Lifestyle

Ninety percent of new coronavirus infections in the UK are due to the Delta variant. In the US the CDC warns the variant will become predominant in the coming months. What is the Delta variant, why is it such a problem, and will our vaccines still work?

A striking new gut-brain link has been discovered by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic. The findings show how a metabolite produced by gut bacteria can amplify the severity of a stroke and impair a person’s recovery.

A trial led by researchers from the University of Bath questions the value of popular fasting diets, finding a simple calorie-controlled diet is more effective at reducing weight. The trial also found fasting can lead to greater losses of muscle mass.

The photos and spec sheet of the new X1 trailer from Valkari Overland scream "Australia's latest off-road camper trailer!" But this overbuilt brute is more likely to be found roaming the highlands and moors of the British Isles than the Outback.

The all-new Tactical Field Office from Helinox supports the new generation of work-from-anywhere nomads. The lightweight, portable wandering office solution packs a mini-desk into a hard-framed carry bag that weighs less than 5 lb (2.3 kg).

Bringing to mind a classic Volkswagen camper van lurking quietly behind a rocky oceanside outcropping, the new Beachy caravan adds a fresh injection of retro, laid-back sand-and-surf vibes to the modern camper market.

This new model by Baluchon meets the strict size requirements of a French tiny house while maintaining a relatively comfortable interior layout. It sleeps a family of four inside – as long as the kids don't mind sharing a sofa bed.

The finalists have been announced for the Cuprinol Shed of the Year competition. One of the most interesting architecture competitions around, what it lacks in big names and budget it makes up for with clever design ideas by amateur builders.

Minimaliste's Magnolia V8 offers similar exterior styling to previous iterations of the tiny home but is topped by a rooftop deck area. Its interior boasts enviable home comforts too, such as underfloor heating, a bathtub, and a dishwasher.

MVRDV has designed an eye-catching building for Rotterdam named the Harbour Experience Centre that takes the form of five stacked boxes, and will include sustainable design such as solar and wind power, as well as extensive use of recycled materials.

Prefabricated buildings are designed to be put together very quickly, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a building that goes up as quickly as this recently completed 10-story high-rise by China's Broad Group, which was assembled in just over a day.

One of Europe's most recognizable landmarks, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, is set to receive a dramatic temporary makeover. The entire monument will be wrapped in fabric following plans originally envisioned by late artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude.

Although many people enjoy tracking which types of birds come through their backyards, they can't be watching their yards all the time. Terra is designed to help, by continuously identifying birds via their songs.

The company behind the Smart Herb Garden we reviewed back in 2014 has launched a new indoor garden on Kickstarter. The Click & Grow 25 system promises to grow "substantial amounts of greens for everyday use, without becoming a time-consuming hobby."

Following a recipe may seem foolproof enough, but the problem is … most recipes can't tell if you're doing something wrong. That's where the Cooksy system comes in, as it actually watches the user's stovetop as they cook.

As part of a refurbishment at the planetarium at La Coupole, a former World War Two bunker in northern France that's now a museum, RSA Cosmos has installed a dozen 4K projectors to create what's billed as the world's first 10K 3D planetarium.

Despite the fact that it's made of fermented raw pork, the Vietnamese meat snack Nem Chua does not cause food poisoning in people who eat it. In fact, new research suggests that a compound found in it could be used as a natural food preservative.

Flashover is a very dangerous phenomenon, in which all of the exposed combustible materials in an enclosed area near-simultaneously ignite. Thanks to a new AI-based system, however, firefighters may soon receive warnings when flashover is imminent.

A Ferrari 330 P2 Junior by French coach-builder De La Chapelle sold for the astonishing world-record price of €110,000 (US$133,325) at an RM-Sotheby's auction in Paris on February 13.

Getting a good night's sleep is not normally listed among the joys of parenting, and anything that could help your baby and yourself catch some extra rest is worth a look. The Cradlewise cradle is designed to do just that.

Lego is adding to its catalogue of space-themed kits, today announcing a replica of the International Space Station that features moving parts to mimic some of the orbiting laboratory’s realistic functions.

The artist Christo recently passed away at the age of 84. For decades, he and his wife Jeanne-Claude made headlines with their striking and provocative artworks, such as installing a giant orange curtain between two mountain slopes in Colorado.

After the death of Larry Tesler this week, New Atlas takes a brief look back at the invention of those now-ubiquitous computer commands: cut, copy and paste.

A new book celebrating the science illustrations of Ernst Haeckel has launched on Kickstarter. The book features numerous drawings of microorganisms by the German zoologist and naturalist who identified thousands of new species during his career.

Just like our fingerprints, the shape and pattern of each dog's nose is unique to that animal. Bearing this in mind, pet food company Iams has launched a "nose-centric" app for identifying lost dogs – appropriately enough, it's called NOSEiD.

Earlier this year, we heard about a pet-entertaining/treat-dispensing robot known as Pumpkii. Although its crowdfunding campaign was cancelled, the similar Rocki is now available for purchase.

A new prototype Companion Collar smart collar is being developed by the CSIRO's digital specialist arm, Data61, and agtech company Ceres Tag that will allow pet owners to track their animal across both long and short distances.

Known for expanding the boundaries of e-powered ocean navigation, Silent Yachts has turned to vacation resorts. By using its solarized electric catamarans as floating condos, it'd create seaside resorts that are light, flexible and ready to deploy.

Visitors to Iceland will soon be able to take a dip in a new geothermal lagoon. The under-construction Sky Lagoon will provide amenities like a sauna, bar, and cold water pools – but the big draw with this one is going to be its amazing ocean views.

The natural beauty of New Zealand is no secret these days, but back in the 1800s, there was a site so breathtaking, even compared to the rest of NZ, that it was spoken of as the 8th wonder of the world: the long-lost Pink and White Terraces.