UK to Dispose of 140 Tonnes of Radioactive Plutonium at Sellafield
The UK government has announced its decision to dispose of 140 tonnes of radioactive plutonium stored at the Sellafield site in Cumbria. This stockpile, the largest of its kind globally, has been accumulated over decades as a by-product of nuclear fuel reprocessing. Previously retained for potential recycling into new nuclear fuel, the material will now be immobilised and prepared for permanent disposal underground. This move aims to address long-term safety concerns while reducing the economic and security challenges associated with storing the hazardous material.
Plutonium Conversion for Long-Term Safety
According to a statement released in an official press release by the UK Parliament, Energy Minister Michael Shanks, the material will be transformed into a stable, ceramic-like form to ensure its safe and durable containment. Nuclear materials scientist Dr Lewis Blackburn from the University of Sheffield explained that this process involves converting plutonium into a solid, stable material suitable for geological disposal. As reported by the BBC, the exact type of ceramic to be used remains under investigation, with ongoing research determining the most effective method for immobilisation.
Deep Geological Disposal Facility in Development
Efforts are underway to identify a suitable location for a geological disposal facility, which will house the immobilised plutonium and other high-level radioactive waste. According to nuclear waste expert Prof Claire Corkhill from the University of Bristol, this facility will offer a long-term solution by isolating the material in durable forms inspired by natural minerals. Speaking to the BBC, she highlighted that these materials have successfully contained radioactive elements for billions of years, demonstrating their reliability.
The construction and operational readiness of the disposal facility are expected to take several decades, with completion anticipated by 2050. This strategy marks a significant step towards reducing the economic burden of storage, which currently exceeds £70 million annually, and ensuring the secure management of the UK’s radioactive waste.
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A major development in stem cell science has been achieved with the creation of a bi-paternal mouse, marking a significant step in reproductive biology. Scientists have successfully engineered a mouse with two male biological parents, which managed to survive into adulthood. This research, conducted by a team of stem cell experts, has addressed longstanding barriers in unisexual mammalian reproduction by modifying specific imprinting genes. The findings, which could have implications for regenerative medicine, highlight the challenges and potential future applications of the technology.
Genetic Modifications Enable Bi-Paternal Development
According to the study published in Cell Stem Cell, led by Wei Li of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the team focused on overcoming imprinting-related challenges that previously prevented embryos with same-sex genetic origins from developing fully. Modifications were made to 20 imprinting genes using techniques such as frameshift mutations, gene deletions, and regulatory region edits. These changes allowed some bi-paternal embryos to survive to birth and, in rare cases, reach adulthood.
Co-corresponding author Qi Zhou of CAS explained to phys.org, that imprinting genes have been identified as a key obstacle in unisexual reproduction. Despite previous attempts using ovarian organoids derived from male stem cells, imprinting abnormalities caused severe developmental defects. By directly editing these genes, the research team improved embryonic viability and the stability of pluripotent stem cells.
Survival and Reproductive Challenges Remain
As per reports, only 11.8 percent of the engineered embryos developed to birth, and those that survived exhibited developmental abnormalities, reduced lifespan, and sterility. Guan-Zheng Luo of Sun Yat-sen University, a co-corresponding author, stated that imprinting abnormalities have been confirmed as the primary factor preventing unisexual reproduction in mammals.
Despite the limitations, this approach has demonstrated the potential for refining stem cell-based therapies and improving cloning efficiency. Researchers plan to expand the study to larger mammals, though substantial challenges remain due to differences in imprinting gene patterns across species.
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An unidentified celestial object, estimated to be eight times the mass of Jupiter, may have significantly altered the orbits of four outer planets in the solar system. Reports suggest that this planetary-sized body entered the solar system billions of years ago, passing remarkably close to the Sun—near what is now Mars’ orbit. The event is believed to have modified the trajectories of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, contributing to their current orbital patterns. Scientists have long debated the irregularities in the paths of these planets, and this theory presents a potential explanation.
Study Simulates Interstellar Flyby
According to the study published in the arXiv preprint database, a research team led by planetary scientist Renu Malhotra from the University of Arizona used computer simulations to investigate the possibility of a close flyby. A total of 50,000 simulations were conducted to analyse how an interstellar object’s passage could have affected planetary orbits over millions of years. The study focused on objects smaller than stars but larger than Jupiter, including brown dwarfs and planetary-mass bodies. The findings suggest that in about 1% of the cases, the visiting object influenced planetary movements in a way that closely matches current observations.
Close Encounter with the Inner Solar System
As reported by Live Science, Malhotra explained that previous models could not fully account for the slight deviations in planetary orbits. The simulations revealed that the most accurate representation involved a body nearly eight times Jupiter’s mass, approaching as close as 1.69 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun. Given that Mars orbits at around 1.5 AU, this suggests a dramatic interaction within the inner solar system.
Potential for More Such Events
Reports indicate that substellar objects are relatively common in the universe, making such flybys more likely than encounters with full-sized stars. The study has yet to undergo peer review, but the findings suggest that a single interstellar object could have been responsible for shaping the structure of the solar system as observed today.
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