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Science & Technology

Hiroshima bomb was deadlier than believed

By T.K. Randall
May 1, 2018 · Comment icon 17 comments

The absorption of radiation was far worse than anticipated. Image Credit: US Department of Energy
The 'Little Boy' nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945 ended the lives of tens of thousands of civilians.
In a new study, scientists analyzed the jawbone of an individual who was unfortunate enough to be less than a mile from the bomb's hypocenter on Aug. 6, 1945.

It is the first time that the bones of the victims have been used to measure the amount of radiation absorbed during the attack. Previous studies had focused on other aspects of the bomb's effects.

The researchers revealed that the jawbone had absorbed a total of 9.46 grays (joules of radiation energy per kilogram of matter) - almost double the lethal dose.
"About half that dose, or 5 Gy, is fatal if the entire body is exposed to it," said study leader Professor Oswaldo Baffa from the University of Sao Paulo.

The discovery was made using a technique known as electron spin resonance spectroscopy.

"Currently, there's renewed interest in this kind of methodology due to the risk of terrorist attacks in countries like the United States," said Baffa.

"Imagine someone in New York planting an ordinary bomb with a small amount of radioactive material stuck to the explosive. Techniques like this can help identify who has been exposed to radioactive fallout and needs treatment."

Source: Live Science | Comments (17)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #8 Posted by Not A Rockstar 6 years ago
Don't project. I have plainly stated that what we ALL do in war has been wrong and we need to find better ways. Dropping the bombs may have been expedient, and the fastest way to shorten a war, but this does not make the action suddenly not an atrocity and the power of current nukes vastly exceeds it. I am hoping we have learned better, having seen it once there, and do not ever go that way again. Lectures to the contrary do not change my opinion. Claims that I am saying we should have massacred more soldiers rather than do it when there is utterly no quote to that effect above here, notwithst... [More]
Comment icon #9 Posted by LV-426 6 years ago
To be honest, it's difficult to argue with either of you. War is terrible. Man's inhumanity to man is terrible. Using such devastating weapons is terrible. It's also true that use of the atomic bomb ended the war and likely saved many lives in the longterm, based on the bloody battles at Okinawa, Iwo Jima, etc. Is there a lesson to be learned? Probably. Will mankind learn it? Doubtful. Men have been seeking power and control over one another, and inventing new ways to kill each other for as long as we've existed. Personally, I don't see that changing, as much as I'd like it to. It's in our cha... [More]
Comment icon #10 Posted by Not A Rockstar 6 years ago
Thank you @LV-426 . I have never said the bombs did not shorten a bad war and I have never said we need to be nicer in war. DanL is quite right that the politicians need to be air dropped into their next shindig to handle it versus sending our guys in with rules that leave them handcuffed. There are no rules on the frontline when the bullets are flying. Civs die. So sad, etc. War is a terrible thing. It is not "civil" for crying out loud. Prosecuting men for snapping or doing horrific things under horrific circumstances after the fact back here is wrong. Help them but remember you are who sent... [More]
Comment icon #11 Posted by and then 6 years ago
Frankly, he seems to just have a chip on his shoulder and is arguing something metaphysical or spiritual about man's nature.  I don't disagree that human beings have an unlimited propensity for brutality.  Unlike him, I believe that wars will only end when we have actually learned the lesson in such horrific depth that we recognize we nearly ENDED our species.  That war will begin with nukes and it IS coming.  Of that, I have no doubt.  
Comment icon #12 Posted by ChaosRose 6 years ago
I remember learning about this in school and they didn't seem to be whitewashing it. 
Comment icon #13 Posted by Gecks 6 years ago
Ive been interested and studied the history of WWII for many years but had never heard of medical unit 731 before. Its enough to make you feel sick to your soul. War is one thing right or not. But It saddens me the atrocities human beings can commit against others.  Thanks for sharing mate
Comment icon #14 Posted by Black Monk 6 years ago
Ended the war.
Comment icon #15 Posted by third_eye 6 years ago
Started the Nuclear Arms Race ... Cold War ... Korean War ... Vietnam War ... Khmer Rouge ... Saddam Hussein ... Idi Amin ... Cuba ... Nicaragua ... Colombia ... Venezuela ... Falklands ...Afghanistan / Taliban ... Iran - Iraq conflict ... Balkan conflict ... greater Middle East conflict ... Libya ... Kuwait ... North and Central Africa ... ( continuing to the present ) ~
Comment icon #16 Posted by Noteverythingisaconspiracy 6 years ago
People have to put it in context when talking about the bombings. They happened in the bloodiest conflict ever and they helped to end it. Can you imagine the reaction if it came out that the US had a means to end the war, yet choose not to use it ?  The fact is that the nuclear bombs meant that the allies didn't have to go through with the planned invasion, thus saving hundred of thousands allied soldiers, and it gave the Japanese what was seen as an honourable way out. Sure it led to the cold war and the arms race, but that is hindsight. In the context of the time it would have cost many mor... [More]
Comment icon #17 Posted by third_eye 6 years ago
Be that as it may, even when one considers that there are clearly contradictory revelations in regards to the 'what if' or the highly speculative 'it would' after the fact at the time, just taking it all in the present context, what I'm saying is that it hardly ended anything but in fact perpetuate much more if not worse, much less a War or Wars ...


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