Headliner

Gene editing takes a major step toward ending daily cholesterol pills
by Bronwyn Thompson
A new CRISPR-based one-off therapy that lowers "bad" cholesterol is set to enter its Phase I trial. If successful, it could be the first approved genetic-editing method, replacing ongoing medication and slashing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Today’s newsletter sponsor
Not getting Windows 11 Pro for $10 is practically a crime
A faster, smarter, more secure Windows is just $9.97 right now. Windows 11 Pro brings a modern interface, stronger security, and built-in AI with Copilot—making this one of the easiest upgrades you can make before Feb. 1.
Highlights

New Nissan camper van is an electro-rustic wilderness lodge
by C.C. Weiss
The Nissan Interstar van is not a pretty machine. So to build an Interstar camper van that looks like a place we'd want to live is quite a feat. Nissan conversion partner Eiffeland has done just that, carving out a warm, rustic-modern roaming lodge.

Budget night vision with big sensor: Cigman CNVPro field-tested
by Joe Salas
The second I picked up the CNVPros, I thought to myself, "Are they heavy? Yeah? That means they're expensive, put 'em back." The nighttime 'nocs have a bit of heft to them, and they totally feel like they should cost way more than they do.
More Stories

Swingers and long-game players: The wild sex lives of beluga whales
by Bronwyn Thompson
For the first time, we know more than we ever expected to know about the sex lives of the majestic beluga whale. It's complicated, to say the least, but it also shows just how strategic nature is at keeping an isolated group of animals alive.

Modular electric guitars are the future of the iconic instrument
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
We're coming up on the 100th anniversary of the electric guitar, and it's been fascinating to hear how this simple instrument has altered the landscape of music in that time. Next-gen axes, though, are all about electronics and modularity.

The ship that cried wolf: Crews face an avalanche of alarms
by David Szondy
Sometimes safety becomes unsafe when it's carried too far. A new study by Lloyds Register reveals that ships, especially cruise ships, have so many alarms going off on the bridge that it's overwhelming crews and creating unsafe conditions.

Swingers and long-game players: The wild sex lives of beluga whales
by Bronwyn Thompson
For the first time, we know more than we ever expected to know about the sex lives of the majestic beluga whale. It's complicated, to say the least, but it also shows just how strategic nature is at keeping an isolated group of animals alive.

Modular electric guitars are the future of the iconic instrument
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
We're coming up on the 100th anniversary of the electric guitar, and it's been fascinating to hear how this simple instrument has altered the landscape of music in that time. Next-gen axes, though, are all about electronics and modularity.

The ship that cried wolf: Crews face an avalanche of alarms
by David Szondy
Sometimes safety becomes unsafe when it's carried too far. A new study by Lloyds Register reveals that ships, especially cruise ships, have so many alarms going off on the bridge that it's overwhelming crews and creating unsafe conditions.

Review: $99 mic offers quality and simplicity well beyond its price
by Bronwyn Thompson
If you've thought about upgrading your audio hardware beyond your phone, the Maono PD200W mic makes a strong case for it. It offers versatility, quality and a simplicity that isn't common with audio gear. And, just as important, it's under US$100.

Crazy new Ford camper van springs sideways into airy, adaptable duplex
by C.C. Weiss
One of the buzziest highlights of this year's CMT camper and travel show, the new Freescape camper van combines a flexible floor plan like nothing we recall seeing before with a unique patented pop-up roof system we definitely haven't seen before.

Jellyfish sleep just like us, and even take midday naps
by Jay Kakade
A new study reveals jellyfish not only sleep but do so for the same portion of their day as humans, spending about one-third of the day sleeping. The findings also suggest that sleep evolved way before the brain to help maintain cells under stress.

Futuristic keyboard snaps on modules for shortcuts and precise input
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
This might just be the most overengineered desktop gear I've ever come across. The Naya Connect system features four devices built around a modular keyboard to upgrade your setup with all kinds of shortcuts and tactile inputs.

Autonomous MQ-20 Avenger aces simulated air-to-air kill
by David Szondy
The software and hardware that will control tomorrow's combat drones got a workout on January 18, as a General Atomics MQ-20 Avenger showed off its capability by autonomously intercepting a crewed aggressor aircraft in an air combat exercise.

This phone is also basically a power bank for your other gadgets
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
If you're tired of running out of juice for your phone and other doodads on the go, Realme's got you. Its upcoming phone packs one of the biggest batteries around, and can also fast charge your devices. Talk about earning your keep in your EDC.
Elsewhere
China hosts first ice and snow competition for humanoids and robodogs.
Get your next issue ad-free – and support our work: join New Atlas Plus!
