Rising Sea Levels Threaten Coastal Tourism in North Carolina Through Salty Tap Water

Hello and welcome to the first Saturday of 2025 and to our January 4th edition. The STEAM Digest is a curated newsletter that brings you the latest news in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

In today’s edition:

• Science - Skoltech Advances Fluid Aggregation Modeling with New Equation, and more.

• Materials - Breakthrough in Nanomaterials: Stable 2D Gold Monolayers Developed for Advanced Applications, and more.

• Engineering & Technology - Bio-Inspired "Moose Hooves" Boost Robot Mobility on Challenging Terrains.

• Astronomy & Space - Astronomers Detect Multiple Flares in Tidal Disruption Event ASASSN-22ci.

• Biotechnology, Health, & Medicine - One Cigarette Costs Long-Term Smokers 20 Minutes of Life, UCL Study Finds, and more.

• Neuroscience - Early-Life Tuning of Brain Circuit Stabilizes Gaze Without Sensory Feedback.

• Environment - Rising Sea Levels Threaten Coastal Tourism in North Carolina Through Salty Tap Water, SoilScanner: Harnessing RF Signals and AI to Detect Lead in Soil.

• Nature - Soil Bacteria Help Plants Balance Growth and Immunity: Insights from Princeton Research, and more.

• Other Sciences & The Arts - Fossil Evidence Reveals 517-Million-Year-Old Evolutionary Arms Race, Storytelling: A Path to Meaningful Lives and Thriving Workplaces.

Keep warm,

~The STEAM Digest

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This newsletter is curated by The STEAM Digest.

SCIENCE

Skoltech Advances Fluid Aggregation Modeling with New Equations:
Researchers at Skoltech have developed novel mathematical equations to describe the behavior of aggregating particles in fluids, addressing natural phenomena like rain formation and planetary ring emergence, as well as engineering applications such as aerosol painting and powder transport. Unlike traditional models that combined Smoluchowski equations with fluid dynamics equations (e.g., Euler and Navier-Stokes), which often produced significant errors, the new approach introduces a unified set of hydrodynamic equations. These equations incorporate groundbreaking kinetic coefficients derived from first principles, enhancing precision and eliminating the need for incompatible equation hybrids. This advancement provides a robust framework for studying and optimizing processes involving fluid aggregation, with implications for air pollution control, granular flow analysis, and innovations in aerospace and automotive industries.

Bacterial Protein Invasin Revolutionizes Sustainable Growth of Lab-Grown Organoids: Researchers have developed a novel method for growing organoids using Invasin, a protein derived from Yersinia bacteria. Published on December 30, this study demonstrates that Invasin provides a sustainable, affordable, and animal-free alternative to traditional organoid-growing methods, which rely on costly and mouse-derived substances like Matrigel and BME. Invasin activates docking proteins on cell surfaces, enabling cells to attach and grow in flat 2D sheets rather than complex 3D gels. This simplifies the cultivation process, preserves cell organization, and facilitates drug testing by making both sides of the cells accessible for study. The technique successfully cultured organoids from diverse sources, including human intestinal and airway cells, mouse intestinal cells, and snake venom gland cells. This breakthrough highlights the potential of bacterial proteins to advance medical research, offering a standardized and ethical alternative for organoid cultivation that could accelerate drug development and organ-specific studies.

Turning E-Waste into Gold: A Sustainable Solution for CO2 Conversion: A Cornell-led research team has developed a groundbreaking method to extract gold from electronic waste (e-waste) and use it as a catalyst to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable organic materials. This sustainable process addresses two major environmental challenges: the underutilization of e-waste, which sees only 20% of its 50 million tons recycled annually, and the growing need for CO2 mitigation. The research utilizes vinyl-linked covalent organic frameworks (VCOFs) to selectively extract 99.9% of gold from discarded electronics without harsh chemicals. The recovered gold is then used in CO2 carboxylation, transforming the greenhouse gas into useful chemicals under mild conditions. This innovation is not only environmentally friendly but also highly efficient, with the gold-loaded materials maintaining performance after multiple reuses.

MATERIALS

Breakthrough in Nanomaterials: Stable 2D Gold Monolayers Developed for Advanced Applications: Researchers have successfully synthesized nearly freestanding two-dimensional (2D) gold monolayers, overcoming significant challenges in nanomaterial engineering. These nanostructured gold sheets, stabilized by embedding boron atoms between gold and an iridium substrate, exhibit remarkable thermal stability and unique nanoscale triangular patterns. The innovative method facilitates a transition from traditional three-dimensional metallic bonding to stable 2D metallic forms, fundamentally altering the gold's electronic properties. Advanced techniques like scanning tunneling microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the structural integrity and potential applications of these monolayers. This development opens doors for groundbreaking applications in catalysis, advanced electronics, and energy conversion, offering a practical platform for exploring the fundamental properties and technological potential of 2D metals.

Breakthrough in Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries: Superionic Electrolyte Enhances Energy Density and Stability: Researchers have developed a novel vacancy-rich β-Li₃N solid-state electrolyte (SSE). This breakthrough addresses key challenges in all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (LMBs), including low ionic conductivity and stability issues. The new SSE achieves 100 times higher ionic conductivity than commercial Li₃N and exhibits excellent stability against lithium metal, enabling prolonged battery cycles. Using a high-energy ball-milling process, the researchers introduced vacancies into the material's structure to improve lithium-ion mobility. Integrated into LMBs, the material achieved record-breaking ionic conductivity (2.14 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 25°C) and ultra-stable performance across 2,000 cycles. With an energy density potential of up to 500 Wh/kg, this innovation could significantly extend electric vehicle ranges and improve large-scale battery applications.

PFAS Detected in Firefighter Protective Gear: Insights from a NIST Study: A study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reveals that protective clothing worn by firefighters, including hoods, gloves, and wildland firefighting gear, often contains measurable levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). PFAS, commonly referred to as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment, are used in firefighting gear for water resistance and heat protection. However, these chemicals have been linked to potential health risks. NIST researchers analyzed 32 textile samples from firefighting garments and detected PFAS in 25 samples, identifying 19 different types of the chemical. While most garments had low PFAS levels, some, particularly wildland firefighting gear, contained notably high concentrations, with one sample measuring up to 4,240 micrograms per kilogram. Though the health implications of PFAS exposure from turnout gear remain unclear, the study provides critical data to help researchers and health experts assess potential risks.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Bio-Inspired "Moose Hooves" Boost Robot Mobility on Challenging Terrains:
Roboticists have developed innovative bio-inspired robot feet modeled after moose hooves, significantly improving robot mobility on challenging terrains like mud and wet snow. Published in Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, the study highlights how these "robo-moose" feet enhance performance by mimicking the natural suction-breaking mechanics of real moose hooves, reducing sinkage and suction forces by half and lowering energy consumption by up to 70%. This breakthrough could allow robots to traverse previously inaccessible environments, such as wetlands, marshes, and fields, enabling applications in environmental monitoring, agriculture, and disaster response. The researchers, inspired by nature and farm observations, found no disadvantages to the design and speculate additional benefits, such as improved stability on uneven ground.

ASTRONOMY & SPACE

Astronomers Detect Multiple Flares in Tidal Disruption Event ASASSN-22ci: A team of astronomers investigated a nearby tidal disruption event (TDE) named ASASSN-22ci, uncovering two luminous flares. Discovered by the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) in February 2022, this TDE occurred in the galaxy WISEA J122045.05+493304.7, at a redshift of 0.0284. The flares exhibited temperatures of ~30,000 K, a rise time of 30 days, and peak luminosities between 200–1,000 tredecillion erg/s. The second flare emerged 720 days after the first, with predictions suggesting a third flare might occur around February 4, 2026. Observations showed broad hydrogen, helium, and nitrogen lines in the flares’ blue optical spectrum. ASASSN-22ci joins a rare group of only five known TDEs with multiple flares. The study provides significant insights into the processes surrounding supermassive black holes and accretion physics, with implications for understanding repeating partial tidal disruptions. The findings highlight the importance of multiwavelength photometry and high-quality spectroscopy in TDE studies.

BIOTECHNOLOGY, HEALTH, & MEDICINE

One Cigarette Costs Long-Term Smokers 20 Minutes of Life, UCL Study Finds: A study by behavioral scientists at University College London (UCL) has revealed that for long-term smokers, smoking a single cigarette reduces lifespan by approximately 20 minutes. Drawing on data from the British Doctors Study and the Million Women Study, the research team found that men lose 17 minutes of life per cigarette, while women lose 22 minutes. The study highlights the cumulative nature of smoking-related damage and emphasizes the significant benefits of quitting. It shows that longevity can be preserved by even short-term cessation, with quitting at a younger age offering the most substantial health advantages. For instance, stopping smoking by age 40 can reduce smoking-related mortality risks by up to 90%. The findings aim to offer a stark perspective on the immediate harm caused by smoking to encourage cessation.

Breakthrough in Breast Cancer Research: Cultivating Tumor Cells from Blood to Target Metastases: Researchers have successfully cultivated stable tumor organoids from circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood of breast cancer patients—a world first. These patient-specific mini-tumors allow scientists to study the mechanisms behind therapy resistance and metastasis. The team identified a molecular signaling pathway, driven by the protein NRG1 and the HER3 receptor, that enables cancer cell survival. They also discovered that when this pathway is blocked, an alternative pathway involving FGFR1 ensures the cells' growth. Using organoids, the researchers demonstrated that blocking both pathways effectively halted tumor cell proliferation. This innovation offers a promising tool for developing targeted therapies to prevent metastases and combat therapy resistance in breast cancer. While clinical trials are required before widespread use, the findings represent a significant step toward personalized cancer treatments.

AI Model AbMap Advances Antibody Structure Prediction for Therapeutic Development: MIT researchers have developed a computational tool, AbMap, to improve predictions of antibody structures, focusing on the hypervariable regions that determine antigen binding. This advancement overcomes limitations of traditional protein-structure prediction models, which struggle with the immense variability of antibody sequences. AbMap uses modules trained on antibody sequences and binding data, enabling accurate predictions of antibody structure and binding strength. The model was applied to design antibodies targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, achieving an 82% success rate in identifying antibodies with improved binding strength. This approach could streamline drug development by identifying promising antibody candidates earlier, reducing costs and risks. Beyond therapeutics, AbMap offers insights into individual immune responses, helping to address questions about variability in disease outcomes and immune resilience. Its scalability and structural accuracy promise to revolutionize antibody analysis and therapeutic discovery.

Novel Antibodies Targeting Untapped Malaria Parasite Sites Offer New Hope for Prevention: A study by NIH researchers identifies a new class of antibodies that bind to previously untargeted regions of the Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite. The most potent antibody, MAD21-101, provided protection against malaria in animal models by targeting a conserved epitope, pGlu-CSP, on the parasite's circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP). Unlike current vaccines, which focus on the central repeat region of PfCSP, this new approach addresses a different epitope, offering complementary benefits without interfering with existing vaccines. These findings hold promise for developing novel vaccines and monoclonal antibody therapies, especially for at-risk populations such as infants.

NEUROSCIENCE

Early-Life Tuning of Brain Circuit Stabilizes Gaze Without Sensory Feedback:
A study by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine uncovers how an ancient brain circuit, the vestibulo-ocular reflex, matures early in life to stabilize gaze during movement. This reflex allows vertebrates, including humans, to counter-rotate their eyes in response to body tilts, ensuring a stable perception of surroundings. Using zebrafish larvae, researchers found that this reflex matures independently of sensory input, challenging the assumption that visual and balance feedback are necessary for its development. The study revealed that the slowest-maturing component of the circuit is at the neuromuscular junction, not the brain, as previously believed. These findings may inform treatments for disorders like strabismus and balance problems, offering new insights into the development of motor and sensory systems. Future research will explore how disruptions in this circuit contribute to human conditions affecting eye alignment and balance.

ENVIRONMENT

Rising Sea Levels Threaten Coastal Tourism in North Carolina Through Salty Tap Water: A recent study highlights the impact of rising sea levels on coastal tourism in North Carolina, focusing on the salinity of drinking water. The study shows how saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers degrades tap water quality, affecting tourists' willingness to stay overnight at coastal resorts. As sea levels rise (up to 5 mm annually in North Carolina), saltwater increasingly infiltrates aquifers, necessitating costly desalination and impacting water taste. Surveys of 430 visitors revealed that slightly, moderately, or very salty water reduced the likelihood of overnight stays by 2%, 8%, and 11%, respectively. By 2040, 13% of studied beaches may lack freshwater aquifers, with the number potentially reaching 55% by 2080. This decline could result in a $232 million annual loss in consumer income by 2040. The study underscores the need for improved water management strategies, including regulations and technologies, to preserve drinking water quality and sustain tourism in the face of climate change.

SoilScanner: Harnessing RF Signals and AI to Detect Lead in Soil: A research team has developed SoilScanner, an innovative device that uses radio frequency (RF) signals and machine learning to measure lead contamination in soil. This portable and cost-effective technology offers an alternative to expensive lab analyses and prohibitively priced X-ray fluorescence devices. The device works by transmitting RF signals through a soil sample and analyzing the impact on the signal with machine learning models. Initial tests demonstrated 72% accuracy in detecting lead in natural samples, achieving perfect accuracy for contamination levels above 500 ppm. Motivated by data from Brooklyn College’s Urban Soils Lab, which identified widespread lead contamination in New York City soils, the project aims to make lead testing more accessible. Future iterations of SoilScanner will focus on further reducing costs and integrating compact technologies like Wi-Fi and RFID.

NATURE

Soil Bacteria Help Plants Balance Growth and Immunity: Insights from Princeton Research: Researchers have uncovered how soil bacteria influence plants' ability to balance growth and immune defense. Their study reveals that some bacteria produce an enzyme capable of suppressing plant immune responses, allowing roots to grow longer. The team studied Arabidopsis plants engineered for heightened immune sensitivity and found that 41% of 165 bacterial species tested could reduce immune activity. One standout species, Dyella japonica, produces a subtilase enzyme that degrades flagellin, a protein that triggers plant immune responses, enabling increased growth. These findings suggest that soil bacteria can help plants conserve energy by modulating immunity, with potential implications for agriculture. However, further research is needed to determine whether such mechanisms might inadvertently make plants more susceptible to pathogens. This discovery opens avenues for developing sustainable ways to enhance crop growth without compromising immunity.

Enhancing Crop Quality Through Targeted Pollination Strategies: A study by researchers from the University of Göttingen emphasizes the need to shift focus from promoting pollinator quantity to optimizing the quality of pollination interactions. While animal pollination supports a third of global food production and enhances essential nutrients like vitamin C and antioxidants, the study highlights the critical role of pollinator species behavior, crop variety arrangements, and pollen quality in determining fruit nutritional and commercial value. The researchers advocate for targeted cross-pollination strategies, considering plant variety and pollen quality, and optimizing field and landscape designs to facilitate effective pollinator movement. By enhancing crop nutrient profiles through species-specific approaches, the study aims to benefit consumer health and agricultural sustainability.

Early Life Luck Shapes Adult Success in Male Mice: A new study reveals that early life luck significantly impacts adult outcomes for male mice, particularly in competitive environments. Researchers found that small advantages, such as finding a shelter early, can set off a feedback loop where "winners" gain lifelong benefits, including better access to resources, mates, and territory. The study utilized genetically identical mice in large outdoor enclosures to track behavior and competition. Data from over 7.4 million RFID readings showed that male mice who gained early advantages maintained their edge due to competitive dynamics, while others faced compounded disadvantages. This pattern was less evident in female mice, who experienced lower levels of competition. The findings challenge the notion that outcomes are primarily based on merit, emphasizing the role of chance and competition in creating social inequality. The research underscores the profound impact of early life contingency in shaping long-term success, not only in mice but potentially in broader social systems.

OTHER SCIENCES & THE ARTS

Fossil Evidence Reveals 517-Million-Year-Old Evolutionary Arms Race: A study published in Current Biology and led by researchers at the American Museum of Natural History identifies the oldest known instance of an evolutionary arms race, dating back 517 million years to the Cambrian period. The fossil record from South Australia reveals interactions between a shelled organism, Lapworthella fasciculata, and an unidentified predator capable of piercing its shell. Researchers observed that as predation increased, L. fasciculata evolved thicker shells, while predators adapted to penetrate these defenses, demonstrating a dynamic co-evolutionary process. This discovery provides critical evidence linking predator-prey interactions to the rapid diversification of life during the Cambrian Explosion.

Storytelling: A Path to Meaningful Lives and Thriving Workplaces: A recent study conducted in Israel and the United States has uncovered a direct link between storytelling ability and an enhanced sense of meaning and quality of life. Researchers found that skilled storytellers experience greater fulfillment, a clearer sense of purpose, and a broader perspective on life. Using a mix of self-assessments, peer feedback, and expert reviews, the study highlighted that storytelling is especially impactful for introverts, helping them express themselves and enhance their personal growth. Beyond personal benefits, storytelling also plays a vital role in organizational success. In workplaces, fostering storytelling skills can boost employee engagement, creativity, and collaboration while promoting inclusivity and innovation. As artificial intelligence transforms industries, storytelling emerges as a uniquely human skill tied to strategic thinking and long-term vision. The study’s findings encourage organizations to implement storytelling training to cultivate a sense of purpose and drive among employees.