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Credit: Donald Cameron

Leaves of the white oak (Quercus alba) U.S. National Science Foundation-funded researchers at Indiana University and Penn State have collaborated with scientists from the U.S. Forest Service and others to produce the first complete genome for the white oak (Quercus alba). This tree provides large amounts of timber and is the primary species used in barrels for aging spirits.

Data to complete the genome came from a range of academic sources, such as the Forest Service, state forests and industry. By combining those data into an unbiased annotation of the white oak’s genes, the researchers have created a resource to understand genetic diversity and population differentiation within the species, assess disease resistance and the evolution of genes that enhance it, and compare with other oak genomes to determine evolutionary relationships between species and how the genomes have evolved.

“Plants, including trees, help meet society’s needs for food, fuel, fiber and, in this case, other key economic services. Having genomic data like this helps us address important biological questions, including those related to the economic and societal use of the species,” said Diane Jofuku Okamuro, a program officer in the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences.

The research included the use of the NSF-supported CAGEE (computational analysis of gene expression evolution) software. The

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Radiactive Waste Facility Taken Over

Print View Posted on: 19 March 2025

Event Date: 02 March 2025 Event Type: Radiation Waste Facility Event Location: Mexico, Temascalapa, Mexico State, Mexico INES Rating: 0 (Final)

On Sunday March the 2nd, 2025, at approximately 6:30 AM (UTC-06:00), personnel from the municipality of Temascalapa forcibly took over the Low and Medium Level Radioactive Waste Storage Center (CADER), property of the National Institute of Nuclear Research (ININ), evicting the personnel who were at the facility and subsequently placing seals of closure at the entrances. The video surveillance and environmental radiation monitoring systems that CADER has were disabled and there was no way to know the status inside the Center.
Negotiations took place out between personnel from the government of the State of Mexico and the Municipality of Temascalapa, without reaching agreements so far.
In addition to the radioactive material and depleted uranium that are kept in the facility, work tools from a foreign company were also retained inside it.
Federal Authorities were working to regain control of the facility. The source term of the facility is estimated at approximately 1,041.55 TBq of Co-60 and its surface area is

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Lost Radiography Device

Print View Posted on: 19 March 2025

Event Date: 06 March 2025 Event Type: Radiation Source Event Location: United States of America, Mentone, Texas / National Inspection Services, LLC INES Rating: 1 (Final)

On March 6, 2025, a radiography crew working approximately 16 km (10 mi) east of Mentone, Texas, reported losing a SPEC 150 exposure device containing a 3.53 TBq (95.4 Ci) iridium-192 source.

Update: On March 13, 2025, a member of the public contacted the licensee stating they had found the exposure device. The device was recovered by and is in the possession of the licensee. The device had remained in a locked shed since being found. The exposure device was found to be intact and no attempt was made to operate or tamper with the device. Exposure levels were normal and no individual would have received any significant exposure due to this event.

NRC EN57596

INES Rating: 1 – Anomaly (Final) as per 19 March 2025

Impact on people and the environment Release beyond authorized limits? No

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