Science of the Week 12/23/10--Plus a Chaser

It's a short week because of the holiday, but I still have a few science stocking stuffers for you:

TU scientists in Nature: Better control of building blocks for quantum computer

Turning fat cells into stem cells

Ever-sharp urchin teeth may yield tools that never need honing

Genome of extinct Siberian cave-dweller linked to modern-day humans

Can human athletic performance improve indefinitely?

Using cornstarch to stop oil spills

Making UV lasers

Robot surgeons

Genomes while you wait

Electronic nose detects cancer

Taking plasmon lasers out of deep freeze


And to celebrate the holiday, here's Straight No Chaser singing -- or trying to sing--"The Twelve Days of Christmas." We got to see them perform this live a couple of weeks ago:



Happy holidays, everyone! Please stop by next week if you have time to revisit the Best of Blog Chain before I wrap up the year.