Revolutionary Adhesive Boosts Impact Strength for Lighter, Stronger Cars

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

In today’s edition:

• Science - Breakthrough in Hydrogen Storage: Supramolecular Crystals Surpass DOE Targets, and more.

• Technology and AI - Quantum Computing Milestones Hint at Error-Free Devices by 2029, and more.

• Engineering - Revolutionary Adhesive Boosts Impact Strength for Lighter, Stronger Cars, and more.

• Astronomy & Space - New Evidence Suggests Partially Molten Layer Deep Beneath the Moon's Surface, and more.

• Health & Medicine - COVID-19 Virus Shows Resistance to Key Antiviral Drugs, and more.

• Neuroscience - Myelin's Hidden Role: Study Suggests Fatty Layer as Energy Reserve for Neurons, and more.

• Environment - Coral Reefs Show Potential for Adaptation Amid Climate Change Threats, and more.

• Nature - Mystery of Shrew's Extreme Heart Rate Unveiled: Evolutionary Changes in Heart Protein Identified, and more.

Until Tomorrow.

~The STEAM Digest

If you’d like to see more of this or if you want to share with others, please use the following link: https://thesteamdigest.beehiiv.com/subscribe

This newsletter is curated by The STEAM Digest.

SCIENCE

Breakthrough in Hydrogen Storage: Supramolecular Crystals Surpass DOE Targets: Researchers from the University of Hong Kong and Northwestern University have developed a novel hydrogen storage material that surpasses both volumetric and gravimetric targets set by the US Department of Energy (DOE). Utilizing a "point-contact catenation strategy" involving hydrogen bonds, the team created supramolecular crystals with record-high surface areas and stability. This innovative material offers a significant advance for hydrogen-powered vehicles, allowing efficient storage under lower pressures and addressing key challenges in hydrogen transport and fuel-cell vehicle range.

Rice University Develops Efficient Method to Synthesize COFs for Environmental Cleanup: Engineers at Rice University have created a new, cost-effective method for producing covalent organic frameworks (COFs) using a continuous flow microreactor system. These COFs are versatile materials with potential applications in pollution control, such as breaking down harmful "forever chemicals" like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The research highlights the efficiency and scalability of this new production process, which uses less energy, speeds up synthesis, and improves the material's effectiveness in environmental applications, including contaminant removal.

Bioinspired Yarn Harvests Water from Fog, Offering Solution to Water Scarcity: Scientists have developed a bioinspired yarn that mimics the water-collecting abilities of desert beetles and spider silk, significantly improving fog water harvesting. The double-stranded yarn, created using electrospinning techniques, combines hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties to accelerate droplet formation and transportation. Tested in a fog environment, the yarn achieved a high water collection rate of 3.20 g·h−1·cm−2, offering a scalable solution for arid regions with water shortages. This innovative material presents a sustainable method for atmospheric water collection and has broad implications for addressing global water scarcity.

Seaweed Transformed into Bio-Aviation Fuel and Battery Components in Breakthrough Process: Researchers from the Korea Institute of Energy Research and Kangwon National University have developed a revolutionary method to convert seaweed, such as Kkosiraegi, into bio-aviation fuel precursors and anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The process involves using a one-step enzymatic reaction to produce (R)-gamma-valerolactone (R-GVL) from seaweed, bypassing the complex microbial fermentation used in traditional methods. This method not only improves fuel production efficiency but also repurposes residual biomass into hard carbon for battery anodes, contributing to eco-friendly energy solutions and carbon neutrality goals.

TECHNOLOGY AND AI

Quantum Computing Milestones Hint at Error-Free Devices by 2029: Recent breakthroughs in quantum computing show progress toward building error-free quantum computers, bringing practical applications closer to reality. Google, Microsoft, and other companies have shifted their focus to creating "logical qubits," which reduce errors and could lead to reliable quantum systems. Google's August 2024 experiment demonstrated that error rates can decrease as systems grow, while Microsoft achieved both error correction and basic computation using a different design. Other innovative approaches, like bosonic codes tested by Yale and Amazon, further support the potential for fault-tolerant quantum computing. While significant challenges remain, experts believe these advances signal that useful quantum devices may be available within the next few years.

Super Spikes in Footwear Propel Runners to Faster Times: Recent research shows that 'super spikes,' advanced footwear technology (AFT) with thicker, lighter soles and embedded carbon-fiber plates, can boost running speeds by up to 3.1% over middle distances. The study, involving 12 participants, found that these shoes increased performance by lengthening step length, cutting race times by as much as 5 seconds in 1,500-meter runs. While human performance continues to improve, the research suggests that footwear is playing a significant role in record-breaking times, such as the 32 records broken at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Researchers Debunk Claims of AI Surpassing Human Cognition as Impossible: A new study from Radboud University challenges the belief that artificial general intelligence (AGI) will eventually reach human-level cognition. Researchers argue that creating AGI, even under ideal conditions with perfect data and technology, is not feasible due to the complexity of human cognition and the immense computational resources required. Lead author Professor Iris van Rooij calls the pursuit of AGI a "waste of humanity's resources." The study emphasizes the need for critical AI literacy to prevent the overestimation of AI's capabilities, urging skepticism toward big tech’s bold promises.

MIT's "Clio" Empowers Robots to Focus on Task-Relevant Objects in Complex Environments: MIT engineers have developed "Clio," a system that enables robots to identify and focus on the most relevant parts of a scene based on the tasks they need to complete. By integrating state-of-the-art computer vision and language models, Clio helps robots make task-specific decisions, such as distinguishing a single object from a cluttered scene. Tested in real environments, including office buildings and cluttered rooms, Clio enables robots to efficiently carry out tasks in real-time, such as retrieving specific objects. This innovation has potential applications in search and rescue, domestic tasks, and industrial environments.

ENGINEERING

Revolutionary Adhesive Boosts Impact Strength for Lighter, Stronger Cars: Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a next-generation structural adhesive with impact strength 22 times higher than traditional epoxy-based adhesives, promising to transform material bonding in the automotive industry. By incorporating hydrogen-bonded styrenic thermoplastic elastomers, this adhesive combines flexibility and toughness, making it ideal for bonding lightweight materials like aluminum and fiber-reinforced plastics. This breakthrough will help produce lighter, fuel-efficient vehicles while maintaining safety and performance. The technology also holds potential for use in aerospace and construction, supporting carbon-neutral goals.

New Asphalt Technology Enhances Road Durability and Reduces Testing Costs: Researchers from the University of Sharjah and Hefei University of Technology have developed an advanced method to improve asphalt pavement durability, reducing damage from heavy loads and temperature changes. Their technique enhances the existing Superpave system, using Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) testing to predict asphalt performance at low temperatures more accurately than traditional methods like the Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR). This breakthrough could save time, reduce equipment costs, and help engineers design longer-lasting roads. The method has garnered attention from major industry players like Shell and Richmond for its potential impact on road construction.

Advanced Mapping of Tidal Flows Improves Future Offshore Renewable Energy Installations: Researchers have developed innovative methods to map complex tidal flows around Orbital Marine Power's O2 turbine, the world's most powerful tidal turbine, located in the Orkney Islands. Using aerial drones and boat-based surveys, the study provides valuable insights into optimizing the placement of tidal turbines to maximize energy output and minimize environmental impacts. The research highlights the importance of site-specific assessments in harnessing tidal energy, which could meet up to 11% of the UK's electricity needs. The findings will help advance sustainable tidal energy infrastructure while addressing challenges like turbine placement, marine habitats, and operational costs.

Electric Vehicle Drivers More Likely to Cause Road Accidents, Study Reveals: A new study by Lero, University of Limerick, and Universitat de Barcelona has found that drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) are more likely to be involved in at-fault road accidents than those driving petrol or diesel cars. Despite lower average mileage, EV drivers are 4% more likely to cause accidents, with repairs costing 6.7% more than for traditional vehicles. The research highlights changes in driver behavior when switching to EVs and raises concerns about the higher risk and financial burden associated with these vehicles.

ASTRONOMY & SPACE

New Evidence Suggests Partially Molten Layer Deep Beneath the Moon's Surface: Recent research supports the existence of a partially molten layer at the base of the moon's mantle, shedding light on its internal structure. By analyzing tidal forces acting on the moon using data from NASA's GRAIL mission and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, scientists found that without this "gooey" layer, existing models couldn't explain observed gravity changes. The research suggests that this transitional zone could be rich in titanium-bearing ilmenite, though further investigation is needed to understand its composition and the heat source sustaining it.

CubeSats: Small Satellites Revolutionizing Space Exploration: CubeSats, small and affordable satellites weighing less than 4 pounds, are transforming space exploration by making it faster, cheaper, and more accessible. These miniature satellites, often focused on single scientific goals, can be deployed in large numbers and reduce the risks and costs of traditional satellite missions. From mapping water on the moon to observing exoplanets and asteroids, CubeSats are enabling groundbreaking discoveries. With upcoming missions like HERA and M-Argo, CubeSats are poised to play a crucial role in advancing space research and potentially aiding humanity's journey to becoming a multiplanetary species.

MESOM Mission to Create Extended Solar Eclipses in Space for Unprecedented Sun Observations: A UK research team, including UCL's Professor Lucie Green, is developing the MESOM spacecraft mission, set to provide the most detailed views of the sun’s atmosphere yet. By using the moon’s shadow to simulate a total solar eclipse in space for up to 50 minutes, MESOM will allow scientists to study solar storms and improve space weather forecasts. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections can disrupt communication technologies on Earth. Scheduled for launch in the early 2030s, the mission aims to enhance scientific understanding while making data and images accessible to the public.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

COVID-19 Virus Shows Resistance to Key Antiviral Drugs: Two studies have found that the virus causing COVID-19 is developing resistance to remdesivir and nirmatrelvir, two widely used antiviral treatments. Researchers from Cornell University and NIH discovered reduced sensitivity in immunocompromised patients treated with remdesivir. A second study by teams from several U.S. institutions revealed antiviral-resistant mutations in patients treated with these drugs, especially in those immunocompromised. Despite resistance, combined antiviral treatments still effectively cleared the virus in some cases.

Adverse Childhood Experiences Linked to Increased Elder Abuse Risk: A study shows that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as abuse and neglect, significantly increase the likelihood of individuals committing physical or verbal abuse against older adults. Surveying over 13,000 people in Japan, researchers found that those with one ACE were three times more likely to abuse elders, while those with two or more ACEs were nearly eight times more likely. The study emphasizes the psychological impact of ACEs and the need for preventive measures to break the cycle of intergenerational violence.

New Method Identifies Undiagnosed Cases of Rare Genetic Disorders: Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center developed a genetic inference method called DRIVE, which uses shared genome segments to identify undiagnosed carriers of rare genetic variants. In a study, DRIVE successfully identified carriers of a KCNE1 gene variant linked to Long QT Syndrome (LQT5), a heart disorder, using data from BioVU, the VUMC DNA biobank. This method could rapidly uncover genetic disease carriers and unknown causal variants, aiding early diagnosis and intervention for rare genetic disorders.

Dual Targeting of Glutaminase and HuR Shows Promise in Breast Cancer Treatment: A Brazilian-led study published in Nature Communications suggests that targeting both the enzyme glutaminase and the protein HuR may offer an effective strategy for breast cancer treatment. Glutaminase fuels cancer cell metabolism, while HuR regulates key metabolic genes. Inhibiting HuR reduces cancer cell growth by shifting glutaminase isoform production and enhancing dependency on glutamine. Combining glutaminase and HuR inhibition resulted in a significant reduction in breast cancer cell growth, suggesting a novel therapeutic approach.

NEUROSCIENCE

Myelin's Hidden Role: Study Suggests Fatty Layer as Energy Reserve for Neurons: Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have discovered that the myelin sheath, which insulates nerve fibers, may also serve as an energy reserve in the mammalian brain. The study reveals that oligodendrocytes, cells responsible for maintaining myelin, can metabolize lipids stored in the myelin sheath to produce ATP when glucose is scarce. This finding suggests that myelin may help protect neurons during glucose deprivation and may have implications for neurodegenerative diseases and conditions like anorexia nervosa linked to myelin loss.

New START Neurotechnology Maps Brain Circuits with Unprecedented Precision: Scientists at the Salk Institute have developed a cutting-edge brain-mapping tool called Single Transcriptome Assisted Rabies Tracing (START). Combining rabies virus tracing and single-cell transcriptomics, START offers unparalleled resolution in mapping neuronal connections. The technology has revealed the intricate connectivity patterns of inhibitory neuron subtypes in the cerebral cortex, with significant implications for developing targeted treatments for neurological disorders like autism and schizophrenia. This breakthrough could revolutionize how the brain is studied and treated in the future.

CD8 T Cells Identified as Early Indicators of Multiple Sclerosis Progression: A study by researchers from LMU University Hospital has revealed that CD8-positive T cells play a key role in the early stages of multiple sclerosis (MS). By examining identical twins, where one has MS and the other does not, the team found that CD8 T cells display increased migration and inflammatory properties in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals at risk of developing MS. These findings suggest that CD8 T cells could serve as early facilitators of MS, offering potential for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to halt disease progression before symptoms arise.

ENVIRONMENT

Coral Reefs Show Potential for Adaptation Amid Climate Change Threats: Coral reefs, facing severe risks from rising temperatures and ocean acidification, may be more adaptable than previously thought. A study tested the resilience of coral species under simulated future climate conditions. While all corals experienced reduced growth, most survived under high temperatures and acidity. The findings suggest that coral species could adapt to up to 1.7°C of warming over the next 50 years, provided emissions are reduced in line with the Paris Agreement. However, experts caution that the scale of adaptation remains uncertain, and global efforts to mitigate climate change are crucial to preserving these vital ecosystems.

Air Pollution Linked to Increased Lightning Strikes in Thunderstorms: Researchers from James Madison University (JMU) have found a link between air pollution and an increase in lightning strikes during thunderstorms. By analyzing data from over 500,000 thunderstorms across Washington, DC, and Kansas City over 12 years, the study revealed that higher concentrations of fine particles (aerosols) in the air are associated with more lightning. These aerosols, acting as cloud nuclei, alter the cloud’s electrical charge, leading to more lightning. However, excessive aerosols can reduce lightning by depleting storm energy. The findings highlight how urban pollution influences meteorological patterns, and the researchers plan to expand the study globally.

North Sea Identified as Microplastic Pollution Hotspot in New Study: A study published in Frontiers in Marine Science has found the North Sea to be a key accumulation zone for microplastics, particularly in the Southern Bight near East Anglia. Researchers, using a specialized catamaran, discovered concentrations of up to 25,000 microplastic items per square kilometer, primarily composed of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. Despite lower concentrations compared to other global hotspots, the study highlights the persistent and widespread nature of plastic pollution, driven by ocean currents. The findings stress the urgency for continued efforts in addressing marine plastic contamination.

NATURE

Mystery of Shrew's Extreme Heart Rate Unveiled: Evolutionary Changes in Heart Protein Identified: Researchers have discovered how shrews achieve their incredibly high resting heart rate of up to 1,020 beats per minute. A study published in Science reveals that an evolutionary loss of a crucial DNA region in the heart protein "cardiac troponin I" allows shrews to permanently activate heart relaxation, mimicking the effects of adrenaline. This adaptation enables their hearts to beat much faster than other mammals. The research, led by teams from Aarhus University and the University of Manitoba, also found similar evolutionary pathways in bats, shedding light on the evolution of high heart rates in small mammals.

Ants Drive Bird Species Diversity in Mountainous Regions, Study Reveals: A study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has uncovered the role of Oecophylla ants in shaping bird species diversity at mid-elevations in mountains. The aggressive ants, found at the base of mountains in the paleotropics, compete with insect-eating birds for food, pushing these birds to higher elevations. The research shows that insect-eating bird diversity peaks at around 960 meters in regions with Oecophylla ants. The findings suggest that climate-driven shifts in ant ranges could affect bird species at higher elevations.

New Frailty Assessment Tool Predicts Life Expectancy for Elderly Dogs: Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a frailty screening tool that helps predict the six-month mortality risk for elderly dogs. The tool, which considers factors such as nutrition, mobility, and social activity, can aid veterinarians and pet owners in making informed decisions about treatments and quality of life. The study found that frail dogs were twice as likely to die within six months. This easy-to-use tool requires no lab work and could improve care planning for aging dogs.