Wild Birds Use Powerful Memories to Find Food

Hello and welcome to Saturday’s STEAM newsletter.

In today’s edition:

• Science - New Chemical Process Makes Textile Fibers Easier to Recycle, MIT Creates Synthetic Amber for DNA Storage, and more.

• Engineering - Clever Clothes: Seams in Clothing Capture Body Movement, Seeing the Invisible: Innovative Tech Lets Cars Peek Around Corners, New Graphene Membranes Revolutionize CO₂ Capture with High Efficiency, and more.

• Space - Probing Spacetime Symmetries via Gravitational Wave Memory, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Millions at Risk: Alarm Raised Over Widespread Aspirin Use in Older Adults, and more.

• Environment - AI Technology Detects Nanoplastics Instantly, Advocating for Agroecology to Enhance Food Security, and more.

• Nature - Wild Birds Use Powerful Memories to Find Food, Pongamia Trees Replace Citrus, Offering Renewable Energy and Protein, Mysterious Origin of the Ribbontail Ray’s Electric Blue Spots Revealed, and more.

• Industry - U.S. Military Invests $46 Million in Artificial Blood Development, and more.

See you 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

New Chemical Process Makes Textile Fibers Easier to Recycle: Researchers have developed a chemical process that enhances the recyclability of textile fibers, making it simpler to break down and reuse materials like polyester and cotton. This innovation addresses the significant waste problem in the textile industry by improving the efficiency of fiber recovery and reducing the environmental impact. The new method promises to support sustainable fashion and circular economy practices by enabling easier recycling of clothing and other textile products.

MIT Creates Synthetic Amber for DNA Storage: MIT researchers have developed a glassy, amber-like polymer that can store DNA at room temperature, eliminating the need for freezing. This new method, called T-REX (Thermoset-REinforced Xeropreservation), embeds DNA in the polymer, protecting it from damage and allowing easy retrieval. This advancement offers a sustainable solution for long-term storage of genetic material and digital data, inspired by the concept of preserving DNA in amber, similar to the idea popularized by "Jurassic Park."

Scientists Visualize Magnetic Fields at Atomic Level: Researchers have used advanced microscopy techniques to visualize magnetic fields at the atomic scale. This breakthrough allows scientists to observe the intricate details of magnetic interactions within materials, providing insights into their fundamental properties. This visualization technique could lead to advancements in developing new materials for electronics, data storage, and quantum computing.

AI "Super-Human Eye" Enhances Understanding of Brain Neurons: Kyushu University researchers in Japan developed QDyeFinder, an AI tool that uses advanced color-coding and machine learning to map brain neurons. This system automatically identifies and reconstructs individual neurons, improving the accuracy and efficiency of neuron mapping. QDyeFinder's success could advance neuroscience by providing deeper insights into brain connectivity and potentially aiding in the study of other complex cell types like cancer and immune cells.

Closer Look at How Cell Toxins and Radionuclides Interact: Researchers have developed a novel imaging technique to study how toxins and radionuclides interact with cells at the nanoscale. This method provides high-resolution, three-dimensional views of these interactions, revealing detailed mechanisms of cellular damage and repair. Such insights could improve understanding of toxic exposure effects and aid in developing protective strategies against environmental hazards.

ENGINEERING

Clever Clothes: Seams in Clothing Capture Body Movement: Researchers have developed innovative "smart" clothing with seams that can capture and interpret body movements. These garments incorporate conductive threads and sensors to track motions, offering potential applications in healthcare, sports, and entertainment. The smart seams provide a comfortable, unobtrusive way to monitor physical activity, enabling real-time feedback and improving user experience in various fields.

Seeing the Invisible: Innovative Tech Lets Cars Peek Around Corners: Researchers from MIT and Meta have developed PlatoNeRF, a technology combining multibounce lidar and machine learning, enabling autonomous vehicles to detect hidden obstacles by using shadows to generate precise 3D reconstructions. This innovation not only enhances vehicle safety but also benefits AR/VR and robotics by creating accurate models of environments. PlatoNeRF's advanced capabilities promise significant improvements in scene reconstruction and real-world applications.

New Graphene Membranes Revolutionize CO₂ Capture with High Efficiency: Researchers at EPFL have created graphene membranes that enhance carbon dioxide capture efficiency by incorporating pyridinic nitrogen at the pore edges. This results in high selectivity and permeance, making the method simple, scalable, and ideal for large-scale industrial applications. This breakthrough promises more efficient and cost-effective carbon capture technologies, contributing significantly to environmental sustainability efforts.

SPACE

Probing Spacetime Symmetries via Gravitational Wave Memory: Researchers at Gran Sasso Science Institute and SISSA have explored using gravitational wave memory to study fundamental spacetime symmetries. This phenomenon, predicted by general relativity, could reveal new insights into gravitational waves and the nature of spacetime. Their study suggests that observing displacement and spin memory could test these symmetries, potentially bridging gaps in our understanding of general relativity and quantum mechanics. This research could expand tests of general relativity and inspire further investigations using advanced gravitational wave detectors.

The Mystery of Aganippe Fossa on Mars: Aganippe Fossa, a dark, 600-km-long groove at the foot of Mars's Arsia Mons volcano, presents a fascinating geological feature. Likely formed by magma activity causing the crust to crack, this scar exhibits both hummocky and lobate terrain. Mars Express’s High Resolution Stereo Camera captured these images, revealing details about Mars's volcanic and glacial history. Understanding such features helps scientists learn more about Mars's geological processes and environmental history.

Mystery of Uranus' Curiously Weak Radiation Belts: Scientists have found that Uranus has unusually weak radiation belts compared to other planets in the solar system. This discovery was made using data from the Voyager 2 spacecraft and ground-based telescopes. The weak radiation belts may be due to Uranus's unique magnetic field and its interaction with the solar wind. This new understanding could help scientists learn more about the planet's magnetosphere and its overall environment.

Energetics of the Compressive Solar Corona: Researchers have uncovered new insights into the energetic processes of the Sun's corona. By analyzing data from the Parker Solar Probe, scientists observed compressive waves and magnetic field fluctuations that significantly contribute to the heating of the corona. These findings enhance our understanding of solar physics and the mechanisms driving solar wind acceleration, which impacts space weather and technological systems on Earth.

Light: The Key to Understanding the Universe's History: Astronomers use light to decode the universe's history, relying on advanced telescopes like JWST. By analyzing different wavelengths of light from celestial objects, they can infer various properties such as composition, distance, and age. This helps them reconstruct the events that shaped the cosmos, from the birth of stars to the formation of galaxies. The detailed data provided by light reveals the underlying mechanisms driving the universe's evolution, offering insights into phenomena like black holes and cosmic expansion.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Millions at Risk: Alarm Raised Over Widespread Aspirin Use in Older Adults: A recent study reveals that despite updated guidelines, many older adults continue using aspirin for cardiovascular disease prevention without medical advice. This widespread practice persists despite the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association advising against it for primary prevention. Researchers emphasize the need for physicians to actively inquire about aspirin use and educate patients on its risks and benefits, as inappropriate use remains common among those aged 60 and older.

Scientists Identify Thousands of High-Risk Cancer Gene Variants: Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute in the UK and collaborators have identified over 5,000 genetic variants in the BAP1 gene that significantly increase cancer risk. Published in Nature Genetics, the study reveals that these variants disrupt the BAP1 protein, which normally protects against cancers of the eye, lung lining, brain, skin, and kidney. Elevated IGF-1 hormone levels were also linked to these harmful variants, suggesting new therapeutic targets for cancer prevention and treatment.

New Iron IUDs Aim to Revolutionize Contraceptive Technology: Researchers at the University of Western Ontario are developing a new iron-based intrauterine device (IUD) to provide a gentler, non-hormonal contraceptive alternative to the copper IUD, which often causes significant side effects. The interdisciplinary team aims to reduce the inflammatory response associated with copper IUDs by using iron or zinc combined with a polymer coating. This project, supported by the Western Interdisciplinary Development Initiative, involves chemists, medical practitioners, and social scientists to ensure the new IUD is effective, accessible, and culturally sensitive.

Diabetes Drugs Like Ozempic Lower Cancer Risks: Study: A study published in JAMA found that GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic, are associated with a reduced risk of developing certain obesity-related cancers. The study compared patients with Type 2 diabetes treated with GLP-1 agonists versus insulin and found significantly lower risks for 10 out of 13 cancers, including kidney, pancreatic, and liver cancer. These findings suggest that GLP-1 treatments may break the link between obesity and cancer.

Controlling Appetite: Scientists Identify Neurons Linked to Feeling Full: Researchers have discovered that GLP-1 receptor agonists, drugs that mimic a gut hormone, can enhance feelings of fullness by acting on neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus. This finding helps explain how these medications aid in obesity management by influencing the brain's response to food cues and perceptions, potentially preventing overeating.

ENVIRONMENT

AI Technology Detects Nanoplastics Instantly: Researchers have developed AI technology that can detect nanoplastics in real-time, improving environmental monitoring and health safety. This innovative approach uses machine learning algorithms to analyze samples and identify nanoplastics, which are difficult to detect with traditional methods. The technology promises faster, more accurate detection, aiding efforts to address pollution and protect ecosystems.

Advocating for Agroecology to Enhance Food Security: A recent study advocates for the adoption of agroecology to improve food security and environmental sustainability. Agroecology emphasizes the use of ecological principles in farming, promoting biodiversity, reducing chemical inputs, and supporting sustainable practices. Researchers argue that this approach can address food production challenges while mitigating climate change impacts and preserving ecosystems.

Dust Pollution from Shrinking Great Salt Lake Disproportionately Affects Communities: Research from the University of Utah reveals that wind-blown dust from the shrinking Great Salt Lake disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities, particularly Hispanic neighborhoods. The study highlights how restoring the lake to healthy water levels could alleviate these social inequities and reduce harmful dust exposure. The findings emphasize the need for environmental justice alongside ecological restoration.

Alaska's Glaciers Near Irreversible Tipping Point: Researchers have found that the Juneau Icefield's top-heavy glaciers in Alaska are melting at an accelerated rate, nearing an irreversible tipping point. Due to rising temperatures, less snow remains through summer, exposing more ice to melt. This feedback loop is causing glaciers to thin rapidly and could lead to continuous loss even if global warming stops. Data shows significant acceleration in ice loss since 1979, highlighting the urgent need for climate action.

Southern Australia Likely to Face More Cold Snaps Due to Climate Change: New research suggests that southern Australia will experience more frequent and intense cold snaps despite global warming trends. The study highlights that climate change can lead to increased variability in weather patterns, resulting in both hotter summers and colder winters. This paradoxical effect is attributed to shifting atmospheric circulation patterns that can bring polar air masses further north.

NATURE

Wild Birds Use Powerful Memories to Find Food: A study by the University of Cambridge reveals that blue and great tits birds possess episodic-like memory, enabling them to remember what, where, and when they found food. This research, the first of its kind involving wild birds, shows that these birds can adapt to changes in food availability, suggesting a flexible and advanced memory system. Such abilities may help them cope with environmental changes, potentially influenced by human-provided food sources.

Pongamia Trees Replace Citrus, Offering Renewable Energy and Protein: In Florida, pongamia trees are replacing decimated citrus groves, offering sustainable biofuel and plant-based protein. Unlike citrus, pongamia thrives with minimal care, no pesticides, and in varied climates. Terviva, a company utilizing these trees, has developed methods to make the bitter beans edible, creating products like table oil and protein bars. This transition supports biodiversity and provides a scalable, eco-friendly crop alternative.

Mysterious Origin of the Ribbontail Ray’s Electric Blue Spots Revealed: Researchers have uncovered the mechanisms behind the bluespotted ribbontail ray's vibrant blue spots. These colors are created by nanostructures in the skin, reflecting specific wavelengths of light. The stable 3D arrangement of these nanostructures ensures the color remains constant from different angles. This discovery has potential applications in developing chemical-free dyes for textiles and flexible displays, inspired by the stingray's natural coloration.

New Venomous Viper Species Discovered in China: Researchers have identified a new species of venomous viper, Ovophis jenkinsi, in Yunnan, China. Named in honor of herpetologist Robert Jenkins, this medium-sized snake exhibits distinctive trapezoidal patches and aggressive behavior when threatened. Found in the tropical montane rainforest, the snake prefers cool, humid conditions and is active mainly in autumn. This discovery highlights Yunnan's rich biodiversity and the importance of continued ecological research in the region.

Mosquito Bloodlust Driven by Two Key Hormones: Recent research has identified two hormones, neuropeptide F (NPF) and RYamide, as critical regulators of mosquitoes' blood-feeding behavior. NPF levels spike when mosquitoes are seeking a host, driving their attraction to humans. After a blood meal, NPF levels drop, and RYamide levels increase, which suppresses the appetite for blood. These findings could lead to new methods for controlling mosquito behavior and reducing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, Zika, and yellow fever.

The 'Smartest' Animals on Earth: An article by Popular Science highlights the intelligence of several animals, such as elephants, dogs, pigs, dolphins, parrots, crows, and octopuses. These animals demonstrate remarkable cognitive abilities, including problem-solving, communication, tool use, and emotional understanding, showcasing their complex and sophisticated behaviors. Key examples include:

• Elephants: Known for strong social bonds and problem-solving skills.

• Dogs: Capable of understanding human emotions and learning words.

• Pigs: Exhibit tool use and can play video games.

• Dolphins: Communicate complexly and assist humans.

• Parrots: Solve logic puzzles and use video conferencing.

• Crows: Use tools and count.

• Octopuses: Recognize humans and solve problems.

INDUSTRY

U.S. Military Invests $46 Million in Artificial Blood Development: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has committed $46 million to develop a field-deployable, shelf-stable artificial whole blood substitute. This initiative, led by Dr. Allan Doctor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, aims to create a synthetic blood product that can be stored at room temperature, making it ideal for use in combat and remote settings where traditional blood supplies are not feasible.

The project involves integrating artificial red blood cells, synthetic platelets, and freeze-dried plasma, utilizing advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize and test the product's safety and efficacy. The artificial blood is expected to perform critical functions such as delivering oxygen, stopping bleeding, and replacing lost blood volume in trauma patients.

This innovation could revolutionize emergency medical care in both military and civilian contexts by providing a reliable blood substitute that doesn't rely on donor blood and is easily transportable and storable without refrigeration​

Cybercrime Groups Restructuring After Major Takedowns: Cybercrime gangs are reorganizing following significant law enforcement operations in 2024 that disrupted groups like LockBit. Despite these setbacks, new gangs are emerging, adopting both traditional ransomware and potential physical threats. Experts warn that these new groups, which have already launched extortion websites, could quickly become effective, suggesting a possible resurgence in ransomware attacks due to the high financial incentives.

NASA's Firefly Aerospace Rocket to Launch CubeSats: NASA's collaboration with Firefly Aerospace will see the launch of CubeSats into orbit. This mission, set to expand the capabilities of small satellite technology, aims to enhance scientific research and data collection from space. CubeSats offer a cost-effective and flexible solution for a range of space missions, from Earth observation to deep space exploration, showcasing the potential for future advancements in aerospace technology.