Features of the week
MaterialsScience
Retina e-paper promises screens 'visually indistinguishable from reality'
by Michael Franco
In what could be an industry shifting breakthrough, researchers have created a screen about the size of a human pupil with a resolution that breaks through the limits of pixels. The invention could radically change virtual reality and other applications.
ArchitectureTechnology
Power lines go wild with giant animal pylons
by Adam Williams
Nobody really enjoys seeing power lines, but maybe they could be turned from an eyesore into a local point of pride. Such is the thinking behind this creative project that transforms power line pylons into huge animal sculptures.
BicyclesTransport
Absolutely basic bike decimates the world wheelie record by nearly 2x
by Joe Salas
For six and a half hours, Oscar Delaite pedaled his Rose Bikes Sneak on just the back wheel, obliterating the old wheelie record of 50.7 miles (81.59 km).
GearOutdoors
Review: First outdoors exoskeleton puts real power in your stride
by Bronwyn Thompson
The Hypershell Pro X exoskeleton might be the closest we'll get – in this age, at least – to being able to instantly tap into a type of superpower, and once you've experienced it, it's hard to go back to just using the legs nature gave you.
Top Stories: Transport
Bringing trains back: Rail's surprising role in a sustainable future
by Chelsea Haney
In a world looking to reduce carbon emissions, there are growing calls to look back to trains. Not as a nostalgic nod to the past, but as a cornerstone of climate strategy. Rail isn’t only about efficiency, but also equity and reconnecting rural regions.
Indian Motorcycle turns independent after Polaris sell-off
by Utkarsh Sood
“Polaris and Indian Motorcycle both stand to benefit from this deal…” tipped Polaris Chief Executive Officer Mike Speetzen after it was revealed that it had sold a major chunk of its share in Indian Motorcycle to Carolwood LP, a private equity firm.
Slim axial disc motor cranks out market-contorting power per kilo
by C.C. Weiss
The axial flux electric motor pioneers at YASA are at it again. Just three months after sending tremors through the electric motor market with an unofficial world-record power density that trounced the nearest competitor, it's bested its own mark.
Rivian's spinoff brand is building one ebike to rule them all
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
Rivian spin-off Also, which is focused on building simple and accessible vehicles, is attempting the seemingly impossible: taking on just about every ebike out there with one fell swoop. That swoop is the TM-B.
Special Promotion for New Atlas readers:
Beat the holidays with Sam’s Club membership at $15! Ends October 31
The holidays are around the corner, and so are price hikes. Groceries, gifts, gas — everything’s up and will only go higher. But you can find solace and savings at Sam’s Club with exclusive savings on everything from Thanksgiving turkeys to 4K TVs.
Top stories: Body & Mind
Most 'gluten sensitivity' is not actually caused by gluten
by Bronwyn Thompson
For years, millions of people have sworn that gluten makes them ill – even if they've returned negative results when tested for coeliac disease. Now, researchers have found that it's far more complicated, and gluten itself may not be the culprit.
Bowel cancer’s “sugar shield” removed to reawaken immune defenses
by Paul McClure
In a world-first breakthrough, scientists have discovered how a sugary “cloak” helps bowel cancer hide from the immune system, and how stripping it away could turn the body’s anti-cancer defenses back on.
Pioneering eye implant restores reading vision to the blind
by Pranjal Malewar
Stanford researchers and global collaborators have developed a wireless retinal implant called PRIMA that's helping people with untreatable eyesight loss see not just light, but actual shapes and patterns – what scientists call form vision.
Bright light at night is hell on your heart, says new large study
by Michael Franco
After examining 13 million hours of light exposure data, researchers found that experiencing bright light during the dark hours can significantly increase the risk of heart failure and heart attack. The effect was most notable in younger adults.
Top Stories: Outdoor
Bombproof camper capsule from Aussie 4x4 pioneer lands in USA
by C.C. Weiss
For 50 years, Australian overland pioneer ARB has offered essentials to help make unnavigable terrain navigable and temporarily habitable. After launching its first camper trailer 2 years ago, it's bringing the rugged expandable base camp to the US.
Li'l triple-walled charcoal grill sets out to sear like the big boys
by Ben Coxworth
Toby Roberts is a restauranteur who previously invented a special type of charcoal and a grill that uses it, both of which are now utilized in restaurants. Well, he's now created a mini version for home use, and it comes with the charcoal.
Road-ready tiny house packs big home comforts into 305 sq ft
by Adam Williams
The Gambier has a length of just 30 ft. Despite its compact dimensions, its clever interior provides a feature-packed towable home that's a good fit for regular travel and well-suited to a couple or small family.
Leatherman's iconic bestselling multitool gets sharpest update ever
by C.C. Weiss
With DNA linking back to Leatherman's original PST multitool, the Wave has long served as a cornerstone for the brand. Now it evolves into the Wave Alpha, adding serious cutting muscle while improving upon its staple one-handed operation and grip.
Top Stories: Technology
Asymmetric bridge claims world record for starchitect designer
by Adam Williams
ZHA is nearing completion on a new record-breaking crossing. Billed as the world's longest single-mast asymmetric cable-stayed bridge, its eye-catching form is also designed to "minimize impeding sunset views from popular viewpoints along the river."
Toilet-mounted camera takes photos of your poop so you don't have to
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
For just $600, you can finally say goodbye to the tedious hassle of snapping pictures of your excrement every day in the bathroom – Kohler's new camera will automatically do it for you. It's for your gut health, promise.
X-BAT combat drone blends VTOL, stealth and speed
by David Szondy
It seems like autonomous aircraft makers are indulging in a bit of oneupsmanship as Shield AI rolls out its X-BAT VTOL Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) that combines the ability to land and take off without a runway with long-range endurance.
Fender’s Godzilla Strat: Monster guitar, politely placed jack
by Barry Divola
Fender's Masterbuilt Godzilla guitar incorporates some interesting and unique electronics, and an iconic look like no other. But it was missing a certain 'wakarimasen...' Until now. You're welcome.
Top Stories: Science
Yes, it rains on the Sun and scientists have finally worked out why
by Pranjal Malewar
Did you know it rains on the Sun? Not water, of course. It's solar rain, which occurs in the Sun's corona, the outermost layer composed of intensely hot plasma. Astronomers have finally figured out the science behind this strange phenomenon.
New Space Armor shields satellites from hypersonic space debris
by David Szondy
With satellites orbiting the Earth exploding into tens of thousands of pieces, the danger of collisions with space debris is a major problem, so Atomic-6 has developed new Space Armor tiles that are lighter and more effective than current systems.
The bug that defeated Napoleon's army in Russia isn't what we thought
by Michael Franco
One of the first events to signal the collapse of Napoleon's reign was his crushing defeat after an invasion of Russia in 1812. Researchers have long thought that the disease typhus played a role, but modern DNA analysis paints a different picture.
Rocket launches are blasting a new hole in our ozone layer
by Chelsea Haney
As private companies make spaceflight routine, Earth’s upper atmosphere has become a testing ground with each launch leaving residues that react with ozone, thinning the layer that shields life below. It’s a problem scientists are just beginning to quantify.
Let us know what you’d like more or less of in this weekly roundup - just reply to this email and we’ll take it on board!
Get your next issue ad-free – and support our work – join New Atlas Plus!