Neurons that can multitask greatly enhance the brain’s
computational power, study finds. Three MIT researchers have
completed a study to explain the apprehension outside Japan
caused by that nation's plans for a "plutonium economy." The
report, "International Responses to Japanese Plutonium
Programs," was written by Professor Eugene Skolnikoff of the MIT
Department of Political Science; Dr. Tatsujiro Suzuki, research
associate in MIT's Center for International Studies (CIS); and
Professor Kenneth A. Oye, CIS director. The study was carried
out under the auspices of the center. The authors note that the
Japanese nuclear power program has long included an extensive
commitment to use plutonium removed from the spent fuel of
light-water reactors for recycling or as fuel for breeder
reactors. The plans are approaching commercialization as
construction of a major reprocessing plant at Rokkasho has
begun. The stated goal is to derive maximum energy from uranium,
but concerns have been raised outside Japan about prol