Treated Wastewater and Sewage Sludge Introduce Tire Additives into Vegetables

Seventy percent—that’s how much water the world uses for agriculture alone! A growing population, combined with food security concerns and water scarcity, means that tapping into other water sources, such as treated wastewater for agricultural uses, becomes essential. While the reuse of treated wastewater offers several benefits, it also poses certain risks. Treated wastewater may still contain pathogens, heavy metals, and organic pollutants that can pose health risks to humans and animals. The long-term use of treated wastewater can also lead to soil salinity and degradation, affecting crop yields and soil health.

In today’s edition, we explore the introduction of tire additives in vegetables from the use of treated wastewater, in addition to;

• Science - Universal Equation Predicts Flapping Frequency in Animals.

• Technology and AI - Future-Self Chatbot Offers Insight into Personal Growth.

• Engineering - Hydrogen Fuel as a Diesel Alternative for Heavy Haul Trucks.

• Health - Injectable Gel Monitors Brain Injuries and Disappears.

• Environment - Treated Wastewater and Sewage Sludge Introduce Tire Additives into Vegetables.

• Industry News: Elon Musk's Neuralink Ready for Human Trials: Seeking Volunteers for Brain Implant Surgery, and more industry news!

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This newsletter is curated by The STEAM Digest.

SCIENCE

Universal Equation Predicts Flapping Frequency in Animals: Researchers at Roskilde University have derived a universal equation that accurately predicts the wingbeat and fin stroke frequencies of various animals, from insects to whales, based on body mass and wing area. This discovery, published in PLOS ONE, shows that despite the vast differences in size and wing shapes, the flapping frequency follows a consistent pattern across species. This equation could have implications for designing efficient flying robots and understanding extinct species' flight dynamics.

Internet Addiction Alters Adolescent Brain Function: A study from University College London indicates that internet addiction in adolescents leads to changes in brain function. Using fMRI, researchers found altered connectivity in brain networks responsible for resting states and active thinking. These changes are linked to increased addictive behaviors and developmental issues, affecting mental health and social interactions. The findings highlight the need for early intervention and parental education to manage internet usage and mitigate negative impacts.

Geometry Offers New Insight into Earthquake Causes: Researchers from Brown University suggest that the alignment of fault lines, rather than friction, is critical in determining earthquake occurrence and strength. Their study, published in Nature, shows that geometrically complex fault zones are more prone to strong earthquakes, while aligned faults tend to creep without quakes. This new perspective could enhance earthquake prediction models by focusing on fault geometry.

TECHNOLOGY AND AI

New Vision Chip Mimics Human Eye for Better Machine Perception: Researchers at Tsinghua University have developed the Tianmouc chip, a brain-inspired vision chip that mimics human eye perception. This chip processes visual information at high speeds (10,000 frames per second) with high precision and dynamic range while consuming low power. It overcomes traditional limitations, ensuring robust performance in extreme environments. This breakthrough is set to enhance applications in autonomous driving and other intelligent systems.

Future-Self Chatbot Offers Insight into Personal Growth: Researchers have developed a chatbot named "Future You," which allows users to interact with a virtual version of their future selves. Using AI, the chatbot generates a personalized and aged image, and creates synthetic memories based on user data and projected life experiences. This innovative tool, which has shown to reduce anxiety and negative emotions, aims to provide users with a better understanding of their future and encourage positive life changes.

AI Models Exhibit Unique Irrational Behaviors Compared to Humans: A study by University College London tested advanced large language models (LLMs) with cognitive psychology tasks, revealing that AIs display irrationality differently from humans. While LLMs like GPT-4 performed better than others, all models showed inconsistencies and errors, such as simple addition mistakes. This highlights the challenges in understanding AI reasoning and the need for caution in their application in decision-making tasks.

AI System Recognizes Athletes' Emotions from Body Language: Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the University of Duisburg-Essen have developed an AI that accurately identifies athletes' emotions based on body language, particularly in tennis players. Using neural networks trained on real-game footage, the AI achieves a 68.9% accuracy rate, comparable to human observers. This advancement holds potential for improving sports training and performance analysis while raising ethical concerns regarding privacy and data misuse.

AI-Powered Satellites for Early Wildfire Detection: Researchers at the University of South Australia have developed AI technology for cube satellites to detect wildfires from space significantly faster than traditional methods. The AI processes hyperspectral imagery on board, reducing data size and energy consumption, enabling quicker response times. This system, part of the Kanyini mission, aims to improve early fire detection and could be operational by 2025, enhancing disaster management and potentially saving lives and property.

Drones and AI Enhance Monitoring of Invasive Stink Bugs: Researchers in Italy have successfully utilized drones and artificial intelligence to monitor the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys. This innovative approach, published in Pest Management Science, automates pest detection with high accuracy, reducing labor and improving data capture. The technology leverages AI models trained to identify the bugs from drone-captured images, achieving a 97% detection accuracy, offering a significant advancement in integrated pest management.

ENGINEERING

Hydrogen Fuel as a Diesel Alternative for Heavy Haul Trucks: Researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have developed a hydrogen-powered engine to replace diesel engines in heavy-duty trucks. This new engine uses a novel approach that leverages existing technologies to create a practical and more environmentally friendly solution. The hydrogen-powered engine not only aims to reduce carbon emissions but also provides similar power and efficiency levels to traditional diesel engines, making it a viable option for long-haul trucking.

By using hydrogen as fuel, the engine emits only water vapor, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of freight transportation. This development aligns with global efforts to combat climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The researchers are optimistic that this innovation could pave the way for widespread adoption of hydrogen engines in the trucking industry.

Electrified Charcoal Sponge Captures CO₂ from Air: Researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed an innovative method to capture CO₂ using a charged activated charcoal sponge. This material, created through a battery-like charging process, bonds with CO₂ and can be regenerated at relatively low temperatures. This technique promises a more energy-efficient and cost-effective solution for carbon capture, enhancing efforts to combat climate change by removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

New High-Temperature Alloy for Hydrogen Engines Developed: Engineers at the University of Alberta have created a new high-temperature coating alloy, AlCrTiVNi₅, for hydrogen combustion engines. This complex concentrated alloy withstands extreme heat and corrosive environments, outperforming existing materials. The innovation holds promise for enhancing the durability and efficiency of hydrogen-fueled engines, supporting broader adoption of hydrogen as a clean energy source.

Improving Bendable Screens with Fill Factors to Prevent Resolution Loss: Researchers in South Korea have developed a technique to maintain resolution in bendable video screens by using fill factors. By adding ultra-thin OLEDs between regular ones, the new method ensures that dark gaps, which typically appear when the screen bends, are filled with light. This innovation enhances the geometrical fill factor from 87% to 97% and could pave the way for scalable production of high-resolution, flexible displays.

HEALTH

First Transnational Spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Mammals: A study by UC Davis and the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) in Argentina documents the first transnational spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in mammals, with significant outbreaks among elephant seals in Argentina. The virus has adapted to mammals, raising concerns about potential transmission to humans. This finding underscores the urgent need for continued monitoring and research on the virus's impact on wildlife and public health.

Oral Insulin Drops Offer Relief for Diabetes Patients: Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed sublingual insulin drops, providing a needle-free alternative for diabetes management. These drops, containing insulin and a cell-penetrating peptide, are absorbed quickly and efficiently under the tongue. This method, which avoids the degradation of insulin in the stomach, could replace the need for multiple daily injections, significantly improving patients' quality of life.

Innovative Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Effective Against Colorectal Cancer: A new study from the Netherlands Cancer Institute has shown remarkable success using neoadjuvant immunotherapy to treat colorectal cancer. Patients receiving two cycles of immunotherapy before surgery saw a significant reduction in live tumor cells, with two-thirds showing no remaining cancer cells at surgery. This approach leverages the immune system's ability to target cancer cells more effectively than traditional chemotherapy, offering a promising alternative for high-risk colorectal cancer patients.

Injectable Gel Monitors Brain Injuries and Disappears: Researchers have developed biodegradable, wireless sensors that can monitor brain changes after injury or tumor treatment without invasive surgery. These gel-based sensors, tested on rats and pigs, effectively measure temperature, pH, and pressure for up to a month before dissolving. This innovation could be crucial for non-invasive brain monitoring, although further safety assessments are needed before human application.

ENVIRONMENT

Treated Wastewater and Sewage Sludge Introduce Tire Additives into Vegetables: A study led by the University of Vienna reveals that tire additives can enter the food chain through the use of treated wastewater and sewage sludge in agriculture. The research found detectable levels of these chemicals in leafy vegetables from Switzerland and Israel. Although concentrations are low, their presence raises concerns about potential ecological and toxicological impacts. This highlights the need for further investigation into the environmental and health implications of such contaminants.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Microsoft to Invest $3.2 Billion in AI Development in Sweden: Microsoft announced a $3.2 billion investment in Sweden to enhance its cloud and AI infrastructure over the next two years. This initiative will expand capacity at three data centers and train 250,000 people by 2027, leveraging Sweden's green energy policies. The investment aims to build world-leading AI data center infrastructure, supporting advancements in AI and data processing capabilities.

NASA's Quiet Supersonic Aircraft: NASA is preparing for the first flight of its X-59 aircraft, designed to fly faster than sound with a quieter "sonic thump" instead of a boom. This could lead to changes in regulations for commercial supersonic flights over land​.

Elon Musk's Neuralink Ready for Human Trials: Seeking Volunteers for Brain Implant Surgery: Elon Musk's brain-implant company, Neuralink, is preparing to begin its first human clinical trials after receiving approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Neuralink is recruiting volunteers to undergo a surgical procedure that involves implanting a brain-computer interface (BCI) device. This technology aims to help individuals with paralysis control devices like computer cursors through thought alone.

The surgical procedure, performed by a specialized robot, involves placing electrodes and super-thin wires into the brain. This initiative marks a significant milestone for Neuralink, which has faced previous challenges in gaining regulatory approval. The company aims to revolutionize the treatment of neurological disorders and enhance human cognitive and sensory functions.

3D Visualization for Hurricane Damage: Texas A&M researchers have developed 3D visualization technology to better predict and mitigate hurricane damage​.

Construction on World's Largest Battery Storage: Construction has begun on what is set to be the world's largest battery energy storage project, with a capacity of 1,040MW​.

MIT’s Brave Behind Bars Program: MIT's innovative program for incarcerated individuals has shown significant benefits in boosting digital literacy and reducing recidivism rates, highlighting the transformative power of education.

New Documentary on Innovation: MIT has co-produced an award-winning documentary, "Pathways to Invention," which celebrates innovation and curiosity, aiming to inspire the next generation of inventors​.

Technology Integration in Classrooms: The adoption of advanced technologies such as robotics, augmented reality, and 3D printing in STEM/STEAM education is on the rise, helping students engage with and understand complex concepts through hands-on learning​.

3D Printing and AI Education: High school curriculums are integrating subjects like color chemistry and AI, providing students with interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills relevant to future careers​.