Neanderthal and unknown human ancestor DNA in "dark heart" of chromosomes

[BIOLOGY]( [Neanderthal and unknown human ancestor DNA found in the "dark heart" of chromosomes]( While exploring the “dark heart” of the human genome, geneticists have now found some of the most ancient pieces of DNA, inherited from Neanderthals and an as-yet-unknown human relative, which may be affecting our sense of smell to this day. [Read more]( [SPECIAL PROMOTION FOR NEW ATLAS READERS]( [Tello offers customizable phone plans, without long-term contracts]( This phone carrier offers data plans for every budget and lets you choose between using your own phone or buying a new one. You can upgrade or cancel at any time (without penalties) and get 1GB of data with unlimited talk and text for $3 the first month, and $14 after that. Join the most flexible phone carrier today! [Read more]( [BICYCLES]( [Luna unleashes its affordably insane 2000-watt X-1 Enduro ebike]( This thing looks like an absolute monster, with up to 2,000 watts of "Ludicrous mode" power out of its chunky Bafang mid-drive motor. It rocks a carbon frame with six inches of Rockshox suspension travel front and rear - and it's just US$3450 on presale. [Read more]( [OUTDOORS]( [Link smashes the sneaker and flip-flop together to create a weird wearable outsole]( We've seen a few oddball ultralight footwear concepts in recent months, and the Link flip-shoe is possibly the weirdest of them all. Designed to combine the advantages of flip-flops and sneakers into one, these "sole-based shoes" keep your feet free, cool and protected. [Read more]( [OUTDOORS]( [Small, simple Ello camping box turns compact cars into off-grid camper vans]( Over the years, we've seen many variations of the in-vehicle camper box from around Europe. The German-designed ElloBox is the latest. This slim camper box packs solar-fed power, pressurized water, electric refrigeration and gas cooking, turning small cars into RVs. [Read more]( Sponsored by Taboola [URBAN TRANSPORT]( [Eximus IV claims world's most energy efficient vehicle title]( Once a year, the Delsbo Electric contest in Sweden challenges students to create and improve on the world's most energy-efficient vehicles. This year's champ, the Eximus IV, smashed the competition and all previous records with an electric equivalent of 687 MPGe (0.34 l/100km​). [Read more]( [MEDICAL]( [Forced organ harvesting of political prisoners in China, independent tribunal concludes]( A disturbing portrait of forced organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience in China has been revealed in the final judgement of an independent panel established to investigate the issue. The report details evidence of an organized infrastructure harvesting organs from persecuted groups. [Read more]( [SCIENCE]( [Large study affirms link between onset of dementia and abnormal heart rhythm]( In the largest general population study ever conducted investigating the association between atrial fibrillation and dementia, Korean researchers have concluded there is a significant link between the common heart condition and the onset of neurodegenerative disease. [Read more]( [DIGITAL CAMERAS]( [Hasselblad launches faster, cheaper X System medium format camera]( ​Hasselblad marked its 75th birthday with the release of the X1D in 2016, which was billed as the world's first compact mirrorless medium format camera. Now the company has announced the new X1D II 50C – with improved usability, better performance and a cheaper price tag.​ [Read more]( [ARCHITECTURE]( [Bicycle Architecture Biennale celebrates the best of cycling-centric design]( The Bicycle Architecture Biennale is an annual exhibition that explores how design and architecture can be leveraged to make traveling on two wheels more appealing, driving its message home with an awe-inspiring mix of thoughtfully placed bridges and elevated cycleways. [Read more]( [TINY HOUSES]( [The Acorn is small, even by tiny house standards]( Many of the tiny houses we report on nowadays, especially those hailing from North America, are anything but tiny​. Backcountry Tiny Homes​ bucks this trend with a compact model that measures just 16 ft (4.8 m)-long, including its deck. [Read more]( [MUSIC]( [Roli swaps soft keys for solid with Lumi learning platform]( Instead of separate black and white keys, the whole spongy surface of the Seaboard Grand was offered up as the playing area. Now Roli has come about face with the Lumi learning platform, with solid keys that light up to teach the next Jordan Rudess how to play.​ [Read more]( [ROBOTICS]( [Robo-fish is powered by blood-like battery fluid]( A team of engineers at Cornell has built a robotic fish powered by electric blood, which not only serves as an energy source, but acts hydraulically to create propulsion as well. This bio-inspired approach addresses one of the great challenges for small, untethered robots – mass vs. power. [Read more]( [SCIENCE]( [How plate tectonics may have changed the climate and paved the way for complex life to evolve]( Evolution is usually gradual, but half a billion years ago it took off at a gallop in an event that’s now known as the Cambrian Explosion. One of the leading theories is this came from a huge spike in oxygen levels, and now a team may have found where all that oxygen come from – plate tectonics. [Read more]( [SPACE]( [NASA probe enters the tightest orbit ever around a planetary object]( ​​NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission to the asteroid Bennu has already brought about landmark moments for space exploration. Mission control has now moved the probe into tighter and tighter loops around the asteroid, setting a new record for the closest ever orbit of a planetary body. ​ [Read more]( [MOTORCYCLES]( [Harley-Davidson partners with Qianjiang to produce a 338cc hog for Asia]( By the end of 2020, we can expect to see a "smaller, more accessible" 338cc Harley appearing in dealerships across China, as the American company partners with Chinese manufacturing giant Qianjiang to get its brand into more hands. [Read more]( [SPACE]( [ESA announces triple-spacecraft mission to intercept an incoming "dynamically new" comet]( ESA has given the green light to launch a mission designed to make the first flyby of a comet visiting the inner solar system for the first time. The "Comet Interceptor" mission will be set in a standby orbit, where it will wait for the discovery of an incoming comet to intercept. [Read more]( [DIGITAL CAMERAS]( [GDome Mobile lets smartphones take "split shots"]( ​You know those cool photos that are half-above the surface of the water, and half-below it? They're called split shots, and a new underwater housing is designed to let you take them using a wide variety of smartphones. [Read more]( [MILITARY]( [Northrop Grumman and Raytheon team up to develop air-breathing hypersonic missile]( Raytheon and Northrop Grumman have formally agreed to collaborate on building an air-breathing hypersonic weapon for DARPA and the US Air Force. Under the new partnership, the two companies will develop, produce, and integrate scramjet combustors into hypersonic tactical missiles. [Read more]( [GOOD THINKING]( [Smart-speaker tool could prevent cardiac arrest deaths]( ​According to some folks, smart speakers such as Google Home and Amazon Echo simply make us lazy while needlessly adding electronic complexity to our lives. Thanks to new research, however, the things may someday prevent people from dying of cardiac arrest while sleeping. [Read more]( [MOBILE TECHNOLOGY]( [The newest Amazon Kindle Oasis adjusts its display based on the time of day]( A new Kindle Oasis has arrived for 2019, and Amazon's top-of-the-line ereader features one big upgrade from its predecessor: a display that can change its color temperature automatically throughout the day to reduce the strain on your eyes. [Read more]( [DRONES]( [Autonomous drone gets the goods on forest fires]( ​When a forest fire is starting, it's vitally important for firefighting crews to know exactly what it is that they're up against, so they can prepare most effectively. A new Spanish project is helping to make that happen, utilizing an autonomous intel-gathering drone. [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 © 2019