Weekend Edition: A floating city, a nerve-repairing antihistamine and anti-aging chemicals

[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 Architecture [Hugely ambitious self-sufficient floating city to host 40,000 people]( [Dogen City would measure 4 km (almost 2.5 mile) in circumference and host up to 40,000 people]( Japan's N-Ark has revealed plans for an incredibly ambitious floating city that would host tourism, medical facilities, and even space rockets. Named Dogen City, the self-sufficient project would provide power, food and water for up to 40,000 people. [Read more]( Medical [Over-the-counter antihistamine repairs nerve damage caused by MS]( [A new study has found direct evidence that an over-the-counter antihistamine can repair the nerve sheath damaged in people with multiple sclerosis]( A new study has found direct evidence that an over-the-counter antihistamine can repair the protective nerve sheath that’s damaged in people with multiple sclerosis, opening the door to a potential new treatment for the debilitating disease. [Read more]( Medical [Machine learning algorithm identifies 3 natural anti-aging chemicals]( [Researchers have developed a machine-learning model to identify chemicals that may combat aging]( Researchers have used a machine learning model to identify three compounds that could combat aging. They say their approach could be an effective way to identify new drugs, especially for complex diseases. [Read more]( Aircraft [China's record-breaking Mach 30 wind tunnel harnesses timed explosions]( [China has claimed the fastest, most powerful hypersonic wind tunnel on Earth with its detonation-driven, Mach 30 JF-22 project at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing]( The Chinese Academy of Sciences has announced that the world's fastest hypersonic wind tunnel is up and running, a detonation-driven shock tunnel that'll allow aerodynamic testing for aircraft, spacecraft and missiles at air speeds up to Mach 30. [Read more]( Automotive [Customer satisfaction survey predicts Top 10 cars that will "make you happy"]( [The chart at left is the top 10 cars with their overall satisfaction rating for 2023, with similar data for 2022 and 2021 on the right. The extremely granular results for all the cars in the survey have been published exclusively by Auto Express, though there's a lot more topline information on the Auto Express web site. We think the comparison of previous results is also illustrative, so we've scoured previous press releases and published data to provide a similar chart for 2020, 2019, and 2018 in this article.]( Independent customer satisfaction surveys should be the go-to information resource before making any automotive purchasing decision. In the UK, one of the most prominent is Autovia’s Driver Power survey, which has announced its results for 2023. [Read more]( Tiny Houses [Two-story tiny house pushes the boundaries of tiny living]( [The Vagabundo Flex tiny home is constructed on a sturdy steel platform and can be installed either on a prepared foundation or a trailer]( The Vagabundo Flex tiny house redefines flexible living with its innovative automated lifting roof system. Built by German company Vagabundo, the timber-framed home expands from a compact footprint into a comfy 300-sq-ft space across two levels. [Read more]( Outdoors [Popular titanium multi-tool gets lighter and better]( [Front and back of silver multi-tool on gray background]( Last year, the K-Smart Keychain multi-tool blasted past its fundraising goal of $5,000 on Kickstarter to bring in a haul of $76,715. Now, the makers are back with an improved version of the tool, which looks set to rocket to success again. [Read more]( Biology [Lucy the ancient human walked fully upright, and she was ripped]( [Computer imaging of Lucy, a 3.2-million-year-old hominin, whose incomplete skeleton was found in 1974]( For the first time, scientists have pieced together the complex muscle structure of 3.18-million-year-old hominin icon, Lucy. It confirms popular thought that our ancient relative was able to walk much like us, and also that she never skipped leg day. [Read more]( Medical ['Silent' killer in cholesterol more firmly linked to heart disease]( [Common problem: One in five people have the genetic potential for elevated Lp(a) levels]( High levels of a common genetic ‘bad’ cholesterol protein has again turned up in the blood of coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. While one in five of us have this gene variant that can sneakily spike cholesterol levels, medical help is on the way. [Read more]( Outdoors [Vega 2.0 extreme-terrain teardrop approaches micro-camping perfection]( [The 13-foot-long Cedar Ridge Vega 2.0 XT packs tiny and expands into a comfy base camp upon arrival]( Cedar Ridge Campers has released one of the most functional little teardrops we've seen anywhere. The Vega 2.0 combines a rustic-modern backpacker's hut interior with an ultra-rugged exterior built to hold up to extreme conditions the world over. [Read more]( Automotive [Telo invites drivers to downsize with Mini-sized electric pickup truck]( [Company co-founders Jason Marks and Forrest North (left) with designer Yves Béhar (right) of Fuseproject]( California EV startup Telo has pulled back the curtain on a four-door, five-person electric pickup truck that's the same length as the Mini Cooper SE yet sports a longer truck bed than the Rivian R1T. [Read more]( Collectibles [One of history's most controversial and outrageous sportscars is for sale]( [Apologies for the imagery but it's an historical artifact from the original Schuppan 962CR brochure and remarkably, the silver car in the picture is actually the same 962CR prototype that is currently for sale at Bingo Sports in Tokyo, though these days it wears black.]( The fledgling Schuppan supercar company produced just a handful of lightning-quick, $1.5 million road cars before the company was forced to liquidate in 1994 when the Japanese asset price bubble burst. Now one of those six rare beasts is on the market. [Read more]( Space [World's first space factory, now in orbit, is also a hypersonic test bed]( [As the "space factory" falls from orbit, it'll hit the atmosphere at upwards of Mach 25, making it an attractive proposition as a hypersonic test bed]( California startup Varda has celebrated the deployment of its first satellite, a test run of a fascinating space-based pharmaceuticals factory that moonlights as a hypersonic test rig during its Mach 25 re-entry to keep costs down. [Read more]( Telecommunications [Groundbreaking optical fiber blazes new data transmission speed record]( [An international team of researchers have developed a 19-core optical fiber that they say has broken the world speed record for data transmission]( A team of international researchers say they’ve set a new world speed record for an industrial standard optical fiber that’s as thick as a human hair, achieving a data transmission rate of 1.7 Petabits per second over a 41-mile cable. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Losing weight and keeping it off involves more than willpower]( [Your brain chemistry may be making it that much harder to lose weight]( While the ‘move more, eat less’ mantra is prevalent, more is being discovered about the complex brain-gut link in obesity and weight loss. Now, a new study suggests faulty ‘reward’ dopamine release may be fueling poor nutrition and chronic overeating. [Read more]( Medical [New cause for common hypertension discovered – as well as a cure]( [Scientists have discovered a genetic cause for a common form of hypertension, as well as a way to treat it]( Scientists have discovered a gene variant that causes a common type of high blood pressure – and found a cure. A simple surgical procedure saw patients with previously severe hypertension needing no drugs or further treatment for years afterwards. [Read more]( Technology [Simple tweak creates safer, more efficient solid-state batteries]( [Comparison of the new electrolyte (blue) with the old (gray)]( Oak Ridge National Laboratory has come up with a small tweak to the way that a type of solid-state battery is made, which eliminates defects in the electrolyte film, opening the way to safer and more efficient batteries. [Read more]( Automotive [20-car Ferrari treasure trove could be biggest barnfind in history]( [The 20 car "Lost and Found" Ferrari collection includes: 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider ($5.0 million), a 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale ($1.43M), a 1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica (record price - $3.3M), a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe (record - $1.14M), 1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L ($1.0 to $1.5M), 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy ($4.6M), 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS ($2.4M), 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS ($3.3M), a 1978 Ferrari 512 BB LM ($2.2M) and two Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytonas ($1.15M x 2). Prices quoted are records for each model at auction.]( RM Sotheby’s has announced the sale of what may become the most valuable automotive barn find in history: 20 Ferraris consigned to the mercy of time in 1990, unearthed in 2004 when Hurricane Charley collapsed the Florida barn they were housed in. [Read more]( Automotive [Porsche distills its best road & Le Mans DNA into Mission X hypercar]( [The Mission X concept comes loaded with active and stationary aero elements throughout, along with a blade-like rear lighting signature]( The 959. The Carrera GT. The 918 Spyder. Some nameplates mean more than others. The next up in that particular lineage, the Mission X is an automotive marvel crafted with the very highest levels of Porsche motorsport and road engineering know-how. [Read more]( Medical [Nose drops may boost stroke recovery, even after it's "too late"]( [The medication could conceivably be self-administered by patients in their own homes]( Currently, if someone doesn't receive treatment within a few hours of suffering a stroke, their chances of recovery are greatly diminished. That may one day no longer be the case, however, thanks to newly developed nasal drops. [Read more]( Aircraft [Interview: Lilium's Daniel Wiegand on its eVTOL plans and progress]( [The spectacular 7-seat Lilium Jet: one of Europe's leading electric VTOL projects]( On a recent trip to Europe, Loz Blain visited Lilium HQ outside Munich to see a spectacular full-size eVTOL mockup, fly the Lilium Jet in a motion rig simulator, tour the premises and meet the team. First stop: co-founder Daniel Wiegand. [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