1. The enduring legacy of Marie Curie: impacts of radium in 21st century radiological and medical sciences
- Author
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Rebecca Abergel, John Aris, Wesley E. Bolch, Shaheen A. Dewji, Ashley Golden, David A. Hooper, Dmitri Margot, Carly G. Menker, Tatjana Paunesku, Dörthe Schaue, and Gayle E. Woloschak
- Subjects
History ,19th Century ,Radiological and Ultrasound Technology ,History, 19th Century ,radon ,History, 20th Century ,Biological Sciences ,Medical and Health Sciences ,Article ,20th Century ,radium ,Engineering ,Humans ,Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging ,Female ,France ,Oncology & Carcinogenesis ,Radiology ,Radium ,Radionuclides ,risk - Abstract
PURPOSE: This review is focused on radium and radionuclides in its decay chain in honor of Marie Curie, who discovered this element. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conglomerated current knowledge regarding radium and its history predating our present understanding of this radionuclide. RESULTS: An overview of the properties of radium and its dose assessment is sown followed by discussions about both the negative detrimental and positive therapeutic applications of radium with this history and its evolution reflecting current innovations in medical science. CONCLUSIONS: We hope to remind all those who are interested in the progress of science about the vagaries of the process of scientific discovery. In addition, we raise the interesting question of whether Marie Curie’s initial success was in part possible due to her tight alignment with her husband Pierre Curie who pushed the work along.
- Published
- 2022