New Atlas

Biology Audio available

Forgotten Kenyan fossils reveal ancient mega-carnivore

Loz Blain April 23, 2019

After sitting in a drawer in a Kenyan museum for more than 40 years, a set of fossilized bones has introduced the world to a long-lost mega-carnivore from 22 million years ago. Bigger than a polar bear and possessing enormous canine teeth, meet Simbakubwa Kutokaafrika.

A recreation of what Simbakubwa Kutokaafrika may have looked like in the wild

Medical Audio available

Green tea found to prevent obesity in mice

Nick Lavars March 14, 2019

The latest intriguing observations surrounding the potential health benefits of green tea come from nutritionists at Ohio State University (OHU), who set out to study how the steamy beverage might limit obesity in mice and returned some positive results.

New research has uncovered evidence green tea consumption can prevent obesity in mice

Space

Future NASA telescope could discover 1,400 new exoplanets

Anthony Wood February 26, 2019

A new study has projected that a future NASA telescope could be capable of discovering up to 1,400 new worlds. The orbital telescope, which has been nicknamed WFIRST, will build on the legacy of earlier missions to answer fundamental questions surrounding the nature of the universe.

Artist's impression of the WFIRST orbital telescope

Environment

Reclaimed smoke-stack mineral could help grow crops

Ben Coxworth February 6, 2019

Sulfur is often chemically "scrubbed" from the flue-gas emissions of coal-burning power plants. Gypsum (aka calcium sulfate) is produced as a byproduct of the process, and typically ends up in landfills. According to new research, however, it could be used to boost crops in a number of ways.

Gypsum can be mined from the earth, but it's also readily available as an emissions-scrubbing byproduct

Environment

Fast-rising bedrock makes for surprisingly uplifting Antarctic news

Michael Irving June 24, 2018

News from Antarctica usually paints a grim picture, but now, a new study reports some more uplifting findings: the Earth itself is rising at one of the fastest rates ever seen, and it may help stabilize the ice sheet.

The bedrock below Antarctica is rising surprisingly fast – and that could be enough to stabilize ...

Medical

Device goes up the nose to permanently improve breathing

Ben Coxworth May 16, 2018

If you have chronic nasal congestion, it could be due to an obstruction caused by the shape of your internal nasal valve. A new device is designed to permanently address the problem, without the need for surgery.

Dr. Brad Otto uses the Vivaer Nasal Airway Remodeling device on a volunteer

Biology

Fat-burning molecule triggered by the cold found to spring into action whatever the weather

Nick Lavars May 7, 2018

In response to exercise, scientists have now observed a big spike in levels of a fat hormone previously thought to be unrelated to physical exertion. The discovery sheds new light on the metabolic process and raises new targets for tackling weight loss.

New research has found that a molecule produced by brown fat plays an unexpected role in ...

Science

When it comes to nutrition, this potato has the golden touch

Ben Coxworth November 9, 2017

In many developing nations, vitamin A deficiencies are common … as are potatoes, which typically constitute much of the local diet. That's why scientists have developed a "golden potato." It's rich in provitamin A (which the body converts into vitamin A), along with vitamin E to boot.

Examples of the golden potato (middle and right), as compared to a regular white potato (left)

Medical

Chip reprograms skin cells with a short electric pulse

Nick Lavars August 9, 2017

Technologies that reprogram one type of cell to perform the role of another hold a huge amount of potential, and scientists are now reporting a promising advance in the area, in the form of patch that they say can use an electric pulse to turn skin cells into the building blocks of any organ.

The team hopes to take its Tissue Nanotransfection technology into clinical trials some time next year

Medical

Vest sees through chests, to check heart patients' lungs

Ben Coxworth June 20, 2017

According to The Ohio State University, over half of all patients who are treated for heart failure end up back in the hospital within six months, due to fluid buildup in their lungs. Sensible Medical has set out to change that, however, with a wearable device known as the SensiVest.