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Sources of lead in the western Arctic Ocean

A study reveals that 60% of lead in Canadian Arctic seawater comes from human sources, particularly historic lead emissions from Europe and Russia. The findings suggest that permafrost melting and coastal erosion will continue to remobilize these contaminants, making lead isotopes a sensitive tracer for pollutants in Arctic seawater.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 14, 2021

Whale carcasses help answer mysteries of elusive species

Researchers analyzed stable isotope analysis of skin, muscle, and bone tissue to study Sowerby's beaked whale spatial ecology. The results show that the species exhibits both short- and long-term habitat fidelity, with at least two subpopulations in the eastern and western Atlantic.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Conservation Science·DateMay 25, 2021

Scientists report remarkable enhancement of α-particle clustering in uranium isotopes

Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences discover abnormal enhancement of α-particle clustering in uranium isotopes, revealing strong proton-neutron interaction influence on α-decay properties. The study reveals systematics trends and anomalies in α-decay reduced widths for polonium-plutonium nuclei near shell closure.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 16, 2021

Researchers observe new isotope of fluorine

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have observed a new form of fluorine, the isotope 13F, which has four fewer neutrons than the naturally occurring stable isotope 19F. This discovery was made using a charge-exchange reaction mechanism, allowing scientists to create a previously inaccessible isotope with exotic properties.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 30, 2021

Charge radii of exotic potassium isotopes challenge nuclear structure theory

Researchers from University of Jyväskylä studied nuclear charge radii of exotic potassium isotopes using collinear resonance ionization spectroscopy. The results showed that the potassium isotope with a neutron number of 32 does not conform to magic neutron number criteria, challenging current understanding of nuclear forces.

Limits of atomic nuclei predicted

Researchers used innovative methods to calculate limits of atomic nuclei up to medium-mass nuclei, revealing new isotopes and a roadmap for verification. The study provides insights into the structure of neutron-rich nuclei and their existence, shedding light on fundamental interactions.

SourceTechnische Universitat Darmstadt·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 13, 2021

TRIUMF's CANREB facility marks first beam

Triumphs in achieving first beam delivery for ARIEL's CANREB facility, enhancing TRIUMF's nuclear physics program and global leadership in isotope production. The milestone ushers in a new era of scientific advancements and real-world impact for Canadians and the world.

SourceTRIUMF·DateDec 21, 2020

The heavier, the better -- superior stability in isotope functionalized perovskites

Research team led by HPSTAR discovered that isotope effect can significantly suppress lattice distortion in hybrid perovskites, leading to enhanced photoluminescence and structural robustness. This breakthrough suggests a new path for designing more stable photovoltaic materials with superior performance.

SourceCenter for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateDec 4, 2020

Team uses copper to image Alzheimer's aggregates in the brain

Scientists have developed a new imaging agent using copper isotopes that can effectively detect amyloid-beta protein deposits in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. The copper-based compounds outlast traditional diagnostic agents, making it possible for clinics with PET scanners to diagnose the condition more easily.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 24, 2020

Exact climate data from the past

Researchers have developed a new method for reconstructing past Earth surface temperatures using clumped isotopes. By analyzing the ratio of two rare carbonate groups, scientists can now accurately determine temperature without being influenced by mineralization processes.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 10, 2020

Iron-rich meteorites show record of core crystallization in system's oldest planetesimals

Researchers uncover new details about the oldest planetary objects in our Solar System, which formed iron-rich meteorites. The distinct chemical signatures of these meteorites can be explained by core crystallization in their parent bodies, deepening our understanding of the geochemistry occurring in the Solar System's youth.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Geoscience·DateAug 3, 2020

Rising temps put desert shrubs in high-efficiency mode

Research in the Mojave Desert shows that the brittlebush shrub has adapted to increased temperature and aridity by increasing its water use efficiency. Over a 39-year study period, the shrubs' ability to open their stomata was linked to changes in carbon isotopes, revealing a remarkable adjustment to the changing climate.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 27, 2020

Hyksos, 15th Dynasty rulers of Ancient Egypt, were an internal takeover

A study using chemical analysis reveals that the Hyksos rulers of Ancient Egypt were a multi-cultural group who rose to power from within. The research found that a large percentage of the population in the ancient capital city were non-locals who immigrated from various places, contradicting the common story of a sudden invasion.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 15, 2020

Curtin study could rewrite Earth's history

Researchers from Curtin University have found evidence that the Earth's first continents were not formed by subduction in a modern-like plate tectonics environment. The team measured iron and zinc isotopes in rocks sourced from central Siberia and South Africa, suggesting an alternative formation process.

SourceCurtin University·JournalGeology·DateJul 7, 2020

Researchers develop novel approach to modeling yet-unconfirmed rare nuclear process

Physicists at Michigan State University's Facility for Rare Isotope Beams have developed a new method to model neutrinoless double-beta decay, a yet-unconfirmed rare nuclear process with significant implications for particle physics and cosmology. The novel approach, known as the In-Medium Generator-Coordinate Method, enables controlle...