Bacterial Toxin Colibactin Linked to Rising Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer, Global Study Finds

Hello and welcome to our April 24th edition. The STEAM Digest is a curated newsletter that brings you the latest news in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

In today’s edition:

• Science - Scientists Develop Low-Cost, Adjustable Water-Based Lens with Broad Optical Applications.

• Materials - New Carbon Nanotube Sensor Tracks Multidirectional Movement for Advanced Wearable Tech, and more.

• Biotechnology & Biomedical Technology - MIT’s Wearable “CircTrek” Device Tracks Individual Cells in Real-Time for Better Disease Monitoring, and more.

• Astronomy, Space, Astrobiology - New Method May Help Detect Elusive Dark Matter via Stellar Dimming, Study Suggests, and more.

• Engineering & Technology - Scientists Develop Sunlight-Powered Hydrogen Production System 4x More Efficient Than U.S. DOE Benchmark.

• Robotics, AI, Consumer, & Gadgets - TactStyle: MIT’s New AI Tool Brings Touch to 3D Modeling with Visual-to-Tactile Texture Mapping, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Bacterial Toxin Colibactin Linked to Rising Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer, Global Study Finds, and more.

• Neuroscience - Eyes That Speak: McGill Study Shows Humans Can Sense Intentions from Gaze Alone, and more.

• Environment - Climate Change Now the Leading Threat to U.S. Endangered Species.

• Nature - Single Gene Found to Shape Color Patterns in Corn Snakes.

• Other Sciences & The Arts - Early Humans Thrived in African Rainforests 150,000 Years Ago, New Study Finds, and more.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

If you would like to share The STEAM Digest newsletter with others, please use the following link: https://thesteamdigest.beehiiv.com/subscribe

SCIENCE

Scientists Develop Low-Cost, Adjustable Water-Based Lens with Broad Optical Applications: Researchers have created a simple, affordable liquid lens using water droplets on hydrophobic PVC-coated glass slides, offering a versatile tool for optics applications ranging from classroom experiments to wearable tech. The team used electrospinning to deposit microfibers of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) onto glass, allowing water droplets to maintain a dome-like shape that acts as a tunable magnifying lens. By adjusting the droplet size, the lens’s focal length and magnification can be controlled without distortion. The innovation holds promise for science education in low-resource settings, as well as portable diagnostics, camera systems, microscopes, and laser beam adjustment in labs.

MATERIALS

New Carbon Nanotube Sensor Tracks Multidirectional Movement for Advanced Wearable Tech: Researchers have developed a highly flexible multidirectional strain sensor using carbon nanotubes, offering a significant advancement for wearable electronics and biomedical devices. The study details a simple one-step rolling process that transfers vertically aligned nanotubes onto a stretchable Ecoflex substrate, creating unique conductive paths sensitive to movement in various directions. The sensor demonstrates high sensitivity (GF = 126.6), rapid response time (64 ms), and excellent durability over 4,000 strain cycles. Its ability to detect subtle and large deformations makes it ideal for health monitoring, motion capture, human–computer interaction, and robotic applications. This breakthrough paves the way for more versatile smartwatches, fitness trackers, prosthetics, and intelligent robotic systems.

Breakthrough Thermoelectric Hybrid Material Doubles Efficiency by Decoupling Heat and Charge Transport: An international team has developed a new hybrid thermoelectric material that achieves a rare combination: suppressed heat transport and enhanced charge carrier mobility—crucial for efficient energy harvesting in Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The material is formed by combining an Fe-V-Ta-Al alloy with Bi-Sb, creating microscale interfaces where heat transfer is blocked due to mismatched lattice vibrations, while electron flow is boosted by a topological insulator phase in Bi-Sb. This innovation doubled the material’s thermoelectric efficiency, surpassing the performance of many commercial materials like bismuth telluride, with the added benefits of stability and lower cost.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

MIT’s Wearable “CircTrek” Device Tracks Individual Cells in Real-Time for Better Disease Monitoring: Researchers have developed CircTrek, a wearable medical device capable of detecting single cells in blood vessels, enabling continuous real-time health monitoring. The smartwatch-sized device uses laser pulses and fluorescent labeling to track cells such as CAR T cells used in cancer therapy. Unlike traditional blood tests or room-sized flow cytometry setups, CircTrek offers noninvasive, at-home monitoring and can transmit data wirelessly to doctors. This breakthrough could transform early diagnosis, treatment evaluation, and infection risk assessment. Tested on skin-simulating models, the device showed safe temperature levels and precise cell detection, paving the way for future clinical use.

Oxford Scientists Use Ultrasound-Activated Nanoparticles to Destroy Drug-Resistant Bacterial Biofilms: Researchers have developed a groundbreaking ultrasound-activated nanoparticle drug delivery system that disrupts and penetrates bacterial biofilms, offering a powerful new weapon against antibiotic-resistant infections. The study shows that these antibiotic-loaded nanoparticles vaporize when hit with ultrasound, physically breaking biofilms and releasing medication directly at infection sites. In tests against 10 bacterial strains—including E. coli and MRSA—the system reduced required antibiotic doses by over 40-fold in biofilm infections and effectively eliminated 100% of bacteria, including hard-to-treat persister cells. This non-invasive, targeted method holds promise for treating chronic infections such as cystic fibrosis, UTIs, wounds, and acne, with clinical trials anticipated in the near future.

ASTRONOMY, SPACE, ASTROBIOLOGY

New Method May Help Detect Elusive Dark Matter via Stellar Dimming, Study Suggests: Researchers have proposed a novel way to detect dark compact objects—dense, invisible structures that may be composed of dark matter. The study suggests that these objects could be identified by a subtle dimming of starlight as they pass between Earth and distant stars. Unlike previous searches that focused on microlensing, which causes starlight to brighten, this new approach considers the scattering or absorption of visible photons by dark matter, potentially detectable in data from major star surveys like OGLE and EROS-2. The team now plans to further refine this method by studying the formation and physical signatures of these dark matter objects, opening a fresh avenue in the long-standing quest to observe dark matter.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Scientists Develop Sunlight-Powered Hydrogen Production System 4x More Efficient Than U.S. DOE Benchmark: Researchers have a high-efficiency hydrogen (H₂) production system that uses sunlight and sugarcane waste, achieving a production rate four times higher than the U.S. Department of Energy's commercialization benchmark. The new photoelectrochemical (PEC) developed system combines crystalline silicon photoelectrodes with the oxidation of furfural—a byproduct of sugarcane biomass—to generate hydrogen at both electrodes. This dual H₂ generation mechanism boosts efficiency while eliminating carbon emissions. The system features an interdigitated back contact (IBC) structure and protective layers for enhanced stability and self-cooling, offering a sustainable and economically viable alternative to fossil fuel-based hydrogen production.

ROBOTICS, AI, GADGETS

TactStyle: MIT’s New AI Tool Brings Touch to 3D Modeling with Visual-to-Tactile Texture Mapping: Researchers have introduced TactStyle, a groundbreaking AI-driven system that allows users to stylize 3D models not just visually, but tactilely—based on image prompts. The tool bridges a crucial gap in 3D modeling by replicating both visual appearance and tactile texture, such as roughness or smoothness, using generative AI. TactStyle separates visual and geometric stylization, applying a heightfield derived from texture images to 3D geometries, creating realistic touchable surfaces. Applications range from education and product design to tactile learning aids. The team plans to enhance the system for generating novel 3D models and explore “visuo-haptic mismatches” to challenge expectations of how materials should look and feel.

AI Falls Short in Understanding Human Social Interactions, Johns Hopkins Study Finds: New research reveals that humans significantly outperform AI models in interpreting social interactions within dynamic scenes—an essential skill for technologies like self-driving cars and assistive robots. The study asked participants to evaluate short video clips for social cues like communication and intention, then compared those results with predictions from over 350 AI models. While language models showed some promise, no AI system accurately mirrored human judgments. The researchers suggest current AI models are limited by architectures modeled on static image processing, overlooking the dynamic nature of social behavior. The findings highlight a critical blind spot in AI development that must be addressed for effective human-AI interaction.

Aerial Additive Manufacturing: Drones Poised to Transform Construction Industry: A collaborative study highlights the potential of Aerial Additive Manufacturing (Aerial AM)—the use of drones for mid-air construction. This emerging technology could revolutionize construction by enabling safer, more sustainable, and more scalable building methods. Aerial robots can operate in hard-to-reach or hazardous locations, reducing waste and energy use while increasing productivity. The study presents a new autonomy framework for coordinating drone flight and material deposition, essential for scaling up this technology. Early tests at Switzerland’s EMPA DroneHub demonstrate the feasibility of on-demand repairs and modular construction, though challenges like material durability and multi-drone coordination remain.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Bacterial Toxin Colibactin Linked to Rising Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer, Global Study Finds: An international research team has identified colibactin, a DNA-altering toxin produced by certain E. coli strains, as a likely contributor to the global rise in early-onset colorectal cancer. The study analyzed 981 cancer genomes across 11 countries, finding that colibactin-related mutations were 3.3 times more common in patients under 40 than in those over 70. These mutations may occur as early as childhood, potentially accelerating cancer development by decades. The findings help explain a medical mystery: the doubling of colorectal cancer rates in adults under 50 over the last two decades. Researchers now aim to explore how early-life exposure occurs, and whether interventions like probiotics or early stool-based testing could reduce risk. This research underscores the importance of investigating microbial and environmental exposures in early life as potential origins of cancer.

World’s First AI Model Accurately Classifies Thyroid Cancer Stage and Risk, Cutting Clinician Prep Time by 50%: An interdisciplinary team has developed the first AI model capable of classifying both cancer stage (AJCC system) and risk category (ATA system) for thyroid cancer with over 90% accuracy. The model leverages four open-source large language models (LLMs)—Mistral, Llama, Gemma, and Qwen—to analyze free-text clinical documents. Validated on over 300 pathology reports, the system significantly reduces clinicians’ pre-consultation prep time by nearly half. It works offline to preserve patient privacy and performs comparably to state-of-the-art online LLMs like GPT-4o and DeepSeek. Researchers aim to scale up testing with real-world data for eventual deployment in hospitals and healthcare settings.

New CAR Score May Help Patients Avoid Unnecessary Stroke Surgery: A new scoring system known as the Carotid Artery Risk (CAR) score may help doctors determine which patients with clogged arteries can safely avoid surgery in favor of medical therapy and lifestyle changes. The system was tested in a clinical trial involving 428 patients across hospitals in the UK, Europe, and Canada. Those treated with medication and lifestyle adjustments based on their CAR score had low rates of strokes and heart attacks within two years. The study suggests that many patients gained no added benefit from surgery, and using the CAR score could reduce complications and healthcare costs. Researchers emphasize that further trials are ongoing, but early results support a more personalized, less invasive approach to treatment.

NEUROSCIENCE

Eyes That Speak: McGill Study Shows Humans Can Sense Intentions from Gaze Alone: Researchers have confirmed that humans can intuitively detect others’ mental states and intentions just by observing their eye movements, even before any physical action occurs. The study reveals that participants could accurately and more quickly predict the direction of someone’s gaze when it was made intentionally, rather than directed by instruction. This supports the idea that subtle facial cues—especially in the eyes—carry rich social information, a trait believed to have evolved to facilitate silent communication and survival. Led by Professor Jelena Ristic, the research lays groundwork for future studies on how gaze cues relate to deception, empathy, and neurodiverse conditions like autism and ADHD.

Single Dose of Psychedelic Compound Enhances Brain Flexibility for Weeks, U-Mich Study Finds: A single dose of the psychedelic compound 25CN-NBOH significantly boosts cognitive flexibility for weeks, according to a groundbreaking study. Researchers found that mice treated with the serotonin 2A receptor agonist performed markedly better in reversal learning tasks—a measure of adaptability and mental flexibility—15–20 days after administration. The findings suggest lasting neuroplasticity in the prefrontal cortex, with potential therapeutic applications for depression, PTSD, and neurodegenerative diseases. Both male and female mice benefited, and the study introduces a novel high-throughput behavioral method to assess learning. Researchers now aim to explore the long-term effects of multiple doses and the molecular mechanisms behind the sustained improvements.

New Study Reveals How Dopamine Helps Us Learn to Avoid Danger—And Why 'Detoxing' It Is Misguided: A Northwestern University study has uncovered how dopamine—commonly associated with pleasure and motivation—also plays a critical role in helping the brain learn from negative experiences. By observing mice learning to avoid an unpleasant event, researchers found that dopamine activity in two regions of the nucleus accumbens evolved differently: one increased in response to early cues of danger, while the other decreased as learning progressed. These adaptive signals help guide behavior based on predictability and control of negative outcomes. The study sheds light on psychiatric conditions like anxiety, OCD, and depression, where overactive avoidance may result from disrupted dopamine signaling. Researchers argue that popular wellness trends like "dopamine detox" oversimplify the neurotransmitter’s vital role in learning and mental health.

ENVIRONMENT

Climate Change Now the Leading Threat to U.S. Endangered Species, Study Finds:
A new study reveals that climate change has become the most widespread threat to species listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA), surpassing other causes of biodiversity loss for the first time. Researchers from Defenders of Wildlife analyzed threats to 2,766 imperiled species across the U.S. and its territories and found that 91% of ESA-listed species are now affected by climate change. The study examined five key drivers of human-caused biodiversity loss—climate change, habitat change, overexploitation, pollution, and invasive species. Most species face multiple threats simultaneously, with groups like corals, amphibians, and bivalves particularly vulnerable. The authors urge that climate sensitivity be explicitly factored into ESA decisions and management strategies, warning that current assessments may underreport climate-related risks.

NATURE

Single Gene Found to Shape Color Patterns in Corn Snakes: Researchers at the University of Geneva have identified a single gene, CLCN2, as the key driver behind distinct color pattern variations in corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus). The study reveals that mutations or reduced expression of CLCN2 are responsible for the Motley and Stripe morphs, which display linear dorsal patterns and unmarked bellies. The gene, previously known for its role in neural function in mammals, was shown to influence the arrangement of pigment cells (chromatophores) during embryonic development in snakes. This unexpected finding opens new avenues for understanding the genetic and cellular foundations of animal coloration.

Birds’ Unique Lung Proteins Offer Clues for Fighting Respiratory Infections in Humans: A collaborative study has revealed a vital evolutionary adaptation in birds that may inform future treatments for respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and COVID-19. The research focuses on two immune proteins, CL-10 and CL-11, found in bird lungs. These proteins appear to have evolved to compensate for the absence of surfactant protein D (SP-D), a critical lung defense component in mammals. Despite birds’ rigid, non-expanding lungs, these proteins help protect against airborne pathogens. The findings not only enhance our understanding of avian immunity but could also guide new approaches to bolstering human respiratory defenses.

OTHER SCIENCES & THE ARTS

Early Humans Thrived in African Rainforests 150,000 Years Ago, New Study Finds: A groundbreaking study has revealed that humans lived in Africa’s tropical rainforests as early as 150,000 years ago—far earlier than previously believed. This challenges the long-held view that humans primarily evolved in open savannah landscapes and only later adapted to forested environments. Researchers returned to the Bété I site in Côte d'Ivoire, originally excavated in the 1980s, and used advanced dating and environmental analysis techniques to confirm the age and forested nature of the site. Stone tools found within dense woodland sediments point to early human habitation in a rainforest setting. These findings suggest that ecological diversity was a fundamental aspect of human evolution and that early Homo sapiens were highly adaptable to a wide range of environments. The discovery also highlights West Africa's unique role in the broader story of human origins.

Drought-Fueled Collapse: How Climate Crisis Triggered the Barbarian Conspiracy in Roman Britain: A Cambridge-led study has identified extreme drought as a key catalyst behind the "Barbarian Conspiracy" of 367 CE, a major turning point in Roman Britain's decline. Tree-ring data show that southern Britain endured three consecutive years of severe drought from 364 to 366 CE, devastating agriculture and leading to famine, rebellion, and military collapse. The weakened Roman defenses allowed coordinated invasions by the Picts, Scotti, and Saxons. Researchers argue that the resulting chaos significantly undermined Roman authority, hastening the empire’s eventual withdrawal from Britain. The study also reveals a broader pattern across the Roman Empire: conflicts often followed dry years, emphasizing the link between climate stress, societal instability, and warfare—both historically and in the present day.

Ancient DNA Study Reveals Cosmopolitan Roots of Punic Civilization: A new genetic study challenges traditional views on the spread of Phoenician culture across the Mediterranean. Researchers from the Max Planck-Harvard Research Center analyzed ancient DNA from 14 archaeological sites tied to Phoenician and Punic civilizations, spanning the Levant, North Africa, Iberia, and Mediterranean islands. Contrary to expectations, they found minimal direct genetic links between the original Levantine Phoenicians and the Punic populations further west. Instead, the data reveals that Punic communities were highly genetically diverse, with predominant ancestry from Sicilian-Aegean and North African sources. This suggests that Phoenician cultural expansion occurred primarily through cultural transmission and local assimilation rather than mass migration. The study underscores the interconnected and cosmopolitan nature of ancient Mediterranean societies, where trade, mobility, and intermarriage shaped complex genetic landscapes across vast regions.