Weekend Edition: An anti-aging enzyme, ChatGPT update, and did Nickelback kickstart life?

New Atlas logo NEW AILAS 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 Medical WONDER ENZYME MAY HOLD THE KEY TO LONGER, HEALTHIER LIVES Scientists have made a surprise discovery, identifying a mechanism that may drive healthy aging and longevity Could the enzyme that detoxifies and eliminates the harmful ethanol in alcohol from our bodies also be able to promote healthier, longer lifespans? Scientists have discovered a surprising mechanism that could provide this molecular fountain of youth.   Read more Technology MICROSOFT CASUALLY DROPS NEWS THAT CHATGPT 4.0 WILL GO LIVE THIS WEEK We asked ChatGPT to speculate on the capabilities of the new version dropping this week ChatGPT's underlying language model, GPT-3.5, is about to be superseded. The CTO of Microsoft Germany has told the audience at the company's "AI in Focus" event that GPT-4 is set for imminent release, unlocking new capabilities, including video.   Read more Biology NICKELBACK COULD HAVE KICKSTARTED LIFE ON EARTH, SAYS NEW STUDY Scientists have identified a peptide that could potentially have helped kickstart life on Earth e P et O One of the most profound mysteries facing science is how exactly life arose from non-living matter. Now, scientists have pinpointed a particular peptide that potentially kickstarted life – and it could all be nickelback’s fault.   Read more Space "TERMINATOR HABITABILITY" NOT IN THE REALM OF SCI-FI, SAYS RESEARCH A planet seen from space, half in shadow, half in light Millions of planets have sides permanently bathed in the light of their star, and sides always cloaked in darkness. Between these two sides lies the "terminator zone," a logical place to search for extraterrestrial life, says a new study.   Read more Technology BEYOND TEXT: GPT HAS EVOLVED, AND AI IS NOW FLEXING NEW POWERS GPT's rapid evolution demonstrates the staggering pace of disruptive change in AI If you thought the last 20 years of progress were impressive, then strap in. GPT-4 is here, just months after ChatGPT. It's smarter, more accurate, and harder to fool. It now has an uncanny ability to interpret visuals, and maybe a thirst for power.   Read more Biology FRETTING FIDO: ANXIOUS DOGS' BRAINS ARE WIRED DIFFERENTLY How worried is that dog in the window? A brain map might be able to show you For all their love and companionship, our four-legged friends can cause a lot of stress. Scientists have now mapped the brains of anxious dogs, showing that they are indeed different, and it could lead to better treatment for happier, calmer dogs.   Read more Biology NEW STUDY CHALLENGES DECADES-LONG UNDERSTANDING OF OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM A new study into how the body's antibody-mediated immune response is activated has thrown into question decades of scientific understanding Researchers have discovered new information about how the body’s antibody-mediated immune system works, calling into question long-held scientific understanding and opening the door for potential advancements in immunological treatment.   Read more Motorcycles GAME-CHANGING BATTERY LETS LIGHTNING RIDERS PLAY ALL DAY WITH GAS BIKES Lightning LS-218: an electric designed to outperform gas bikes Lightning's wild LS-218 superbike and Strike sportsbike are among the first EVs to get Enevate's super-high density, ultra-fast charging, next-gen silicon-anode batteries – which charge almost as fast as your buddies can fuel up their dinosaur burners.   Read more Materials "REDDMATTER" SHOWS EVIDENCE OF ROOM TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTIVITY A tiny lump of lutetium hydride, a new material that a team of scientists claim can be a superconductor at room temperature under relatively low pressure Scientists at the University of Rochester claim to have created a material that acts as a superconductor at room temperature and lower pressures than ever before. If confirmed, this “reddmatter,” as they call it, could mark a major breakthrough.   Read more Medical WORLD'S LARGEST EVER ENDOMETRIOSIS STUDY UNCOVERS GENETIC PAIN LINK A huge study of genetic data offers new treatment hope for endometriosis sufferers It affects one in nine women, but endometriosis somehow remains undiagnosed for years and hugely misunderstood. Now, scientists have identified 25 new key genetic links to its development and its connection to other chronic pain like migraine.   Read more Marine CHINA DELIVERS WORLD'S LARGEST CONTAINER SHIP Capable of carrying more than 24,000 standard 20-foot shipping containers, stacked up to 26 high The China State Shipbuilding Corporation has delivered its MSC Tessa megaship to the Mediterranean Shipping Company. With a deck area of about four football fields, it's capable of loading up to 24,116 TEU containers at a time, stacked up to 26 deep.   Read more Outdoors HARDKORR CAMPER TRAILER IS A MULTI TOOLBOX FOR WORK AND CAMP The available freestanding awning gives the Hardkorr Xplorer some serious shade A rugged micro-camper built to trail a 4x4 anywhere, the Hardkorr Xplorer is essentially a truck canopy that rides behind the bumper. The dual-purpose trailer works as a towable toolbox for the job site and an all-in-one shelter for the campsite.   Read more Technology CRABS GIVE SCIENTISTS A LEG UP IN CHEAP RECHARGEABLE BATTERY DESIGN Clawsome: Crab-shell anodes help power sodium-ion batteries That plate of smashed crab legs about to be cleared from the dining table and tossed in the trash might actually be the future of rechargeable batteries. A new discovery for its use in sodium-ion technology has researchers certainly believing so.   Read more Medical BACTERIA GENETICALLY ENGINEERED TO SEEK AND DESTROY TUMORS E. coli, has been genetically engineered to enable it to seek and destroy cancer tumors Cancer tumors are particularly adept at evading the body’s immune response, making treatment difficult. A new study has genetically engineered a common gut bacteria, enabling it to seek out and destroy cancer tumors from the inside.   Read more Aircraft LUFTHANSA TO REINVENT THE LONG-HAUL FLIGHT AND BUSINESS CLASS EXPERIENCE The new Allegris Business-class boasts a spacious single seat with extra work space German airline Lufthansa is overhauling the way its customers will experience international travel on its new Boeing 789 and Airbus A350-900 aircraft, with the Allegris project improving passenger comfort for business, first-class and economy flyers.   Read more Military US AIR FORCE RELEASES NEW IMAGES OF B-21 RAIDER NUCLEAR-ARMED BOMBER Upper angle view of the B-21 Raider In a teaser ahead of its first flight later this year, the US Air Force has released two new images of its B-21 Raider nuclear stealth bomber that provide new insights into the highly-classified US$692-million aircraft's design and capabilities.   Read more Automotive INFLATABLE POP-UP VW CAMPER VAN CREATES HIGH-RISE RV COMFORT Despite looking pretty polished here at CMT 2023, the SCA/X-Gloo pop-up roof is still in the prototype stage X-Gloo looks to make the pop-up camper van roof inflatable. It's teamed with one of Europe's leading pop-up roof builders to create a blazingly styled VW concept van with a pop-top that inflates into position and offers improved insulation.   Read more Automotive REVIEW: 2023 FORD F-150 LIGHTNING IS A USEFUL PICKUP TRUCK ... SORTA F-150 Lightning After a week with the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning in a place where trucks are actually needed, we learned that it is in fact a good truck. Provided you don’t have too far to go, that is.   Read more Tiny Houses NOVEL MICRO-CABIN CONCERTINAS DOWN FOR BETWEEN-USE STORAGE At its largest size, the Iwi measures 8.5 sq m (91 sq ft), while it's just 2.4 sq m (almost 26 sq ft) when compressed Here's a novel take on tiny living that could be a good fit as a home office or guest accommodation for those with limited space. Named the Iwi, the concertina-like structure can be compressed into a much smaller size and stowed away when not in use.   Read more Automotive VOLKSWAGEN PREVIEWS THE €25,000 PEOPLE'S CAR OF THE ELECTRIC ERA Volkswagen brings some happiness to the ID. 2all concept's front-end The "People's Car" company previews one of the first people's EVs, a compact hatch proposed at a price below €25K. The ID. 2all concept looks like the right car at the right price, offering 280 miles of range and some top-tier technologies.   Read more You are receiving this email because you signed up for our daily newsletter at newatlas.com (or gizmag.com before August 2016).   |   Copyright New Atlas © 2022