Science News Roundup: Atomic bombs and whale sharks: How to calculate age of world's largest fish and more


Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 09-04-2020 19:10 IST | Created: 09-04-2020 18:28 IST
Science News Roundup: Atomic bombs and whale sharks: How to calculate age of world's largest fish and more

Following is a summary of current science news briefs.

Atomic bombs and whale sharks: How to calculate age of world's largest fish

Scientists have figured out how to calculate the age of whale sharks - Earth's largest fish - with some guidance from the radioactive fallout spawned by Cold War-era atomic bomb testing. By measuring levels of carbon-14, a naturally occurring radioactive element that also is a by-product of nuclear explosions, the researchers determined that distinct bands present inside the shark's cartilaginous vertebrae are formed annually, like a tree's growth rings.

(With inputs from agencies.)

Give Feedback