Ants produce life-saving antibiotics for treating infected wounds

[New Atlas logo]( Biology [Ants produce life-saving antibiotics for treating infected wounds]( [A Matabele ant tends to the wounds of a fellow ant whose legs were bitten off by termites]( It has been known for some time now that chemicals produced by certain ants have antibiotic properties. For the first time, however, one species of ant has been observed actually using those chemicals to treat infected wounds on others of its kind. [Read more]( Special Promotion for New Atlas Readers [Double the fun with a 5th Gen iPad and Beats Flex headphones for $200]( While the idea of owning a refurbished 5th Gen iPad might not sound like the sexiest option, let us reassure you—it's the hidden gem you never knew you needed. It’s a device that respects your budget and champions environmental sustainability. [Read more]( Automotive [Smartphone maker Xiaomi confirms entry into electric car segment]( [A production timeline has not been revealed for the SU7, but Xiaomi already has in-house motors in mass production, along with integrated battery technology and autonomous driving smarts]( Xiaomi is probably best known as one of the world's top smartphone makers, but the company has a diverse product catalog that includes such things as a robodog and an ebike. Now it's rolling into the automotive space with the SU7 electric sedan. [Read more]( Biology [Synthetic biology breakthrough fixes CO2 from the air better than nature]( [Vials where the new THETA cycle of CO2 fixing is being tested]( Scientists have developed a synthetic pathway that can capture CO2 from the air more efficiently than in nature, and shown how to implement it into living bacteria. The technique could help make biofuels and other products in a sustainable way. [Read more]( Medical [Nanodrones harness natural-born killers to target and destroy cancer]( [Researchers have harnessed the cancer-destroying abilities of the body's natural killer cells]( Researchers have harnessed the cancer-destroying abilities of the body’s natural killer cells. Nanodrones selectively target a tumor, enabling the killer cells suppress cancer growth, opening the door to novel, cancer-specific immunotherapies. [Read more]( Science [Tiny tyrannosaurs are separate species, not baby T. rexes, says study]( [An artist's impression of a Nanotyrannus attacking a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex, which might neatly sum up the whole debate]( The debate rages on about the identity of fossils of small tyrannosaurs. A new study claims to have found evidence that a mini tyrannosaur species stomped around alongside its famous, giant cousin – but other scientists aren’t convinced. [Read more]( Bicycles [Stash System cycling jackets pack down into bike-stowable bundles]( [7mesh's Stash System jackets pack into their own rear pocket and get strapped to the bike when not in use]( While cycling jackets provide much-needed warmth at the start of cool-weather rides, they can be hard to store once you warm up and take them off. That's where Stash System jackets come in, as they can be packed down and mounted right on your bike. [Read more]( Architecture [Sweden's Icehotel opens for winter with fantastical frozen art]( [Nebula's Child, below, by Edmund Chan and TaiTien Tan is envisioned as a nascent star]( Every December, Sweden's Icehotel hosts chilly hotel rooms that are decorated with wonderfully creative ice sculptures. This year's selection of frozen art ranges from nature scenes to abstract forms depicting the birth of a star. [Read more]( Bicycles [Volt preps hand-built mid-drive folding ebike for life in the city]( ["With its lightweight design, innovative features, and impressive performance capabilities, VOLT's latest and lightest e-bike is perfect for commuters," said Volt Bikes]( London-based bike maker Volt has launched a mid-drive folding ebike designed for city commutes that weighs in at 17 kg, rides with a low-maintenance carbon belt and can be had with a 60-mile battery. [Read more]( Around The Home [Samsung's latest robot vacuum cleaner steams away stubborn stains]( [The AI-powered Bespoke Jet Bot Combo features steam-cleaning mops to "actively scrub off even hardened stains"]( Though we're still waiting for full-throttle robot servants to help around the home, we can at least employ automated vacuum cleaners to keep floors looking fresh. Samsung is steaming into CES 2024 to offer a first look at a brand new robovac and mop. [Read more]( Space [How the 'oxygen bottleneck' could help spot exoplanets with alien tech]( [While no one can say what alien life might look like, researchers are at least getting closer to determining the conditions that might be right for it to develop]( Look at the development of Earth-bound tech and you'll find fire at the heart of it, says a duo of researchers. And what does fire need to burn? Oxygen, whose chemical signature could provide clues to technological societies on worlds beyond our own. [Read more]( Medical [Two-step screening better identifies diabetics at risk of heart failure]( [Researchers have analyzed screening strategies and identified a two-step approach that better identifies diabetics at risk of developing heart failure]( Researchers have identified an efficient and cost-effective two-step screening strategy that, compared to the current one-step approach, more accurately identifies which type 2 diabetics need treatment to prevent life-threatening heart failure. [Read more]( Science ["Iron snow" falling in the core gives planets wavering magnetic fields]( [A cutaway image of Mercury, with iron snow visible in the interior]( The hot interior of planets isn’t somewhere you’d expect to find snow, but “iron snow” could fall on Earth’s core. A new study has modeled the dynamics in the lab and found that iron snow could make magnetic fields switch on and off in some planets. [Read more]( Medical [In a first, growth hormone's effect on 'anxiety neurons' identified]( [Researchers have identified the specific neurons responsible for controlling how growth hormone affects anxiety]( Researchers have identified the neurons responsible for controlling how growth hormone affects anxiety and the creation of fear memories, a hallmark of post-traumatic stress disorder. The discovery could lead to a new class of anti-anxiety drugs. [Read more]( Sports [iSwimWeaR tracks swimmers' performance, and watches for trouble]( [iSwimWeaR (green device with black arm) works with existing goggles or masks, along with a smartphone app]( Just like dry-land athletes, swimmers can benefit from monitoring their performance and vital signs while training. The iSwimWeaR device is designed to let them do so – plus it may even help keep them from drowning. 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