Professor John Straayer has taught political science at Colorado State University in Fort Collins for 46 years. He is not surprised that this year's race in Colorado is among the tightest in the nation. Becky Lettenberger/NPR hide caption

The Proton Semiconductor Sequencer from Ion Torrent Systems Inc. is a new DNA sequencing machine designed to sequence the entire human genome in about eight hours for $1,000. Ethan Miller/Getty Images hide caption

Marijuana grower and activist Juan Vaz checks a marijuana plant in the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo, in August. Uruguay's government has sent a bill to Congress that would allow the state to grow and sell marijuana. Andres Stapff/Reuters/Landov hide caption

Despite millions of troubled mortgages around the country, housing hasn't been a major issue in the presidential race so far. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

A sign directs voters to polls at a polling station on Nov. 4, 2008, in Shallotte, N.C. Logan Mock-Bunting/Getty Images hide caption

An Osprey arrives at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan city on Japan's southern island of Okinawa on Monday. Six Ospreys were deployed in Okinawa, drawing sharp reactions from residents amid persistent concerns about the aircraft's safety. JIJI Press/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

Siblings Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have been working on James Bond films since the 1970s. They are the producers of the latest installment, Skyfall. Stuart Wilson/Getty Images hide caption