Today we look forward to a new era of flexible chassis design for next-gen vehicles, and back to the early formation of our solar system – where a gas giant helped save the Earth from being consumed by our star.
AI makes two appearances too, in an ambitious project designed to sequence the genomes of 1.85 million species, and as a tool to help digital bookworms get the best from their eye-friendly reading experience. Lots more elsewhere. Enjoy !
Paul Ridden
Headliner
Honda bucks a century of automotive thought with new flexible chassis design
by Aaron Turpen
Since the dawn of automotive, engineers have worked to make the chassis of a vehicle stiffer. Engineering blue pills for a car’s chassis were all the rage. Honda has now decided that more motion in the ocean is better.
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Highlights
Landmark bat study reveals how neurons "store memories as an orchestra"
by Malcolm Azania
For the first time, scientists have recorded hundreds of hippocampal cells in flying bats simultaneously to show how bats store memories not just of individual places, but as entire maps. The study could lead to cures for neurological disorders.
Mod multitool lets you bring 14 functions into the deep, dark woods
by Ben Coxworth
When it comes to venturing into the wilderness, you can never be too prepared … right? The folks at Tavaker seem to think so, which is why they've packed a saw, knife, screwdriver, firestarter and 10 other functions into their self-named multitool.
More Stories
Like living on Earth? Thank Jupiter
by David Szondy
If you've ever wondered why we are here, then you can thank Jupiter for part of the answer. A new study from Rice University suggests that if it weren't for the gas giant, the Earth would have spiraled into the Sun during its formation.
Stealthy 7-person camper van drives the day-to-day, bugs out on demand
by C.C. Weiss
We've seen in-vehicle camping modules of all sizes, and a new one from Renault might just be the sleekest of all. It transforms the company's Escapade from a simple sleeper van to a full camper van that still works as an everyday 7-seat MPV.
4G e-reader puts on-page AI assistance in your pocket
by Paul Ridden
It doesn't seem too long ago that E Ink reading devices were all the rage, but new developments don't seem to create the same buzz as before. Viwoods is hoping to change that with the pocket-friendly AiPaper Reader.
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How AI is sequencing the genomes of all known living species on Earth
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
An ambitious plan to generate sequence genomes for 1.85 million species on our planet is underway. It's a major undertaking that'll dramatically enhance our understanding of biology, and inform conservation efforts. Thankfully, AI is lending a hand.
Massive spherical building stacks apartments above a sports arena
by Adam Williams
MVRDV is known for its extraordinary designs and its latest project is no exception. Named Grand Ballroom, it will take the form of a spherical building that hosts a sports arena, hotel, and residences inside.
Brain development in children linked to mother's PFAS chemical exposure
by Jay Kakade
New research had made a striking link between a mother’s exposure to “forever chemicals” during pregnancy and the shape of her child’s brain at age five. The findings can't say whether these changes are positive or negative.
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