Weekend Edition: The 'nature versus nurture' debate rages on, this time with Beethoven

[New Atlas logo]( New research this week found that, genetically speaking, Ludwig van Beethoven may not have the genetic makeup to be a musical genius. Perhaps he just practiced a lot? Of course, it sparked a lot of talk regarding if and how our genes determine the path our lives take and if seemingly natural talent really is permanently written in our DNA. Rapidly advancing genetic technologies means we're learning more about the makeup of life on Earth, at a faster rate, than ever before, but we're no closer to having a definitive ruling on the longstanding biological 'nature versus nurture' debate. We take a look at this, and much more, this week. Happy reading! Bronwyn Thompson Science [Beethoven’s DNA reveals he just wasn’t that musical]( [Beethoven's genetic predisposition for musicality was low]( Analysis of Beethoven’s DNA has revealed that he had a low genetic predisposition for musical ability. The study highlights how making genetic predictions for individuals, including famous historical figures, can be fraught with danger. [Read more]( Space [DARPA and Northrop Grumman's railway on the Moon]( [The planned lunar railroad definitely won't look as fanciful as this AI rendering]( In preparation for a permanent human colony on the Moon, DARPA has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman to develop a highly ambitious lunar railway concept. It's part of the agency's 10-year Lunar Architecture (LunA-10) Capability Study. [Read more]( Around The Home [No outdoor outlet? Power Mole transmits electricity through window glass]( [The Power Mole consists of an indoor transmitter and an outdoor receiver]( The Power Mole wirelessly transmits 10 watts of electricity through window glass, allowing indoor outlets to power outdoor devices. It's built on the inductive coupling technology utilized in wireless smartphone charging systems. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Working-age death rate 2.5x higher in the US than other countries. Why?]( [US mortality rates are higher than those in other high-income countries]( Americans aged 25-65 years are dying at far higher rates than their peers from other high-income countries, even surpassing death rates in Central and Eastern Europe. A new study examines what's caused the three-decade rise in midlife mortality. [Read more]( Aircraft [JetZero's ultra-efficient blended wing demonstrator cleared for takeoff]( [Concept art of JertZero's blended wing aircraft, a demonstrator of which has just been awarded an Airworthiness Certificate by the FAA]( The basic shape of a passenger jet hasn’t really changed much for decades, but radical new shapes are inching closer to production. JetZero has announced that its beautiful blended-wing demonstrator has been FAA-approved to begin test flights. [Read more]( Space [Fusion drive space engine ready for flight]( [The FireStar engine]( Rocket science got a bit more science-fiction-like as RocketStar announces it has successfully demonstrated a new ion drive that incorporates nuclear fusion. It's not the sort of fusion that powers the Sun, but it does improve thrust by 50%. [Read more]( Technology [World’s fastest camera shoots at 156.3 trillion frames per second]( [The new camera can reportedly capture events that occur in the realm of femtoseconds]( Engineers at INRS Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre in Canada have developed the world’s fastest camera, which can shoot at an astonishing 156.3 trillion frames per second. [Read more]( Outdoors [RV gear-maker glampifies box trailer into stealthy Swiss Army camper]( [Tetravan's one-off camping trailer]( Setting out with the goal of turning a humble cargo trailer into a luxurious camper, Tetravan has created a clean, modern caravan loaded with smart, multipurpose equipment that includes a kitchen that doubles as an office and a stow-away shower. [Read more]( Energy [Self-assembling crane promises to halve cost of offshore wind setup]( [Specific blade lifting tool lets operators lift and install huge airfoils without having them swing in the wind]( Part of the exorbitant cost of offshore wind energy is the massive crane ships required to install the damn things – but Norwegian company Windspider has come up with a brilliantly lightweight crane system that promises to slash costs in half. [Read more]( Urban Transport [Fully autonomous street crawlers could make potholes thing of the past]( [The ARRES Prevent can detect and repair small cracks in road surfaces, before they expand into potholes]( Whether you're on a bike or in a car, potholes are a problem. Maintenance is costly and labor intensive, but UK authorities have successfully tested a prototype autonomous machine designed to detect and seal surface cracks that can grow into potholes. [Read more]( Technology [NVIDIA to create AI ‘agents’ that outperform human nurses]( [NVIDIA has partnered with Hippocratic AI to develop AI-powered healthcare agents]( NVIDIA has joined Hippocratic AI to develop AI-powered ‘healthcare agents’ that have already been shown to outperform other large language models and human nurses in specific tasks. But can these agents adequately ease the healthcare worker shortage? [Read more]( Aircraft [Video: Next-gen supersonic aircraft takes flight]( [XB-1 in the air]( The first private supersonic aircraft since Concorde retired two decades ago has successfully taken to the skies. On March 22, Boom's XB-1 supersonic demonstrator completed its maiden flight at the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, California. [Read more]( Automotive [Review: 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 defies logic to enter unlikely territory]( [The 2024 Ioniq 6 is a beautifully-done sedan overall]( The Ioniq 6 is the least logical step on from Hyundai’s well-done Ioniq 5 crossover. But it works. Going from an SUV to a sedan seems counterintuitive, given the way the auto market seems to shun sedans. Yet this is one of the best we’ve driven lately. [Read more]( Marine [Dual-drive electro-foil jet ski levitates toward the future]( [The WaveFlyer Rogue lifts out of the water at just over 9 mph, proceeding to a top speed of 25 mph]( Enautic started life with a hydrofoil e-jet ski before turning all its attention to a foil mini-boat. It seems it never totally shelved its original PWC, though, as it now presents the WaveFlyer Rogue with intent to "redefine what a PWC should be." [Read more]( Outdoors [ARB powered rooftop tent brings RV luxury and ease to car camping]( [ARB adds a little bit of RV security, comfort and ease of use with the all-new Altitude rooftop tent]( The all-new hardshell Altitude rooftop tent from ARB is loaded with RV-style upgrades not often seen RTTs, including a push-button electric lift system, staircase-inspired step ladder, and neatly integrated auto-shutoff lighting. [Read more]( Around The Home [Video: First stair-climbing robo-vacuum stretches its folding legs]( [The Ascender can manage both regular and open-riser stairs, as long as the treads are at least 5.9 inches deep (150 mm)]( Migo Robotics' Ascender is the world's first stair-climbing robotic vacuum cleaner and floor mop. People certainly seem to like the idea, as its just-launched Kickstarter campaign has already racked up almost $2 million in pledges. [Read more]( Automotive [Brilliantly modular VW ID. Buzz gets 322 hp worth of all-wheel drive]( [It can be reconfigured to accept almost any cargo, from tribal groups of less than seven through the individual requirements of almost any sport. With 335 hp and all-wheel-drive, the ID. Buzz GTX will tow a trailer up to 1,800 kg, making it ideal as a towing vehicle for bike, boat or horse trailers]( The just-announced ID. Buzz GTX is a significant EV, taking the iconic 74-year-old Volkswagen Microbus into the future. With 335 hp and all-wheel-drive, its both a giant go-kart with docility quite suitable for transporting the family jewels. [Read more]( Energy [Urban Vibro Trucks will thump city streets for geothermal options]( [If all goes well, the Urban Vibro Trucks will enter production early next year]( A new simulation video from Herrenknecht AG shows off its Urban Vibro Trucks. The machines can deploy thumping devices from their mid-sections that send seismic waves beneath city landscapes to explore the terrain for geothermal development. [Read more]( Environment ["First plastic demonstrated to not create microplastics" has been tested]( [A plant-based plastic almost completely biodegraded in less than seven months]( Even when it’s ground into microparticles, 97% of an algae-based plastic biodegrades in compost and water in under seven months, a new study has reported. The researchers hope their plastic will eventually replace existing petroleum-based ones. [Read more]( Military [Final tests completed on Lockheed Martin' hypersonic missile]( [Artist's concept of a prototype hypersonic missile in flight]( The US Air Force has completed testing of its hypersonic AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon. The test was carried out on March 17, 2024 when the missile was dropped from a B-52H Stratofortress at the Reagan Test Site in the Marshall Islands. [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