MIT Engineers Develop Strong Yet Stretchy Metamaterial Inspired by Hydrogels

Hello and welcome to our April 23rd 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 - Scientists Discover Robust Light Flashes Emerging from 'Nothing' by Rethinking Time in Physics, and more.

• Materials - MIT Engineers Develop Strong Yet Stretchy Metamaterial Inspired by Hydrogels, and more.

• Biotechnology & Biomedical Technology - Tardigrades Get Tiny Tattoos in Breakthrough for Biocompatible Microdevice Engineering, and more.

• Astronomy, Space, Astrobiology - New Machine Learning Approach Sharpens Black Hole Spin Measurements in Gravitational Wave Data, and more.

• Engineering & Technology - Shark Skin-Inspired Material Could Slash Jet Fuel Use and Emissions by 4%, and more.

• Robotics, AI, Consumer, & Gadgets - Inspired by Parasitic Worms, Georgia Tech Engineers Build Soft Robot That Jumps 10 Feet High, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Microplastic Particles Found in Neck Arteries Linked to Stroke Risk, Study Shows, and more.

• Neuroscience - Psychedelics May Rewire Brain-Immune Interactions to Reduce Fear, Study Finds, and more.

• Environment - Mushroom-Based Composting System Reduces Agricultural Waste and Pathogens, Boosts Crop Growth.

• Nature - Sculpin Fins Reveal Microscopic Structures That Could Inspire Advanced Underwater Adhesives, and more.

• Other Sciences & The Arts - First Physical Evidence of Roman-Era Human-Animal Gladiator Combat Unearthed in Britain, and more.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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SCIENCE

Scientists Discover Robust Light Flashes Emerging from 'Nothing' by Rethinking Time in Physics: Researchers have uncovered new, fleeting flashes of light that seem to appear from and vanish into nothing—rooted not in illusion, but in advanced physics and mathematics. Their work challenges long-standing notions of time in physics by exploring space-time topology, a fusion of spatial patterns and the one-way flow of time. These so-called "space-time-topological events" result in light that emerges at precise points in space and time, showing remarkable resilience to disturbances. The discovery, grounded in topological mathematics, may lead to breakthroughs in robust light-based technologies such as lasers, communications, and imaging, highlighting the untapped potential of time as more than just a passive dimension in physics.

Blue Light and Iron Replace Precious Metals in Breakthrough Against Drug-Resistant Infections: In a major advancement for antibiotic development, researchers at the University of Oklahoma have discovered a sustainable method for synthesizing carbohydrate-based antibiotics without relying on precious metals. The study shows that iron or non-toxic blue light can replace costly and environmentally harmful elements like platinum and rhodium in producing synthetic carbohydrates—key molecules that help antibiotics penetrate gram-negative bacteria. The new method offers lower toxicity, reduced cost, and potential for enhancing drug solubility and stability. This breakthrough could improve treatments for antibiotic-resistant pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and potentially benefit cancer therapies.

MATERIALS

MIT Engineers Develop Strong Yet Stretchy Metamaterial Inspired by Hydrogels: MIT researchers have created a new type of metamaterial that is both strong and highly stretchable—overcoming the traditional trade-off between stiffness and flexibility. The material is built using a novel "double-network" design: rigid struts are interwoven with springy coils, all 3D-printed from a brittle acrylic plastic. This architecture allows the material to stretch up to four times its original length without breaking, while dissipating energy through entanglements between the networks. Inspired by hydrogels, the design could be adapted to tougher ceramics, metals, and even smart textiles that respond to temperature. The breakthrough opens doors for creating durable, flexible materials for electronics, scaffolds, and impact-resistant fabrics.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Tardigrades Get Tiny Tattoos in Breakthrough for Biocompatible Microdevice Engineering: In a remarkable fusion of biology and nanotechnology, researchers have successfully "tattooed" living tardigrades using a new microfabrication technique called ice lithography. The team of researchers created intricate micropatterns—some as small as 72 nanometers—on the nearly indestructible water bears by coating them in frozen anisole, etching designs with an electron beam, and allowing unreacted material to sublimate. About 40% of the tardigrades survived the process and showed no behavioral changes. This breakthrough paves the way for future biocompatible microelectronics, such as sensors printed directly on living tissue or microbial cyborgs for medical applications.

Newly Discovered Bacteria Acts as Living Electrical Wire, Could Revolutionize Bioelectronics: Scientists have discovered a novel species of cable bacteria, Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis, in Oregon’s Yaquina Bay mud flats that functions like biological electrical wiring. The species features highly conductive nickel-based fibers that enable long-distance electron transport between sediment layers. This ability could be harnessed in bioelectronic devices for medicine, environmental cleanup, food safety, and more. The bacteria's unique metabolic and structural traits place it at a key evolutionary point within its genus. Named in collaboration with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, this discovery offers new insight into sediment ecology and sustainable technological innovation.

ASTRONOMY, SPACE, ASTROBIOLOGY

New Machine Learning Approach Sharpens Black Hole Spin Measurements in Gravitational Wave Data: A study introduces a novel method for analyzing gravitational wave data that improves black hole spin measurements by up to 50%. The research challenges traditional binary labeling methods that assign objects based on mass. Instead, the team uses machine learning—specifically constrained clustering—to allow the data itself to determine object distinctions. This approach eliminates reliance on arbitrary parameters and reduces misinterpretations in cases where black holes have similar properties. Applied to real data from LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA detectors, the method improves precision and alters interpretations of key events, potentially reshaping future gravitational wave studies.

Astronomers Discover Water-Rich Sub-Neptune Exoplanet Orbiting Bright Star TOI-3493: An international team of astronomers has discovered a new sub-Neptune exoplanet, TOI-3493 b, using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The planet, orbiting a bright G-type star located 315 light-years away, is more than three times the size and about nine times the mass of Earth. TOI-3493 b orbits its star every 8.16 days and has an estimated equilibrium temperature of 1,102 K. With a low bulk density of 1.47 g/cm³, the planet is believed to be water-rich, potentially featuring a large silicate-water core and a thin hydrogen envelope. Its high transmission spectroscopy metric (TSM) makes it a top target for future atmospheric studies. The host star, TOI-3493, is slightly larger than the Sun and is relatively inactive, making it ideal for exoplanet observations.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Shark Skin-Inspired Material Could Slash Jet Fuel Use and Emissions by 4%: Aerospace company MicroTau has developed a drag-reducing material inspired by shark skin that could significantly improve fuel efficiency for commercial and military aircraft. The microscopic grooves in the material align with airflow, reducing drag and potentially cutting fuel consumption by over 4% during cruising. The material is applied as adhesive patches, allowing for easy integration without structural modifications. Airlines like Delta and Jetstar, as well as the US military and Boom Supersonic, are already testing the technology. Early flight tests have shown the material remains intact even at supersonic speeds, signaling promising potential for wide-scale adoption and emissions reduction in aviation.

Nature-Inspired Fuel Cells Boost Power Output by 30%, Paving Way for Greener Energy Solutions: Researchers have developed a new hydrogen fuel cell design inspired by patterns found in lizard skin and plant leaves. These nature-based “flow field” structures improve how water—produced as a byproduct in fuel cells—is managed within the system. By channeling water more effectively, the redesigned cell avoids internal buildup, allowing better distribution of reactants and more efficient use of the platinum catalyst. Testing with high-energy X-rays showed a 30% increase in peak power output compared to conventional fuel cells. This breakthrough could help scale hydrogen fuel cells for demanding applications like long-haul transport and remote power generation, offering a cleaner alternative to diesel engines.

Pneumatic Propulsion Proposed as Cleaner, Cost-Effective Alternative to Diesel Engines in Ferry Transport: A team of researchers has introduced a promising alternative to diesel engines for ferry boats: pneumatic propulsion powered by compressed air. The study demonstrates how two 250 kW air motors successfully powered a retrofitted 1985 Finnish ferry on its usual route. The system matches diesel engines in performance while significantly reducing emissions, noise, and fuel costs. With a projected payback period of eight years and potential savings of $73,000, the eco-friendly, modular design presents a viable option for short-distance maritime operations—especially as industries seek cleaner, more sustainable transport technologies.

ROBOTICS, AI, CONSUMER, & GADGETS

Inspired by Parasitic Worms, Georgia Tech Engineers Build Soft Robot That Jumps 10 Feet High: Georgia Tech engineers have developed a 5-inch soft robot capable of jumping up to 10 feet—about the height of a basketball hoop—by mimicking the unique movement of nematodes, tiny parasitic worms. The robot is a silicone rod reinforced with carbon fiber, designed to replicate how nematodes kink their bodies to store and release energy for forward or backward jumps. Despite lacking legs, these worms can jump up to 20 times their body length using body contortions to control direction and height. Inspired by this, researchers built a robot that uses similar energy-storing kinks to leap in multiple directions and across challenging terrain. The findings could lead to advancements in soft robotics for space exploration, disaster response, and environmental monitoring.

Princeton Engineers Create Shape-Shifting “Metabot” Material Controlled by Magnetic Fields: In a major breakthrough, Princeton University engineers have developed a new metamaterial—dubbed a “metabot”—that can expand, morph, move, and respond to electromagnetic commands without motors or internal gears. Inspired by origami, the metabot is made from plastics and custom magnetic composites arranged in mirrored Kresling patterns. These patterns allow for complex motion when activated by magnetic fields, enabling behaviors such as collapsing, twisting, and thermoregulation. This programmable material could revolutionize fields from soft robotics and biomedical devices to smart surfaces and adaptive structures. Future applications may include drug delivery robots, surgical tools, and even physical logic gates that simulate computational behaviors.

Brain-Inspired AI Breakthrough Enhances Image Recognition While Cutting Computational Load: A collaborative team from the Institute for Basic Science, Yonsei University, and the Max Planck Institute has developed Lp-Convolution, a novel AI technique that mimics how the brain processes visual information. By dynamically reshaping convolutional filters using a multivariate p-generalized normal distribution (MPND), Lp-Convolution allows AI models to focus flexibly on relevant details—similar to the brain's visual cortex. Unlike traditional CNNs or resource-heavy vision transformers, this approach boosts accuracy, enhances robustness to data corruption, and reduces computational demands. Tested on datasets like CIFAR-100 and TinyImageNet, Lp-Convolution outperformed standard methods and aligned more closely with biological neural activity. The breakthrough holds promise for real-time applications in autonomous driving, medical imaging, and robotics.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Microplastic Particles Found in Neck Arteries Linked to Stroke Risk, Study Shows: Preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Vascular Discovery 2025 Scientific Sessions reveals that people with plaque in the carotid arteries—especially those who have had strokes or similar events—have significantly higher levels of micro-nanoplastics in those blood vessels. Micro-nanoplastics, tiny plastic particles found in the environment and food supply, were up to 51 times higher in patients with symptomatic plaque compared to healthy controls. The study also found changes in gene activity related to inflammation and plaque stability. While not yet conclusive, the findings suggest a possible link between plastic particle exposure and increased stroke risk, opening a potential new avenue for stroke prevention research.

Common Virus May Boost Skin Cancer Treatment and Reduce Side Effects, Oxford Study Finds: A groundbreaking study has revealed that cytomegalovirus (CMV)—a widespread, typically harmless virus—may enhance how melanoma patients respond to immunotherapy while also lowering the risk of severe side effects. Analyzing 341 patients, researchers found that those infected with CMV showed improved responses to single-drug PD-1 therapies and were less likely to experience disease recurrence or complications such as colitis. Intriguingly, CMV-positive individuals also appeared to develop metastatic melanoma later in life, particularly those with BRAF mutations. The study suggests that CMV activates T cells in ways that bolster the immune system’s ability to combat cancer. These findings may lead to more personalized and effective immunotherapy approaches, highlighting the potential of using viral infection history to guide treatment choices.

Massive Review Confirms Strong Support for Medical Cannabis in Cancer Treatment: A landmark study published in Frontiers in Oncology systematically reviewed over 10,000 peer-reviewed papers and found overwhelming support for the use of medical cannabis in cancer care. The study used AI-powered sentiment analysis to evaluate nearly 40,000 data points. Results showed that support for cannabis use in treating cancer symptoms and progression was over 30 times stronger than opposing views. The review highlights cannabis’s anti-inflammatory and potential anticancer properties, particularly through cannabinoids like THC and CBD, which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. Researchers urge the medical community to reconsider cannabis as a legitimate treatment option and suggest the findings could influence future clinical practice and policy.

NEUROSCIENCE

Psychedelics May Rewire Brain-Immune Interactions to Reduce Fear, Study Finds: A new study reveals that interactions between the brain and immune system significantly influence fear responses—and that psychedelics like MDMA and psilocybin may help reverse these effects. Using a mouse model of chronic stress, researchers found that immune cells migrating to the brain heightened fear behaviors by activating neurons in the amygdala. Psychedelic treatments reduced this immune activity and suppressed fear responses. Similar patterns were observed in human tissue and depression datasets, suggesting these brain-immune links may underlie neuropsychiatric conditions like major depressive disorder. The findings highlight the potential of psychedelics as targeted therapies for inflammation-related mental health disorders.

"Cold Memories" in the Brain Help Regulate Metabolism, Study Finds:
A study led by Prof. Tomás Ryan at Trinity College Dublin has revealed that the brain forms memories of cold experiences which help regulate body metabolism. Researchers trained mice to associate cold environments with specific visual cues. Later, even at room temperature, the mice increased their metabolism when exposed to these cues, anticipating cold. These "cold memories" are stored in the hippocampus and influence brown fat activity, which generates heat. The findings could lead to new treatments for obesity and cancer by targeting how the brain controls thermoregulation through memory.

ENVIRONMENT

Mushroom-Based Composting System Reduces Agricultural Waste and Pathogens, Boosts Crop Growth: A study presents a sustainable solution to the global challenge of agricultural waste management. Researchers developed a Livestock-Crop-Mushroom (LCM) circular system that integrates crop straw, cow manure, and spent mushroom substrate (SMS) using the edible mushroom Stropharia rugosoannulata as a biological converter. Compared to traditional composting, the SMS-based method improved oat growth, optimized rhizosphere microbiomes, and significantly reduced oxytetracycline residues, pathogens, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in soil and plants. The study’s use of multi-omics techniques underscores the potential of LCM biofertilizers in transforming organic waste into safe, effective, and eco-friendly agricultural inputs.

NATURE

Sculpin Fins Reveal Microscopic Structures That Could Inspire Advanced Underwater Adhesives: A study reveals that sculpin fish use microscopic structures on their fin rays to grip surfaces in wave-battered coastal environments, potentially mimicking friction-based adhesion similar to gecko feet. The study found that these fine features, located on the bottom portion of sculpins’ pectoral fins, enhance traction and may help the fish resist strong currents. These discoveries open the door to bio-inspired innovations in underwater robotics and adhesives, with potential applications in medicine, materials science, and ocean exploration.

Bats Use Their Tails as Sensors to Navigate Dark Caves, Study Finds: Greater mouse-tailed bats (Rhinopoma microphyllum) have been found to use their long tails as sensory tools to navigate in the dark, cramped interiors of caves. Researchers conducted experiments simulating cave environments, where bats moved backward along cave walls. In one test, bats with anaesthetised tails moved around 10% slower and less smoothly than those with functional tails, suggesting the tails help detect obstacles. A second experiment showed the bats could distinguish subtly different textures using tactile cues, associating specific textures with rewards. While other bat species have long tails, this is the first documented case of a bat using its tail in this unique, navigational way.

Scientists Decode Plant Stress Signals, Paving the Way for Two-Way Communication with Crops: Researchers have made a major breakthrough in understanding how plants internally signal stress, unlocking the potential for two-way communication between plants and humans. The study reveals that plants use shifts in internal pressure—triggered by environmental stressors like drought or injury—to transmit mechanical and chemical signals through their vascular systems. This foundational insight enables the future development of “reporter plants” that change color or fluoresce when stressed, and could even allow farmers to send preemptive drought warnings to crops. The research integrates biophysics, molecular biology, and engineering to push the boundaries of agricultural innovation.

OTHER SCIENCES & THE ARTS

First Physical Evidence of Roman-Era Human-Animal Gladiator Combat Unearthed in Britain: A groundbreaking study has revealed the first direct skeletal evidence of human-animal gladiatorial combat from the Roman period. The international research team analyzed a skeleton found in a Roman-period cemetery near York, England—believed to be a burial site for gladiators. The bones show distinct bite marks identified as coming from a large carnivorous feline, such as a lion, marking the first osteological proof of human interaction with wild animals in Roman entertainment contexts. While artistic depictions of such events have long existed, this is the first forensic confirmation. The study, conducted in collaboration with several UK academic institutions and archaeology groups, sheds new light on the reach and brutality of Roman spectacle culture in Britain.

Reanalysis of Thetford Treasure Suggests Pagan Worship Persisted in Roman Britain into the Fifth Century: A new study reveals that the famous Thetford treasure hoard—found in 1979 in East Anglia—likely dates to the fifth century, extending the timeline of Pagan religious activity in the region beyond what was previously believed. Professor Ellen Swift of the University of Kent argues that jewelry and religious objects in the hoard, supported by comparisons with continental finds, suggest Thetford functioned as a Pagan cult center into the post-Roman period. The treasure, which includes 22 gold rings and 36 silver spoons, also demonstrates the region’s economic strength and continued cultural ties across the Roman Empire, with objects originating from areas such as northern Italy and the Balkans.