Octopus and Squid Pigments Enhance Sunscreen Without Environmental Harm

Good Morning and welcome to Tuesday’s STEAM newsletter.

In today’s edition:

• Science - Octopus and Squid Pigments Enhance Sunscreen Without Environmental Harm, Biodegradable Luminescent Polymers Show Promise for Reducing Electronic Waste, and more.

• Technology and AI - AI Predicts Wildfire Spread with Greater Accuracy, and more.

• Engineering - Lizard-Inspired Robot Unveils Secrets to Optimal Movement, and more.

• Mathematics - Researchers Find Mathematical Formula for Blockchain Trilemma.

• Astronomy & Space - Expiring Medications Pose Challenges for Long Space Missions, and more

• Health & Medicine - Plastic Found in Over 50% of Arterial Plaques, and more.

• Environment - Vulture Population Decline in India Linked to Human Deaths, Faster, Affordable Soil Nutrient Detection Technique Developed, and more.

• Nature - Chimpanzee Communication: Remarkably Human-Like, Discovery of 'Dark Oxygen' on Ocean Floor Could Rewrite Earth's Origin of Life, First U.S. Species Extinct Due to Rising Seas, and more.

• Industry - Key Engineering Skills for the New Industrial Revolution, and more.

• World - Automated Mobility: Europe's Future Vision, Nigeria's Power Struggles: Why Mini Grids Fall Short.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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This newsletter is curated by The STEAM Digest.

SCIENCE

Octopus and Squid Pigments Enhance Sunscreen Without Environmental Harm: Researchers from Northeastern University have developed a sunscreen using Xanthochrome, a pigment inspired by cephalopods like octopuses and squids. This pigment enhances sunscreen protection when combined with zinc oxide, offering significant UV and visible light blocking properties without harming marine environments. Xanthochrome is not an endocrine disruptor and doesn't adversely affect coral, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemical UV filters.

Biodegradable Luminescent Polymers Show Promise for Reducing Electronic Waste: Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed biodegradable luminescent polymers that can be recycled. These polymers, enhanced with a chemical called tert-butyl ester, break down under heat or mild acid while maintaining high light-emitting efficiency. This innovation, achieving a 15.1% quantum efficiency, offers a sustainable solution for electronic waste and potential applications in displays and medical imaging.

New Technique in Heavy Element Compound Synthesis: Researchers have developed a novel technique for synthesizing compounds with heavy elements like uranium and thorium. This method uses laser ablation to create a plasma, which then forms new compounds with unique properties. This breakthrough could advance materials science and nuclear chemistry by enabling the creation of substances with potential applications in energy and industry.

Researchers Advance Understanding of Key Enzyme in Celiac Disease: Scientists at Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have gained new insights into transglutaminase 2 (TG2), an enzyme implicated in celiac disease. By examining the enzyme's structure in its intermediate state, researchers discovered how TG2 interacts with gluten and calcium ions. This breakthrough offers crucial information for developing more effective drugs targeting TG2, potentially improving treatments for celiac disease and related conditions like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

TECHNOLOGY AND AI

AI Predicts Wildfire Spread with Greater Accuracy: Researchers at the University of Southern California have developed an AI model that predicts wildfire movements using satellite imagery and generative adversarial networks. The model, tested on real California wildfires, offers precise forecasts of fire paths, intensity, and growth rates, aiding firefighters and evacuation teams. This advancement could significantly improve wildfire management and emergency responses, especially during severe fire seasons.

New Robot VERO Efficiently Cleans Up Cigarette Butts: Researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) have developed VERO, a robot designed to clean up cigarette butts using a vacuum system and nozzle-equipped feet. VERO, based on Unitree’s AlienGo unit, uses a neural network to identify and collect cigarette butts from various environments with a 90% accuracy rate. It can navigate uneven terrain and obstacles, making it a versatile tool for environmental cleanup and potentially other tasks like spraying weeds or inspecting infrastructure.

Challenging AI: Mozilla Adviser Abeba Birhane Advocates for Ethical AI Practices: Abeba Birhane, a senior adviser in AI accountability at the Mozilla Foundation, critiques the AI industry's core values, particularly the emphasis on scaling up datasets. Her research shows that scaling increases harmful biases, especially against marginalized groups. Birhane argues for greater focus on fairness, justice, and privacy in AI development and calls for robust regulations to enforce these values. Despite her skepticism about industry self-regulation, she believes public awareness and legal mandates can drive change.

ENGINEERING

Lizard-Inspired Robot Unveils Secrets to Optimal Movement: Researchers created a robot mimicking lizard movements to study efficient locomotion. Key findings highlight the importance of leg motion for speed while minimizing spine movement to conserve energy. Stability decreases with excessive limb or spine motion, especially during climbing. The study, merging biology, robotics, and mathematics, offers valuable insights for building efficient robots, potentially benefiting search and rescue operations.

Foldable Pouch Actuator Enhances Soft Rehabilitation Gloves for Finger Extension: Researchers at Chiba University, Japan have developed a foldable pouch actuator (FPA) that improves finger extension in soft rehabilitation gloves. The FPA integrates with existing actuators to enable bidirectional motion, overcoming previous limitations. The innovation provides sufficient torque for finger movements without compromising bending functionality. This advancement holds promise for rehabilitation and assistive devices, potentially aiding individuals with hand function disabilities in daily activities and improving their quality of life.

Engineers Develop High-Temperature Lithium Metal Battery with Enhanced Safety and Longevity: Researchers at the University of Hong Kong have created a new lithium metal battery with a microcrack-free polymer electrolyte. This innovation significantly improves safety, lifespan, and performance at high temperatures, making it ideal for industrial applications like medical sterilization and subsurface exploration. The battery maintains 92.7% capacity retention over 450 cycles at 100°C, offering potential advancements in fast charging and high-temperature applications.

Bio-Hybrid Robotics: Urgent Call for Regulation and Public Discussion: Researchers emphasize the need for regulation and public debate in the rapidly advancing field of bio-hybrid robotics, which integrates living tissues with artificial components. A study highlights unique ethical issues, such as the interaction between bio-robots and humans, potential environmental impacts, and moral considerations. To ensure responsible development, the researchers propose a governance framework, risk assessments, and increased public awareness.

MATHEMATICS

Researchers Find Mathematical Formula for Blockchain Trilemma: A team from Kyoto University has mathematically expressed the "blockchain trilemma," which posits that achieving scalability, security, and decentralization simultaneously is impossible. Their formula for Proof of Work blockchains, like Bitcoin, shows that increasing one factor decreases the others. This understanding could guide enhancements in blockchain technology without compromising core principles. The findings, published in IEEE Access, could influence future blockchain development strategies.

ASTRONOMY & SPACE

Expiring Medications Pose Challenges for Long Space Missions: A study by Duke University Medical Center highlights that over half of the medications on the International Space Station could expire before completing a three-year Mars mission. This includes essential drugs like pain relievers and antibiotics, which may lose potency due to space conditions such as radiation. Strategies are needed to extend medication shelf life or carry larger supplies to ensure astronaut health on long-duration missions.

Supermassive Black Hole and Dark Matter Connection Solves Final Parsec Problem: Astrophysicists have discovered that self-interacting dark matter can help supermassive black holes (SMBHs) merge, solving the "final parsec problem." Previously, SMBHs stalled when they came within a parsec of each other, preventing mergers. The new model shows that dark matter particles interacting with each other maintain a high enough density to continue degrading SMBH orbits, enabling mergers. This insight provides a better understanding of gravitational waves and the particle nature of dark matter.

Cosmic Fingerprints of Sulfur Rings Unveiled: Scientists from Radboud University have identified the infrared spectral signatures of sulfur rings, specifically octasulfur (S8), for the first time. This discovery helps trace sulfur's journey from interstellar clouds to planets, including Earth. The findings, published in Nature Communications, suggest that these sulfur compounds, which play a crucial role in life, can now be searched for in space using the James Webb Space Telescope, although detecting them remains challenging due to their fragility.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Plastic Found in Over 50% of Arterial Plaques: Recent studies have discovered that more than 50% of plaques from clogged arteries contain microplastic particles. These findings are significant because they highlight the pervasive nature of plastic pollution and its potential impact on human health. Microplastics have been previously found in several major organs, including the placenta, but their presence in arterial plaques raises new concerns about their role in cardiovascular diseases.

AI Model Identifies Breast Tumor Stages Likely to Progress to Invasive Cancer: Researchers from MIT and ETH Zurich have developed an AI model that identifies different stages of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a preinvasive breast cancer. Using a large dataset of breast tissue images, the model analyzes the state and arrangement of cells to determine cancer stages, potentially reducing overtreatment. This technique, combining chromatin staining and machine learning, could streamline diagnosis and be adapted for other cancers or neurodegenerative conditions.

Study Suggests More Money Could Lead to Fewer ER Visits: A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that giving cash to low-income individuals can significantly reduce emergency room visits. The research, involving nearly 2,900 people in Chelsea, Massachusetts, showed that those receiving up to $400 monthly had 27% fewer ER visits over nine months compared to those without payments. This financial stability appeared to lower stress and improve health outcomes, challenging the notion that cash aid is misused.

Significant Link Found Between Tooth Loss and Fatal Heart Disease: A study by Case Western Reserve University has found a significant connection between tooth loss and an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD). The research revealed that people with several lost teeth have a 66% higher chance of dying from heart-related issues. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining good oral health as a predictor of CVD mortality and underscore the need for regular dental check-ups to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events.

Simulated Sunrises and Sunsets on Planes May Combat Jet Lag: Researchers from Qantas Airways and the University of Sydney are testing customized cabin lighting to reduce jet lag on ultra-long-haul flights. The Airbus A350 features lighting scenarios mimicking Australian sunrises and sunsets, designed to optimize circadian rhythms. This includes blue-enriched light to help passengers stay awake and red light to aid in sleep. Initial simulations indicate that precise control of lighting can mitigate some of jet lag's worst effects.

ENVIRONMENT

Faster, Affordable Soil Nutrient Detection Technique Developed: Researchers at the University of Missouri have created a new technique to detect soil nutrients more efficiently and affordably. This method measures ion movement through a membrane using a pulsed electrical current, which is more sensitive and reliable than current devices. This innovation aims to help farmers better manage fertilizer use, reducing waste and environmental impact. The team is working on handheld and field-deployable sensors for real-time measurements.

Vulture Population Decline in India Linked to Human Deaths: The drastic decline in India's vulture population, primarily due to the veterinary drug diclofenac, has been linked to an increase in human deaths. Vultures, which play a crucial role in disposing of animal carcasses, have seen their numbers plummet by 97% since the 1990s. The absence of vultures has led to a rise in feral dog populations that feed on the carcasses, increasing the spread of rabies and other diseases. The study estimates that this ecological shift has resulted in approximately half a million human deaths over the years due to rabies.

Hundreds of Greenland's Glacial Lakes Have Burst Since 2008: Since 2008, more than 260 glacial lakes in Greenland have burst, releasing massive amounts of water. These outburst floods, triggered by rising global temperatures, contribute to sea level rise and can lead to significant geological changes and impacts on local ecosystems. Researchers use satellite imagery to monitor and study these events, providing crucial data for understanding the implications of climate change on glacial regions.

NATURE

Chimpanzee Communication: Remarkably Human-Like: A recent study reveals that chimpanzees engage in conversations with turn-taking and interruptions similar to humans. Researchers observed over 8,500 gestures across five chimp communities in East Africa, noting that these primates exchange gestures quickly, often within 200 milliseconds. This fast-paced communication mirrors human conversational dynamics, suggesting an evolutionary basis for such interactions. The findings challenge the notion that quick, structured exchanges are unique to humans, indicating that this trait may be more widespread among social animals.

Discovery of 'Dark Oxygen' on Ocean Floor Could Rewrite Earth's Origin of Life: Scientists have discovered that polymetallic nodules on the deep ocean floor can produce oxygen in complete darkness, a finding that challenges the traditional understanding that oxygen on Earth is produced only by photosynthetic organisms like plants and algae. This "dark oxygen" is generated through a process similar to electrolysis, driven by natural electrical voltages from the nodules. The discovery suggests new possibilities for the origins of aerobic life on Earth and raises concerns about the ecological impact of deep-sea mining on these oxygen-producing nodules​.

First U.S. Species Extinct Due to Rising Seas: The Key Largo tree cactus (Pilosocereus millspaughii) has become the first U.S. species to go extinct due to rising sea levels. This cactus, native to a single population in the Florida Keys, faced multiple threats, including saltwater intrusion from rising seas, soil depletion from hurricanes, and herbivory by mammals. By 2021, the population dwindled from 150 stems to just six, which researchers salvaged for off-site cultivation to preserve the species.

Discovered in 1992, the cactus was heavily impacted by increasing salinity and severe weather events, with Hurricane Irma in 2017 causing significant damage. The loss of this species serves as a warning for other low-lying coastal plants facing similar threats from climate change

INDUSTRY

Key Engineering Skills for the New Industrial Revolution: Professor Qing (Cindy) Chang from the University of Virginia emphasizes the importance of skills in electrical and electronics engineering, software engineering, AI/machine learning, and embedded systems for modern manufacturing jobs. Key courses include Manufacturing System Modeling, Control, Advanced Dynamics, and Machine Learning for Engineering. Essential leadership skills are visionary thinking, communication, and adaptability. The automotive sector trends include electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and smart manufacturing technologies.

CrowdStrike CEO to Testify on Massive Global Tech Outage: CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz is set to testify before Congress regarding the company's role in a major global tech outage. A defective software update from CrowdStrike affected millions of Microsoft Windows systems, disrupting airlines, banks, hospitals, and other critical services. This incident, deemed one of the largest IT outages in history, has raised significant concerns among lawmakers and regulators about the vulnerability of interconnected systems and the need for robust cybersecurity measures.

Olympics Embraces AI Agenda for Future of Sport: The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will implement the International Olympic Committee's AI Agenda, aiming to enhance athlete performance, ensure fair play, optimize event operations, and improve the spectator experience. AI applications include spotting talent, personalized training, injury prevention, and real-time movement analysis. AI will also aid in efficient event management and safeguarding athletes from social media abuse. The initiative reflects the IOC's commitment to responsibly integrating AI while preserving Olympic values.

WORLD

Automated Mobility: Europe's Future Vision: The AVENUE project, with a €55 million budget, is pioneering the use of automated minibuses in public transport across European cities like Geneva and Lyon. The project has transitioned to ULTIMO, focusing on sustainable and user-centric mobility. The initiative aims to enhance urban and rural transport, promoting door-to-door services and reducing environmental impact. Surveys indicate significant public willingness to adopt these services, potentially reducing personal car use and improving rural connectivity.

Nigeria's Power Struggles: Why Mini Grids Fall Short: Mini-grids in Nigeria, aimed at alleviating rural power shortages, have not succeeded due to high tariffs and ineffective distribution. Despite a 40% increase in electricity supply since 2017, the poorest remain underserved. Regulatory and financial frameworks, designed to attract investment, often ignore low-income rural areas. A sustainable solution requires broader regulations, significant public investment, and inclusive mechanisms like cross-subsidies to ensure equitable electricity access.