In May 2007, Google released Google Hot Trends and I was a major fan. Google has now made this tool more visible to the public by inserting it into the Google search results, when applicable.
For example, a search for Bill Winters who recently made news by leaving quitting JP Morgan, you will see Google Hot Trends show up in the search results. Here is a picture:
The goal is for Google to show this hot trends box in the search results for any trending topics. Danny Sullivan has a nice write up on this named Take That, Twitter: Google Hot Trends Integrated Into Google Search.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.