You may be familiar with the scientific theory known as "the butterfly effect" -- a small change in nature today that creates major transformations in the future. The famous scenario speculates that a solitary butterfly flapping its wings far away can trigger a chain of events that could cause a hurricane to strike your home. The "butterfly effect" is a favorite of science fiction writers and a staple of novels about time travel. But at its heart lies a very simple and understandable premise: It's dangerous for humankind to tamper with the natural order of things. That is why the news coming out of Japan today is so alarming. Last year's tsunami-triggered catastrophe at the Fukushima nuclear power plant has resulted in, quite literally, a "butterfly effect." Scientists seeking to learn the impact from the Fukushima disaster have discovered a direct link between radiation from the accident and mutations in butterflies:
TOKYO -- Researchers in Japan have found signs of mutation in butterflies, signaling one of the first indications of change to the local ecosystem as a result of last year's nuclear accident in Fukushima, according to one of the first studies on the genetic effects of the incident.