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NUCLEAR ENERGY’S NEXT GENERATION • THE ECONOMICS OF FAIR PLAY
JANUARY 2002 WWW.SCIAM.COM
PLUS:
Between the Stars Answering the Skeptical Environmentalist
Copyright 2001 Scientific American, Inc.
$4.95
contents january 2002
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN Volume 286 Number 1
features
ASTRONOMY
34
The Gas between the Stars BY RONALD J. REYNOLDS
Filled with colossal fountains of hot gas and vast bubbles from exploding stars, the interstellar medium is far from dull.
EXCLUSIVE
44 The First Human Cloned Embryo
BY JOSE B. CIBELLI, ROBERT P. LANZA AND MICHAEL D. WEST, WITH CAROL EZZELL
For the first time, human embryos have been created by two extraordinary means: cloning and parthenogenesis. A firsthand report by the research team. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
52
A Vertical Leap for Microchips BY THOMAS H. LEE
Engineers have discovered how to pack more computing power into microcircuits: build them vertically as well as horizontally. ENVIRONMENT
61
Misleading Math about the Earth ESSAYS BY STEPHEN SCHNEIDER, JOHN P. HOLDREN, JOHN BONGAARTS AND THOMAS LOVEJOY
The book The Skeptical Environmentalist uses statistics to dismiss warnings about peril for the planet. But the science suggests that it’s the author who is out of touch with the facts. ENERGY
72
Next-Generation Nuclear Power BY JAMES A. LAKE, RALPH G. BENNETT AND JOHN F. KOTEK
Advanced nuclear power plants might be the best way to meet future energy needs without worsening global warming. SOCIOLOGY
82
The Economics of Fair Play BY KARL SIGMUND, ERNST FEHR AND MARTIN A. NOWAK
Biology and economics may explain why we value fairness over rational selfishness.
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44 Cloned six-cell
hum