Further Evidence for Biological Nuclear Alteration of Radioactive Species:

Experiments with Baker's Yeast

26 March, 2003

N. A. Reiter and S. P. Faile

Background:

In December of 2002, we disclosed that the interesting apparent modification of thorium and uranium compounds by ascomycete fungi could be reproduced with easily obtainable baker's yeast. In this summary, we examine several further experiments that continue to refine our view of the effect. Emphasis has been placed on EDS analysis of post reaction elemental components.

Follow-up Examination of 2^nd Yeast Experiment:

Yeast experiment #2, disclosed and discussed in our third document installment Explorations of Biological Alteration of Radioactive Decay By Ascomycete Fungi: Further Experiments was observed for an additional three weeks into January of 2003. Only marginal further rise in CPM was observed, however this became difficult to isolate from a presumedly predictable increase in measured CPM due to the drying and concentration of the beaker sample. A sample of the nearly-dried media was examined by EDS.

As may be seen, noticeable new X-ray signatures occur for Pb, Gd, and Se. It also appeared as though an enhancement had occurred of P, however quantitative analysis of the before and after- spectra could not be compared.

The Effects of Lithium as an Additive (Part I):

In 2002, it was speculated that the presence of the element lithium might influence or direct the apparent low energy nuclear transmutation / fission occuring in our experiments. In experiments with the "Fort Hill" mushroom fungus, the effects of Li were overshadowed and convoluted by dilution and stratification factors. However, it was felt by January of 2003 that our new confidence in the ability of yeast to demonstrate our core effect suggested that we re-consider lithium.

Our protocol was essentially the same as reported in our previous disclosure of yeast experimentation. The blended media was placed into a pyrex beaker with a loose plastic lid. Geiger counter readings were taken with the GM tube at a distance of 1 inch above the liquid surfcace, after 1 minute of vigorous fanning to disperse any gaseous radioactive species. Our recipe and basic data are shown below:

Part II - Re-activation with Dried Fort Hill Fungal Stock:

At day number 20, it appeared as though the CPM had fallen back to a low value. A small sample was removed and dried for EDS testing, and results for this will be discussed later. However, we take about 1 ml of crushed dried Fort Hill fungal stock, and innoculate the contents of the beaker. We continue to monitor the CPM of the beaker contents for twenty more days. Data and an overall plot are shown below. At experiment's end, a final sample was examined by EDS for elemental constituents.

EDS analysis of the yeast reacted media is shown below. We find minor signals for both W and Re:

When EDS analysis was performed on residua following the twenty day period of reaction with the Fort Hill fungus, we observe some surprising alterations to the set of spectral peaks. Signatures of Re were missing, however W was still present. Additionally, we now find minor peaks for Pb, Ra, and Nb. However, the most surprising change was the appearance of a strong signal for Cu.

A control run was made using plain dried soy milk on the same SEM stage, to rule out the possibility that strike angle or stage position was not causing a secondary signal for Cu due to the brass fixturing in the SEM cavity. This did not appear to be the case. The final (post Fort Hill) EDS scan is shown thus:

Effects of Titania Nanoparticle Infusion:

One thread of our speculations included the potential role of the extremely small size of yeast organisms and ascomycete mycillia infringing into a dimensional range where vacuum forces could be of strong influence. Could a mechanism for low (apparent) energy fission or nuclear transmutation be further influenced by the addition of inorganic nanoparticle media (25 to 50 nm diam.)?

We attempted a novel experiment. A recipe similar to the one used for the Li tests was prepared, with the difference consisting primarily of replacing the LiCl solution with a similar quantity of aqueous suspended TiO2 nanoparticles. We also used uranyl acetate instead of thorium nitrate as our radioactive species.

The recipe, procedure, and results are described thus:

An interesting turn of events occurred overnight, following the initial preparation of the blended medium. The following morning, it was discovered that a vigorous foaming or expulsion of the beaker contents had occurred. The plastic lid over the beaker had been pushed aside onto the table, and only about 50 ml of the liquid mix was left in the beaker. The outer sides of the beaker and tabletop area nearby were covered in foamy residue. Oddly, this residue had completely dried and dessicated into flakes and puffs when found.

The remaining medium in the beaker was exceptionally watery and separated from a particulate sludge at the very bottom. This combination was allowed to sit in the beaker for approximately two more weeks, and was monitored semi-regularly for further changes in CPM. By the end of this period, the CPM had risen to about 380 and finally had dropped back slightly.

EDS analysis was performed. We find that once again, small peaks for W and Pb are observed. One very minor peak was observed for Ag. Silver has not been previously observed by us as a yeast or fungal reaction product.

This experiment will be replicated under better controls. We wish to determine if the foaming and expulsion of media carry any particular significance, or if it was circumstantial due to sugar content and viscosity.

Discussion:

In this latest round of experiments, we once again observe that common baker's yeast is capable of producing unusual modifications of both radioactive decay and elemental constituents. However, we also note that the ascomycete Fort Hill fungus appears to be a more robust and vigorous organism, and can augment the role of yeast when the yeast reaches the end of its life cycle.

We continue to speculate on the basic mechanisms involved. It is our hope that by eventually finding consistent empirical evidence for patterns of specific element formation versus conditions of starting media, we can make inroads. Thus for the forseeable future, we will lean heavily upon EDS spectroscopy as a tool.

Our next round of experimental work will include replication of the nano-particle experiment, and the use of other light element additives besides Li.