Scientists Uncover Predictive Clue for Solid-to-Liquid Transition in Everyday Materials

Hello and welcome to our June 3rd edition. The STEAM Digest is a curated newsletter that brings you the latest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

In today’s edition:

• Physics - Scientists Uncover Predictive Clue for Solid-to-Liquid Transition in Everyday Materials, and more.

• Biology - WVU Student Discovers Long-Elusive Fungus Linked to LSD-like Compounds in Morning Glories, and more.

• Materials - Scientists Create Glaphene: A True 2D Hybrid of Graphene and Silica.

• Biotechnology & Biomedical Technology - Stanford Scientists Use AI to Design Safer, More Effective Gene Therapies with Human Proteins, and more.

• Engineering & Technology - New Self-Healing, Stretchable Circuits Pave the Way for Smart Implantable Devices, and more.

• Robotics, AI, Hardware, Software, Gadgets - Self-Powered Artificial Synapse Mimics Human Eye for Low-Power Color Vision in AI Devices.

• Astronomy, Space, & Astrobiology - New AI-Powered Habitability Framework Sharpens the Search for Alien Life, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Diverse Flavonoid-Rich Diet Linked to Lower Disease Risk and Longer Life, and more.

• Neuroscience - Addiction Alters Musical Reward: Study Finds Stronger Groove Response to Complex Music in Drug Recovery Patients.

• Environment & Earth Sciences - Satellite Breakthrough Confirms Mysterious Earth-Shaking Waves in Greenland Fjord.

• Nature & Ecology - Widespread Fish Parasites in Southern California Pose Hidden Public Health Risk, and more.

• Other Sciences & The Arts - Scientists Recreate 5,000-Year-Old Egyptian Blue Pigment, Unlocking Ancient Craft and Modern Potential, 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

PHYSICS

Scientists Uncover Predictive Clue for Solid-to-Liquid Transition in Everyday Materials: Researchers at the University of Rhode Island have demonstrated that the point at which a solid-like substance begins to flow like a liquid—the “yield transition”—can be predicted using properties of the material in its resting, solid state. The study focuses on yield stress fluids (YSFs), materials like ketchup or toothpaste that behave as solids until sufficient stress causes them to flow. The team found a universal relationship between the “loss tangent” (a measure of solid vs. liquid behavior at rest) and the overshoot in energy dissipation during deformation, across a wide variety of YSFs. This insight, modeled with the KDR framework, may streamline the development of complex materials by focusing on rest-state properties rather than dynamic testing, with potential applications in food, cosmetics, biomedical engineering, and manufacturing.

Micronozzle Innovation Enables Compact GeV Proton Beams for Energy and Medicine: Researchers at The University of Osaka have developed a new method—micronozzle acceleration (MNA)—to generate giga-electron-volt (GeV) proton beams using micro-structured targets and ultra-intense laser pulses. Simulated on the SQUID supercomputer, the technique achieves stable, high-quality GeV-class proton beams by focusing energy through a tiny nozzle-shaped target, a major leap beyond previous sub-100 MeV limits. The breakthrough promises compact, high-efficiency systems for laser fusion energy, advanced cancer therapy, and laboratory astrophysics.

Penny-Sized Laser Could Revolutionize LiDAR, Gravitational Wave Detection, and Optical Clocks: Researchers from the University of Rochester and UC Santa Barbara have developed a chip-scale laser—smaller than a penny—that achieves ultra-precise, fast frequency tuning using lithium niobate and the Pockels effect. The laser can sweep its color across a broad light spectrum about 10 quintillion times per second, enabling compact, high-performance applications in LiDAR, gravitational wave detection, and optical metrology. Demonstrations include a miniature LiDAR system identifying LEGO letters and laser stabilization techniques vital for optical clocks—all in a streamlined format that replaces bulky traditional equipment.

BIOLOGY

WVU Student Discovers Long-Elusive Fungus Linked to LSD-like Compounds in Morning Glories: An undergraduate microbiology student at West Virginia University, has discovered a previously unknown fungus, Periglandula clandestina, that produces ergot alkaloids—compounds chemically related to LSD. Found growing in morning glory seed coats, the fungus confirms a decades-old hypothesis by LSD pioneer Albert Hofmann, who suspected such a fungus was the source of the plant’s psychoactive properties. The discovery opens new research pathways in pharmaceutical development for treating depression, PTSD, and addiction. Notably efficient at producing lysergic acid derivatives, P. clandestina may also help overcome challenges tied to the toxicity and side effects of ergot-based therapeutics.

Efflux Pump Breakthrough Offers Hope Against Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis:
Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka researchers have contributed to two major studies (1,2) advancing the fight against drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In the first study, researchers identified a novel efflux pump inhibitor that disables a key resistance mechanism bacteria use to expel antibiotics. The second study revealed the first complete structure of this efflux pump, providing a foundation for improving inhibitor design. These findings pave the way for combination therapies that enhance antibiotic efficacy and suppress resistance—highlighting the power of international scientific collaboration.

MATERIALS

Scientists Create Glaphene: A True 2D Hybrid of Graphene and Silica: In a breakthrough for materials science, researchers at Rice University and international collaborators have synthesized glaphene, a novel 2D hybrid that chemically integrates graphene (a conductor) with silica (an insulator) into a single material. Unlike stacked 2D layers held by weak van der Waals forces, glaphene exhibits true interlayer bonding, allowing electrons to partially flow between layers—resulting in unique semiconductor behavior. The team used a custom-built, two-step process to control oxygen levels and sequentially grow both materials. Verified through spectroscopy and quantum simulations, glaphene marks a key advance toward custom-engineered 2D materials for next-gen electronics, photonics, and quantum devices.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Stanford Scientists Use AI to Design Safer, More Effective Gene Therapies with Human Proteins: Stanford researchers have developed a machine learning–driven method to engineer zinc finger proteins—naturally found in the human body—for use in safer and more effective gene therapies. The study combines three AI models to predict DNA targets, minimize immune responses (using the MARIA algorithm), and optimize protein performance (using ESM-IF1). The resulting proteins enhanced human gene activation up to sixfold in lab tests while reducing immunogenicity. This advance could improve therapies like CAR-T and CRISPR by using human-based proteins that avoid triggering immune reactions.

Neodymium Boosts Battery Performance for Safer, Longer-Lasting Medical Implants: A research team at McGill University has discovered that adding tiny amounts of neodymium to battery anodes can significantly increase energy density—by 20%—in batteries designed for implantable medical devices like pacemakers. The study used real-time X-ray analysis at the Canadian Light Source to show how neodymium disrupts atomic structures, creating new pathways for lithium ion movement. The findings promise safer, more powerful batteries tailored for medical use. McGill, in collaboration with Medtronic, is now focused on improving battery lifespan and has filed multiple patents on the technology.

CRISPR Gene Editing in Blood Stem Cells Triggers Senescence, Study Finds Safer Fix: Researchers at SR-Tiget in Milan have discovered that CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing combined with AAV6 vectors can trigger inflammation and premature aging (senescence) in blood-forming stem cells, compromising their ability to regenerate the blood system. The study shows this senescence is driven by DNA damage responses involving p53 and IL-1/NF-κB pathways, and persists long after transplantation. To counteract this, the team successfully tested p53 inhibition and anti-inflammatory treatment with Anakinra, which improved stem cell regeneration and safety. The findings offer a pathway to safer and more effective gene therapies for inherited blood disorders.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

New Self-Healing, Stretchable Circuits Pave the Way for Smart Implantable Devices: Researchers from South Korea’s Sungkyunkwan University and the Institute for Basic Science have developed scalable, self-healing, and stretchable transistors that can be integrated into advanced wearable and implantable bioelectronics. The study presents a modular system inspired by human skin’s regenerative ability, incorporating self-healing polymers across all transistor layers. These reconfigurable circuits maintain stable performance in dynamic, wet biological environments and could be tailored like LEGO blocks for applications in brain, nerve, and heart monitoring. This breakthrough offers a major step toward personalized neuroprosthetics and long-term implantable therapies.

MIT Team Uses AI to Identify Sustainable Cement Alternatives from Waste Materials: A research team from MIT and the Olivetti Group has developed an AI-powered framework to identify alternative materials that can replace cement in concrete, helping reduce both environmental impact and cost. The study analyzed over a million samples and extensive scientific literature to classify 19 categories of potential cement substitutes—including ceramics, mine tailings, and construction debris—based on key chemical properties like hydraulic reactivity and pozzolanicity. Many promising candidates require minimal processing, making them practical and widely accessible. The work supports a circular economy and paves the way for greener infrastructure, with plans underway to validate top materials and expand the framework’s capabilities.

MIT Engineers Develop Low-Carbon Method to Produce Hydrogen from Seawater and Recycled Aluminum: MIT researchers have developed a novel hydrogen production method that combines recycled aluminum, seawater, and gallium-indium alloy to create clean hydrogen with a significantly reduced carbon footprint. The team’s life cycle assessment found the process emits only 1.45 kg of CO₂ per kilogram of hydrogen—a fraction of the 11 kg emitted by conventional methods. The scalable, cost-competitive process also produces a valuable industrial byproduct, boehmite, and avoids the risks of transporting volatile hydrogen. This sustainable approach could power fuel cell vehicles and remote energy systems with minimal environmental impact.

ROBOTICS, AI, HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, GADGETS

Self-Powered Artificial Synapse Mimics Human Eye for Low-Power Color Vision in AI Devices: Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have developed a self-powered artificial synapse capable of distinguishing colors with near-human precision—without requiring external energy. The device integrates dye-sensitized solar cells that generate voltage responses to specific wavelengths of light, enabling both color recognition and logical operations. Achieving 10 nm resolution across the visible spectrum and 82% accuracy in motion-color recognition tasks, the innovation offers a leap forward for low-power machine vision in edge devices like drones, autonomous vehicles, and wearables—paving the way for efficient, human-like visual processing in AI.

Korean Researchers Develop Four-Legged Robot 'Raibo' Capable of High-Speed Parkour: A team at Korea’s Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Lab has developed Raibo, a four-legged robot capable of performing high-speed parkour maneuvers across complex and unpredictable terrains. Raibo integrates a neural network–powered planner and motion tracker, enabling real-time route planning and precise foot placement. Tested across simulated and physical obstacle courses, Raibo successfully navigated walls, stairs, uneven terrain, and 1.3-meter jumps. The team is now developing Raibo 2, aiming to enhance its agility and safety for potential use in disaster zones and rugged environments.

Brain-Inspired AI Model Emulates Human Imagination to Enhance Learning and Efficiency: New research has introduced Co4, a novel transformer-based AI architecture inspired by the dual-input processing of layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the human neocortex. The model mimics how the brain combines external sensory data (RF1) and internal contextual states (CF2) to guide reasoning and imagination. Co4 uses a triadic loop of questions, clues, and hypotheses to pre-select relevant information before applying attention, significantly improving learning speed and reducing computational load. Tested across tasks in reinforcement learning, vision, and language, Co4 advances AI toward context-sensitive, cognitively grounded reasoning.

ASTRONOMY, SPACE, & ASTROLOBIOLOGY

New AI-Powered Habitability Framework Sharpens the Search for Alien Life:
A team of astrophysicists and astrobiologists has developed a quantitative habitability framework to guide the search for extraterrestrial life. Moving beyond vague definitions of "habitability," this model estimates the probability that specific organisms—Earth-based or hypothetical—could survive in various alien environments, even with limited or uncertain data. The approach uses computer modeling to compare an "organism model" with a "habitat model," allowing scientists to prioritize which planets, moons, or subsurface environments (like Mars or Europa) are most likely to support life. Developed with input from over 100 researchers within NASA’s Nexus for Exoplanet System Science (NExSS), the open-source framework offers a flexible, probabilistic tool for interpreting potential biosignatures and deciding where to direct powerful future telescopes like NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory and the proposed Nautilus space telescope.

Researchers Propose Roadmap for Terraforming Mars, Starting with Feasibility Experiments on Earth: A multidisciplinary U.S.-based research team has published a framework outlining how Mars could potentially be terraformed. The authors emphasize the need to first assess whether terraforming is possible before debating if it should be done. The proposed process would begin by warming Mars by ~30°C using technologies like solar sails or nanoparticles to trap heat, triggering the release of CO₂ to further thicken the atmosphere. This would be followed by microbial oxygenation, environmental monitoring, and eventual introduction of plants, animals, and humans. While the feasibility remains uncertain, the researchers advocate starting with Earth-based experiments to guide future efforts—and possibly benefit Earth's environmental management as well.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Diverse Flavonoid-Rich Diet Linked to Lower Disease Risk and Longer Life:
A large-scale study led by researchers from Queen’s University Belfast, Edith Cowan University, and the Medical University of Vienna has found that consuming a wide variety of flavonoid-rich foods—such as tea, berries, apples, and dark chocolate—can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases and premature death. The decade-long study of over 120,000 people showed that diversity, not just quantity, of flavonoids correlates with lower risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurological conditions. The findings support updated dietary guidelines that encourage a colorful, varied plant-based diet for long-term health benefits.

Study Maps DNA Switches That Drive Liver Regeneration: Researchers at the University of Barcelona have mapped the regulatory DNA elements that activate liver regeneration following injury or partial removal. The study reveals how enhancers—including both regeneration-specific and reactivated developmental ones—control the expression of key genes needed for hepatocyte proliferation. The study also shows that regeneration involves suppressing energy-intensive metabolic functions and identifies transcription factors (AP-1, ATF3, NRF2) that orchestrate the process in distinct phases. This genome-wide mapping could inform future strategies in regenerative medicine, laying the groundwork for targeted therapies that promote liver repair.

NEUROSCIENCE

Addiction Alters Musical Reward: Study Finds Stronger Groove Response to Complex Music in Drug Recovery Patients: A study led by Aarhus University reveals that individuals recovering from cocaine and heroin addiction experience a heightened urge to move—known as "groove"—when listening to music with complex rhythms and harmonies. The study involved 58 participants and found that, unlike nonusers who preferred moderately complex rhythms, those in recovery reported peak groove at high complexity levels. The findings suggest long-term substance use raises the threshold for activating dopamine-based reward systems, requiring more intense stimuli like complex music. Researchers propose groove as a potential tool for assessing altered reward sensitivity and supporting music-based therapies in addiction recovery.

ENVIRONMENT & EARTH SCIENCES

Satellite Breakthrough Confirms Mysterious Earth-Shaking Waves in Greenland Fjord: Oxford researchers have confirmed that strange global seismic signals detected in late 2023 were caused by massive seiches—standing waves triggered by mega tsunamis—in an East Greenland fjord, following two landslides linked to glacier melt. Using advanced SWOT satellite altimetry data, the team mapped cross-channel water height variations showing water sloshing back and forth—confirming theories previously based only on seismic anomalies. The study demonstrates how next-generation Earth observation tools like SWOT's Ka-band Radar Interferometer can reveal extreme, climate-driven events in remote regions that conventional sensors miss.

NATURE & ECOLOGY

Widespread Fish Parasites in Southern California Pose Hidden Public Health Risk:
A new study from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography reveals that over 90% of freshwater game fish in Southern California carry parasitic flatworms (Haplorchis pumilio and Centrocestus formosanus) capable of infecting humans. The research links these parasites to an invasive snail species and warns of underrecognized health risks, especially when fish are consumed raw or undercooked. While infections are preventable by proper cooking or freezing, a survey of popular online videos showed most did not mention safety precautions. Researchers urge increased public awareness and recommend making these infections reportable by health officials.

Birds May Commonly Consume Alcohol from Natural Fermentation, Study Finds:
A new study reveals that many birds—particularly nectar- and fruit-eating species—may regularly ingest ethanol produced by natural fermentation. Researchers tested feathers and liver samples from 17 bird species and found ethyl glucuronide (EtG), a byproduct of alcohol metabolism, in several of them. While hummingbirds showed especially high EtG levels, some non-sugar-feeding birds also tested positive, suggesting that avian ethanol exposure may be more widespread than previously thought. The findings raise questions about how natural alcohol consumption might impact avian behavior, flight performance, and survival.

Scientists Create Mosquito-Targeting "STD" Fungus to Fight Malaria Spread:
Researchers, including a University of Maryland entomologist, have developed a genetically engineered strain of the fungus Metarhizium that acts like a sexually transmitted disease in mosquitoes, delivering a deadly neurotoxin specifically to females—the primary vectors of malaria. The study showed that nearly 90% of female mosquitoes died within two weeks of mating with fungus-treated males in field tests in Burkina Faso. The fungus is harmless to humans and also makes mosquitoes more vulnerable to insecticides, offering a powerful and innovative tool to combat malaria and insecticide resistance.

OTHER SCIENCES & THE ARTS

Scientists Recreate 5,000-Year-Old Egyptian Blue Pigment, Unlocking Ancient Craft and Modern Potential: A research team has successfully recreated Egyptian blue—the world's oldest known synthetic pigment, used over 5,000 years ago. The study details 12 experimental pigment recipes made from ancient raw materials like silicon dioxide, copper, calcium, and sodium carbonate, fired at 1000°C for various durations. The recreated samples varied in color and composition, revealing that even pigments with only ~50% blue content could appear vividly blue. The work, done in collaboration with the Carnegie Museum and the Smithsonian, not only sheds light on ancient Egyptian manufacturing methods but also highlights Egyptian blue’s potential for modern applications in near-infrared imaging, anti-counterfeiting technologies, and materials science. Some recreated samples are now on display at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Winter Solstice Light Show Revealed in Ancient Macedonian Tomb: Independent scholar Demetrius Savvides has shown that the 4th-century BCE Kastas Monument in Amphipolis, Greece, was likely designed to align with the winter solstice sun. Using 3D modeling and solar simulation tools, Savvides demonstrated that on December 21, a shaft of light precisely illuminates the burial cist while casting symmetrical shadows, indicating deliberate architectural alignment. The study suggests the tomb was reconfigured to create a “theater of seasonal light” that merged royal symbolism with solar mythologies, particularly the Persephone-Cybele cycle. The methodology offers a new, rigorous model for studying celestial alignment in ancient sacred spaces.