Scientific discoveries and technological innovations play a key role in addressing the many challenges and crises we face each year.
The last year may have gone by in a flash, but scientists and researchers have worked tirelessly to advance our knowledge in many fields, industries, and projects around the world.
In 2022, it’s easy to lose sight of the amazing stories of science and technology.
Summary: Top scientific headlines for 2022
Below, we’ll go into a little more detail on some of the most interesting headlines, and provide links in case you want to explore these developments further.
January 2022
James Webb Space Telescope arrives at destination
what happened: The new space telescope brings the promise of exciting discoveries and beautiful images from the final frontier.
Important reasons: The James Webb Space Telescope is the latest ‘window’ into deep space. As access to the infrared spectrum increases, new images, measurements, and observations of outer space will become available.
» For more information, read The Planetary Society article or watch the Wall Street Journal video.
April 2022
Complete: Human Genome
what happened: Scientists complete sequencing of the human genome.
Important reasons: The complete human genome will enable researchers to better understand the genetic basis of human traits and diseases. This development may lead to new treatments and cures.
» To learn more, watch the Two Minute Papers video or read the NIH article.
May 2022
outbreak of monkeypox
what happened: Cases of monkeypox virus have been reported in non-endemic countries.
Important reasons: Hiding in the shadow of a global pandemic, researchers are watching closely how the disease spreads. The sudden surge in monkeypox transnational incidence raises questions about disease evolution and prevention.
» Read this article from The New York Times to learn more.
June 2022
A perfectly preserved woolly mammoth
what happened: In the Yukon tundra, gold miners have unearthed a well-preserved 35,000-year-old baby wooly mammoth.
Important reasons: a mammoth named Nun cho ga Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, the most complete specimen ever found in North America. Each new discovery allows paleontologists to expand their knowledge of biodiversity and how life changes over time.
» Read this article from Smithsonian Magazine to learn more
July 2022
Rise of AI art
what happened: With access to new computer programs such as DALL-E and Midjourney, ordinary people can create images from text prompts.
Important reasons: Widespread access to generative AI tools fosters inspiration and debate. Concerns about violations of artists’ rights and copyrights are growing as these programs can reduce the creative workforce.
» For more information, read this article by MyModernMet or watch this video by Cleo Abram.
August 2022
Give dead organs a second chance
what happened: Researchers create a perfusion system that can rejuvenate organs after cell death. By using a special mixture of blood and nutrients, the organs of dead pigs can be maintained post-mortem, and in some cases even accelerate cell repair.
Important reasons: This discovery could lead to longer shelf life and a supply of organs for transplantation.
» For more information, read this article from Scientific American or this article from the New York Times.
September 2022
DART provides cosmic nudges
what happened: NASA crashes a spacecraft into an asteroid to see how far it moves. A DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) probe crashed into the moon Dimorphus, which orbits a larger asteroid called Didymos, 6.8 million miles (11 million km) away from Earth. NASA estimates he ejected as much as 22 million pounds (10 million kg) after the impact.
Important reasons: Earth is in constant danger of being hit by stray asteroids. Developing reliable methods to deflect near-Earth objects can prevent us from meeting the same fate as the dinosaurs.
» For more information, watch this video by Real Engineering or read this article on Space.com.
November 2022
Fallen sperm count
what happened: Scientific reviews show that human sperm counts are declining, dropping by up to 62% over the past 50 years.
Important reasons: A low sperm count makes it difficult to conceive naturally. Concerns have also arisen about declining global male health, as sperm count is an indicator of overall health. Researchers are looking at irrelevant stressors that may be influencing this trend, such as diet, environment and other means.
» For more information, read the Guardian article.
December 2022
find ancient DNA
what happened: Two-million-year-old DNA found in Greenland.
Important reasons: DNA is the record of biodiversity. Aside from showing that desolate Arctic landscapes were once teeming with life, ancient DNA offers hints about how biodiversity evolves over time and progress toward modern life. increase.
» Read this article from National Geographic for more information
December 2022
fusion energy
what happened: The U.S. Department of Energy reports that it has achieved the first net energy gain in the development of nuclear fusion.
Important reasons: Nuclear fusion is often considered the holy grail of safe and clean energy, and this latest milestone brings researchers one step closer to harnessing it to power the world.
» For more information, view the infographic on fusion or read the BBC article.
new year science
The future of scientific research is bright. Researchers and scientists continue to push the boundaries of what we know and understand about the world around us.
In 2023, several areas may continue to dominate headlines.
- progress in space Continuation of projects such as James Webb Space Telescope and SETI COSMIC’s search for extraterrestrial life
- Climate change countermeasures Recovery and prevention from extreme weather events could become more demanding as it continues into the new year
- Generative AI tools such as DALL-e and ChatGPT will be publicly available in 2022, Artificial intelligence
- Even in the shadow of COVID-19, a new Therapeutics We need to push medicine into new territory
We still don’t know where science is headed, but the past year has instilled the belief that 2023 will see even more progress.