A team of physicists identified the dominant mechanism responsible for energy release in molybdenum-93m using high-precision experiments. Inelastic nuclear scattering is confirmed to be the primary driver of isomer depletion under experimental conditions, contradicting previous hypotheses about nuclear excitation by electron capture.
The Rhisotope Project uses low-level radioactive isotopes in rhino horns to track and intercept trafficked horns, aiming to disrupt the illegal trade. Researchers have confirmed the process is safe for animals and effective in making horns detectable through international customs systems.
A novel model predicts critical energy barriers governing heavy-ion fusion reactions with high accuracy, enabling the synthesis of superheavy nuclei and improving nuclear physics experiments. The model's effective nucleus-nucleus potential combines Skyrme energy density functional with reaction Q-values.
Scientists used radiation-induced reactions to convert corrosive Cr³⁺ to less-corrosive Cr²⁺, potentially mitigating metal alloy corrosion in molten salt nuclear reactors. The findings could improve the long-term reliability of these new reactors.
Researchers have developed a battery that can harness ambient gamma radiation to produce strong electric outputs, enabling potential applications in space exploration and sensors. The prototype demonstrated a peak power output of 288 nanowatts using cesium-137 and 1.5 microwatts with cobalt-60.
Filipino researchers have discovered that Taal volcanic ash can be used as a sustainable and lightweight alternative to expensive materials like concrete and lead. The natural presence of iron-rich minerals in the ash gives it strong radiation attenuation properties, making it effective for shielding against harmful X-rays and gamma rays.
Researchers from the University of Tokyo have verified the impact of neutron radiation on concrete expansion, finding a 'flux effect' that reduces degradation. This discovery may allow nuclear power plants to operate more safely over longer periods.
Researchers developed a new type of plastic scintillator that offers improved optical clarity, mechanical strength, and detection accuracy. This advancement has the potential to create next-generation radiation detectors that are safer, stronger, and more cost-effective.
Teletrix's VIZRAD AR platform simulates ionizing radiation behavior using augmented reality technology, providing a safe and immersive way to learn about radiation without exposure. The platform offers improved training capabilities for workers in radiation-controlled areas.
Three Ph.D. students and a postdoctoral researcher from Texas A&M are working on RTE projects to create new materials for future nuclear reactors. They are using the Texas A&M Accelerator Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory to irradiate material, creating voids that can help understand swelling in nuclear reactors.
Researchers developed a detector that senses and analyzes antineutrinos emitted by nuclear reactors, enabling detection of reactor use even from hundreds of miles away. The device exploits Cherenkov radiation to characterize energy profiles and can distinguish between operational cycles and specific isotopes in spent fuel.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the one-neutron stripping process in lithium-6 and bismuth-209 reactions. The study reveals that this process yields results comparable to fusion reactions, especially at energy regions near nuclear barriers.
Researchers developed a Pix-2-Pix GAN model to correct PSMA PET/CT images, improving image quality and quantitative markers. The AI-generated images show high correlation with original images and potential for reducing CT scans without compromising image quality.
Researchers at MIT and LBNL created a simplified array of four pixels in tetromino shapes to detect radiation direction, achieving accuracy comparable to large expensive systems. The design reduces engineering costs while improving performance for handling multiple radiation sources.
A new study led by researchers at New York University finds that microscopic worms living in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone have not developed DNA damage from chronic radiation. The discovery suggests that these worms are exceptionally resilient and could provide clues for understanding human risk factors, but it does not mean the region...
The University of Maryland School of Medicine has been awarded $3.5 million in federal funding to develop acute radiation syndrome animal models and advance the development of radiologic and nuclear countermeasures.
Researchers use a new technique to isolate energetic electron motion in liquid water, providing a window into electronic structure on an attosecond timescale. This breakthrough resolves long-standing debates about X-ray signals in liquid water and opens up a new field of experimental physics.
Researchers have developed a method to coherently tile multiple titanium:sapphire crystals together, breaking through the current 10-petawatt limit. This technology enables ultra-intense ultrashort lasers with high conversion efficiencies, stable energies, and broadband spectra.
A long-term study published in Environmental Epidemiology shows a slightly increased incidence of cancer, particularly colon, pancreas, and stomach cancer in men, as well as lymphoma in women. The researchers used new calculation methods to analyze radiation doses from Chernobyl fallout.
Researchers developed a human in vitro model of radiation-induced lung injury, closely mimicking the complexities of the disease. The Human Lung Alveolus Chip recapitulates hallmarks of RILI, including DNA damage, inflammation, and injury to lung cells and blood vessels.
A 10-year study found that even low doses of radiation may contribute to an increased risk of diabetes among emergency workers at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Researchers analyzed data from over 6,000 workers and found a significant association between low-dose radiation exposure and a higher risk of developing diabetes.
A US research team has developed a prophylactic to help protect US troops from acute radiation syndrome (ARS), a condition caused by high levels of radiation exposure. The Defense Health Agency has awarded $24.5 million to advance the drug's development, building on over $35 million in funding since 2017.
Researchers from Vienna University of Technology and Leibniz University of Hannover have found the solution to the wild boar paradox. The radioactivity in wild boar meat remains high due to the accumulation of cesium-137 from nuclear weapons tests, which is also present in deer truffles that are particularly favored by wild boars.
Research tracking nuclear industry workers' deaths suggests prolonged low-dose ionising radiation exposure increases solid cancer mortality by approximately 52% per unit of radiation absorbed. The study's findings should inform current rules on workplace protection from low-dose radiation.
A recent study published in Environment International found that the mutation rate in trees growing in contaminated areas did not increase significantly due to ambient radiation. The researchers used a new bioinformatics pipeline to evaluate de novo mutations in two widely cultivated tree species, Japanese cedar and flowering cherry.
A group of international scientists warn that nuclear radiation would have catastrophic consequences on ecosystems, including widespread hunger, toxic contamination, and habitat destruction. The authors urge policymakers to take action to mitigate these risks.
The UTSA-led Consortium on Nuclear Security Technologies (CONNECT) has received a five-year, $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. The program aims to educate and train the next generation of scientists and engineers in nuclear security, with a focus on underrepresented students.
Opaganib, an oral small molecule pill, shows potential as a nuclear radiation injury therapeutic for homeland security medical countermeasures and antitumor radiotherapy. The compound protects normal tissue from radiation damage and improves antitumor activity and response to chemoradiation.
Researchers investigated open star clusters, finding they dissolve faster than predicted by Newton's laws. The team developed a new method to count stars in tidal tails, revealing a significant difference in the number of stars between the front and rear tails.
Researchers at the University of Turku discovered that hackmanite changes color when exposed to nuclear radiation, retaining a memory trace that allows it to be reused. This unique property enables the development of reusable radiochromic films for measuring radiation doses and mapping dose distribution.
Polymers in cable insulation gradually lose their insulating properties due to radiation defects, leading to reduced electrical resistance. A hand-held hardness tester can detect proper insulation by measuring the hardness of the cable insulation.
Researchers developed a more sensitive approach to detect atomic-level structural damage in materials, enabling longer operational lifetimes for nuclear reactors. The new technique uses differential scanning calorimetry to measure energy changes within materials, revealing two mechanisms involved in radiation damage at elevated tempera...
Researchers at Ural Federal University improved the composition of borate glasses by adding heavy metal oxides, significantly increasing their density. The new glass samples showed good results as radiation shielding material in low and medium energy gamma radiation.
The project will develop a better understanding of nuclear radiation by integrating recent mathematical developments into radiation transport modelling. This will lead to improved nuclear safety, cancer radiotherapy, and shielding for astronauts from cosmic rays.
Researchers at Lancaster University successfully transferred digitally encoded information wirelessly using nuclear radiation, achieving 100% successful transmission tests. This novel approach uses fast neutrons, which can penetrate materials like metals, making it ideal for safety-critical scenarios and emergency rescue operations.
SourceLancaster University·JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A Accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2021
Researchers at Lancaster University have developed a new method to generate renewable biofuel additives from organic waste using nuclear radiation. This process could help increase the proportion of petrol with renewable content from 5% to 20% by 2030, reducing carbon emissions and tackling climate change.
Researchers at Ural Federal University develop clay bricks with added heavy metals that effectively protect against ionizing radiation. The new material is cheaper and more environmentally friendly than existing alternatives, making it suitable for use in nuclear power plants, medical institutions, and other applications.
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology unveiled a new scanning technology that can detect small amounts of nuclear materials in airports and seaports. The Neutron-Gamma Emission Tomography (NGET) system can pinpoint the origin of neutron and gamma ray emissions from weapons-grade plutonium and other special nuclear materials.
Researchers analyzed 130 children and found no increased germline mutation rates; instead, DNA double-strand breaks were more pronounced for younger survivors. A second study provided insights into radiation-induced papillary thyroid cancer, revealing radiation dose-related increases in DNA damage.
A new algorithm developed by researchers at the University of Michigan can quickly differentiate between benign and illicit radiation signatures in cargo, enabling cost-effective detectors at borders. The algorithm works even in high-radiation backgrounds and can identify weak signals from plutonium encased materials.
Alan Mar, a Sandia National Laboratories engineer, is recognized for his work in ensuring components made for the U.S. nuclear stockpile pass stringent standards to resist radiation. He is now leading a team to develop a comprehensive computer model that can predict the radiation effects on a whole weapons component.
A new blood self-collection device has been developed to quickly estimate a person's exposure to radiation in the event of a nuclear accident or attack. The device, which can process samples in a centralized lab, could help triage emergency medical treatment and alleviate a sample collection bottleneck.
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 simulation by researchers at the University of Michigan and others revealed that shockwaves can create loops in iron, which can strengthen or weaken steel depending on their placement. The discovery could help engineers design better radiation-resistant steel for reactors and potentially lead to stronger steel overall.
A special issue of Health Physics journal highlights women's contributions to and experiences in radiation protection and safety. The articles showcase the historic roles of women pioneers and their diverse roles in health physics, including research on approaches in monitoring radiation exposure.
A Northwestern University research team has developed a new semiconductor device that can detect gamma rays and identify radioactive isotopes at room temperature. The device, made of cesium lead bromide, offers high spectral resolution and can be scaled up for widespread use in biomedical imaging, astronomy, and spectroscopy.
Physicists have developed a way to control high-energy particle emissions in an undulator device, which could potentially be used as a source of radiation for cancer treatment or nuclear waste processing. The new device produces a much higher level of radiation than traditional ones.
Experts argue against the linear no-threshold hypothesis, citing evidence of adaptive responses that repair mutations or remove damaged cells. The authors suggest that diagnostic quality and accurate information are more important than erring on the side of caution in reducing radiation exposure.
A global study reveals low adherence to International Atomic Energy Agency recommendations for reducing nuclear cardiology radiation exposure. The research found that stress or rest only imaging, avoiding thallium, and camera technologies to reduce dose were key practices associated with achieving a 9 mSv scan.
A large nuclear cardiology laboratory has achieved a significant reduction in radiation doses, from 17.9 mSv in 2009 to 7.2 mSv in 2016, with the median dose dropping by 75%. The study used new technologies and protocols, including stress-only tests and more sensitive cameras, to achieve these reductions.
Researchers argue that the linear no-threshold hypothesis, which suggests all radiation is harmful, is inaccurate and has led to widespread fear of low-dose radiation. Studies show that low doses stimulate protective responses, reducing cancer risk rather than increasing it.
Researchers measured gamma radiation emitted by common household items in a North Carolina home, revealing surprising levels of radiation from everyday objects. The study aims to help people understand news stories about radiation and prevent panic by placing radiation readings into perspective.
A new peptide drug, TP508, has been shown to significantly increase survival in mice when administered 24 hours after nuclear radiation exposure. The study found that the drug counteracts damage to the gastrointestinal system, delaying mortality and increasing chances of survival.
A three-part series in The Lancet highlights the enduring radiological and psychological impact of nuclear disasters, including elevated rates of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Researchers emphasize the need for improved communication about health risks and adequate medical support for vulnerable populations.
Los Alamos researchers uncovered how materials develop defects during irradiation, revealing key factors that affect their properties. The studies shed light on defect mobility, grain boundary structure, and interface-sink efficiency, which are crucial for predicting material behavior under extreme environments.
A new drug candidate called DBIBB increases the survival of mice suffering from radiation syndrome, even when treatment was delayed by three days. The compound protects against DNA damage and enhances the survival of various types of cells, showing promise for treating acute radiation syndrome.
Researchers have created a small, portable and inexpensive radiation detection device that can provide information on radiation levels and type, helping people understand the risks associated with it. The new system, called MiniSpec, is expected to be commercially available for under $150.
The NIH Bridging Interventional Development Gaps (BrIDGs) program aims to advance treatments for acute radiation syndrome, brain injury from cardiac arrest, and beta thalassemia. BrIDGs supports expert contractors to perform pre-clinical services, with seven compounds licensed during or after development through the program.
The University of Bristol has developed a large semi-autonomous drone called the ARM system to provide visual and thermal monitoring of radiation after nuclear material releases. The system can detect radiation and prevent exposure to response crews, improving safety in disaster response scenarios.
Researchers at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine have discovered that combined radiation and burn injuries trigger 100 times greater bacterial leakage across the intestinal lining, leading to sepsis and death. This finding could lead to new treatments for survivors of nuclear disasters.