Articles tagged with Isotopes
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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.
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.
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.
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 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 at Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University calculated frequencies of electronic transitions in argon isotope and found nonlinear effects stronger than expected
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
Researchers studying lionfish ear-bones found that these fish are more mobile than previously believed, moving at least once throughout their life. This discovery has implications for managing the invasive species, as understanding habitat choice can inform effective removal and conservation efforts.
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.
A global analysis of cave drip waters reveals vital clues for understanding past rainfall patterns. In warmer climates, oxygen isotopes in stalagmites display the balance between wet weather events and prolonged drying periods.
A new study suggests that increased reactivity of land surfaces led to a decrease in CO2 in the atmosphere, resulting in cooling. The researchers used isotope analysis and computer modeling to show that constant rock weathering was not the primary cause of the temperature drop before the last ice age.
An increase in elite Maya's preference for a maize-based diet made the population more vulnerable to drought, contributing to its societal collapse. The study found that a less flexible and less resilient system resulted from population expansion, agricultural intensification, and socially conditioned food preferences.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that human activities contribute significantly to iron pollution in the North Atlantic Ocean. The research used isotope ratios of iron to 'fingerprint' its source and revealed that human-derived iron was present in dust samples, contradicting previous assumptions.
Researchers create a new approach to analyze crude oil composition by dissolving it in water under high temperature and pressure. The method is compliant with green chemistry principles, avoiding hazardous solvents.
A study reveals that pastoralists in ancient Eurasia adopted agricultural products through trade and social networks, driving changes in dietary dynamics. The shift occurred around the transition to the Iron Age, coinciding with the expansion of trans-regional networks and complex political structures.
A research team from the University of Liverpool has discovered that radon atoms provide less favorable conditions for measuring electric dipole moments than radium. The study, published in Nature Communications, used the ISOLDE facility at CERN to accelerate beams of radioactive radon ions and measure their properties.
Berkeley Lab scientists develop faster technique to purify elements, opening door to faster discovery of new elements and easier nuclear fuel reprocessing. The method achieves separation factors many orders of magnitude higher than current state-of-the-art methods, reducing contaminants and increasing efficiency.
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.
Scientists confirm Alaska lake seals, a distinct population from ocean-dwelling cousins, rely on freshwater food sources throughout their lives. The study provides critical baseline information for developing conservation strategies, particularly as the region faces proposed industrial developments and climate change.
Researchers used heavy ion accelerator to demonstrate nickel 78's stability, finding it maintains spherical shape like doubly magic isotope, but with a surprise: lighter isotones may lose magic nature due to deformation.
A study of pig remains around Stonehenge henge complexes reveals large-scale human movement across Britain during the Late Neolithic period. The findings suggest that feasts at these sites drew people and animals from throughout the country.
Researchers found that agricultural lime alters the strontium isotopic composition of surface waters and plants in non-calcareous soils. This can result in incorrect interpretations of prehistoric people's origins and movement, affecting studies on provenance and mobility.
Phoenicians sourced silver from Anatolia, Sardinia, and Iberian Peninsula regions between the 10th-9th centuries BCE. The silver production process and its lead impurities provided insight into their expansion into Europe and Asia.
Researchers analyzed stable isotopes in Louisiana roadkill to understand ancient wetland ecosystems. They found that the method was effective but not always precise, as modern animals have diverse diets that don't segregate neatly into boxes.
New research using compound-specific isotope analysis reveals that Neandertals had a predominantly carnivorous diet, primarily consisting of large herbivores. The study also sheds light on the possibility of late weaning and cannibalism in Neandertal populations.