Features of the week
MotorcyclesTransport
How a steam-powered moto became the second-fastest bike in the world
by Utkarsh Sood
For most people, it’s hard to fathom what true speed on a motorcycle actually feels like. It's even harder to imagine what it would be like to be atop a steam-powered bike that covers a quarter of a mile at 192.94 mph (310.5 km/h) in just 5.503 seconds.
Tiny HousesOutdoors
Extra-wide tiny house provides apartment-like living for two
by Adam Williams
This extra-wide tiny house uses its increased width not to sleep more people or squeeze in extra features, but to create an open, apartment-like home for two. It also has lots of upgrades available and can be configured to run off-grid.
AircraftTransport
Interview: The avionics suite designed to let anyone fly a plane
by David Szondy
California-based aerospace company Airhart Aeronautics recently completed test flights of its new cockpit avionics suite for small planes at the company's Long Beach facility. We sat down with Airhart President Nate Thuli to learn more.
Home EntertainmentConsumer TechTechnology
Review: The crispiest wall-hugging laser projector we've seen yet
by Paul Ridden
The Aetherion Max UST projector is designed to be different. Not only does its angular housing help it make a bold statement, but the promise of pixel perfection right up to 200 inches should have big-screen TVs trembling. Let's have a closer look.
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More efficient cooling: Why mini splits are gaining ground in modern homes
Mini splits are quietly replacing traditional AC systems. With better efficiency, quieter performance, and flexible installation, they’re reshaping how – and when – homeowners approach climate control.
Top Stories: Transport
Stunning retro roadster is Morgan's fastest-ever creation
by Simon Heptinstall
The Morgan Motor Company’s new Supersport 400 is its fastest-ever model but still combines supercar performance with retro style and premium ingredients. It will emerge as a hand-built part-wooden roadster with a design that's based in the 1930s.
Mighty morphin' flap-less wings trialed on experimental aircraft
by Etiido Uko
Imagine looking out the window of an airborne airplane and seeing the wing rippling and twisting. You'll probably have a mini heart attack. Yet, this is what German engineers have created: prototype morphing wings that change their shape mid-flight.
Futuristic EV trike is trying to replace your bike – and maybe even your car
by Utkarsh Sood
Safety is a double-edged sword on motorcycles. Between the thrill of being on a bike and ensuring you’re safe out on the road, it’s a subtle balancing act. This unique three-wheeled electric leaning motorcycle tries to redefine motorcycle safety.
Production EV packing sub-zero-operation sodium-ion batteries on its way
by Omar Kardoudi
The world's first mass-production EV powered by sodium-ion batteries will be a variant of the Changan Nevo A06. Sporting CATL's Naxtra battery – which functions at –50 °C and won't catch fire – the move signals a genuine shift away from lithium.
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Top stories: Body & Mind
COPD symptoms and lung health improved by easy diet addition
by Bronwyn Thompson
Around 30 million Americans are living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. making it one of the deadliest health conditions we face. While frontline treatment is medicationn to manage symptoms, scientists have found a surprising natural ally.
Electrocuting coffee can identify the best brew for your buck
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
The lab techniques for accurately testing the qualities of a batch of coffee are out of reach, for even purists in search of the perfect cuppa joe. But what if you could instead electrocute your brew to determine if it's indeed good stuff?
Top Stories: Outdoor
Seriously small tiny house comes at an ultra-affordable price
by Adam Williams
For those who think tiny houses should actually be small and simple, the Mantra Micro Cabin fits the bill. This ultra-compact dwelling ditches the bells and whistles to sleep two for just $17,000.
DJI shrinks its 1-kWh power station into an impossibly small box
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
DJI's latest product for camping makes it a lot easier than before to power your electronics on the road. Its new 1-kWh power station is tiny for its battery capacity, so you can carry it easily and have room left for other gear.
Japanese glamping OG blows up the rooftop tent camping space
by C.C. Weiss
Years before we heard the term "glamping," we knew exactly what it was thanks largely to Snow Peak. The Japanese brand continues its legacy of crafting glamping gear with a unique rooftop tent combining an inflatable frame and signature features.
Magnetic dual-lamp torch doubles as an X-arc survival lighter
by Shirl Leigh
In my irascible opinion, there are never enough pockets in pants or backpacks for all the gadgets I need to tote around. With the arc-lighter-equipped Luxo multi-function flashlight however, that’s one less pocket taken up.
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Top Stories: Technology
AI neckband lets you talk without saying a word
by Omar Kardoudi
A wearable collar from researchers in South Korea can hear the words you never say out loud and play them back in your own voice. Built for laryngectomy patients and noisy industrial environments, it works where microphones can't.
The thinnest wireless OLED TV money can buy is now available
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
Since 2017, LG's been hard at work perfecting the wallpaper TV, a screen that practically blends into your space with all of its components crammed into an impossibly thin form factor. Its latest iteration is now available to pre-order.
Flat-faced dogs receive life-changing jab that could also benefit humans
by Bronwyn Thompson
A new injection that strengthens a mouth muscle may have a life-changing impact on the 90% of dogs that suffer from chronic respiratory issues. It has the potential to provide these flat-faced pooches with happier and longer lives, without surgery.
Mova robomower review: Absolute garbage, right up until it wasn't
by Joe Salas
This was hands down the most frustrating mower I've ever tested. So I rage quit and kicked it down the street to a neighbor's house.
Top Stories: Science
Are chatbots eroding our thinking skills?
by Simon Spichak
Despite the headlines, there’s limited evidence that using large language models – like Claude and ChatGPT – is rotting the brain. But there’s enough cause for concern.
A 2,200-year-old ship's life, charted from pollen and pitch
by Jules Roscoe
An ancient Roman ship was repaired multiple times, with multiple techniques, and in multiple places around the Adriatic Sea before it sank, a new study suggests. The findings highlight the expansive nature of trade and technical transfer in the Roman Republic.
Targeted: A bacterial culprit behind age-related memory decline
by Jay Kakade
The community of bacteria living in the intestines could be one of the drivers of memory loss in old age, says a new study. The finding could lead to new strategies to protect gut-brain communications and slow cognitive decline.
Juvenile Swedish salmon have a cocaine problem
by A. Ghoshal
A recently published marine biology study shines a light on yet another damaging effect of the global illegal drug trade. Cocaine dumped in rivers can alter the behavior of fish in those waters, causing them to venture out more than usual.
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