The Best and Worst of the Latest Science News

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The Good News

- The endangered humpback whale is on the rebound, with 18,000 of them swimming around the North Pacific Ocean, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

- A drug that mimics the effects of resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, works as an antiobesity pill—at least in mice. The drug, SRT1720, kept mice with high-calorie diets from becoming obese or diabetic, according to a study published in Cell Metabolism [subscription required].

- Small nuclear reactors, which can provide localized carbon-free power, are so popular that they are on a three-year back order from their manufacturer, Hyperion Power Generation.

The Bad News

- A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling allows the Navy to continue underwater sonar testing in the name of national security, despite its potential to harm whales.

- Obese people’s brains may offer less pleasure from eating, according to a study published in Science [subscription required]. Researchers found that obese women have fewer dopamine receptors, giving them less of a high from food.

- The Department of Energy is warning that the 77,000-ton limit set for nuclear waste at the Yucca Mountain Repository already falls short of our needs.

http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/18-be...st-science-news

[alienlovechild 75]

- Small nuclear reactors, which can provide localized carbon-free power, are so popular that they are on a three-year back order from their manufacturer, Hyperion Power Generation.

I'll buy it and sell the electricity to 20,000 other households. I'd be like a mini Mr. Burns. Excellent.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

- Small nuclear reactors, which can provide localized carbon-free power, are so popular that they are on a three-year back order from their manufacturer, Hyperion Power Generation.

I'll buy it and sell the electricity to 20,000 other households. I'd be like a mini Mr. Burns. Excellent.

Imagine HOA's that operate mini nuclear reactors which provide electricity for all the homes in your block. Personally, I'd rather be entirely off the grid - which I think will also be a viable option in the near future.

[alienlovechild 75]

Imagine HOA's that operate mini nuclear reactors which provide electricity for all the homes in your block. Personally, I'd rather be entirely off the grid - which I think will also be a viable option in the near future.

Wait a minute. Didn't you post something one day that nuke power is too expensive and slow to build and costs too much to insure?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Imagine HOA's that operate mini nuclear reactors which provide electricity for all the homes in your block. Personally, I'd rather be entirely off the grid - which I think will also be a viable option in the near future.

Wait a minute. Didn't you post something one day that nuke power is too expensive and slow to build and costs too much to insure?

On a large scale yes. Small nuclear reactors that would be supply enough electricity for a sizable neighborhood sound promising.

[Rocky_nBullwinkle 6]

Imagine HOA's that operate mini nuclear reactors which provide electricity for all the homes in your block. Personally, I'd rather be entirely off the grid - which I think will also be a viable option in the near future.

Wait a minute. Didn't you post something one day that nuke power is too expensive and slow to build and costs too much to insure?

On a large scale yes. Small nuclear reactors that would be supply enough electricity for a sizable neighborhood sound promising.

Oh, good! Another job for folks that can't make change at McDonalds and retired door greeters from Walmart.

--Bullwinkle

Edited January 29, 2009 by Rocky_nBullwinkle

[Amby 490]

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'm so

for science.

[Ban Hammer 13,355]

- Small nuclear reactors, which can provide localized carbon-free power, are so popular that they are on a three-year back order from their manufacturer, Hyperion Power Generation.

I'll buy it and sell the electricity to 20,000 other households. I'd be like a mini Mr. Burns. Excellent.

Imagine HOA's that operate mini nuclear reactors which provide electricity for all the homes in your block. Personally, I'd rather be entirely off the grid - which I think will also be a viable option in the near future.

that's possible - if you like a cabin in the deep woods.

[mendeleev 68]

- Small nuclear reactors, which can provide localized carbon-free power, are so popular that they are on a three-year back order from their manufacturer, Hyperion Power Generation.

That's an interesting claim. I find no evidence that Hyperion Power Generation has won a commitment to build their first reactor.

[Jasman0717 9]

resveratrol sounds promising. They said you would need to drink a thousand bottles of red wine a day to get the affect from the pill. I hope this isn't any 'I Am legend' stuff

[Teacher Mark 53]

that's possible - if you like a cabin in the deep woods.

+

=

Don't do it Steven.

Edited January 29, 2009 by Joe Six-Pack

[Ban Hammer 13,355]

that's possible - if you like a cabin in the deep woods.

+

=

Don't do it Steven.

who woulda thought steven could look so rugged.