This Week in Science: Old Cars, Long Lives, and a Wienermobile for NASA

It’s time for “Nerd News,” covering the most important news for your brain you may have missed.  Here’s a quick rundown of this week in science . . .

1.  NASA is looking at new vehicles to shuttle astronauts to the launchpad, and wants private companies to pitch them ideas.  So Oscar Mayer jumped in on Twitter . . . and offered to let them use the Wienermobile.

Hey, @NASA we got you. https://t.co/p1XXMg2l8U pic.twitter.com/m2l2Ss0eYd

— Oscar Mayer (@oscarmayer) September 24, 2021

No response yet from NASA.

2.  A study on aging found people will almost definitely live to be 130 years old someday.  And there’s a chance it’ll happen by the year 2100.  That means if you’re under 50, you could see another century turn over if you’re lucky.

3.  You’ve heard of “long covid,” where people have symptoms for months.  But a new study found “long flu” also happens.  It’s just more common with covid.

4.  Have you ever accused someone of cheating, and they got ANGRY at you?  It means they probably did it, right?  Well, a new study at the University of Toronto says not so fast.  People who get angry when they’re accused of something are actually more likely to be innocent.

5.  Are you driving around in an old beater?  If so, you’re helping out the planet.  A study in Japan found that even if your old car doesn’t get great gas mileage, driving it into the ground is better for the environment than buying a new one.