Weekend Edition: A mega wind turbine, low-cal sugar breakthrough, and bye bye birdie

[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 our Weekend Edition. Darren Quick Editor-in-Chief Energy [Gargantuan 22-MW wind turbine will be among history's largest machines]( [The bigger the wind turbine, the better the production and the economics. Hence, they're scaling up to ludicrous proportions.]( Imagine something as tall as New York's Chrysler building, but spinning. China's Mingyang Smart Energy has announced plans for a colossal 22-megawatt offshore wind turbine, and standing in its presence will be an unprecedented human experience. [Read more]( Science [Low-calorie sugar breakthrough could make allulose a household name]( [Professor Shota Atsumi, UC Davis Department of Chemistry, led a team that found a new way to coax microbes into making allulose, a potential substitute for table sugar]( Natural sugar allulose is 70% as sweet as table sugar, with only 10% of the calories, and does not affect blood glucose or insulin, making it an ideal sugar replacement. Yet producing it has been a huge roadblock. Scientists say they've cracked the code. [Read more]( Biology [Bird takes on typhoon for an insane 700-mile sky-high ride of his life]( [High flyer: Streaked shearwaters generally stick to a maximum height of 100 m (328 ft)]( When a bold male seabird threw caution to the wind to 'ride' a typhoon, it was the start of an 11-hour, 712-mile journey, taking him 15,000-ft higher and three times faster than usual. The bird survived and didn't lose any points off his flying licence. [Read more]( Medical [Common heart condition linked to 45% higher risk of cognitive decline]( [A new study suggests that untreated atrial fibrillation may come with a significant increase in the risk of mild cognitive impairment]( A large study has linked abnormal heart rhythm to cognitive decline, the latest evidence that connects common cardiovascular conditions with dementia. But there is some good news: Early diagnosis and medication may completely remove the increased risk. [Read more]( Aircraft [Airbus Helicopters single-joystick system simplifies copter controls]( [The Airbus system reduces controls to a single joystick]( Airbus Helicopters' new FlightLab flying laboratory is already yielding results, successfully testing a fly-by-wire system for Airbus’ CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL prototype that reduces the primary flight controls to a single joystick. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [5-Year study shows Tai Chi could help counter Parkinson's advance]( [Tai Chi can now add "Parkinson's fighter" to its already impressive list of health benefits]( While its movements are slow and gentle, Tai Chi is actually a martial art. Now, a study shows that it can not only help people learn movements grounded in self defense, but it can also help them fight the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. [Read more]( Drones [World's largest quadcopter drone takes flight]( [The University of Manchester team with its Giant Foamboard Quadcopter]( University of Manchester engineers set themselves the task of building and flying the biggest quadcopter drone in history, and to keep things legal with aviation authorities, they made some interesting materials choices. [Read more]( Materials [World's most water-repellent surface surprises its own inventors]( [An artist's impression of water rolling off the new superhydrophobic SAM coating]( Scientists have developed what they call the most water-repellent surface ever. By giving it a liquid-like coating that defies usual designs, water will roll off the surface at angles 500 times shallower than other superhydrophobic materials. [Read more]( Computers [First look: The world's first naturally-lit, anti-eye-strain monitor]( [Eazeye's monitor splits in two, with the rear section tilting back to reflect ambient light from above through the LCD screen]( Some folk find regular monitors harsh on the eyes, and look to e-ink and RLCD screens to reduce eye strain and fatigue. Another option is the Eazeye monitor is designed to use ambient backlight, via a reflector panel behind a transmissive screen. [Read more]( Bicycles [Stealthy ebike looks so much like a regular bike it's almost 'Unfair']( [At under 31 lb, the Unfair Advantage is a lightweight electrified ride]( Ebikes have come a long way in terms of sleeker, simpler styling, but they still often stick out with odd geometries, bloated tubes and large motors. QU-ET pursues a more classic, understated design direction with the Unfair Advantage city ebike. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Link between fruits, veggies & microbiome confirmed for the first time]( [Researchers have demonstrated that eating fruits and vegetables positively contributes to our gut microbiome]( By comparing the bacteria found in fruits and vegetables to those found in the human gut, researchers have demonstrated, for the first time, that consuming fruits and vegetables contributes positively to the bacterial diversity of our gut microbiome. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Fungus in the gut linked to severe COVID-19]( [High levels of antibodies targeting Candida albicans, a common gut fungus, were linked to the most severe cases of COVID]( New research reveals the severity of COVID-19 may be linked to a fungal population living in our gut, and perhaps novel antifungal medicines can be developed to treat the disease. [Read more]( Automotive [Smart Ford electric camper van looks into digital nomadism's future]( [Bailey looks into the future with the innovative, Ford E-Transit-based Endeavor EV camper van]( After decades of caravans, Bailey is turning its attention to camper vans. Its innovative new Endeavor EV stands on a Ford E-Transit and comes loaded with a multipurpose lounge, Amazon Alexa voice control, touchscreen command and electric appliances. [Read more]( Urban Transport [Gogoro unveils battery-swapping, cargo-hauling, all-terrain e-scooter]( ["The CrossOver is based on a completely redesigned all-terrain frame that enables increased rigidity while offering a variety of storage and riding capabilities," said Gogoro founder and CEO, Horace Luke]( Taiwan-based e-mobility outfit Gogoro is taking its battery-swapping electric scooters out beyond the city limits with the introduction of the CrossOver SmartScooter, which the company is calling the first two-wheel SUV. [Read more]( Biology [In a first, memory shown to have two distinct past and future paths]( [For the first time, scientists have teased apart two parts of our memory that makes the all-important whole]( For the first time, scientists have identified how the region of our brain that powers memory is made up of two very different sets of neurons: one that deals with previous associations, and one that is predictive, actively shaping future behaviors. [Read more]( Around The Home [369Sonic brings ultrasonic cutting tech to kitchen knives]( [The 369Sonic's rapidly vibrating blade is claimed to cut through delicate or squishy foods without squashing them]( For some time now, industrial ultrasonic knives have been utilized for precision cutting tasks in places like laboratories and factories. The 369Sonic, however, is claimed to be the first such device designed specifically for use in home kitchens. [Read more]( Home Entertainment [Triple-laser 4K UST projector throws big-screen visuals from inches away]( [Vankyo promises to "elevate your home theater experience" with the launch of the Vita T4 ultra-short-throw laser projector with built-in Dolby sound]( Chinese projector maker Vankyo is dipping into the world of high-end models with the launch of an ultra-short-throw 4K Laser TV called the Vista T4, which offers "a remarkable cinematic experience in terms of brightness, color accuracy, and contrast." [Read more]( Bicycles [1,200-W fat-tire adventure ebike can be folded down for storage]( [The Mars 2.0 is described as "robust ‘go anywhere’ ebike packed with features such as a powerful 1200-W peak rear-hub motor, app connectivity, chunky 20x4-inch tires, front suspension, disc brakes, an enhanced rear rack, and a compact folded design"]( HeyBike has followed the CES 2023 launch of the full-suspension Tyson with a folding adventure bike rocking pedal-assist up to 28 mph provided by the 1,200-watt hub motor, plus all-terrain fat tires and a pegboard-packing rear rack. [Read more]( Science [Lava studies suggest Earth's core is leaking]( [Lava flows in Canada suggest that the Earth's core is leaking material to the surface, a new study says]( Scientists from Caltech and WHOI have found evidence that Earth’s core is leaking. High levels of a particular isotope of helium were found in lava flows in Canada, which the team proposes originated in the planet’s core. [Read more]( Space [Gorgeous video imagines doomed Soviet-era hydrofoiling shuttle launch]( [The Alexeyev/Sukhoi Albatros launch system would have launched a carrier plane off the back of a hydrofoiling barge. Rendered here by YouTuber Hazegrayart]( The Alexeyev/Sukhoi Albatros launch system, proposed in 1974, would have launched a Soviet space shuttle on the back of a carrier spaceplane, launched off the back of a hydrofoiling barge. It never happened, but here's what it would've looked like. [Read more]( Military [ATHENA smart sensor protects aircraft from heat-seeking missiles]( [The ATHENA sensor]( Northop Grumman has come up with a new warning sensor system called the Advanced Tactical Hostile Engagement Awareness (ATHENA), which is designed to defend aircraft against the threat of heat-seeking, shoulder-fired missiles. [Read more]( Space [NASA tweaks Voyager software to protect thrusters against gunge]( [A software patch will keep the Voyager spacecraft thrusters operating for another five years]( NASA Voyager mission engineers are preparing a software patch that will allow the thrusters aboard the Voyager 1 and 2 interstellar probes to continue operating for another five years, keeping the spacecraft in communications with Earth. [Read more]( Automotive [Benchmark's crazy-loaded AWD camper van expands the scope of adventure]( [The new Deso camper van from Benchmark Vehicles is absolutely overflowing with high-end components from some of the aftermarket's biggest names]( Sprinter AWD camper vans have become so common, it takes something extra to make one stand out. Benchmark adds about as much extra as possible. Its Deso camper has SEMA levels of components, Starlink dish compatibility, onboard bike storage and more. [Read more]( Robotics [Transforming Archax mecha robot could be yours to pilot – for a price]( [The Archax – which can be operated in robot or vehicle mode – will set you back about 2.7 million dollars]( Japan's giant human-piloted, humanoid Gundam-style robots are neat and everything, but … why walk if you can roll on four wheels? That's what the Archax does, transforming between robot and vehicle configurations. [Read more]( Mobile Technology [Onyx launches eye-friendly color ePaper tablets for work and play]( [The Boox Note Air3 C (shown) and the Boox Tab Ultra C Pro both make use of eye-friendly Kaleido 3 color E Ink technology]( Onyx International has announced two additions to its 10-inch color ePaper tablet lineup. The Boox Note Air3 C shapes up as an Android reading and writing slate, while the Boox Tab Ultra C Pro is a productivity workhorse that's easy on the eyes. 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