Oxford scientists discover key cause of type 2 diabetes

[New Atlas logo]( Health & Wellbeing [Oxford scientists discover key cause of type 2 diabetes]( [A study has found it isn't glucose damaging the body's ability to produce insulin but products of glucose metabolism that lead to type 2 diabetes]( A study has shed light on the mystery of how high blood glucose leads to type 2 diabetes. The discovery reveals glucose metabolites can damage insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, and disrupting this process could offer a way to treat the disease. [Read more]( Special Promotion for New Atlas Readers [Learn a new language for only $199 with this special deal on Babbel]( What if you could get the #1 top-grossing language-learning app in the world for 60% off the suggested retail price? Now until the end of November, you can join the over 10 million users, and study 14 different languages with Babbel for only $199. [Read more]( Biology [3D microscope video tracks virus zipping around in real time]( [Researchers have developed a new imaging technique that can track viruses before they infect cells]( Scientists at Duke University have created a real-time video that captures the frantic movements of a single virus as it tries to infect a cell. The video shows a part of the process that’s normally hard to see. [Read more]( Marine [Pancake-motored electric outboard to power e-boats of the future]( [The full Propel S1 electric outboard weighs around 104 lb (battery not included)]( Saietta Group is readying its Red Dot-winning Propel S1 electric outboard for production. Designed to help meet future demand for clean, quiet e-boat drives, the compact 104-lb outboard uses a 10-kW pancake motor to propel boats for up to 56 miles. [Read more]( Robotics [Robotic spider could soon be inspecting Japanese sewage pipes]( [The SPD1 robot could be used on its own, or in tethered groups of three]( According to Japanese robotics firm TMSUK, there's currently a shortage of sewer-inspection workers in that country. The company has therefore set out to streamline the workload for existing workers, by making a sewage-pipe-inspecting robotic spider. [Read more]( Energy [Fusion researchers spot strange, high-energy behavior in burning plasma]( [Scientists studying nuclear fusion have identified an unexpected high-energy behavior in burning plasma]( Having achieved a self-heating “burning plasma” in the quest for producing clean, limitless energy using nuclear fusion, on closer inspection of that plasma researchers have discovered strange, unexplained behavior of ions within it. [Read more]( Medical ["Electrical language" of cancer cells may spill secrets of tumor growth]( [Scientists have discovered a new type of electrical activity in cancer cells]( By using machine learning and cutting-edge microscopes, scientists have uncovered what they believe to be a new form of communication between cancer cells they describe as a “type of electrical language" that could offer new ways to treat the disease. [Read more]( Biology [Puzzling study finds bee lifespans are now 50% shorter than 50 years ago]( [Researchers found caged bees are only living half the time as their counterparts in similar conditions 50 years ago]( Striking new research suggests the lifespan of honey bees kept in controlled laboratory conditions is 50% shorter than what was seen in the 1970s. The researchers hypothesize genetic changes in bees may be responsible for the shorter lifespans. [Read more]( Science [Earliest evidence of humans cooking with fire dates back 780,000 years]( [An artist's impression of early humans cooking fish at Lake Hula in what is now Israel]( Scientists have discovered the earliest evidence of cooking food through controlled use of fire, dating back 780,000 years. An archeological site in Israel contains fish remains that, on closer examination, show clear signs of having been cooked. [Read more]( Energy [Swords to ploughshares: Hyme re-jigs old power plants for clean energy]( [The Danish "Energy Island" of Bornholm will be the site of Hyme's first repurposed power plant as a cutting-edge molten-salt energy storage facility]( Denmark's Hyme Energy wants to save shut-down fossil-fuel heat and power plants by repurposing them as renewable energy storage and release facilities using technology borrowed from the advanced nuclear sector. Its first plant will be online by 2024. [Read more]( Architecture [Stefano Boeri sows seeds for tree-filled International Forest Stadium]( [The International Forest Stadium is envisioned for Milan, Italy, and would feature 3,300 trees and 56,300 shrubs]( Proponent of greenery covered architecture Stefano Boeri Architetti has revealed its design for a new soccer stadium in Milan, Italy. The ambitious project would include a park and museum, and would be filled with thousands of plants and trees. [Read more]( Bicycles [Metro CX step-through ebike designed for exploring the city]( [The Metro CX features a step-through frame for a more accessible ride, a 900-W (peak) motor with nine pedal-assist levels, and a 50-km battery]( Whether folks are looking for a greener, cheaper last-mile trip to work or just want to get around without being punished by hills, ebikes are proving a popular choice. The latest Class 2 model from iGo is a step-through commuter called the Metro CX. [Read more]( Medical [Shape-memory implant may keep immobilized muscles from wasting away]( [Various versions of the MAGENTA implant used in mouse experiments]( When a limb is rendered immobile for long periods of time, its muscles will inevitably begin to atrophy. A new implant could help keep that from happening, however, by mechanically stretching and compressing those muscles. [Read more]( Children [Review: Turing Tumble lets kids build complex marble-powered computers]( [The Turing Tumble asks kids to direct falling marbles through "bit" switches, sneakily teaching them the basic concepts behind digital computing]( Minnesota company Upper Story has sent us its Turing Tumble, a fascinating educational toy that quietly tricks kids into inventing binary logic computers using nothing more than tiny marbles dropping through a series of clicky-clacky plastic pieces. [Read more]( Biology [Stem cells (and mini brains) grown from critically endangered rhinos]( [Kertam, the last male Sumatran rhino in Malaysia, who died in 2019]( Researchers have created induced pluripotent stem cells from the genetic material of the critically endangered Sumatran rhino, potentially providing new ways to help conservation efforts. They even used them to grow mini rhino brains in lab dishes. [Read more]( Environment [Mushroom-derived electronics designed to biodegrade when discarded]( [The MycelioTronic substrate material is made from the skin of the reishi mushroom]( Among other things, mushrooms have been put forth as eco-friendly alternatives to leather and expanded foam packaging. According to a new study, they might also find use in biodegradable electronic devices. [Read more]( Music [Teenage Engineering gets choral with ensemble of singing wooden dolls]( [Each of the eight members of the choir has a Bluetooth speaker inside to output classic songs as a solo performer or as part of a melodic ensemble]( The first project from Teenage Engineering was a 2007 art installation comprising 22 wooden dolls that formed a singing ensemble. The absolut choir has now inspired the creation of a smaller collection that can voice a bunch of classic songs. [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