What is the Fediverse and why does it matter?

Unlike Twitter, Mastodon's messages are distributed across independent servers with their own communities and rules. But it's just one example of this new breed of website which makes up the fediverse, which may just buck the trend of locking content behind walled gardens like Tw … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Experimental cancer drug repurposed to prevent Parkinson’s

As promising as a drug candidate may be, not all of them end up performing as hoped – but they can still find use. Researchers at Oxford University have managed to give second life to an experimental cancer drug known as tasquinimod, which has now shown promise in preventing Park … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Electrical stimulation of a brain region shows promise for treating depression

A new study from the University of California, San Francisco has found that electrically stimulating an area of the brain called the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) results in significant mood improvements for patients suffering from moderate to severe depression. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Richard Branson launches $3m challenge to reinvent the air conditioner

Launched this month, the Global Cooling Prize is a competition to help stop runaway climate change, by dangling US$3 million in prize money for the development of more energy-efficient cooling solutions. ​ | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Study finds most believe a conspiracy theory

In the largest ever academic study into belief in conspiracy theories, a team from the University of Cambridge polled people in nine countries to reveal how mainstream certain fringe conspiratorial views have become in recent years. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Prototype device listens to lungs to check the heart

One of the key symptoms of congestive heart failure is fluid accumulation in the lungs. Currently, people need to visit a clinic in order to check for such accumulation. Thanks to a new device, however, they may soon be able to perform checks whenever they want, in their own home … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Volvo's self-driving trucks get hired to cart limestone around a Norwegian mine

​​Volvo’s self-driving truck program has already opened up some interesting possibilities. And now the Swedish automaker is set to see how its robo-trucks fare in real-world scenarios, after inking its first commercial deal with a Norwegian resource company to cart limestone away … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Titanium 3D-printed wheel provides a glimpse of the future

​In a demonstration of what could be commercially possible within the near future, HRE Wheels recently teamed up with GE Additive’s AddWorks team to create the first-ever titanium wheel to be 3D-printed via Electron Beam Melting. The process is said to be more efficient than trad … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Newly discovered region of the brain could be part of what makes us unique

Despite plenty of study, we're still finding new parts of the brain. Professor George Paxinos AO (Order of Australia) has discovered a new region of the human brain that he says could be part of what makes us unique. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Lexus' new AI-written TV ad, and the rise of emotionally manipulative algorithms

Using a script written by IBM's Watson supercomputer, trained with a long list of award-winning luxury brand commercials and human emotional response data, Lexus has shot a TV ad digitally designed to make you feel things. Does it work? Well, kind of. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

World's first full-body medical scanner generates astonishing 3D images

After over decade of development, the world’s first full-body medical scanner has produced its first images. The groundbreaking imaging device is almost 40 times faster than current PET scans and can capture a 3D picture of the entire human body in one instant scan. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Lockheed begins manufacture of X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology aircraft

Commercial supersonic flight has left the drawing board with Lockheed Martin announcing fabrication of the first part of the X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) test aircraft has begun at the company's famous Skunk Works, setting the project on course for its maiden flight … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Experts caution over linking IVF technique to increased intellectual disability

A new study has revealed a possible association between intellectual disability and some specific forms of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Experts are urging caution when interpreting these results as it is unclear exactly what may be causing the increased rates of intell … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Earth is “drinking” more seawater than previously thought

A new study suggests that the mantle is home to much more water than was previously believed. Seismic activity around the Mariana Trench have revealed that subducting tectonic plates are dragging more water deeper into the Earth, which could change our understanding of the global … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Heart attack-detecting smartphone app almost as accurate as an ECG

A newly developed smartphone app has shown promise for determining if a person is suffering from a serious heart attack. A study into the app's accuracy revealed it was almost as effective as a traditional electrocardiogram (ECG)​ at identifying a serious form of heart attack. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

EEG measurements offer objective method of assessing pain

A team of researchers has developed a new method that is claimed to objectively measure pain levels. The system uses electroencephalography (EEG) to identify oscillations in certain brainwaves that have been found to clearly correlate with commonly used pain assessment tools. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

MDMA therapy achieves astounding 76% success rate for treating PTSD

Newly published results from a Phase 2 clinical trial into the efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in treating PTSD have revealed striking success, with 76 percent of subjects not meeting the standard clinical criteria for PTSD 12 months after receiving the treatment. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Autonomous Sikorsky helicopter makes piloting optional

​​Describing a helicopter as "optionally piloted" might not do much to comfort those onboard, but this is the future DARPA is aiming for with its Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS). | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Massive study into link between cell phones and cancer is almost irrelevant

After over 10 years of research, the National Toxicology Program has released its report into the effects of radio frequency radiation on animals. The results suggest that high levels of exposure can cause some cancers, however the conclusions have been labeled as “weak” and unre … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

ARCA's revolutionary aerospike engine completed and ready for testing (2017)

ARCA Space Corporation has announced its linear aerospike engine is ready to start ground tests. ​Designed to power the world's first operational Single-Stage-To-Orbit (SSTO) satellite launcher, the engine took only 60 days to complete from when fabrication began.​ | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Psilocybin therapy for depression granted Breakthrough Therapy status by FDA

The FDA has given psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression a Breakthrough Therapy status. This classification suggests the treatment has demonstrated significant potential in early clinical evidence, allowing the FDA to assist and expedite subsequent development and … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Prototype low-cost house is 3D-printed using mud

We've been following the work of Italian 3D-printing firm WASP (World's Advanced Saving Project) for some time but its latest creation is its most fascinating to date. It consists of a 3D-printed mud hut that was produced for just €900 (roughly US$1,000). | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Reuben Wu uses drones to paint surreal sci-fi landscapes with light

The spectacular photography of Reuben Wu blends a myriad of influences, from science fiction to 19th century romantic painting. Using a drone mounted with an LED, he literally paints the landscape with light to create eerie, otherworldly images. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

SoundBender levitates objects by curving sound waves around obstacles

Researchers at the University of Sussex have developed SoundBender, a technology that bends sound waves around obstacles to acoustically levitate objects above them. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

World's fastest camera shoots 10 trillion frames a second

The world’s fastest camera, developed by researchers at Caltech and INRS, captures the world at a mind-boggling 10 trillion frames per second – fast enough to probe the nanoscale interactions between light and matter. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Camper van with flex bed-garage and panoramic roof

A camper van that sleeps two people and two bikes is a recipe for a seriously fun summer (and spring and fall), especially if it can sleep all four at the same time. With its new Twin Supreme 640 SGX, Slovenian converter Adria creates that exact 2+2 camper van layout in a Fiat Du … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Transgenic plants could make for more nutritious salmon

​Although salmon are known to be a good source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, farmed fish typically contain much less of them than their wild counterparts. Norwegian scientists are working on a solution to that problem, in the form of fish feed made from a genetically-engineered … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

3D printed deep neural network uses light instead of electrons

It's a novel idea, using light diffracted through numerous plates instead of electrons. And to some, it might seem a little like replacing a computer with an abacus, but researchers at UCLA have high hopes for their quirky, shiny, speed-of-light artificial neural network. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Alpaca immune system delivers a potential new cancer treatment

Mostly known for its lustrous fleece and predilection for vigorous spitting, the humble alpaca may soon be more famous for its novel immune system. A study has discovered that the animals produce a unique nanobody that could be recruited into a new treatment for cancer. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Controversial study suggests child abuse may leave a detectable DNA biomarker

Striking new research from scientists at the University of British Columbia and Harvard University is suggesting that adults who were victims of abuse as children may carry an imprint of that trauma in regions of their DNA. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Manta rays may lead us to better water filtration

Most water filters work by a sieve principle, in which particles that are too big to pass through a filtration membrane's pores end up collecting on it. The problem is, such filters get clogged with trapped particles. The manta ray, however, has developed a work-around. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Japan lands bouncing robots on asteroid Ryugu

Japan has scored a space race double first by becoming the first nation to land not one, but two rovers on an asteroid. JAXA has confirmed that both of the robotic MINERVA-II1 spacecraft successfully deployed from the unmanned Haybusa2 probe and have touched down on the asteroid … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Guerilla habitation: This rooftop air duct is actually a micro-house in disguise

Like many major cities, London can be a very expensive place to live. However, PUP Architects has a novel idea for low-cost housing in the form of a micro-house disguised as an air duct unit. The project, called H-VAC, skirts planning laws and could be installed atop existing roo … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 5 years ago

Backpack that massages your back while you walk

Naina Parekh told us that lugging a heavy backpack around the halls at CES prompted her to follow through on an idea that had been running through her mind for months. That idea is the Eume backpack with built-in massager, designed to make your journey a little less of a strain. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 6 years ago

Russian Experimental In-flight charging gives drones unlimited autonomous range

Global Energy Transmission (GET) has pioneered a mid-air inductive recharging system that can charge up several drones at once without requiring them to land. Build enough of these stations, and you can have an army of drones in the air that never need to land. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 6 years ago

Molecule produced during fasting has anti-aging effect on vascular system

​Diets like intermittent fasting are proving wildly popular for their rapid weight-loss effects, but scientists are also starting to uncover how they might benefit the body in other ways. A molecule produced during fasting has now been found to apply the brakes to aging of the va … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 6 years ago

Interview: Dr. Michio Kaku on science, the future and the new space race

Renowned physicist and futurist Dr. Michio Kaku is about to start a speaking tour of New Zealand and Australia, speaking about no less weighty a topic than the future of humanity. We had a chance to speak to him about science, the new space race, AI and the greatest threats to hu … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 6 years ago

Super Magnesium alloy: Lighter than aluminum and cheaper than carbon fiber

The creators of a new high-strength, low-weight metal alloy hope it will find a place as a midpoint between carbon fiber and lightweight aluminum in bicycle manufacture. Allite Super Magnesium​ is lighter and stiffer than aluminum, but not as expensive as carbon fiber. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 6 years ago

RMK E2 – electric motorcycle with hubless rear-wheel drive

We've just received some new renders of the upcoming RMK E2, a quick electric motorcycle with a range up to 180 miles (300 km), peak power of 67 hp (50 kW), and an attention-grabbing hubless rear wheel. There are a few behind-the-scenes shots too, as the RMK team builds the first … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 6 years ago

Lexus ES becomes the world's first production car with digital side mirrors

Every concept car worth its salt has been rocking electronic mirrors for years, but 2019's Lexus ES will be the first production car to swap side mirrors for cameras. They'll only be available in Japan for now, but this is surely a sign of things to come. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 6 years ago

Next-gen deepfakes can falsely put words in people's mouths

Deepfake. It's a word that's entered the modern lexicon for all the wrong reasons. The technique can superimpose the likeness of one person onto a video of someone else. Now, new research could take deepfakes to the next level, taking the detailed content of one video and applyin … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 6 years ago

US military builds barracks using “world's largest” 3D printer

3D-printed construction is portable and inexpensive, and could help build a safe barracks in a shorter time. With this in mind, the US Marine Corps Systems Command recently constructed a prototype concrete barracks in under two days with what it says is the world's largest 3D pri … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 6 years ago

Experimental app lets iPhones monitor blood pressure

​It was just last year that we heard about how scientists from Michigan State University had developed a smartphone case/app combo that could measure users' blood pressure. Now, they've created an app that does the job using nothing but an unadorned iPhone. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 6 years ago

Tracking brain waves to decode mood could help fight depression

Neuroscience is stumped by what’s going on in the brain when we feel joy or sadness. In an effort to peek inside our moody minds, researchers have developed a technique to read brain signals and infer what mood a patient may be in, which could lead to new treatments for depressio … | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 6 years ago

“World's toughest and fastest SD cards” from Sony are built to take a beating

Sony has unveiled what it claims are the world's toughest and fastest SD cards. Boasting a monolithic one-piece mold construction, the new "SF-G series TOUGH specification" UHS-II SD cards are completely sealed and ​built to withstand bending, drops, water and dust. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 6 years ago

$48.4M Ferrari 250 GTO breaks world auction record

A new world record for a car at auction was set this evening when a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO sold for $48,405,000, breaking the existing record of $38.115 million set in 2014 for a 1962/1963 Ferrari 250 GTO. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 6 years ago

NASA uses shape memory alloy to fold F-18 wing

NASA engineers have added a new twist to a cutting edge aerospace technology by demonstrating how a new Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator can fold a 300-lb (136 kg) wing section from an F/A-18 Hornet supersonic fighter plane. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 6 years ago

LiveTag is out to make dumb objects smart

​"Smart" internet-connected devices could indeed make life easier for us, but the things DO typically have to be equipped with battery-powered electronics. That may not necessarily be the case for much longer, however, if the Wi-Fi-based LiveTag system reaches fruition. | Continue reading


@newatlas.com | 6 years ago