The workings of an ancient nuclear reactor
Article Abstract:
French scientists, in 1970, discovered that parts of a uranium deposit then being mined in Gabon had long ago functioned as natural fission reactors. Measurements of xenon gas were used to deduce that one of these ancient reactors must have operated with a duty cycle of about half an hour on and at least two and a half hours off, providing an opportunity for possible changes in fundamental physical constants and on how buried nuclear waste migrates over time.
Publication Name: Scientific American
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0036-8733
Year: 2005
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Behind enemy lines: a close look at the inner workings of microbes in this era of escalating antibiotic resistance is offering new strategies for designing drugs
Article Abstract:
Overuse of antibiotics is causing bacteria that cause serious infection to mutate and become resistant to the bacteria. Pharmaceutical companies are discovering more about how antibiotics work and the physiology of bacteria to better understand proper use of antibiotics and treatment of infections.
Publication Name: Scientific American
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0036-8733
Year: 2001
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Taxoids: new weapons against cancer
Article Abstract:
Taxol's ability to kill cancer cells was first discovered in 1978, but the drug was difficult and expensive to obtain. Since the development of semisynthetic taxols, the drug has become one of the most effective treatments for breast and ovarian cancer.
Publication Name: Scientific American
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0036-8733
Year: 1996
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