The International Atomic Energy Agency and the University of Massachusetts have developed a new method for tracing the origin of nitrogen pollution in lakes, seas, and rivers. Their nuclear-derived analytical tool provides a cheaper, safer, faster way to determine whether excessive nitrogen compounds in water stem from agriculture, sewage systems, or industry, which will aid prevention and remediation efforts. Read more.
Prostate cancer often becomes lethal as it spreads to the bones, and the process behind this deadly feature could potentially be turned against it as a target for bone-targeting radiation and potential new therapies. Read more.
Normally, if you had a huge asteroid impact in the middle of a town it would be an unspeakable tragedy. But what if you have a town in the middle of a huge asteroid impact? … and, to be clear, the asteroid impact was 15 million years ago?
Why, then you'd have Nördlingen, Germany. Read more.
A game-changing “search and destroy” treatment could offer new hope to thousands of men with incurable prostate cancer. The first two UK patients were treated after research found that it could significantly extend survival for those with no other treatment options. Charities said they were “thrilled” by the promise shown by the treatment which simultaneously identifies and attacks a protein expressed on the surface of prostate cancer cells. Read more.
Uranium. It’s big. Clocking in (mostly) with 92 protons and 146 neutrons, it’s the heaviest “primordial” element. That makes it the most massive element on Earth to have been created before our planet existed. Not that you’ll ever find it as a pure element, only inside other compounds. When refined, it’s a silvery-white metal.
But uranium’s not just physically large. It’s also had a massive influence on our understanding of physics. More so, I’d argue, than any other element. Read more.