~new-atlas-new-techn | Bookmarks (1069)

NASA has confirmed that its Parker Solar Probe is safe and fully operational after its Christmas Eve close encounter with the Sun. On December 24, 2024, the robotic probe came within a record 3.8 million miles (6.1 million km) of the Sun's surface.Continue ReadingCategory: Space, ScienceTags: Sun, NASA, Parker Solar Probe

On the heels of eVTOL startup Lilium shutting down, air taxi builder Volocopter may close its doors having filed for insolvency due to lack of funds. On December 26, 2024, the Karlsruhe Local Court in Germany placed the company in administration.Continue ReadingCategory: Aircraft, TransportTags: Volocopter, Air Taxis, eVTOL

We often see the results of evolution, but not the process directly. Now, scientists have been treated to front row seats of evolution unfolding in real time, as two similar lizard species encounter each other for the first time and quickly adapt to fill different roles.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, ScienceTags: Animal science, Animals, Reptile, Evolution, Georgia Tech, Environment

After a rough spell over the last few years, Californian electric motorcycle startup Onyx might finally be getting on track and bringing its neo-retro-style e-mopeds back to the market. In a LinkedIn post this week spotted by TechCrunch, founder Timothy Seward announced a limited run of 100 two-wheelers arriving this month.Continue ReadingCategory: TransportTags: Electric Motorcycles, Moped

Even though full-body gaming systems like Wii were made obsolete by VR technology, that hasn't stopped US startup Rebuff Reality from getting in on the act. The company's new BodyLink gaming platform is set to pick up where the likes of Kinect left off.Continue ReadingCategory: Games, Consumer Tech, TechnologyTags: Kickstarter, Wii, Kinect, Motion Controller

A stage of sleep – reflected in the size of our pupils – is important to committing recent memories to the brain, which could be manipulated to improve cognitive function and even identify issues with being able to recall newer experiences when awake.Continue ReadingCategory: Learning & Memory, Brain Health, Body & MindTags: Cornell University, Sleep, Neuroscience, Memory, Cognitive functioning, neurons

In a quiet Alpine village on the South Island of New Zealand, a tiny company run by a 71-year-old billionaire is hard at work bringing his seemingly impossible dream to life: developing a publicly available track car that could potentially go faster than an F1 racecar.Continue ReadingCategory: Automotive, TransportTags: Hypercar, Racing, F1

It can't be easy for architects to make their mark in such a skyscraper-packed location as Dubai, but Foster + Partners has certainly managed it. The influential firm has designed a pair of eye-catching towers that are linked by an exclusive penthouse swimming pool at the top.Continue ReadingCategory: Architecture, LifestyleTags: Building and Construction, Dubai, Skyscrapers, Luxury

A new study has identified one of the reasons why cancer frequently spreads from elsewhere in the body to the lungs: an amino acid called aspartate. The findings improve our understanding of cancer and open the door to new treatments for metastatic disease.Continue ReadingCategory: Cancer, Illnesses and conditions, Body & MindTags: Lung cancer, Breast cancer, Metastasis, Amino Acids, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie

This year has produced a stunning amount of ambitious architecture. From a futuristic skyscraper city that will host millions, to the plan for the world's tallest timber tower, here's our pick of the top 10 most ambitious architecture projects of 2024.Continue ReadingCategory: Architecture, LifestyleTags: best-of-2024, Building and Construction, World's Tallest, World's Longest, Saudi Arabia

We’re encouraged to drink more water because ‘it’s good for us.’ Now, a new study has tested that claim, examining the evidence from previous studies to see whether increasing the amount of water you drink really does provide health benefits.Continue ReadingCategory: Wellness & Healthy Living, Body & MindTags: Water, Health, Weight Loss, UCSF

Some of Zaha Hadid Architects' most eye-catching work has involved skyscrapers, and the firm continues this trend with a remarkable futuristic sculpted tower that's currently under construction in Shenzhen, China.Continue ReadingCategory: Architecture, LifestyleTags: Building and Construction, Skyscrapers, Zaha Hadid, Shenzhen

Arctic Trucks is an overlanding outfitter building vehicles capable of entering the Arctic Circle and returning to tell the tale. In North America, that vehicle is a Ford F-550 with a long list of mods. And I got to head into the Wyoming wilderness with it.Continue ReadingCategory: Automotive, TransportTags: Arctic Trucks, Overland Expo, Off-road

The Shell Starship Initiative is an experiment on wheels. It focuses on energy-efficient truck design using technologies currently available while simultaneously testing lubricants and tech that are near-to-market. I was once a truck driver and I found the work Shell is doing here to be fascinating.Continue ReadingCategory: TransportTags: Truck, Fuel efficiency

Cuneiform, the world's oldest form of writing, involved making indentations in clay tablets. Scientists have now developed a data storage system that's like cuneiform on steroids – and it's capable of storing more data than a typical hard disc drive.Continue ReadingCategory: Good Thinking, LifestyleTags: Flinders University, Data Storage

Board-sports video games can certainly be a lot of fun, but let's be honest – sitting on the coach and twiddling a joystick isn't much like real snowboarding or skateboarding. That's where the BoarDrop system comes in, as it puts players on an actual multi-purpose board.Continue ReadingCategory: Games, Consumer Tech, TechnologyTags: Snowboarding, Skateboard, Fitness, Kickstarter

If you're an audiophile looking for an inexpensive new fix, this one's for you. Hong Kong-based Hidizs has packed a tiny but capable DAC into a USB-C cable that connects to IEMs (in-ear monitors), so you can enjoy greater detail in lossless audio from your phone or laptop on the go.Continue ReadingCategory: Consumer Tech, TechnologyTags: Kickstarter, Audiophile, Earphones, Audio

Italian and Japanese researchers have developed a novel method to free copper wire from its PVC coating, by treating electric cables with microwaves. The technique could go a long way towards helping tackle the growing problem of e-waste.Continue ReadingCategory: Materials, ScienceTags: E-waste, Recycling, Cable, Cords, University of Pavia

As the rather odd and chaotic year of 2024 comes to a close, it seems somewhat fitting that the animal science story that captured everyone's imagination was the news that researchers had worked out why orcas were sinking expensive boats off the coast of Spain.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, ScienceTags: Animal science

It's been another strong year for new research into the health benefits of natural foods and extracts, some of which have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Be it weight loss, cell repair, inflammation or heart health, so-called 'superfoods' may not be miracle cures, but this year evidence suggested certain ones were more than just wellness hype. Meanwhile, experts also highlighted how too...

While tobacco and alcohol are known to increase the risk of head and neck cancer, new research has found the amount of coffee and tea we drink can have a protective effect, reducing the risk of developing these sorts of cancers. Yes, even decaf.Continue ReadingCategory: Cancer, Illnesses and conditions, Body & MindTags: Head and neck cancer, Coffee, Tea, Bioactive compounds, University of Utah

Back in 2019, Chasing Innovation introduced what was and still is the world's least expensive underwater drone, the Dory. The Chinese company is now offering a new version of the li'l remote-control sub, that comes complete with a joystick remote, metal detector and treasure-collecting net.Continue ReadingCategory: Drones, Consumer Tech, TechnologyTags: Underwater drones, Remote-Control

Consumer Reports' brand reliability report for 2024 has been released. According to the survey, the brands that make up the top five remain the same as last year, but it is Subaru which now holds the #1 spot, becoming the single most reliable car brand.Continue ReadingCategory: Automotive, TransportTags: Subaru, Toyota, Lexus, Reliability

I was floored by Husqvarna's already exquisite Vitpilen 801 neo-retro café racer when the 2025 model was unveiled in October. The Swedish marque has now unveiled a Custom concept to give people a taste of what they can expect in the future, building on the original with some tasty upgrades that I'd actually be quite happy to pay a premium for.Continue ReadingCategory: Motorcycles, TransportTags:...