Articles tagged with Nuclear Weapons
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' special issue reviews 2011's top threats, including Iran's nuclear program, Fukushima's aftermath, and a growing partisan divide in US climate policy. The Doomsday Clock Symposium evaluates the world's progress on biological threats and nuclear disarmament.
A new study by Hagen Scherb and Kristina Voigt found a significant gender gap in human populations exposed to nuclear radiation, with increases in male births relative to female births. The study reveals a long-term, dose-dependent impact of radiation exposure on human sex odds.
Research published in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists warns that US missile defense systems are not reliable and would not be effective in combat conditions. The authors propose a new drone-based system as an alternative, which could reliably intercept long-range ballistic missiles before they reach their targets.
Purdue University researchers created an automated program to debug complex nuclear weapon simulations, reducing the time and difficulty of manual debugging. The tool, AutomaDeD, was 90% accurate in identifying errors and has potential applications in other parallel applications like climate modeling and high-energy particle physics.
The article argues that investing in neglected disease control is a more effective use of resources than maintaining nuclear arsenals. With $1 billion, the 11 nuclear power states could eliminate or control neglected infections, which account for up to 50% of global diseases.
The American Physical Society has released a report outlining concrete steps to help the US achieve its goals of downsize the nuclear arsenal, prevent the spread of atomic bombs, and keep the stockpile safe and secure. The report recommends technologies such as nuclear archaeology to validate nations' production of atomic material.
The Radiation Effects Research Foundation will study the impact of atomic bomb radiation on the aging immune system, analyzing biological samples from elderly Japanese survivors. Understanding how the immune system ages may help care for the growing population of older adults worldwide.
Dr. John Bannister Goodenough, a pioneer in lithium-ion batteries, and Dr. Siegfried S. Hecker, a leading expert on plutonium metallurgy, are recognized for their groundbreaking work in materials science and nuclear energy. They will share the Enrico Fermi Award, a prestigious US Government honor.
Engineers at the University of Texas at Austin have received a $511,000 grant to research better methods for monitoring and detecting covert nuclear tests. They aim to improve the international community's ability to determine if a nuclear test has occurred by analyzing atmospheric xenon levels.
Raymond Jeanloz receives the 2008 Hans Bethe Award for demonstrating the reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile in the presence of a moratorium on nuclear testing. His work showcases the stability of nuclear materials, contradicting advocates for new nuclear weapons.
A new study in International Studies Review uses social psychology to understand Japan's nuclear restraint, finding that persuasion, identification, and conformity are key factors. The research suggests that Japan's faith in the NPT is rooted in its desire to be seen as a successful state, rather than a deterrent.
A new study by the Institute for Policy Studies reveals significant concerns about GNEP's practicability and potential waste disposal issues. The report concludes that the program is unlikely to succeed due to unprecedented radioactive waste generation and unmanageable risks.
Climate experts warn of the devastating impact of regional nuclear conflicts, which could lead to widespread famine due to enhanced greenhouse effect. Detonation of nuclear weapons in tropical regions may have harsher effects than those in northern latitudes, exacerbating global food shortages.
Two studies by University of Colorado at Boulder researchers predict a regional nuclear war could produce as many fatalities as World War II, disrupting the global climate for decades. The conflict could also lead to unprecedented climate change, with smoke emissions potentially exceeding 5 million metric tons.
A new study suggests that increasing nuclear power production by a factor of three to ten could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but comes with significant drawbacks including massive nuclear waste generation and proliferation risks. The study's author emphasizes the need for a complete picture when choosing energy sources.
Sarah Chayes, a former NPR correspondent, has been awarded the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' Ruth Salzman Adams Award for her work on the impact of US actions in Afghanistan. The award recognizes emerging writers who can translate complex ideas into everyday language and images.
Dr Jeff Hughes wins Watson Davis and Helen Miles Davis Prize for his book on the Manhattan Project, challenging widely held beliefs about the expansion of scientific projects. The book offers a broader narrative on 'Big Science' from the early 20th century to its collapse in the 1990s.
The study found statistically significant increases in mortality rates for A-bomb survivors due to radiation exposure, particularly heart disease, digestive diseases, and respiratory diseases. The cohort of over 86,000 people showed a strong correlation between dose estimates and increased risk of noncancer mortality.
The US government's efforts to declassify historic records have been met with frustration from historians and researchers, who face security restrictions and lengthy review processes. Despite these challenges, Meade emphasizes the need for thoughtful declassification to balance secrecy and scholarship.
The University of California, San Diego's IGCC will establish a six-year program for training Ph.D. students in nuclear threats and public policy issues. The program aims to address the scarcity of experts in these areas, particularly following the retirement of Cold War-era strategic thinkers.
Researchers developed a tiny, portable neutron detector using a small wafer that can detect neutron signals from hidden nuclear weapons and materials. The device operates at minimal voltage and is cost-effective, making it a potential game-changer in detecting weapons of mass destruction.
A study of Japanese atomic bomb survivors found a significant association between radiation exposure and an increased risk of all nervous system tumors, with higher risks for schwannomas, men, and children. The authors suggest that these increased risks persist throughout lifetime, regardless of age at exposure.
The US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory has developed a small, portable neutron detector that can detect hidden nuclear weapons and materials. The device uses a wafer of gallium arsenide coated with boron or lithium to detect neutrons, producing a cascade of charged particles that is easy to detect.
The new global network of listening posts will track atmospheric signals from diverse events like secret nuclear tests, volcanic eruptions, and hurricanes. Infrasound energy is generated by meteors, chemical explosions, supersonic aircraft, tornadoes, landslides, earthquakes, and volcanoes.
The MESA facility will join Sandia's expertise in weapon design and high-speed computing to create immersive environments for designing non-nuclear components of nuclear weapons. The project aims to reduce the likelihood of malfunction, making devices more difficult to destroy on impact.
A workshop on long-term stewardship of the US nuclear weapons complex explored the need for institutions, information, and strategies to protect people and the environment. Key findings include the potential for decades-long cleanup efforts and the importance of reliable institutional controls and waste disposal facilities.