Engineers Develop Solar-Powered Device to Extract Lithium from Briny Water

Hello and welcome to Thursday’s STEAM newsletter! We bring you summaries of the latest news in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

In today’s edition:

• Science - MIT Develops Miniature "Tractor Beam" for Biological Research and Diagnostics, and more.

• Technology and AI - Magnetic Defects in Artificial Spin Ice Bring Energy-Efficient Computing Closer, and more.

• Engineering - Engineers Develop Solar-Powered Device to Extract Lithium from Briny Water, Robotics Engineers Develop Quadruped Robot Capable of Efficient Ladder Climbing, and more.

• Astronomy & Space - Chinese Satellite Mega Constellation Raises Concerns for Astronomy, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Stem Cell Transplant Restores Vision in Monkey with Retinal Damage, New Non-Invasive Imaging Technique Accurately Detects Kidney Cancer, and more.

• Neuroscience - How the Brain Divides the Day into “Chapters” Based on Personal Priorities, and more.

• Environment - Bacteria That Break Down Plastics: A New Hope for Tackling Waste Pollution, and more.

• Nature - Ants Used as Natural Fermentation Starters in Traditional Yogurt-Making Practices, and more.

• Industry - Autonomous Drones Rediscover Long-Lost WWII Destroyer USS Stewart, and more.

Until Tomorrow.

~The STEAM Digest

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This newsletter is curated by The STEAM Digest.

SCIENCE

MIT Develops Miniature "Tractor Beam" for Biological Research and Diagnostics: MIT researchers have created a chip-based optical tweezers system that uses light to capture and manipulate biological particles, similar to the "tractor beam" concept from Star Wars. This compact device can trap cells millimeters away, overcoming the limitations of traditional bulky optical tweezers. The new system can work within sterile environments, reducing contamination risks and offering potential applications in DNA research, disease diagnostics, and single-cell biophysics. The technology could make optical tweezing more accessible to scientists due to its scalability and affordability.

Researchers Develop Rye-Based Scaffolds for Cultured Pork Fat Production: Scientists at the National University of Singapore have created a cost-effective, food-grade method for culturing pork fat using protein scaffolds made from secalin, a protein extracted from rye. Their innovative template-leaching method produces highly porous, mechanically suitable scaffolds, promoting pork fat tissue growth that mimics natural pork fat in flavor and texture. This breakthrough could advance scalable, sustainable cultured meat production, contributing to circular economy efforts.

Diffraction Casting: A New Approach to Optical Computing for Future Devices: Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new optical computing method called "diffraction casting" that enhances previous shadow casting techniques. This approach manipulates light waves to perform logical operations with greater spatial efficiency and flexibility, potentially revolutionizing computing with faster, more energy-efficient systems. While still in its early stages, diffraction casting could play a significant role in future image processing, machine learning, and quantum computing systems. The researchers anticipate commercialization within the next decade.

TECHNOLOGY AND AI

AR/VR Technology Enhances Inspection of Aging Infrastructure: Engineers at the University of Waterloo, Canada have developed the Smart Infrastructure Metaverse, an innovative AR/VR system that allows both on-site and off-site inspectors to collaborate on real-time infrastructure inspections. Using 3D scanned models and AR/VR headsets, inspectors can view the physical structure and a digital replica simultaneously, improving accuracy and speed in detecting structural issues. This technology, tested on a railway bridge in Ontario, addresses the growing need for efficient maintenance of Canada's aging infrastructure, which is nearing the end of its lifespan.

Magnetic Defects in Artificial Spin Ice Bring Energy-Efficient Computing Closer: Researchers from the U.K.'s National Physical Laboratory and international partners have demonstrated a mechanism for controlling artificial spin ice (ASI) neural networks by introducing hexagonal magnetic defects. These defects generate stochastic topological excitations that influence the behavior of the ASI-based system, potentially paving the way for energy-efficient brain-like computing solutions. The study advances the development of neuromorphic computing, with applications in magnetic memory and low-energy future computing systems.

ENGINEERING

Engineers Develop Solar-Powered Device to Extract Lithium from Briny Water: Researchers from Nanjing University and UC Berkeley have developed a new method to extract lithium from briny water using solar energy. The process, called solar transpiration-powered lithium extraction and storage (STLES), involves a floating device that uses sunlight to passively separate lithium from brine via a specialized membrane. This cost-effective and environmentally friendly technique could provide a sustainable source of lithium from oceans and other saline bodies. As lithium demand grows, this new approach offers an alternative to traditional mining methods, which are expected to decline.

Robotics Engineers Develop Quadruped Robot Capable of Efficient Ladder Climbing: Engineers at ETH Zurich have modified the ANYMal quadruped robot to enable it to climb standard ladders efficiently. By designing hook-like paws and using reinforcement learning, the robot was trained to climb ladders with a success rate of 90%. The training involved simulations with privileged teacher–student approaches to handle various ladder environments. This development allows the robot to perform tasks that humanoid robots typically struggle with, marking a significant step in robotics for real-world applications. Future work will focus on improving its ability to navigate more complex, unstructured environments.

New Technique Makes PVC Plastics More Durable and Reduces Microplastic Shedding: Researchers have developed a method to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) more durable and less prone to shedding microplastics. By using electricity to permanently attach plasticizers to PVC molecules, the team from Ohio State University, led by Christo Sevov, enhances the material’s stability and resistance to deterioration. This breakthrough could help curb the release of harmful microplastics into the environment. The process also holds potential for improving the recyclability and reusability of PVC products, extending their lifespan and reducing plastic waste.

New Porous Crystal Design Could Enhance Safety of Lithium-Ion Batteries: Cornell researchers have developed a porous crystal made from fused macrocycles and molecular cages that improves lithium-ion transport via one-dimensional nanochannels. This design could lead to safer solid-state lithium-ion batteries by preventing the formation of dangerous dendrites. The crystal achieves a record-high ionic conductivity of 8.3 × 10⁻⁴ siemens per centimeter, making it a promising candidate for battery technology. The research also opens possibilities for other applications, including water purification and bioelectronics.

ASTRONOMY & SPACE

Chinese Satellite Mega Constellation Raises Concerns for Astronomy: China's launch of the first 18 satellites from its planned 14,000-satellite Qianfan mega constellation has raised concerns among astronomers. These satellites, brighter than all but 500 stars in the sky, could negatively impact astronomical observations by creating bright streaks in telescope images. Similar to SpaceX’s Starlink, which faced similar issues, Qianfan could reduce satellite brightness, though there are no global regulations requiring this. The constellation, aimed at providing internet services, may expand beyond China, but its effects on the night sky have prompted calls for more responsible space operations.

New Analysis Shows Widespread Lunar Ice Deposits Beyond South Pole: A recent study using data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) reveals that ice deposits in lunar regolith are more extensive than previously believed. The research found signs of ice not only in large craters near the lunar South Pole but also in permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) up to 77 degrees south latitude. These findings, using neutron detection, indicate significant ice concentrations in extremely cold regions below 75 Kelvin, providing valuable insights for future lunar missions. The study offers new maps to guide exploration, though the exact volume of ice remains uncertain.

BepiColombo’s Flyby Reveals Insights Into Mercury’s Magnetic Field: During its June 2023 flyby, the BepiColombo mission uncovered intriguing details about Mercury’s magnetic environment. The spacecraft’s instruments recorded structures like the "shock" boundary between the solar wind and the magnetosphere, as well as unexpected features such as turbulent plasma regions. Scientists also observed energetic ions and cold plasma ions linked to Mercury's surface. These findings offer a glimpse of the groundbreaking discoveries to come when BepiColombo enters Mercury's orbit in 2026, providing a deeper understanding of the planet's magnetosphere and its interaction with the solar wind.

Hypothetical Boson Star Collisions Could Be Detected Through Gravitational Waves: A recent computer simulation suggests that the collisions of exotic, hypothetical stars, such as boson stars, may produce detectable gravitational waves similar to those from black hole mergers. Boson stars, theorized to be made from undiscovered particles like dark matter, could produce ripples in space-time that instruments like LIGO could measure. However, distinguishing between boson star and black hole mergers is challenging due to their similar gravitational wave signals. This research, led by Tamara Evstafyeva at the University of Cambridge, provides a high-precision example of how gravitational wave signals might deviate from standard gravity theories, offering an exciting prospect for future detections of exotic cosmic objects.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Stem Cell Transplant Restores Vision in Monkey with Retinal Damage: A recent study by Michiko Mandai and her team at Kobe City Eye Hospital successfully used human stem cells to repair a hole in the retina of a snow monkey (Macaca fuscata), significantly improving its vision. Prior to the transplant, the monkey struggled in vision tests, but six months after receiving the retinal patch, its ability to focus on visual stimuli increased from 1.5% to as much as 26%. The results offer hope for treating retinal holes in humans, particularly a type of age-related sight loss. However, more studies in non-human animals are needed to confirm the approach's efficacy.

New Non-Invasive Imaging Technique Accurately Detects Kidney Cancer: A new imaging technique using a monoclonal antibody drug called 89Zr-TLX250 has shown high accuracy in detecting clear-cell renal cell carcinoma, the most common and deadly form of kidney cancer. The phase 3 trial, led by UCLA researchers and conducted across nine countries, demonstrated 85.5% sensitivity and 87.0% specificity in identifying cancerous kidney masses. This non-invasive method targets the CA9 protein found in 95% of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma cases, offering a clearer diagnosis while reducing unnecessary surgeries. The technique may also help detect metastasis, potentially improving treatment outcomes for patients.

Novel Semi-Synthetic Compound Shows Promise Against Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: A new semi-synthetic compound, BPD-9, derived from the natural antimicrobial compound sanguinarine, has shown potent activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, including drug-resistant strains. The redesigned compound effectively kills both replicating and dormant M. tuberculosis, overcoming limitations of current TB treatments. BPD-9 also spares beneficial bacteria, potentially reducing side effects on the microbiome. This breakthrough offers a promising chemical scaffold for developing new, more effective anti-tuberculosis drugs.

New Discovery in DNA Packaging Reveals Key Role of RNA in Cancer and Disease: Researchers at the University of Chicago have uncovered a crucial role of RNA in how DNA is packaged within cells, offering new insights into cancer and other diseases. The study, led by Prof. Chuan He, found that the gene TET2 regulates RNA methylation, which in turn controls chromatin packaging—a process vital for gene expression. Mutations in TET2 can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer, particularly in the blood and brain. This discovery opens new pathways for targeted cancer therapies and has potential implications for treating other conditions, such as heart disease.

Silver Nanoparticles Enhance Dental Resins to Prevent Infections: Researchers from UNAM have developed a method to incorporate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into composite resins used for provisional dental restorations. This innovation prevents biofilm formation, a key factor in dental infections like gingivitis, by releasing silver ions over time without harming surrounding cells. The study shows that this method, which requires no specialized equipment, can inhibit bacterial growth, potentially lowering treatment costs and improving patient outcomes. The research focuses on enhancing prosthetic materials to prevent infections in the oral cavity.

NEUROSCIENCE

How the Brain Divides the Day into “Chapters” Based on Personal Priorities: New research reveals that the brain creates mental "chapters" throughout the day based on what we prioritize and focus on, not just environmental changes. A study led by Christopher Baldassano and Alexandra De Soares shows that while big changes, like entering a new place, can mark a mental boundary, our goals and attention shape how we divide events. Using audio narratives, researchers found that participants' brains organized events based on whether they focused on the storyline or specific details. The findings suggest the brain actively organizes life experiences based on meaningful chunks of information.

Small Neural Networks in Fruit Flies Reveal Surprising Computational Power: Neuroscientists have discovered that the fruit fly's brain can maintain an accurate internal compass using a small network of neurons, challenging previous theories that such computations required large networks. New research led by Marcella Noorman at Janelia Research Campus reveals that as few as four neurons, if precisely connected, can generate a ring attractor network, which keeps track of direction. This finding expands our understanding of how small neural networks perform complex tasks like navigation, and suggests that smaller brains can handle more sophisticated computations than previously believed.

Auditory Hallucinations in Schizophrenia Linked to Abnormal Brain Signal Processing: A study reveals that auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia may be caused by abnormalities in two brain processes. A "broken" corollary discharge fails to suppress self-generated sounds, while a "noisy" efference copy intensifies these sounds. EEG experiments with schizophrenia patients showed those experiencing hallucinations had heightened responses to internal sounds. These findings suggest that targeting these processes could lead to new treatments for auditory hallucinations.

ENVIRONMENT

Bacteria That Break Down Plastics: A New Hope for Tackling Waste Pollution: Northwestern University-led researchers have discovered how the Comamonas bacterium, commonly found in wastewater, breaks down plastic for food. The bacterium first chews plastic into nanoplastics, then uses a specialized enzyme to break it down further and consume carbon from the plastic. This finding, published in Environmental Science & Technology, opens possibilities for bacteria-based solutions to combat plastic pollution in waterways. The study also reveals how nanoplastics form in wastewater during microbial activity, highlighting the evolving nature of plastic waste.

Liquified Natural Gas Has a 33% Larger Greenhouse Gas Footprint Than Coal, Study Finds: A new Cornell study reveals that liquified natural gas (LNG) has a greenhouse gas footprint that is 33% worse than coal when factoring in extraction, processing, and transportation. The research, led by Robert Howarth, highlights that methane emissions from LNG, which is primarily produced from shale gas, contribute significantly to its environmental impact. LNG production and shipping involve energy-intensive processes and methane leakage, making its carbon footprint exceed that of coal over both 20-year and 100-year time scales. These findings challenge the idea of LNG as a "bridge fuel" for climate mitigation.

New Models Reveal Key Insights into Polar Sea Ice Dynamics and Global Climate Impact: Researchers from the University of Utah have developed new models to better understand two critical processes in polar sea ice: the thermal flux through sea ice and the dynamics of the marginal ice zone (MIZ). The studies show that heat transfers more efficiently through sea ice than previously thought, due to brine inclusions, and that the MIZ, a transition zone between pack ice and open ocean, has expanded by 40% in recent decades. This research helps explain how changes in sea ice impact global climate patterns and could improve climate prediction models.

NATURE

Ants Used as Natural Fermentation Starters in Traditional Yogurt-Making Practices: In parts of southeastern Europe, traditional yogurt-making techniques involve using live ants as fermentation starters. The formic acid produced by ants initiates the milk coagulation process, turning it into yogurt. A study led by Leonie Jahn and Veronica Sinotte explored this practice in Nova Mahala, Bulgaria, where just four ants were enough to ferment milk overnight, creating a yogurt with a tangy, herbaceous flavor. The research identified lactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillus delbrueckii bulgaricus and Fructilactobacillus sanfranciscensis, in the ant yogurt, suggesting that these microbes may have evolved in ants long before being used in food fermentation.

New Moth Species Discovered After Traveling 4,500 Miles to Wales: A new species of clearwing moth, Carmenta brachyclados, has been identified in Wales after an extraordinary cross-continental journey from its native Guyana. The moth was spotted by ecologist Daisy Cadet, leading to a collaborative investigation by Natural History Museum scientists. DNA analysis confirmed the moth belonged to the Carmenta genus, despite it never being cataloged in its home country. Remarkably, two pupal casings from the moths had unknowingly traveled in a photographer’s bag from Guyana to Wales, where the moths emerged, leading to their formal description.

INDUSTRY

Autonomous Drones Rediscover Long-Lost WWII Destroyer USS Stewart: Ocean Infinity's fleet of autonomous underwater drones has rediscovered the USS Stewart, a US Navy destroyer captured by Japanese forces during World War II, after it had been lost for 78 years. Found 3,500 feet below the ocean's surface off the California coast, the ship remains remarkably intact. Known as the “Ghost Ship of the Pacific,” the vessel was sunk by the US Navy in 1946 after serving in battle for both the US and Japan. The discovery was made in a few hours while Ocean Infinity was mapping the Cordell Bank marine sanctuary.

Hurricane Helene Halts Quartz Production in Spruce Pine, Disrupting Global Supply Chain: The remnants of Hurricane Helene have caused severe flooding and infrastructure damage in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, forcing the shutdown of quartz mining operations critical to the global production of solar panels and semiconductor chips. Sibelco, the town’s largest employer, and The Quartz Corp have halted operations since September 26, with no clear restart date. The region produces the world’s purest quartz, vital for silicon wafer manufacturing, causing concerns about the global supply chain disruption.

Australian Retailers Urged to Embrace Smart Technology to Improve Shopping Experience: Research from Edith Cowan University suggests that Australian retailers need to adopt advanced smart technologies, such as smart trolleys and virtual try-ons, to improve convenience for shoppers. Current self-service technologies, like self-checkout counters, often require human intervention, undermining their purpose. International retailers have already implemented smart technologies, offering frictionless shopping experiences. The study emphasizes that smart service value (SSV) can enhance customer well-being but also warns of potential risks, including privacy and security concerns.