Weekend Edition: Kombucha's attack on fat, the world's best MRI scans and a watermelon PSA

[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. Health & Wellbeing [Kombucha microbes break down fat stores like fasting – without the effort]( [The microbes that make up kombucha's SCOBY have a surprising effect on human cells]( It may not be to everyone's taste, but kombucha tea may be able to deliver the benefits of fasting, without the hardest part – the fasting. Its yeast and bacteria altered fat metabolism, without any other dietary changes, resulting in lower fat stores. [Read more]( Medical [World's most powerful MRI machine captures first stunning brain scans]( [An image of a human brain captured with the new Iseult MRI machine at a power of 11.7 Teslas, showing the level of detail possible]( The world’s most powerful MRI machine has scanned its first living human brains. The resulting images give an ultra high resolution glimpse into the brain, to help us better understand the nature of consciousness and treat neurodegenerative diseases. [Read more]( Automotive [Toyota's stout, crazy-modular $12K tiny truck makes enticing mini-RV]( [Carryboy Toyota Hilux Champ RV]( In 2023, the Toyota IMV 0 concept grew into one of the most modular production vehicles out there, the Hilux Champ. Carryboy has leapfrogged off that modularity to turn the little Champ into a roaming five-person micro-lodge. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Watermelon overdose cases reveal a deadly risk to compromised kidneys]( [Watermelon can be dangerous for people with impaired kidney function]( 14% of American adults are affected by chronic kidney disease – and anyone in that category should be very careful about how much watermelon they eat. A new series of case studies examines how a favorite fruit can cause life-threatening issues. [Read more]( Tiny Houses [Shipping container transformed into clever space-saving tiny house]( [Cargo is located in Lagos, in Portugal's beautiful Algarve region]( Madeiguincho has created an attractive tiny house from a humble shipping container. The firm heavily modified the metal box, adding a rooftop terrace and a space-saving interior that opens up to the outside. [Read more]( Energy [Condor-inspired retrofit boosts wind turbine energy production by 10%]( [The Andean condor's aerodynamic wings have inspired a means of boosting wind turbine energy production]( The Andean condor’s drag-reducing aerodynamic wings have inspired the creation of a winglet, which, when added to a wind turbine blade, boosted energy production by an average of 10%, according to a new study. [Read more]( Urban Transport [The $1,600 folding electric motorcycle and portable powerbank]( [The smile on his face suggests he could bench-press it too. Lighter than it looks and with so many ways in which it can enhance one's lifestyle ... particularly if you live somewhere where the power goes down regularly. This little sucker will keep your home going for an hour or two if you get frugal with the consumption.]( It's one of the most important products of recent times, and it went on sale outside China for the first time this week. The Felo M1 is a folding motorcycle that has a big battery and a power outlet that offers new possibilities as a portable power bank. [Read more]( Technology [GPT-4 is 82% more persuasive than humans, and AIs can now read emotions]( [AIs are learning to track human emotional responses in real-time, by watching our faces and listening to the tone in our voices]( GPT-4 is already better at changing people's minds than the average human is, according to new research. The gap widens the more it knows about us – and once it can see us in real time, AI seems likely to become an unprecedented persuasion machine. [Read more]( Medical [Younger generations have bigger brains – and it's impacting dementia]( [Brains are larger than they were in the 1930s]( In the human species, bigger brains suggest better brain health and cognitive function. And since the 1930s, our brains have been growing. Now, a new study shows how this is affecting our risk of developing dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease. [Read more]( Aircraft [Video: Supersonic drone flies with revolutionary detonation engine]( [The missile-shaped test vehicle was launched from a standard aircraft]( A supersonic drone that will be propelled by a revolutionary new engine has taken to the skies for the first time. When Venus Aerospace's aircraft does go supersonic on a later date, it will be powered by a Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE). [Read more]( Motorcycles [World's largest electric motorcycle claims a remarkable 450-mile range]( [The Felo TOOZ]( Pitched as a near-future electric touring bike, the Felo TOOZ has a top speed of 125 mph, a hand-of-God mid-range, and a range of 720 kilometers per charge (450 miles). [Read more]( Outdoors [Inkunzi camper makes Toyota Land Cruiser one angry bull of a micro-RV]( [The Infanta 4x4 Inkunzi truck camper features a slide-out extension for its bedroom]( The Toyota Land Cruiser remains one of the world's most capable off-road vehicles, and the Infanta 4x4 Inkunzi camper takes that to new heights. The composite canopy adds space to comfortably house, feed, clean and equip a pair of overland drifters. [Read more]( Robotics [Star-Wars-inspired robot rolls on a round body and uses legs to steer]( [The monowheel Ringbot – coming soon to a city street near you?]( Inspired by the wheel-bodied battle droids from Star Wars, a scientist has created a robot that rolls along on one big wheel, using its legs to steer. Instead of smashing the Rebel Alliance, however, this bot may one day be making deliveries. [Read more]( Photography [Mirrorless goes micro with pocket-friendly travel camera]( [The Yashica/I'm Back collaboration has produced a mirrorless camera that's a fraction of the size of DSLRs or other mirrorless snappers]( Colorful photo-tech inventor Samuel Mello Medeiros and camera/optics veteran Yashica have joined forces to create what's billed as the world's smallest mirrorless camera, the Micro Mirrorless Yashica – I'm Back. [Read more]( Children [Ride-on Unicorn robot: A quadruped companion for kids]( [The XPeng Unicorn has a software system based on XPeng's autonomous vehicle system architecture and a jewel-like robotic tail with six degrees of freedom based on XPeng Robotics' X-arm 2.0. Most importantly, the internal architecture has been developed to be lighter, stronger and robust enough to take on the hostile environment likely to be encountered as a child's partner in adventure.]( The XPeng Unicorn is a pony-sized robotic companion with the foundations to become much more. Shown to the world for the first time this week at the Bangkok International Motor Show, the Unicorn has the potential to become a market maker. [Read more]( Technology [Blazing bits transmitted 4.5 million times faster than broadband]( [The new technique opens significant extra bandwidth in existing fiber optic cables]( An international research team has sent an astounding amount of data at a nearly incomprehensible speed. It's the fastest data transmission ever using a single optical fiber and shows just how speedy the process can get using current materials. [Read more]( Aircraft [Quarterhorse hypersonic aircraft program prepares to fly Mk1 prototype]( [The Quarterhorse Mk 1]( Fast-tracking the hypersonic era, Hermeus has rolled out the next prototype of its program, to create a family of aircraft that can fly beyond Mach 5. The Quarterhorse Mk 1 is set to fly later this year, testing its high-speed takeoffs and landings. [Read more]( Bicycles [World's lightest bamboo ebike takes all-in-one approach to commuting]( ["The design of the bike is characterized by sleek lines and edges, a lightweight construction, and a high degree of craftsmanship," said Diodra in a press statement. "The seamless integration of components adds to its allure, showcasing both form and function in perfect harmony"]( Romanian e-mobility startup Diodra is laying claim to making the world's lightest ebike with a bamboo frame. The S3 tips the scales at 15 kg and features an all-in-one hub drive that includes motor and battery. [Read more]( Science [CO2-capturing rock dust boosts crop yields by up to 16%]( [The application of dust produced via "enhanced rock weathering" has been found to significantly increase soybean and maize yields]( The application of crushed rock to farmers' fields may not only reduce greenhouse gases, it could also boost crop yields by up to 16%. These are the findings of a new study conducted by scientists from the University of Sheffield. [Read more]( Architecture [Inner-city home's unassuming exterior hides a light-filled oasis inside]( [Austin Maynard Architects was careful not to overly dominate neighboring homes when designing the Lang house]( This recently completed home by Austin Maynard Architects looks unassuming at first glance. However, its plain exterior belies a clever space-saving layout that opens up onto multiple gardens, filling the interior with natural light. 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