Weekend Edition: An armored submarine, carbon ebikes and rechargeable aluminum

[New Atlas logo]( A discovery has this week raised the prospect of an antibody "master key" to neutralize all COVID variants, while a promising new treatment for arthritis and implantable drug factories for cancer are among the other exciting advances. We also look at an outrageous armored submarine, a radical aluminum-based energy storage system and take a stylish carbon ebike for a spin. Meanwhile, for the James Webb Space Telescope, the hits just keep on coming. Thanks for reading, and enjoy the Weekend Edition! Nick Lavars Associate Editor Health & Wellbeing [Antibody “master key” discovery could neutralize all COVID variants]( [A new study describes a part of the coronavirus spike protein shared across all variants that makes it vulnerable to novel antibodies targeting that region]( A study has homed in on a part of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that is shared across all variants. The research reveals an antibody fragment that can block the virus from entering human cells, paving the way for therapies to neutralize all variants. [Read more]( Marine [Outrageous armored submarine claims 50-km/h underwater top speed]( [Yes, these images are renders. But the outrageous Kronos armored submarine actually seems to be under construction]( Highland Systems is adding to its fearsome vehicle lineup in extraordinary style, with an 11-seat armored speed demon it calls the Kronos. Clearly inspired by the manta ray, this hybrid beast rocks folding wings and 1,200 horsepower of propulsion. [Read more]( Energy [Rechargeable aluminum: The cheap solution to seasonal energy storage?]( [Aluminum, used in a redox cycle, has a massive energy density. Swiss researchers believe it could be the key to affordable seasonal storage of renewable energy, clearing a path for the decarbonization of the energy grid]( Aluminum has an energy density more than 50 times higher than lithium ion, if you treat it as an energy storage medium in a clean redox cycle system. Swiss scientists are developing the technology as a renewable energy stash for the European winter. [Read more]( Bicycles [Review: Full-carbon Urtopia ebike turns heads and delivers the goods]( [The Urtopia is designed for use in an urban utopia ... or perhaps for turning cities into urban utopias, or something like that]( For some people, the word "ebike" brings forth visions of heavy, dumpy things that are far from exciting. Such is not the case with the full-carbon Urtopia, however, which I recently discovered for myself after riding the bike for several weeks. [Read more]( Medical [Implantable "drug factory" beads destroy tumors in mice within days]( [Study authors Amanda Nash and Omid Veiseh with their "drug factory" beads]( Earlier this year, scientists demonstrated "drug factory" beads that could be implanted alongside ovarian and colorectal tumors in mice to destroy them in less than a week. A new study focusing on another cancer type has now produced similar results. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [New rheumatoid arthritis drug passes Phase 3 trial, looks to approval]( [The new treatment is hoped to be available within the next 12 months]( Positive Phase 3 trial results for a new antibody treatment targeting rheumatoid arthritis have recently been reported. The therapy is hoped to offer a new option to patients struggling with current treatments and should be available within the next year. [Read more]( Aircraft [World's first commercial electric plane completes point-to-point flight]( [On August 17, Harbour Air completed the first point-to-point flight of its all-electric aircraft]( An aviation company at the cutting edge of electrified air travel has taken a significant step forward, completing a first-of-a-kind test flight using a retrofitted seaplane to demonstrate the viability of its cleaner approach to short-haul flights. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Psilocybin alcoholism trial highlights problem for psychedelic science]( [Almost every participant in the trial guessed whether they had been given psilocybin or placebo, raising questions over whether psychedelic trials can ever be properly blinded]( A study has reported results from the first ever placebo-controlled trial testing psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder, but the findings inadvertently raise major questions about the veracity of clinical trials for psychedelic drugs. [Read more]( Energy [Battery made of aluminum, sulfur and salt proves fast, safe and low-cost]( [The three main ingredients in the new battery, from left: aluminum, sulfur and salt]( A new battery from MIT uses common materials – aluminum, sulfur and salt. Not only is the battery low-cost, but it’s resistant to fire and failures, and can be charged very fast, making it useful for powering a home or charging electric vehicles. [Read more]( Aircraft [Unexpected end to Zephyr 8's record-smashing 64-day endurance flight]( [Artist's illustration of the Zephyr 8]( The US Army's record-breaking Zephyr 8 uncrewed ultra-long endurance drone demonstration came to an abrupt end after an unprecedented 64 days in flight, when an unspecified event brought the aircraft down over the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. [Read more]( Architecture [Huge circular building runs rings around world's tallest skyscraper]( [The Downtown Circle would reach a height of 550 m (roughly 1,800 ft), making it as tall as some of the world's tallest skyscrapers]( ZNera Space envisions encircling the world's tallest building with a massive circular structure named the Downtown Circle. The mixed-use building would create a new neighborhood in the sky for Dubai at an impressive height of 550 m. [Read more]( Space [Sharpest image of most massive known star reveals its true size]( [An illustration of R136a1, the most massive star known]( Astronomers have taken the sharpest images ever of the most massive star in the known universe. With these new images the scientists refined just how big the star is, and in the process revised our ideas of how big stars could possibly ever get. [Read more]( Outdoors [Five-function Leatherman multitool switches gears with swappable blades]( [The newly introduced Parts multitool features a swappable blade system]( Leatherman has introduced a stylish pocket knife with a few tricks up its sleeve, spearheaded by an interchangeable blade system built around two forms of high-end steel for different types of cutting tasks. [Read more]( Architecture [Earth-packed tire walls prove as structurally sound as concrete]( [Used car tires are a massive, non-biodegradable landfill problem – and a huge opportunity in construction, argues a new study]( Australian researchers have analyzed the structural properties of walls made from end-of-life car tires packed with dirt, giving engineers some figures to work with and making a well-known upcycling technique available to the construction industry. [Read more]( Materials [Solid-state refrigerant works under pressure for greener cooling]( [Scientists have investigated a new solid-state refrigerant material that could reduce our need for polluting HFC gases]( Gases used as refrigerants in cooling systems can leak into the atmosphere and become major contributors to climate change. Now engineers at Harvard have demonstrated a new prototype cooling device that uses a solid-state material as a refrigerant. [Read more]( Energy [Powder brushed onto electrodes brings high-capacity batteries closer]( [A novel film developed at Rice University could help unlock next-generation energy storage technology]( Scientists at Rice University have put forward a promising solution to lithium-metal battery failure, developing a film made of fine powder that can be brushed onto electrode surfaces to prevent the formation of dendrites. [Read more]( Aircraft [Ryse Recon buy 'n' fly eVTOL celebrates first manned flight]( [Not only would the Recon be quicker than ground-based transportation, but it also wouldn't be limited by rough terrain, and it wouldn't compact the soil in farm fields]( American company Ryse Aerotech has released video of its first manned flight test, undertaken back in June. The Recon eVTOL is pitched as a buy 'n' fly ultralight aircraft that farmers and ranchers can put to immediate use without a pilot's license. [Read more]( Space [James Webb detects carbon dioxide in exoplanet atmosphere for first time]( [An artist's impression of WASP-39b, a gas giant exoplanet where James Webb has detected atmospheric carbon dioxide]( The James Webb Space Telescope has clearly detected carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of an exoplanet for the first time. The find marks a milestone for the telescope’s goal of analyzing the air of distant planets to aid the search for alien life. [Read more]( Space [James Webb's dreamy view of Jupiter reveals "remarkable" new detail]( [The James Webb Space Telescope has produced mesmerizing new views of Jupiter]( The James Webb Telescope has provided another mesmerizing perspective of the universe, this time turning its near-infrared camera on a target much closer to home to offer an awe-inspiring look at Jupiter. [Read more]( Marine [Vanquish Yachts tarts up a jet ski to look a little less vulgar]( [The Vanquish VQ11 is designed to mimic the shape of a decent yacht instead of the vulgar, luminescent plastic of a jet ski]( Jet skis are handy things to have on a yacht – but most look like they were designed by people with their caps on backwards, who might say things like "yo" and "gnarly," and who probably don't put their pinkies up when they drink tea, the savages. [Read more]( Outdoors [A10 multitool wallet is a rugged one-stop shop for everyday survival]( [The A10 Spec-Ops wallet is available now]( We've seen quite a few multitools over the years designed to slot right into a regular wallet for easy transport, and gear-maker Dango Products has approached this type of thinking with a tactical precision. [Read more]( Technology [Graphene efficiently recovers gold from waste electronics]( [Graphene is the key to a new environmentally friendly method to extract gold from electronic waste]( Discarded electronics can be a gold mine – literally. Researchers have developed an efficient new way to use graphene to recover gold from electronic waste, without needing any other chemicals or energy. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Some artificial sweeteners found to alter microbiome and blood sugar]( [Saccharin and sucralose were found to have the greatest impact on the microbiome in a trial testing four different artificial sweeteners]( A new study into the effects of four artificial sweeteners on the gut microbiome in humans has revealed not only can these sweeteners lead to changes in gut bacteria composition, but they can also alter glucose tolerance and blood sugar levels. [Read more]( Military [US Navy takes delivery of tactical Lockheed Martin laser weapon]( [Artist's concept of HELIOS in action]( The US Navy has taken delivery of a near-operational high-energy tactical laser weapon called the High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance system from Lockheed Martin that can be installed in existing warships. 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