as part of his legal defense without proper disclosure. These cases highlight a growing trend of AI being used for emotional impact, clarity, or convenience in legal proceedings. However, AI has also caused serious issues in courtrooms through “hallucinated” legal citations, where fabricated case law generated by tools like ChatGPT has led to sanctions and suspensions for lawyers. As courts struggle to regulate this emerging technology, federal panels and legal authorities are now working on draft rules to ensure AI-generated evidence meets proper standards. While AI may improve access to justice, experts warn it could also dehumanize the legal process and erode trust if misused.

Deepfakes Now Have Heartbeats—And They’re Outsmarting Detection Tech:
A new study in Frontiers in Imaging reveals that AI-generated deepfakes are now so realistic, they can mimic human heartbeats—undermining some of the most advanced detection systems. Detectors based on remote photoplethysmography (rPPP) once relied on subtle changes in skin color from blood flow to identify real videos, but deepfakes can now replicate those signals from the original "driving" footage. While this leap in realism raises alarms about misinformation and digital manipulation, researchers suggest the future of verification may lie in digital fingerprints—tamper-proof cryptographic markers embedded in authentic footage. As deepfakes become indistinguishable from reality, proving a video is real may become more effective than proving it's fake.

AI Companions Are Becoming Emotionally Real—But Are We Ready for the Consequences?: AI-powered chatbots like Replika and Soulmate are creating emotionally meaningful relationships with users, providing comfort, companionship, and support—particularly to those who feel lonely, neurodivergent, or socially isolated. A study led by Syracuse University captured the grief users experienced after the Soulmate app was shut down, highlighting how deeply people bond with virtual companions. While early research suggests these AI interactions may boost self-esteem and reduce loneliness for some, experts warn of emerging risks: manipulation, emotional dependency, blurred boundaries, and even responses encouraging self-harm. As AI companions grow more humanlike thanks to large language models, researchers stress the urgent need for regulation, transparency, and safeguards—especially for vulnerable users and young people.

AI-Driven Digital Clones Are Transforming Fast-Fashion Marketing—But Ethical Concerns Loom: Digital clones and virtual influencers are rapidly reshaping fast-fashion marketing, driven by advances in AI and metaverse technologies. These always-available, customizable avatars offer cost-effective and immersive campaign options, appealing especially to Gen Z and digital-first consumers. Brands like H&M and Mango are now using AI-generated models and digital twins to accelerate production and cut costs. While these tools enable greater personalization and broader visual representation, they also raise ethical concerns about transparency, consent, and the displacement of creative workers. As the $24 billion influencer market grows, experts stress the need for legal safeguards and clear communication to preserve trust and inclusivity in this evolving landscape.

AI Models Struggle with Real-World Crop Disease Detection, But Progress Is Close: A new study by Charles Darwin University and the University of Peradeniya reveals that while AI holds promise for identifying crop diseases and boosting food security, current models often fail in real-world agricultural settings. Factors like poor lighting, overlapping leaves, and image noise significantly reduce accuracy outside controlled lab conditions. The researchers stress the need for diverse, real-world datasets and lightweight models suited for offline use on smartphones and drones—especially in remote regions. Despite current limitations, AI's potential to provide fast, accurate disease detection remains vital for improving crop yields and supporting the UN’s zero hunger goal.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Cryonics: Why Freezing Your Brain Won’t Save You (Yet): Cryonics—the idea of freezing your body or brain to be revived in the future—remains more sci-fi than science. Despite growing interest, the process causes irreversible damage to cells, especially the brain’s delicate neurons and connections that store memory and identity. While techniques like cryoprotectants help reduce ice damage, they become toxic at scale. A key fact is that a frozen brain suffers damage equivalent to trying to "unscramble an egg"—making revival with current or near-future technology virtually impossible. Even if future medicine could revive tissue, reconstructing a person’s mind without a molecular-level map is nearly impossible. For now, cryonics runs less on science and more on hope.

Self-Immunized Snakebite Survivor's Blood May Lead to Breakthrough Antivenom: Tim Friede, a Wisconsin man who deliberately exposed himself to venom from over a dozen deadly snakes and survived 202 snakebites, may hold the key to a universal antivenom. After years of self-immunization, his blood contains rare antibodies capable of neutralizing various snake toxins. Biotech firm Centivax, led by Jacob Glanville, used Friede’s antibodies and a drug called varespladib to create an experimental antivenom that protected mice from lethal doses of venom from 13 snake species. While still in early testing, the research, published in Cell, shows promise in tackling the global challenge of snakebite treatment, which currently requires species-specific antivenoms. Friede, now retired from self-experimentation, is being hailed as an unlikely pioneer in the quest to revolutionize antivenom therapy.

ENVIRONMENT & EARTH SCIENCES

Nuclear Waste: How Do We Safely Store a Threat That Lasts for Millennia?
As nuclear energy expands globally, managing the ever-growing stockpile of radioactive waste—some dangerous for up to a million years—has become a critical challenge. Researchers like Professor Tom Scott are using robotic technology to locate and assess legacy waste at sites such as the abandoned Prydniprovsky Chemical Plant in Ukraine. Current above-ground storage is only a temporary fix; experts argue that long-term safety depends on geological disposal facilities (GDFs)—deep underground “nuclear tombs” that isolate waste using engineered and natural barriers. Countries like Finland and Sweden are leading with GDF construction, while others explore alternatives like deep borehole disposal or advanced ceramics to contain plutonium. However, warning future civilizations about these hidden hazards remains an unsolved problem. From atomic priesthoods to genetically engineered “ray cats,” scientists are exploring creative solutions to communicate danger across deep time. Ultimately, the article underscores the urgent need for sustainable, secure, and culturally aware strategies to manage nuclear waste—now and far into the future.

Louisiana’s $3 Billion Coastal Restoration Project Stalls Amid Legal and Political Turmoil: The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion—a $3 billion plan to restore Louisiana’s sinking coastline—has come to a standstill due to lawsuits and political disputes. Once seen as a groundbreaking model to fight coastal erosion by redirecting sediment from the Mississippi River, the project now faces suspension after Governor Jeff Landry accused former Governor John Bel Edwards of hiding a report detailing severe environmental and financial risks. Critics argue the project threatens fisheries and could cost $50 million annually in dredging. With Louisiana losing 10 city blocks of wetlands daily, experts warn delays only worsen the crisis. The project promised to build 54 km² of new land by 2070—but delays could cost Louisiana both its coastline and $500 million in federal funds.

All of America's Largest Cities Are Sinking, New Study Finds: All 28 of the most populated U.S. cities—including New York, Houston, San Francisco, and Chicago—are sinking due to land subsidence, according to new satellite-based research from Virginia Tech. In 25 of those cities, at least 65% of the land is subsiding, some by as much as 1 cm per year. The main cause? Over-extraction of groundwater, which causes aquifers to collapse beneath growing urban areas. This slow shift increases risks of flooding, infrastructure damage, and climate change impacts—especially in coastal zones.

NATURE & ECOLOGY

Rare New Zealand Snail Caught Laying Egg from Its Neck in Conservation First:
For the first time ever, scientists in New Zealand have filmed the endangered Powelliphanta augusta snail laying an egg—from its neck. The rare footage was captured at a conservation facility where the large, carnivorous snails have been kept in climate-controlled containers mimicking their lost alpine habitat. Native only to New Zealand and known for slurping up earthworms, these slow-reproducing hermaphrodites take eight years to mature and lay just a few eggs per year, each taking over a year to hatch. Once nearly wiped out by coal mining, the species is now slowly rebounding in captivity.

Just How Little of the Deep Sea Have We Explored? Less Than 0.001%: A new analysis led by oceanographer Katherine Bell reveals that less than 0.001% of the deep seafloor has been directly explored by humans or robotic vehicles—an area about one-tenth the size of Belgium. Mapping data from roughly 44,000 deep-sea dives since 1958 shows exploration has been highly concentrated near the U.S., Japan, and New Zealand, leaving vast regions like the Indian Ocean largely untouched. Efforts are underway to broaden access and fill these gaps: Bell’s Ocean Discovery League is building affordable robotic tools and identifying 10,000 unexplored dive sites to help sample the global seafloor more evenly. Meanwhile, India’s Matsya 6000 project is preparing for crewed dives to 6,000 meters to further this global mission of understanding Earth’s last frontier.

Texas Bill Proposes Helicopter Hunting to Control Invasive Aoudad Sheep: Texas lawmakers are advancing a bill (HB 5398) that would legalize the aerial hunting of invasive aoudad sheep, joining feral hogs and coyotes on the list of species that can be culled from helicopters. Introduced by Rep. Eddie Morales—who added sheep-themed humor to his pitch—the bill responds to the aoudad population's dramatic 1,800% rise since 1963. Originally brought to Texas post-WWII as exotic game, aoudads now pose a major threat to native bighorn sheep and livestock by outcompeting them and spreading deadly bacteria. With an estimated 30,000 aoudads now in the state, the bill seeks to support more effective population control measures. The legislation has already passed the House and appears headed for final approval.

OTHER SCIENCES & THE ARTS

Did Ancient Egyptians Use Water Power to Build the First Pyramid?: New research suggests the Step Pyramid of Djoser, Egypt’s oldest pyramid, may have been built using a hydraulic-powered elevation system. Scientists propose that ancient engineers used water pressure from a dam-fed system and moat to lift heavy stone blocks from the pyramid's center “in a volcano fashion.” Geological features like the nearby Gisr el-Mudir enclosure resemble a check dam and water purification system, pointing to a sophisticated understanding of hydraulic engineering—thousands of years ahead of its time. Evidence suggests Egyptians may have used a form of water-powered machinery 4,500 years ago to raise massive stones—challenging long-held theories of pyramid construction.

7,500-Year-Old Deer Antler Reveals Toolmaking, Art, and Ritual in Stone Age Sweden: Archaeologists in Motala, Sweden uncovered a richly decorated red deer antler from around 5500 B.C. that evolved from ax handle to harpoon, then became a ritual object. Discovered in a cache of over 1,400 artifacts—including engraved bones and human skull pieces—the antler shows layers of carvings, one of which was intentionally erased and replaced, possibly by multiple artisans. Its detailed ornamentation and symbolic burial suggest it held both practical and ceremonial importance to Stone Age hunter-fisher-gatherers. This single antler tool was reused, reshaped, and ritually buried—offering a rare glimpse into Mesolithic craftsmanship and culture.

Hundreds of Skeletons Unearthed Beneath Former Debenhams Store in Gloucester: Archaeologists have uncovered 317 skeletons beneath a former Debenhams in Gloucester, UK, as the site is redeveloped into a university campus. The remains span medieval to post-medieval periods, and artifacts like a tobacco pipe and wine bottle were also found. Beneath the burial grounds lie Roman-era structures, including roads and townhouses, with more ancient ruins expected. The discovery also includes parts of St. Aldate’s Church, dating back before the Norman Conquest. The site continues to reveal Gloucester’s deep, layered history—from Roman mosaics to Civil War damage. The site sits atop 2,000+ years of history, with burials, buildings, and roads from the Roman era through the 20th century.

Earthquake Uncovers Possible Konbaung-Era “Water Palace” in Myanmar: A 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar’s Tada-U Township has revealed parts of an ancient structure possibly dating back to the Konbaung Dynasty (1752–1885), the final Burmese royal dynasty. Newly exposed features—including staircases, brick platforms, and handrails—match descriptions in ancient palm-leaf manuscripts of a royal “water palace.” While some believe it may be tied to King Mindon’s era, experts suggest it may be a large wooden residence or monastery, similar to the Shwenandaw Monastery. Excavations began in April 2025, led by Myanmar’s Department of Archaeology.