Articles tagged with Isotopes
A team of scientists at Berkeley Lab has discovered a new form of the element mendelevium, creating the lightest known isotope, mendelevium-244. The discovery was made using the lab's 88-Inch Cyclotron and provides evidence for the existence of two separate decay chains with half-lives of 0.4 seconds and 6 seconds.
Researchers at MSU are working on a $3.7M project to create more accurate models of scientific phenomena using Bayesian statistics and machine learning. The team aims to improve the characterization and reduction of uncertainties in nuclear processes, making it easier for scientists to design experiments and allocate resources.
Researchers found isotopic evidence of early Earth differentiation in samarium and neodymium isotope ratios. The study suggests that plate tectonics have regulated the planet's chemical evolution since its history began.
A new study reveals that eels can serve as a key indicator of freshwater biodiversity, and their protection could greatly contribute to the recovery of ecosystems. The research found that two species of eel were widely distributed in Japanese rivers, serving as umbrella, indicator, and flagship species for conservation.
A new study reveals that deep water masses in the eastern Mediterranean can reach up to 70% of the western basin, contradicting classic hypotheses. The research uses rare earth elements and neodymium isotopes as conservative tracers to reconstruct the oceanographic structure of the Mediterranean basins.
Researchers found that mixtures of H2, HD, and D2 behaved as an isotopic molecular alloy and exhibited symmetry-breaking phase transitions at higher pressures than expected. The discovery was attributed to quantum trapping of high-kinetic energy states by exchange interaction.
Scientists developed a new method to add deuterium to benzene, improving drug efficacy. Forest research found forests worldwide are dying due to environmental changes. The ITER project began assembling the world's largest fusion reactor, while Oak Ridge National Laboratory improved cancer treatment through isotope separation.
Laurence Yeung's research aims to unify theory and experiments on oxygen isotopes to improve estimates of primary productivity in the oceans. He also seeks to resolve interlaboratory discrepancies and study biosphere productivity over a billion years.
Researchers at RIKEN found that knocking out a single proton from a fluorine nucleus transforms it into a neutron-rich isotope of oxygen. This transformation has a significant effect on the state of the nucleus, defying conventional wisdom and sparking further investigation.
A new study suggests that corn was not grown in Cahokia until between A.D. 900 and 1000, a relatively late date corresponding to the start of the city's rapid expansion. The researchers analyzed charred corn kernels and carbon isotopes in human teeth and bones, revealing a sudden increase in corn consumption around this time.
Researchers tested three passive samples and found lower effective sampling rates due to incorrect mass transfer correction factors. They also discovered a diffusion isotope effect affecting ammonia isotope compositions, with a significant bias of 15.4‰ in urban Beijing.
Michigan State University Professor Alexandra Gade reviews advancements in describing rare isotopes, revealing new magic numbers and shell evolution. The study has implications for nuclear astrophysics, nuclear security, and nuclear medicine.
Researchers at HKU discovered that corals' reliance on certain nutritional sources underpins their bleaching susceptibility in warming oceans. The team found that predatory corals can withstand warmer temperatures longer than photosynthetic corals.
A new study suggests that heavier iron isotopes migrate towards lower temperatures and into the mantle, while lighter isotopes remain in the core. This phenomenon could be causing core material to infiltrate the lowermost mantle, enriching it in heavy iron isotopes.
A UMass Lowell-led team discovered that a symmetry in atomic nuclei is not as fundamental as previously believed, opening up new avenues for understanding the universe. The researchers created over 400 strontium-73 nuclei and compared them to bromine-73 nuclei, finding that they behaved differently.
Researchers analyzed Martian meteorites to reconstruct Mars' chaotic history and find that the planet likely received water from at least two distinct sources. The findings suggest Mars never had an ocean of magma completely encompassing the planet, contradicting previous theories.
Researchers found strikingly high molybdenum, uranium, and rhenium concentrations in drill cores from shungite rocks, suggesting elevated oxygen levels at the time of their deposition. The discovery contradicts prevailing models of Earth's carbon and oxygen cycles and has implications for understanding the evolution of complex life.
A cross-sectional study of El Algar society in the Iberian Peninsula reveals similar diets but different management of livestock among communities, with a larger share of animal protein restricted to elite members. The analysis also shows a strong reliance on cereal farming and animal manure use.
A new study measures the intensity of past methane release using sulfur isotopes in foraminifera shells, providing a novel tool for reconstructing geological records. The analysis reveals strong methane fluctuation responses to global warmings and hydrate dissociation.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE reveals that the people of La Bastida employed an intensive agricultural strategy, combining crops with animal husbandry to boost their food production and economic prosperity. This approach allowed them to feed a large population, increasing their productivity compared to other nearby communities.
Researchers found varying oxygen isotopic composition depending on lunar rock types, suggesting minimal mixing between the Moon and vapor atmosphere. The data imply Theia formed farther from the Sun than Earth.
A team of scientists has identified a new isotopic signature, 233U/236U, that distinguishes between environmental emissions from civil nuclear industry and weapons fallout. This discovery provides a promising tool for tracing ocean currents and understanding the impact of human activities on the environment.
The Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) is being upgraded with a new capability to produce beams of heavy atomic nuclei consisting of 126 neutrons, a 'magic number', for nuclear structure and astrophysics research. This upgrade will help scientists test a reigning theory on the formation of heavy elements.
Astrobiologists Dirk Schulze-Makuch and Jacob Heinz found thiophene molecules on Mars consistent with biological origins. Non-biological processes, such as meteor impacts or thermochemical sulfate reduction, also remain possible explanations.
Geologists have determined that the early Earth was a 'water world' with submerged continents based on oxygen isotope data from ancient ocean crust in Australia. This finding has significant implications for the origin of life on Earth and its possible existence elsewhere.
Researchers discovered that the ratio of oxygen isotopes in ancient ocean rocks suggests a global ocean covered most of the planet's surface at that time. This finding could help scientists understand how single-cell organisms first emerged on Earth.
Researchers at North Carolina State University attempted to measure how much pet cats supplement their diets with wild prey using isotopic analysis. However, they found that cat food manufacturers regularly change ingredient composition within the same flavors, preventing accurate identification of a cat's diet.
Scientists in Japan have reached a breakthrough in controlling fusion plasma's uniformity by studying the movement of hydrogen isotopes. The research found that turbulent states, such as ion temperature gradient turbulence, result in more uniform isotope ratios, which is favorable for fusion reactions.
A study suggests that zinc isotope analysis can reconstruct past food webs in ancient mammals by analyzing stable isotopes in fossil tooth enamel. The results show distinct patterns in δ66Zn values for carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores, with potential applications in archeological and paleontological research.
Scientists have developed a new method using zinc isotope analysis to determine the diet of fossil vertebrates. The study found that the ratio of special zinc isotopes in dental enamel can identify whether an animal was a herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore.
Research team led by Professor Hagit Affek analyzed chemical bonds in calcium carbonate minerals from fossilized eggs to calculate body temperatures of dinosaurs. Their study found that dinosaur body temperatures ranged from 35-40 degrees Celsius, suggesting endothermic characteristics.
A study of carbon-isotope data from a Welsh mudstone core reveals anomalies consistent with orbital cycles of approximately 405,000 years. These findings indicate that the marine carbon cycle is particularly responsive to such astronomical signals.
Researchers discover that up to 90% of plant species rely on fungi for organic nutrients, challenging the long-held assumption of fair exchange relationships.
A compact neutron resonance transmission analysis device can detect nuclear material in just one minute, reducing the need for kilometer-scale neutron beams. Researchers have optimized its design to minimize background interference, allowing for accurate detection of isotopes in various materials.
Researchers developed a method to evaluate ancient human geographic origins using lead isotopes from tooth enamel, which showed consistency with local prehistoric animals. The study suggests that at least five individuals were from southwest Arkansas, providing new insights into the Caddo Indian burial practice.
A study tracked female loggerheads from Mediterranean rookeries, revealing three key feeding areas: Adriatic, Tunisian Plateau and eastern Mediterranean. The research highlights the importance of protecting these habitats to conserve turtle populations threatened by bycatch and human activities.
Researchers found that Antarctic Bottom Water, a deep-water mass in the Southern Hemisphere, was disrupted from spreading northwards into the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans during peak ice ages. The study suggests that weaker circulation in the Southern Ocean during cold periods may have interrupted this process.
Researchers at Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University calculated frequencies of electronic transitions in argon isotope and found nonlinear effects stronger than expected
IsoBank aims to provide a centralized repository for stable isotope data, addressing the need for accessible and organized datasets. The database will facilitate comparison across time, space, and subject, enabling researchers to build on existing knowledge.
Researchers confirmed the high thermal conductivity of isotopically enriched cubic boron nitride, a discovery that could lead to breakthroughs in cooling microelectronics. The team made the unique compound and measured its thermal conductivity, confirming theoretical predictions and opening up new avenues for research.
Researchers have discovered that stable isotopes of zirconium can be fractionated by magnitudes much larger than previously thought. This finding changes the view on how this element behaves in the solid Earth, enabling a new tool to gain insights into magma chemistry as it crystallizes.
Researchers from the University of Bonn used strontium isotope analysis to determine the origins of victims in a 1,400-year-old Maya mass grave. The study found that most victims grew up at least 95 miles from Uxul, with some showing signs of high social status.
Fossilized seashells from Antarctica reveal that the Earth's oceans were undergoing significant changes in response to increased carbon dioxide from volcanic eruptions. These findings provide new insights into the causes of the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction event, which led to the demise of the dinosaurs.
Researchers have unraveled the mystery of the Ubbelohde effect by identifying two isotopic effects governing water hydrogen bond formation. The findings reveal that rotational motion and quantum anharmonic coupling play crucial roles in determining bond strength and length.
A recent study found that the ratio of carbon isotopes in tuna has declined substantially since 2000, indicating shifts in phytoplankton populations. This change may be linked to increased ocean stratification and fossil fuel carbon capture, which could impact the marine food web.
Research suggests climate-related droughts triggered decline in Assyria's way of life and contributed to its collapse. The empire's reliance on rainfall for agriculture made it vulnerable to prolonged droughts, leading to instability and conflict.
Research reveals oceanic black carbon differs significantly from riverine dissolved black carbon, raising fundamental questions about its origin and fate. The new technique uses stable carbon isotope analysis to track terrestrial sources of black carbon in the ocean.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have created hybrid porous organic cages capable of high-performance quantum sieving for hydrogen isotope separation. The new material has excellent deuterium/hydrogen selectivity and high deuterium uptake.
Researchers at Ohio State University created a method to keep the collective behavior of oxygen isotopes moving long enough for scientists to study it well. This enables the understanding of the structure around oxygen and allows the creation of better materials, such as stronger glass and ceramics.
Researchers at RIKEN have confirmed that atomic nuclei with 34 neutrons are more stable than expected, exhibiting strong shell closure. This finding demonstrates that 34 is a 'magic number', a set of numbers where the shells are completely filled and the nucleus exhibits unique properties.
A 6,250-year record of glacial meltwater discharge suggests ice shelves have been thinning at an accelerating rate for approximately 300 years. This could increase the risk of collapse as anthropogenic warming intensifies.
A Stanford-led study reveals that turmeric is sometimes adulterated with lead-laced chemical compounds in Bangladesh, leading to elevated blood lead levels among consumers. The researchers aim to shift consumer behaviors, reduce incentives for the practice and develop business opportunities to promote lead-free turmeric.
A new study reveals that coastal proximity, rain and prevailing wind direction influence the distribution of marine sulfur on land. Plants in coastal settings utilize marine-derived sulfur, which is affected by human activities such as oil refineries and vehicles.
Researchers have found a magic wavelength in cadmium, enabling the creation of atomic clocks with unprecedented accuracy. This breakthrough could revolutionize time measurement and test new physics theories.
Researchers at the University of Bradford have found a link between the diet of Roman Britons and their mortality rates using stable isotope data from bone collagen. Higher nitrogen isotope ratios were associated with a higher risk of mortality, while higher carbon isotope ratios were linked to a lower risk. The study provides new insi...
UC Davis' Crocker Nuclear Laboratory has received a $340,000 grant to manufacture astatine-211, a tumor-killing element with promise in targeted alpha therapy. The lab aims to test the feasibility of producing astatine-211 at its facilities.
Researchers analyzed strontium, carbon, and nitrogen isotopes in jaguar scat to identify prey habitats. The study found that jaguars in Belize were not competing with livestock for resources, providing reassurance for conservation efforts.
Scientists have reconstructed 300-million-year-old rainwater to study the history of Western France and its mountain range. The analysis suggests that the area was once mountainous, near the Equator, and subject to violent tectonic processes.
Researchers analyzed helium isotopes in super-deep diamonds to find evidence of pristine reservoirs of primordial rock material beneath the upper mantle. The study suggests that these reservoirs occasionally infiltrate the transition zone and mix with subducting material, creating diverse isotopic compositions.
Researchers found that competition for prey among carnivores wasn't a cause of megafaunal extinction. Instead, climate change and human arrival led to the demise of giant predators like saber-toothed cats. Today's apex predators in North America are smaller animals that took advantage of the extinction.