A team of scientists used satellite data to augment measurements of a 2017 North Korean nuclear test, estimating its yield to be between 245 and 271 kilotonnes. The study demonstrates the value of space-borne InSAR data for measuring underground nuclear tests with greater precision than conventional seismic methods.
Michigan State University (MSU) has led the creation of a new International Research Network for Nuclear Astrophysics (IReNA), funded by the National Science Foundation. IReNA connects expertise in nuclear physics, astrophysics, and related fields to advance understanding of the origin of elements and dense nuclear matter.
A four-investigator team led by University of Delaware physicist Marianna Safronova has won a prestigious Synergy Grant to build a nuclear clock, which will be far more sensitive than atomic clocks. The project aims to search for undiscovered physics effects and detect dark matter particles.
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz used a novel nuclear magnetic resonance technique called ZULF to search for dark matter. They found no evidence of ultralight dark matter particles with couplings above a particular threshold, ruling them out as possible candidates.
Blue Wave AI Labs will develop predictive models of reactor components using billions of nuclear reactor data points, enabling timely and safe replacements. The project aims to create a virtual sensor platform for nuclear reactor operations and maintenance, potentially applicable to future energy-production systems.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have developed an additive manufacturing method that enables the recycling of more nuclear waste, reducing storage time by almost one thousandfold. The breakthrough uses 3D-printed parts to separate highly radioactive actinide isotopes from rare earth metals.
Scientists from the Institute of Nuclear Physics have found that high-energy collisions produce 'forward-directed' jets, which require accounting for saturation and Sudakov effect. The researchers took into consideration two previously known phenomena to describe the production of these jets accurately.
Researchers warn that a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan would release massive amounts of black carbon into the atmosphere, blocking out sunlight and cooling the planet by 2-5°C. This would lead to severe droughts, diminished plant growth, and potentially mass starvation, threatening global stability.
A Rutgers University co-authored study finds that a nuclear war between India and Pakistan could result in over 100 million immediate deaths and global mass starvation. The conflict could also lead to a significant decline in sunlight reaching the Earth's surface, causing regional cooling and reduced precipitation.
A new study suggests that a nuclear war between India and Pakistan could result in 50-125 million deaths, with temperatures potentially dropping by up to 9 degrees Fahrenheit. The conflict could also lead to severe food shortages worldwide, affecting human populations higher on the food chain.
The study revealed that loss of Lamin A/C acetylation results in softened nuclei prone to mechanical pressure and eventual breaking. Nuclear blebs and micronuclei are more likely to form under these conditions, posing a risk to genetic material integrity.
A new method uses neutron beams to establish facts about warheads, physically encrypting information to prevent disclosure of military secrets. The system balances verification with secrecy for countries involved in arms reduction pacts.
The International Energy Agency argues that nuclear power can fill the gap in low-carbon electricity generation, but safety concerns and high costs are barriers. Nuclear reactors can generate energy with low greenhouse gas emissions like other low-carbon sources.
The University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering has received three substantial grants from the US Department of Energy, totaling $2.3 million, to advance nuclear energy research and development.
Markey researchers identify nuclear glycogen's role in cancer progression and find epigenetic connections between glycogen metabolism and gene expression. The study reveals new therapeutic targets to treat non-small cell lung cancers.
Two research teams, including TU Wien, simultaneously demonstrate the long-sought Thorium nuclear transition, enabling extremely precise nuclear clocks. This discovery opens up new research possibilities, including investigating dark matter and measuring natural constants.
Scientists at LMU Munich have successfully quantified the energy released by thorium-229 nucleus decay, a crucial step towards developing a nuclear clock. The study enables lasers to emit in a wavelength range that can excite the nucleus, paving the way for a new era of precise measurements.
The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology published expert consensus recommendations for multimodality imaging in cardiac amyloidosis, aiming to improve diagnosis and management. The guidelines unify standardized imaging methods, diagnostic criteria, and appropriate utilization across various imaging modalities.
A Rutgers-led study confirms extreme impacts from US vs. Russia nuclear war, predicting a global temperature drop of over 15 degrees Fahrenheit and a 90% reduction in growing seasons.
A recent study reassesses nuclear safety by prioritizing both objective and subjective risks, aiming to reduce psychological and physical trauma. The guidelines advocate for improved system resilience and shift towards systems-thinking in risk assessment.
Researchers have found that lithium fluoride crystals can detect tracks of heavy ions with high energies, including iron. The crystals work like photographic film and can accurately reproduce the path of a particle.
Researchers develop technology to measure antineutrino flow from nuclear reactors, allowing for remote monitoring of fuel changes. The technique has the potential to detect even small changes in fuel assemblies, enabling real-time verification of reactor operations.
A Columbia University study reveals radiation levels on some Marshall Islands are above legal limits, citing widespread contamination from US nuclear tests. Residents of affected islands face potential harm from radiation exposure, highlighting the need for thorough environmental remediation.
Researchers have developed a method to test building material samples for signs of high-enriched uranium (HEU) use. The technique involves analyzing small core samples using hardware similar to radiation dosimeter badges.
A new study finds that fossil fuels' ratios of extracted energy to produced energy are lower than previously thought, especially at the finished fuel stage. The study warns that declining EROI may lead to a 'net energy cliff', where available energy declines rapidly.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has licensed Purdue University's Reactor Number One as the first entirely digital nuclear reactor instrumentation and control system. This upgrade enables capabilities like predictive analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, making reactors safer and extending their lifetime.
The Journal of Nuclear Medicine has seen a significant increase in its impact factor, with a jump of 25% compared to the previous year. The journal's immediacy index also increased, indicating a faster pace of citation activity.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging announced 13 new SNMMI Fellows, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the field. The recipients include past SNMMI presidents and experts in various areas of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new method to directly track the precession of single nuclear spins, allowing for precise molecular analysis. This breakthrough enables scientists to study molecules at the atomic level, with potential applications in fields like materials science and chemistry.
Jason S. Lewis, PhD, has received the 2019 Paul C. Aebersold Award from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) for his outstanding contributions to basic nuclear medicine science. His research focuses on developing radiopharmaceuticals for targeted diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Di Carli is recognized as an outstanding clinician-scientist, teacher, and mentor, known for pioneering work in cardiovascular radionuclide imaging and services. His research has contributed to understanding ischemic cardiac dysfunction and using positron emission tomography (PET) for guiding management of patients with end-stage heart...
A new method enables efficient use of energy by smart homes in a microgrid, reducing overall load and demand for renewable energy. The approach allows smart homes to exchange surplus renewable energy, optimizing energy use and scheduling.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory determined the nuclear charge radius difference between boron-10 and boron-11 isotopes. This discovery could aid in precise calculations of other nucleus structures, experimentally validated by laser spectroscopy.
A study published in Nature Communications found that Lem2 is key to nuclear size control in the model organism Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Researchers confirmed Lem2's role by assessing changes in nuclear volume/cytoplasmic volume ratio after deleting or overexpressing the protein.
A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that public fear of nuclear power leads to a 40% decrease in chosen nuclear generation. The team surveyed over 1,200 US respondents and showed some with the names of energy sources and others with risk information to disentangle the root causes of public opinion.
Researchers have discovered the history of hundreds of lost WWII-era uranium cubes from Germany, which were part of a secretive and ultimately failed effort to build a working nuclear reactor. The findings highlight the differences between German and American nuclear research programs, with the former being divided and competitive.
The Versatile Test Reactor will allow scientists to test various fuels, coolants and reactor components to evaluate new technologies for future generations of advanced nuclear reactors. The reactor's experimental configurations will provide key information to scientists as they work to develop innovative reactor designs.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered and characterized oxygen-11, the lightest-ever form of oxygen with three neutrons to its eight protons. This discovery opens a new avenue for studying nuclear symmetry by comparing it to its mirror nucleus lithium-11.
Scientists at ORNL used computational methods to evaluate 4,600 potential crystal structures of uranium oxide compositions, identifying a potentially stable crystalline phase for U2O7. Their findings could lead to a better understanding of how crystalline and amorphous uranium materials form in the nuclear fuel cycle.
Researchers found a persistent flow of total virtual energy from less-populated to energy-abundant provinces in China increased after the financial crisis. The study highlights the need for holistic policy decisions to mitigate energy's environmental impacts.
Scientists at ORNL solved a 50-year-old puzzle explaining why beta decays are slower than expected by including subtle effects in theoretical models. The team used ORNL's Titan supercomputer to simulate tin-100 decay into indium-100, demonstrating increased confidence in computing nuclear processes.
A PSU study suggests that eliminating coal as an energy source could help the US reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet its Paris Climate Agreement goals. The researchers propose an energy portfolio based on natural gas, efficiency, wind, solar power, and biofuels, with nuclear power also considered.
Researchers at UTSA are working on new accident tolerant fuels (ATFs) that will limit overheating and reduce the risk of radioactive leaks. The goal is to replace conventional fuel with a more durable material, enabling nuclear plants to better withstand accidents.
The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory is collaborating with industry on six new projects focused on advancing commercial nuclear energy technologies. These projects aim to improve current nuclear reactors and move new reactor designs closer to deployment.
A new study uses ancient nuclear genomes to determine the geographic origins of Aboriginal Australian remains, enabling their return to ancestral lands. The analysis shows that for most all of the ancient nuclear genomes, the most closely related contemporary genome was from people living today in the same geographic region.
A team of international researchers has captured the tensor-force originated high-momentum proton-neutron pairs using a proton scattering experiment. The study reveals the dominance of particular nuclear structures, shedding light on the nuclear force's non-central component and its effect on nuclear structure.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals how the human myxovirus resistance 2 (MX2) protein blocks HIV-1 infection by inhibiting nuclear import of viral DNA. The findings suggest that TNPO1 and nucleoporins facilitate MX2 positioning at the nuclear envelope.
FIONA's first results confirm predictions for the mass numbers of moscovium and nihonium, two superheavy elements. The tool provides a reliable way to measure these numbers with experiments, addressing potential issues with nuclear mass models.
Researchers at Penn State will investigate a new approach for removing rare-earth fission products from molten salt baths using liquid metals. The goal is to increase the recovery efficiency of rare-earth elements and minimize nuclear waste.
The US Department of Energy has awarded a subcontract to GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy to support the conceptual design and cost/schedule estimate activities for a proposed fast spectrum Versatile Test Reactor. The reactor is crucial for developing innovative nuclear fuels, materials, instrumentation, and sensors.
Four Jefferson Lab-affiliated scientists have been elected as Fellow of the American Physical Society, a prestigious honor recognizing their significant contributions to nuclear physics. Cynthia Keppel's fellowship honors her broad impact in fundamental nuclear science and applications of nuclear technology.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory use laser-based optical tweezers to levitate uranium and plutonium particles, allowing for accurate measurement of nuclear recoil during radioactive decay. This technique enables the detection of isotopes in nanometer and micrometer-sized particles, crucial for nuclear forensics.
Researchers aim to control and stabilize nuclear fusion reactions using heat and magnetic fields. Studies focus on regulating plasma temperature and density to produce fusion power while avoiding thermal instabilities.
Researchers have made a major scientific breakthrough by detecting nuclear magnetism in single atoms on surfaces for the first time. The discovery uses advanced techniques to measure the nuclear spin of individual atoms, enabling identification of different isotopes atom by atom.
The Texas A&M Center for Research Excellence on Dynamically Deformed Solids (CREDDS) will explore advanced manufacturing processes and new materials for nuclear weapon refurbishment. The center will also train the next generation of scientists and engineers to ensure the safety, security, and effectiveness of the US nuclear deterrent.
Lawrence Paul Lewis received the Secretary of Energy's Achievement Award for his work on Puerto Rico's long-term recovery planning after hurricanes. Linda Hansen was also awarded for her leadership in advancing international adherence to the International Atomic Energy Agency Additional Protocol. Both researchers were recognized by the...
Researchers identified a collapsed underground cavity and multiple small earthquakes after the September 2017 North Korean nuclear test, providing insights into the detection of nuclear explosions. The study's findings also shed light on seismic stress in the region and potential aftershocks.
Researchers successfully located the epicenter of the September 2017 North Korean nuclear test using regional seismic data. The study's findings confirm that subsequent seismic events were not also nuclear explosions.
The Energy Secretary has recognized researchers from Argonne National Laboratory for converting a Ghana Research Reactor-1 Miniature Neutron Source Reactor to low-enriched fuel, eliminating a nuclear threat. The team's collaborative efforts reduced the risk of nuclear proliferation while maintaining scientific capability.
Salk researchers discover that manipulating nuclear pores can increase their numbers in healthy cells, mimicking those found in cancer cells. This breakthrough could lead to a new way to fight cancer by targeting nuclear pores.