New Atlas Audio
Listen to New Atlas articles read aloud by professional narrators. Simply visit an article below and hit the "Listen to Article" button below the headline to get started.
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The CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system is an extremely powerful tool, but off-target edits can have serious consequences. Now, researchers have found a mutation of the CRISPR enzyme that’s almost 100 times more precise than the most commonly used one. -
A new study out of the University of Sheffield makes a case for a geoengineering technique known as enhanced rock weathering, which essentially involves supercharging soil’s ability to remove CO2 from the atmosphere by sprinkling it with rock dust.
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Despite advances in new battery designs, good old lithium-ion batteries are still the frontrunner. There’s plenty of room for improvement though, and now researchers have identified a new cathode coating that could make them safer and longer lasting.
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Radiation is famously damaging to materials, but now engineers at MIT have been surprised to discover that radiation may actually help certain alloys to self-heal, extending their useful lifetime. This could help inform future power plant designs.
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A team of material scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles is reporting a major advance in the area of reflective coatings for buildings, producing a new kind of super white paint that reflects almost all incoming radiation from Sun.
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An intriguing study has identified a protein produced by the liver after exercise that could protect the brain from cognitive decline. The study points to the possibility of developing a drug to generate this same effect without the need for exercise.
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Nine years ago, we heard about a towable backpack setup known as the Monowalker Hikingtrailer. Well, a new version is now being crowdfunded, and it's claimed to be sturdier, more adjustable, and capable of carrying even more gear.
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A review team has concluded its investigation of NASA and Boeing’s failed Starliner launch last year. Some 80 recommendations for future missions were put forward across several categories. Both organizations also conducted internal investigations.
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Competitions that pit engineers, designers and creators against one another can be a great way to foster technological advances, and now The Boring Company is getting in on the act with a tunneling contest involving a snail.
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Engineers at the University of Liverpool have developed a robot scientist that can autonomously perform experiments, analyze results and decide what to do next based on those results – and it’s already making new discoveries on its own
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Evaporation is one of the most enduring methods of purifying water to make it drinkable. Now researchers in China have developed a novel device made of wood that can do just that, by employing bacteria to help build key nanostructures.
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By turning to the paper-based art form of kirigami for inspiration, a team of Harvard researchers has developed a system for programmable balloons that can take of all kinds of “crazy” shapes when inflated.
