Articles tagged with Isotopes
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
The study analyzed 45 copper objects from Northern Central Europe and Southern Scandinavia, revealing changes in distribution networks across prehistoric Europe. The findings suggest that copper artefacts originated primarily from southeast Europe before 3500 BC, with later sources including the Eastern Alps and British Isles.
Researchers used mercury isotope data to push back the timeline of vascular plant colonization, finding extensive land colonization by early Silurian (~444 Ma). This discovery links terrestrial organism expansion to co-evolution of earth systems, particularly atmosphere-ocean-weathering processes.
The Ortiz site in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, has yielded five adult human remains with ages dating back to 1800BC, challenging simplistic assumptions about ancient culture. The mortuary practices and Strontium isotope analysis suggest standard burial practices over many centuries.
The study analyzed ancient dolomite deposits to estimate the temperature and composition of a shallow inland sea during the Palaeoproterozoic era. The findings suggest that the conditions were ideal for photosynthetic algae to emerge, pumping oxygen into the atmosphere.
This study investigates the correlation between lattice vibrations and ion transport in solid-state electrolytes using isotope substitution. Lower lithium vibration frequency leads to higher ionic conductivity and lower activation energy.
Researchers analyzed manillas and found a strong similarity between the metal composition of Benin Bronzes and Portuguese trade prior to the 18th Century. The consistency in metal composition suggests that African metalsmiths were selective about what metal they used, with German brass being the principle source.
Recent research by Norwegian University of Science and Technology revealed that East Antarctica's ice sheet melted rapidly along its margins between 9,000 to 5,000 years ago. The study suggests that the less stable, rapidly flowing parts of the ice sheet were broken up more easily, leading to the ice sheet becoming much thinner within ...
A research team from Germany, Austria, Canada, and the USA analyzed Troodon eggshells using a new method, revealing that they were produced at temperatures of 42°C and 30°C. The findings suggest that Troodon females laid eggs in communal nests, similar to modern ostriches.
Researchers found an increase in biologically available nitrogen during the time when marine eukaryotes became dominant, leading to a new era for life on Earth. This discovery links ancient ocean records to the present and beyond, providing context for global changes.
A study by University of Utah researchers found that birds eat fewer invertebrates in coffee plantations than in forests, threatening their survival. The disturbance of ecosystems significantly impacts dietary options, leading to reduced survival and population declines.
Researchers analyzed chemical isotopes in 1002 skin samples to study the distribution of southern right whales and long-term environmental changes in the Southern Ocean. The study shows that the whales' foraging grounds have shifted, reflecting changing prey distributions, and that climate change has driven recent shifts.
A newly published study of a stalagmite in Cave of the Mounds, Wisconsin, provides evidence for massive warming events during the last ice age, with temperature swings up to 10C over a decade. The research suggests a possible link between these events and Dansgaard-Oeschger events in Greenland ice cores.
Researchers at Tohoku University analyzed samples from Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft and identified what they believe may be the oldest solids from the solar system. The grains were likely transported outward from the inner regions of the early solar system to their current location in the outer reaches.
A recent geological study has confirmed that major changes in the global carbon cycle occurred on land during the early Cretaceous Period, matching those recorded in marine sedimentary rocks. The research, led by Matt Joeckel of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, used chemical and radioactivity-based analyses to find evidence of two d...
Researchers at MIT have proposed a new approach to making qubits and controlling them using beams of light from two lasers of slightly different colors. This method enables the direct manipulation of nuclear spin, allowing for precise identification and mapping of isotopes, as well as improved coherence times for quantum memory.
Research reveals hydrothermal vents as a previously undiscovered source of dissolved black carbon in the oceans, transporting it thousands of kilometers away. This discovery sheds light on the ocean's role as a carbon sink and provides insights into the formation of recalcitrant dissolved organic carbon.
Researchers at Cornell University have found that severe drought, lasting three consecutive years, likely accelerated the collapse of the Hittite Empire in ancient Anatolia. The team analyzed tree ring and isotope records to pinpoint this period of severe dryness, which matches the timeline of the empire's disappearance.
A recent study published in The ISME Journal reveals that the majority of bacteria living in wild soil are slow growers, contrary to previous lab-based frameworks that suggested a dichotomy between fast and slow growing microbes. This finding highlights the importance of testing field-based ideas with data from nature.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that around half of Earth's zinc inventory came from asteroids in the outer Solar System, contributing to the emergence of life on Earth. The study suggests that this material supplied other important volatiles like water, crucial for sustaining life.
Researchers have discovered that primitive meteorites contain a different mix of potassium isotopes than those found in other, more-chemically processed meteorites. This suggests that the Solar System was formed from a 'poorly mixed cake batter' of materials, with some planets receiving a unique blend of elements from distant sources.
Researchers have uncovered the most detailed look yet at Earth's recent climatic history by analyzing Antarctic ice cores. The study provides a record of summer and winter temperatures dating back 11,000 years, offering an important baseline for understanding climate change.
Scientists found the Bering Land Bridge was flooded until 35,700 years ago, with its full emergence occurring shortly before human migration to the Americas. The study's findings suggest a less direct relationship between climate and global ice volume, casting doubt on some explanations for ice age cycles.
Researchers analyzed 550 million-year-old cherts to uncover the secrets of early Earth's cooling. The study found that oxygen isotope ratios in ancient cherts are driven by the Earth's thermal evolution, not seawater temperatures, sparking new insights into the planet's history.
Researchers use novel interferometric technique to measure time delay between H2 and D2 isotopes, finding phase shift of nearly 3 attoseconds caused by nuclear motion. The study uses high harmonic generation and advanced theoretical modeling to validate the method.
Researchers developed a Sr-Nd isotope baseline for the Silk Road regions, enabling accurate provenance of plant-ash glass. The study confirmed multiple origins of the glass, including Central Asia and Mesopotamia.
A novel technique using stable isotopes can accurately determine whether wood turtles are wild-caught or captive-bred, helping combat the illegal pet trade. The method was tested on 71 turtles and achieved a success rate of over 97%, providing conservation law enforcement officials with a valuable forensic tool.
A team of scientists found that small communities in Central Asia produced and supplied one-third of the tin found on a 3,000-year-old shipwreck. The tin was then traded to markets around the Mediterranean to make bronze metal.
Research reveals that microphytobenthos, a key component of the Dutch Wadden Sea food web, obtains its nutrients primarily from detrital nitrogen in pore water. This finding provides new insights into the ecosystem's dynamics and highlights the importance of considering all nutrient pools in models predicting future changes.
A new study of thousands measures daily water intake and turnover in people worldwide, revealing significant variations. The study found that physical activity level, sex, age, and environmental factors drive differences in water consumption.
Researchers found the skeletal remains of a 5-8 year old spider monkey in Teotihuacán, Mexico, which provides the earliest evidence of primate captivity and translocation. The discovery also reveals gift diplomacy between Teotihuacán and Mayan elite, challenging previous beliefs about Maya presence in the region.
Researchers used molybdenum isotopes to study the interaction between subducting slabs and mantles. They found systematic differences in the isotopic composition of rocks from different depths, indicating distinct metasomatism processes. This helps understand the structure of subduction zones.
Researchers measured the half-lives of five exotic isotopes at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), a DOE Office of Science user facility. The study provides fundamental information about nuclei near their limits of existence, testing models of the atomic world and advancing research in astrophysics and nuclear physics.
Researchers have made a surprising discovery that liquid smoke can enhance plant defense against pests and diseases, leading to new farming practices. The study found that sunflowers grown in soil treated with liquid smoke had larger, thicker, and greener leaves and appeared less prone to pests and disease.
A new study using zinc isotope analysis found that Neanderthals were probable carnivores, contrary to earlier research suggesting a plant-based diet. The analysis of a tooth enamel sample from the Gabasa site in Spain revealed a carnivorous diet without blood consumption.
A study by University of Utah professor Thure Cerling and colleagues used carbon isotope science to analyze four seizures of ivory in Angola, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Uganda. The results show that the ivory dates back to the 1980s, similar in age to ivory in Burundi's national stockpile, strengthening suspicions of ivory stockpile theft.
A breakthrough computer model from Chalmers University of Technology reveals the properties of an atomic nucleus, providing insights into the strong force that governs neutron star behavior. The model predicts a surprisingly thin neutron skin, which could lead to increased understanding of heavy element creation in neutron stars.
Researchers found that the return of radiolarians, a tiny marine organism, helped restore habitable conditions after the massive extinction event. The study suggests that every microorganism plays a vital role in regulating biogeochemical cycles and conservation of the planet.
Researchers found that inland water carbon emissions are on the rise, with estimates suggesting 4.4 billion metric tons of carbon are released annually, primarily as carbon dioxide or methane. A new thermal insulation composite made from silica particles also shows promise for improving energy efficiency and reducing moisture damage.
Researchers at IISc identified a way to estimate ancient seawater temperature by analyzing otoliths from fish ears, which hold clues to water type and age. By correlating calcium isotope ratios with seawater temperatures, they found a powerful tracer of water temperature that can be applied to fossilized samples.
A new study suggests that Earth's deep mantle was drier than initially thought, with a water concentration 4-250 times lower than the upper mantle. This finding challenges the assumption that the mantle was uniform from its formation and may have prevented mixing within the mantle.
Researchers analyzed fossil corals to reveal changed ocean current circulation patterns. The data supports a scenario where the upper Pacific Ocean was more mixed during the last ice age, contributing to carbon storage and cooler climates.
A study of tooth isotopes from Adelaide graves found one person likely born in Adelaide, eight from Britain and Ireland, with three potentially from either location. The results support the overwhelming British origin of colonists in South Australia before 1880.
Megalodon and its ancestors were at the highest trophic level in prehistoric marine food webs, consuming other predators and large prey. The team measured nitrogen isotopes in shark teeth to determine their trophic levels, revealing a complex food web with multiple apex predators.
An international team of researchers found that destructive quantum interference suppresses transition between superdeformed and spherical ground states in calcium-40 nuclei. This work may help explain nucleosynthesis processes and the remarkable stability of magic nuclei.
Researchers used zinc isotopes to investigate megalodon's diet and find that great white sharks likely competed with it for prey. The study provides a unique window into the past, allowing scientists to analyze extinct animals' diets over millions of years.
The study found different isotopic compositions of water in continental and coastal areas, with varying seasonal patterns. Daily measurements revealed the influence of moisture source, transport, and convective activity on rainfall type, providing insights into regional atmospheric controls.
Researchers discovered banded iron formations as a new geochemical archive to study the early Earth's evolution. They found that iron- and silica-rich layers deposited from seawater can record the Earth's mantle and crust development. This approach offers new insights into the Precambrian Earth.
Scientists have detected an increase in atmospheric helium levels, which is attributed to the release of helium as a by-product of fossil fuel combustion and extraction. This finding has significant implications for understanding industrial activity and the potential uses of rare helium isotopes.
A recent study suggests that tree density in the Cerrado biome has been controlled mainly by the length of the dry season over the past 45,000 years. The research found a link between changes in the dry season and variations in Earth's axial tilt, which may lead to similar trends in the late 21st century.
Researchers found that some magmas originate from mantle portions with early crust remnants, suggesting a 'graveyard' of old material survived for billions of years. This discovery sheds light on the formation of large continents and the evolution of Earth's atmosphere.
A study found that mothers in a 19th century Dutch village had low rates of breastfeeding, likely due to their busy work schedules and easy access to cow's milk. Researchers analyzed the remains of 277 individuals and found little evidence of breastfeeding, surprising given the community's cultural associations with breastfeeding.
Researchers validated the origin of mantle eclogites through Zn-, Mg- and O-isotope analysis, supporting the magmatic model. Type II eclogites formed through kinetic isotopic fractionation of melt-peridotite reaction, resulting in heavy Zn and light Mg isotope enrichment.
Researchers are investigating how gastrointestinal microbes contribute to neurodegeneration and AD progression. They will use quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP) to analyze bacterial taxa among the GI microbiota of mice modeling certain characteristics of AD.
A new atomic nucleus, 149-Lutetium, has been synthesized at the University of Jyvaskyla, emitting protons with a record-breaking rate. This discovery provides exceptional decay properties and breaks previous records for half-life and decay energy.
Scientists analyzed ancient vessels from India and discovered that prehistoric people used a variety of ingredients, including foraged plants, cultivated crops, and traded goods. The study found no evidence of cultural change impacting food processing during the Copper Age to Indus Valley Civilization transition.
Researchers studied ancient Antarctic ice cores to understand past atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. They found a strong correlation between carbon fertilization and increased biological production, which dampens global warming acceleration during glacial periods.
Researchers analyzed mollusk shells at 4,000-year-old shell ring villages in Georgia and found environmental changes drove the formation and abandonment of these coastal communities. Smaller oyster shells and lower salinity conditions suggested depletion in oyster stocks and unsustainable fishing practices.
Researchers use boron isotopes to identify sources and properties of fluids in subduction zones. They found that serpentinite-derived fluid drives metasomatism in continental subduction zones.
Researchers found two gas reservoirs, one containing solar gas and the other with terrestrial water signature, in the earliest stages of our solar system. This discovery suggests that Earth's water was present before the accretion of its constituent blocks.
Researchers from Goethe University and the University of Bristol analyzed prehistoric pots and found complex distributions of plant lipids, indicating the processing of various plant species. The study reveals that leafy greens were first used in West African cuisine around 3,500 years ago.