Knowledge is power, but sometimes it can be awfully scary to learn new things. We now know that an especially aggressive type of brain cancer not only affects the brain, but also the immune system – and it even eats away at the skull. Bron has the scoop on this alarming discovery, along with what it's teaching us about treatment.
Elsewhere, I gleaned through a fascinating project involving modified microbes that feed on carbon dioxide dissolved in seawater and transform it into ingredients we can use to make biodegradable plastic. There's also some neat survival gear to geek out on, including a portable power station and an aviator's ember. Get into all of it in today's issue below!
Highlights
This brain cancer eats through the skull to sabotage body’s defenses
by Bronwyn Thompson
For the first time, scientists have detailed how glioblastoma has a unique path of progression, aggressively gnawing away at the skull bone itself to affect marrow – explaining why drugs that are intended to impede its growth end up making it worse.
Ocean CO2 becomes sustainable plastic, thanks to modified microbes
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
Scientists in China have devised a way to capture carbon dioxide stored in seawater, and convert it into biodegradable plastic precursors. This approach could reduce the acidification effect of CO2 emissions in marine ecosystems, with an added bonus.
Aero engine-inspired pocket piston combusts fire out of thin air
by C.C. Weiss
The new Aviator's Ember from Aerohart applies aerospace-grade materials to an age-old design, providing powerful fire-starting performance that carries lightly in a pocket. Like an engine piston, it compresses air for fast, furious combustion.
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Review: Bluetti Elite 100 V2 portable power station lightens the load
by Noel McKeegan
Portable power stations keep getting smarter, smaller, and more practical – and Bluetti’s new Elite 100 V2 is no exception. We head to the campsite to see if this pint-sized powerhouse delivers.
Best moisturizers for treating scars: Sometimes, cheaper is better
by Paul McClure
Not all scar moisturizers are created equal. A new study shows that some of the cheapest, most basic creams outperform expensive, heavily marketed products, with one budget option topping the list for moisture retention and barrier repair.
GoPro gets back into the gimbal game – with the Fluid Pro AI
by Ben Coxworth
Although GoPro's Hero actioncams have featured digital image stabilization for quite some time, the company hasn't recently offered gimbals … but now it's doing so again. The Fluid Pro AI 3-axis gimbal not only tracks subjects, it also packs a light.
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8 years later, this MacBook Air still has life — and it’s under $200
When the MacBook Air first arrived, it brought elegant design, true mobility, and performance that fit real life. This refurbished 2017 model continues those same qualities, offering a sleek and reliable laptop experience even years later.
Recycled shipping containers form one-of-a-kind observation tower
by Adam Williams
The versatility of shipping containers ensures that architects never run out of ideas for using them as a building blocks. This example, by Atelier-r, uses a pair of the metal boxes to form a unique observation tower.
Autonomous combat aircraft unveiled as Europe’s loyal wingman
by David Szondy
Autonomous fighter planes are popping up all over the place these days as more air forces opt for pilotless loyal wingmen. The latest example is Europe's version, the multi-role Helsing CA-1 Europa, which has just made its public debut.
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