Weed-killing plant-based foam shown to be as effective as herbicides

[New Atlas logo]( Environment [Weed-killing plant-based foam shown to be as effective as herbicides]( [Pictured here being used to kill weeds between cobblestones, Foamtech has recently been trialled on olive groves in Greece]( It's no secret that herbicides can be harmful to the environment, plus they're costly, and weeds may develop a resistance to them. New research now suggests that farmers could get the same weed-killing results from a hot biodegradable foam. [Read more]( Special Promotion for New Atlas Readers [The world's thinnest voice-activated recorder is now under $40]( Sometimes it's vital to record a meeting or a lecture to listen to at a later time. But doing so constantly on our phones can use data we may not have. This 64GB Mini Voice Activated Recorder holds 64GB for recording on the go. [Read more]( Biology [Milestone study answers genetic mysteries of human height]( [Researchers are confident they've uncovered 12,000 variants that account for nearly all the genes that influence height in humans]( The results of the world's largest ever gene study have revealed almost all the genetic variants that influence a person's height. The study analyzed DNA from five million people and homed in on 12,000 variants that play a role in how tall we are. [Read more]( Home Entertainment [Sony lays claim to the smallest 3LCD laser projectors in the world]( [The VPL-PHZ61 3LCD laser projector boasts a center brightness of 7,000 lumens, while the cheaper VPL-PHZ51 model puts out up to 5,800 lumens at the image center]( Sony has announced the successors to a pair of compact home/business projectors launched in 2020, this time going so far as calling the VPL-PHZ61 and VPL-PHZ51 models the world's smallest WUXGA 3LCD laser projectors. [Read more]( Science [Brain cells in a lab dish "exhibit sentience" by learning to play Pong]( [A microscope image of neurons within DishBrain, with cells highlighted using fluorescent markers]( Scientists have demonstrated that clusters of brain cells in a lab dish can be taught to play Pong in an approximation of sentience. This is the first time that these cells have performed goal-directed tasks, opening the door for better brain models. [Read more]( Automotive [Ford to dazzle RV and van lifers with adventure-ready Transit Trail]( [Ford Pro will introduce the new 2023 Transit Trail van in November, bringing a little more "adventure-seeking capability" to the Transit lineup]( After months of rumors, the Ford Transit Trail is officially coming to America. Ford promises the new van will be a "turnkey canvas" for DIY builders and motorhome distributors, bringing them "adventure-seeking capability." [Read more]( Energy [High-density EV battery puts 10-minute charge times on the table]( [By combining high energy density with fast charge times, a new prototype battery could pull electric vehicles closer to mainstream use]( Scientists at Penn State University have operated at the cutting-edge of battery technology for some time and are now presenting another significant breakthrough, demonstrating a high-density device that can be charged up in around 10 minutes. [Read more]( Technology [Stanford exoskeleton breaks out of the lab to offer 30-lb walking boost]( [Stanford scientists have developed an exoskeleton that can boost walking efficiency without tethers]( Stanford University scientists have just introduced their first untethered exoskeleton for use beyond the lab, which adjusts its level of assistance on the fly and offers a boost akin to taking off a 30-lb (13-kg) backpack. [Read more]( Automotive [Polestar's 1st SUV is a sleek, bi-charge e-machine with 379-mile range]( [Sporty, simple and practical: The new Polestar 3]( Polestar took a little while to fully sharpen its design chops, but the Polestar 3 proves it's found its rhythm. The SUV borrows styling cues from the Precept concept and folds them into a sporty 510-hp electric utility platform with 379-mile range. [Read more]( Marine [Manta5 SL3 pedal-electric hydrofoil sports a throttle and easier launches]( [The Manta5 SL3 has a top speed of 20 km/h (12 mph)]( What do you get when cross an ebike with a hydrofoil? That would be the Manta5, which we first heard about back in 2017. The 2nd-gen model has now been announced, and it features a new throttle-only mode, along with a much quicker learning curve. [Read more]( Wearables [TCL's smart specs put a huge virtual display in front of your eyes]( [The NXTWEAR S wearable display glasses put a 140-inch virtual screen in front of your eyes]( TCL launched the NXTGEAR G wearable display at MWC 2021, which essentially served as an external screen made large for a smartphone, tablet or laptop. The company improved on the idea for CES 2022 and has now hit Kickstarter with the latest flavor. [Read more]( Space [Near-Earth asteroid tally ticks over 30,000 milestone]( [Bennu, the asteroid visited by OSIRIS-REx, is classed as a near-Earth asteroid]( As the dinosaurs could attest, it’s worth keeping an eye on space rocks buzzing around Earth. Many observatories are doing just that, and astronomers have announced that we’ve just ticked over the milestone of 30,000 near-Earth asteroids discovered. [Read more]( Science [High harmonic lasers unlock a resolution boost for optical microscopy]( [ANU nonlinear physics researcher Anastasiia Zalogina has led a successful effort to convert laser light to high harmonics using a tiny solid cylinder, paving the way for some grand leaps in optical microscopy]( Physicists at the Australian National University say that optical microscopes should get a huge boost in magnification, after their discovery of a new high harmonic laser illumination technique, using a tiny cylinder 1/50th the width of a human hair. [Read more]( Aircraft [Plana joins the eVTOL race, with unique-looking 7-seat hybrid air taxi]( [Plana's 7-seat, long-range hybrid eVTOL is slated for production by 2028]( Korean startup Plana Aero, founded by the guy that led Hyundai/Supernal's early eVTOL program, has begun work on a new long-range, hybrid-electric VTOL air taxi that'll carry up to seven people about 350 miles at speeds up to 217 mph. [Read more]( Physics ["Attoclock" measures electrons moving at quintillions of a second]( [An artist's illustration of the team's "attoclock", which can measure electrons at time increments down to quintillionths of a second]( Electrons zip around in electronic devices extremely quickly, which makes it hard to see what’s going on in there. Now engineers have developed an “attoclock” that can take snapshots of electrons in increments as small as quintillionths of a second. [Read more]( Space [NASA lines up another launch attempt for massive Moon rocket]( [NASA’s Space Launch System rocket with the Orion spacecraft on the pad in August]( NASA is pressing ahead with its Artemis I mission, putting recent setbacks behind it to schedule another launch attempt. According to the agency, the rocket and spacecraft will be returned to the pad in early November ahead of lift-off later that month. [Read more]( Military [US outlines its vision for the Army of 2030]( [The US Army is reorganizing to deal with new technologies and emerging threats]( The US Army has released its outline of what it expects to look like in 2030 after it has reorganized itself to incorporate the lessons learned after 30 years of post-Cold-War conflicts and revolutionary advances in military technology. [Read more]( Science [Self-powered sensor changes color to warn if frozen foods have thawed]( [A proof-of-concept version of the sensor changes color (circle at right) as a piece of frozen pork thaws]( Just because a food item may be frozen when you buy it, that doesn't mean it wasn't thawed and refrozen somewhere along the line. A new self-powered sensor, however, would change color to let you know if that had happened. [Read more]( You are receiving this email because you signed up for our daily newsletter at [newatlas.com]( (or [gizmag.com]( before August 2016). 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