Weekend Edition: Virovores, dangerous dishes, and cured meat concerns

[New Atlas logo]( Welcome to 2023's first weekly wrap of the best stories to grace the pages of New Atlas over the last seven days. Sit back, relax and enjoy the Weekend Edition. Darren Quick Editor-in-Chief Science [First "virovore" discovered: An organism that eats viruses]( [A microscope image of chloroviruses attacking a piece of algae]( Name a type of organic matter and chances are some type of organism has evolved to eat it. Plants, meat, algae, insects and bacteria are all consumed by different creatures, but now scientists have discovered something new on the menu – viruses. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Residue from detergents left on dishes could harm gut health]( [Researchers used new organoid technology to model the effects of dishwashing chemicals on gut cells]( New research is questioning the safety of certain chemicals used in dishwashing detergents after intestinal cell models revealed high doses of components in rinse aids can damage gut health. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Nitrite-cured meat again linked to increased cancer risk]( [A new study has linked nitrate-containing meat with increased rates of cancer in mice]( Researchers are calling for the ban of nitrite-cured meat after a new study found a substantial link with cancer. The study saw mice fed nitrite-cured meat develop significantly more tumors than animals fed either nitrate-free meat or no meat at all. [Read more]( Science [Large COVID autopsy study finds SARS-CoV-2 all over the human body]( [A study found traces of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in over 80 different sites in the body]( In the most comprehensive autopsy tissue study conducted to date, researchers have found traces of SARS-CoV-2 throughout the entire body, from the brain to the heart. The findings support research into antiviral drugs as possible treatment for long COVID. [Read more]( Marine [Study suggests semi-submersible design may make for more efficient ships]( [Although the 3D-printed model used in the study is mainly remotely controlled, it can autonomously perform actions such as following preprogrammed routes and pursuing moving targets]( Many readers will already be familiar with so-called narco subs, used to smuggle narcotics from South America into Florida. Well, according to a new study, the design of such watercraft could actually have some practical – and legal – applications. [Read more]( Space [Curiosity finds opal on Mars – a possible water source for astronauts]( [Selfie taken by the Mars Rover Curiosity at a site called Murray Buttes]( NASA’s Curiosity rover has discovered opal on Mars. The deposits may prove to be valuable to future Martian explorers not as jewelry but as a potential source of water. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Three-year study suggests social media use could be changing kids' brains]( [A study found those children who checked social media most often showed greater activity in regions of the brain linked to social rewards]( A sophisticated new study has tracked the relationship between early teen social media use and changes in their brains over a three-year period, finding more frequent checking of social media was linked with a greater sensitivity to social rewards. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Made in USA: XBB.1.5 fastest spreading variant since first Omicron wave]( [XBB.1.5 was first detected in New York in late October]( CDC projections estimate a new SARS-CoV-2 variant called XBB.1.5 has exploded in prevalence across the US in a few short weeks. It was first detected in New York and early studies indicate it can more effectively bind to human cells than prior variants. [Read more]( Automotive [Review: 2022 Toyota Tundra proves well-rounded, much improved]( [The Toyota Tundra is all-new for the 2022 model year]( The Toyota Tundra has entered its third generation with the all-new model for 2022. Changes made were much needed and very welcome, keeping the Tundra in its slot as the "everyday truck" for those not tied to a Detroit brand. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Drink water, live longer? Study finds link between hydration and aging]( [New research has found a correlation between blood biomarkers of hydration and aging]( A fascinating study from researchers at the National Institutes of Health suggests people who don't drink enough fluids could be at greater risk of chronic disease and are more likely to die at a younger age. [Read more]( Science [The year in science 2022]( [A look back at the year in science for 2022]( It was another bumper year for breakthroughs, records, and firsts for science. New Atlas looks back at the year in science for 2022 and selects some of the most interesting stories to grace our pages. [Read more]( Space [Gallery: Incredible images from James Webb's first year in space]( [Some of the highlights – top left: the Southern Ring planetary nebula in near- and mid-infrared, the product of a dying star; top right: star formation in the Carina Nebula; bottom left: Stephan’s Quintet, an interacting galaxy group; bottom right: Webb’s first deep field image]( In 2022, decades of work finally came to fruition as the James Webb Space Telescope focused its powerful eyes on the universe. From distant galaxies to our nearby neighbors, let’s look back at some of the most impressive images captured so far. [Read more]( Drones [Top 10 drone innovations that caught our attention in 2022]( [Undefined Technologies' Silent Ventus drone uses an ion propulsion system to fly, instead of propellers]( The past year has been a big one for drones, both in terms of new models and new capabilities. Here's a list of our picks for the latter, including clever uses of drones and interesting developments in the technology. [Read more]( 3D Printing [Metal/polymer composite makes for stronger 3D-printed nanostructures]( [A tiny Stanford University logo, 3D-printed from the new material]( 3D printing technology is used not only to build things as large as houses, but also as small as snowflakes. A new material allows the latter to be much stronger than ever before, and to be printed considerably faster. [Read more]( Architecture [The best houses of 2022]( [New Atlas showcases the best houses of 2022]( From a shipping-container-based retreat in the Australian bush to high-end Dutch housing on the water, our selection of the best houses of 2022 showcases the impressive variety of residential design we've covered throughout the year. [Read more]( Environment [High-efficiency water filter removes 99.9% of microplastics in 10 seconds]( [A new filter is reportedly able to remove 99.9% of microplastics from water within 10 seconds]( Microplastics are a growing environmental problem, but now researchers in Korea have developed a new water purification system that can filter out these tiny fragments, as well as other pollutants, very quickly and with high efficiency. [Read more]( Photography [The best photography of 2022]( [Creative Photo Awards. Highly Commended - Animals. "Golden Retriever Chasing Beach Ball". Florida, USA]( Following another incredible year of spectacular photography contests, we've gathered a hand-picked selection of the best of the best. From curious polar bears to parasitic fungi, these are some of the most impressive images of 2022. [Read more]( Good Thinking [Ice Straw fights plastic problem and keeps drinks cool at the same time]( [The Ice Straw is a sustainable straw made from ice, thanks to a reusable silicone mold]( Plastic straws are the poster child of waste, but alternatives also have issues. A start-up called The Ice Guys is crowdfunding an intriguing solution that fights the plastic boogeyman and keeps your drinks cool at the same time – the Ice Straw. [Read more]( Bicycles [The most innovative ebikes of 2022]( [One of our top picks, the Streek e-trike offers two levels of cargo storage]( It would be an understatement to say that over the past 12 months, ebikes have become more popular than ever. With the year now at its end, it's time to look back at some of the models that really did things differently in 2022. [Read more]( Mobile Technology [New LG tech allows for continuous optical zooming on smartphone cameras]( [The Optical Telephoto Zoom Camera Module will be officially unveiled next month at CES]( With a few notable exceptions, most smartphone cameras zoom either digitally or via a few optical zoom presets. That could soon change, however, as LG Innotek has announced its new Optical Telephoto Zoom Camera Module. [Read more]( Medical [Ear canal removal carried out on a pig for the first time]( [Pig wrapped in bandage getting a pat on the head from a gloved worker]( Earlier this month, Ella, a three-year-old potbelly pig, entered into a surgical procedure at Oregon State University (OSU). Simultaneously, she entered the record books as the first pig to ever have undergone the complete removal of an ear canal. [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