] Such scientific conundrums are of only passing interest
] at Superpower, a four-year-old subsidiary of
] Intermagnetics General, and at other companies like it.
] After years of false starts and setbacks, these companies
] say they are closing in on the goal of producing
] relatively inexpensive superconducting wire for power
] generators, transformers and transmission lines.

The Biggest Jolt to Power Since Franklin Flew His Kite

] A thread of carbon nanotubes more than 100 metres long
] has been pulled from a fiery furnace. The previous record
] holder was a mere 30 centimetres long.

[ holy crap! -k]

100-metre Carbon Nanotube Produced

] A new species of baleen whale has been discovered. The
] stunning find, made after researchers studied the body
] shape and genetics of a few leviathan skeletons gathering
] dust for the last 25 years in a Japanese museum, brings
] the total number of known species in the main genus of
] baleen whale to eight.

Japanese discover new whale species

House Science Committee wants to put the space plane on hold.

IF we're going to keep up manned spaceflight, the shuttle needs to be retired. I'm not sure what I think about arguments that we give up on manned spaceflight -- if we don't keep at it, how will it ever get faster/cheaper/safer?

Not So Fast, Lawmakers Say of Plans for a Space Plane