Weekend Edition: The end of the universe, powdered hydrogen, and the best insomnia drug

[New Atlas logo]( That the universe will end is pretty certain, but exactly how it will come about is less clear cut. We look at the front-running theories on how the curtain will come down on the cosmos – be it billions of years from now or in a matter of minutes. We also look at a process that has the potential to safely store gases, including hydrogen, in powder form, which drugs are the most effective for treating insomnia, and a company looking to re-wire the US using efficient tunneling tech. Enjoy the Weekend Edition! Darren Quick Managing Editor Physics [The end of everything: 5 ways the universe could be destroyed]( [The universe could end in a myriad of ways]( Everything has to end eventually – including the universe itself. It might be hard to imagine a catastrophe big enough to affect the entirety of existence, but here are some of the leading hypotheses about how the universe could end, and when. [Read more]( Energy [Mechanochemical breakthrough unlocks cheap, safe, powdered hydrogen]( [Deakin researchers have described a novel mechanochemical process that can store gases safely in powders, using very little energy, in a repeatable process]( Australian scientists say they've made a "eureka moment" breakthrough in gas separation and storage that could radically reduce energy use in the petrochemical industry, while making hydrogen much easier and safer to store and transport in a powder. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Oxford study investigates the most effective drugs for insomnia]( [Many common insomnia drug treatments were found to lack evidence of efficacy or long-term safety data]( A study has reviewed more than 150 clinical trials to present a comparative analysis of 30 drug treatments for insomnia. The findings indicate many lack long-term safety data and treatments such as melatonin have little evidence of effectiveness. [Read more]( Energy [Earthgrid aims to re-wire the USA using super-cheap tunnel tech]( [Earthgrid's plan is to put multiple plasma spallation cutters on rotating contactless boring robots]( Bay Area startup Earthgrid says it's developing a plasma boring robot that can dig underground tunnels 100x faster and up to 98% cheaper than existing tech, and it plans to use it to start re-wiring America's energy, internet and utilities grids. [Read more]( Drones [World's first laser-controlled drone easily evades countermeasures]( [QinetiQ has demonstratd the world's first FSOC laser-controlled drone, invulnerable to RF-spamming countermeasures]( Counter-drone systems typically attack a UAV's radio control or GPS systems, disabling pilot control as well as pre-programmed missions. But British defense tech company QinetiQ has now demonstrated a laser-controlled drone these systems can't stop. [Read more]( Energy [All-in-one solar tower produces jet fuel from CO2, water and sunlight]( [Taking sunlight, water and carbon dioxide as inputs, this solar tower in Spain produces carbon-neutral jet fuel and diesel]( Taking carbon dioxide, water and sunlight as its only inputs, this solar thermal tower in Spain produces carbon-neutral replacement versions of diesel and jet fuel. It's a pilot plant, proving a new all-in-one sustainable fuel production process. [Read more]( Military [HIMARS rocket launcher may change the game in Ukraine]( [HIMARS is a high-precision multiple rocket launcher]( The war in Ukraine may be turning in Kyiv's favor thanks to the deployment of American High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) precision rocket launchers, which are reported to be wreaking havoc on Russian supply depots and command centers. [Read more]( Outdoors [Multi-hammock tent keeps you lounging without the trees]( [The iDome+ includes a rear wall]( A very different style of hammock tent, the iDome Shelter uses a stout aluminum, steel and carbon frame to hoist up to 1,000 pounds off the ground. It can keep you and a friend lounging blissfully while also holding gear over top the critters below. [Read more]( Environment [Bridge wrapped in insulation foil as UK passes 40 °C for the first time]( [Europe is experiencing an extreme heatwave event]( As an unprecedented heatwave takes hold in Europe, driving the mercury to record levels and causing devastating wildfires across the continent, authorities are scrambling to prevent disruptions to transport services. [Read more]( Energy [Film captures wasted wavelengths of light to boost solar cell efficiency]( [A new thin film captures blue photons from sunlight and converts them into red ones that silicon solar cells can use to produce electricity]( Solar cells still have plenty of room for improvement. Researchers at New York University Tandon have now developed thin film that boosts solar cell efficiency by converting wasted wavelengths of light into ones that can produce energy. [Read more]( Medical ["Youth" protein refreshes photoreceptor cells to protect aging eyes]( [A new study has uncovered the important role of a so-called "youth' protein in guarding against age-related vision loss]( Scientists studying the aging process in the eye have made an important discovery around the role of a so-called "youth" protein, and shown how it promotes a healthy recycling process that maintains our vision. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Big study reveals increased heart disease & diabetes risk after COVID-19]( [Risks for new diabetes diagnoses and cardiovascular problems were elevated for up to three months following an acute COVID-19 infection]( There is good and bad news in a study tracking half a million subjects after COVID-19. The study found patients were at greater risk of heart problems and new diabetes diagnoses for weeks after an infection but that risk did return to normal over time. [Read more]( Military [Tempest sixth-generation demonstration fighter to fly by 2027]( [Tempest is scheduled to enter service by 2035]( The sixth generation of supersonic stealth fighter planes is on its way. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that the British-led Future Combat Air System initiative's Tempest fighter program will fly a combat air demonstrator by 2027. [Read more]( Medical [Discovery of genetic connection between Alzheimer's and gut disorders]( [A new study has established a genetic link between Alzheimer's and gut disorders]( A new study has furthered our knowledge of the relationship between gut health and Alzheimer's, by demonstrating what's described as a clear genetic link between the two while also pointing to the potential for new treatments. [Read more]( Science [Scientists hack fly brains to make them remote controlled]( [A new study has made fruit flies that are essentially remote-controlled]( Researchers at Rice University have shown how they can hack the brains of fruit flies to make them remote controlled. The flies performed a specific action within a second of a command being sent to certain neurons in their brain. [Read more]( Science [Serum from hibernating black bears boosts muscle mass in human cells]( [A new study has tapped into the muscle maintenance secrets of hibernating black bears]( Scientists in Japan have made a fascinating discovery around muscle wasting, demonstrating how human muscle cells can be infused with serum from hibernating black bears to not just prevent atrophy, but actively promote an increase in mass. [Read more]( Architecture [Energy efficient waterfront city block has its own harbor inside]( [Sluishuis takes the form of a ship's bow, when viewed from the lake]( Back in 2016, BIG revealed plans for an ambitious mixed-use residential building that resembles the bow of a ship. The project, named Sluishuis, is now finally complete and provides an idyllic and energy efficient community on the waterfront. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Brain inflammation links sleep disruption and Alzheimer's]( [A new study has found inflammatory biomarkers correlated with disruptions to fast sleep spindles, a kind of sleep brain wave activity linked to memory retention]( A new study suggests brain inflammation is the key factor linking sleep disturbances with Alzheimer’s disease. It's hypothesized the same overactive immune cells in the brain that contribute to cognitive decline can disrupt certain sleep cycles. [Read more]( Biology [How elephants avoid cancer – and we could too]( [Elephants were found to have 20 copies of a cancer-suppressing gene, while humans only have one copy]( A new study has shed light on why elephants, one of the biggest animals on the planet, paradoxically experience unusually low rates of cancer. The research found these remarkable mammals carry unique genetic variants that reduce their risk of tumors. [Read more]( Military [China tests hypersonic missile with multi-mode engine]( [Feitan-1 lifting off]( China is reminding the world that it is very much in the race to deploy hypersonic missiles, with the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics of Northwestern Polytechnical University successfully launching the Feitian-1, a RBCC-propelled vehicle. [Read more]( Bicycles [Nucleon 16 is the first bike to use revolutionary Supre Drive tech]( [A close look at the Nucleon 16's Supre Drive drivetrain]( Last November we first heard about the radical Supre Drive mountain bike drivetrain, invented by Canadian mechanical engineer Cedric Eveleigh. Now, just eight months later, it's found its way onto Nicolai Bicycles' Nucleon 16 enduro bike. [Read more]( Biology [Fungus fools male houseflies into mating with corpses of dead females]( [A male fly tryies to mate with a female corpse held in place by a dab of Vaseline – the fungus has grown out of the rear body segment and is visible as large white patches from which spores are ejected]( In truly creep news, a team of scientists has announced that a known fungus causes male flies to mate with the bodies of dead females. The strategy helps ensure the survival of the fungus, as it spreads from the females to the males. [Read more]( Automotive [$4K camper kit turns VW T7 Multivan into magnificent multi RV]( [The T7 Multivan has fulfilled its destiny of becoming a versatile camper van]( The new T7 Multivan has potential to be one of VW's smartest camper vans ever. Visu becomes one of the first to make the T7 camper a reality, giving the Multivan extra multifunctional smarts with a bed, lounge and kitchen with convertible grill. 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