Chemists Achieve Breakthrough in Molecular Editing: Replacing Oxygen with Nitrogen Using Photocatalysis

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

In today’s edition:

• Science - Chemists Achieve Breakthrough in Molecular Editing: Replacing Oxygen with Nitrogen Using Photocatalysis, Researchers Enhance Gravitational Wave Detection with Squeezed Light System, and more.

• Technology and AI - Machine Learning Models Predict Spalling in Reinforced Concrete Structures, and more.

• Engineering - Breakthrough Discovery Enhances Efficiency of Nanocrystals for Advanced Technology, and more.

• Astronomy & Space - Atmospheric Oxidation Led to Mars' Transition from Warm Highlands to Cold Polar Regions.

• Health & Medicine - Innovative Nanoparticle Therapy Targets Fat Absorption to Combat Obesity, and more.

• Neuroscience - Study Reveals Rapid Temporal Sensitivity in Human Olfactory Perception, and more.

• Environment - PFAS Contamination in North Carolina Groundwater Could Persist for Decades, Study Finds; Efficient Housing Development in the Netherlands: Urban Densification Offers Sustainable Solutions.

• Nature - Selective Breeding Boosts Coral Heat Resistance, but but Urgent Climate Action Still Essential for Long-Term Survival, and more.

• Other Sciences & Arts - Archaeologists Discover Oldest Known Church in Armenia: A 4th Century Octagonal Structure.

• Industry - Tesla Unveils Human-Like "Optimus" Robots Capable of Performing Daily Tasks.

Until Tomorrow.

~The STEAM Digest

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This newsletter is curated by The STEAM Digest.

SCIENCE

Chemists Achieve Breakthrough in Molecular Editing: Replacing Oxygen with Nitrogen Using Photocatalysis: A team of chemists from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has developed a novel photocatalytic technique to replace an oxygen atom in a furan molecule with a nitrogen atom. This "pencil-and-eraser" method uses light to activate molecular editing, offering a more efficient way to alter molecules, which could revolutionize drug development. Inspired by earlier research from 1971, the new approach overcomes previous challenges related to high temperatures and radiation. This breakthrough could simplify the synthesis of complex molecules, offering new opportunities in pharmaceutical innovation.

Researchers Enhance Gravitational Wave Detection with Squeezed Light System: Researchers at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) have developed a squeezed light system that significantly improves the observatory's detection sensitivity. By adding a specialized crystal, new mirrors, and lenses to the detector, the team reduced flickering in the laser beams, which are crucial for detecting gravitational waves. These upgrades, initially enhancing high-frequency wave detection, were later adapted for lower frequencies, resulting in a dramatic doubling of the number of gravitational waves detected. This improvement allows LIGO to explore more of the universe, with potential new discoveries about black hole mergers from the early universe.

New Breakthrough in Polymer Design Could Revolutionize Plastic Recycling: Researchers at Osaka University have developed a novel method to create tough, high-performance polymers that can be easily and precisely broken down for chemical recycling. The study introduces a directing group mechanism that allows polymers to resist high temperatures and harsh chemicals while being readily recyclable when exposed to a specific metal catalyst, such as nickel. This innovative approach offers a solution to the longstanding tradeoff between performance and recyclability, paving the way for high-quality, chemically recyclable plastics that could dramatically reduce plastic pollution.

TECHNOLOGY AND AI

Machine Learning Models Predict Spalling in Reinforced Concrete Structures: Researchers from the University of Sharjah have developed machine learning models capable of predicting when and why reinforced concrete structures begin to deteriorate due to spalling. This process, often caused by corrosion of steel sections within concrete, can lead to hazardous cracks and delamination. The study, published in Scientific Reports, used Gaussian Process Regression and ensemble tree models to analyze key factors such as age, climate variables, and traffic loads affecting spalling in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP). The models demonstrated high accuracy in predicting spalling, offering insights that could guide maintenance strategies and improve infrastructure durability.

Pyramid Flow: New AI Model for Efficient High-Resolution Video Generation Released as Open-Source: A team of AI researchers from Peking University, Kuaishou Technology, and Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications has developed a new AI model called Pyramid Flow, designed to generate high-resolution (768p) video content. This open-source model creates video in multiple low-resolution stages before producing the final high-quality output, significantly reducing computational costs and enhancing efficiency. The model, available under an MIT License, can generate a five-second 384p video in 56 seconds and has been trained on 10 million short videos. Pyramid Flow offers potential for commercial applications in film and television, although questions about copyright concerns for open-source content remain.

New Floating-Floating-Point System Aims to Improve Computer Number Storage and Accuracy: Researchers Itamar Cohen and Gil Einziger from Israeli universities have developed a new method for storing numbers in computers called floating-floating-point. This system allows for dynamic adjustment between accuracy and range, addressing the limitations of traditional floating-point arithmetic. It enables software to switch between handling very large and very small numbers, which could be especially beneficial in fields like physics simulations. While the approach offers flexibility, it has yet to be demonstrated whether it will lead to performance drawbacks or memory inefficiencies.

ENGINEERING

Breakthrough Discovery Enhances Efficiency of Nanocrystals for Advanced Technology: Researchers led by Associate Professor Guohua Jia from Curtin University, Australia, have discovered a way to make more molecules, called ligands, adhere tightly to the surface of zinc sulfide nanocrystals. The study found that the shape of these nanocrystals, particularly flatter shapes like nanoplatelets, allows more ligands to attach compared to other forms like nanodots or nanorods. This breakthrough could significantly improve the efficiency of devices like LED screens, solar panels, and medical imaging technologies. The research paves the way for advancements in optoelectronics, offering potential improvements in telecommunication, energy production, and medical diagnostics.

Kirigami-Inspired Antennas Offer Flexibility and Cost-Effective Manufacturing for Wireless Technology: Researchers from Drexel University and the University of British Columbia have developed flexible, tunable antennas using kirigami techniques and conductive MXene ink. These antennas, crafted by making cuts in MXene-coated acetate sheets, adjust their transmission frequencies by simple stretching or compressing, offering a low-cost, durable, and versatile alternative to traditional antennas. Tested across three microwave frequency bands (2-4 GHz, 4-8 GHz, and 8-12 GHz), the antennas also show promise as strain sensors for structural monitoring. The team plans to further optimize the designs by exploring new materials and geometries.

FALCON AI System Enhances UAV Stability in Extreme Turbulence: Researchers from Caltech's Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST) and Nvidia have developed a new AI-based control system called FALCON, designed to help unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) predict and adapt to turbulent wind conditions in real time. Using reinforcement learning and Fourier methods, FALCON models wind turbulence frequencies, allowing UAVs to stabilize themselves in challenging environments. Tested in Caltech's wind tunnel, the system showed quick adaptation, stabilizing after only nine minutes of learning. The team envisions future applications where aircraft could share learned turbulence data to enhance overall safety during extreme weather events.

ASTRONOMY & SPACE

Atmospheric Oxidation Led to Mars' Transition from Warm Highlands to Cold Polar Regions: A new study by a Chinese research team reveals that atmospheric oxidation was key in transforming Mars' climate from warm, icy highlands to the cold, arid planet with polar ice caps seen today. Early Mars, during the Noachian era (4.1–3.7 billion years ago), had a reducing atmosphere rich in greenhouse gases like hydrogen, which contributed to a warmer climate. However, as Mars' atmosphere oxidized, this greenhouse effect weakened, leading to global cooling. Using data from the Mars Odyssey Gamma-ray spectrometer, researchers discovered iron depletion patterns in ancient Martian terrains, indicating that icy weathering and freeze-thaw cycles played a role in surface oxidation and climate transitions.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Innovative Nanoparticle Therapy Targets Fat Absorption to Combat Obesity: Researchers have developed a groundbreaking nanoparticle system aimed at reducing fat absorption in the small intestine, offering a novel approach to obesity prevention. The study, presented at UEG Week 2024 and published in Advanced Science, focuses on inhibiting the enzyme Sterol O-acyltransferase 2 (SOAT2), which plays a key role in fat absorption. By delivering small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) via nanoparticles to reduce SOAT2 expression, the therapy prevented obesity in mouse models, even on high-fat diets. This targeted, non-invasive treatment bypasses the risks associated with previous methods, such as liver fat accumulation, by focusing exclusively on intestinal fat absorption. Researchers aim to confirm the therapy's effectiveness and safety in larger models for potential human use.

Six Proteins Identified as Potential Targets for Diagnosing Early-Onset Preeclampsia: Researchers have identified six key proteins that could be used to diagnose and treat early-onset preeclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure. The study analyzed placental tissue from women with early-onset preeclampsia and those with healthy pregnancies. The proteins found in abnormal levels in preeclamptic tissue are involved in hormone regulation and cardiovascular health. Higher levels of monocarboxylate transporter 4, ERO1-like protein alpha, and pappalysin-2, and lower levels of desmin, caldesmon, and keratin 18 suggest a link between cardiovascular issues and preeclampsia development. These findings offer promising new targets for early detection and treatment.

Chronic Stress Linked to Gut Microbiota Disruption and Accelerated Colorectal Cancer Progression: Groundbreaking research presented at UEG Week 2024 reveals how chronic stress disrupts gut microbiota, speeding up the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Researchers found that stress reduces beneficial gut bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus, which plays a key role in enhancing the immune system's response to tumors. By using an antibiotic cocktail and fecal microbiota transplants in mice, the study showed that a depletion of Lactobacillus under stress conditions weakens anti-tumor immunity, specifically reducing the function of CD8+ T cells. Supplementing mice with Lactobacillus plantarum during stress reduced tumor formation, opening the door for potential therapies combining traditional cancer treatments with gut bacteria supplementation. Future research will focus on analyzing gut microbiota in CRC patients to confirm these findings and their therapeutic implications.

NEUROSCIENCE

Study Reveals Rapid Temporal Sensitivity in Human Olfactory Perception: A study led by Dr. Zhou Wen of the Chinese Academy of Sciences challenges the notion that the human sense of smell is slow. Using a sniff-triggered device capable of delivering odors with millisecond precision, researchers found that participants could detect fine chemical changes within a single sniff. When two odor compounds were presented in rapid succession, participants distinguished the order of the odors with delays as short as 60 milliseconds, highlighting a temporal sensitivity comparable to visual perception. The findings suggest that olfaction incorporates temporal information, offering new insights into how we perceive smells.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Enhances Perceptual Learning by Activating Cholinergic Systems in Mice: Researchers from New York University School of Medicine have found that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) improves perceptual learning in mice by activating the central cholinergic system, which plays a role in attention and sensory processing. Using a custom electrode, the team trained mice on an auditory task and stimulated their vagus nerves, finding that VNS augmented their ability to distinguish between sounds over weeks of training. The study suggests that VNS enhances neuroplasticity, with potential applications for improving the effectiveness of cochlear implants and aiding in recovery from neurological damage.

Toxic SOD1 Protein Trimer May Offer New Clues for ALS Progression and Treatment: A study from Penn State College of Medicine has uncovered insights into how toxic forms of the protein SOD1 contribute to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Researchers found that SOD1, typically present in a dimer form, can reassemble into a toxic trimer, which binds with different proteins depending on the tissue type—brain, spinal cord, or skeletal muscle. These interactions may explain ALS's complex nature, affecting neurons and muscles differently. One key discovery is the binding of SOD1 trimers with septin-7, a protein essential for nerve cell structure and communication, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target for slowing ALS progression.

ENVIRONMENT

PFAS Contamination in North Carolina Groundwater Could Persist for Decades, Study Finds: A new study by North Carolina State University estimates that it may take over 40 years for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals) to flush out of contaminated groundwater in North Carolina's Cumberland and Bladen counties. Using a combination of PFAS data, groundwater age-dating tracers, and groundwater flow models, researchers found that PFAS levels in groundwater discharging to Cape Fear River tributaries remain high, with some contamination persisting since the 1980s. Even though air emissions have been reduced since 2019, PFAS pollution is expected to continue affecting groundwater and nearby private wells for decades.

Efficient Housing Development in the Netherlands: Urban Densification Offers Sustainable Solutions: With the Netherlands needing nearly two million additional homes by 2050, Janneke van Oorschot's research focuses on the best ways to build efficiently while minimizing environmental impact. Her study reveals that densifying urban areas is generally more efficient in terms of material and land use, especially when demolished materials are reused. This approach also allows for increased green spaces, which provide cooling and recreational benefits. While building in less dense areas offers more space for greenery, it requires more materials and land. Van Oorschot's research offers policymakers insights into balancing housing, green spaces, and material efficiency for future urban planning.

NATURE

Selective Breeding Boosts Coral Heat Resistance, but Urgent Climate Action Still Essential for Long-Term Survival: A new study led by Newcastle University's Coralassist Lab demonstrates that selective breeding can modestly improve the heat tolerance of corals, marking the first effort to breed adult corals for enhanced resilience against marine heat waves. While the study shows success in increasing coral tolerance to heat, the improvements may not be sufficient to keep up with the intensity of future heat waves caused by climate change. The authors stress that reducing global greenhouse gas emissions is still essential to give corals a chance to adapt. The research is a significant step forward, though much work remains to maximize breeding outcomes for coral conservation.

Climate Change Threatens Mutualistic Relationships Between Ants and Plants, Study Finds: A study by North Carolina State University researchers, published in Ecology, reveals that climate change may destabilize mutualistic relationships between insects and plants. The research, conducted in South America, examined the relationship between ant species and the tropical shrub Cordia nodosa, where ants defend the plants in exchange for shelter. In urban environments, opportunistic ants, which don't specialize in plant protection, were less likely to defend plants, unlike their forest-dwelling counterparts. Despite this, urban plants showed low rates of herbivory, possibly due to the absence of herbivores or other defensive adaptations. The study highlights how rising temperatures and habitat changes could disrupt these symbiotic relationships, potentially leading to ecosystem imbalances.

Crested Gibbons’ Unique Dance Movements Serve as Visual Communication, Study Finds: Researchers from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Oslo, and Paris have studied the distinctive, jerky movements of female crested gibbons, revealing that these patterns, comparable to human dances, serve as a form of intentional visual communication. The study shows that sexually mature females perform rhythmic and structured movements involving the rump, arms, and legs. These dances, observed in both zoos and the wild, are used to solicit copulation and express non-sexual arousal or frustration. The researchers believe gibbon and human dance evolved independently, with gibbon dances likely being innate, unlike culturally-influenced human dance.

Discovery of Quaestio Simpsonorum Sheds Light on Early Animal Evolution in South Australia: A team of paleontologists, led by Scott Evans of Florida State University, has discovered a new early marine animal fossil, Quaestio simpsonorum, at Nilpena Ediacara National Park in South Australia. Dated to 555 million years ago, Quaestio is the first known animal to exhibit left-right asymmetry, a significant marker in evolutionary development. This fossil also provides evidence that the animal was capable of movement, marking a milestone in the evolution of complex life on Earth. Researchers describe Quaestio as a small organism that fed on microbial mats on the seafloor. The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of early animal ecosystems and adds to our understanding of the early stages of life on Earth.

OTHER SCIENCES & ARTS

Archaeologists Discover Oldest Known Church in Armenia: A 4th Century Octagonal Structure: Archaeologists from the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia and the University of Münster have uncovered the remains of an early Christian church in the ancient city of Artaxata, dating back to the 4th century AD. This octagonal building, with cruciform extensions, is the oldest archaeologically documented church in Armenia and marks significant evidence of early Christianity in the country. The design is similar to early Christian structures in the Eastern Mediterranean. Radiocarbon dating of wooden platforms in the building places its construction in the mid-4th century. Lavish marble decorations suggest Mediterranean influences. Excavations are ongoing, with researchers aiming to learn more about the church's dedication.

INDUSTRY

Tesla Unveils Human-Like "Optimus" Robots Capable of Performing Daily Tasks: At Tesla's "We, Robot" event on October 10, Elon Musk introduced the latest version of the Optimus robot, designed to perform a range of human-like tasks, including babysitting, walking dogs, mowing lawns, and even serving drinks. Musk compared the robots to popular sci-fi droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, envisioning them as helpful companions in everyday life. While no specific release date was given, Musk stated the robots could eventually be priced between $20,000 and $30,000. A demonstration video showed the robots engaging in tasks like watering plants and getting groceries, reinforcing Musk's prediction that Optimus could become one of the biggest products in history.