🌎 New Atlas stories of the week

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.