IAEA Talk

The Sterile Insect Technique is a type of pest control that uses radiation to sterilise male insects. Further development work is needed and field trials will help study the effectiveness of the technique in the species of mosquitoes that spread the Zika Virus. Steve Thachet spoke to the Director of the Division for Latin America and the Caribbean in the IAEA's Department of Technical Cooperation, Luis Carlos Longoria.

The decommissioning of old nuclear facilities and cleaning contaminated sites are important issues worldwide as nuclear power plants shut down. Steve Thachet spoke to the IAEA’s Decommissioning Specialist Patrick O’Sullivan on why Nuclear Power Plants should be decommissioned.

The Agency is mandated to promote the peaceful application of nuclear science around the world. Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are benefiting from funding and projects organised by the IAEA to look into obesity, undernourishment and maternal health.

On 8th May, a key nuclear security agreement, the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), enters into force. To mark the milestone, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, addressed Member States and media at IAEA’s Headquarters in Vienna.

The early detection of the Zika virus is paramount to deal with the current outbreak. The IAEA is training medical experts in a detection technique that provides a precise and quick diagnosis.

The IAEA works with its Member States to ensure that nuclear and other radioactive material does not fall into the wrong hands. The IAEA has developed a web based tool that will enable States to assess their own nuclear security practices and measures.

The Agency marked the World Cancer Day on 4th February. This is the day to raise awareness and discuss the various aspects of cancer. The IAEA collaborates with partners, trains doctors and provides equipment essential for cancer diagnosis and treatment in middle and low income countries. Nelly Enwerem-Bromson, Director of the Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT), spoke to Steve Thachet on the importance of recognizing this day.

The method to sterilising male insects with radiation could be adopted in preventing the spread of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. The Sterile Insect Technique has been used in the eradication of the tsetse fly in Zanzibar and to control the fruit fly in Croatia. Steve Thachet spoke to the Deputy Director General and the Head of the Department of Nuclear Science and Application, Aldo Malavasi on how the technique works.

The agency works with countries around the world to introduce and operate equipment used in nuclear medicine. However, in many countries there is a lack of proper training opportunities. Sri Lanka and other countries have benefited from IAEA fellowships to train the staff of nuclear medicine facilities around the world.

Without healthy soil there will be no forest, insufficient food or agriculture to feed the world. However, with growing deforestation, soil erosion and pollution, the land that was once healthy is degrading at an unprecedented rate. To raise awareness of the importance of soil conservation the declaration to protect and preserve soil was adopted in Vienna.

Studying the DNA of virus and bacteria can give scientists and microbiologists important information to find a cure for a disease and even stop its spread. Those trained with these techniques can help diagnose animal disease outbreaks quickly and protect a nation’s livestock.

Childhood stunting is a major issue around the world. There are still unanswered questions about why children are not growing according to their age. Nutrition interventions alone can only help to reduce stunting up to one third. The agency is working with experts and organisations to help identify other reasons than inadequate nutrition for it.

The ocean has been used for disposing of waste for centuries. With a new set of rules and guidelines produced by the IAEA, the disposal of radioactive material will become even more stringent.

The IAEA released the Climate Change and Nuclear Power 2015 report to highlight the important role nuclear power could play in reducing the greenhouse gas emission. The report looks into the greenhouse gas emission of various designs of nuclear power plants, comparison of carbon dioxide emission between various energy sources and other topics. Steve Thachet spoke to David Shropshire, Head of the IAEA’s Planning and Economic Studies Section.

The International Conference on Global Emergency Preparedness and Response will provide a forum to exchange information and experiences for officials in the field of nuclear safety and nuclear security, emergency responders and other stakeholders. Steve Thachet spoke to Elena Buglova, the Head of the IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre on the importance of the conference.

Countries around the world are preparing or considering nuclear power programmes. Most of them are in developing countries. Around a third of them are in Africa. Governments across the continent are seeking ways to enhance their energy production. Nuclear power is one available option.

During the General Conference, the IAEA hosted a side-event to look at the trends of youth retention in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics; known as the STEM fields. Steve Thachet spoke to the Deputy Director General of the IAEA and Head of the Department of Management, Janice Dunn-Lee on how to encourage young female students to take up science and the importance of having more women in the nuclear industry.

Alice Cunha da Silva from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro has won the first place in the World Nuclear University’s (WNU) Nuclear Olympiad. The award ceremony was hosted by the IAEA during the Agency’s annual General Conference. Alice’s research focused on the further use and development of medical radioisotopes. She spoke to the IAEA’s Steve Thachet about her studies and ways to encourage young people, especially women, to embark on a career in science.

Animals and birds can carry highly contagious diseases around the world and cause disease and death in livestock and humans. The IAEA and FAO, with the support of the UN family is working on ways to improve diagnostic capacity of countries with the help of nuclear techniques. These techniques are being used in the efforts to prevent outbreaks like Avian Flu in West Africa and Peste Des Petits (PPR) in Middle East, Asia and Africa.

In 2009, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations produced the Aquacrop model software. Developed by a team consisting of international experts, FAO and the IAEA, the Aquacrop model is used to calculate the yields of herbaceous crops, and is particularly suitable where water is scarce.

The Agency is working with scientists to understand the relationship between the Helicobacter pylori bacterium found in the human stomach and nutritional status. In previous studies, results indicated that this bacterium might influence the absorption of some essential micronutrients. If the scientists are able to find the mechanisms to connect the two together it would help policy makers to better improve the nutritional status of the population.

Farmers in Seychelles are reaping the benefits of nuclear science by growing healthier and bountiful crops. The IAEA is collaborating with the government of Seychelles to introduce nuclear techniques and technology that will help preserve soil and improve irrigation. Jean-Paul Geffroy is the manager and owner of the Geffroy’s Farm. Hear his story about how the IAEA projects have helped his farm, and beyond.

Rwanda is one of the newest Members of the IAEA family. Already the country is benefiting from the close cooperation with the Agency and is working together to solve developmental issues through the peaceful uses of nuclear applications. Epiphanie Buzzizi is the National Liaison Officer for Rwanda and this is her story.

In Mozambique the IAEA is contributing to the economic and social development through its technical cooperation and coordinated research programmes. Projects in radiotherapy, agriculture, animal health, energy and mineral resources are being implemented. Antonio Leao is the National Liaison Officer for Mozambique.

IAEA and Liberia have a long history of cooperation in the field of agriculture, health and energy. Through this cooperation, Liberia has access to better healthcare, increased crop yields and healthy animals. Therry Genesis is the National Liaison Officer for Liberia and he explains his work.

The Nile Basin is a large stretch of groundwater found around the Nile River. For the countries that depend on the Nile Basin, the proper use of the water resource cannot be overstated. The IAEA is working to map the groundwater so that it can be managed better. Callist Tindimugaya, Chairperson of the project's steering committee, explains why the work is important.

In its ongoing effort to make nuclear power plants safer the IAEA organized series of meetings focusing on radiation protection, decommissioning and others. The 9th International Experts meeting which was held from 20 to 24 April 2015 focused on best practice examples how assessment and prognosis can contribute to building confidence and trust during nuclear and radiological emergencies.

The IAEA, in collaboration with FAO and WHO, is working with 13 African countries (more will join the project in the near future) to develop ways to anticipate potential zoonotic disease outbreaks like Ebola. The Agency will help these countries to obtain technologies and train virologists to identify and monitor dangerous viruses in animals and report this information to the veterinarian and medical authorities. Steve Thachet spoke to Michel Warnau, Section Head in the Division for Africa of the IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation.

After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident, the IAEA endorsed the creation of the Nuclear Safety Action Plan to strengthen nuclear safety world-wide. As part of the Plan, the IAEA hosted a meeting to discuss the importance of research and development in improving the safety of nuclear power plants.

One of the central roles of the IAEA is to help global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. The IAEA Department of Safeguards is tasked to verify the fulfilment of States' obligation not to develop, manufacture, or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. In this way, the IAEA contributes to the maintenance and strengthening of international confidence in the use of nuclear material and technology, and therefore constitutes an essential component of the international security system.

The Agency's projections show that nuclear power is likely to continue to grow steadily. Some countries are preparing plans to introduce and build nuclear power plants to support their growing energy needs. But is nuclear for everyone? The IAEA provides guidance and technical knowledge to countries for building safe and sustainable nuclear power infrastructure.

The IAEA Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) programme supports the development and implementation of comprehensive national cancer control programmes in Member States. To mark World Cancer Day on 4 February, Steve Thachet spoke to Nelly Enwerem-Bromson, the Director of PACT.

Soil scientists from around the world learn about the latest nuclear techniques that will help them to contain soil erosion and land degradation.

The IAEA is promoting nuclear techniques and technology in its Member States to make food safe for consumers. These techniques allow detecting food fraud and identifying chemicals in food that would be harmful to human health.

All things nuclear take centre stage in Vienna, Austria, when the IAEA holds its annual General Conference. The Conference will be attended by delegates from the IAEA's Member States and from various organizations.

Lightning rods are used to protect buildings from lightning strikes. In the past, such rods were manufactured to include a radioactive source. Now the IAEA is helping Montenegro to remove these sources and manage them safely.

Experts from around the world had come to the headquarters of the IAEA to discuss nuclear forensic techniques. Nuclear Forensics is used in the fight against illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive material.

Uranium is the fuel used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity. Mining uranium comes with its own challenges and concerns and this was the topic of discussion at a symposium held at the IAEA.

A five-year long project is to be undertaken by the IAEA to improve the diet, nutritional status and ultimately the health of vulnerable populations. The project will assess the impact of children and women's health when more nutritious food is produced and eaten.

In Zanzibar farmers are growing a new variety of rice that was created using nuclear technology. The rice variety has a higher yield than other varieties and is proving to be really popular in the tropical island.

Radon is a naturally occurring element which has radioactive properties. The IAEA is working with their European Member states to build a framework to protect people from the harmful effects of the element.

The IAEA will use an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to survey and monitor radiation levels in the Fukushima Prefecture. The UAV is mounted with camera and radiation detectors and is used to monitor areas that are hard to reach.

The IAEA and its African Member States have formed a partnership to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology in Africa. The partnership has helped solve developmental issues in the continent and on 19 May 2014 the countries will celebrate the 25th year of its formation.

Scientists have achieved a major breakthrough in a programme to eradicate the tsetse fly in Africa by the deciphering of the fly's genetic code. The achievement will allow scientists to better study the insect's biology and reproduction.

The campaign to eradicate the tsetse fly in Senegal could produce results within the near future. The results from the on-going campaign in the Niayes area near capital Dakar suggests the fly can be successfully eradicated.

Radiation Oncology is a medical method used for treating cancer. The Agency provides its Member States with the assistance needed to build the infrastructure and train personnel to implement the treatment.

Mosquitos can carry diseases and sometimes one bite is enough to make a person sick. With the help of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) the IAEA is working hard to control mosquito numbers in their Member States.

The Nuclear Energy News App offers instant access to newsletters, brochures and information from the IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy. The app is now available via the iTunes and Google Play stores.

The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is used to control and eradicate pests. The IAEA provides Member States through its field projects with the techniques and infrastructure needed to run the programme.

The IAEA is working hard to strengthen nuclear safety throughout the world. The Agency recently held a meeting to look into radiation protection after the Fukushima Daiichi accident. One important session was on improving public involvement after a nuclear emergency.

Some countries around the world are looking at nuclear power as a reliable and sustainable source of energy. The IAEA advises these countries on how to prepare their nuclear power infrastructure.