Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of uranium miner Uranium Resources (Nasdaq: URRE) were charged up today, gaining as much as 27% in intraday trading on heavy volume.

So what: The disaster in Japan has put a harsh light on the nuclear power industry thanks to the ongoing meltdown concerns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station. Pretty much any stock with an association with nuclear power -- from miners like Uranium Resources, to contractors like Babcock & Wilcox and equipment manufacturers like GE -- have taken a drubbing. But investors appear to be reconsidering their concerns today as Uranium Resources along with fellow nuclear players like Uranerz Energy (NYSE: URZ) and Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) have posted significant gains.

Now what: The world has been in search of low-emission energy sources that can help meet the growing global demand for energy while cutting down on pollution. That had some experts saying that there would be a "nuclear renaissance." Is that out of the question now that Japan's experience has seemingly highlighted the danger in nuclear power? That remains to be seen, but I agree with the view of my fellow Fool Tim Hanson, that, over the long term, nuclear will still likely play an increasing role in global power generation.

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