Although not all of us are feeling the pain of the current government shutdown, the folks at NASA sure are. With 97% of NASA employees furloughed, a continued shutdown may impact NASA’s next unmanned mission to Mars. The longer the shutdown runs, the more it will eat into the narrow launch window for MAVEN. If MAVEN is unable to launch in its current window, it will have to wait two years for the next one, and even then the probe will be operating at a reduced capacity due to solar activity.
I’d like to know where exactly one stores a Mars probe and rocket. Why do I feel that its going to be sitting in some dude’s garage for two years?
Since last year the FDA has a new, accelerated drug approval process. The “breakthrough therapy” designation is meant for drugs which treat serious or life threatening illnesses, like cancer. Drug companies have embraced the new process, filing almost one hundred applications, half of which have been denied. While that doesn’t sound good, it makes me feel reassured that the FDA is not rushing every drug that applies, and that they’re making some actual evaluations.
This is not the correct use for the “breakthrough therapy” process. Don’t even think about it.
I’m also glad they’re only allowing drugs for serious conditions to to be considered. Its not like we need a rush approval for a new version of Viagra.
Finally, the New York Times has an amusing video out about why Taco Bell’s Doritos Tacos sell so well. This may not seem like science, but in fact there is tons of science behind this. These tacos appeal to us on several different levels and are designed to make you physically enjoy them and then want more.
Om Nom Nom Nom!
I may or may not now have a case of the munchies.
Therefore I Geek 