| Using an advanced cyclotron,
scientists John Livingood, Fred Fairbrother, and Glenn T. Seaborg
produced iron-59 (Fe-59) in 1937. Iron-59 was useful in the studies
of the hemoglobin in human blood. In 1938, iodine-131 (I-131) was
discovered by Livingood and Seaborg. Iodine-131 is used across the
world to treat thyroid disease.
Dr. Glenn Seaborg was considered one of the "founding fathers"
of nuclear medicine. Dr. Seaborg was the most prolific discoverer
of radioisotopes that are used today in diagnosis and treatment.
Seaborg was active in the field up until the time of his death in
1999.
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