Crossovers and double-strand DNA breaks do not occur randomly on yeast chromosomes during meiosis, but are greatly influenced by the proximity of the chromosome's telomere.

  At the same time that it was making Arctic claims, Russia announced plans for manned lunar missions by 2025 and a permanent base there by 2032. Japan might beat them to the punch with a 2030 base. Both will be able to stop over and share a glass of Tang with US astronauts, who are supposed to start setting up shop in 2020. China also has lunar aspirations, though officials will say only that they plan to get to the moon sometime after 2020. It could get crowded up there, and the rules for lunar landgrabs will likely be patterned on what is happening now in the far north.

  The percentage of overweight adults has stayed the same recently, but it's still at an all-time high.

  I'm sure this makes Steve Jobs just love AT&T even more, as AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson probably just stole some of his Macworld thunder. After all, we all know how Steve Jobs feels about wireless carriers.

  U.S. scientists have developed a new catalyst-free, self-healing material that is said to offer an inexpensive way to repair structural composites.

  Obviously the chipset is not a Lego but a huge chunk of this thing is. I like total wastes of time like this.

  Physicists have unveiled plans for a tiny machine that uses the random thermal motion of molecules in a gas to turn an axle.

  How many of you have suddenly felt the "call of nature" in a big city, with no way of knowing where the nearest public restroom is? Note the emphasis is on public, right, as "Restrooms are for customers only" signs are a downer. Londoners have a cell phone-centric way of fixing what ails you.