New Bioplastic Straw Degrades Faster in Ocean Than Paper

Hello and welcome to Sunday’s STEAM newsletter.

In today’s edition:

• Science - Scientists Uncover Mechanism of Directional Hearing in Fish, and more.

• Technology and AI - Revolutionizing Geospatial Data with Smartphones and Crowdsourcing, AI Revolutionizes Forecasting of Toxic Algal Blooms.

• Engineering - Innovative Brillouin Optical Fiber Sensing Method for Infrastructure Monitoring, New X-ray Microscopy Method Detects Tiny Defects with High Precision, and more.

• Mathematics - New Mathematical Breakthrough: A Novel Way to Represent Pi, Chinese Teenager Triumphs Over AI and Top Universities in Global Math Contest.

• Space - Perseverance Rover Crosses Ancient Martian River, Reaches New Scientific Milestones.

• Health & Medicine -Nanoparticle Treatment for Skin and Lung Fibrosis Developed by Researchers, and more.

• Environment - Climate Change Increases Water Collection Burden for Women in Vulnerable Regions, and more.

• Nature -First Animal Found That Doesn't Need Oxygen to Survive, Kangaroo Teeth Reveal Age and Sex Through Continuous Growth.

• Industry - Lawsuit Could Challenge Trust in Popular Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic, Stunning Phytoplankton Bloom Spans Hundreds of Miles in North Atlantic.

• World - Russian Hack on London Hospitals Causes Major Disruption, and more.

Happy Reading,

~The STEAM Digest

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This newsletter is curated by The STEAM Digest.

SCIENCE

Scientists Uncover Mechanism of Directional Hearing in Fish: Researchers from Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin have discovered how fish can determine the direction of underwater sounds. Using the transparent fish species Danionella cerebrum, they found that fish perceive both sound pressure and particle velocity. This dual detection allows fish to locate sound sources, a method that differs significantly from terrestrial vertebrates. This study not only answers a longstanding question but also suggests that this mechanism might be common among many fish species.

How Extreme Heat Kills: Brain Confusion, Heart Strain, and Organ Shutdown: Extreme heat can be fatal by causing heatstroke, straining the heart, and leading to severe dehydration. When the body's core temperature rises too high, it redirects blood to the skin, reducing oxygen to vital organs and causing them to fail. The heart is overworked to maintain blood pressure, and dehydration exacerbates these problems, potentially resulting in organ shutdown and death. Additionally, extreme heat can confuse the brain, increasing the risk of fatal outcomes.

Patagonian Wild Yeasts Enhance Lager Brewing with Unique Flavors: Researchers from the Universidad de Santiago de Chile have developed new lager yeast strains by hybridizing wild yeasts from Patagonia with traditional brewer’s yeast. These new strains exhibit unique flavors and higher alcohol production due to genetic mutations enhancing sugar metabolism. This innovative approach leverages the genetic diversity of wild yeasts to expand the flavor profiles of lagers, which dominate over 90% of the global beer market. The study highlights the potential for wild yeast strains to revolutionize lager brewing.

Enhancing Metamaterial Performance with 3D Aerosol Nanoprinting: Researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology have developed a method using 3D aerosol nanoprinting to improve metamaterial performance. This technique enables the creation of intricate three-dimensional nanostructures that can detect light polarization and direction, leading to advancements in optical sensing and filtering. The study demonstrates the potential for these metamaterials to revolutionize applications in biosensing and environmental monitoring.

TECHNOLOGY AND AI

Revolutionizing Geospatial Data with Smartphones and Crowdsourcing: The use of smartphones and crowdsourcing is transforming geospatial data collection, making it more accessible and real-time. Researchers from 18 institutions highlight the impact on industries such as urban planning and environmental monitoring, emphasizing the democratization of data and its integration with traditional sources. Future efforts aim to expand geospatial crowdsourcing, ensure data quality, and translate this data into real-world benefits.

AI Revolutionizes Forecasting of Toxic Algal Blooms: Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory are leveraging AI to predict harmful algal blooms (HABs), particularly toxic blue-green tides. These blooms, intensified by climate change and nutrient runoff, pose serious environmental and economic threats. The AI models will analyze diverse data sources, including genomic datasets, to identify key factors driving HAB formation. This predictive capability aims to mitigate the impact of these blooms on ecosystems and human activities.

ENGINEERING

Innovative Brillouin Optical Fiber Sensing Method for Infrastructure Monitoring: Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan have developed a new method to enhance Brillouin optical correlation-domain reflectometry (BOCDR) for infrastructure monitoring. This technique uses Rayleigh scattering to accurately estimate modulation amplitude without additional equipment, improving spatial resolution in BOCDR setups. This advancement simplifies the process, reduces costs, and offers a promising solution for detecting strain and temperature distributions in critical infrastructure, addressing societal challenges like aging and seismic damage.

New X-ray Microscopy Method Detects Tiny Defects with High Precision: Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon have developed an advanced X-ray microscopy technique that enhances the detection of tiny defects in materials. By utilizing scattered light instead of attenuated light, the method provides nanometer-resolution images, revealing minute cracks and inclusions that traditional X-ray methods miss. This innovation promises significant improvements in materials research and quality assurance, offering a practical and efficient solution for identifying flaws in high-performance materials.

New Thermal Regulator Enhances Safety of High-Capacity Lithium-Ion Batteries: Researchers at Tsinghua and Zhejiang Universities have developed a thermal-switching material that improves the safety of high-capacity lithium-ion batteries. This material, which includes microspheres embedded between graphene layers, responds to temperature changes by expanding and disrupting heat transport. This prevents overheating and potential explosions. Tested in a 50 Ah lithium-ion battery, the material effectively regulated temperature and prevented heat propagation, showcasing its potential for safer battery applications.

Innovative Bacterial Batteries Harvest Energy from Soil Microorganisms: Researchers from the University of Bath have developed bacteria-powered batteries that generate electricity from soil microorganisms. Named "Bactery," these batteries are low-cost, sustainable, and capable of powering agricultural sensors. Tested in Brazil, they aim to facilitate digitalization in agriculture by providing a reliable and eco-friendly power source. The device uses soil bacteria to generate electrons, functioning best in anaerobic conditions. With a lifespan of over 25 years, Bactery seeks to revolutionize sustainable power solutions in agriculture.

Researchers Develop New Method for Controlling Thermal Emission: An international team led by the University of Manchester's National Graphene Institute has engineered a novel approach for controlling thermal emission. Utilizing concepts from topology and non-Hermitian photonics, the researchers created a "perfect" thermal emitter that can localize thermal emissions with unit emissivity. This breakthrough has significant implications for thermal management and camouflage technologies, especially in applications like satellites.

SPACE

Perseverance Rover Crosses Ancient Martian River, Reaches New Scientific Milestones: NASA’s Perseverance rover successfully navigated an ancient Martian river channel, reaching the "Bright Angel" site in Jezero Crater. This journey allowed the rover to explore diverse geological features and seek signs of ancient life. Perseverance's advanced instruments are analyzing rock formations and collecting samples to provide insights into Mars’ environmental history, supporting future human exploration. The mission highlights the rover's capability to traverse challenging terrains and its critical role in Mars research.

New Research Reveals Sunspots' Surprising Shallow Origins:  Recent research by solar physicists has uncovered that sunspots, previously thought to originate deep within the sun, actually form much closer to the surface. This discovery challenges long-held theories about the solar dynamo, which drives the sun's magnetic activity and sunspot cycles. Using advanced simulations, scientists found that the dynamo likely begins in the sun's outermost layers, offering new insights into the predictable yet chaotic nature of solar behavior. This breakthrough could enhance our understanding of solar activity and its impact on space weather.

MATHEMATICS

New Mathematical Breakthrough: A Novel Way to Represent Pi: Physicists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have discovered a new series representation for the mathematical constant pi (π). While investigating string theory to explain quantum phenomena, they stumbled upon this novel method. This new representation could simplify calculations involving high-energy particle interactions, such as those in the Large Hadron Collider.

Remarkably, this series resembles a representation proposed by the 15th-century mathematician Sangamagrama Madhava. The researchers combined the Euler-Beta Function and Feynman Diagrams, tools used in physics and engineering, to develop their model. This breakthrough not only provides a more efficient way to calculate pi but also holds potential for future practical applications in science and engineering.

Chinese Teenager Triumphs Over AI and Top Universities in Global Math Contest: In a stunning achievement, 17-year-old Jiang Ping, a fashion design student from a vocational school in Jiangsu province, China, outperformed artificial intelligence and students from prestigious universities such as MIT, Stanford, and Princeton in the Alibaba Global Math Competition. Jiang's remarkable performance saw her finishing 12th in the latest qualifying round, securing a place among the 801 global finalists.

Jiang's success is particularly noteworthy given her humble academic background, as vocational schools in China are typically not known for academic rigor. Her achievement has sparked widespread admiration and support, with a hashtag about her garnering 17 million views on social media.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Enzyme Discovery May Hold Key to Longer Lifespans: Researchers have identified an enzyme called ADH-1 that can potentially slow down the aging process by breaking down harmful fat byproducts, specifically glycerol. This enzyme's activity increases through calorie restriction and certain drugs, leading to lower glycerol levels and extended lifespans in lab animals. The findings suggest that enhancing ADH-1 activity could be a promising strategy for promoting healthy aging and longevity in humans.

AI Model TopoFormer Transforms 3D Molecular Data for Enhanced Drug Discovery: Researchers at Michigan State University have developed TopoFormer, an AI-powered program that translates three-dimensional molecular data into formats usable by typical AI drug-interaction models. This innovation promises to speed up drug discovery, reduce costs, and enhance the accuracy of drug-protein interaction predictions. By addressing the limitations of current models, TopoFormer could significantly impact the efficiency of developing new therapeutics.

Nanoparticle Treatment for Skin and Lung Fibrosis Developed by Researchers: Researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso have developed a novel nanoparticle treatment targeting skin and lung fibrosis. These nanoparticles selectively modify fibrotic cells, preventing excess collagen production and rehabilitating damaged cells without harming healthy ones. This innovative approach holds promise for treating fibrosis caused by various conditions, including autoimmune diseases and chemotherapy side effects, and has shown efficacy in laboratory and animal studies.

Advanced Imaging Technology Reveals New Insights into Neuronal Communication: Scientists at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) used cutting-edge imaging technology to capture the atomic structure of an enzyme, vesicular-type ATPase (V-ATPase), crucial for neuron communication. The research, published in Science, utilized cryogenic electron microscopy to visualize how neurotransmitters are released from synaptic vesicles. This breakthrough offers new therapeutic targets for neurological conditions like epilepsy.

ENVIRONMENT

New Bioplastic Straw Degrades Faster in Ocean Than Paper: Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have developed a bioplastic straw made from cellulose diacetate (CDA) that degrades faster in marine environments than paper straws. The study tested various straw materials and found that CDA and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) straws degraded up to 50% within 16 weeks. This innovation presents a promising alternative to traditional plastic straws, offering a sustainable solution to reduce ocean pollution while maintaining the functionality of plastic.

Melamine Sponges Shed Trillions of Microplastic Fibers When Used: A study has revealed that melamine sponges, commonly used for cleaning tough stains, release substantial amounts of microplastic fibers during use. Researchers found that these sponges can shed over a trillion fibers each month globally, posing environmental risks as these microplastics enter waterways and affect wildlife. The study suggests using denser sponges and natural cleaning products to reduce this pollution.

Climate Change Increases Water Collection Burden for Women in Vulnerable Regions: A study from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research highlights that climate change will significantly increase the time women in South American and Southeast Asian regions spend collecting water. By 2050, higher temperatures and altered rainfall patterns could double daily water collection times under high-emission scenarios. This exacerbates the physical and economic burdens on women, underscoring the need for climate action and improved water access infrastructure

Circular Food Systems: A Path to Drastically Lower Emissions and Land Use: A study by Wageningen University highlights the potential of circular food systems to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce agricultural land use in Europe. By integrating circular agriculture and a shift toward plant-based proteins, land use could drop by 44%, and emissions could decrease by 70%. Further reductions to 60% land use and 81% emissions are possible with more plant-based diets. This research provides a framework for sustainable food system redesign.

Study Reveals Plants Store Carbon for Shorter Periods Than Previously Thought: A study led by Imperial College London found that plants store carbon dioxide (CO₂) for shorter periods than earlier estimates suggested. This means that carbon cycles between the atmosphere and biosphere faster than previously understood, potentially limiting the effectiveness of nature-based climate solutions like mass tree planting. The findings emphasize the urgent need to reduce fossil fuel emissions to mitigate climate change effectively.

NATURE

First Animal Found That Doesn't Need Oxygen to Survive: Researchers have discovered Henneguya salminicola, a parasite that can survive entirely without oxygen. This jellyfish-like organism, which infects the muscles of salmon, lacks mitochondria—the cell structures responsible for aerobic respiration in most animals. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that multicellular life requires oxygen to live.

H. salminicola's unique adaptation likely stems from its anaerobic environment, alternating between fish and worm hosts, where oxygen is scarce. It possibly extracts energy directly from its hosts, but the exact mechanism remains unknown. This finding opens new avenues in the study of life in extreme environments and evolutionary biology​

Kangaroo Teeth Reveal Age and Sex Through Continuous Growth: Kangaroo teeth continuously grow throughout their lives, providing a record of the animal's age and sex. Researchers discovered that the incisor teeth of kangaroos have growth lines similar to tree rings, indicating age. Additionally, male kangaroos' teeth grow faster and wear down quicker than those of females, reflecting different foraging behaviors. This method offers valuable insights for wildlife management and conservation, enhancing our understanding of marsupial life histories and ecology.

INDUSTRY

Lawsuit Could Challenge Trust in Popular Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic: A lawsuit filed in Philadelphia against the manufacturers of weight loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and others, claims these companies failed to adequately warn patients about potential gastrointestinal risks. The drugs, popular for their effectiveness in weight management, have been linked to issues like gastroparesis and intestinal obstructions. The outcome of the lawsuit could significantly impact public trust in these medications and the FDA's credibility, possibly leading to a decline in demand for weight loss drugs.

Stunning Phytoplankton Bloom Spans Hundreds of Miles in North Atlantic: A vast phytoplankton bloom, captured by NASA's Aqua satellite, stretches hundreds of miles across the North Atlantic, east of Greenland and south of Iceland. This vibrant bloom, visible due to a gap in the cloud cover, plays a crucial role in marine ecosystems by providing food for various marine organisms and influencing carbon cycling and oxygen production. The bloom likely consists of coccolithophores or diatoms, both vital for marine ecology and climate regulation.

WORLD

Russian Hack on London Hospitals Causes Major Disruption: An investigation into a ransomware attack by the Russian group Qilin on London hospitals is expected to take weeks. The attack affected multiple hospitals, causing cancellations of operations and appointments, and led to a significant data breach, with 400GB of patient data, including sensitive information, leaked online. The National Crime Agency and National Cyber Security Centre are working to verify the data. The attack underscores the growing threat of cybercrime to critical infrastructure.

Climate Change Makes India's Monsoons Erratic, Challenging Farmers' Livelihoods: Climate change is causing India's monsoon rains to become increasingly erratic, leading to unpredictable agricultural conditions. Farmers, reliant on consistent rainfall, face difficulties as heavy rains lead to flooding and dry spells increase drought risks. Adaptation strategies, such as growing drought-resistant crops and improving localized weather forecasting, are crucial. Despite these efforts, altering long-standing farming practices remains challenging for many.

Torrential Rains Cause Deadly Landslides and Flooding in Central America: Torrential rains have led to severe flooding and landslides across Central America, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 people, predominantly in El Salvador, but also affecting Guatemala and Honduras. El Salvador reported the highest death toll with 19 fatalities, while Guatemala and Honduras faced significant infrastructure damage and additional casualties. Authorities are conducting evacuations in high-risk areas and dealing with widespread damage to roads and homes.

Iceland's Melting Ice Boosts Green Energy Initiatives: Iceland is leveraging its melting ice to enhance green energy production, primarily through hydropower. The increased meltwater from glaciers is being harnessed to generate electricity, providing a renewable energy boost. This initiative aligns with Iceland's commitment to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, utilizing natural resources to support clean energy goals.

Latin American Cattle Industry Hampers Paris Climate Goals: Latin America’s cattle industry, the highest emitter of livestock-related greenhouse gases globally, poses significant challenges to achieving the Paris Agreement's climate goals. Emissions from deforestation and traditional livestock practices contribute to environmental degradation and climate change. Efforts to mitigate these impacts involve sustainable farming practices and governance improvements. However, political and economic barriers persist, making significant emission reductions difficult. The region's agricultural practices must evolve to address these environmental challenges effectively.

Extreme Heat in Greece: Impacts on Tourists and Cognitive Function: Greece is facing a severe heatwave with temperatures surpassing 40°C (104°F), leading to multiple tourist deaths and disappearances. Experts are concerned about how extreme heat affects the brain, impairing cognitive functions, decision-making, and increasing risk-taking behavior. As climate change intensifies, the physiological impacts of heat waves are becoming more critical. The Greek government has implemented safety measures, including closing archaeological sites during peak heat hours, to protect both tourists and locals.