Weekend Edition: California sun, smartphone stunners, and an atlas of human suffering

Described by UN Chief António Guterres as an "atlas of human suffering," the IPCC's latest report on climate change paints a grim picture of unavoidable hazards over the next two decades ... and it's the populations least equipped to cope who will bear the brunt. On a brighter note, this week we saw the stunning winners of the 2022 Mobile Photography Awards announced, a bizarre species of bacteria longer than a housefly, and an ambitious plan to cover Californian canals in solar panels. Enjoy our look back at the biggest news of the week! Noel McKeegan Editor-in-Chief Photography [Smartphone stunners: The winners of the 2022 Mobile Photography Awards]( [Honorable Mention, Architecture. Praying in the National Mosque]( Now in its 11th year, the Mobile Photography Awards is the world's longest running competition to focus exclusively on photos taken with smartphone cameras. The quality of entries this year is an affirmation of the power of modern smartphone cameras. [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]( Environment [Latest IPCC report on climate lays out an "atlas of human suffering"]( [The latest IPCC report has revealed a grim outlook concerning climate change and life on Earth]( Last year the UN's top climate scientists released the first in a trio of reports detailing the dangers of unabated global warming. The second report is now in, and the outlook is only becoming darker. [Read more]( Biology [Largest bacterium ever discovered is longer than a housefly]( [Researchers have discovered the largest known bacteria ever found (not pictured)]( Biologists have discovered the largest bacterium ever found, with a single cell measuring a mammoth 2 cm long. Visible to the naked eye, this new species has bizarre characteristics that make it like a missing link in the evolution of complex cells. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [One type of vitamin D found to boost immune system, another may hinder it]( [New research indicates vitamin D3 may be more effective at bolstering immune system defenses against viral infections compared to vitamin D2]( A study investigating the impact of vitamin D on gene expression has found significant differences between vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplements. The findings indicate vitamin D3 may be more effective at strengthening the immune system compared to D2. [Read more]( Environment [Project Nexus aims to cover California canals with solar panels]( [A rendering depicting how the photovoltaic panels will be situated over irrigation canals in California's Central Valley]( While solar farms are a source of green energy, many people don't like the fact that they occupy land which could be otherwise utilized. A new project is exploring an alternative, by placing solar panels over canals that will benefit from the shade. [Read more]( Transport [Battery-electric "Infinity Train" will charge itself using gravity]( [Fortescue's mine at Eliwana, Western Australia, was opened in December 2020 and includes a 143-km rail line]( Australian mining company Fortescue has acquired Williams Advanced Engineering, and announced the two companies' first joint green-tech project: a battery-electric "Infinity Train" that'll haul iron ore without ever needing to plug in or fuel up. [Read more]( Medical ["Drug factory" beads implanted in mice take out tumors within a week]( [Bioengineer Omid Veiseh with bead-like anti-cancer implants developed at Rice University]( Among the many challenges in treating tumors is the difficulty in getting anti-cancer drugs to the right locations, and in the right amounts. A new type of implant developed at Rice University tackles both issues, with impressive results in mice. [Read more]( Medical [Hour of strength training per week can cut risk of death by up to 20%]( [A new study suggests that strength training for between 30 and 60 minutes a week can significantly lower risk of death from all causes]( Research has uncovered associations between muscle strength training and a lower risk of death, and a new study has drilled into this phenomenon to find as little as half an hour per week can have significant benefits. [Read more]( Science [Landmark trial compares LSD and psilocybin trips, finds few differences]( [Researchers have found little qualitative subjective difference between the two common psychedelic drug experiences]( A study has reported the results of the first modern clinical investigation to compare the acute effects of psychedelics LSD and psilocybin. The study reveals little subjective difference between the two drugs beyond LSD lasting longer than psilocybin. [Read more]( Science [Animal-free dairy milk set to finally hit US retail shelves]( [Engineered microflora are used to produce whey proteins, allowing for the manufacture of milk that resembles cow milk]( A new kind of milk will soon hit US shelves but it isn’t some plant-based product designed to resemble dairy milk. Instead it is made from whey proteins produced by microflora engineered to spit out exactly the same proteins found in milk from a cow. [Read more]( Motorcycles [Lightning Strike targets 250 mph with upcoming electric land speed run]( [Lightning is planning to take an electric motorcycle back to Bonneville, with 250 mph the target speed]( Lightning Motorcycles is headed back to the Bonneville salt flats with a target of 250 mph (400 km/h) to beat. The bike will be a special version of the electric Strike, with a high-power battery and controller, and making use of exotic niobium metal. [Read more]( Architecture [House Zero brings high-end design to 3D-printed architecture]( [House Zero is a collaboration between Icon and prestigious US architecture firm Lake|Flato]( Leading 3D printing firm Icon has joined forces with prestigious architecture studio Lake|Flato to create what they hope will become a new genre of homes that combine the benefits of 3D printing technology with the design chops of high-profile firms. [Read more]( Environment [Study suggests eating salmon-feed fish, instead of farmed salmon]( [Commercial salmon feed contains fish oil and fish meal, which are obtained from wild-caught fish like sardines and anchovies]( One of the ironies of salmon farming lies in the fact that although the salmon themselves aren't wild-caught, their feed is made up of fish that are. According to new research, it would be ecologically better if we just ate those feed fish ourselves. [Read more]( Medical [Mouse study suggests viral infections can lead to autoimmune diseases]( [An infected cell releases roseolovirus particles]( Evidence is mounting that innocuous viral infections can in some cases cascade into a range of serious diseases. In a new study in mice, researchers uncovered a mechanism by which a common childhood virus could play a role in autoimmune diseases. [Read more]( Automotive [Solar-loaded Ford PHEV camper van powers low-emission adventures]( [Campervan Co is still finalizing some of the details in the Eco Evolution PHEV camper van]( Campervan Co was one of the first to develop a hybrid camper van, and now it's introducing the Eco Evolution. Based on Ford's PHEV van, the new camper boasts nearly 400 miles of hybrid range and all-electric camping supported by 1,000 watts of solar. [Read more]( Materials [Lightweight armor material made of nanotube mats outperforms Kevlar]( [Scientists have used carbon nanotubes as the basis for a new material that could be used in lightweight armor]( Engineers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have forged a new type of ultralight armor material described as a nanofiber mat, which features a unique chemistry that enables it to outperform Kevlar and steel. [Read more]( Bicycles [Yamaha gravel and commuter ebikes first in US to feature new drive unit]( [The Wabash RT gravel bike and the CrossCore RC commuter (pictured) will be the first in the US to feature Yamaha's new PWSeries ST drive unit]( After notching up over two million ebike sales in Japan, the Yamaha Motor Group finally rode into the US market in 2017. Now the company is launching two new Class 3 ebikes in the US, a drop-bar gravel bike and a hybrid fitness/commuter model. [Read more]( Aircraft [Only example of world's largest aircraft destroyed in Ukraine fighting]( [The Antonov An-225]( The world's largest aircraft, the Antonov An-225 Mriya (NATO name Cossack), has been confirmed to be destroyed in the fighting in Ukraine, according to Ukraine Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba and satellite images posted on the internet. [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