Weekend Edition: Hypersonics, hydrogels, and the ultimate off-road explorer

Two very different applications of incredibly fast objects head-up our look back at the top stories of the week. The first relies on using projectiles traveling at hypersonic speeds to trigger fusion reactions, while the second is a new missile that exceeded Mach 5 after being dropped from a B-52 bomber. Elsewhere, Michael Irving discovers how hydrogels are being enlisted to fight cancer, and Chris Weiss checks out a formidable off-road rig that's as soft on the inside as it is tough on the outside. Thanks for reading, and enjoy the Weekend Edition! Noel McKeegan Editor-in-Chief Energy [Oxford spinoff demonstrates world-first hypersonic "projectile fusion"]( [First Light Fusion has demonstrated measurable fusion, using high-speed projectiles slamming into specially designed falling targets with fuel pellets embedded in them]( A UK company says it's demonstrated fusion in record time, on a shoestring US$59 million budget, using an innovative new approach that embeds fuel pellets in tiny, falling cube targets, then shoots projectiles at them at 19 times the speed of sound. [Read more]( Special Promotion for New Atlas Readers [See why HVAC techs are nervous about these new DIY sensors]( SmartAC.com’s technology gives homeowners all the info they need to make the right AC and Heating decisions. Their affordable wireless sensors, which take just 15 minutes to set up, monitor your system temperatures and airflow 24/7. [Read more]( Medical [Drug-releasing hydrogel keeps cancer from returning after surgery]( [A microscope image of the hydrogel (teal) containing platelets with antibodies (red) and tumor-fighting drug nanoparticles (green)]( After surgery to remove tumors, some cancer cells can be left behind where they can grow back or spread to a new part of the body. Researchers have now developed a hydrogel that can be applied post-surgery to prevent or slow tumor regrowth. [Read more]( Urban Transport [E-scooter injury rates are worse than motorcycles, new study finds]( [In terms of simple frequency of injuries incurred, a new study has found e-scooters to be among the more dangerous vehicles on the road]( Their appeal as a last-mile transport solution in urban areas has seen a huge uptake of e-scooters in cities around the world, but this convenience does come at a cost with respect to public health, as research is beginning to show. [Read more]( Automotive [Feral off-road RV charges like a rhino, rests like a glamping lodge]( [Krug Project Rhino]( Rock solid on the outside, soft and inviting on the inside — it's the formula behind any good 4x4 expedition vehicle, especially the Krug Project Rhino. The rugged Mercedes-based Rhino stands up for sustainable tourism and anti-poaching efforts. [Read more]( Military [Lockheed’s HAWC hypersonic missile makes successful test flight]( [Artist's concept of the hypersonic missile]( DARPA, the US Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), Lockheed Martin, and Aerojet Rocketdyne have successfully conducted a second test flight of a Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) hypersonic missile, over an undisclosed location. [Read more]( Environment [IPCC report leaves door ajar to prevent worst impacts of climate change]( [A new report from the IPCC says that opportunities still exist to prevent the worst effects of climate change]( The last chapter in a trio of reports from the UN's top climate scientists has landed, with the authors noting some reasons for optimism, mounting an argument that the window is still open for meaningful action to limit warming to around 1.5 °C. [Read more]( Aircraft [Ascend Dynamics presents its Skypak V1 electric jetpack]( [A Skypak flight demo, with Mitchell the mannequin on board and a large wooden frame holding the whole thing up]( Wisconsin's Ascend Dynamics has been flight-testing an 80-lb (36-kg) electric jetpack device with 12 coaxial rotors and an aluminum trellis frame. The company hopes to raise enough cash to build a powerful carbon fiber version for production. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [5-minute breathing exercises found to boost tolerance for the treadmill]( [A new study has shown that training the breathing muscles through high-resistance exercises can improve exercise tolerance in middle-aged and older adults]( Scientists studying the health benefits of a form of high-resistance breathing training have published new research demonstrating how it can increase our capacity for exercise and improve aspects of metabolism in middle-aged and older adults. [Read more]( Science [Landmark study finds 42 new genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease]( [New research has discovered more than 40 genetic regions previously not associated with Alzheimer's disease risk]( A study has identified 75 genomic regions associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The findings add to a growing hypothesis immune dysfunction drives the disease and also raise the possibility of developing a predictive Alzheimer’s genetic risk test [Read more]( Medical [Supercharged cellular cleaning process prevents clogged arteries in mice]( [Ramping up a natural cellular cleaning process could help prevent arteries from clogging and causing heart attacks and strokes]( Researchers have discovered a new potential way to prevent arteries clogging, and as such reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The technique involves ramping up a cleaning process that naturally slows down as we age. [Read more]( Medical [Diabetes successfully treated using ultrasound in preclinical study]( [Animals studies have demonstrated just three minutes of focused ultrasound a day can keep blood glucose levels normal, and early human trials are now underway]( Promising research raises the possibility of treating diabetes without drugs. Across three animal models researchers have demonstrated how bursts of ultrasound targeted at specific clusters of nerves in the liver can lower insulin and glucose levels. [Read more]( Bicycles [VanMoof lowers the bar for everyday ebikers with smart, step-through A5]( [VanMoof's newly introduced A5]( Looking to attract more people to the world of ebikes, Dutch outfit VanMoof has refreshed its lineup of electrified two-wheelers to include its first step-through frame, while also bringing some new bells and whistles to the table. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Non-surgical implant uses laser light to treat obesity]( [The modified ISD would be non-surgically inserted into the stomach and then pulled back out for each treatment]( While some folks might say that obese people should just exercise more and eat less, things aren't always quite that simple. A new implant is thus being designed to help boost the weight-loss process, by killing hunger-inducing cells in the stomach. [Read more]( Medical [Newly discovered type of lung cell could open door to new COPD treatments]( [Researchers have discovered a new type of cell in the lung, which could be a new drug target for some lung diseases]( Researchers have discovered a new type of cell in the human lung. Named respiratory airway secretory cells (RASCs), they seem to play a role in regenerating other cells and could be a target for new treatments for lung diseases like COPD. [Read more]( Automotive [Toyota unveils turbocharged GR Corolla hot rally hatch]( [Born from rally racing and overseen by Akio Toyoda and Gazoo Racing, the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla revives the hot hatch segment]( Toyota has decided to save the hot hatch market, with a Corolla-based hatchback. The Corolla GR features adjustable all-wheel drive, a turbocharged three-cylinder engine, and a year’s membership in the National Auto Sport Association. [Read more]( Space [Sounds of Mars reveal secrets of the Red Planet's atmosphere]( [the SuperCam instrument with microphone]( Painstaking analysis of audio collected last year by a French-built microphone aboard NASA's Perseverance robotic rover has revealed surprising new insights into the characteristics of the Martian atmosphere. [Read more]( Space [Rocket Lab prepares its chopper to catch a returning booster in midair]( [Rocket Lab's modified Sikorsky helicopter that will be used to catch its rocket in midair]( Rocket Lab has some bold rocket reusability aspirations, and all going to plan will soon achieve a key milestone by collecting the first stage of its Electron booster in midair with a customized Sikorsky S-92 helicopter. [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