Chemicals in plastics may be a driver of weight gain, study finds

Medical [Chemicals in plastics may be a driver of weight gain, study finds]( [Scientists have studied the chemical components of everyday plastics such as drink bottles, and found that many contribute to fat cell development in mice]( Scientists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology have found that chemicals in plastic could be helping drive rising rates of obesity around the world, by entering the human body and interfering with our metabolism. [Read more]( Special Promotion for New Atlas Readers [A lifetime subscription to Microsoft Office essentials for $50]( For just $50, this lifetime subscription will gain you access to those Microsoft Office apps you have come to know and love — Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for the Mac comes with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote. [Read more]( Medical [Stem cell rejuvenation helps immunotherapy fight cancer tirelessly]( [Researchers in Japan have developed a way to rejuvenate immune cells using stem cells, to improve cancer immunotherapy outcomes]( Immunotherapy is a promising new form of cancer treatment, but the supercharged immune cells it employs can become exhausted in the fight. Researchers in Japan have found a way to keep them going for longer, by rejuvenating them with stem cells. [Read more]( Aircraft [Boeing to build the world's largest twin-engine air freightliner]( [Artist's concept of the 777-8 Freighter]( As part of a new 50-aircraft deal with Qatar Airways, Boeing has introduced its new 777-8 Freighter, the world's largest, longest-range twin-engine freightliner, with the same payload capacity as the 747-400 Freighter. [Read more]( Outdoors [Bowlus updates its striking $215K+ polished-zeppelin camper]( [Bowlus updates its travel trailers for 2022]( Bowlus doesn't have to regularly update its trailers to attract attention, but it seems to have a new package or update every year. For MY2022, it retouches its unmistakable styling, redesigns a few key features, and adds standard equipment. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [What is the Omicron BA.2 variant and is it more dangerous?]( [A new subtype of the Omicron variant is currently spreading, but what is BA.2, where did it come from, and is it more dangerous than prior variants?]( You may have heard there is a new variant in town. Labeled everything from "son of Omicron" to "stealth Omicron," its real scientific label at the moment is simply BA.2. So what is BA.2 and should you be worried about this newly emerging variant? [Read more]( Aircraft [Natilus freight drone's blended wing design packs in 60% more cargo]( [Natilus says its blended wing drone can carry 60 percent more cargo than an aircraft of the same size]( As it stands, air freight is incredibly quick but also very expensive, while ocean freight is far slower but very cost-effective. Startup Natilus is out to bridge the gap with a new breed of unmanned aircraft featuring a unique blended wing body. [Read more]( Medical [Innovative capsule allows mRNA vaccines to be delivered orally]( [The capsule attaches to the wall of the gut, releases its mRNA payload, and then breaks away to pass naturally through the digestive system]( A study from scientists at MIT has demonstrated a way to deliver mRNA directly to the digestive tract using a novel capsule. The researchers indicate this oral delivery system could be a unique way to administer mRNA therapies directly to the stomach. [Read more]( Drones [Fruit-picking drones may be heading for an orchard near you]( [A Tevel FAR drone in apple-picking action]( According to Israeli startup Tevel Aerobotics, there is a severe shortage of workers available to pick fruit at orchards. That's why the company is developing an alternative, in the form of autonomous flying drones that do the job. [Read more]( Medical [Targeting "boot camp" enzyme could fight autoimmune diseases and cancer]( [Thymus cells generating AIRE proteins, seen in green, which in turn train the surrounding developing T cells seen in red]( A new understanding of the way the body teaches immune cells to fight off threats has raised hopes of advanced treatments for autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis, along with other diseases such as cancer. [Read more]( Architecture [Greenery-covered towers are a breath of fresh air for China]( [According to Stefano Boeri Architetti, the Easyhome Huanggang Vertical Forest City Complex absorbs 22 tons of CO2 per year, as well as producing 11 tons of oxygen annually]( Stefano Boeri Architetti's Easyhome Huanggang Vertical Forest City Complex in central China includes two residential towers covered in thousands of trees and plants. The firm claims that the greenery absorbs significant amounts of CO2 from the air. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Plate-checking tech ensures care home residents don't get malnourished]( [According to the University of Waterloo, "it is estimated that more than half of residents of long-term care homes are either malnourished or at risk of malnutrition"]( Malnutrition is a common problem at long-term care homes, as many residents simply don't eat all the food which is served to them. An experimental new AI-based system is designed to help, by analyzing images of their plates. [Read more]( Robotics [Artificial muscles made of human proteins make for better implants]( [Researchers have developed a new type of artificial muscle using natural proteins]( Researchers have developed a new type of artificial muscle that’s entirely made out of natural proteins. Responding to changes in its environment allows the muscle to flex on demand, which could make it useful for implants, prosthetics or robots. [Read more]( Architecture [Glazed office rises out of the ground with a dramatic tilting form]( [The Turbosealtech New Incubator and Office building is located on the Pardis Science & Technology Park in Tehran and measures 2,500 sq m (roughly 27,000 sq ft)]( Rising out of the ground with a dramatic tilting overall form, the recently completed Turbosealtech New Incubator and Office building, by New Wave Architecture, serves as a light-filled office space and business incubator in Iran. [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