Weight-Loss Drugs Like Ozempic May Shrink Heart and Muscle, Study Warns

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 - ED Light Technology Breaks Down "Forever Chemicals" in a Sustainable Breakthrough, and more.

• Technology and AI - AI Tool EVOLVEpro Revolutionizes Protein Engineering for Medicine and Beyond, and more.

• Engineering - Breakthrough EV Battery Design Enables 15-Minute Fast Charging, and more.

• Astronomy & Space - Zero-Gravity Printing: Iowa State Researchers Test Space-Ready Technology, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Weight-Loss Drugs Like Ozempic May Shrink Heart and Muscle, Study Warns, and more.

• Neuroscience - Breakthrough in 3D RNA Imaging: TRISCO Revolutionizes Brain Research, and more.

• Environment - Legacy Lithium Mine in North Carolina Shows Limited Water Contamination Risk, and more.

• Nature - Heart Cockles' Natural Fiber-Optic Windows Could Inspire Advanced Cable Technology, and more.

Until Tomorrow.

~The STEAM Digest

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This newsletter is curated by The STEAM Digest.

SCIENCE

LED Light Technology Breaks Down "Forever Chemicals" in a Sustainable Breakthrough: Colorado State University researchers have developed a photocatalytic system that uses LED light to break down PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," at room temperature. These chemicals, found in water, soil, and air, are notoriously difficult to degrade due to their stable carbon-fluorine bonds. The breakthrough offers a sustainable alternative to traditional high-temperature methods, potentially addressing PFAS pollution and other persistent materials like plastics. Led by Professor Garret Miyake, the study also highlights applications for improving chemical manufacturing processes in fertilizers and tackling non-degradable plastics. The researchers aim to adapt this innovative technology for real-world use in contaminated environments like water and soil.

Janus Crystals: A Breakthrough for Energy-Free Water Harvesting: Researchers from Jilin University, NYU Abu Dhabi, and the Center for Smart Engineering Materials have developed "Janus crystals," a new material inspired by desert plants and animals that efficiently captures water from fog without requiring energy. These smart crystals feature both hydrophilic regions for water collection and hydrophobic regions for water transfer, maximizing harvesting efficiency. The crystals, made from elastic organic compounds, achieve the highest-to-date water collection efficiency, and their translucent structure allows real-time monitoring of condensation. Unlike energy-intensive desalination processes, this spontaneous condensation method can provide a sustainable, clean water source to combat water scarcity.

TECHNOLOGY AND AI

AI Tool EVOLVEpro Revolutionizes Protein Engineering for Medicine and Beyond: Researchers at Mass General Brigham and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) have developed EVOLVEpro, an AI-driven tool for protein engineering that significantly enhances the precision, stability, and efficiency of proteins. Detailed in Science, the tool uses protein language models (PLMs) to optimize protein sequences beyond natural evolution, enabling tailored improvements for diverse applications. In testing, EVOLVEpro enhanced six proteins, including monoclonal antibodies that achieved 30-fold better target binding and improved expression. Other breakthroughs included a CRISPR nuclease five times more effective at genetic editing and a T7 RNA polymerase 100 times more accurate in RNA synthesis, with potential applications in mRNA therapies and vaccines. This tool marks a significant leap in gene and cell therapy, offering solutions to challenges in medicine, agriculture, and climate change. According to researchers, EVOLVEpro could usher in a transformative era for designing proteins to meet specific human and global needs.

AI Replicates Human Personalities for Policy Testing: Researchers at Stanford University have used GPT-4o to replicate the personalities and behaviors of over 1,000 individuals with high accuracy, aiming to create realistic models for testing policy impacts. Participants were interviewed, and AI-generated agents mimicked their responses in various psychological and behavioral tests. While the AI matched human answers with up to 85% accuracy, ethical concerns have been raised about mimicking individuals so precisely. Proponents highlight the potential for improving policy development and campaign strategies, but critics caution against over-reliance on AI simulations, noting they lack true understanding of human context and community.

ENGINEERING

Breakthrough EV Battery Design Enables 15-Minute Fast Charging: Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a new lithium-ion battery design that can charge from 0% to 80% in just 15 minutes, a significant improvement over the current standard of nearly an hour at fast-charging stations. The breakthrough involves a redesigned anode that enhances lithium-ion movement and conductivity while maintaining safety and durability. These batteries can also withstand up to 800 charge cycles, addressing concerns about battery longevity and the reliability of second-hand EVs. By focusing on modifying the anode architecture with existing materials, the technology remains cost-effective and compatible with current manufacturing processes. This advancement could make EVs more affordable and accessible, alleviating "range anxiety" and expanding electric vehicle adoption, even for those without home charging stations. The team is now optimizing the manufacturing process for industry-scale implementation.

Breakthrough MOF Captures CO2 at High Industrial Exhaust Temperatures: Chemists at UC Berkeley have developed a metal-organic framework (MOF) capable of capturing carbon dioxide at high temperatures, up to 300°C (570°F), relevant to emissions from cement and steel plants. Unlike current amine-based carbon capture technologies that degrade or fail above 150°C (300°F), this MOF uses zinc hydride sites for stable and efficient CO2 adsorption. The material can capture over 90% of CO2 from exhaust streams and is reusable, making it a promising solution for hard-to-decarbonize industries. This discovery could reduce cooling requirements, costs, and energy use in carbon capture processes, addressing a significant barrier to adoption in industrial settings. Researchers are exploring ways to further enhance the material's CO2 capacity and adapt it for other high-temperature gas separations

Pigeon-Inspired Robot Unlocks Secret to Tail-Less Flight for More Fuel-Efficient Aircraft: The PigeonBot II, a flying robot equipped with bird-like reflexive tail movements and 52 real pigeon feathers, has demonstrated how birds maintain stability in flight without vertical tail fins. This breakthrough offers insights that could lead to the development of more aerodynamic passenger aircraft, reducing fuel consumption and drag. Unlike traditional aircraft, which rely on vertical stabilizers for directional control, birds use complex tail motions for stability. Researchers at the University of Groningen programmed PigeonBot II with reflexive tail movements mimicking a pigeon’s natural stabilization responses. The robot successfully performed takeoffs, cruising, and landings, marking a major milestone in bio-inspired aviation technology. Lead researcher David Lentink suggests that future passenger planes might adopt tail-less designs, cutting weight and drag, though additional research is needed to adapt this approach for large-scale manufacturing. This innovation could revolutionize aircraft design, offering a greener alternative to current models.

ASTRONOMY & SPACE

Zero-Gravity Printing: Iowa State Researchers Test Space-Ready Technology: Iowa State University engineers have successfully tested a cutting-edge 3D printing technology designed for zero gravity aboard NASA's microgravity flights. The printer, which uses silver nanoparticle ink and electrohydrodynamic printing, can create electrical circuits without relying on gravity. This innovation could allow astronauts to produce circuits or high-value electronic components for spacecraft repairs and manufacturing in space. The research faced challenges during flight tests, such as securing equipment against vibrations and working in brief 10-second windows of microgravity. Despite these hurdles, the team improved their setup and achieved promising results, demonstrating the potential of the technology for space applications.

Nearby Supernova Could Finally Unveil Dark Matter's Axion Candidate:
Astrophysicists at UC Berkeley propose that a nearby supernova could reveal the elusive axion, a leading dark matter candidate. Axions, theorized lightweight particles, would be abundantly produced during a supernova's core collapse and transform into detectable gamma rays in the star's intense magnetic field. Using the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, such a discovery could pinpoint the axion's mass within seconds. However, the supernova must occur within the Milky Way or its satellites, and the telescope must be pointed in the right direction—a 10% chance. To avoid missed opportunities, scientists advocate for a fleet of gamma-ray satellites to monitor the entire sky. If successful, detecting axions could revolutionize dark matter research and confirm their role in unifying physics theories.

Astronomers Capture Rare Close-Up of Dying Star WOH G64 Outside the Milky Way: Using ESO's Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI), astronomers have captured a detailed image of WOH G64, a massive red supergiant 160,000 light-years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud. This "behemoth star," 2,000 times larger than the Sun, is surrounded by an egg-shaped dust cocoon, likely formed by its ejection of gas and dust during its final life stages. The star's dimming over the past decade marks significant changes, offering scientists a rare opportunity to observe the evolution of a dying star in real time. Researchers speculate that the cocoon’s unusual shape may result from material shedding or the influence of an undiscovered companion star. Future upgrades to the VLTI, like GRAVITY+, will enable further investigation into this extraordinary star's impending supernova phase.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Weight-Loss Drugs Like Ozempic May Shrink Heart and Muscle, Study Warns: A new study by the University of Alberta highlights potential risks of popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic (semaglutide). Originally designed to manage type 2 diabetes, these medications are now widely used for weight loss. Researchers found that the drugs may reduce not just skeletal muscle but also heart muscle, as observed in mice and confirmed in human heart cell cultures. While no immediate negative effects on heart function were noted, long-term impacts and susceptibility to stress remain concerns. A related commentary warns that up to 40% of the weight lost with such drugs may come from muscle, surpassing muscle loss associated with calorie restriction or aging. This loss could impair immunity, wound healing, and metabolic health. Experts advocate combining weight-loss medication with proper nutrition and resistance training to preserve muscle and overall health.

Females Sleep Less and Have More Fragmented Sleep Than Males: A study by the University of Colorado Boulder found that female mice sleep less, wake more frequently, and have less restorative non-REM sleep than males. These differences, linked to biological factors like stress and sex hormones, reflect similar trends in humans and other animals. The study highlights the evolutionary rationale for fragmented sleep in females, possibly due to a heightened sensitivity to environmental changes for caregiving purposes. It also stresses the influence of hormones like cortisol and fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, which can exacerbate poor sleep in females. Researchers stress the importance of including both sexes in biomedical studies to avoid skewed results, as male bias in research could overlook critical differences affecting females. The findings urge a re-evaluation of past studies and improved research practices.

Oral Microbiome Linked to Head and Neck Cancer Risk and Outcomes: Emerging research highlights a potential link between the oral microbiome and head and neck cancers, though the exact relationship remains unclear. A study by New York University analyzed saliva from over 159,000 participants and found that 13 bacterial species were associated with a higher risk of developing these cancers 10–15 years later. Bacteria linked to gum disease, like Fusobacterium nucleatum, were also implicated. While the findings don’t establish causation, they suggest these microbes may influence cancer development, possibly by affecting inflammation or immune responses. Researchers hope to use bacterial profiles to identify high-risk individuals and explore how modifying the oral microbiome could improve cancer treatments.

NEUROSCIENCE

Breakthrough in 3D RNA Imaging: TRISCO Revolutionizes Brain Research: Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital have developed a groundbreaking microscopy method called TRISCO, enabling detailed 3D RNA analysis at cellular resolution in intact tissues, including whole mouse brains. This advancement eliminates the need for slicing brain tissue and allows simultaneous imaging of up to three RNA molecules, with plans to expand to hundreds. TRISCO provides unprecedented insights into the brain's complex structure and functions, promising advancements in understanding normal brain processes and diseases. The method also extends to larger brains and other tissues, highlighting its versatility. The study underscores the importance of collaboration between basic researchers and clinicians to drive innovation in biomedical research.

Unveiling the Molecular Blueprint of Memory Formation in the Hippocampus: A collaborative study by ISTA and the Max Planck Institute has revealed key molecular mechanisms underlying memory formation in the hippocampus, the brain's memory center. Using advanced techniques like "Flash and Freeze" and freeze fracture labeling, researchers identified dynamic changes in mossy fiber synapses, pivotal sites for memory processing. The study highlights two proteins critical to neurotransmitter release—Cav2.1 calcium channels and Munc13—showing how their nano-rearrangements during activation enhance synaptic power and precision. These changes correlate with memory formation, enabling the hippocampus to process and distinguish complex signals, such as differentiating a black panther from a cat. This breakthrough provides a molecular-level understanding of how structural and functional synaptic adaptations drive memory, setting a foundation for future research into brain function and memory disorders.

Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound: Unlocking the Blood-Brain Barrier for Neurological Treatments: Neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's have long resisted effective treatment due to the brain's protective blood-brain barrier (BBB). Recent research highlights the potential of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) to temporarily open the BBB, allowing therapeutic agents to reach the brain. By combining sound waves with microbubbles, LIFU creates brief, controlled openings in the BBB. In a study on macaques, researchers observed the dynamic response of the neurovascular unit (NVU) after LIFU treatment. Within three hours, the brain exhibited mild inflammation and vascular disruption. By day seven, repair mechanisms, including angiogenesis driven by PDGFR-β and VEGF-A, began restoring the NVU. By day 30, the brain showed full recovery without lasting damage. This research underscores LIFU’s safety and effectiveness, offering hope for enhanced drug delivery to treat resistant neurological diseases. The findings also emphasize the importance of fine-tuning LIFU protocols to minimize risks while maximizing therapeutic potential. LIFU represents a groundbreaking step in brain treatment, unlocking possibilities for addressing previously untreatable conditions.

ENVIRONMENT

Legacy Lithium Mine in North Carolina Shows Limited Water Contamination Risk:
A study by Duke University researchers has found that water near the historic Kings Mountain lithium mine in North Carolina does not contain harmful levels of common pollutants like arsenic or lead. However, elevated concentrations of lithium, rubidium, and cesium—metals not federally regulated—were detected in groundwater and surface water near the site. Leaching experiments and water analysis suggest the mine does not cause acidic runoff, often associated with mining, but instead creates temporary alkaline conditions. While the findings suggest minimal risk from historical mining, researchers caution that modern lithium processing, which involves chemical treatments, could have different environmental impacts. Future studies will focus on assessing drinking water quality across North Carolina's lithium-rich regions.

Discovery of New Chemical Compound in Chloraminated Drinking Water Raises Health Concerns: A team of researchers from the United States and Switzerland has identified a previously unknown compound, chloronitramide anion (Cl–N–NO2−), as a byproduct of inorganic chloramine decomposition in chloraminated drinking water. Inorganic chloramines are commonly used for water disinfection, but the discovery of chloronitramide, which has long eluded identification, raises concerns due to its chemical similarity to other toxic substances. Although its toxicity is not yet understood, this breakthrough is crucial for future research into its potential health risks. The discovery, which involved synthesizing the compound in the lab, paves the way for toxicity studies and could help in identifying other harmful substances in disinfected drinking water. Researchers aim to determine if chloronitramide contributes to long-term health issues like cancer, and further investigations will be necessary to evaluate its impact.

Melting Ice Accelerates Risk of Ocean Current Collapse: A new study shows that the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), a key ocean current regulating global climate, is weakening faster than predicted due to Greenland ice melt. Researchers project the AMOC could lose a third of its strength within 15 years, a much faster decline than current IPCC models suggest. The study highlights the risk of sudden climate disruptions, including colder European winters and disrupted monsoons in Asia, if the AMOC collapses. While some experts urge caution over certain assumptions in the research, the findings emphasize the need to update climate models to account for freshwater influx from melting ice.

NATURE

Heart Cockles' Natural Fiber-Optic Windows Could Inspire Advanced Cable Technology: Heart cockles (Corculum cardissa), heart-shaped molluscs, have evolved transparent crystal structures in their shells that function like fiber-optic cables. These unique "windows" channel light to photosynthetic algae living symbiotically inside their shells, allowing algae to photosynthesis without requiring the cockles to open their shells. Researchers led by Dakota McCoy at the University of Chicago discovered that these windows, made of aragonite fibers, selectively let in useful light while blocking harmful UV rays, similar to natural sunblock. This discovery highlights a sophisticated biological system that could inspire advancements in fiber-optic technology.

Groundbreaking Hearing Test Shows Baleen Whales Detect Higher Frequencies Than Expected: A pioneering study has revealed that baleen whales, specifically minke whales, can hear high-frequency sounds up to 45–90 kHz, much beyond previous assumptions based on their ear anatomy and vocalizations. Using a novel brainwave test, researchers temporarily restrained two juvenile whales to measure their auditory responses to ultrasonic sounds. These findings challenge long-held views about how baleen whales perceive their environment and respond to predators like killer whales, which use high-frequency echolocation. While the study is a breakthrough in understanding marine mammal hearing, its method of corralling and restraining wild whales has sparked ethical concerns about stress on the animals. The findings also suggest a need to reconsider the impact of human-made sounds, such as military sonar and commercial echo sounders, on these whales' behavior and survival.

Tree Islands Restore Biodiversity in Southeast Asia’s Oil Palm Plantations: A study led by Göttingen University demonstrates that creating tree islands within oil palm plantations in Sumatra can significantly enhance biodiversity recovery. By planting native trees in varying island sizes, researchers found that natural regeneration was accelerated, with native species—including endemic ones—thriving and alien species remaining minimal. Larger tree islands (over 400 m²) were particularly effective, fostering diverse plant strategies and promoting ecological resilience. However, biodiversity in restored areas remains lower than in untouched forests, underscoring the importance of conserving remaining natural habitats alongside restoration efforts.