Colorado chili pepper fossil discovery may upend evolutionary timeline

[New Atlas logo]( Biology [Colorado chili pepper fossil discovery may upend evolutionary timeline]( [Researchers identified this fossil as a chili pepper due to its unique 'hat'. The discovery has caused scientists to rethink the plant's evolutionary timeline]( Fossilized plants can provide much information about the planet’s geography and evolution. Researchers have discovered an ancient chili pepper from Colorado that may upend our understanding of when and where the plant originated. [Read more]( Sponsored Content [Atera Announces Brand-New Virtual Event "Ateraverse" for IT Professionals]( Experts from Microsoft, Zoom, and more will meet May 3-4 for Ateraverse, a free conference held May 3-4 by all-in-one IT management platform Atera on the issues and challenges IT pros face today. Keynote speaker: Former Nasa Astronaut Mike Massimino. [Read more]( Technology [nVidia's new text-to-video AI shows an insane rate of progress]( [A stormtrooper vacuums at the beach ... except the vacuum head is a pool cleaner and it's plugged into his butt. We live in interesting times]( "Will Smith eating spaghetti" made text-to-video generative AIs look like a bit of a joke just a month or two ago, but nVidia has now demonstrated a new system that blows previous efforts out of the water. The pace of progress here is astonishing. [Read more]( Physics [World's heaviest "Schrödinger's cat" pushes quantum boundaries]( [An artist's impression of "Schrödinger's cats" of various weights, which a new study has probed]( The famous thought experiment of Schrödinger’s Cat neatly sums up a complex quantum phenomenon in terms we can visualize. Now scientists have created the heaviest Schrödinger’s Cat to date, probing the boundaries between quantum and classical physics. [Read more]( Technology [Biofire Smart Gun uses dual biometric sensors to prevent unauthorized use]( [The Biofire Smart Gun incorporates sensors to prevent unauthorized use]( A 'safe' handgun is a relative term, but Colorado-based Biofire Technologies is taking a high-tech crack at the idea with its Biofire Smart Gun, which uses an electronic identification and firing system to prevent accidental or unauthorized use. [Read more]( Medical [Painless patch uses ultrasound to deliver drugs through the skin]( [A new wearable patch can deliver drugs through the skin using ultrasound]( MIT scientists have developed a new wearable patch that can deliver drugs through the skin more efficiently and painlessly. The device uses pulses of ultrasound to pry open the skin, which could improve topical medications or even tattoos. [Read more]( Outdoors [Calicamp kit turns VW camper into go-anywhere gourmet grilling machine]( [Calicamp adds serious cooking capability to any Volkswagen camper van]( A VW California camper van with built-in charcoal grill – what could possibly exemplify "summer" better than that? Calicamp has prepared an add-on kitchen system specifically for VW vans that will turn a scenic pull-over into a five-star meal. [Read more]( Technology [Nanowire networks can learn and remember like a human brain]( [The brain's neural network (left) is emulated by a nanowire network (right), which research has shown can learn and remember like a human brain]( Nanowire networks mimic the networked structure of the human brain. But can they learn and remember like a human brain can? New research indicates they can. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Oregon's magic mushroom move is ever closer to being open for business]( [Fancy a trip in Oregon? The first psilocybin therapy clinics aren't too far off]( Stunning nature, craft breweries, marionberries and Voodoo Doughnuts are some of the things the Pacific Northwest state is famous for, but with new licenses rolling out, it'll soon be known as the unofficial home of the burgeoning psilocybin industry. [Read more]( Outdoors [Sitpack chases cheeks with go-anywhere 5-second camping chair]( [The Sitpack Campster 2 helps you relax while exploring the world]( Sitpack's latest six-figure crowdfunder looks to launch the Campster 2, a fast, low version of the ultra-portable Campster chair. The new model packs down to the size of a bottle, sets up in 5 seconds and provides a comfy sit, on or off the map. [Read more]( Special Promotion for New Atlas Readers [For $30 for your first month, Adobe can help unleash your creativity]( This deal gives you access to 20 programs in this Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps bundle, including Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat and After Effects, plus 100GB of cloud storage for only $29.99 for the first month. [Read more]( Bicycles [EBC launches highly customizable 200-mile moto-inspired ebike]( [The Model J is described as a "retro, moto-inspired, smaller, nimbler, ebike geared towards our youthful explorer"]( California's Electric Bike Company has announced a moto-inspired ebike for young adults known as the Model J, with everything from the color of the frame and fork to the drivetrain and number of batteries available for custom tweaking. [Read more]( Biology [Study uncovers how gut bacteria exchange antibacterial resistance genes]( [UK researchers have uncovered how F-pili, the appendages found on gut bacteria, exchange antimicrobial resistance genes]( Antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide public health problem. Now, UK researchers have determined how gut bacteria efficiently swap antimicrobial resistance genes and hope the knowledge might be exploited to develop new drug therapies. [Read more]( Drones [Inflatable drone bounces and perches instead of crashing and hovering]( [If it needs to loiter in one place, the SoBar drone saves power by perching instead of hovering on the spot]( If you've ever tried piloting a drone, you'll know that they end up running into walls, trees or whatnot … often getting damaged in the process. An experimental inflatable-body drone, however, just bounces off obstacles – plus it can grasp onto them. [Read more]( Medical [Lung storage technique offers 'paradigm shift' for transplants]( [The new storage technique should mean that many more people who need lung transplants will be able to get them]( The standard for storing lungs for transplant procedures has been to pack them in ice in coolers and rush them to the surgery site. But researchers have found that a warmer temperature can dramatically improve the time during which they stay viable. [Read more]( Environment [Wood's unique "chemical fingerprint" could thwart timber fraudsters]( [Allegedly "legitimate" timber is often actually harvested from regions where logging is prohibited]( Even though logging is prohibited in many of the world's forests, that doesn't stop some companies from logging in those areas anyways, then lying about the origins of the timber. Such groups may soon be foiled by the wood's chemical fingerprint. [Read more]( Architecture [Superlative sustainability: AIA reveals USA's greenest new buildings]( [RIDC Mill 19: Buildings A & B is one of the sustainable projects to feature in this year's AIA COTE Top Ten Awards]( The American Institute of Architects has revealed the USA's finest new sustainable architecture for its COTE Top Ten Awards. Highlights include a park that offers lessons on water use and a steel mill transformed into a sustainable powerhouse. [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