Here's a few science-related news stories that have caught my eye in recent days…

From Teachers: Pluto's downgrade is teachable (Yahoo News):
…So what if museums have to adjust their exhibits and publishers update their textbooks?

That's just science, many teachers said Friday at a regional meeting of the National Science Teachers Association.

“Pluto's still the same Pluto,” said Gerry Wheeler, executive director of the NSTA. “It's still up there doing exactly the same thing.” …

Nice to hear level-headed commentary on the change in status of the planet Pluto. Although folks may disagree what to call it, what we call it doesn't change what it is.

From Global warming study predicts wild ride (Yahoo News):
…In a preview of a major international multiyear report on climate change that comes out next year, a study out of the National Center for Atmospheric Research details what nine of the world's top computer models predict for the lurching of climate at its most extreme.

“It's going to be a wild ride, especially for specific regions,” said study lead author Claudia Tebaldi, a scientist at the federally funded academic research center…

More scary news about global warming. Will anyone wake up and pay attention? Probably not.

From Researchers developing purple tomatoes (Yahoo News):
…The novel pigment contains the same phytochemical found in blueberries that is thought to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.

Six years in the making, the purple hybrid could hit salad plates in two years…

…Barbara Taylor of Monmouth marveled at its color when she saw the tomato last month.

“Wow,” she said. “It's definitely different.”…

Local tasters give mixed reviews, but researchers are working on a cross with the popular Sungold cherry tomatoes to boost the flavor…

First blue roses and now purple tomatoes! I'm interested in the health benefits though. Would you try these if they make it to market?

From Ozone hole reaches record proportions (New Scientist Space):
…Between 21 and 30 September, the average area of the hole reached 27.5 million square kilometres, according to scientists monitoring ozone levels over the South Pole using NASA's Aura satellite and balloon-borne instruments. This marks an increase of roughly 3.9 million square kilometres from last year…

Holy crap!!!

From A toast to red wine: Compound helps fat mice live longer (Denver Post):
A substance found in red wine protected mice from the ill effects of obesity, raising the tantalizing prospect that the compound could do the same for humans and may also help people live longer, healthier lives, researchers reported Wednesday.

The substance, resveratrol, enabled mice that were fed a high- calorie, high-fat diet to live normal, active lives despite becoming obese – the first time any compound has been shown to do that.

Tests found the agent activated a host of genes that protect against the effects of aging, essentially neutralizing the adverse effects of a bad diet on the animals' health and life span.

Although much more work is needed to explore the benefits and safety of the substance, which is sold over the counter as a nutritional supplement, the findings could lead to the long-sought goal of extending the healthy human life span, experts said.

Preliminary tests in people have begun…

You know there was a time when being chunky was considered an ideal… it meant you were healthy. Of course the amount of resveratrol fed to these mice is the equivalent of 100 bottles of wine a day–please, don't drink that much!!! But maybe something useful will come out of this study.  It would be nice if we could provide a treatment that protected heavy folks from health disorders.