Weekend Edition: Capturing CO2, the best sci-fi of 2024, and small changes for good health

[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. 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]( Health & Wellbeing [Little changes science recommended in 2023 for big health benefits]( [You really can see big health benefits from incremental changes, says a substantial amount of research from 2023]( In 2023, researchers homed in on a variety of relatively small and simple lifestyle modifications that can positively impact human health. These are discoveries you can use right now to potentially boost your health, fight disease, and live longer. [Read more]( Home Entertainment [The best sci-fi/fantasy TV and film coming in 2024]( [Alex Garland's Civil War is set in a near-future United States that has fallen into war after several states secede from the union]( We have lots of strange, creative and original film and TV to look forward to in 2024, including an apocalypse musical, an android exploring human emotions, a story about a clone who lives forever, and a portentous US civil war feature. [Read more]( Medical [In a breakthrough, diabetics’ damaged cells regenerated to produce insulin]( [Researchers have regenerated pancreatic cells damaged by diabetes, reprogramming them to produce insulin]( Researchers have used FDA-approved cancer drugs to regenerate pancreatic cells damaged by diabetes into cells that secrete insulin in response to glucose. The discovery could mean that one day, diabetics can avoid multiple daily insulin injections. [Read more]( Biology ['Giant' predatory worm half a billion years old unearthed in Greenland]( [The fossilized worm offers new insight into ancient swimming carnivores]( Scientists have uncovered a new huge predatory worm species thought to have hunted in the Earth’s water column around 518 million years ago. They also believe this worm, whose name means terror beast, was one the earliest carnivorous swimming animals. [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]( Medical [Plant non-steroidal anti-inflammatory leaves immune system intact]( [Researchers have developed a plant-derived non-steroidal anti-inflammatory that does not weaken the innate immune system like existing drugs]( Researchers have developed a novel anti-inflammatory from a Southeast Asian medicinal plant that doesn’t suppress the immune system like currently used corticosteroids do, opening the door to a new class of anti-inflammatory drugs. [Read more]( Medical [New antibiotic family kills superbugs in a way they can't resist]( [Scientists have developed new antibacterial polymers that could help turn the tide against superbugs]( Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are poised to become a global health concern. In the race to develop new weapons, scientists have created a new family of antibacterial polymers that can kill 'superbugs' in a way they can't evolve resistance to. [Read more]( Robotics [Unitree enters the humanoid robot marketplace, with the bipedal H1]( [The Unitree H1 should ultimately sell for less than $90,000]( It was just this week that we told you about Unitree's latest quadruped robot, the B2. Well, the Chinese company has also announced its first-ever humanoid bipedal robot, the Unitree H1. [Read more]( Automotive [Spunky li'l Renault 5 to be reborn as an EV in 2024]( [The Renault 5 E-Tech will initially only be available in multiple European markets]( Marketed as the Le Car in North America, the Renault 5 was a sporty little runabout that debuted in 1972 and ceased production in 1996. It's set to return next year, however, in the form of the 100% electric Renault 5 E-Tech. [Read more]( Military [US Space Force's not-so-secret X-37B spaceplane roars into orbit]( [OTV-7 lifting off]( The US Space Force's X-37B spaceplane has launched successfully on its multi-year orbital mission. At 8:07 pm EST, the unmanned vehicle set atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy booster lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. [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]( Medical [Peptide breakthrough paves way for oral treatment of disease]( [Researchers created a groundbreaking peptide that may mean injectable drugs can be taken orally]( Peptide therapeutics – like insulin – are typically restricted to administration by invasive injection. Now, researchers have reached a "major milestone", creating an oral peptide that could revolutionize how disease treatment is delivered. [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]( Space [Juno completes its closest flyby of Jupiter's fiery moon Io]( [Juno returned high-resolution images of Io during the flyby]( On December 30, 2023, NASA's Juno deep space probe made the closest flyby of Jupiter's moon Io in over two decades. The robotic spacecraft passed within 930 miles (1,500 km) of the volcanic satellite, returning closeup images of the south pole. [Read more]( 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]( Home Entertainment [LG gets its style on with latest compact 4K laser projector]( [Yes it's boxy, but the CineBeam Qube is designed to add a touch of style to any space]( Though projectors can certainly brighten up any room, the units themselves are not usually high on the list of considerations when it comes to interior design. LG is looking to change that with the compact CineBeam Qube 4K laser projector. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Some low-carb diets are better for long-term weight loss, study finds]( [A study comparing low-carb diets has found that not all eating plans are created equal]( Researchers have done a deep dive into five different low-carbohydrate diets to see which is better for long-term weight change. Their findings highlight the importance of diet quality when trying to maintain a healthy body weight. [Read more]( Space [Exoplanet water-detection strategy now possible, say researchers]( [When looking for planets with extraterrestrial life, look for low carbon dioxide and high ozone, says a new study]( Researchers from MIT and the University of Birmingham (UB) believe that they've cracked the formula for detecting habitable planets using currently available technology. It all has to do with an exoplanet's levels of carbon dioxide and ozone. [Read more]( Architecture [Bjarke Ingels Group's city sized development builds bridges in Bhutan]( [Gelephu Mindfulness City's overall design is inspired by local architectural styles]( The Bjarke Ingels Group has revealed plans for a massive new development in Bhutan. Named Gelephu Mindfulness City, it will be designed around several eye-catching bridges that serve as both crossings and important buildings. [Read more]( Bicycles [Anod Hybrid ebike doubles down with supercaps & pocket-sized battery]( [Anod Hybrid with optional front and rear racks]( The new Anod Hybrid bike is technically more of a 'tri-brid,' adding supercapacitors to the usual battery plus pedal power equation. This provides quick-bursting power and cuts the battery bulk down to the size of a portable power bank. [Read more]( You are receiving this email because you signed up for our daily newsletter at [newatlas.com]( (or [gizmag.com]( before August 2016). 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