Generals

After 6 months at the LSC, the first experiment with Sphaeroforma arctica, a single-celled organism related to animals, has been completed. The objective of this group is to study the origin of multicellularity, and for this purpose, the growth and morphology of both above and underground cultures have been evaluated. In the next phases, genetic analysis of frozen samples will be carried out to deepen our findings. We continue to make progress!

Pipo Bayo and Beatriz Hernández reunited with the students who participated in the 1st LSC Scientific Classroom for ESO students in 2023. The event took place on October 3rd at IES Elisa y Luis Villamil in Vegadeo (Asturias). During the session, they gave a talk on the origin of matter in the Universe and led a hands-on activity on natural radiation.

The Low Radioactivity Techniques (LRT2024) workshop was held in Krakow (Poland) from 1 to 4 October. The aim of this workshop is to present and discuss low-radioactivity techniques and materials that are fundamental for rare-event experiments. Our colleagues Laura Cid and Silvia Borjabad presented the latest developments and results of the ‘Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)’ and ‘Copper Electroforming’ services of the LSC.

From 11 to 13 November, the LSC will host a workshop dedicated to R&D&I on radon at its facilities. The main objective is to bring together the different groups that have developed and are developing research projects on this topic in Spain, together with some national and European experts. The aim is to encourage scientific exchange and promote future projects that generate new knowledge and offer solutions that benefit society as a whole. Registration is now open and all the information available at https://indico.cern.ch/event/1410741/

During the week of July 15, the first round of the PB-08-23: "DNA damage in yeast in low background radiation" was carried out. The aim of this experiment is to study the effects of low background radiation (LRB) on the stability of the mitochondrial DNA of S. cerevisiae (yeast) and on the enzymatic reactions involved in cellular respiration. In the upcoming rounds, the number of generations exposed to the LBR will be increased.

IDM2024 Conference: Preliminary 6-year exposure ANAIS-112 results on dark matter annual modulation. Iván Coarasa (University of Zaragoza) presented the preliminary results of 6 years of ANAIS-112 data on dark matter annual modulation at the IDM2024 conference in L’Aquila, Italy.

Alfa, la revista de seguridad nuclear y protección radiológica del Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear (CSN), dedica su portada al Laboratorio Subterráneo de Canfranc, manteniéndose fiel a su espíritu de promover el conocimiento científico y tecnológico de forma accesible y sencilla. Enlace: https://www.csn.es/noticias-csn/2024/-/asset_publisher/zfXTQAgA3izm/content/la-revista-alfa-se-cuela-en-el-interior-del-laboratorio-subterraneo-de-canfranc

Carlos Peña Garay, director of the Canfranc Underground Laboratory, has been elected new Chair of the APPEC General Assembly. His presidency will begin on 1 January 2025 and he will succeed Andreas Haungs. The Astroparticle Physics European Consortium (APPEC) represents the astroparticle physics community views in Europe’s decision-making process for the long-term future of the field. The General Assembly, formed by directors of major astroparticle physics...