Story tips from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, February 2001

HEALTH – Obesity gene discovered . . .

Genetically, mice are similar to humans, so the discovery of a fat gene in mice at ORNL could lead to a better understanding of why some people have more problems than others keeping their weight under control. Even though researchers had these particular mice on a low-fat diet since they were born, the mice are 35 percent to 50 percent fatter than their litter mates. Researchers found that the normal mouse has a gene on chromosome 7 that they believe plays a role in transporting fat into fat cells. There, fat is stored as a source of energy to keep the body healthy. Unlike some known mouse obesity genes that can act alone to cause excessive body fat, ORNL researchers have shown that the chromosome 7 gene must act with other genes involved in maintaining the body’s energy balance. [Contacts: Madhu Dhar or Dabney Johnson]

EXPLORATION – Real-world survivors. . .

According to popular culture, survival depends on rugged individualism, ruthless cunning and athletic prowess. In practice, however, real-world survivors more often exhibit benevolent leadership, personal sacrifice and endurance born of sheer will, says Jerry Dobson, a geographer at ORNL and director of Exploration of the American Geographical Society. Historical and recent events overwhelmingly contradict the rat-eat-rat mentality of shows like "Survivor." The misconception is perpetuated on television despite abundant real-world stories that prove what really works and what doesn’t. Survivor’s ethic most closely matches that of the infamous Donner Party, whose failings ended in cannibalism. In contrast, Ernest Shackleton, who led his entire crew to safety after being stranded for 18 months on Antarctica’s ice, was described as "motherly" in his concern for each man’s safety. [

ENERGY – Power to the people . . .

Power market restructuring in California has focused the nation’s attention on the problems, but they can be fixed as the market is allowed to adjust. Brendan Kirby of the lab’s Power Systems Research program notes that deregulation of the telephone industry caused a temporary uproar but consumers are now reaping the benefits with more choices and lower prices. The electric utilities, however, face unique problems because electricity cannot be stored and, unlike with gas lines, the utilities cannot adjust flow to meet demand in different parts of the region. Still, Kirby sees the situation in California as being temporary and perhaps something that can be used as a lessons learned for places like New York and other parts of the country likely to face similar challenges in the future. Part of the problem, Kirby says, is that prices paid by consumers don’t reflect actual costs – especially at peak times – but new technologies could instantaneously communicate that information to the consumers and allow them to adjust accordingly. [

To arrange for an interview with any of these researchers, please contact Ron Walli of Communications and Community Outreach at 865-576-0226; wallira@ornl.gov