Abstract
A paper which explains the beginning of radioactive dating - a process which can give scientists the age of rocks and other materials and help us to identify when Earth began. The paper explores the progression of this method and its uses today, as well as discusses different methods that are used, other than carbon-12, such as potassium or argon dating.

From the Paper
"Many view radioactivity as the end of the world in the event of a nuclear war. With its astonishing power, radioactivity could perhaps destroy and thus end the world. What many don t know about radioactivity is that is has the potential to tell scientists the age - or the beginning - of the Earth. Quite ironically, radioactivity could very well be responsible for both showing the beginning and the ending of Earth. A process called radiometric dating can give scientists the age of rocks and other materials and help us to identify when Earth began."

Tags:radiometric, rocks, Becquerel, uranium, isotope

From the Paper
"As nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants have proliferated over the last ten years, the need to safely dispose of the nuclear waste associated with them has grown, as well. In addition to these two sources of radioactive waste, there are other, less dramatic sources. Complicating the issue of radioactive waste is the not-in-my-backyard-syndrome: while most individuals agree that something has to be done about radioactive waste, few individuals are willing to have a radioactive waste site in the immediate area. This research examines the various types of radioactive waste and the progress toward establishing long-term waste sites for them.

According to the U.S. government, there are four categories of radioactive waste: uranium mill tailings, which are what is left over after uranium is extracted from raw uranium; high-level ... "

Abstract
Radioactive dating is the process of determining the age of rocks and other specimens from the decay of their radioactive elements. By applying this information, geologists are able to decipher the 4.6-billion-year history of the earth. The paper introduces the history of this type of dating in chronological order. It discusses other issues related to radioactive dating such as Carbon-14 dating, fission track dating, Potassium Argon Dating, the Rubidium-Strontium method, lead-alpha age and debated ideas of radioactive dating.

From the Paper
"Cosmic rays from the sun strike nitrogen 14 atoms in the earth's atmosphere and cause nitrogen atoms to lose a proton making it a carbon isotope this then turns into radioactive carbon 14, which combines with oxygen to form radioactive carbon dioxide. All living things are in equilibrium with the atmosphere, and the radioactive carbon dioxide is absorbed from the air and used by green plants. Then the radioactive carbon dioxide gets passed on through the plants into the food chain and the carbon cycle. All living things contain a constant ratio of Carbon 14 to Carbon 12 of about 1 in a trillion. The amount of carbon 14 lost in a species is continually replenished as long as it still takes in food and oxygen. At death, the exchange of carbon 14 ceases and any that is left in the tissues of the organism begins to decay to Nitrogen 14, this is not replenished by any new C-14. The change in the Carbon 14 to Carbon 12 ratio is the basis for dating this dating technique. The half-life is so short (5730 years) that this method can only be used on materials less than 70,000 years old. A lot of archaeological dating uses this method. It is also very useful in attempting to date remnants of the ice ages (Pleistocene epoch.)"

Tags:Marie, Pierre, Curie, Clair, Patterson, U, 235, atom

From the Paper
"Dealing with Radioactive Waste
Introduction
The problem of disposing of radioactive waste has existed for over 50 years now and the country is not much closer to a universally acceptable resolution. Initially there was almost a laissez faire attitude on the part of scientists and the government. More recently the public has become so mistrustful that anything less than a near 100 percent risk free solution might be rejected. The amount of nuclear waste keeps growing, yet no one has suggested that we stop producing the things that create this radioactive waste.

Dimensions of the Problem
Radioactive waste is the residue from the production of ..."

Abstract
This paper assesses the likelihood of a terrorist group using chemical, biological, radioactive, or nuclear (CBRN) weapons. The paper describes some of the possible effects of CBRN weapons used by terrorists and discusses the value these weapons would have for the terrorist. In an attempt to brief national policy makers, the paper lists the principal terrorist threats in terms of groups or specific operations. The paper examines the strengths and weaknesses of the intelligence system for dealing with terrorism. The paper explores the targets a terrorist leader is likely to attack for maximum effectiveness.

Outline
CBRN Weapons
Possible Effects of CBRN Weapons
Value of CBRN Weapons for the Terrorist
Principal Terrorist Threats
The Intelligence System
Maximum Effect Targets

From the Paper
"Renowned persons in the US, has been expressive in their claim that a terrorist CBRN assault is looming. Bill Clinton, President of the United States declared in a January 1999 featured writing in the New York Times that there are increased chances that a terrorist gang would unleash a chemical weapon in the land of America in the coming few years. Senator Sam Nunn declared that the danger of terrorist assault on the cities of America through CBRN has attained a stage where a daring and strong endeavor is necessary. This is an obvious and current threat to the American citizens that needs an opportune reaction. According to FBI Director Louis Freeh who stated in 1997 purchase, propagation, endangered or real use of weapons of mass destruction -WMD by a terrorist gang or persons constitutes one of the serious dangers to the United States. Richard Lugar -the Presidential candidate took a sequence of costly television spots during the year 1999 to exhibit the serious danger caused by nuclear terrorism."

Tags:warfare, threat, mass, destruction

Abstract
An argumentative paper, exploring the chemical make up of uranium, showing that it is extremely difficult to dispose of this material in a complete way. It looks at current disposal practices in the world and analyzes their pros and cons.

From the Paper
"Radioactive material is defined as having atoms with extremely excited outer electron shells. This makes them unstable, excitable and an efficient means of providing energy to a population that can afford a nuclear power plant. The main source of this energy is Uranium. This is a naturally occurring element found in rocks and seawater. It is the most heavy element in the periodic table, having 146 neutrons and 92 protons in its stable form. The instable form has 143 neutrons and this is the kind that is used in cores to create energy (UIC website)."

Tags:disposal, nuclear, radioactive, sun, waste, water

From the Paper
"The oceans are, and will continue to be, an important source for the world's food supply. However, no dramatic changes in exploitative methods or dramatic increases in supply are foreseen by experts in the near future. Methods to use plentiful underutilized species, such as krill, will still be searched for, but the most significant increases in fishery productivity will come from more efficient use of current catches. Progress in biotechnology, especially improved larval development, will increase human capacity for cultivating the oceans. Still, it is debatable whether or not mariculture activity to provide food for the world's hungry will succeed. More realistically, aquaculture activities will continue to guarantee the production of higher.priced species, such as salmon.


Yet something threatens to ruin the fish that can be..."

From the Paper
"The more developed a country is, the more waste it produces. Waste, therefore, is an excellent standard-of-living indicator. The abundance of waste, however, is also a significant source of pollution, and this has become a major concern of governments all over the world.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) drew up the following categories for waste classification: municipal (mainly household) waste; industrial waste; residue from the production of energy; hospital and agricultural waste, mining spoil and demolition debris; dredge spoil, and sewage sludge--nuclear wastes were regarded separately (3:28). In the industrialized member countries of OECD, where 90 to 100 percent of garbage collection is carried out by municipal authority, people do not seem to worry about what happens to their household ..."

Abstract
The paper discusses why the U.S. felt it necessary to conduct nuclear testing and explains the types of nuclear tests, what the bomb does and its impact on humans. The paper reveals the extent of the testing, the growing awareness of it and the government cover-ups involved. The paper then describes the Nevada tests and reveals the human guinea pigs used and the long-term impact of these tests. The paper provides a discussion on modern concerns about radioactive fallout exposure but believes that information from people who are seeking compensation for injuries that they link to radioactive fallout exposure should be treated in a cautious manner. The paper does conclude, however, that one becomes inclined to agree with the downwinders' assertions that many scientists are willfully ignoring the overwhelming facts. The paper asserts that the government must realize that the willful poisoning of American citizens is untenable and those who are suffering because of this experimentation deserve compensation.

Outline:
Introduction
Necessity of the Testing
Types of Nuclear Tests
The First Nuclear Test
What the Bomb Does
The Bomb's Impact on Humans
Extent of the Testing
Growing Awareness
Government Cover-ups
Island Testing
The Nevada Tests
Human Guinea Pigs
Impact of the Tests
Long-ranging Impact
The Most Famous Victim
The End of Above-Ground Testing
Modern Concerns
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Though modern people have concerns about atomic testing and the impact of radioactive fallout, ignorance about the atomic bomb and radiation meant that people who were exposed to such testing in the 1950s and 1960s were frequently unaware of the toxic and possibly fatal consequences of such radiation. On the contrary, rather than strive to avoid toxic fallout for bystanders, the government actually went out of its way to minimize the perception of risk. For example, in Las Vegas, businesses actually touted the nuclear testing as "a super fireworks spectacle for tourists." The government did not discourage this use, but instead allowed thousands of civilians and military personnel to fallout that it knew, or certainly suspected, would be hazardous if not lethal."

Tags:nuclear, bomb, radioactive, material, radiation, exposure, fallout, downwinders, cancer, Nevada

Abstract
This paper examines the technique of positron emission tomography, a technique used for imaging brain activity by measuring the flow of blood containing radioactive atoms that emit positrons. It describes the uses of PET scanning as a research tool and in the diagnosis of brain injuries. It also compares PET to other similar methods such as MRI scanning, x-raying and CT scanning.

From the Paper
"In particular, PET has been used with great success in the study of which parts of the human brain are involved in language. With the assistance of positron emission tomography, studies have shown striking evidence that there are several independent regions of the brain involved in language. Among these areas that are crucial for language and speech are Wernicke's and Broca's regions. Due to the use of these non-invasive techniques (PET, MRI etc.) we now know that these regions are significantly spread out and are not located near the conventional language regions. We can see in scans from patients that different regions of the brain are used for specific tasks. Eg. a patient hearing words, reading words and seeing words uses very different parts of the brain for each task. (Delcomyn; 1998)."

Tags:ct, blood, xray, radioactive, atoms, scan