Weekend Edition: DARPA’s Manta Ray, guilt-free cheese, and a portable laser weapon

[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. Military [Video: First look at DARPA's massive Manta Ray drone in action]( [DARPA's Manta Ray on the surface]( Northrop Grumman has revealed more details on its robotic Manta Ray submersible in some new videos. These include a 4K 360° tour of the first test dive and a rundown on the project with images from never-before-seen angles. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Eating cheese plays a role in healthy, happy aging – who are we to argue?]( [Did we need science to tell us that a cheese platter was good for mental well-being? But this is important for healthy aging]( To Brie or not to Brie: A massive study of 2.3 million people has found that mental well-being may be the most important aspect to healthy aging and living longer. And, surprisingly, eating more cheese had a rather interesting impact on the results. [Read more]( 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]( Tiny Houses [Simple tiny house strips down small living to the bare essentials]( [The Freedom's glass door opens up the home to the outside]( With its compact footprint and open interior layout that's all on one level, the Freedom showcases a simple and stripped-down take on tiny living. It could be a good option for those interested in regular travel, or as a guesthouse. [Read more]( Energy [Energy-positive laser fusion approach heads toward commercialization]( [The NIF Target Chamber at Lawrence Livermore National Labs, where a laser-based fusion approach achieved scientific breakeven in December 2022]( With the promise of unlimited energy, Xcimer has raised over US$100 million from investors and the US Department of Energy to develop a high-energy laser system that's intended for use in a practical fusion power plant. [Read more]( Automotive [Video: Extraordinary wooden vehicle hits the streets]( [Built from a concept inspired by generative AI, this eye-catching vehicle showcases its creator's extraordinary woodworking skills]( Designed to represent the concept of a time machine, and built by a talented woodworking engineer, this extraordinary wooden vehicle is now turning heads as it whirrs and rattles through the streets of Vietnam. [Read more]( Medical [Immune cell discovery: "The potential to be used for almost everything"]( [A discovery about an important immune cell could have wide-reaching implications for disease treatment]( A new study has overturned traditional thinking about regulatory T cells, which suppress the body’s inflammatory response, and has significant implications for treating a wide range of conditions, from repairing injured muscles to regrowing hair. [Read more]( Automotive [Photos: Mercedes' new Marco Polo camper van glamps the highlands]( [The newly refreshed Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo climbs the highlands]( Mercedes-Benz has refreshed its midsize van camper, the Marco Polo, with an emphasis on making the four-sleeper mini-camper an all-out "smart glamping mobile." The new van features a bold, new look and even more smart home-style remote control. [Read more]( Outdoors [Human-powered forklift lets solo campers install and remove rooftop tents]( [Bad Boy inventor John Cullinan uses the device to install a rooftop tent on a Jeep Wrangler]( Rooftop tents may be convenient when camping, but when you're doing anything else with your vehicle … well, not so much. The Bad Boy was designed with that fact in mind, as it allows one person to quickly install and remove their tent as needed. [Read more]( Tiny Houses [Three-bedroom tiny house sleeps a family of five under one small roof]( [The Grevillea is based on a triple-axle trailer and has a length of 8.4 m (27 ft)]( The Grevillea, by Evergreen Homes Australia, looks like a good option for families. It sleeps up to five people – at a squeeze – with a space-saving layout that fits three bedrooms and a well-stocked kitchen into a length of just 27 ft. [Read more]( Materials ['Weightless' battery stores energy directly in carbon fiber structures]( [The "massless" battery Chamers University of Technology researchers showed in 2021 served as an early prototype for Sinonus]( Deep-tech startup Sinonus is working to commercialize a groundbreaking new breed of multifunctional carbon fiber. In its vision, the wonder-composite will serve as a structural battery for everything from electric aircraft to windmills. [Read more]( Automotive [Review: 2024 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 vs GMC Sierra AT4X]( [2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 vs 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X]( The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the GMC Sierra 1500 are nearly identical trucks. The major differences between a Chevrolet and a GMC truck lie mostly in their looks and interiors. GMC is, by branding, more upscale. [Read more]( Military [Rolls-Royce hybrid stealth engine helps conceal armored vehicles]( [X-ray view of the hybrid diesel system installed]( Aiming to make armored vehicles stealthier, Rolls-Royce is using this year's Eurosatory defense trade fair to debut a new concept hybrid diesel engine that not only makes tanks and such more efficient, but easier to hide. [Read more]( Medical [Fasting supercharges the cancer-killing properties of immune cells]( [Fasting boosts the ability of natural killer cells to fight cancer]( Fasting for 24 hours twice a week boosts the cancer-fighting abilities of specific immune cells called natural killer cells, according to a new study. The findings open up a number of options for supplementing cancer treatment in the future. [Read more]( Bicycles [Micro-collapsible bike helmet packs flat, inflates in 30 seconds]( [Ventete's aH-1 helmet all inflated and ready to wear]( Using a series of inflatable ribs, the Ventete aH-1 bicycle helmet folds like an accordion when deflated to carry as easily as a laptop. When it's time to saddle up, it inflates back into helmet form via an electric pocket pump in seconds. [Read more]( Aircraft [$400,000 helmet turns fighter jets transparent for 360-degree vision]( [The Gen 3 HMDS helmet already looks intimidating and futuristic]( Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II is the most expensive military fighter plane ever produced at US$109 million per craft plus $6.6 million in annual operational costs – and the helmet you need to fly it is one of the most impressive features. [Read more]( Bicycles [Hydrogen fuel-cell ebikes can be 'recharged' in seconds]( [HydroRide Europe AG's HYRYD ebikes use a hydrogen fuel-cell to power the ride, with a compact solar-powered hydrogen generator available for green H2 production potential]( While most ebikes on the road today will come with a battery pack, some are riding down the hydrogen fuel-cell cycle path. HydroRide not only has fuel-cell ebikes available, but also a compact refill station to top up H2 canisters. [Read more]( Outdoors [Killer Toyota micro-camper provides trapdoor access to rustic abode]( [The all-new World Travel Vehicles TrekTwo, a Tacoma-based overland expedition rig]( World Travel Vehicles out of Durango, Colorado offered one of Overland Expo 2024's most impressive all-terrain campers, based on the popular Toyota Tacoma. The TrekTwo aims to be an agile explorer that carries along an efficient micro-retreat. 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