Revolutionary Nuclear Battery Design Could Operate for Decades

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

In today’s edition:

• Science - Advancing Therapeutic Potential: Unraveling the Lasso Peptide Folding Mechanism, and more.

• Technology and AI - AI-Powered Solutions for Urban Electrification: Enhancing Grid Stability and Reducing Costs, and more.

• Engineering -Revolutionary Nuclear Battery Design Could Operate for Decades, and more.

• Astronomy & Space - Citizen Scientists Help Refine Exoplanet WASP-77 A b's Orbit for Future Studies, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Study Highlights Importance of Defibrillator Pad Placement in Cardiac Arrest Outcomes, and more.

• Environment - Coral Reefs Found to Absorb Microplastics, Shedding Light on the "Missing Plastic Problem, and more.

• Nature - NOAA and Oregon State Team Identifies Mysterious Pacific Ocean Sounds as Bryde's Whales, Black Garden Ants Adapt Nest Structures to Combat Fungal Infections.

• Other Sciences & Arts - Mathematicians Define New "Soft Cell" Shape Redefines Geometry with Interlocking Capabilities, and more.

• Industry - Microsoft Taps Nuclear Power for AI Energy Demands with Three Mile Island Deal.

Until Tomorrow.

~The STEAM Digest

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This newsletter is curated by The STEAM Digest.

SCIENCE

Advancing Therapeutic Potential: Unraveling the Lasso Peptide Folding Mechanism: Lasso peptides, natural products synthesized by bacteria, are renowned for their unique knot-like structure, granting them exceptional stability and therapeutic potential. A recent study reveals how researchers leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) and molecular simulations to uncover the mechanisms behind lasso peptide folding. Using tools like AlphaFold and molecular dynamics simulations, they studied FusC, a model enzyme responsible for folding these peptides. This work identified key amino acid residues in the enzyme's active site and provided a computational model for lasso peptide formation. Furthermore, the study demonstrated how this model can be applied to engineer novel lasso peptides for drug development, potentially expanding their application in treating diseases such as cancer.

New Computational Workflow Speeds Up Environmental Metabolomics Analysis: A research team from the University of California, Riverside, led by biochemist Daniel Petras, has developed a computational workflow to analyze large datasets in metabolomics, specifically aiding in the study of small molecules in ecosystems. This tool was recently applied to analyze pollutants in Southern California’s coastal waters, offering rapid insights into potential pollution sources. The workflow is designed for researchers of all levels, featuring an accessible web application that enables quick, reproducible data analysis. The project is part of the Virtual Multiomics Lab (VMOL), an international, open-access community promoting collaborative science. The software is free and aims to democratize chemical analysis for diverse fields, including environmental research, microbiome science, and clinical studies.

Photon Momentum Enhancement Revolutionizes Light-Matter Interactions in Silicon for Solar Energy and Optoelectronics: A research team led by UC Irvine has discovered that manipulating the momentum of photons can dramatically enhance the optical properties of materials, without altering the materials themselves. By giving photons new properties, the researchers were able to boost the optical performance of pure silicon by four orders of magnitude. This breakthrough could significantly advance solar energy and optoelectronics, enabling the creation of more efficient and cost-effective thin-film solar cells. The study challenges traditional views of light-matter interactions and opens new pathways for energy conversion by transforming silicon into a more efficient direct bandgap semiconductor. The work, done in collaboration with Kazan Federal University and Tel Aviv University, holds great promise for revolutionizing both fundamental and applied science in optoelectronics.

LIGO's New Role: Searching for Scalar Field Dark Matter: A study published in Physical Review Letters explores using gravitational wave detectors, such as LIGO, to search for scalar field dark matter, a hypothesized form of dark matter made up of ultralight scalar boson particles. Led by Dr. Alexandre Sébastien Göttel from Cardiff University, the research developed a theoretical model to predict how scalar field dark matter might interact with LIGO's components. While the team did not find direct evidence of scalar dark matter, they improved the upper limits on its interaction strength by a factor of 10,000 compared to previous studies. This research enhances the potential for future detectors to uncover new insights into dark matter.

TECHNOLOGY AND AI

AI-Powered Solutions for Urban Electrification: Enhancing Grid Stability and Reducing Costs: A research team from the Korea Institute of Energy Research has developed AI-based technologies to promote "Urban Electrification," aiming to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. Their study addresses challenges in integrating renewables, particularly during extreme weather events. The team created an energy management algorithm that optimizes energy sharing between buildings, achieving an 18% reduction in electricity costs. In real-world tests, the system resulted in a 38% energy self-sufficiency rate and a 58% self-consumption rate, significantly enhancing grid stability and efficiency. The findings highlight AI's potential to improve urban energy systems and contribute to carbon neutrality.

Advancing Emotion Quantification: Integrating AI with Traditional Psychological Methods: Researchers are exploring innovative ways to quantify human emotions by combining traditional psychological techniques with cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The review highlights the potential of AI in recognizing and interpreting complex emotional states, which can enhance applications in healthcare, education, and customer service. Techniques such as facial emotion recognition, gesture recognition, and multi-modal emotional recognition leverage physiological data (e.g., EEG, heart-rate variability) alongside behavioral inputs. This interdisciplinary approach aims to create a comprehensive framework for understanding emotions while addressing challenges related to data privacy and cultural sensitivity. By successfully integrating these methods, emotion quantification AI could significantly impact mental health monitoring and personalized user experiences.

New Framework Democratizes Access to Deep Reinforcement Learning for Small Enterprises: A team of researchers led by Concordia University has developed a groundbreaking framework to make deep reinforcement learning (DRL) more accessible and transparent for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individuals. The framework connects users with specific AI needs to service providers equipped with the necessary resources and expertise. By leveraging crowdsourcing and blockchain technology, the system enhances transparency and reduces risks associated with centralized servers. This democratization of DRL aims to enable a wider audience to harness the potential of AI in various industries, from gaming to healthcare, by allowing users to adapt existing models to their unique requirements.

ENGINEERING

Revolutionary Nuclear Battery Design Could Operate for Decades: Researchers at Soochow University have developed a highly efficient nuclear battery that harnesses radioactive decay to produce long-lasting power. By embedding americium—a typically discarded nuclear waste—into a polymer crystal, the team created a device that glows green and converts radiation into electricity. This new design boasts an efficiency increase of 8000 times compared to previous models and can function for decades due to americium's lengthy half-life of 7380 years. Although it generates less power than traditional batteries—requiring 40 billion units to power a 60-watt bulb—the researchers aim to enhance its efficiency and safety for use in remote environments, such as space missions and deep-sea exploration.

Innovative Liquid Metal Technique Promises Greener Ammonia Production:
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a new method for ammonia production that significantly reduces carbon emissions by using liquid metal catalysts. The study demonstrates that this technique requires 20% less heat and 98% less pressure compared to the conventional Haber-Bosch process, which contributes to over 2% of global carbon emissions. By utilizing inexpensive and abundant copper and gallium in liquid metal form, the researchers created efficient catalysts that effectively break down nitrogen and hydrogen. This advancement could facilitate both large-scale and decentralized ammonia production, supporting the hydrogen industry and promoting cleaner energy solutions. The team is now focused on scaling the technology for practical applications.

Innovative Ultrathin Organic-Inorganic Device Enhances Biomarker Monitoring:
Researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have developed an ultrathin wireless device that monitors various biomarkers, including glucose, lactate, and pH levels. This device integrates organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) with inorganic micro-light-emitting diodes (μLEDs) on a flexible parylene substrate, achieving a total thickness of just 4 μm. The device operates by detecting changes in the OECT current, which corresponds to biomarker concentrations, thus modulating the light emitted by the μLEDs for monitoring purposes. Initial tests showed promising results, including high transconductance and excellent mechanical stability. Future adaptations could allow for integration with soft batteries or solar cells, paving the way for advanced wearable medical technologies.

Exploring the Promise of Semi-Metals in Next-Generation Electronic Devices:
Dr. Yuxuan Cosmi Lin and his team at Texas A&M University have published a comprehensive review in Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering on the potential applications and unique properties of semi-metals in electronic devices. Unlike traditional materials—semiconductors, metals, and insulators—semi-metals offer a middle ground with tunable electronic energy states and enhanced electrical conductivity. Lin's review highlights how these materials could revolutionize microchip technologies, leading to better computing performance and significantly lower power consumption. The article also addresses challenges in processing and integrating semi-metals with existing silicon technologies, aiming to guide future research and promote interdisciplinary collaboration in the field.

ASTRONOMY & SPACE

Citizen Scientists Help Refine Exoplanet WASP-77 A b's Orbit for Future Studies: A collaboration of amateur astronomers and researchers, led by Federico R. Noguer of Arizona State University, has refined the physical and orbital parameters of the exoplanet WASP-77 A b. Using data from NASA telescopes and citizen science projects like Exoplanet Watch, they achieved the most precise predictions of future transits, aiding atmospheric studies. WASP-77 A b is a gas giant, slightly larger than Jupiter, but orbits much closer to its star.

New Algorithm from NASA's Perseverance Rover Could Revolutionize Weather Forecasting and Data Analysis: A groundbreaking algorithm called Nested Fusion, developed by Georgia Tech Ph.D. student Austin P. Wright, has been tested on NASA's Perseverance Rover to enhance data analysis for Martian exploration. This method combines datasets of varying resolutions, allowing for a clearer visualization of complex data, which could lead to faster identification of signs of past life on Mars. Nested Fusion not only benefits NASA scientists but also has potential applications in climate modeling, wildlife studies, and other fields requiring analysis of overlapping datasets. The algorithm significantly improves workflow efficiency, enabling scientists to estimate mineral compositions much faster than before. Wright presented his findings at the KDD 2024 conference, where Nested Fusion was a runner-up for the best paper award.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Study Highlights Importance of Defibrillator Pad Placement in Cardiac Arrest Outcomes: A new observational study led by Dr. Joshua Lupton from Oregon Health & Science University suggests that the placement of defibrillator pads can significantly impact the chances of restoring spontaneous blood circulation during cardiac arrest. Analyzing data from the Portland Cardiac Arrest Epidemiologic Registry, researchers found that placing pads front and back resulted in 2.64 times greater odds of successful resuscitation compared to the front and side placement. While the study is observational and not conclusive, the findings may encourage further research into optimizing defibrillator techniques, emphasizing the critical need for swift action during cardiac emergencies.

Identifying Gut Microbes: New Categories Could Transform Treatments for Chronic Diseases: A study from King's College London has classified gut microbes into two categories—persistent colonizing species (PCS) and transient colonizing species (TCS)—based on data from a year-long investigation of patients' gut microbiomes. The research suggests that PCS are beneficial for gut health, while TCS can destabilize the gut and are linked to diseases like type-2 diabetes and colon cancer. The balance between these microbes can shift due to diet and lifestyle, prompting the need for personalized nutrition plans aimed at enhancing PCS and suppressing TCS. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding these microbial dynamics for developing targeted dietary interventions and preventive measures to maintain gut health.

Innovative Hydrogel-Exosome System Promises Enhanced Healing for Diabetic Wounds: A team from NYU Langone and NYU Tandon, led by Jin Kim Montclare, has explored the use of exosomes—tiny vesicles that facilitate cellular communication—as a treatment for diabetic wounds, which often suffer from impaired healing. Their research highlights exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for their ability to reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair. To enhance the delivery and efficacy of exosomes, the team developed a protein-based hydrogel system, Q5Exo, which encapsulates exosomes for localized, sustained release. In diabetic mouse models, Q5Exo significantly reduced healing time compared to traditional injection methods, indicating its potential as a noninvasive wound dressing for improved outcomes in diabetic wound management.

ENVIRONMENT

Coral Reefs Found to Absorb Microplastics, Shedding Light on the "Missing Plastic Problem: Researchers from Japan and Thailand have discovered that microplastics are present in all three anatomical parts of coral—surface mucus, tissue, and skeleton—using a new detection technique. This study, suggests that coral may act as a "sink" for microplastics, helping to explain the "missing plastic problem," where a significant portion of oceanic plastic cannot be accounted for. The team analyzed 27 coral samples from Si Chang Island, finding 174 microplastic particles, predominantly nylon, polyacetylene, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These findings indicate that corals may sequester plastics from the ocean, potentially preserving them for centuries.

Domestic Demand Drives Deforestation in Brazilian Legal Amazonia More Than Exports: A study by Eduardo Haddad and collaborators reveals that domestic demand, rather than foreign demand, is the primary driver of deforestation in Brazil's Legal Amazonia (BLA). Analyzing data from 2015, researchers found that 83.17% of deforestation resulted from external demands, with 59.68% stemming from other parts of Brazil and 23.49% from international markets. The study highlights the significant role of cattle ranching and soybean farming in driving land-use changes, with illegal land activities exacerbating the problem. These findings underscore the urgent need for policy measures to address domestic consumption patterns and protect vital ecosystems.

Deep Ocean Heat Storage Efficiency During Deglaciation Far Exceeds Modern Levels: A new study in Science Advances reveals that deep ocean warming during the last deglaciation was far greater than modern levels, with heat storage efficiency ten times higher. Using simulations and reconstructions, researchers found that intermediate ocean depths experienced the strongest warming due to changes in circulation and surface warming patterns. This enhanced heat uptake could help mitigate atmospheric warming, highlighting the ocean's significant role as a climate heat reservoir.

NATURE

NOAA and Oregon State Team Identifies Mysterious Pacific Ocean Sounds as Bryde's Whales: Researchers from the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center and Oregon State University have identified long-mysterious sounds in the Pacific Ocean, known as "biotwangs," as vocalizations of Bryde's whales. Their study confirmed the source of the sounds through simultaneous recordings while observing the whales near the Mariana Islands. Collaborating with Google, they developed an AI application to analyze whale calls and track movements. Findings revealed that Bryde's whales thrive near the Mariana Islands and in the Pacific Ocean transition zone, where warm and cool waters support abundant plankton populations, providing a vital food source.

Black Garden Ants Adapt Nest Structures to Combat Fungal Infections:
A study by biologists at the University of Bristol has revealed that black garden ants modify their nests to mitigate the spread of fungal infections. Published on the bioRxiv preprint server, the research highlights how these insects change their behavior and nest architecture in response to infection. In experiments with 20 ant colonies, researchers found that infected ants prompted the rapid construction of new, widely spaced tunnels and relocated critical areas like the queen and food stores. Simulation results indicated that these adaptations effectively reduced fungal loads, enhancing colony survival.

OTHER SCIENCES & ARTS

Mathematicians Define New "Soft Cell" Shape Redefines Geometry with Interlocking Capabilities: Researchers from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics have discovered a new geometric shape called a "soft cell," characterized by its rounded, interlocking corners. This shape, inspired by natural structures like nautilus shells, can fill two- and three-dimensional spaces efficiently, challenging conventional geometric concepts. The versatile design has potential applications in fields ranging from architecture to biological systems, showcasing new possibilities for geometric tiling.

Evolving pH Sensitivity in E. coli: A Breakthrough Study on Microbial Adaptation: A study led by Dr. Sarah Worthan at Vanderbilt University has demonstrated that microbial cultures of Escherichia coli can evolve the ability to sense pH changes, enabling rapid responses to environmental fluctuations. The research uncovered a mutation in the Rho protein that enhances pH sensitivity, allowing the bacteria to adapt to feast and famine cycles. This mutation, which substitutes arginine with histidine, was also found in the pathogen Bartonella baciliformis and could have implications for marine sponges and their symbionts facing climate change-induced pH shifts.

Global Study Reveals Remarkable Speciation in Asteraceae Family on Islands:
An international research team, including members from the University of Göttingen, has created a comprehensive global database detailing the distribution and evolutionary history of the Asteraceae family, the most diverse group of flowering plants with about 34,000 species. The study highlights an unexpectedly high rate of speciation among Asteraceae on islands such as the Galápagos, Mauritius, and Polynesia, with over 6,000 island-native species identified—nearly 60% of which are endemic. The research confirms ecological theories that larger, isolated islands support unique species and underscores the urgent need to protect these plants, many of which are threatened with extinction. The findings suggest that evolutionary innovations in Asteraceae may be more extensive than previously recognized.

INDUSTRY

Microsoft Taps Nuclear Power for AI Energy Demands with Three Mile Island Deal: Microsoft has signed a 20-year deal to source energy from the Three Mile Island nuclear facility, aiming to meet the power needs of its energy-hungry AI models. The plant, shut down in 2019, will be revived by Constellation Energy, potentially providing 800 megawatts of clean energy by 2028. This move reflects tech giants' growing need for stable, clean energy sources like nuclear power to support AI, as renewables may not suffice to meet rising data center demands.