Immortal Jellyfish, Cancer-Curing Atom Smasher, Bees Can Count to Three (Episode 11)

This week on Grand Unified Weekly: A jellyfish-like hydrozoan is the only immortal creature known to science; plus, it’s invading all Earth’s oceans. Did you know there’s a shortage of isotopes needed to diagnose and treat cancer? Well there is, and scientists may be able to stop getting them from nuclear power plants and start getting them from atom smashers. Finally: Bees can count, to three. And before that makes you smug, think on this: by the same sensory mechanism, humans can only count to four.

Links to stories featured in this week’s episode:

Scott Adams on the Telegraph (UK) on immortal jellyfish

No more nukes(lear reactors) says Canadian physicist. Instead, we will particle-smash our way to the sort of radioisotopes we need.

“I have been studying honeybees since 1980, and I am often surprised by our experimental results. The bee is smart.”

Awesome theme song Comrade Elvis courtesy Hilotrons and Kelp Records

Related:

• Eco-Friendly Bombs, China Wants Its Scientists Back, and How Pollution Helps (Episode 10)
• Bees on Blow, the Science of Axe Body Spray, 5 Years of Spirit and Opportunity (Episode 7)
• Episode 4 - Sports Gene Snake Oil, Death of an Amnesiac, Trading Bodies With a Mannequin

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