Technology, Innovation & Outdoor News

The extraordinary engineering that builds nature's only straight tusk

August 18, 2026 | Bronwyn Thompson
The narwhal's defining feature – its continuously growing tusk – is the only straight structure of its kind seen in the animal kingdom. Now, scientists have cracked the code on how these elusive Arctic whales grow such an important and unique tool.

Insane 940-foot Chinese cliff elevator dramatically cuts school commute

August 16, 2026 | Bronwyn Thompson
A breathtaking ride with a view in an elevator up and down the side of a canyon has opened in a remote canyon, drastically increasing capacity. It makes what was once a six-hour round trip even shorter than 30 minutes, because of less wait time.

Retro e-paper alarm clock puts kibosh on late-night phone scrolling

August 18, 2026 | Monica J. White
Designed in Copenhagen, the Habity bedside clock swaps your phone screen's glow for an eye-friendly e-paper display, gentle wake-up tones, and a local library of sleep sounds, all running fully offline with no app, account, or subscription.

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This timber retreat is small on home comforts but big on simple rustic charm. Intended as a short-stay vacation home, it features a minimalist but comfortable interior that includes a netted hangout area.
While many tiny homes have been trending steadily larger, this off-grid model takes things in the opposite direction. Created with mobility in mind, it would be a good fit for those wanting a nomadic lifestyle.
Downsizing to a tiny house with a family is always going to be a challenge, but the Kookaburra 2.0 has been designed to smooth the process along. It features two bedrooms, a bathroom with a bathtub, and plenty of storage.
For years, Hymer has been selling what stands as arguably the most innovative camper van in all the world. This year, its highly self-sufficient Crossover series draws closer than ever before to that Venture S camper van, mirroring it outside and in.
While much of Chevrolet's lineup continues to chase higher price points in North America, GM’s Buick has launched its sleek, tech-laden Electra L7 sedan in China for around US$25,000 – exactly the kind of value-packed EV many US buyers have been begging for.
Washing a car is an extra chore, and if you live in a condo, you might not even be allowed to do it. Currently on Kickstarter, the Diisea C7 promises quick car washes without getting you into an argument with the condo board.

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Health and Science news from our sister site: Refractor
We're closer to understand who is most likely to feel invisible aftershocks following even small earthquakes. While they feel real at the time, the phantom quakes may just be your brain trying to make sense one of the weirdest sensations on Earth.
Human blood proteins have been found binding pigments in ancient rock art paintings in Southern China, potentially helping them survive the elements for more than 2,000 years.
Longevity has become a bit of a buzz word, and has become increasingly aligned with the tech industry. But a timely report from Harvard Medical School reminds us that we have a lot of power when it comes to how we age – and it's backed by science.
In somewhat of a surprise announcement, the Food and Drug Administration has approved the first US influenza vaccine engineered from the mRNA technology that gave us one of the most administered COVID-19 shots during the pandemic.
“Remove the plank from your eye before pointing out the speck in another’s,” says a popular proverb. For millions with geographic atrophy, the speck is literal. Relief may now be coming, after a sight-restoring implant received approval for sale in Europe.
An AI present in your consultation promises better notes, less admin and more time for patients, but what exactly is being recorded, where does the data go, and did anyone really ask for your consent?

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Editor's Picks

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a landmark eye drop that uses a combined dose of medication to restore age-related near-sightedness, without the need for surgery, for longer than anything else on the market – and with fewer side effects.
Bürstner has teased some impressive new vehicle debuts ahead of the world's largest RV show. Among them, the Signature series subtly deletes the division between camper van and motorhome with a sleek, semi-integrated body and transformable interior.
Dragon Tiny Homes' Webster is well-suited to full-time living on wheels and features a spacious interior with three bedrooms, sleeping up to six people. The tiny house is currently up for sale for $85,000.
The dream of the ancient alchemists may come true as Marathon Fusion announces that its tokamak fusion reactor technology can turn common mercury into gold as a byproduct of fusion operations in quantities that would make Auric Goldfinger blush.
It was cold – but nowhere near what I expected; I’ve been colder in an outdoor swimming pool in Australia. It's part of a global feedback loop, the scale of which I only began to comprehend when I saw this remarkable continent for myself.
Deep underground in a dark, sulfuric cave, scientists have made an incredible discovery – a giant communal spider web spanning more than 1,000 square feet, home to an estimated 110,000 spiders that defy nature to coexist in harmony.
Once famous for building the world's biggest and most powerful engines, Finnish company Wärtsilä is investing heavily in technology to clean up the notoriously difficult heavy marine sector. CEO Håkan Agnevall lays out a roadmap to zero carbon 2050.
The ambitious Pinnacle SkyTower has reached a major milestone. The supertall skyscraper has topped out at 106 floors and now holds the record for the most floors of any residential building in North America.