The origins of the universe may be better understood after scientists discovered some key information about pear-shaped nuclei of atoms believed to be involved in the Big Bang (News - Alert) theory of creation.

Scientists say the findings may explain why the Big Bang created more matter than antimatter – a continuing puzzle in the scientific community.

"If equal amounts of matter and antimatter were created at the Big Bang, everything would have annihilated, and there would be no galaxies, stars, planets or people," Tim Chupp, a University of Michigan professor of physics and biomedical engineering and co-author of a new white paper published in the May 9 issue of Nature, said

Matter and antimatter particles will mutually destruct or annihilate each other, the scientists explain. In the new study, researchers said “the cores of these atoms are shaped like pears, rather than the more typical spherical orange or elliptical watermelon profiles. The pear shape makes the effects of the new interaction much stronger and easier to detect.”

"The pear shape is special," Chupp explained. "It means the neutrons and protons, which compose the nucleus, are in slightly different places along an internal axis."

"The new interaction, whose effects we are studying does two things," Chupp added. "It produces the matter/antimatter asymmetry in the early universe and it aligns the direction of the spin and the charge axis in these pear-shaped nuclei."

Using CERN's Isotope Separator facility ISOLDE, atomic beams were accelerated. They “smashed into targets of nickel, cadmium and tin, but due to the repulsive force between the positively charged nuclei, nuclear reactions were not possible. Instead, the nuclei were excited to higher energy levels, producing gamma rays that flew out in a specific pattern that revealed the pear shape of the nucleus,” the study said.

Those analyzing the study, see it as important.

“The findings could allow scientists to eventually understand … [the] imbalance in our Universe,” according to a report from Science World Report. “In addition, the study could help direct the searches for atomic EDMs (electric dipole moments), where new techniques are being developed to exploit the special properties of radon and radium isotopes.”

In addition, University of Liverpool physics Professor Peter Butler, who took part in the study, said in a statement quoted by Science20.com, "Our findings contradict some nuclear theories and will help refine others. The measurements will also help direct the searches for atomic EDMs currently being carried out in North America and in Europe, where new techniques are being developed to exploit the special properties of radon and radium isotopes.”