Here’s Where You’ve Seen The Cast Of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Before

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In Hollywood, you can usually chart a sequel’s quality on a downward-sliding line graph: the higher the number after the original, the lower your expectations should be.

But Knives Out seems to be gloriously bucking that trend based on the glowing reception the third film has received from fans and critics alike.

Wake Up Dead Man sees Daniel Craig return with his usual southern drawl and thirst for a juicy murder mystery to solve. This time, it centres on a dead priest and his flock of suspicious characters, meaning we’ve got pews full of new characters to get to know.

Here’s where you’ll have seen them before.

1) Josh O’Connor

Josh O'Connor
Josh O’Connor

via Associated Press

Ever since his big breakthrough as a binge-drinking sheep farmer who falls in love with a Romanian migrant worker in God’s Own Country in 2017, it’s been an upward trajectory for Josh.

He picked up an Emmy Award for his role as Prince Charles in Netflix series The Crown and also starred opposite Anya Taylor-Joy in the 2020 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma.

Josh had another huge moment when Challengers and its steamy tennis love triangle – completed by Zendaya and Mike Faist – became the film of 2024. With it, he accidentally ushered in the ‘hot rodent boyfriend’ movement that dominated the summer, making him a well-known face across pop culture in general.

You might have also seen Josh in the artier films La Chimera and The Mastermind, while before his big screen breakthrough, he spent three years playing Larry Durrell in the ITV series The Durrells.

2) Glenn Close

Glenn Close
Glenn Close

via Associated Press

Glenn is an acting legend that you’ll most definitely have come across at some point in your viewing life.

Glazing over her recent stint in Kim Kardashian legal drama All’s Fair, Glenn has been nominated for eight Oscars for her standout roles in The World According To Garp, The Big Chill, The Natural, Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, Albert Nobbs, The Wife and Hillbilly Elegy.

Never one to fall victim to typecasting, she’s also well-loved for her depiction of Cruella de Vil in the 1990s Disney classic 101 Dalmatians and played Nova-Prime Irani Rael in Marvel superhero film Guardians Of The Galaxy.

If you’re more of a small-screen person, you might have come across Glenn on TV shows like the Emmy-winning Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story and Damages.

3) Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis
Mila Kunis

via Associated Press

You’re likely to recognise Mila’s voice thanks to her ongoing voice role as Meg Griffin in Family Guy, while she rose to fame as Jackie Burkhart in That ’70s Show opposite her now-husband Ashton Kutcher.

Her big film breakthrough came with Forgetting Sarah Marshall in 2008, which she followed up with fellow comedies like Friends With Benefits, Ted and Bad Moms.

You’ll probably have seen, if not heard about, Mila in the 2010 psychological horror movie Black Swan, where she played a ballerina opposite Natalie Portman.

She’s further tested the waters with more dramatic roles, like in Four Good Days, where she played a woman struggling with drug addiction (with Knives Out co-star Glenn Close playing her mother).

4) Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington

via Associated Press

Kerry is probably best known for playing powerful ‘fixer’ Olivia Pope in the political drama series Scandal, which landed her Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.

She picked up further Emmy nods for Confirmation, American Son, and drama series Little Fires Everywhere, where she starred opposite Reese Witherspoon, shaking up suburbia.

2000s film fans will recognise Kerry for her breakthrough film role as Chenille Reynolds in Save The Last Dance, while she’s also appeared in Ray, Mr & Mrs Smith, Fantastic Four, The Last King Of Scotland and Django Unchained.

5) Josh Brolin

Josh Brolin
Josh Brolin

via Associated Press

You might have recently clocked Josh in Weapons, aka the best horror movie of the year, but he first became famous for appearing in the classic 1980s film The Goonies.

While he followed it up with a handful of other movies like Guillermo Del Toro’s Mimic, his portrayal of Llewelyn Moss in 2007 neo-Western No Country for Old Men is largely considered to have ushered in the second act of his career.

He went on to appear in the likes of American Gangster, Milk, Inherent Vice, Sicario, Oldboy and Dune, but swathes of people will know him as supervillain Thanos within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

6) Jeremy Renner

Jeremy Renner
Jeremy Renner

via Associated Press

Jeremy is widely known for playing Clint Barton/Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in films like The Avengers and the Disney+ miniseries Hawkeye.

A regular in the action world, you might have also seen him in the Mission: Impossible film series and The Bourne Legacy, while he also had a brush with a zombie apocalypse in 28 Weeks Later.

Jeremy received Oscar nominations for his roles in The Hurt Locker and The Town, but he’s also no stranger to television, having starred as Mike McLusky in Mayor of Kingstown for the past four years.

7) Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott
Andrew Scott

via Associated Press

Andrew is forever known to a generation as ‘hot priest’ thanks to Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s award-winning series Fleabag.

His other TV roles include Sherlock, The Town, Black Mirror, His Dark Materials, Ripley and – most recently – Lena Dunham’s Netflix series Too Much.

Andrew has gone on to make a massive impact on the big screen with roles in Pride, Spectre and 1917. But it was his turn in All Of Us Strangers, opposite Paul Mescal, that truly set him apart, gaining serious awards attention with the pair’s portrayal of doomed lovers.

Also a big name on stage, thespians might recognise Andrew from his role in the 2019 production of Noël Coward’s Present Laughter or A Girl in a Car with a Man, both of which landed him Olivier Awards.

8) Cailee Spaeny

Cailee Spaeny
Cailee Spaeny

via Associated Press

Cailee’s most high-profile role to date was portraying Priscilla Presley in Sofia Coppola’s 2023 biographical film, opposite Jacob Elordi as Elvis – a performance that earned her a Golden Globe nomination.

She went on to star in Civil War and Alien: Romulus while you might have also seen her in films like Pacific Rim Uprising, Bad Times at the El Royale, On The Basis Of Sex and Vice.

Over on TV, Cailee has appeared in Devs, Mare Of Easttown and The First Lady.

9) Daryl McCormack

Daryl McCormack
Daryl McCormack

via Associated Press

Daryl received a BAFTA nomination for his role as the titular sex worker in Good Luck To You, Leo Grande.

He’s also appeared in Twisters, along with Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones, and opposite Richard E. Grant in 2023 thriller The Lesson.

Peaky Blinders fans will know him as Finn Shelby’s close pal Isaiah Jesus while he had a key role in Sharon Horgan’s Apple TV+ comedy Bad Sisters and has appeared in other TV series like A Very English Scandal, Cleaning Up, The Wheel Of Time and The Woman In The Wall.

10) Thomas Haden Church

Thomas Haden Church
Thomas Haden Church

via Associated Press

Thomas rose to fame starring in 1990s US sitcoms Wings and Ned And Stacey, with more recent TV roles including Divorce, where he starred opposite Sarah Jessica Parker as a married couple going through a knotty break-up.

He’s most known for his film roles, which include Sideways, Easy A, George Of The Jungle, Smart People while Marvel fans will know him as the villainous Sandman in the Spider-Man films.

11) Jeffrey Wright

Jeffrey Wright
Jeffrey Wright

via Associated Press

Beginning his career in theatre, Jeffrey picked up a Tony Award for his role in the Broadway production of Angels In America, later adding an Emmy to his mantelpiece after also starring in the TV adaptation.

You might have also seen the actor in Boardwalk Empire, Westworld, The Agency or season two of The Last Of Us.

In film, he recently earned a ‘Best Actor’ Oscar nomination for his appearance in comedy-drama American Fiction.

Jeffrey has had a prolific career in movies before that nomination, having starred in other big-name productions including The Batman, The French Dispatch, Broken Flowers, The Hunger Games films, Daniel Craig’s James Bond films, and Rust.

12) James Faulkner

James Faulkner
James Faulkner

Miramax Films / Universal Pictures

James’ Knives Out role isn’t his first brush with the clergy, having played Pope Sixtus IV in the TV series Da Vinci’s Demons and Saint Paul in 2018 film Paul, Apostle of Christ.

On the other side of the spectrum, many will know him as pervy Uncle Geoffrey from the Bridget Jones films, while James has also appeared in Atomic Blonde, Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey and Slow Horses.

13) Bridget Everett

Bridget Everett
Bridget Everett

via Associated Press

Not forgetting her role as “drunk party girl” in the Sex And The City movie, Bridget is known for comedy appearances in the likes of Inside Amy Schumer, Trainwreck and Breaking News In Yuba County.

Bridget also picked up an Emmy Award nomination for her lead role as Sam in comedy drama series Somebody Somewhere, where she played a woman who returns to her hometown to care for her dying sister.

14) Noah Segan

Noah Segan
Noah Segan

via Associated Press

Noah is a Knives Out regular, and also starred in the previous two films, with director Rian Johnson clearly a fan of his work as he also cast him in his movies Looper and Brick.

As well as his collaborations with Rian, Noah appeared in US soap Days Of Our Lives, comedy-horror film Blood Relatives and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Wake Up Dead Man is streaming now on Netflix.

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Doctor strike during flu outbreak would be ‘reckless’, says Starmer

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The prime minister says it would be “reckless” for resident doctors to strike with the NHS at a “precarious” moment.

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Why are sperm donors having hundreds of children?

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The European sperm market is booming, but are some donor’s sperm being used to make too many babies?

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Online gaming escaped Australia’s social media ban – but critics say it’s just as addictive

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Parents and experts say gaming poses many of the same risks for kids as social media, and want them included.

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The 70-20-10 Rule Can Help With Christmas Overwhelm

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Whether you love or loathe Christmas, it’s hard to deny just how stressful the season can be. Gathering gifts, decorating, reconnecting with family members and if you’re hosting Christmas Dinner… SO much prepping.

Even with all the best intentions, this stress can really take a toll and prevent you from enjoying the holidays which feels like it defeats the entire point.

Thankfully, one psychologist, Nathan D Iverson PhD has found a way to apply the leadership value of 70-20-10 to holiday stress and you know what? It just might be the solution we’ve been looking for.

The 70-20-10 rule for Christmas stress

70% – ‘hard moments we didn’t choose’

We are ALL familiar with them. An established couple being asked when they’re planning to have a child, a flustered family member trying to please everybody or even just falling back into family dynamics you thought you left behind in childhood.

Petty sibling arguments, anyone?

Iverson says: “For most of my life, and still right now, I’ve experienced these moments as obstacles to a peaceful season. But lately, I’m trying—imperfectly—to see them as part of my growth instead of proof of my shortcomings.

“Psychologists call this a learning orientation—seeing challenges as opportunities to grow rather than threats to avoid. It doesn’t make the moment easier. But it does change how we make meaning of it.”

It sounds like it makes perfect sense but I reckon it’ll take some practice to get used to.

20% – ‘The people who help us make sense of things’

A sneaky heart-to-heart with your favourite auntie or words of wisdom from your mum, these quiet corners of conversation can help us to make sense of our own feelings, according to Iverson.

Iverson says: “Often, they help us laugh a little at ourselves—which is a form of grace we don’t give enough credit.

“I rely on these conversations far more than I admit. They turn holiday tension into insight. Without them, the moment just stays a moment. With them, the moment becomes meaningful.”

10% – ‘The tools we bring with us’

Finally, this is a little work you must do yourself. Learn how to control your stress, your big feelings and how to empathise with even your most frustrating family members.

Iverson assures: “These tools rarely show up perfectly in the moment. But afterward, they help us reflect with less shame and more clarity.

“Knowledge alone doesn’t change us—but it supports the slow work that does.”

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Buddy The Elf Was Almost Played By A Different Actor

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The film came out over 20 years ago (2003, would you believe it) and still, Elf is a family favourite in many households. In fact, in an ongoing survey by Newsround, Elf is currently the third most popular Christmas film in the UK, just behind Nativity and Home Alone, which has taken the top spot.

Along with Anchorman which came out in 2004, Elf is one of the films that comedian and actor Will Ferrell is known for. He plays Buddy with such whimiscal charm that it was one of his career-defining roles.

However, the actor wasn’t the first choice for the flick and was actually given it a decade after the original script was written.

The actor originally chosen to play Buddy the Elf

So, the script for Elf was written way back in 2003 by David Berenbaum and according to film website Screen Rant, the role was written with actor Jim Carrey in mind.

This may be surprising but this same year, the actor was filming Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and starring in In Living Color. He really was just about to become a comedy giant in Hollywood. Screen Rant also explain: “Given his wild and zany characters on In Living Color, Carrey was seen as a natural for the goofiness and playfulness needed to play Buddy the Elf.”

While I personally prefer Jim Carrey, it really is hard to imagine anybody but Will Ferrell playing the role and it turns out, the actor thought the exact same.

He and screenwriter Adam McKay took on the script after several years of stagnation and decide to make it themselves with director Jon Favreau. The film originally had a darker tone but this trio made it into the modern fairytale that we see on our screens every year now.

Elf is available to stream on Netflix UK.

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‘I’m A Dentist – 6 Dental Changes Can Reveal Hormonal Imbalances’

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You might associate menopause primarily with symptoms like hot flushes. But that’s just one of dozens of symptoms, which include burning mouth syndrome and gum disease.

That’s not to mention pregnancy gingivitis, periodontal disease, which has been linked to polycystic ovarian syndrome, or even delayed tooth eruption and other dental changes among people with hyperthyroidism.

So it’s a good thing Dr Mohammad Ali, a dentist and co-founder of Emerdency, has shared the signs experts can spot in seconds which may reveal changes to your hormone levels.

These are:

1) Gum inflammation that seems to come from nowhere

This may be a sign of pregnancy, Dr Ali said. “Gums look swollen, red and bleed very easily even when brushing and cleaning are good, which can suggest that hormones are making the tissues more reactive to plaque.”

This may happen, the expert explained, because “Progesterone and oestrogen increase blood flow levels to the gum tissues and make them more reactive to plaque.”

Additionally, “Thyroid disorders can also interfere with tissue healing, so gums can become inflamed more quickly and take longer to recover.”

2) A dry mouth (xerostomia)

“If a patient’s tongue seems to be textured or sticky and saliva is low,” especially if the person’s dental hygiene is generally good, Dr Ali said dentists may begin to suspect “menopause, low oestrogen, ongoing high stress, and certain medications or medical conditions”.

He added, “Low oestrogen can reduce saliva production in many women. Saliva is key to protecting teeth, so menopausal women may notice more frequent cavities and greater sensitivity than before”.

And, he added, saliva production is linked to our parasympathetic, or “rest and digest,” system. Overproduction of stress hormones like cortisol “can disrupt these pathways and reduce saliva flow in many people.

“Dry mouth has also been linked to burning mouth syndrome, another condition linked to menopause.”

3) Jaw cleaning, cracked enamel, and worn teeth

This may be linked to elevated stress levels (and the overproduction of associated hormones) as well as poor sleep, said the dentist.

“When dentists examine teeth at a check-up, they can usually see clear signs of grinding, such as tiny fractures, flat edges and chipped enamel.

“These are classic signs of clenching or grinding, which are commonly linked with chronic stress and restless sleep, although there can be other contributing factors as well.”

4) Unexplained bad breath

“Bad breath is not always about brushing routines,” Dr Ali shared.

It can also be caused by “metabolic and hormonal factors,” like insulin resistance and PCOS, which “may alter the balance of bacteria in the gut and mouth”.

Hypothyroidism, too, “lowers metabolic rate and slows saliva production, letting odour-causing bacteria thrive,” he added, while “elevated ketones from blood sugar imbalance,” sometimes caused by insulin issues, “can also change breath smell”.

5) Enamel erosion that seems linked to stomach acid

Stomach acid doesn’t just cause heartburn – it can wear your teeth down, too.

And, Dr Ali said, some hormonal shifts can create acid reflux. “Hormones can contribute to acid reflux, especially progesterone in pregnancy and stress hormones such as cortisol during extreme stress.

“Progesterone relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter, which can increase reflux. Stress hormones such as cortisol can increase stomach acid and make reflux symptoms worse in susceptible people.”

6) Mouth ulcers and slow-healing sores

“Drops in oestrogen are thought to weaken mucosal barriers and make tissues more prone to irritation,” which could lead to more ulcers in eg menopause and perimenopause.

And, the dentist added, “persistently raised cortisol can interfere with the activity of immune cells that look after wound repair,” meaning stress may prevent your sores from healing as quickly as usual.

“When hormones are out of balance, small injuries in the mouth may take longer to heal, and ulcers may appear without any clear trigger.” Autoimmune conditions may slow the healing process, too.

What should I do if I think I have hormone-related dental issues?

“People are often surprised by how much their mouth can hint at what is going on in the rest of the body. As a dentist, I cannot diagnose hormone conditions from your teeth alone, but I can spot patterns that suggest it is worth speaking to your GP or practice nurse,” Dr Ali ended.

He recommended keeping a diary of your symptoms, asking a GP for a hormone or blood test if symptoms continue, visiting a dentist if you have any dental concerns, increasing your hydration if you have a dry mouth, and using a fluoride toothpaste to protect your enamel.

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Scientists find dark chocolate ingredient that slows aging

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A natural chemical in dark chocolate may play a role in slowing certain signs of biological aging. Researchers at King’s College London have identified theobromine, a plant compound found in cocoa, as a possible contributor to this effect.

The study, published on December 10 in Aging, analyzed how much theobromine was present in participants’ blood and compared those levels with biological aging markers measured in blood samples.

What Biological Age Reveals

Biological age reflects how well a person’s body is functioning, rather than the number of years they have lived. This measure is based on DNA methylation, a collection of tiny chemical tags on DNA that shift as we grow older.

The research team examined data from two European groups, including 509 people from TwinsUK and 1,160 from KORA. Individuals with higher amounts of theobromine in their bloodstream tended to have a biological age that appeared younger than their chronological age.

Professor Jordana Bell, senior author and Professor in Epigenomics at King’s College London, said: “Our study finds links between a key component of dark chocolate and staying younger for longer. While we’re not saying that people should eat more dark chocolate, this research can help us understand how everyday foods may hold clues to healthier, longer lives.”

Theobromine Stands Out Among Cocoa Compounds

The team also investigated whether other cocoa or coffee metabolites showed similar patterns. Their results suggested that theobromine was the only compound with this specific association.

To estimate biological age, the researchers used two approaches. One method examined DNA changes that reflect the pace of aging. The second measured telomere length, which refers to protective structures at the ends of chromosomes. Telomeres naturally shorten with age and are linked to age-related health risks.

How Plant Molecules Influence Aging

Many plant compounds in foods can influence how genes operate by turning them on or off. These compounds, known as alkaloids, can interact with cellular systems that regulate gene activity and contribute to long-term health.

Theobromine is one such alkaloid. Although it is widely known for being toxic to dogs, it has been connected to possible benefits in humans, including a reduced risk of heart disease. Despite this, it has received relatively limited scientific attention until now.

Next Questions for Aging Research

Dr. Ramy Saad, lead researcher at King’s College London and also affiliated with University College London as a doctor in Clinical Genetics, said: “This is a very exciting finding, and the next important questions are what is behind this association and how can we explore the interactions between dietary metabolites and our epigenome further? This approach could lead us to important discoveries towards aging, and beyond, in common and rare diseases.”

The team, which includes Professor Ana Rodriguez-Mateos, a Professor of Human Nutrition at King’s College London, is now examining whether theobromine’s effect occurs on its own or if it works alongside other well-known components of dark chocolate such as polyphenols, which are recognized for their positive effects on health.

Why More Chocolate Is Not a Shortcut

Dr. Ricardo Costeira, a Postdoctoral Research Associate at King’s College London, said: “This study identifies another molecular mechanism through which naturally occurring compounds in cocoa may support health. While more research is needed, the findings from this study highlight the value of population-level analyses in aging and genetics.”

Although the findings are encouraging, the researchers caution that increasing dark chocolate consumption is not automatically beneficial. Chocolate also contains sugar, fat and other ingredients, and more work is needed to fully understand how theobromine interacts with the body and how it may influence aging.

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Plea after girl, 13, died copying social media trend

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Sonia Hopkin says her daughter had been trying to replicate videos she had seen on TikTok.

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Ghost particles slip through Earth and spark a hidden atomic reaction

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Neutrinos are among the most puzzling particles known to science and are often called ‘ghost particles’ because they so rarely interact with matter. Trillions pass through each person every second without leaving any mark. These particles are created during nuclear reactions, including those inside the Sun’s core. Their extremely weak interactions make them exceptionally challenging to study. Only a few materials have ever been shown to respond to solar neutrinos. Scientists have now added another to that short list by observing neutrinos convert carbon atoms into nitrogen inside a massive underground detector.

This achievement came from a project led by Oxford researchers using the SNO+ detector, which sits two kilometers underground at SNOLAB in Sudbury, Canada. SNOLAB operates within an active mine and provides the shielding needed to block cosmic rays and background radiation that would otherwise overwhelm the delicate neutrino measurements.

Capturing a Rare Two-Part Flash From Carbon-13

The research team focused on detecting moments when a high-energy neutrino hits a carbon-13 nucleus and converts it into nitrogen-13, a radioactive form of nitrogen that decays roughly ten minutes later. To spot these events, they relied on a ‘delayed coincidence’ technique that searches for two related bursts of light: the first from the neutrino striking the carbon-13 nucleus and the second from the decay of nitrogen-13 several minutes afterward. This paired signal makes it possible to confidently distinguish true neutrino events from background noise.

Over a span of 231 days, from May 4, 2022, to June 29, 2023, the detector recorded 5.6 such events. This matches expectations, which predicted that 4.7 events would occur due to solar neutrinos during this period.

A New Window Into How the Universe Works

Neutrinos behave in unusual ways and are key to understanding how stars operate, how nuclear fusion unfolds, and how the universe evolves. The researchers say this new measurement opens opportunities for future studies of other low-energy neutrino interactions.

Lead author Gulliver Milton, a PhD student in the University of Oxford’s Department of Physics, said: “Capturing this interaction is an extraordinary achievement. Despite the rarity of the carbon isotope, we were able to observe its interaction with neutrinos, which were born in the Sun’s core and traveled vast distances to reach our detector.”

Co-author Professor Steven Biller (Department of Physics, University of Oxford) added: “Solar neutrinos themselves have been an intriguing subject of study for many years, and the measurements of these by our predecessor experiment, SNO, led to the 2015 Nobel Prize in physics. It is remarkable that our understanding of neutrinos from the Sun has advanced so much that we can now use them for the first time as a ‘test beam’ to study other kinds of rare atomic reactions!”

Building on the SNO Legacy and Advancing Neutrino Research

SNO+ is a successor to the earlier SNO experiment, which demonstrated that neutrinos switch between three forms known as electron, muon, and tau neutrinos as they travel from the Sun to Earth. According to SNOLAB staff scientist Dr. Christine Kraus, SNO’s original findings, led by Arthur B. McDonald, resolved the long-standing solar neutrino problem and contributed to the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics. These results paved the way for deeper investigations into how neutrinos behave and their significance in the universe.

“This discovery uses the natural abundance of carbon-13 within the experiment’s liquid scintillator to measure a specific, rare interaction,” Kraus said. “To our knowledge, these results represent the lowest energy observation of neutrino interactions on carbon-13 nuclei to date and provides the first direct cross-section measurement for this specific nuclear reaction to the ground state of the resulting nitrogen-13 nucleus.”

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