Independent: A nuclear fuel reprocessing site in the UK is slated to close due to falling demand. Commissioned in the early 1990s, the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) at Sellafield separates the uranium and plutonium from spent nuclear fuel. Once the current contracts are completed, which should be by 2018, THORP will enter a postclosure and clean-out phase prior to decommissioning, according to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. The Prospect trade union, which represents UK scientists and other technical workers, expressed disappointment in the seemingly sudden decision.
The finding that the Saturnian moon may host layers of icy slush instead of a global ocean could change how planetary scientists think about other icy moons as well.
Modeling the shapes of tree branches, neurons, and blood vessels is a thorny problem, but researchers have just discovered that much of the math has already been done.
January 29, 2026 12:52 PM
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