Weekend Edition: Night-vision for all, a mega-genome, and a weird radio signal from space

[New Atlas logo]( Welcome to our weekly wrap of the best stories to grace the pages of New Atlas over the last seven days. Sit back, relax and enjoy the Weekend Edition. Technology [Night-vision lenses so thin and light that we can all see in the dark]( [Lightweight glasses that let us see in the dark could change how we work and play after hours]( A pair of night-vision glasses would change the way we navigate the late hours, from driving to walking home in the dark. This vision is nearer to reality, as researchers simplify how light is processed, trading bulky lenses for cling-wrap-thin film. [Read more]( Biology [Organism with largest genome packs 50x more DNA than a human's]( [Scientists have identified the organism with the largest known genome, coming in at over 160 billion base pairs]( Scientists have discovered the organism with the largest known genome. At 160 billion base pairs, it's 50 times bigger than the human genome, and the organism it’s describing is a tiny fern you wouldn’t even notice if you tripped over it on a hike. [Read more]( Space [Radio signal from space repeats every hour, defying explanation]( [An artist's impression of ASKAP with the two most likely candidates for the repeating radio signal it's found]( Astronomers have detected a really bizarre radio signal from space that repeats every hour, cycling through three different states. While they have some ideas about its origin it can’t be explained by our current understanding of physics. [Read more]( Medical [Major inflammatory bowel disease cause identified – and treated]( [This IBD breakthrough may positively impact more than three million Americans]( For the first time, a major trigger in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and related conditions has been identified, and existing drugs are capable of blocking it. It's a "massive step" in successfully treating these debilitating lifelong conditions. [Read more]( Robotics [Chinese humanoid takes on the Great Wall in new video]( [The Robot Era team must have gotten up pretty early to catch the Great Wall without hordes of tourists on it]( In the past few months we've seen humanoid robots do their fair share of impressive things. Now, thanks to a new video from China-based Robot Era, we can add "monument conqueror" to this rapidly growing list. But wait. Is that duct tape? [Read more]( Medical [100% of cancer patients cured long-term in 'remarkable' human trial]( [High hopes for the use of dostarlimab-gxly in successfully 'reversing' a type of colorectal cancer, with hopes it will be able to target other forms]( In what researchers have called an "unprecedented" response, a promising antibody that treats locally advanced rectal cancer has completely eradicated tumors in Phase II trial patients. There's now hope it'll be as effective in other cancers. [Read more]( Automotive [Lotus Evija X smashes Nurburgring record by more than 10 seconds]( [If I were 14 again, this photo of the Lotus Evija X would be on my bedroom wall right next to my Lamborghini Countach poster]( For bragging rights to be the world's fastest car, Nurburgring Nordschleife is the benchmark. The Lotus Evija X – an all-electric hypercar – entered the 'Ring, looking to take the crown from the Mercedes AMG-One on the famous racetrack in Germany. [Read more]( Outdoors [Tiny 2-ounce fire multitool brings dual survival to your adventures]( [Outdoor Element's Fire Flute can spark a fire and whistle for help in emergencies]( Overland Expo's focus may be largely on earth-exploring giants and heavy-duty gear, but the show does also highlight some smaller gadgets. One of our favorite finds was the Fire Flute, a tiny, 50-gram fire starter with watertight cache and whistle. [Read more]( Architecture [Kilometer-tall skyscrapers to double as massive batteries]( [SOM and Energy Vault Holdings envision the energy storage skyscrapers reaching a height of up to 1,000 m (3,280 ft), which would make them the tallest buildings in the world]( The designer of the world's tallest building, SOM, has joined forces with Energy Vault Holdings to investigate the possibility of creating huge skyscrapers that would function as gigantic gravity based energy storage systems. [Read more]( Outdoors [Ultralight, modular Toyota Tacoma camper gets full-length pop-top]( [The Yoho Pop Up lowers center of gravity and overall height for better handling and agility on tight trails]( Scout Campers took social distancing to new heights when it released three ultralight, versatile truck campers in a row in 2020. Now it's back to enjoy stabler times, blowing the lid on its line with pop-up campers that ride lower and live taller. [Read more]( Military [Radical hypersonic engine blasts hotfire tests]( [The Draper engine firing]( Hypersonic aircraft will need hypersonic engines. With that goal in mind, Ursa Major under a US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) contract has conducted a series of hotfire tests of its advanced Draper liquid-fuel rocket engine at its Berthoud, Colorado headquarters. [Read more]( Outdoors [Titanium knife uses one-handed mechanism to deploy a hooked steel blade]( [The Tiflex is presently on Kickstarter]( Sometimes, all you really wanna do is cut stuff. The tiny Tiflex titanium-bodied knife is definitely designed to be simpler and lighter than a knife-equipped multitool, although it does feature a clever mechanism that allows its blade to be deployed with just one hand. [Read more]( Architecture [Lego-like bricks make house construction child’s play]( [Lego for grown-ups]( If you think these bricks look so simple even a robot could build a house with them, you'd be right. Plaex, the startup behind them, sees an automated construction industry in our near future, where materials will adapt to suit a new robotic workforce. [Read more]( Medical [Knee 'plug' simplifies surgery and recovery]( [Synthetic 'plugs' heal damagedcartilage and bone and may replace total knee replacements]( Damage to knee cartilage and bone can limit mobility and cause chronic pain. Now, researchers have developed an off-the-shelf synthetic ‘plug’ that heals the joint and could be an alternative to current treatments like total knee replacement surgery. [Read more]( Military [Bell's High-Speed Vertical Takeoff and Landing X-plane takes next step]( [Render of Bell X-plane in autonomous networked flight]( Bell has been selected as one of two companies for Phase 1B of DARPA's Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) X-Plane program to create a prototype High-Speed Vertical Takeoff and Landing (HSVTOL) aircraft for the US military. [Read more]( Photography [Gallery: Our glorious galaxy stars in Milky Way photo competition]( [Bluff Hut by Rachel Roberts, taken in New Zealand. Bad weather at an intended location led to a chance opportunity for a fantastic shot at Bluff Hut]( The 7th annual Milky Way Photographer of the Year collection has been released, featuring more stunning shots of our home galaxy, contrasted against our home planet. This year’s gallery is sure to inspire awe and just a touch of existential dread. [Read more]( Urban Transport [Tilting EV deploys counterweights to stop it from toppling in curves]( [A rendering of the Kairos EV, showing one of its Mobile Lateral Elements (flared component by front wheel) along with its Programmed Restraint Device (triangular component behind handlebars)]( Tilting electric three-wheelers may be fun and agile, but they're generally still not as safe to drive as good ol' four-wheeled cars. The Kairos EV could change that, as it features not one but two unique safety systems. [Read more]( Biology [World's oldest skin preserved in extraordinarily rare fossil find]( [The oldest known fossil skin samples resemble modern crocodile skin, the team says]( Scientists have discovered the oldest known skin fossils, dating back long before the dinosaurs. The samples, found in a cave in Oklahoma, USA, show that reptile scales haven’t changed much in the last 286 million years. [Read more]( Outdoors [Self-inflating Tesla mattress brings hotel comfort to Y micro-camping]( [Snuuzu looks to offer five-star comfort inside the Tesla Model Y and 3]( Snuuzu – sounds like a creature from the Dr. Seuss universe. In reality, it's a better breed of inflatable foam mattress for the Tesla Model Y and 3. The multilayer mattress levels out the vehicle and creates a cushy surface for two people. [Read more]( Energy [Small modular nuclear reactors get a reality check in new report]( [An artist's rendering of the BWRX-300 small modular reactor from GE Hitachi, which is slated to start operating in Canada in 2028]( A new report has assessed the feasibility of deploying small modular nuclear reactors to meet increasing energy demands around the world. The findings don't look so good for this particular form of energy production. [Read more]( You are receiving this email because you signed up for our daily newsletter at [newatlas.com]( (or [gizmag.com]( before August 2016). [Update profile]( | [Unsubscribe]( Copyright New Atlas © 2022