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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
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Health & MedicineFeds won’t cover PET scans during isotope crisis
One alternative procedure for scouting bone cancers is theoretically available, but currently may be an option only for people with deep pockets.
By Janet Raloff -
TechHow medicine is ‘barely managing’ the isotope crisis
Medicine is managing a prolonged and record shortfall in the principal diagnostic-imaging isotope by triaging the most urgent patients, substituting less effective procedures and working longer hours.
By Janet Raloff -
TechIsotope crisis threatens medical care
Global production of the feedstock for the leading medical-imaging isotope is low and erratic, putting health care in jeopardy.
By Janet Raloff -
PhysicsCasper the Quantum Ghost
Researchers find that a strange kind of imaging relies on quantum mechanics.
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TechScientists propose lab-grade black holes
Creating tiny, artificial black holes could help uncover what happens to particles on the edge of full-sized black holes.
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ComputingMinifridge makes quantum computers last
A new study shows that if ions are kept cool, then the information they hold can be repeatedly manipulated.
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Health & MedicineBPA: House tries to put feds on the spot
New legislation has a proviso asking for a reanalysis of a widely used plasticizer's safety.
By Janet Raloff -
Health & MedicineWhen BPA-free isn’t
A type of plastic that shouldn't contain a hormone-mimicking ingredient may have it anyway, Canadian government scientist find.
By Janet Raloff -
TechElectric grid still very vulnerable to electromagnetic weaponry
BLOG: Smart grid advocates weigh in on the vulnerability of the U.S. electrical infrastructure to electromagnetic pulse radiation.
By Janet Raloff -
ComputingRandom numbers faster
Researchers have devised a way to use a laser to create strings of orderless bits for encryption.
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HumansDoctors don’t always relay important test results
When it comes to medical tests, don't assume that 'no news is good news,' a new study finds.
By Janet Raloff -
TechMolecule gears up
Researchers have made one of the most basic components of a machine out of a snowflake-shaped molecule.