Weekend Edition: A world-first watercraft and potential weight-loss wonder drug

According to the old saying, there’s nothing new under the sun, but they didn’t say anything about under the water. We check out a first-of-a-kind watercraft that promises to hydrofoil above the waves, and dive beneath them. There’s also a drug that has shown exciting potential as a weight-loss treatment, and we learn how diamond wafers just 2 inches in diameter could store the same amount of data as a billion Blu-Rays. We also go RVing with Hyundai and welcome the Large Hadron Collider back after a three-year break. Thanks for reading, and enjoy the Weekend Edition! Darren Quick Managing Editor Medical [Body weight slashed by 20% in new anti-obesity drug trial]( [The drug was originally developed as a type 2 diabetes treatment]( Preliminary data from a large Phase 3 clinical trial is offering promising signs for a new anti-obesity drug. Called tirzepatide, the drug helped overweight and obese participants lose up to 22.5 percent of their total body weight over 72 weeks. [Read more]( Marine [World's first submersible hydrofoil: 26 mph above the water, 50 m under]( [The all-electric Deepseaker DS1 will hydrofoil on the surface to boost speed and range]( Italian startup iSpace2o has announced it's starting production on the first hull for its Deepseaker DS1 submersible hydrofoil. This machine will rise out of the water to hydrofoil at up to 23 knots, or dive as deep as 50 m for underwater shenanigans. [Read more]( Electronics [Two-inch diamond wafers could store a billion Blu-Ray's worth of data]( [An ultra-pure diamond wafer (right) measuring 5 cm (2 in) in diameter that could be used for high-density data storage. The small square to the left is the usual size of diamond wafers possible using older manufacturing techniques.]( Researchers in Japan have developed a new method for making 2-in wafers of diamond that could be used for quantum memory. The ultra-high purity of the diamond allows it to store a staggering amount of data – the equivalent of a billion Blu-Ray discs. [Read more]( Environment [Fast-acting enzyme breaks down plastics in as little as 24 hours]( [Scientists have developed a new enzyme with an impressive ability to degrade PET plastics]( Scientists have leveraged machine learning to engineer an enzyme that degrades some forms of plastic in just 24 hours, with a stability and affordability that makes it well-suited to large-scale adoption. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Brain chemical linked to kindness and generosity in old age]( [Researchers found older participants with higher oxytocin levels were more likely to donate money to charity]( A study has found a link between increased generosity in old age and levels of a neurochemical called oxytocin. The research found older people with high levels of oxytocin were more likely to donate money to charity and be satisfied with their lives. [Read more]( Robotics [Japanese rail company rolls out VR-piloted Gundam robot worker]( [JR West's new humanoid heavy equipment robot is designed to increase productivity while keeping workers out of harm's way]( The West Japan Rail Company has released video of its new humanoid heavy equipment robot. Mounted on the end of a crane, this gundam-style robot torso mimics the arm and head motions of a human pilot, who sees through the robot's eyes via VR goggles. [Read more]( Aircraft [JetX tests non-tilting vectored thrust modules for eVTOL aircraft]( [JetX says its non-tilting thrust-vectoring VTOL system opens up new airframe options, and works with many different propulsion systems]( Orlando startup JetX is planning a configurable eVTOL "flying car" chassis, and testing a quiet, modular propulsion system that vectors thrust from bladed or bladeless fans without tilting them, opening up some interesting design possibilities. [Read more]( Electronics [Ultra-thin speakers roll out like wallpaper for sound-blasting surfaces]( [MIT engineers have created an ultra-thin speaker that can be produced like wallpaper]( Engineers at MIT have developed an ultra-thin speaker that could be used to make entire surfaces produce sound. The unique design should be energy efficient and easy to produce at scale, the team says. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Daily aspirin use for heart health not recommended for those over 60]( [New advice recommends aspirin not be used as a drug to prevent heart attack or stroke in those over the age of 60 if they are generally healthy]( A panel of experts has updated its guidelines, recommending those over the age of 60 against taking aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke. The advice is based on evidence indicating the harms of aspirin use outweigh any benefits in healthy adults. [Read more]( 3D Printing [Discarded glass used to replace sand in 3D-printable concrete]( [A 3D-printed bench, made of concrete in which ground glass was used in place of sand]( Concrete is a popular building material, enough so that one of its key ingredients – sand – is in short supply. Scientists are thus now exploring the possibility of replacing that sand with glass waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. [Read more]( Bicycles [Fat tire full suspension ebike gets ready to motor though forest trails]( [The Liberty Ultra CC Fat trail-ready ebike features a Bafang mid-drive motor that peaks at 1,500 watts, a large battery integrated into the downtube, air suspension fork and rear Rockshox, and Magura stopping power]( China's FREY Bike has launched an in-house crowdfunding campaign to fund the production of a new Liberty series ebike. The Ultra CC Fat comes with a powerful mid-drive motor, generous battery and full suspension. And chunky fat tires. [Read more]( Environment [Brilliant Planet plans cheap, gigaton-scale carbon capture using algae]( [Brilliant Planet says it can slash the cost of direct air carbon capture while de-acidifying the ocean, using carefully selected local strains of algae cultivated in pools of seawater]( Direct air carbon capture is currently far too costly – but this London company says it can do it at enormous scale for a tenth the price, using engineered algal blooms in ponds located near desert coastlines. Oh, and it'll de-acidify the ocean, too. [Read more]( Science [New study may explain why apathy is the first symptom of Alzheimer’s]( [New research hypothesizes degeneration in a brain region called the nucleus accumbens could trigger apathy, the earliest psychiatric sign of Alzheimer's disease]( Compelling research has homed in on a degenerative mechanism that could explain why symptoms such as apathy are the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease. It is possible disrupting this process could slow the progression of Alzheimer’s-related dementia. [Read more]( Space [NASA extends OSIRIS-REx asteroid-sampling mission to visit Apophis]( [An artist's impression of the OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft firing its thrusters during a close pass of asteroid Apophis]( A history-making NASA spacecraft has just received a new lease on life. OSIRIS-REx, which is currently on its way back to Earth with rock samples from asteroid Bennu, will now have its mission extended to visit another asteroid, Apophis. [Read more]( Automotive [Hyundai lunges into RV future with 4- and 11-seat Staria camper vans]( [Hyundai's Staria Lounge Camper 4 comes with a full conversion that includes two beds, indoor and outdoor dining space, an indoor kitchen, and a smart home control touchscreen]( Hyundai tipped a Staria camper van early on, and it's now debuted two Camper models that bring modern smart-camping comforts to the futuristic Staria family. Buyers can choose from a familiar 4-person family pop-top or an 11-person semi-camper. [Read more]( Bicycles [Lectric looks to replace the car with 100-mile folding cargo ebike]( [The XPremium can ride city streets or urban trails thanks to 4-inch fat tires and front suspension]( Phoenix-based e-mobility company Lectric has launched its first mid-drive ebike, a folding cargo hauler that's the company's "best attempt at a car replacement" and comes with dual batteries for more than 100 miles of per-charge riding. [Read more]( Outdoors [Menacing off-road teardrop bores through Outback and camps like a boss]( [Stockman Rover all-terrain teardrop trailer]( One of the more aggressive-looking teardrops out there, the Stockman Rover is much friendlier than its sharp looks might lead you to believe. It's designed to be a nomad's most loyal friend, offering easy towing, fast setup and many comforts of home. [Read more]( Physics [Large Hadron Collider restarts after three-year refit]( [The LHC has restarted after a three-year hiatus]( The Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the largest and most powerful particle accelerator ever built, is ready to renter service after a three-year overhaul and refit. On April 22, two proton beams were sent around the the 27-kilometer-long ring. [Read more]( Outdoors [Pole-less Giga tent inflates itself in three minutes]( [Aerogogo's Giga tent, along with a self-inflating mattress which is part of the same Kickstarter campaign]( Some people find tents with poles to be a little too fiddly to set up, which is one of the main reasons why inflatable tents were invented. Aerogogo's Giga tent takes the easiness factor a step further, by automatically inflating itself. [Read more]( Energy [US DoD greenlights mobile nuclear microreactor pilot in Idaho]( [The US Department of Defense is funding the development of prototype nuclear microreactors]( The US Department of Defense has announced that its Strategic Capabilities Office will go ahead with its plan to build and test a small nuclear reactor capable of being moved, and delivering between 1 - 5 MW of power for a minimum of three years. [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