New Atlas

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Meta-study suggests anxiety can be reduced by altering gut bacteria, but not with probiotics

Rich Haridy May 20, 2019

Can anxiety disorders be treated by simply altering a person’s microbiome? And if so, what is the best way to change one’s gut bacteria – simply altering a daily diet or consuming probiotics?

An examination of 21 different studies revealed non-probiotic dietary changes may be more effective than probiotics ...

Architecture Audio available

Zaha Hadid-designed stadium kicks off in Qatar

Adam Williams May 20, 2019

Qatar's Al Wakrah Stadium has officially been inaugurated and hosted its first soccer game. Designed by the late Zaha Hadid, with longtime collaborator Patrik Schumacher, its sculpted form is inspired by a type of local boat and it's meant to keep spectators and players cool even in the summer heat.

Zaha Hadid Architects, along with Aecom, was commissioned to design the stadium for the 2022 FIFA ...

Architecture Audio available

Luxury prefabricated treehouse revealed at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Bridget Borgobello May 19, 2019

UK treehouse architectural firm, Blue Forest has revealed its prefabricated luxury treehouse exhibit as part of this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The treehouse is designed as a magical hideaway, inspiring visitors to reconnect with their inner child.

Architecture

Green-roofed cabin fits neatly into the forest

Adam Williams May 17, 2019

MAPA Architects has been producing its Minimod line of prefabricated homes for several years now. The firm's latest project involved it overcoming difficult conditions in southern Brazil to install an appealing green-roofed retreat in the forest.

The Curucaca is located in a small forest clearing in southern Brazil

Health & Wellbeing

Mobile app can "hear" ear infections with just a phone and a paper cone

Matt Kennedy May 17, 2019

Ear infections are common, but conditions can be difficult to diagnose. Researchers from the University of Washington have stepped up with a mobile app that can detect fluid behind the eardrum using just a cone of paper and your phone.

Dr. Randall Bly, an assistant professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the UW School of ...

Architecture

Gallery: A pictorial journey through the work of acclaimed architect I.M. Pei

Rich Haridy May 16, 2019

Iconic architect I.M Pei has died at the age of 102. Pei was one of the most prolific and influential architects of the last century. His legacy includes the controversial pyramid renovation of the Louvre and an incredible geometric take on Islamic architecture in the Museum of Islamic Art.

The National Gallery of Art East Building in Washington was over a decade in the making ...

Architecture

Yellow House takes modular housing to the treetops

Bridget Borgobello May 16, 2019

Located in the beautiful forest setting in Chile, Yellow House from architect Alejandro Soffia is a treehouse-inspired prefab home that proposes a comfortable and economic housing model for the future.

Alejandro Soffia architectural studio created this innovative family "treehouse" home using a series of prefabricated modules

Good Thinking Audio available

$15 million XPrize to tackle youth illiteracy winds up with two winners

Nick Lavars May 16, 2019

The Global Learning XPrize, a worldwide competition to improve illiteracy in the developing world, has drawn to a close with judges unable to split two of the five finalists. The Kitkit School and onebillion teams will therefore share the US$10 million grand prize,

Announced in 2014, the Global Learning XPrize was drawn up with the aim of addressing the ...

Good Thinking Audio available

Next-gen milk carton designed to help reduce food waste

Ben Coxworth May 16, 2019

Although many people throw milk away once it reaches its "best before" date, the fact is that the milk will still likely be good for several more days. In order to eliminate such waste, scientists at Cornell University are designing a "smart" carton.

Plans call for the carton to incorporate an app-readable QR code and sensor

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Selective hearing: AI-powered listening device picks a voice out of a crowd

Nick Lavars May 16, 2019

Hearing aids can have trouble separating a voice a listener wants to hear from all the background noise. Through a new form of artificial intelligence scientists believe they have come up with a solution that could be of huge benefit to those with hearing impairments.

How we pick out single voices from noisy environments is referred to by scientists as the ...