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.
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...
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.
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.
Researchers found that matching mitochondrial DNA to nuclear DNA could be important when selecting potential donors for mitochondrial donation treatment. They discovered that mitochondria are fine-tuned to the nucleus and may influence the likelihood of certain mutations being passed on.
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.
The study of 'dancing' hyperons in pear-shaped hypernuclei reveals unique behaviors and new insights into fundamental interactions. Researchers found that the hyperon's spatial distribution has a spherical symmetry when occupying the lowest-energy state, shrinking nuclear size and decreasing quadrupole deformation.
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.
Researchers from the University of Houston and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are investigating what causes nuclear waste glass to dissolve over time. They found that zeolite crystals facilitate faster dissolution, and are exploring ways to slow or impede their formation.
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 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.
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.
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.
Researchers discovered that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants interact with nuclear DNA mutations to determine the severity of heart disease in mice. Different mtDNA variants conferred either worsened or protected heart damage, suggesting a key role for mtDNA in cardiomyopathy progression.
A recent study highlights the potential for misinterpretation of Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) PET results, which can affect diagnostic accuracy and guide therapy. Researchers urge nuclear medicine physicians to analyze PSMA-ligand uptake in conjunction with lesion localization to avoid misdiagnosis.
A new MIT study highlights the importance of nuclear energy in achieving deep carbon emissions reductions. The authors propose new policy models and cost-cutting technologies to make nuclear a vital component of low-carbon energy solutions.
Researchers have found that tau protein interferes with the nucleus's ability to communicate with the cell, disrupting the function of the nuclear pore complex. This alteration accelerates tau aggregation and neurofibrillary tangle formation, leading to neural dysfunction and death in Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers are assessing six types of low-permeable rock formations as potential barriers to isolate nuclear wastes. The goal is to understand how radioactive atoms and liquids move through these rock formations to enhance isolation.
A University of Houston engineer is leading a $800,000 project to improve the safety of storage containers for nuclear waste. The team will explore ways to reduce or avoid the degeneration of glass containers used to store radioactive waste.
A new technique called TSA-Seq measures distance of every gene from specific nuclear landmarks, building a 3D picture of the genome’s organization. Genes closer to nuclear speckles tend to be more active than those near the nuclear lamina.
Researchers advise caution on new pebble-bed nuclear reactors due to potential for accidents and inadequate safety measures. The design lacks key safeguards, including a high-pressure containment structure and redundant cooling system, increasing the risk of radioactive material release.
The US Federal Commission has invested $400K in the University of Pittsburgh's Nuclear Engineering Program to support two graduate fellowships. The program aims to develop cutting-edge nuclear technologies and provide educational experiences that lead to a PhD or MS degree.
Researchers at a nuclear astrophysics lab achieved an order-of-magnitude increase in normalized brightness after upgrading their accelerator. The new system improved high-voltage source stability and signal-to-background ratio, enabling higher proton beam intensity without damaging targets.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging's Technologist Section recognized contributions from April Mann, Cybil Nielsen, Cheryl Rickley, and Lynne Roy for their dedication to advancing nuclear medicine technology. The awards highlight the impact of these individuals on education, advocacy, and service in the field.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute receives $800K to investigate accident mitigation strategies for nuclear power plants under extreme conditions. The project aims to develop new safety features and solutions to enhance coping time and mitigation capability in accidents.
Sandia National Laboratories has built a scaled test assembly to mimic a dry cask storage container for spent nuclear fuel. The team is providing new data on how fuel temperatures change during storage and affect the integrity of the metal cladding surrounding the spent fuel.
The Journal of Nuclear Medicine's impact factor increased by 12% in 2017, ranking fifth among medical imaging journals. Citations to the journal rose from 24,977 to 27,101.
Researchers have developed a theory to create electron flashes within zeptosecond timeframes, potentially increasing nuclear reaction energy yield. This breakthrough could advance fields like spectroscopy and quantum information processing.
The University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering is leading a $1 million project to advance design and manufacture of nuclear plant components via 3D printing. The team aims to develop innovative dissolvable supports, topology optimization, and microstructure design to reduce costs and improve structural integrity.