Winner: It wasn't a bird, it wasn't a plane, and it wasn't Superman either. It was a newly discovered asteroid. A lot of patient scanning of the skies has resulted in an exiting development for the Utah husband-and-wife team of Patrick Wiggins and Holly Phaneuf.The duo found the asteroid, provisionally called J99V00S, while patrolling a section of the constellation Pisces with their 14-inch telescope. Their discovery is estimated to be two-thirds of a mile to two miles across. Not content with their solo discovery, they recently received word another target they located seems to also be an undiscovered asteroid. Nice going from a couple that is, quite literally, out of this world.
Loser: State lawmakers have postponed action on a bill that would help local governments deal with the mess criminals leave behind when they manufacture methamphetamines. "Meth labs" have become the scourge of modern Utah. They exist in homes, hotel rooms or anywhere else criminals can find to be alone for awhile. Cleaning the mess, including dangerous chemicals, costs thousands of dollars. But some lawmakers worry the state Department of Environmental Quality would use the bill as an excuse to write onerous rules. So much for basic trust between branches of state government.
Winner: Anything to help alleviate chronic pain is good, so the discovery of a substance that carries a nerve-killing poison straight into the neurons that cause chronic pain has merit. Thus far, the process has been tested only on rats, but scientists think it has the potential to relieve the excruciating pain suffered by cancer patients and those suffering from other diseases and injuries, and to do it better than drugs such as morphine. The next step is to test it on larger animals. If it is found safe, terminal cancer patients then may be tested. Full speed ahead.
Winner: Buckling up for safety has also resulted in buckling up for dollars in Utah. Because Utah's seat belt rate has risen from the national average of 65 percent to 67 percent over the last two years, the state has been awarded $221,700 from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The award is equal to the amount of money saved in medical care as a result of increased seat belt usage and the related drop in motor vehicle injuries. Motor vehicle injuries cost the nation over $150 billion annually. So, keep on buckling.
Winner: When it comes to Y2K fears, realism is replacing sensationalism. The percentage of bank customers who expect to withdraw extra money during the year 2000 transition period has fallen to 39 percent from 62 percent in March, according to a new government survey.
And the Food and Drug Administration says its surveys found companies that make drugs, biological products and medical devices were well-prepared for the Y2K phenomenon.