NASA Will Open Pristine, Sealed Samples of Moon Rock
npr.org
npr.org
However, there is no single mention about new and better instruments that are available now. Does anyone know more details here? Instead, I can imagine that there is another reason to analyze the stones just now: to generate more NASA media coverage to motivate a new lunar mission.
Computers that don't require vacuum tubes?
Just to understand the technology of the time: the first automated blood test was invented less than 5 years prior. The scanning electron microscope becomes commercially available 5 years later. The first MRI would happen about 10 years later.
I remember seeing a sample of moon rock as a kid in a Cosmonautics museum in the GDR. It was kinda underwhelming as it was just a tiny pebble of white rock embedded in a massive glass bubble.
Which probably has to do with the fact that in total the USSR only managed to return with around 300 grams of moon rock trough automated lunar sample return missions (Lunar 16, 20 and 24).
Still ended leaving quite an impression on me to have been so close to something from such a far away and alien place.