Natural Hydrogen in Earth's Crust Offers Clean Energy Potential

Hello and welcome to our May 14th edition. The STEAM Digest is a curated newsletter that brings you the latest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

In today’s edition:

• Science - New Theory Proposes Dark Matter Formed from Condensing Massless Particles, and more.

• Materials - Electrocoagulation Breakthrough Removes 98% of Selenium from Water, Offers Hope for Cleaner Wastewater, and more.

• Biotechnology & Biomedical Technology - New Tool Allows Precise, Reversible Removal of Brain Cell Connections.

• Engineering & Technology - New Sun-Powered Desalination System Offers Cleaner Water with Less Infrastructure.

• Robotics, AI, Hardware, Software, Gadgets - Do AI Systems Have Free Will? New Study Argues They Might—and That Moral Responsibility May Follow, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Exercise Helps Maintain Vitamin D Levels in Winter Without Supplements, and more.

• Pediatrics - Enterovirus D68 Linked to Severe Respiratory Illness in Otherwise Healthy Children, and more.

• Neuroscience - Moments Powerfully Boost Memory by Rewiring the Brain, and more.

• Environment & Earth Sciences - Natural Hydrogen in Earth's Crust Offers Clean Energy Potential, and more.

• Nature & Ecology - Zebrafish Show Surprising Adaptability to Heat Without Tradeoffs, Study Finds.

• Other Sciences & The Arts - How Pacific Navigators Master the Open Ocean Without Instruments, and more.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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SCIENCE

New Theory Proposes Dark Matter Formed from Condensing Massless Particles:
A new theory from Dartmouth researchers proposes that dark matter formed from massless, high-energy particles that rapidly condensed into heavy, slow-moving ones in the early universe. These particle pairs, drawn together by their opposing spins, underwent a sharp energy drop—similar to steam turning into water—resulting in the cold, dense matter thought to shape galaxies today. Inspired by Cooper pairs in superconductivity, the theory suggests this transformation left a detectable imprint on the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Because this signature could be observed with existing or upcoming CMB experiments, the model offers a testable and elegant explanation for dark matter's origins.

New Light-Activated Test Detects Tertiary Amines and Opioids with Color-Changing Fluorescence: Researchers have developed a rapid, light-based method for detecting tertiary amines and opioids using a unique fluorescence color-change strategy. The study introduces a sensing mechanism where tertiary amines form charge-transfer complexes with photoactivated naphthalimide molecules, resulting in distinct and fast color shifts under UV light. This method distinguishes between structurally similar amines and enables real-time visual detection of drugs such as heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. More sensitive and selective than traditional fluorescence quenching techniques or the Marquis reagent test, this innovation offers a portable and efficient tool for pharmaceutical analysis, food safety, and drug screening.

Why Some Chili Peppers Aren’t as Hot as Expected: Scientists Identify Natural “Anti-Spice” Compounds: A new study has uncovered three natural compounds—capsianoside I, roseoside, and gingerglycolipid A—that can suppress the spicy heat of chili peppers, despite high levels of capsaicinoids like capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin. Led by researcher Devin Peterson, the team found that these compounds can significantly dull perceived pungency without adding any taste themselves. This discovery challenges the long-standing reliability of the Scoville scale, which measures pepper heat based only on capsaicinoid content. The findings open doors to customizing spicy food flavors and developing potential non-opioid pain relief products.

MATERIALS

Electrocoagulation Breakthrough Removes 98% of Selenium from Water, Offers Hope for Cleaner Wastewater: Researchers have successfully used iron electrocoagulation to remove over 98% of toxic selenium from contaminated water, a major advancement in treating wastewater from agriculture, mining, and power plants. The team employed an electrochemical process that rapidly produces reactive “green rust” which binds tightly to selenium, enabling its removal via filtration. The studies (1,2) demonstrate how adjusting pH, oxygen levels, and water chemistry can optimize removal efficiency. This scalable, nonhazardous method could help meet strict federal limits on selenium and may be adapted to tackle other pollutants in future applications.

Ultrasound Breakthrough Enables Safer, Faster Hydrogel Production Without Toxic Chemicals: Researchers have developed a groundbreaking method for producing hydrogels using ultrasound, eliminating the need for harmful chemical initiators. This new technique—dubbed “sonogel”—uses sound waves to generate microscopic bubbles in a liquid precursor. The bubbles collapse with high energy, triggering gel formation in just five minutes, compared to hours using traditional methods. The resulting hydrogels are stronger, more flexible, and highly resistant to freezing and drying. This innovation could revolutionize biomedical fields such as tissue engineering, wound healing, and 3D bioprinting by enabling noninvasive in-body gel formation and precise ultrasound-based structuring.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

New Tool Allows Precise, Reversible Removal of Brain Cell Connections: USC scientists have developed a groundbreaking method to selectively and reversibly eliminate specific brain cell connections—either excitatory or inhibitory synapses—without harming the entire neuron. The study describes molecular tools (PFE3 and GFE3) that direct the brain’s own protein-recycling machinery to dismantle synaptic components with high precision. Versions of the tool can be activated by light or chemicals and allow synapses to regrow after deactivation. This advance opens new avenues for studying brain circuits and could eventually lead to targeted therapies for conditions like epilepsy, PTSD, and addiction.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

New Sun-Powered Desalination System Offers Cleaner Water with Less Infrastructure: Engineers have developed a solar-powered desalination system, STREED (Solar Thermal Resonant Energy Exchange Desalination), that efficiently converts saltwater into fresh water without using membranes or external energy storage. STREED harnesses resonant energy transfer between heated saline water and air to maintain water production even without direct sunlight. Tested in Texas, the system produced 0.75 liters of water per hour and proved effective across diverse climates. It also handles high-salinity water, outperforming traditional reverse osmosis systems while using low-maintenance, durable materials ideal for off-grid use.

Smart, Washable, and Comfortable: New 3D Printing Breakthrough Brings Wearable Tech Closer to Reality: Researchers have developed a durable, flexible smart fabric using 3D direct ink writing that maintains performance even after repeated washing and wear. The study describes printing carbon nanotube-infused biodegradable polyester (polybutylene succinate) onto fabric using environmentally friendly solvent Cyrene. Unlike earlier stiff or fragile smart textiles, these new fabrics remain soft, stretchable, and highly conductive, withstanding 20 wash cycles and 200 abrasion tests without losing functionality. This advancement marks a major step toward real-world wearable tech applications—such as heart rate or motion-monitoring clothing—for healthcare, athletics, and military use. Power supply and data transmission integration are next on the horizon.

ROBOTICS, AI, HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, GADGETS

Do AI Systems Have Free Will? New Study Argues They Might—and That Moral Responsibility May Follow: A new study argues that advanced generative AI systems now meet the philosophical criteria for free will. Drawing on frameworks by Daniel Dennett and Christian List, the research evaluated two AI agents—a language model-powered "Voyager" in Minecraft and hypothetical killer drones—and found they demonstrate goal-directed behavior, genuine decision-making, and control over actions, the three core conditions of free will. This suggests AI systems may be moving toward moral responsibility, especially as they gain autonomy in real-world applications like self-driving cars or military drones. The study warns that with greater freedom, AI must be designed with ethical foundations, as developers are now effectively “parenting” digital agents with their own moral convictions. The research marks a pivotal ethical turning point in how we view and govern intelligent machines.

AI Uncovers Gene Networks That Boost Nitrogen Efficiency in Corn: New York University scientists have used artificial intelligence to identify key gene networks—called “NUE Regulons”—that govern how efficiently corn uses nitrogen. By integrating machine learning with RNA sequencing data from both corn and the model plant Arabidopsis, the researchers pinpointed transcription factors and gene groups that predict nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Validated in lab and field studies, the findings could help breeders and engineers create corn varieties that require less fertilizer, saving farmers money while reducing environmental damage from nitrogen runoff and greenhouse gas emissions. NYU has filed a patent covering the discovery and potential CRISPR-based applications.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Exercise Helps Maintain Vitamin D Levels in Winter Without Supplements: A new study from UK researchers shows that regular, moderate-intensity indoor exercise helps preserve vitamin D levels during winter—even without weight loss or supplements. Over 10 weeks, participants with overweight or obesity who exercised had a smaller decline in vitamin D (15% vs. 25%) and fully maintained levels of its active form, which supports immune and bone health. This effect was independent of weight change and occurred during months with minimal sun exposure. Researchers conclude that regular cardio exercise provides a "double benefit" for vitamin D levels and should be part of winter health strategies.

Autistic Communication Just as Effective as Non-Autistic, Study Finds: A new study challenges the stereotype that autistic people struggle to communicate effectively. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh found no significant difference in how well autistic and non-autistic participants shared information in a storytelling task. The study tested 311 people in autistic-only, non-autistic-only, and mixed groups and found all communicated equally effectively. Preferences for communication partners reflected shared styles—autistic individuals preferred other autistic communicators, and the same for non-autistic people. The findings support understanding autism as a difference in communication rather than a deficit, with implications for reducing stigma and improving support.

Large-Scale Study Reveals Sex Differences in Protein Expression Driven by More Than Genetics: A major international study led by Queen Mary University of London analyzed genetic and protein data from 56,000 individuals to explore biological differences between males and females. Researchers found that two-thirds of ~6,000 proteins differed in expression levels between sexes, but only about 100 of these had sex-specific genetic regulation. This suggests that most protein-level sex differences are influenced by non-genetic factors—such as environment, lifestyle, and socioeconomic conditions—rather than genetics alone. The findings highlight the need to integrate biological, social, and environmental perspectives in precision medicine to ensure equitable healthcare for all.

Medicinal Fungi Show Potential for Treating Brain Disorders: Researchers in Shandong reviewed evidence showing that edible and medicinal fungi—like Ganoderma lucidum, Cordyceps militaris, and Hericium erinaceus—contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects that may benefit brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and stroke. These fungi, long used in traditional Chinese medicine, were linked to reduced oxidative stress, improved neurotransmitter balance, and protection against neuron damage in preclinical studies. While promising, the authors stress that more rigorous research, clinical trials, and safety testing are needed before these compounds can be used in modern treatments.

PEDIATRICS

Enterovirus D68 Linked to Severe Respiratory Illness in Otherwise Healthy Children: A multi-year CDC study across seven U.S. pediatric centers found that Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) can cause severe respiratory illness in children, including those with no prior medical conditions. Of 976 cases from 2017 to 2022, over half required hospitalization, and children with nonasthma comorbidities had significantly higher odds of ICU admission and oxygen support. Notably, asthma history did not increase severity risk, though asthma-like symptoms were common. The findings highlight the need for expanded surveillance and clinical vigilance beyond traditional asthma-focused risk profiles during EV-D68 outbreaks.

AI Model Predicts Child Malnutrition in Kenya Six Months in Advance: Researchers from USC, Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab, and partners in Kenya have developed an AI model that predicts acute child malnutrition up to six months ahead with 86–89% accuracy. By integrating health data from 17,000 clinics and satellite crop imagery, the tool enables earlier humanitarian response in vulnerable regions. The system outperforms traditional forecasting and could be scaled globally to aid malnutrition prevention in other countries using existing data infrastructure.

NEUROSCIENCE

Moments Powerfully Boost Memory by Rewiring the Brain: New brain imaging research led by Duke University and German collaborators shows that sudden flashes of insight—those classic "aha!" moments—significantly enhance memory and change how the brain represents information. Participants who solved visual puzzles via epiphanies were nearly twice as likely to recall the solutions days later. fMRI scans revealed that these insights activated the hippocampus and reorganized visual processing regions, with stronger moments of realization triggering greater neural changes. The study suggests that fostering insight-based learning could improve long-term retention and creativity in educational settings.

Brain Uses a Second Learning System to Form Habits, Study Finds: Neuroscientists at the Sainsbury Wellcome Center at UCL have identified a second dopamine-based learning system in the brain that helps explain how habits form. This new system, based on “action prediction errors” (APE), works alongside the previously known “reward prediction error” (RPE) system, allowing the brain to learn both by reward and by repetition. In mice, APE signals in the tail of the striatum strengthened repeated actions into habits—even when not rewarded—freeing cognitive resources for other tasks. The discovery has implications for understanding and treating disorders like addiction, compulsions, and Parkinson’s disease, where habitual learning is disrupted.

Patient-Derived Cells Guide Personalized ALS Drug Testing: Researchers have developed a personalized approach to studying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by using cells directly derived from patients. The study tested drugs targeting TDP-43 protein aggregation—common in ALS—on lymphocytes and stem cell-derived motor neurons from 18 ALS patients. Results showed wide variability in drug responses, underscoring the importance of personalized medicine in ALS, much like in cancer care. The work supports using patient-specific cell models to optimize treatments and increase therapeutic success.

ENVIRONMENT & EARTH SCIENCES

Natural Hydrogen in Earth's Crust Offers Clean Energy Potential: A new study by the University of Oxford and partners reveals that Earth’s crust has naturally produced enough hydrogen to meet global energy needs for 170,000 years. Unlike current hydrogen production, which emits CO₂, this natural source is clean and could support rising demand. The researchers outline an exploration strategy to locate viable underground hydrogen deposits, focusing on the right rock types, formation conditions, and ways to avoid microbial loss. The findings dismiss deep mantle sources as unviable but highlight common crustal settings worldwide as promising. The team has launched Snowfox Discovery Ltd. to begin real-world exploration of this potential low-carbon energy source.

Tiny Quakes, Big Clues: How Subtle Tremors Reveal Earthquake Secrets: A new study from UC Santa Cruz reveals that slow, silent fault movements—known as tremors—could provide crucial insights into how stress builds on faults that produce major earthquakes. The study shows that even small, distant earthquakes can disrupt or alter the timing of these tremors, especially in tectonically active zones like Cascadia. These disturbances may either accelerate or delay tremor activity and help explain why some fault segments behave regularly while others do not. The research introduces the importance of dynamic factors—like seismic waves from minor quakes—alongside traditional structural factors in understanding fault behavior. This deeper understanding could help forecast when and where large, damaging earthquakes might strike.

Detergent Additive Found to Produce Glyphosate in Wastewater Treatment: A study has revealed that certain detergent additives, specifically aminopolyphosphonates—can chemically transform into glyphosate during wastewater treatment. The research shows that manganese compounds, common in soil and sewage sludge, catalyze this transformation, even in the absence of oxygen. This challenges prior assumptions that glyphosate contamination in water stems mainly from agricultural herbicide use. The findings suggest that common cleaning agents may be a significant, previously overlooked source of persistent glyphosate pollution in European waters. Further research is needed to determine the scale of this non-agricultural glyphosate source and its environmental impact.

NATURE & ECOLOGY

Zebrafish Show Surprising Adaptability to Heat Without Tradeoffs, Study Finds: In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) bred zebrafish over seven generations to tolerate higher water temperatures—mimicking future climate change conditions. Surprisingly, the heat-tolerant fish not only endured warmer water but also showed increased cold tolerance, with no apparent tradeoffs in growth, reproduction, or oxygen use. The team found that improved heat tolerance did not require enhanced oxygen efficiency, challenging a long-held belief that oxygen limitations drive thermal tolerance. While the findings offer hope that some fish species may adapt to climate change, the researchers caution that wild populations may not evolve quickly enough to keep pace with global warming’s accelerating effects.

OTHER SCIENCES & THE ARTS

How Pacific Navigators Master the Open Ocean Without Instruments: A firsthand account from anthropologist Richard Feinberg recounts his 1972 canoe journey in the Solomon Islands and explores how Pacific Islanders navigate vast ocean distances without modern tools. Relying on celestial navigation, ocean swells, bird flight patterns, and reflected waves, Indigenous voyagers have honed complex wayfinding systems passed down through generations. Experimental voyages—such as those by the Polynesian Voyaging Society's Hōkūleʻa—have validated these traditional techniques, underscoring their precision and cultural significance. This dual legacy of observation and oral tradition continues to inspire modern research and admiration.

Monumental Relief of Assyrian King Ashurbanipal and Deities Unearthed in Iraq: Archaeologists from Heidelberg University have uncovered a massive 12-ton stone relief in the throne room of King Ashurbanipal’s North Palace in ancient Nineveh, near modern-day Mosul, Iraq. Measuring 5.5 meters by 3 meters, the seventh-century BC artwork uniquely features the king flanked by the deities Ashur and Ishtar, a rare depiction of major gods in Assyrian palace art. The scene also includes mythological figures like a fish genius and a scorpion-man. Buried in a Hellenistic-period pit and missed by 19th-century British excavators, the relief is now being studied in detail with plans to eventually display it at its original site.

AI Chatbots Often Exaggerate Scientific Claims, Study Finds: A study by Utrecht University and Western University/Cambridge reveals that large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and DeepSeek generate inaccurate or exaggerated summaries of scientific studies in up to 73% of cases. Analyzing nearly 5,000 AI-generated summaries, the researchers found that most models overstated conclusions—especially when prompted to avoid inaccuracies. Newer models performed worse than older ones, and humans proved far less prone to overgeneralization. The authors call for stricter testing and recommend using past-tense prompts, lower temperature settings, and more accurate models like Claude to improve reliability in science communication.