Weekend Edition: Hope for chrome domes and diabetics, and temperate Moon caves

[New Atlas logo]( The discovery of a protein that controls when hair follicles die is cause for hope for those looking to regrow their own hair. And in what could one day see diabetics saying goodbye to injections, researchers have restored insulin production in pancreatic cells using an already approved drug. We also check out what would be the perfect place – temperature-wise – to stay on the Moon, and look at plans for a 170-km-long skyscraper stretching across the Saudi desert. Thanks for reading and enjoy the Weekend Edition! Darren Quick Managing Editor Biology [Scientists identify hair loss regulator protein, could be reversible]( [New research has identified the role a specific protein plays in hair loss – and how it could be reversed]( Researchers at UC Riverside have identified a single protein that seems to control when hair follicles die. Armed with this new information, it might eventually be possible to reverse the process and stimulate hair regrowth. [Read more]( Medical [Diabetes breakthrough restores insulin production using existing drug]( [A new study could help restore insulin production to the pancreas of patients with type 1 diabetes]( Australian scientists have demonstrated a new way to restore insulin production in pancreatic cells, using a drug that’s already approved for use in humans. The study could mark a major breakthrough towards new treatments for diabetes. [Read more]( Space [Moon caves may offer year-round jeans-and-jacket temperatures]( [Scientists have measured the temperature in a moon pit in the Mare Tranquillitatis, and found it to be quite comfortable]( The Moon isn’t the most hospitable place, but that’s not stopping NASA from sending humans back there soon. Thankfully, an orbiter has now found a region of the Moon with year-round jeans-and-jacket weather – underground caves. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [How a Silicon Valley dad designed the next generation of face mask]( [Several years of development led to the adult Flo Mask in 2022, one of the most advanced elastomeric respirators ever made]( For the last few years, Kevin Ngo has spent his spare time developing a new kind of reusable face mask. The resulting Flo Mask is a radically different take on face masks: light, comfortable, and as protective as any disposable mask around. [Read more]( Architecture [The incredible plan for a 170-km-long skyscraper in the Saudi desert]( [The Line would measure a total length of 170 km (105 miles), and be home to 9 million residents if realized]( Saudi Arabia has revealed plans for an architecture project so ambitious that it almost beggars belief. The Line project is envisioned as a 170-km-long skyscraper home to approximately 9 million people – or around the same as the population of NYC. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Huge genetic study suggests alcohol accelerates biological aging]( [A new study has found evidence that alcohol may accelerate biological aging]( A comprehensive new Oxford study has added to the growing body of research highlighting the health effects of alcohol. The large-scale genetic analysis suggests that alcohol consumption directly accelerates aging, by shortening telomeres. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Wearable system detects COVID two days before symptoms appear]( [Using data from a wearable, an algorithm could predict 68% of COVID cases two days before symptoms appeared]( What if a fitness tracker sitting on your wrist could detect COVID-19 before you even developed symptoms? A study claims this is not only possible, but preliminary investigations found infections can be detected two days before symptoms appear. [Read more]( Urban Transport [Arcimoto rides out 4th-gen prototype of Mean Lean Machine tilting e-trike]( [The Cybertrike Edition will sit in the middle of a three-tier Mean Lean Machine e-trike lineup penciled in for Q4 launch]( Back in February, Arcimoto revealed an awesome tilting e-trike called the Mean Lean Machine. Now the e-mobility company has announced three models will make up the MLM lineup, and has rolled out a new mid-tier prototype to celebrate. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Scientists identify muscle-strength gene activated by exercise]( [A new study has identified an exercise-activated gene that helps build muscle]( Scientists have discovered a gene, activated by exercise, which is responsible for building muscle strength. The find also opens the possibility of treatments that offer some of the health benefits even without exercise. [Read more]( Automotive [Review: 2022 BMW i4 – a luxury EV done right]( [The 2022 i4 is the latest in the "i" series of electric vehicles from BMW]( The new BMW i4 is a beautiful example of what can happen when an automaker pulls no punches in making something timeless. It's a luxury car in every sense of the term. Like a tailored suit, the i4 fits its intended category well. [Read more]( Aircraft [Horizon presents a 50% scale prototype of its badass Cavorite X5 eVTOL]( [Horizon Aircraft's Brandon Robinson with the 50% scale prototype Cavorite X5 eVTOL, which he expects will be hovering in a matter of weeks, and flying all modes including transitions by December]( Toronto's Horizon Aircraft has unveiled a 50% prototype of its gorgeous – and very unique – electric VTOL air taxi. The Cavorite X5 separates itself from the pack as the only eVTOL that completely covers its lift fans for super low-drag cruise flight. [Read more]( Computers [Tiny 160-gram mini PC packs dual 4K HDMI ports for portable media center]( [The Pix Nii is an impressively tiny mini PC with decent internal specs]( You don’t always need a big desktop rig covered in RGB LEDs – decent specs can come in tiny packages. The Pix Nii is one of the smallest and lightest mini PCs we’ve seen, which along with its dual 4K HDMI ports could make it a great media center. [Read more]( Aircraft [Zephyr UAS smashes its own endurance record, may still be up there]( [The Zephyr has smashed its own long-endurance UAV record again, this time by at least 10 days]( The remarkable Zephyr is a stratospheric UAV designed to fly ultra-long endurance missions acting as a solar-powered observation and comms platform. In its latest test, it sailed past its old endurance record two weeks ago, and may still be up there. [Read more]( Computers ["Lost" Apple computer prototype goes on the auction block]( [The prototype was built as a demonstrator for Apple's first big sale]( A "lost" artifact from the dawn of the age of the personal computer is going up for sale. Steve Job's original, hand-soldered "Apple Computer A" prototype built in 1976 to support Apple's first big contract is on the auction block at RR Auction. [Read more]( Military [Military variants of a civilian supersonic airliner already on the cards]( [Artist's rendering of the Overture supersonic airliner]( Military variants of a civilian supersonic airliner are already on the cards after Northrop Grumman and Boom Supersonic signed an agreement at the Farnborough Air Show to develop special quick-reaction mission variants of Boom’s Overture aircraft. [Read more]( Automotive [Cadillac Celestiq EV harmonizes old world luxury and next-gen tech]( [Cadillac previews the future of the flagship]( Looking to recapture some of the glory of the past, Cadillac is previewing its envelope-pushing Celestiq. A stretched ultra-luxury sedan for modern day, the Celestiq combines regal proportions with an all-electric powertrain and loads of tech. [Read more]( Automotive [Nissan VX-E hybrid mini RV packs gas range with all-electric camping]( [Sussex attempts to offer the best of both worlds, with petrol driving flexibility and all-electric camping capabilities]( Hybrid RVs seem to be getting skipped over in favor of under-ranged electrics. Sussex breaks from the trend, retrofitting a lithium battery to the Camper Car VX-E. The mini-camper has the driving range of gas and clean operation of electric camping. [Read more]( Automotive [Startup believes AI-guided hydrofoil flotilla is key to green hydrogen]( [Drift Energy recently produced the first green hydrogen aboard its prototype sailing yacht, an effort it calls a world first]( Drift Energy puts a different spin on wind power. Instead of creating windmill-derived electricity, its plan sees AI-routed hydrofoil sailing yachts generating electricity for electrolysis. Those yachts would then deliver green hydrogen ashore. [Read more]( Tiny Houses [Extra-wide tiny house pushes the boundaries for comfort and style]( [The quaint exterior is clad in white-painted timber and wooden shingles, while steel is the material choice for the roof and window frames]( Colorado-based MitchCraft Tiny Homes has created a stunning extra-wide micro home on wheels called Kay's Tiny Home, which makes the most of the extra space inside and boasts a full-sized kitchen, large open living area and twin master lofts. 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