Articles tagged with Isotopes
Fossil land snail shells found on the Canary Islands show a decrease in relative humidity over 50,000 years, with a peak around 15,000-20,000 years ago. This suggests an overall increase in dryness, resulting in the current semiarid conditions.
Researchers at Southern Methodist University discovered that Ethiopia's climate 27 million years ago had warmer soil temperatures and higher rainfall. The study used oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in fossil soils found in the highlands of northwest Ethiopia, providing a previously unknown picture of the paleolandscape.
Scientists discovered that early hominid Ardipithecus ramidus took its first steps towards bipedalism in a wooded landscape, not the open savanna. The discovery was made using carbon isotope analysis of soil and teeth, which revealed a diet rich in woodland and forest ecosystem.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab independently confirmed the production of two individual nuclei of element 114, each with 114 protons but different numbers of neutrons. The discovery removes doubts about the validity of previous claims and paves the way for further exploration of superheavy elements.
Researchers at PTB have demonstrated a more compact and portable optical atomic clock, which uses strontium-88 instead of strontium-87. The new design minimizes collisions between atoms, resulting in increased accuracy and stability. Potential applications include precise height determination and improved gravitation maps.
Global climate change has a significant impact on deep-sea microfossil communities, with different groups responding differently to extinction events. In the Fraser River delta, anthropogenic subsidence is increasing relative sea-level rise by a factor of 2-5 times due to man-made structures.
Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology and University of Copenhagen found that Carbonyl Sulphide, produced by volcanic activity, kept the planet warm, offsetting the weak young sun's energy. This discovery explains how Earth avoided freezing solid and paved the way for life to emerge.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have created a laser technique that can help identify a rare isotope called 182Hf, which would prove that a supernova once exploded near our solar system. The technique uses negative ions and laser light to detach an extra electron from some elements while leaving others intact.
The spread of modern humans into Europe led to a greater emphasis on small sources of protein, including fish. Growing human populations put pressure on their environments, likely contributing to this shift.
Researchers studied high-grade copper mineralization in porphyry Cu deposits, finding that fluid behavior correlates with emplacement depth of magmatic sources. Acoustic imaging revealed pressurized fluids in a subduction zone, explaining mechanical weakness and earthquake rupture processes.
Researchers from the National Oceanography Centre have made significant discoveries using iron isotopes to study sediment respiration and iron cycling processes in the deep-sea. The findings provide new insights into iron's role in the ocean's carbon cycle and its impact on climate.
Researchers discovered an unexpected concentration of a certain isotopic molecule in parts of the stratosphere, which could help understand the carbon cycle and its response to climate change. The finding suggests that air from the mesosphere may be mixing with air from the stratosphere, leading to elevated concentrations of 16O13C18O.
Researchers at Arizona State University suggest early greening of the planet by primitive ground huggers led to complex life on Earth. This event, around 700 million years ago, allowed for soil sequestration of carbon and increase in oxygen levels, paving the way for higher life forms.
A study of a 40,000-year-old human skeleton found high levels of nitrogen isotopes suggesting regular consumption of freshwater fish. This suggests that early modern humans in China had access to fish as a food source before the development of effective fishing gear.
Scientists at Stanford University have created a new method to analyze isotopes, which are used to solve crimes, date ancient artifacts, and identify chemicals. The device uses laser-based spectroscopy to measure the ratios of isotopes in a sample, providing accurate results within one to three parts per thousand.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council are partnering to fund $6 million in research for alternative, non-nuclear medical isotopes. The goal is to address the medical isotope shortage and support the production and clinical testing of these alternatives.
Using DNA barcoding and stable isotope analysis, researchers identified the species of birds involved in the Jan. 15 airline crash into the Hudson River as migratory Canada geese. The findings emphasize the need to understand the role of migration in birdstrikes to develop effective management strategies.
Researchers have found a new proxy to study the nitrogen cycle, revealing that humans have disrupted it by altering the amount of nitrogen stored in the biosphere. The team traced the source of nitrates to nitric oxides released through fossil fuel burning and found significant changes between 1950 and 1980.
A new method uses laser ablation and multicollector ICP-MS to detect small variations in sulphur isotopes in hair, which can be linked to a person's geographical movements. The technique has been tested on volunteers with different diets and origins, showing promise for tracking international criminals.
The University of Miami's Rosenstiel School received a $900,000 gift from the G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation to purchase an ICP-MS, expanding its analytical capabilities. The new equipment will enable scientists to study smaller samples and analyze trace elements in ocean water samples.
Researchers used GPS tracking collars and analyzed carbon isotopes in elephant tail hair to monitor the elephants' movements and diet. The study found that when rains begin, satellite measurements show increasing greenness as grasses grow, indicating peak levels of high-protein grass in the elephants' diet.
Researchers calibrated laboratory analyses of a meteorite with telescopic observations of its precursor asteroid, providing new insights into asteroid compositions and origins. The study identified the asteroid as a ureilite, potentially originating from the same parent body.
Young southern right whales learn from their mothers where to feed in the ocean, but researchers worry they may not be able to adapt if food sources become scarce due to global warming.
A new technique developed at the University of Toronto is being used to test the effectiveness of clean-up efforts for contaminated groundwater. Using Compound Specific Isotope Analysis, researchers can determine if biodegradation is taking place by analyzing the ratio of carbon isotopes in the contaminants.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have successfully stopped and reaccelerated a stable ion through a newly constructed charge-breeder, bringing the CAlifornium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) Project closer to completion. This achievement is a significant step towards extending the reach of ATLAS to include potentially hu...
Researchers found increasing charcoal deposits indicating forest burning for agriculture until around 500 years ago, followed by a precipitous drop coinciding with human population decline. This suggests that post-pandemic reforestation in the Americas helped trigger a period of global cooling known as the Little Ice Age.
The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams will attract top researchers to conduct experiments in nuclear science, astrophysics, and applications of isotopes. The facility is expected to bring $1 billion in economic activity and 400 jobs to Michigan.
Researchers have made groundbreaking measurements of rare tin, cadmium, and indium nuclei, refining theoretical models about element creation in the cosmos. The discovery of Tin-100, a 'holy grail' of experimental nuclear physics, marks a major breakthrough in understanding nuclear stability.
Researchers found evidence of a mother, father, and two sons aged 8-9 and 4-5 years buried face-to-face with arms interlinked. The graves also showed signs of violent raids and injuries, indicating a tragic event in prehistoric Central Europe.
Researchers developed a method to track mercury emissions from coal by analyzing natural isotopic fingerprints, which can differentiate between human-made and natural sources. This technique has the potential to identify specific regions contributing to global mercury pollution.
Researchers analyzed oxygen isotope compositions of comet Wild 2's halo crystals, finding signatures similar to asteroids and the sun. This suggests heat-processed particles were transported outward in the young solar system, complicating theories on its early history.
Researchers from UC San Diego and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have eliminated one model explaining the unusual oxygen isotope mix found in a stony meteorite. The team found that molecular symmetry, rather than photoshielding, is responsible for the anomaly, which challenges our understanding of solar system formation.
Samoa has been reinstated as a primary hotspot trail based on new data, confirming its age progression and eliminating arguments against a plume origin. High-resolution climate recordings suggest extreme storm events' effects on landscapes and carbon dioxide levels. Meanwhile, research also explores icebergs along the southern US Atlan...
Research suggests that Atlantic leatherback turtles have two separate foraging areas, one in the high latitudes of the North Atlantic and another in low latitudes off the African and Iberian coasts. This dichotomy has significant implications for the species' survival, as damage to either habitat could have dramatic repercussions.
Researchers create hair analysis method to track past movements of suspects or unidentified murder victims based on hydrogen and oxygen isotope levels. The technique helps identify general geographic areas where individuals drank water, providing a valuable lead for law enforcement.
Researchers used nitrogen isotopic discrimination to identify non-organic sweet pepper plants grown with synthetic fertilizers. The study found that synthetic fertilizers significantly reduced nitrogen isotope ratios, with old leaves and fruits being more sensitive to the additions.
A team of scientists, led by Marek Pfutzner, has successfully peered closely at the radioactive decay of a rare iron isotope, shedding light on an exotic form of radioactivity. The technique used a novel combination of advanced physics equipment and digital camera technology to capture ghostly images of trajectories of emitted protons.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that uranium's U-235 to U-238 isotope ratio varies significantly in Earth materials. The new findings are consistent with other high-mass isotope systems and may represent the first evidence of a nuclear field shift in nature.
Researchers analyzed hair samples from child mummies found in the Andes, revealing a 'fattening up' process before sacrifice. The children were likely chosen from peasant backgrounds and had their status raised through diet changes and symbolic cutting of their hair.
Researchers at Michigan State University have made a unique measurement of an exotic oxygen nucleus, confirming a theoretical model predicting dramatic changes in structure as oxygen nuclei approach their limits. The experiment used new detection tools, making it possible to explore isotopes near the extreme edges of existence.
Researchers found that the northern portion of the Tibetan Plateau rose later than previously thought, revealing a complex timeline for the plateau's growth. This discovery can help climate models and understand ancient biological communities.
Scientists have developed a new technique to measure the speed of nuclei traveling at one-third the speed of light, enabling the study of rare isotopes. The method uses the Doppler effect to calculate the nucleus's speed based on gamma ray emissions.
Researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks are working on a way to determine whether marijuana was grown indoors or outdoors by analyzing the stable isotopes of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen. The method has potential to help police track down growing operations and match seized samples with known locations.
A team of geoscientists has discovered physical evidence of ancient plate tectonics in southern Greenland, dating back to 3.8 billion years ago. The finding suggests that seafloor spreading and oceanic crust formation occurred as far back as the early history of Earth.
Researchers found that pressure and oxygen isotopes have a similar effect on electronic properties of high-temperature superconductors, with vibrations in the lattice structure playing a crucial role in their superconductivity. The study reveals new insights into the behavior of these mysterious materials.
The study found that the inhabitants of Christopher Columbus' settlement in La Isabela, Dominican Republic, desperately tried to extract silver from lead ore brought from Spain. They discovered an improvised smelting process to separate the precious metal, but their methods were not efficient.
Scientists at NSCL and other labs will describe potential effects in astrophysics, medicine, and national security. New isotope creation technology may have far-reaching impact on various fields.
A recent study published in Nature documents the largest climate change in North America over the past 65 million years, with fossilized teeth revealing a temperature drop of nearly 15 degrees Fahrenheit. The Eocene-to-Oligocene transition saw massive changes in ocean currents and life extinctions.
A team of scientists developed a method to determine the influence of past volcanic eruptions on climate and the chemistry of the upper atmosphere. The chemical fingerprint of fallout from past eruptions reveals how high the volcanic material reached and what chemical reactions occurred while it was in the atmosphere.
A recent study in Nature supports the traditional theory of mantle plumes as the source of volcanic islands. Researchers found a close correlation between modeled and observed ratios of uranium-series isotopes across eight island locations, allowing them to estimate changes in temperature, speed, and size of mantle plumes.
Researchers observed atomic decay patterns to establish the existence of element 118, producing previously unknown isotopes. The discovery brings the total number of new elements discovered by the Livermore-Dubna collaboration to five.
Microbes adapted to living with oxygen around 2.7 billion years ago, as indicated by changes in fossil isotopes of carbon in rocks from the late Archean period in Western Australia. This finding supports the idea that oxygen-producing photosynthesis evolved and enriched the atmosphere over time.
Researchers have developed a way to image cell membranes with record resolution, shedding light on their chemical composition and organization. This breakthrough allows for high-sensitivity analysis of biological samples on a nanoscale, providing new insights into cellular function and behavior.
Monazite crystals contain thorium and can be used to date rocks altered by high-temperature fluids. In a new study, researchers found that monazite dissolves readily in hydrothermal fluids, resetting its clock and allowing for accurate dating of affected areas.
Researchers from Alfred Wegener Institute and L-DEO have determined the temporal variability of helium flux between glacial and interglacial periods using an Antarctic ice core. The study reveals a marked difference in terrestrial dust composition during the last Ice Age versus current warm period, with implications for climate archives.
A study of tropical ice cores found two significant climate shifts: one around 5,000 years ago when temperatures cooled, and another more recent reversal to a warmer world. The research suggests most high-altitude glaciers in tropical regions will disappear in the near future due to rising temperatures.
Researchers have discovered that meteorites contain isotopes of nitrogen and hydrogen that are similar to those found in interplanetary dust particles. This suggests that the parent bodies of these meteorites, such as comets, formed in the interstellar medium and were not severely processed by the inner solar system.
Scientists are using lead isotope analysis to study ancient copper artifacts from sub-Saharan Africa, providing insights into the spread of Islam and trade patterns across the Sahara Desert. The analysis reveals that merchants traded gold from regions like present-day Niger for copper from North Africa via camel caravans.
Researchers have made the fastest measurements of molecular vibrations, using a new technique that detects UV photons emitted by molecules under laser pulses. The results show atomic nuclei moving at varying speeds in different isotopes, providing insights into molecular dynamics.
Researchers used recent meteorological data to simulate condensation cycles, finding that temperature differences across Antarctica explain isotope value variations but with strong spatial correlations. Climate signals stored in Antarctic snow are not representative of annual weather conditions.