Weekend Edition: A ‘breakthrough’ dementia drug, next-gen detonation engine design, and detecting bipolar mood swings by Fitbit

[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. Alzheimer's & Dementia ['Breakthrough' dementia drug looks to stop disease in its tracks]( [A novel dementia drug protects against the destruction of key brain cell structures]( An Australian biotech company developing next-gen anti-inflammatory drugs has announced its breakthrough dementia treatment, designed to preserve the integrity of vital brain cell structures and protect them against destruction caused by brain inflammation. [Read more]( Aircraft [The ram-rotor detonation engine: A new era of hypersonic propulsion]( [The ram-rotor detonation engine: an unprecedented design promising class-leading efficiency from zero all the way to Mach 5 hypersonic speeds and beyond]( A self-propagating series of explosions, contained between the blades of a high-speed rotor, promises a leap in power and efficiency during hypersonic flight – provided this radical new engine can be built strong enough to withstand its own power. [Read more]( Mental Health [Fitbit data accurately predicts bipolar disorder mood swings]( [Passively collected Fitbit data can be used to accurately predict mood swings in bipolar disorder]( Researchers have used Fitbit data to train a machine learning algorithm to accurately predict mood swings associated with bipolar disorder. It opens the door to using a personalized algorithm to drive treatment of the life-impacting condition. [Read more]( Automotive [VW Buzz mini-camper fits in family of 5 via explosive pop-up roof]( [Tonke teases its latest Volkswagen ID. Buzz camper products]( Tonke not only shows the first actual pop-up roof with bed we've seen installed on a VW ID. Buzz, it puts a unique spin on the concept. Its roof mashes together a sideways orientation with a rooftop tent-style design to increase sleeping space. [Read more]( Aircraft [GPS-alternative tech swaps satellites for Earth fingerprints]( [A terrain "fingerprint" used in the new system's database, along with the satellite image from which it was obtained (inset)]( Even though today's aircraft rely heavily on GPS for navigation, the technology isn't infallible. That's why an alternative system is in the works, which may allow planes to navigate by "reading the fingerprint" of the terrain they're flying over. [Read more]( Outdoors [Wild semi-trike micro-camper is a smart RV like nothing you've seen]( [A new breed of all-electric RV, the Grounded T1 is a tractor-trailer micro-camper with electric trike at the helm]( We expect the occasional bicycle RV launch, but Grounded has released something we weren't expecting at all. Its T1 micro-camper is a live-in e-trike-powered tractor-trailer with standing height interior, panoramic windows, and space for two. [Read more]( Automotive [Compact electric truck with full-size bed gets $41,500 starting price]( [The Telo Truck measures 152 x 73 x 66 inches yet still manages to offer a 5-ft-long truck bed]( Last year, EV startup Telo launched a compact truck that has the same footprint as a Mini Cooper but boasts a cargo bed that challenges the big boys. At that time, it was listed at under $50k, but the company has now revealed a much lower base price. [Read more]( Aircraft [New nav system draws on ancient technique when GPS is down]( [A new navigation system uses stars (not pictured, obviously) as back up navigation for drones]( Engineers at the University of South Australia have taken a page from the days of wooden sailing ships and developed a way for drones to navigate by the stars at night using simple, lightweight equipment for areas where GPS signals aren't available. [Read more]( Automotive [$25K Toyota Prius-powered camper minivan dials up van life efficiency]( [An old/new camper creation from Campervan Co, the all-new Eco Escape is based on a third-gen Toyota Estima Hybrid from Japan (MY2006 to 2013)]( Campervan Co has been building efficient campers for years, but it's outdone itself with its latest. Designed for both camping and daily driving, the new Eco Escape puts a 5-seat/4-sleeper interior in a hybrid Toyota Estima MPV with electrified AWD. [Read more]( Architecture [Saudi Arabia opens world's longest driverless transit system]( [Zaha Hadid Architects' KAFD Metro Station, pictured, is a key station in Saudi Arabia's new Riyadh Metro, which is hailed as the world's longest driverless transit system]( Saudi Arabia has inaugurated an ambitious new driverless transit system, which is hailed as the longest in the world. Measuring 109 miles in length, it includes an eye-catching station by Zaha Hadid Architects. [Read more]( Materials [Glow-in-the-dark wood passively lights homes or parks]( [Samples of bioluminescent wood, glowing in the dark of the lab]( Imagine a glow-in-the-dark designer desk, or wooden fence posts that guide you home with their eerie light. Scientists in Switzerland have developed a way to make glowing wood, with the help of a fungus. [Read more]( Motorcycles [Bankruptcy looms as KTM enters self-administration]( [KTM has entered self-administration to undergo a restructuring process]( KTM’s financial troubles are worse than many suspected. The company has entered self-administration to undergo a restructuring process in an attempt to stave off bankruptcy. Is a total collapse of one of the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers near? [Read more]( Outdoors [Case-based EDC flashlight cuts through the dark – and the competition]( [On its max "turbo" setting the LD35 can throw its beam up to 328 meters (over 1,000 feet)]( The EDC market is pretty crowded. Manufacturers are always looking for ways to let us take a little more light along on our outdoor adventures, and Imalent is betting on a portable charging case that wraps around its small but powerful EDC light. [Read more]( Outdoors [Ultralight tent barely breaks 2 lb and delivers squall-ready shelter]( [The Durston X-Dome 1+ i designed to trek farther, deeper and higher and provide a little extra comfort once there]( The all-new Durston X-Dome 1+ backpacking tent combines an ultralight, tough construction with a roomy, easy-pitch dome design. It looks like it could be the ultimate compromise between on-ground camping comfort and low, back-saving weight. [Read more]( Technology [Hyundai and Kia unveil "X-ble Shoulder," a wearable robot]( [The X-ble Shoulder can be used for repetitive tasks where the users arms are over their heads for extended periods of time]( Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have teamed up to create the "X-ble Shoulder," a wearable robot designed to enhance industrial efficiency and reduce musculoskeletal injuries and fatigue. [Read more]( Outdoors [Sleek, rotomolded water tank brings RV convenience to car camping]( [Vaast reimagines the rugged, all-terrain water canister]( A smarter breed of camping water canister that looks like an award-winning design project come to life, the new Vaast G-Series 18-L tank works seamlessly as a faucet and fill-up station without moving so much as a millimeter from a vehicle roof rack. [Read more]( Electronics [Review: Pint-sized Thermal Master P2 gives your phone Predator vision]( [Sleeping Corgi with heat signature of her breath]( Compact electronics have become the norm, but there's still room for surprise. The Thermal Master P2 certainly fits in that category. It's one of the smallest thermal imaging cameras on the market, but it packs a lot of functions into its compact volume. [Read more]( Urban Transport [Semi-enclosed recumbent e-trike splits the difference between bike and car]( [Co-inventor Sebastian Hurstel with the latest VeMoo prototype]( Perhaps you like the idea of commuting by bike, but are put off by the thought of hunching over the handlebars in the wind and the rain. If so, the semi-enclosed VeMoo recumbent e-trike may be just what you're looking for. [Read more]( Diet & Nutrition [Fox nuts are now a hit superfood – yes, you read that right]( [Fox nuts have been a superfood and traditional medicine staple in Asia for thousands of years]( If you've never heard of fox nuts, you'd be forgiven for assuming that they don't seem particularly palatable. But they're actually starchy seeds harvested from an aquatic lily that boast vast health benefits. And no foxes are harmed in the process. [Read more]( Outdoors [Ultra-light multitool rocks a knife housed in a rigid titanium sheath]( [The Sanctum Hard Bar case measures just 5.28 inches (134 mm) long]( Multitool maker Sanctum has unhinged the knife from its case, creating a modern twist on the pocket knife. Called the Hard Bar, the pocket-sized beauty also boasts a few other features that'll make it well worth considering as part of your EDC gear. [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