SpinLaunch's rocket-free kinetic launch system conducts first test flight

Space [SpinLaunch's rocket-free kinetic launch system conducts first test flight]( [SpinLaunch's Suborbital Accelerator at Spaceport America]( Startup SpinLaunch has been exploring alternatives to rockets through the development of what it calls the world's first kinetic space launch system, which literally flings satellites into orbit – and it's recently completed its first test flight. [Read more]( Special Promotion for New Atlas Readers [Follow this science-based program to lose weight and change your life]( The way to lose weight and actually keep it off forever is to change your mindset. Noom is a research-backed health program that allows you to alter your eating habits without feeling like you’re starving or depriving yourself. [Read more]( Biology [Anti-aging research uncovers new role for telomeres]( [A new study suggests that telomeres, protective caps on the tips of chromosomes, might play a different role in aging than previously thought]( Aging affects everybody, so it’s easy to understand why so much scientific attention is focused on studying it. Scientists in Canada now claim to have found that telomeres play a different role in cellular aging than previously thought. [Read more]( Materials [Switchable window material stays clear while blocking the sun's heat]( [The NTU Singapore team with a sample of window glass incorporating the material]( As sunlight passes through a building's windows it can cause indoor temperatures to rise, to the point that the structure's air conditioning system has to be used. A new window material, however, blocks incoming heat while staying mostly transparent. [Read more]( SPECIAL PROMOTION FOR NEW ATLAS READERS [Save big and stay secure with this Black Friday Early Access VPN deal]( Don’t miss PureVPN's Early Access Black Friday Offer of 88% OFF 5 year plans. Enter the code newatlas10 to receive an extra 10% off – that's 5 years of premier VPN service for just $71.95! All plans are covered by a 31-day money-back guarantee. [Read more]( Medical [Largest psychedelic therapy trial to date delivers mixed results]( [A demonstration of the conditions used in the psychedelic trial]( Data from the largest trial to date testing psilocybin for depression indicates the psychedelic is effective at reducing symptom severity. However, concerns over adverse effects indicate more work is needed before psilocybin is ready for clinical use. [Read more]( Medical [How tiny electrical implants could treat rheumatoid arthritis]( [A large trial is currently underway in the United States testing an implant (pictured above) that is hoped to treat rheumatoid arthritis by delivering short bursts of electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve]( Could the future of rheumatoid arthritis treatment be a small implant designed to deliver bursts of electrical stimulation to a nerve that can regulate the body’s inflammatory reflex? Large clinical trials testing several implants are already underway. [Read more]( Outdoors [Temp-regulating graphene and Dyneema trail shoe sprints through winter]( [The 001 G+ Spike features a single-piece Dyneema upper and a chunky, spiked outsole]( Norda's new 001 G+ Spike trail running shoe keeps feet dry and warm through snow, slush and icy puddles with a graphene membrane. Combine that with Dyneema up top and spikes down low, and you have a high-tech running shoe that thrives in winter. [Read more]( 3D Printing [Robots 3D print park benches, flower beds and sculptures in world first]( [The 3D-printed park measures 5,523 sq m (59,449 sq ft)]( As 3D-printed construction becomes more common, it's being used for everything from housing to schools and bridges. Advanced Intelligent Construction Technology offers another use for the tech with what it says is the world's first 3D-printed park. [Read more]( Aircraft [Hyundai spins out its eVTOL air taxi business, naming it Supernal]( [Hyundai and Uber team on the S-A1 at CES 2020]( We've known for some time that Hyundai is making some serious moves to break into the eVTOL air taxi market, and now it's spun off a company dedicated purely to air mobility. Supernal expects its electric VTOL aircraft to enter service in 2028. [Read more]( Architecture [ZHA-designed divided office straddles subway to form symbol for infinity]( [The Infinitus Plaza takes the overall form of an infinity symbol]( Zaha Hadid Architects has completed one of its most stunning designs in some time with the Infinitus Plaza. The project consists of two connected office buildings that are packed with sustainability features and together form the symbol for infinity. [Read more]( Space [NASA pushes back plans for crewed lunar landing to 2025]( [The next US lunar landing is now set for 2025]( NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced today that the next US crewed Moon landing mission has been pushed back from 2024 to 2025 due to COVID-19, lawsuits, and budget shortfalls, but the overall plan for 10 landings remains intact. [Read more]( Transport [Second-life EV batteries find use in railway crossings]( [Second-life Li-ion batteries from Nissan Leaf electric cars are currently being used in emergency power supplies at railway crossings in Japan]( When battery packs in EVs reach the end of their useful lives, they can still retain enough charge for other applications. Nissan is replacing lead acid batteries in emergency power supplies at railroad crossings in Japan with second-life Leaf cells. [Read more]( Robotics [Starfish larvae inspire vortex-powered microrobot]( [A new microrobot propels itself by creating vortices in liquid using tiny hairs]( Nature is a never-ending source of inspiration for robots, whether it’s bees, bacteria or fish. Now an unlikely new candidate has joined the list – starfish larvae, which use tiny hairs to create a vortex to propel themselves or suck in food. [Read more]( Space [Heinz serves up ketchup made from "Martian" tomatoes]( [Heinz Marz ketchup was made from tomatoes grown under Martian conditions]( Thanks to a pilot project by Heinz and a team of researchers led by Andrew Palmer at the Florida Institute of Technology, when astronauts set up outposts on Mars they may be able to make their own ketchup using locally grown tomatoes. [Read more]( Architecture [Awe-inspiring bookstore spirals sideways through history and literature]( [The Shenzhen Zhongshuge bookstore was completed earlier this month]( A magnificent new bookstore has swung its doors open in China, featuring a massive spiraling staircase laid down sideways as both a functional bookshelf and art installation inviting visitors to take a one-of-a-kind walk through space and time. [Read more]( Automotive [Gaussin to take world's first hydrogen race truck to the Dakar in 2022]( [Gaussin has announced the world's first hydrogen-powered Dakar race truck, preparing to race in January 2022]( French company Gaussin is pushing hard on hydrogen-based long-haul trucking, and to prove it's ready to bang with the big boys, it's taking the first hydrogen race truck to the Dakar rally in Saudi Arabia next year for the ultimate torture test. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Study suggests a 10 to 11 pm bedtime lowers risk of heart disease]( [A study has shed new light on the optimal bedtime for maintaining good cardiovascular health]( Newly published research has delved into the relationship between bedtimes and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and has found that hitting the hay between 10 and 11 pm could provide benefits to the heart. [Read more]( Sports [Boxx system trains you to box, while tracking your punches]( [The Boxx system is currently on Kickstarter]( Boxing training is a great workout for boxers and non-boxers alike. That said, if you're training at home, it can be difficult to track your performance and stay motivated. That's where the Boxx system is designed to come in. [Read more]( Home Entertainment [A&K's angular music players now matched with angular Bluetooth speaker]( [Astell&Kern says that the Acro BE100 Bluetooth speaker "delivers superior room-filling, hi-fi caliber stereo sound that belies its compact profile"]( High-end audio specialist Astell&Kern has launched a Bluetooth speaker called the Acro BE100 that's designed to deliver the company's signature hi-fi sound in a compact package sporting the look of its award-winning digital audio players. [Read more]( Materials [Washable conductive clothing monitors muscle activity]( [A compression sleeve incorporating conductive patches is used to measure the muscle activity in a wearer's forearm as they form a fist]( Currently, if you wish to track the electrical activity of someone's muscles, you have stick electrodes onto their skin. An experimental new technology, however, simply utilizes conductive fabric that's incorporated into washable pieces of clothing. [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 © 2021