Controlling the spin state of single atoms using lasers is a step towards quantum computing

With the addressing scheme arbitrary patterns of atoms in the lattice can be prepared. The atomic patterns each consist of 10 – 30 single atoms that are kept in an artificial crystal of light. Using a laser beam, scientists could address single atoms in a lattice of light and change their spin state. They managed …

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New peanut allergy treatment works and increases peanut tolerance by 1000 times

Allergy experts at the University of Cambridge have convincing evidence that a new treatment for peanut allergies is effective, following a three-year trial. The trial, from the group of Dr Pamela Ewan of the Department of Medicine and conducted at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, involved a careful regime of feeding chocolate containing peanut flour in gradually increasing …

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Carnival of Nuclear Energy 44 – Fukushima Edition

Carnival of Nuclear Energy 44 is up at cool hand nuke Rod Adams, Atomic Insights, reviews the situation at the spent fuel pool at reactor 4 and determines that NRC Chairman Jaczko was wrong and not fully informed when he declared them empty. Getting the actual risk situation right is important – Brian WangBrian Wang …

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Fukushima update from IAEA and Japanese sources 20 March 2011 14:00 UTC

Here is a summary of spent fuel conditions at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, based on documents and confirmed by Japanese officials (new information in bold): Unit 1 Unit 1 experienced an explosion on 12 March that destroyed the outer shell of the building’s upper floors. No precise information has been available on the status …

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More than 262 aftershocks over magnitude 5, over 49 over 6 and three larger than 7 in Japan

A record 262 aftershocks of magnitude 5 or greater were registered in the seven days following the magnitude 9.0 earthquake off northeastern Japan on March 11, Kyodo News quoted the Japan Meteorological Agency as saying Friday. There were three aftershocks of magnitude 7 or greater, including one magnitude 7.5 that occurred shortly afterwards, and 49 …

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Three senators offer bill to build small reactors

From Idaho Samizdat – Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Mark Udall (D-CO) introduced legislation to direct the Department of Energy to develop innovative, low-cost nuclear reactors. The new bill is also co-sponsored by Sen. Mike Crapo, (R-Idaho) and Sen. Mary Landrieu, (D-Louisiana). The Nuclear Power 2021 Act (S. 512) proposes a program …

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New Purchasing Power GDP analysis, China number 1 in 2012 and India became number 3 in 2010

University of Pennsylvania purchasing power parity tables are available (Penn World Tables 7.0) China’s PPP was adjusted upwards by 20% and India’s by 15%. PPP estimates for 2009 for the largest countries China is estimated at 11.3 to 11.68 trillion. India is estimated at 4.15 trillion. China has grown by about 20% from 2009 and …

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Stem cells reverse damage in enlarged hearts in small human trial, will take up to five years for Food and Drug Administration approval

Writing in the journal Circulation Research: Journal of the American Heart Association, scientists show in a small study that stem cell therapy can reverse heart damage in patients with enlarged hearts due to heart attacks. In addition, the benefits from the stem cell injections appear to be three times better than that offered by current …

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