The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a serious problem that’s only going to get worse. One alternative treatment is the use of bacteria-eating viruses, or bacteriophages. The Soviet Union continued research into the use of bacteriophages long after scientists in the United States stopped such research in the face of the miracle drug penicillin, and today Georgia (the nation, not the state) is something of a hot spot for bacteriophage treatment. The linked Slate article is especially interesting for its explanation of why bacteriophage as a medical technology is not good business in the United States.

Dilbert creator Scott Adams fantasizes on his blog about starting a new political party. His gimmick? The party platform would mirror majority opinion as measured by sophisticated polling. I’m not saying I think it’s a good idea, exactly, but it’s fun to think about a political system that doesn’t pretend nothing’s changed in 200 years.

Ever since the Cassini probe spotted a geyser of ice and water spewing from the south pole of the Saturnian moon Enceladus, there’s been a lot of speculation as to why this particular spot should be the site of the outgassing materials. Certain scientists believe the hotspot may have started elsewhere, and that the laws of physics made the moon tilt to its current orientation. This could mean that there are, as hoped, oceans beneath the ice, but not everyone agrees with the hypothesis. As always, more data is required.

New technologies abound these days, but they can take some time to build by conventional assembly methods. California-based EoPlex Technologies reckon we ahould ‘think ink’. They are using cutting edge 3D printing technologies to build devices like fuel cells in much less than the two weeks it takes usually – they predict a three minute assembly time once they get a full scale production line running, but at the moment they can prototype in a day.

Tony Blair, repeating whatever Bush says in time-honoured fashion, is pushing for a ‘nuclear renaissance’ in the UK to solve our coming energy crisis. Thing is, it may not be all plain sailing for our Tony, as the nuclear industry has a desperate shortage of incoming workers at all levels, largely due to a lack of interest in training for the roles. Even the £10,000 sign-up bonuses aren’t helping.