Weekend Edition: New props, new wings and maybe not as dead as a dodo

[New Atlas logo]( Welcome to our 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 Aircraft [Toroidal propellers: A noise-killing game changer in air and water]( [Toroidal propellers: a radically quieter and more efficient design that can boost fuel economy by 20% when swapped onto a marine motor]( These strangely-shaped twisted-toroid propellers look like a revolutionary (sorry) advance for the aviation and marine sectors. Radically quieter than traditional propellers in both air and water, they're also showing some huge efficiency gains. [Read more]( Aircraft [Boeing to build braced-wing airliner, shooting for 30% efficiency gain]( [NASA has awarded Boeing US$425 million towards building and testing a full-sized prototype of its transonic truss-braced wing airliner concept]( With a US$425-million cash injection from NASA, Boeing will build and test a full-sized airliner based on its transonic truss-braced wing (TTBW) concept, using long, thin, strut-braced wings to add lift, reduce drag, and burn an impressive 30% less fuel. [Read more]( Biology [Dodo next in line for de-extinction by scientists reviving the mammoth]( [A model of a dodo, the creature that perhaps most clearly represents human-induced extinction]( Not content with the woolly mammoth and the thylacine, Colossal Biosciences has now announced the third animal on its de-extinction list – the dodo. The company has received new funding, and provided an update on its scientific progress so far. [Read more]( Automotive [All-electric Toyota camper van converts from MPV to mini RV]( [The Campervan Co Eco Proace Revolution debuts as a four-berth fully electric camper van]( Campervan Co has long been one of the world's premier hybrid camper van innovators. Now it brings some of that innovation to all-electric RVing with a versatile Toyota e-camper that uses a dual-battery layout for zero-emissions touring and camping. [Read more]( Urban Transport [Former Lilium designer debuts "highly athletic" wearable vehicle]( [A foldable "wearable vehicle" from Munich-based Italian designer Andrea Mocellin]( Munich-based designer Andrea Mocellin has presented his latest personal mobility device. The Exo-Line is an exoskeleton-inspired, battery-powered wearable vehicle you can lower yourself onto chest-first for a "physically engaging riding experience." [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Researchers call for health warning labels on ultra-processed foods]( [Some researchers are calling for health warning labels to be put on ultra-processed food packaging]( A study looking at health records of nearly 200,000 people has found a link between cancer and the consumption of ultra-processed foods. The researchers call for health warnings to be added to these foods but not all experts agree that is the solution. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Brain-frequency primer accelerates learning and retention]( [A white square, flashing on a black background for 1.5 seconds at a subject's own individual alpha brainwave frequency, accelerates learning by more than 3X, with solid next-day retention, suggests new research]( The human brain can be primed to learn more than three times faster, simply by flashing a light at its individual alpha brainwave frequency for 1.5 seconds, suggests a fascinating new neuroplasticity study from Cambridge and Singapore's NTU. [Read more]( Outdoors [Bowlus launches an off-grid glamping trailer for the not-as-wealthy]( [Bowlus trailers have long been packing on more equipment and more price, but the Heritage Edition gets by with less while still offering a comfortable, off-grid-capable caravanning experience]( Bowlus travel trailers have never come cheap ... and they still don't. But Bowlus has launched the Heritage Edition, a more affordable base model that still has a week of off-grid lithium power and loads of glamping comfort. [Read more]( Aircraft [Pelican Cargo unveiled as world's largest autonomous electric cargo plane]( [Pyka expects the first commercial operation of the Pelican Cargo uncrewed aerial system to commence in the second half of 2023]( Back in 2020, California-based startup Pyka launched an autonomous electric crop duster called the Pelican. Now the company has developed a cargo-carrying version that's billed as the world's largest autonomous electric cargo airplane. [Read more]( Space [NASA's rotating detonation rocket engine posts record test results]( [NASA has successfully tested a rotating detonation engine to more than 4,000 lb of thrust, in partnership with In Space LLC]( Explosions get you much more bang from your fuel buck than combustion – if your engine can withstand them. NASA believes the rotating detonation engine could be the future of deep space travel, and it's getting strong results in prototype testing. [Read more]( Home Entertainment [Epson promises best-in-class brightness for 4K-enhanced laser projectors]( [Epson has added three new models to its PowerLite L Series event space projectors, each featuring "best-in-class color brightness" and pixel-shift technology for clear, detailed visuals]( Epson has flown into Barcelona this week to launch three business-focused PowerLite L Series laser projectors at ISE 2023 , each rocking 4K Enhancement technology for "a visibly smoother and sharper display" [Read more]( Materials ["Robot" made of shape-shifting matter liquefies to escape jail]( [A humanoid "robot" made of a phase-change material shifts from solid and liquid to escape jail, in just one demonstration of the new tech]( Researchers have created a new class of robots that can shift between solid and liquid forms on demand. In a series of tests, these new bots could change shape to run obstacle courses, carry objects, or even escape from a jail cell like a Terminator. [Read more]( Military [DARPA nails latest US hypersonic missile test flight]( [Artist's concept of the Lockheed Martine hypersonic missile]( A DARPA-led project has successfully completed the final test of Lockheed Martin's Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) missile. Powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne scramjet, the craft reached a speed in excess of Mach 5 over a course 300 nm. [Read more]( Medical [First human trial for experimental Marburg virus vaccine reports success]( [An experimental Marburg virus vaccine will now look to larger Phase 2 human testing]( Promising results have been published from the first human trial testing an experimental vaccine targeting the deadly Marburg virus. Flagged as a potential pandemic-causing virus, this is the first Marburg vaccine to move into Phase 2 human trials. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [How adding some milk to your coffee may enhance its health benefits]( [New research suggests antioxidant properties in coffee may be enhanced with the addition of milk]( New research has found adding milk to your morning coffee may enhance the drink's anti-inflammatory properties. Across several studies scientists demonstrated how milk proteins can bind with antioxidants in coffee, amplifying any health benefits. [Read more]( Environment [Profitable retrofit system could slash steelmaking emissions by 94%]( [Around 70% of the world's steel is currently produced in high-emissions blast furnaces. A retrofit thermochemical redox system could slash emissions to a tiny fraction of current levels, say University of Birmingham researchers, while paying for itself and generating impressive profits within five years]( A rare decarbonization idea that looks as good for business as it does for the planet. This system promises to radically reduce carbon dioxide emissions for 70% of steelmakers, while generating profits and making use of existing blast furnaces. [Read more]( Materials [Ultra-thin coating makes for self-cleaning solar panels]( [Scientists in Germany have developed a new coating for solar panels that can make them self-cleaning]( Solar panels can’t operate efficiently if they’re caked in dirt, but cleaning them regularly can be a time-consuming process. Engineers in Germany have now developed an ultra-thin coating that can make solar panels and other surfaces self-cleaning. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [COVID during pregnancy linked to placental damage and fetal haemorrhages]( [The implications of the findings of two new studies are unclear as it will take several years before neurodevelopmental issues may appear in children exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in utero]( Two new studies have highlighted the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 infections during pregnancy, finding placental abnormalities and fetal haemorrhages. Researchers are now investigating whether there are long-lasting neurodevelopmental effects. [Read more]( Military [Ukraine gets NATO main battle tanks. Will it change the tide of the war?]( [Leopard 2, Challenger 2, and M1 Abrams tanks on NATO exercises]( The United States, Britain, and Germany have agreed to supply Ukraine with main battle Tanks to aid its resistance to Russia's invasion. What are these tanks, will they turn the tide of the war, and in which direction? New Atlas takes a look. [Read more]( Outdoors [Spacecamper modularizes Volkswagen T7 Multivan indoor/outdoor RV]( [Spacecamper introduces the Modular Serial 7 lineup for the VW T7 Multivan]( Spacecamper matches the versatility of the new VW T7 Multivan with a modular kit designed to make it a camper with 7 seats, a double bed, a tailgate kitchen and more. The components remove and rearrange so the van still works as an everyday driver. [Read more]( Marine [Silent 120 Explorer yacht will accommodate a personal sub and an eVTOL]( [The Silent 120 Explorer solar-electric catamaran, with the XP4 eVTOL charging on its roof]( Austrian boat-builder Silent Yachts is already known for its line of solar-powered catamarans. Now, the company has announced its Silent 120 Explorer superyacht, which includes spaces for an eVTOL and a personal submarine. [Read more]( Home Entertainment [CS1 breathes new streaming life into legacy hi-fi systems]( [The NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer "makes it easy to add audiophile-grade streaming to any sound system"]( There's no denying that streaming rules the roost for the way we consume our music these days. But if your perfectly good living room hi-fi is feeling very unloved, a little black box from NAD could help bring your aging setup into the 21st century. [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