UK data finds Omicron spreading fast, “no evidence” it’s milder than Delta

Health & Wellbeing [UK data finds Omicron spreading fast, “no evidence” it’s milder than Delta]( [The UK researchers indicate it is still unclear whether Omicron infections lead to severe or mild COVID-19]( New UK data has found “no evidence” the Omicron variant generates less severe disease compared to prior SARS-CoV-2 variants, and a super spreader event in Norway is also offering crucial insights into the characteristics of this new variant. [Read more]( Special Promotion for New Atlas Readers [The Top 11 pet-approved products and gear on sale today]( Our pets are part of our family, so why not keep them pampered? Save big with these highly-rated pet products and gear — just in time for the holidays. [Read more]( Outdoors [Cybertruck transformers to Wankel RVs: Top 2021 electric camper concepts]( [Canoo reports that the electric pickup has been designed with campers in mind]( Twenty-twenty one wasn't a major milestone year for electrified camper product launches. However, everyone from startups to major manufacturers revealed a promising concept, prototype or product preview, forecasting a cleaner, quieter RV future. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Third mRNA COVID vaccine dose in young kids tested after two doses fail]( [The ongoing trial found two small child doses of mRNA vaccine were safe but did not generate effective immune responses in two to five year old kids]( Pfizer is reporting two small doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine do not generate effective immune responses in two to five year-olds. The trial is being amended to add a third dose, but it's unlikely the vaccine will be available before well into 2022. [Read more]( Architecture [The best buildings of 2021]( [The Shanghai Astronomy Museum, by Ennead Architects, is one of our picks for the top 10 buildings of 2021]( We've seen a host of superb architecture projects reach completion this year, from innovative social housing to creative performance spaces and even an otherworldly museum inspired by the cosmos. Here's our pick of the best buildings of 2021. [Read more]( Medical [Ultrasound alters monkey brain activity linked to psychiatric disorders]( [A new study has shown for the first time how ultrasound can modulate brain activity associated with what's known as "credit assignment"]( A fascinating new study explores how it ultrasound could one day be used to tackle psychiatric disorders, by modulating the way the brains of monkeys connect rewards and outcomes with specific events or choices. [Read more]( Automotive [Citroën's tiny Ami electric car makes lovable micro-adventure buggy]( [The My Ami Buggy Concept packs a big sense of adventure into a tiny, easily garaged footprint]( Just because the €7,000 Ami is now available to buy doesn't mean Citroën has given up parading it around as a concept car. This time, it explores how the Ami could transform into an adventurous little off-road buggy. [Read more]( Drones [Two Italian heavy-lift drones deliver 52 kg of cargo in Turin]( [The FlyingBasket FB3 heavy lift drone stayed mainly over a river as it made its 7-km delivery round-trip]( Despite the obvious potential of autonomous commercial drone deliveries, these services are taking an agonizingly long time to hit the mainstream. The issue is mainly a regulatory one; the technology's been more or less ready for years, but authorities are nervous to unleash swarms of UAVs over populated areas, even if the alternative is unleashing swarms of motorcycles and electric delivery bikes onto the streets. If safety's the issue here, you do have to wonder which option has the worst stats. [Read more]( Automotive [FedEx takes delivery of first electric vans from GM's BrightDrop]( [FedEx has taken delivery of the first electric logistics vans from GM's BrightDrop]( General Motors new spin-off BrightDrop has completed its first delivery less than twelve months after it was launched. The company's EV600s have been handed off to FedEx, who will put them to work along its growing charging network in California. [Read more]( Aircraft [Archer celebrates the first flight of its Maker eVTOL]( [The autonomous, two-seat Archer Maker demonstrator takes its historic first hover test at an undisclosed flight-test facility]( Palo Alto startup Archer has started flight tests with its autonomous, two-seat Maker demonstration aircraft, fulfilling a promise it made when it popped out of stealth mode 18 months ago to start demo flights by the end of 2021. [Read more]( Robotics [Autonomous robots are now delivering food in a US airport]( [The system is claimed to be "the first autonomous robotic delivery of food, beverage and lifestyle products in an airport environment"]( Although some people are starting to venture back into air travel, the more that they can continue physical distancing, the better. A new robotic in-airport food delivery service has been introduced in order to help them do so. [Read more]( Aircraft [De Havilland will develop and market hydrogen airliners with ZeroAvia]( [De Havilland Canada is partnering with ZeroAvia to develop and market zero-emissions hydrogen airliners, both as retrofits and off the shelf]( De Havilland Canada has partnered with ZeroAvia to develop a zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell powertrain for its Dash 8-400 airliner, which can either be retrofit to existing planes or supplied as a factory option on new aircraft orders. [Read more]( Robotics [Gecko-inspired farmHand combines grasping strength with a light touch]( [Although the farmHand is capable of securely grasping a raw egg without damaging it, it can also heft an angle grinder]( When it comes to robotic hands, there are ones that can grasp tough items firmly, and ones that can grasp delicate items lightly. The experimental new gecko-inspired farmHand, however, is capable of doing both. [Read more]( Automotive [Arrival reveals first prototype of electric car developed with Uber]( [Arrival has worked with Uber drivers on an electric people mover that will offer the best experience for them and their passengers]( Back in May, electric mobility company Arrival partnered with US mobility-as-a-service provider Uber to work on an electric vehicle built for ride-hailing drivers and passengers. Now the first working prototype of the Arrival Car has been revealed. [Read more]( Laptops [LG makes a new play with first gaming laptop]( [LG's first gaming laptop features a FHD IPS screen, Tiger Lake processing power, GeForce graphics, Wi-Fi 6E and up to 1 TB of storage]( LG is throwing down the gauntlet to consumer tech titans like Acer, Dell and Asus with it's first entry in the gaming laptop arena – aiming to stand out from that crowd with a heady mix of premium hardware, sleek design and a focus on performance. [Read more]( Science [Robo-bass used to protect native tadpoles from invasive mosquitofish]( [The robotic largemouth bass, ready to spring into action]( The mosquitofish is a harmful invasive species in much of the world, outcompeting and overwhelming native fish and other aquatic life. Scientists are now working on a solution to the problem, in the form of a robotic bass. [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