Weekend Edition: Lightweight bikes and 4x4s, and hope for hearing loss

Reducing weight is a focus for any vehicle design and this week we’ve got two that claim to be among the lightest of their respective kinds – one rides on two wheels and the other on four. We also learn about a gene discovery that could lead to therapies that make irreversible hearing loss not so irreversible, head for the great outdoors in a hard-walled cabin on wheels, and learn why scientists in Canada plan to invite a mite native to Europe and Asia to their country for a bite to eat. All this and much more in our look back at the week's top stories on New Atlas. Darren Quick Managing Editor Medical ["Master" switch for ear cell programming offers new hope for hearing loss]( [The identification of a gene responsible for ear hair cell differentiation could lead to treatments for hearing loss]( Scientists studying the mechanisms behind deafness have pinpointed a single gene they described as a type of master switch for cell differentiation, opening up exciting new possibilities around restoration of hearing. [Read more]( Automotive ["World's lightest 4x4" gets disabled folk back to the great outdoors]( [Outrider claims the Coyote is the world's lightest production 4x4, with the mission of helping disabled outdoorsy folk "get back out there"]( North Carolina company Outrider USA has launched what it claims is the lightest production 4x4 ever. The new Coyote is an all-electric, single-seat off-road vehicle designed to put outdoor adventures back on the menu for people with reduced mobility. [Read more]( Medical [Fecal transplants reverse signs of aging in brain, gut and eyes of mice]( [Experiments on fecal transplants between old and young mice have demonstrated how gut bacteria can influence inflammation, to drive aging in the brain, gut and eyes]( A new study has not only highlighted how gut bacteria can influence inflammation and brain health, but demonstrated how hallmarks of aging in the brain, gut and eyes might even be reversed through fecal transplants. [Read more]( Outdoors [Electro-expanding pickup camper mushrooms into hard-walled cabin]( [Cube Series QB camper fully deployed and ready to camp]( Cube Series finds a clever middle ground between the aero, fabric-walled pop-up pickup camper and the high, heavy fixed-wall camper. Its QB camper ducks low during the drive and rises electrically into a roomy, rock-solid shelter at camp. [Read more]( Science [Stroke severity linked to certain strains of gut bacteria]( [The severity of a stroke and a patient's rate of subsequent recovery have been linked to specific strains of gut bacteria]( Researchers have homed in on strains of gut bacteria associated with the severity of a common form of stroke. The findings build on research suggesting future therapies targeting the microbiome could reduce a person’s risk, and aid in recovery. [Read more]( Tiny Houses [Prefab tiny house doubles down on flexibility and views]( [The Tini M starts at €44,600 (roughly US$47,000), though this price will rise significantly depending on options and delivery costs]( With most of its interior on view, the Tini M isn't the best fit for busy areas, but it allows its owners to feel immersed in nature. The non-towable tiny house comes with a range of options, including its layout and full off-the-grid functionality. [Read more]( Motorcycles [Dotto's first custom motorcycle folds open like a Swiss Army knife]( [The Biancaneve is designed to look "sculptural" when parked, but folds open to become practical as a ride]( There's no shortage of crazy ideas in the custom bike world, but we haven't seen one like this before. The Biancaneve, with its seat hidden under a fold-out tailpiece, is an interesting first bike from new Italian custom shop Dotto Creations. [Read more]( Marine [Ulstein reveals thorium-powered ship concept to support ecocruising]( [The nuclear-powered Thor concept]( Norway-based marine group Ulstein has introduced Thor, its concept design for a 149-m (489-ft) replenishment, research and rescue (3R) ship powered by a thorium Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) that can be used to recharge battery-driven cruise ships at sea. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Cognitive impact of severe COVID equal to 20 years of brain aging]( [Researchers have investigated the cognitive capacities of 48 patients hospitalized with severe COVID six months after the acute infection]( A study has presented the most rigorous investigation to date into the long-term cognitive impacts of severe COVID-19. It found persistent cognitive deficits in hospitalized patients equivalent to declines consistent with 20 years of brain aging. [Read more]( Environment [Weed-eating Eurasian mites to be released in Canada]( [An invasive Russian olive, showing damage from an infestation of Aceria angustifoliae mites]( It can be challenging, trying to selectively kill off an invasive plant that grows in amongst non-target native species. A new initiative is aiming to do just that, however, by introducing a weed-eating mite into the Canadian environment. [Read more]( Bicycles [Scott's super-stealthy new ebike becomes one of the lightest available]( [Scott's new Addict eRide runs the new ultra-lightweight X20 smartbike system from Mahle]( Scott and Mahle have just collaborated on an incredibly stealthy and lightweight ebike. The new Addict eRide makes use of Mahle's new X20 fully integrated ebike system, and it's lighter, smarter and more powerful than ever before. [Read more]( Space [Rocket Lab uses a helicopter to catch a rocket falling from space]( [Rocket Lab's Electron booster lifts off on a mission for the 26th time]( Rocket Lab has taken an important step forward in its efforts to recover its boosters for re-flight, today capturing its Electron first stage with a helicopter as it hurtled back toward Earth for the first time. [Read more]( Medical [AI algorithm detects asymptomatic heart disease from Apple Watch ECG data]( [A research team developed an algorithm that can detect if a subject has left ventricular dysfunction (aka weak heart pump) using Apple Watch ECG data]( A new algorithm can effectively detect patients with a dangerous heart dysfunction using ECG data gathered by an Apple Watch. A large trial is now currently underway looking to test the clinical utility of the algorithm in one million people. [Read more]( Drones [Undefined's next-gen "silent" ion propulsion drone: still noisy]( [The Ventus drone ionizes air to create lift without moving propulsors – Undefined Technologies says it'll be quiet next to current propeller-driven drones]( With two successful flight tests in the bag, and just under US$2 million in seed funding, Florida company Undefined Technologies has unveiled the next generation of its "silent" commercial drone, which uses ionic propulsion instead of propellers. [Read more]( Space [NASA's James Webb Space Telescope completely aligned and fully focused]( [Artist's concept of the James Webb Space Telescope]( Scientists working on NASA's James Webb Telescope have reached an important milestone, completely aligning the space observatory's massive mirrors, enabling it to capture in-focus images with all onboard instruments. [Read more]( Automotive [Review: 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz successfully carries the ute torch]( [The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is one of just three car-based pickup trucks currently available in the US]( Hyundai teased the Santa Cruz a few years ago as a fast-paced, good-times-ready truck. While the concept was edgy and clearly unrealistic for the real world, it set the tone for this production version, which delivers on the promise of fun and style. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Trial finds insulin nasal spray may slow age-related cognitive decline]( [After 24 weeks of intranasal insulin use, both diabetics and non-diabetics showed improvements on a number of cognitive measures]( The results of a clinical trial offer promising signs that daily doses of an insulin nasal spray could be used to slow age-related cognitive decline. The trial found the treatment to be effective in elderly subjects with and without type 2 diabetes. [Read more]( Technology ["Extremely fast-charging" battery hits 60 percent in under 6 minutes]( [With a view to shortening an electric vehicle's plug-in time, scientists have developed a battery that charges "extremely fast"]( By rethinking a key battery component, scientists in China have come up with what's described as "extremely fast charging" technology that sees a lithium-ion battery hit 60 percent capacity in under six minutes. [Read more]( Medical [Stanford study links marijuana use to increased heart attack risk]( [New research indicates THC may increase heart attack risk]( A robust new study led by researchers from Stanford University has found THC can trigger inflammation in blood vessel cells, and the researchers call for medical marijuana users to be aware of potential cardiovascular risks. [Read more]( Military [Boeing unveils first T-7A Red Hawk trainer for the US Air Force]( [The first T-7A Red Hawk set for delivery to the US Air Force]( Boeing has taken the wraps off the first production T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer jet that is slated for delivery to the US Air Force. The first of an initial order of 351, the aircraft features special livery honoring the Tuskegee Airmen. [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