Nature-Inspired Link-Bots Offer New Model for Sensor-Free Swarm Robotics

Hello and welcome to our May 9th 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 - Eco-Friendly Microwave Method Revolutionizes COF Synthesis for Energy Storage, and more.

• Materials - Scientists Develop Simple Method to Fuse Carbon Nanobelts with Sulfur-Based Functional Groups, and more.

• Biotechnology & Biomedical Technology - Breakthrough Enzyme CelOCE Doubles Efficiency of Biomass-to-Biofuel Conversion, and more.

• Engineering & Technology - Record-Breaking Pure-Red PeLEDs Achieved Through Innovative Lattice Engineering, and more.

• Robotics, AI, Hardware, Software, Gadgets - Nature-Inspired Link-Bots Offer New Model for Sensor-Free Swarm Robotics, and more.

• Astronomy, Space, Astrobiology - Venus’s Surprisingly Thin Crust May Recycle Itself Without Plate Tectonics, and more.

• Health & Medicine - New Drug Obicetrapib Shows Promise in Lowering Hard-to-Treat Cholesterol, and more.

• Environment & Earth Sciences - Global Mercury Pollution Drops by 70% Over Two Decades, Study Finds.

• Nature & Ecology - Chimpanzee Call Combinations Reveal Unexpected Complexity in Primate Communication, and more.

• Other Sciences & The Arts - Ancient Wooden Spears May Have Belonged to Neanderthals, Not Their Ancestors, and more.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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SCIENCE

Eco-Friendly Microwave Method Revolutionizes COF Synthesis for Energy Storage: Researchers have developed a rapid, sustainable method for synthesizing imide-linked covalent organic frameworks (COFs) using a water-assisted microwave technique. Unlike traditional solvothermal methods, which are time-consuming and rely on toxic solvents, this new approach produces high-quality COFs in minutes using only water. The method enhances crystallinity and porosity, enabling the creation of both previously known and new COFs. A composite of one COF, NUS-63, with functionalized carbon nanotubes demonstrated outstanding performance as a lithium-ion battery cathode, maintaining 128.6 mAh/g capacity after 10,000 cycles. This advancement paves the way for greener, faster synthesis of advanced materials for energy and environmental applications.

Scientists Discover Oxygen-Stable [FeFe]-Hydrogenase for Green Hydrogen Production: Researchers have identified a highly oxygen-stable [FeFe]-hydrogenase enzyme from the thermophilic bacterium Thermosediminibacter oceani, potentially overcoming a major barrier to industrial green hydrogen production. The study shows that this enzyme remains active after days of air exposure—unlike typical [FeFe]-hydrogenases, which are rapidly deactivated by oxygen. Advanced analytical and computational methods revealed that a sulfur-containing amino acid near the catalytic center and a cluster of hydrophobic residues are key to the enzyme’s oxygen resistance. These findings could guide the engineering of more durable hydrogenases for sustainable energy applications.

MADMAX Prototype Advances Search for Elusive Dark Photons: Researchers have completed the first search for dark photons using a prototype detector. Designed to detect dark matter candidates like axions and dark photons, the MADMAX experiment uses a unique stack of sapphire disks and a mirror to convert dark photons into detectable photons. Although no dark photon signals were found in this initial trial, the prototype demonstrated sensitivity nearly 1,000 times greater than previous attempts and explored a wide, previously untested frequency range. The successful test validates the MADMAX concept and paves the way for future upgrades, including ultra-low temperature operation and enhanced resonator size, to expand the search for dark matter.

MATERIALS

Scientists Develop Simple Method to Fuse Carbon Nanobelts with Sulfur-Based Functional Groups: Chemists have discovered a fast, one-step method to combine carbon nanobelts with thiophene, a sulfur-containing compound known for its semiconducting and fluorescent properties. The study marks a significant step toward creating advanced materials for use in optoelectronic devices. Carbon nanobelts, first synthesized in 2017 by a group of researchers, are curved molecular segments of carbon nanotubes and have since attracted global research interest. The newly created thiophene-fused nanobelts exhibit unexpected surface alignment behaviors on copper and gold, and their unique properties are already sparking international collaboration. The simple synthesis strategy also opens the door to developing a wide range of functionalized nanobelt materials.

AI-Driven Discovery Unveils Promising New Infrared Optoelectronic Materials:
Researchers have developed an interpretable machine learning (ML) framework that accelerates the discovery of high-performance infrared functional materials (IRFMs), a cornerstone of technologies such as lasers and photodetectors. By extracting key insights from chalcogenide systems, the team guided the targeted synthesis of a new family of selenoborate halides—ABa₃(BSe₃)₂X (A = Rb or Cs; X = Cl, Br, or I). These compounds exhibit a desirable combination of wide bandgaps, strong second harmonic generation, moderate birefringence, and high laser damage thresholds. Their success highlights the power of AI to move beyond traditional trial-and-error methods, opening new frontiers in the rational design of optoelectronic materials.

New Bismuth-Based Hybrid Materials Offer Ultra-Sensitive, Eco-Friendly X-ray Detection: A research team has developed two novel bismuth-based organic-inorganic hybrid materials—[(CH₃CH₂)₃S]₆Bi₈I₃₀ and [(CH₃CH₂)₃S]AgBiI₅—that exhibit exceptional performance as X-ray detectors. Inspired by perovskite materials, these compounds combine high atomic numbers, suitable band gaps, and structurally stable sulfonium cations for long-term durability. Manufactured via environmentally friendly ball milling and pellet pressing, these detectors outperform commercial materials like amorphous selenium and CdZnTe by up to two orders of magnitude in sensitivity, and can detect X-ray doses nearly 50 times lower. Proven robust under intense pulsed X-ray exposure, these materials offer significant potential for safer, low-dose medical imaging and industrial applications. The next phase involves partnering with tech firms to advance their commercial development.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Breakthrough Enzyme CelOCE Doubles Efficiency of Biomass-to-Biofuel Conversion: Researchers have discovered a novel copper-based metalloenzyme, CelOCE, that significantly enhances the deconstruction of cellulose—one of the greatest challenges in biomass conversion. The study shows that CelOCE uses a unique oxidative cleavage mechanism, independent of traditional monooxygenases, to unlock cellulose’s resistant crystalline structure, making it accessible to other enzymes. CelOCE also generates its own peroxide, eliminating the need for external peroxide addition—a key hurdle in industrial biofuel production. Developed from soil microbes near a sugarcane biorefinery, CelOCE has already been validated at pilot scale and can be immediately integrated into second-generation ethanol production. The enzyme could drastically boost yields and advance sustainable biofuel technologies, especially in Brazil, a global leader in bioenergy.

Researchers Uncover How Oil-Eating Bacteria Produce Natural Detergent:
Scientists have discovered how the marine bacterium Alcanivorax borkumensis synthesizes a natural detergent that enables it to degrade oil. The study reveals a gene cluster responsible for producing a molecule composed of glycine and a sugar-fatty acid compound, allowing the bacteria to attach to oil droplets and break them down. This detergent-making process involves three key enzymes, and researchers successfully transferred the genes into another bacterium, which also produced the compound. The findings could help engineer more efficient oil-degrading strains and open up new biotech applications.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Record-Breaking Pure-Red PeLEDs Achieved Through Innovative Lattice Engineering: Researchers have set a new benchmark for pure-red perovskite LEDs (PeLEDs), achieving a peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 24.2% and maximum luminance of 24,600 cd/m². The study resolves the long-standing issue of efficiency loss at high brightness by identifying hole leakage as the root cause, using a novel in situ diagnostic tool called electrically excited transient absorption (EETA) spectroscopy. The team addressed this by designing a 3D intragrain heterostructure within the perovskite material, stabilized by the multifunctional molecule PTLA. This structure confined carriers without compromising mobility, enabling record performance and enhanced stability, marking a major advance in optoelectronic materials.

High Temperatures Cause Efficiency Loss in Fuel Cells, LLNL Study Finds: A study reveals that high operating temperatures in fuel cells can significantly increase electrical leakage, reducing energy conversion efficiency. Using quantum mechanics simulations, researchers analyzed barium zirconate—a common solid-oxide electrolyte—and found that heat-induced atomic vibrations at temperatures above 600 K promote unwanted electron and hole activity. This leakage process wastes input energy without contributing to power output. The findings offer a path to designing more efficient fuel cells by adjusting materials or operational conditions and may be expanded with machine learning tools to improve other electrolyte systems.

ROBOTICS, AI, HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, GADGETS

Nature-Inspired Link-Bots Offer New Model for Sensor-Free Swarm Robotics: A joint team of researchers has developed a novel swarm robot system called link-bots, capable of performing complex tasks without sensors, AI, or centralized control. The research introduces chain-linked active particles that mimic collective behaviors found in nature—like those of ants or cells. These robots operate using simple mechanical constraints and structural geometry, enabling them to move, explore, transport objects, and cooperate autonomously. The team demonstrated the bots' ability to navigate tight spaces and work collectively, with potential applications in disaster response, logistics, and environmental monitoring.

Study Finds AI Chatbots Often Fall Short in Providing Reliable Medical Advice:
In a recent study, researchers from the U.K. and U.S. tested how well large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4o, Command R+, and Llama 3 provide medical advice. Involving 1,298 volunteers, the study compared chatbot-generated guidance to that obtained from typical online searches or personal knowledge. While prior research shows LLMs perform well on medical exams, this study revealed that real-world performance is often hindered by incomplete user input and communication breakdowns. Chatbot advice was sometimes comparable to other sources but often less accurate, leading users to misidentify conditions or underestimate severity. The researchers advise using more trusted sources for medical decision-making.

AI-Optimized GKP Codes Boost Quantum Error Correction Efficiency: Theoretical physicists have significantly improved the efficiency of quantum error correction using deep learning to optimize Gottesman–Kitaev–Preskill (GKP) codes. This breakthrough addresses the challenge of implementing GKP codes—which rely on hard-to-generate squeezed states—by reducing the need for large-amplitude squeezing while preserving error resilience. The method uses neural networks to fine-tune the structure of GKP states, enabling more efficient and robust encoding of quantum information. The advancement marks a critical step toward scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing, particularly in light-based quantum systems.

ASTRONOMY, SPACE, ASTROBIOLOGY

Venus’s Surprisingly Thin Crust May Recycle Itself Without Plate Tectonics:
New research reveals that Venus’s crust, unlike Earth's, lacks plate tectonics yet still undergoes metamorphism and recycling. Using geological modeling, scientists found that Venus’s crust is thinner than expected—averaging about 25 miles (40 km)—because its dense lower layers either melt or break off into the mantle as they grow. This process may drive volcanic activity and return water and elements to the planet's interior, offering an alternative to Earth’s subduction-driven recycling. These findings challenge previous assumptions about Venus's static geology and highlight the need for upcoming missions like NASA's DAVINCI and VERITAS to gather direct surface data to better understand the planet’s crustal dynamics and volcanic potential.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

New Drug Obicetrapib Shows Promise in Lowering Hard-to-Treat Cholesterol:
An international study led by Monash University has found that the oral drug Obicetrapib significantly reduces both LDL cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], offering a promising new option for patients at high risk of heart attack and stroke. The phase 3 BROADWAY trial, involved over 2,500 participants. After 12 weeks, Obicetrapib reduced LDL by 32.6% and Lp(a) by 33.5%, outperforming current treatments and achieving target levels for many. With a favorable safety profile, Obicetrapib may help patients who haven't responded adequately to existing therapies.

Illicit Fentanyl Use in the U.S. Far Higher Than Federal Estimates, New Survey Finds: A new study reveals that 11% of U.S. adults reported using illicit opioids in the past year, and 7.5% reported using illicitly manufactured fentanyl—figures over 20 times higher than those reported by the main federal survey. The research highlights serious underreporting in existing government data and calls for improved, real-time tracking methods. Using an online panel of 1,515 adults, researchers found both intentional and unintentional use of illicit opioids was widespread, with many users first exposed via prescribed or diverted prescription opioids. The study underscores the urgent need for more accurate, timely data to better respond to the evolving opioid crisis.

New Mechanism Behind Colorectal Cancer Progression Identified: URI Protein Drives p53 Degradation: A study has uncovered a novel molecular mechanism that contributes to the development and progression of colorectal cancer. The research shows that increased levels of the protein URI lead to early degradation of p53, a key tumor-suppressor protein. This degradation promotes the formation of adenomas and their progression into aggressive tumors. Notably, p53 loss was previously associated only with late-stage cancer due to TP53 gene mutations, making this early-stage degradation a significant new discovery. The URI protein, regulated by the MYC oncogene and linked to environmental risk factors like poor diet, emerges as a promising target for cancer prevention and treatment. The team is now focusing on developing URI inhibitors that could block p53 degradation and halt tumor initiation.

ENVIRONMENT & EARTH SCIENCES

Global Mercury Pollution Drops by 70% Over Two Decades, Study Finds:
According to a study, atmospheric mercury levels have declined by nearly 70% since 2000, largely due to global reductions in human-caused emissions such as fossil fuel burning and waste incineration. Researchers analyzed mercury isotopes preserved in layers of leaves from Androsace tapete, a plant growing at high altitudes on Mount Everest, providing a historical record of mercury pollution dating back to 1982. The study credits international efforts like the Minamata Convention for the decline, though it also notes that re-emissions from soil, now the largest source of atmospheric mercury, are rising and must be addressed in future policies.

Sulfur Use in Sugarcane Farming Fuels Toxic Mercury in Everglades Fish: New research from UC Davis reveals that sulfur runoff from sugarcane farming in South Florida is driving the formation of toxic methylmercury in wetlands near Everglades National Park. Sulfur applied to soils for crop management feeds microorganisms that convert atmospheric mercury into methylmercury—a neurotoxin that accumulates in fish at levels up to 10 million times higher than in surrounding water. The study highlights that while global mercury reduction efforts like the Minamata Convention continue, local action to reduce agricultural sulfur use could swiftly lower mercury levels in Everglades wildlife and improve environmental and public health outcomes.

Forest Loss Near Streams Degrades Water Quality and Raises Treatment Costs, Study Finds: A new study finds that converting forested areas near streams to agriculture or urban development can significantly reduce downstream water quality. Using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool, researchers modeled land-use changes through 2070 in the Middle Chattahoochee watershed, revealing increased nitrogen levels and sediment in drinking water sources where forest cover declined. These changes raise water treatment costs and pose environmental and health risks. The study highlights the need to weigh the trade-offs of development and agriculture against the benefits of maintaining forested land near waterways.

NATURE & ECOLOGY

Chimpanzee Call Combinations Reveal Unexpected Complexity in Primate Communication: A groundbreaking study reveals that wild chimpanzees possess a far more complex vocal communication system than previously understood, potentially shedding light on the evolutionary roots of human language. The researchers recorded thousands of vocalizations from chimpanzees in Ivory Coast’s Taï National Park and found that chimpanzees combine calls in sophisticated ways to alter meaning—much like humans use syntax and composition in language. The chimps used both compositional combinations (adding or clarifying meaning) and idiomatic ones (creating new meanings entirely), echoing key features of human linguistic structure. These findings suggest that generative communication may have existed in a common ancestor of humans, chimpanzees, and bonobos, challenging long-standing views that primate communication is limited to emotional expressions.

Digger Wasps Show Surprising Memory and Scheduling Skills in Wild Parenting Study: A new study reveals that female digger wasps can remember the locations and feeding schedules of up to nine separate nests, displaying sophisticated parental care and memory in a natural setting. Conducted on heathland in Surrey, UK, the research found that wasp mothers rarely make mistakes—even when their nests are surrounded by hundreds of others—and adjust their feeding based on each offspring's needs and survival status. The wasps use visual landmarks to locate their nests and manage food deliveries with remarkable precision. Researchers, including lead author Professor Jeremy Field of the University of Exeter, say the findings highlight the surprising cognitive abilities of insects in the wild, where their complex behaviors are shaped by evolutionary pressures.

Internal Clocks Guide Antarctic Krill in Daily Migrations, Study Finds: A new study reveals that Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) rely on internal biological clocks to regulate their daily vertical migrations, a behavior critical for feeding and predator avoidance. Researchers used newly developed monitoring technology to study individual wild-caught krill across seasons. The findings show that krill maintain a nocturnal activity rhythm even in total darkness, confirming the role of circadian regulation. This internal clock allows krill to adapt to extreme polar light conditions and supports their vital ecological role in carbon cycling and the Southern Ocean food web. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for predicting the impact of environmental changes on krill populations and the broader climate system.

OTHER SCIENCES & THE ARTS

Ancient Wooden Spears May Have Belonged to Neanderthals, Not Their Ancestors: A new study suggests that a set of ancient wooden spears discovered in Schöningen, Germany, may be around 200,000 years old—100,000 years younger than previously believed. Originally thought to have been made by Homo heidelbergensis, the revised dating implies that Neanderthals may have crafted and used the spears. The well-balanced weapons, found alongside horse remains, highlight Neanderthals’ potential for complex hunting behavior. However, some experts, including archaeologist Thomas Terberger, remain cautious, calling for further research to confirm the new dating and determine the true creators of the spears.

AI Use at Work Perceived Negatively—Unless You're an AI User Too, Study Finds:
A study by Duke University researchers reveals that employees who use AI tools at work—such as ChatGPT—are often perceived by coworkers as lazier, less competent, and more easily replaceable than those who don't use them. Through four online experiments involving 4,400 participants, the researchers found consistent negative biases toward AI users in workplace scenarios, including in hiring decisions. However, these perceptions improved significantly when AI use was shown to be beneficial or when the observer themselves used AI. The study underscores the growing social stigma around AI use in professional settings and highlights how personal experience with AI influences these attitudes.