Hot Water

A one-two punch of bleaching from record hot water followed by disease has killed ancient and delicate coral in the biggest loss of reefs that scientists have seen in Caribbean waters. Researchers from around the globe are trying to figure out the extent of the loss. Early conservative estimates from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands have found that about one-third of the coral in official monitoring sites has died recently. "It's an unprecedented die-off," said a National Park Service fisheries biologist, Jeff Miller, who checked 40 stations last week in the Virgin Islands.

Hot Water Music nicely balances aggression and craft on "Exister," its first album in eight years. Like its signature work from the '90s, the Florida troupe pushes the boundaries of melodic hardcore without sacrificing sharp edge. The band's four original members draw up songs steeped in defiance and resolve. The title track and opening "Mainline" are lacerating displays of good ol' punk rock, yet the album overall avoids formula. In "Drag My Body" there's an air of self-purification.

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. - Cruise along Palm Drive, the main drag, dotted with fast food joints, pawn shops, and check-cashing services, and the notion of coming here for a relaxing spa getaway seems bizarre. But dig deeper and you’ll find a variety of naturally fed mineral spring resorts, attracting the stressed from all walks of life. Located 20 minutes from glitzy Palm Springs and about a half-hour from Joshua Tree National Park, this place exudes a quirky appeal despite its warts.

The UMass Lowell Connector has published an end-of-the-year satirical issue, typically dubbed the Disconnector, for a number of years. But this year, some are saying the student-run newspaper took the joke too far. "It is their annual satire edition, which has been coming out for years, and up until this year it really hadn't crossed the line," Dean of Student Affairs Larry Siegel said. "This year, almost the entire university community, and predominantly our student leaders, believe that it crossed that line.

A group devoted to protecting the Connecticut River says the state of Vermont shouldn't cut the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant any slack about dumping warm water into the Connecticut River. The Connecticut River Watershed Council on Friday released two studies by its consultants and said earlier studies for Vermont Yankee owner Entergy Corp. were not based on sound science. Up for debate is whether Vermont Yankee can continue cooling plant systems with river water taken from the Connecticut and then put it back into the river.

The cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants is in hot water from a study suggesting that watching just nine minutes of that program can cause short-term attention and learning problems in 4-year-olds. The problems were seen in a study of 60 children randomly assigned to either watch "SpongeBob," or the slower-paced PBS cartoon "Caillou" or assigned to draw pictures. Immediately after these nine-minute assignments, the kids took mental function tests; those who had watched "SpongeBob" did measurably worse than the others.

Jay Atkinson has been getting his face muddied and his body pummeled on rugby pitches since college. Now in his 50s, the novelist and Boston University writing teacher shows no signs of stopping. Atkinson's stylish, unabashedly macho memoir is fueled by two passions: his love of grind-it-out athletic competition and the obvious joy he takes in the high-testosterone, alcohol-fueled comradeship of his fellow rugby players. But make no mistake — this is no simple account of life in a "blood fraternity.

Makes 12 or enough to serve 4 Make an assembly line, so you have a bowl of hot water to moisten the rice-paper wrappers, a clean kitchen towel, and the filling ingredients in a row. SAUCE ½ cup rice vinegar ¼ cup sugar 1 tablespoon soy sauce ½ teaspoon chili-garlic sauce 1. In a small saucepan, heat the vinegar and sugar, stirring until...

She was the fifth US woman, and 17th female overall, to cross the finish line Monday in the 116th running of the Boston Marathon. It was an impressive performance in the searing heat for Lindsay Willard, a 33-year-old Medford resident who ran track while a student at Westford Academy. Running Boston for the fifth time, Willard registered her best time yet (2:55.53), pushing through the unseasonably high temperatures for 26.2 miles, and a case of pneumonia she has been fighting off for nearly a month.

Q. My 50-gallon water heater (gas) was installed a little while ago in a utility room that has no heat or insulation. Now, there is no consistent hot water. At night, I get enough hot water for several clothing washes, but in the morning only enough for one shower. My temp control is turned to "A. " Is that hottest or coldest? JIM MARREN, Fairfield, Conn. A. I assume "A" is hottest, so leave it alone for now. The temperature in the utility room may be affecting the thermostat, so open the door and insulate walls, floor, and ceiling to raise the temperature.

Serves 6 Goat's milk adds a slight tang to this flan. Long, slow cooking keeps the dessert smooth and creamy. 1½ cups sugar ¼ cup water 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise 4 whole eggs plus 2 extra yolks 2 cups heavy cream 1 cup goat's milk 1. Set the oven at 250 degrees. Have on hand six 6-ounce ramekins or custard cups. Place a folded dish towel in a large roasting pan. 2. In a skillet, spread ¾ cup of the sugar.

Jay Atkinson has been getting his face muddied and his body pummeled on rugby pitches since college. Now in his 50s, the novelist and Boston University writing teacher shows no signs of stopping. Atkinson's stylish, unabashedly macho memoir is fueled by two passions: his love of grind-it-out athletic competition and the obvious joy he takes in the high-testosterone, alcohol-fueled comradeship of his fellow rugby players. But make no mistake — this is no simple account of life in a "blood fraternity.

She was the fifth US woman, and 17th female overall, to cross the finish line Monday in the 116th running of the Boston Marathon. It was an impressive performance in the searing heat for Lindsay Willard, a 33-year-old Medford resident who ran track while a student at Westford Academy. Running Boston for the fifth time, Willard registered her best time yet (2:55.53), pushing through the unseasonably high temperatures for 26.2 miles, and a case of pneumonia she has been fighting off for nearly a month.

American DG Energy Inc said it has an agreement with Community Builders Inc. to provide a 75 kilowatt heat-and-power system at West Village, an affordable housing complex in New Haven. The Waltham company will install a system to produce heat and hot water at a price lower than the local utility charges. The company estimated the value of the agreement to be $2 million. Also this week, American DG Energy said Charles T. Maxwell was named as its new chairman. He has been a board member since 2001.

Serves 12 13tablespoons sugar¼cup steaming hot water1cup olive oil12ounces dark chocolate (60 to 70 percent), chopped5eggs1pint fresh strawberries (for garnish)1bunch fresh mint (for garnish) 1. Have on hand a 9-inch springform pan and a roasting pan. Cut a sheet of foil and cover the bottom and sides of the pan outside. 2. In a bowl, combine 6 tablespoons of the sugar and the hot water. Stir well. 3. In a saucepan, combine the olive oil and chocolate. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate melts.

Q. My 50-gallon water heater (gas) was installed a little while ago in a utility room that has no heat or insulation. Now, there is no consistent hot water. At night, I get enough hot water for several clothing washes, but in the morning only enough for one shower. My temp control is turned to "A. " Is that hottest or coldest? JIM MARREN, Fairfield, Conn. A. I assume "A" is hottest, so leave it alone for now. The temperature in the utility room may be affecting the thermostat, so open the door and insulate walls, floor, and ceiling to raise the temperature.

Serves 6 as a side dish 1 cup dried red kidney beans, rinsed 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped 4 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped 2 pieces smoked turkey neck bone or wing 1 fresh Scotch bonnet chili pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil ...

Serves 12 13tablespoons sugar¼cup steaming hot water1cup olive oil12ounces dark chocolate (60 to 70 percent), chopped5eggs1pint fresh strawberries (for garnish)1bunch fresh mint (for garnish) 1. Have on hand a 9-inch springform pan and a roasting pan. Cut a sheet of foil and cover the bottom and sides of the pan outside. 2. In a bowl, combine 6 tablespoons of the sugar and the hot water. Stir well. 3. In a saucepan, combine the olive oil and chocolate. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate melts.

A group devoted to protecting the Connecticut River says the state of Vermont shouldn't cut the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant any slack about dumping warm water into the Connecticut River. The Connecticut River Watershed Council on Friday released two studies by its consultants and said earlier studies for Vermont Yankee owner Entergy Corp. were not based on sound science. Up for debate is whether Vermont Yankee can continue cooling plant systems with river water taken from the Connecticut and then put it back into the river.

Actress Cynthia Nixon is trying to clarify her earlier remarks that got her in hot water with some fellow gay rights activists. The "Sex and the City" star's personal life became an exercise in the politics of sexual orientation last week when The New York Times Magazine quoted Nixon saying that for her, being gay was a conscious choice. Nixon has been in a relationship with a woman for eight years. Before that, she spent 15 years and had two children with a man. After some gay rights activists complained that Nixon's remarks could be used to deny a biological basis for...