'Science' magazine's top 10 of 2014
Science Magazine has released its top 10 list of 2014 discoveries and inventions. They range from a fountain of youth for mice, to new discoveries around dinosaurs. Number one can be credited to Europe.
On par with moon landing
This year's most significant scientific breakthrough was the European Space Agency's Rosetta mission, which landed the orbiter Philae on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on November 12. Equipped with 20 instruments, the mission continues to analyze tests researching the origins of life on earth and the formation of the universe.
Humankind's first brushstroke
In October, findings were published about cave paintings around 40,000 years old that were discovered in a limestone cave on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Previously, the oldest evidence of human painting had been in Europe.
First semi-synthetic organism
Scientists at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, were able to extend the DNA of a bacterium by adding two additional base pairs or "letters" to its genetic alphabet. In doing so, they actively changed the genotype of a living organism. The goal was to find out if extending the DNA of the E. coli bacterium would cause it to develop new properties.
Dinosaurs to birds
Several scientific teams deepened research into the relationship between birds and dinosaurs. One finding was that as dinosaurs evolved finer bones, they were better at finding shelter and food. In a later stage of development, wings and the ability to fly provided further advantages - and made them birds.
Hope for diabetes cure
Two groups of researchers developed therapy that recreates beta cells, which can produce insulin. Beta cells enable humans to generate sufficient insulin in the pancreas to control their blood sugar level. Diabetics who suffer from type 1 diabetes do not have those cells, and need to have insulin injected. The discovery provided new hope that one day diabetes could be cured.
A fountain of youth for mice
A team of researchers isolated a protein called GDF11 from the blood of young mice, and injected it into old mice. The result: Their muscles and brains regenerated. Other scientists working with blood and blood plasma and were able to improve mice's memory. Tests are currently underway attempting to halt the progression of Alzheimers with blood plasma treatment.
Programmable brain
In the field of optogenetics, negative memories in genetically altered mice brains were reprogrammed into positive memories with the help of laser light beams. Now scientists at Stanford are trying to use this method to cure brain disorders.
Computer mind
Engineers at IBM took a big step forward in the field of neuromorphic chips, which are semiconductor devices that can imitate the human brain. A new chip called TrueNorth has become very good at recognizing patterns, and at distinguishing objects.
Swarming robots
Various computer scientists improved swarm intelligence in robots such that robots are now able to build simple structures - without any help from humans. An important aspect of that involves actual cooperation among robots.
Student satellites
In the photo above, students are finishing work on a homemade mini-satellite. Although they've been around for a while, tsuch cubesats boomed in 2014, when 75 were launched into the orbit. They're good for managing specialized research tasks - but don't have much room for instruments.