110, 111... and counting

Article Abstract:

Electromagnetic velocity filter helped scientists at the GSI at Germany discover two new isotopic elements 110 and 111, suggesting the possibility of the discovery of more new elements. Bombarding Bi with Co and Ni projectiles results in 110 and 111, respectively. Alpha particle emission enables a study of the subsequent elements formed by the decay of 110 and 111. Some of the isotopes are classified as 'superheavy' elements, characterized by improved stability due to their closeness to the deformed shells at 162 neutrons and 108 protons.

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Ghosts of biospheres past

Article Abstract:

A study by Luz and colleagues suggests that analysis of the abundance of the three stable isotopes of oxygen, (super16)O, (super17)O and (super18)O from air trapped in ice cores, estimates of gross photosynthetic production of oxygen can be obtained. They obtained proxy information on past global productivity using the little-known pathway of O(sub2) occurring in the stratosphere.

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Large-scale chemical and thermal division of the Pacific mantle

Article Abstract:

Sr, Nd and Pb isotope data from the Pacific Antarctic ridge, showing different isotopic signatures north and south of the Easter microplate, is reported. Different average depths of the ridge axes north and south of the 25 degree S boundary were observed. The upwelling is proposed to have resulted in the separation into two mantle domains with their own convective histories.

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