The Daily Populous

Sunday December 24th, 2017 evening edition

image for The world’s first nuclear fusion plant is now halfway to ‘First Plasma’

The goal is to begin generating plasma, an essential component of nuclear fusion reactors, by 2025.

ITER (Latin for “Way”) is a partnership of 35 countries, all hoping to share in the scientific rewards.

“This gives us confidence as we face the remaining 50 percent,” Dr. Bernard Bigot of ITER told the journal Live Science.

Unlike traditional nuclear reactors, which generate power by splitting larger atoms into smaller ones, the ITER fusion reactor will combine hydrogen isotopes (deuterium and tritium).

There are other fusion reactors in operation, but ITER is the largest, with ten times more plasma capacity than any other reactor.

Wendelstein 7-X, a fusion reactor in Germany, recently went online for the first time, and may be able to generate self-sustaining plasma.

“With ITER and fusion energy, we have a chance to leave a powerful and positive legacy for future generations,” Bigot said. »

Living on thin air: microbe mystery solved

Authored by newsroom.unsw.edu.au

A discovery that microbes in Antarctica can scavenge hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from the air to stay alive in such extreme conditions has implications for the search for life on other planets.

UNSW-Sydney led scientists have discovered that microbes in Antarctica have a previously unknown ability to scavenge hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from the air to stay alive in the extreme conditions.

The find has implications for the search for life on other planets, suggesting extra-terrestrial microbes could also rely on trace atmospheric gases for survival. »

Without a stable home, quarterback finds comfort living with coach

Authored by wsbtv.com

CHARLOTTE. N.C. - A football coach and his quarterback always have a special bond, but at Harding University High, it's a deeper, more meaningful one.

He said, right away, the athletic director told him some of his star players weren't eligible to play, including quarterback Braheam Murphy.

Murphy says he went home and cried for two straight days because he struggled with his grades and a place to live. »

TSA agents are apparently still confused as to whether the District of Columbia is in the U.S. (Hint: it is)

Authored by thestar.com

According to Norton’s letter, a D.C. resident was stopped in the TSA line at Newark Liberty International Airport at Thanksgiving.

Since then, TSA agents charged with checking passengers’ IDs have occasionally rejected the cards featuring the new design.

At times, those agents appeared unaware that “District of Columbia” was the origin of the “D.C.” abbreviation. »

MYTHBUSTERS Destroyed All Evidence of an Easy-to-Make Explosive

Authored by nerdist.com

Which is why everyone involved in one experiment erased any proof of their lethal discovery.

At the first ever Silicon Valley Comic Con this month, Adam Savage was asked by a fan about the biggest behind-the-scenes disaster the show ever had.

Though he did point out that they probably already knew, as some bomb techs are aware of it. »