Suitcase-sized laser weapon takes down drones in Australian Army tests

[New Atlas logo]( Military [Suitcase-sized laser weapon takes down drones in Australian Army tests]( [Australian Army laser taking out a drone in testing]( The Australian Department of Defence has demonstrated what is not only the country's first laser weapon, but what is billed as the world’s most powerful portable high-energy laser, capable of taking down drones with ground-breaking precision. [Read more]( Special Promotion for New Atlas Readers [Purchase a like-new Apple iPad 6th Gen bundle for only $154.97]( Are you looking for a new iPad but hesitant to spend too much? Consider a refurbished device. Refurbished products have grown popular due to their affordability and eco-friendliness, helping reduce electronic waste and carbon emissions. [Read more]( Transport [Despite the headlines, Waymo says its driverless cars are 200% safer than you]( [Screen shot from a video captured by Frisco Live 415, a Waymo AV had been vandalized and torched on Feb 11th, 2024]( Three weeks after one of Waymo's autonomous vehicles drove itself into a telephone pole for no apparent reason whatsoever (prompting 672 cars recalled), Waymo has released a statement saying its AVs are still 200 to 350% better at avoiding crashes than humans. [Read more]( Robotics [Pixelbot 3000: A robot 'printer' made entirely out of Lego]( Pixel art uses small blocky details to make a larger image. Proving there’s nothing blockier than Lego, a YouTuber has created the Pixelbot 3000. Made entirely of Lego parts, the bot ‘prints’ pixel art using input from an AI image generator. [Read more]( Medical [Epilepsy risk drops up to 30% on existing blood pressure drugs]( [Drugs already being prescribed for high blood pressure also reduce the risk of epilepsy]( A class of drugs already used to treat high blood pressure has an added bonus, according to a new study: lowering epilepsy risk by up to 30%. Further research is needed, but the findings suggest there’s a means of preventing epilepsy in at-risk adults. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Congratulations Humanity - another world record]( The rise of social media, clickbait and angertainment has desensitized the "first world" to an unprecedented refugee crisis. June 20 is World Refugee Day, recognizing those displaced from their home by war, violence, persecution, and natural disasters. [Read more]( History [Notes of dead Roman male: World's oldest wine dates back 2,000 years]( An urn recovered from a house in Spain has been found to contain the world's oldest white wine – and it's drinkable. But perhaps hold that toast, as the 'wine cellar' was actually a Roman tomb, and the wine itself was infused with cremated human bones. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Lower back pain relief lasts twice as long with easy walking plan]( [This free, individually tailored treatment could change the way lower back pain recovery is treated]( For the first time, researchers have shown how a simple walking plan can deliver significant, long-lasting relief from recurring lower back pain. Until now, this common-sense activity has been seen as a something to include in treatment, not focus on. [Read more]( Medical [AI smartphone tool spots strokes in seconds by analyzing facial videos]( [The smartphone tool is demonstrated on visiting associate professor Nemuel Daniel Pah]( If someone has suffered a stroke, the sooner they get the appropriate medical attention, the better. A new smartphone tool may help ensure that happens, by allowing first responders to determine if a patient has indeed experienced a stroke. [Read more]( Urban Transport [Full-suspension e-trike takes you through the city and into the wild]( [Full suspension, fat-tire e-trike equally at home on the road and off]( Addmotor has unveiled a new member of its Grandtan electric trike range. The Grandtan X is built for stable, motor-assisted city jaunts or for venturing into the rough, with suspension front and back and fat tires helping to absorb the bumps. [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