The 16 Scientific Breakthroughs That Defined 2019
The 16 Scientific Breakthroughs That Defined 2019
2019 was a big year for science. We saw the first ever image of a black hole, witnessed advances in the treatment of ebola, HIV and cystic fibrosis, and added links to our family tree. The first ever all-female spacewalk inspired and we sent spacecraft to the farthest object in our solar system yet. Here’s a list of 15 science moments that had a big impact this year.
The First Image of a Black Hole
It’s a science fairytale: A stunning image, an international team of collaborators and a slew of awards and commendations.
The Event Horizon Team, a collaborative network of scientists from around the world, released the first photograph of a black hole at the center of galaxy M87, shattering our understanding of the universe we live in.
Homo luzonensis Discovery
Researchers combing through a Philippine cave in 2007, 2011, and 2015 stumbled upon strange bone fragments from a new species of hominid. The new species, Homo luzonensis, belongs on our family tree and lived as recently as 50,000 years ago, the scientists reported April 11 in the journal Nature.
Homo luzonensis, according to researchers, was similar in size to a species of smaller hominid called Homo floresiensis. The discovery rattled the field of anthropology and has revealed that the extent at which early humans colonized Asia.
New Horizons Spacecraft Images Arrokoth
In May, researchers published the first results from the New Horizons Spacecraft’s flyby of Kuiper Belt object 2014 MU69, a snowman-shaped asteroid also known as Arrokoth.
It is the farthest object ever explored by a spacecraft, and the asteroid revealed a slew of fascinating secrets about our solar system and beyond.
NASA Announces Ambitious Artemis Mission
In May, NASA announced a new lunar mission, called the Artemis mission, which will take the first woman and next man to the Moon in 2024. It’s an ambitious plan, to say the least, but it’s reinvigorated the public’s desire to reach the lunar surface again, and, eventually set up a base there.
Home DNA Kit Solves Decades-long Murder Mystery
This year, law enforcement agencies turned to an usual source of information to help solve cold cases—genetic genealogy. This method, which combs through DNA databases to find genetic material that matches material found at a crime scene, has been heralded as a novel innovation.
It was even used to identify the Golden State Killer, a serial rapist and murderer who evaded authorities for decades.
AI Beats Multiplayer Poker
Earlier this year, several of the world’s most elite poker players were bested by a bot named Pluribus. The artificial intelligence program was the first to ever beat human players at a game of multi-player Texas Hold’em.
Over the course of 12 days, the bot out-witted 15 different players, according to a paper published in the journal Nature.
Efforts to Fight Ebola are Succeeding
During this year’s outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, scientists announced that two ebola treatments, a vaccine and an antibody cocktail called ZMapp, dramatically increased patient survival rates.
Verging on an HIV/AIDS Cure?
For decades, scientists have battled H.I.V., searching for a cure to the virus that has taken millions of lives. This year, a second patient was effectively cured of the disease—the first was announced 12 years ago.
Finding a successful treatment—these have been the result of bone-marrow transplants—been a painfully slow process, but these small steps reveal that a cure may be within reach.
Unraveling One of Math’s Toughest Equations
This year, mathematicians discovered several solutions to a diophantine equation (x3+y3+z3=k) that has puzzled them for 65 years. Researchers from MIT and University of Bristol, aided by a super-fast super computer, solved the problem
A New Interstellar Visitor Arrives
In late August, a citizen scientist spotted an interstellar interloper streaking across the night sky. Only the second yet to be discovered in history, scientists are now racing to learn as much they can about the intergalactic object. In the coming months, we’re sure to learn a bit more about the distant reaches of the universe.
First All-Female Spacewalk Makes History
On October 18, Christina Koch and Jessica Meir conducted the first all-female spacewalk, repairing a faulty battery on the International Space Station. It was a groundbreaking moment and will inspire generations of female space, moon and mars walkers to come. After all, Koch and Meir’s astronaut class was 50% women.
Google Achieves Quantum Supremacy
Google announced in a paper published Oct. 23 in the journal Nature that it had finally achieved quantum supremacy, beating out the likes of IBM, Intel, and other countries.
In under three minutes, its computer chip, Sycamore, was able to solve a problem that would take a supercomputer 10,000 years to unravel. This will set the stage for future quantum advances and innovations.
A Cure for Cystic Fibrosis?
Two studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine and the Lancet this year revealed that a new treatment for cystic fibrosis, a painful, debilitating lung disease, which effects tens of thousands of people, was successful.
After the gene responsible for the condition was identified in 1989, researchers have aimed to develop molecularly targeted treatments. Now, it seems they’ve found one.
Piecing Together the Day the Dinosaurs Died
It was Dark Times for the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Now, thanks to a study published Sept. 24 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, we have a clearer view of just how dark it got.
The paper lays out a dramatic nearly hour-by-hour breakdown of what happened on the fateful day that asteroid struck the Yucatán Peninsula. The impacts were widespread, and, fortunately for us, allowed the rise of mammals.
Understanding Our Ancient Cousins, the Denisovans
Shocking insight earlier this year revealed that our early human ancestors may have mated with Denisovans, extinct cousins to the Neanderthals. A study presented at the American Association of Physical Anthropologists in March revealed that the group may have been far more diverse than previously expected.
A study published Sept. 19 in the journal Science identified genetic features that could help scientists reconstruct the facial features unique to our distant cousins.
Dangers of Vaping are Revealed
This year, scientists and researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been working to pinpoint the cause of a troubling lung illness that has killed over 40 people and sickened more than 2,000. A form of vitamin E found in several types of vape pens, they discovered, was the culprit.
Now, lawmakers are taking aim at the growing industry, which has flourished in recent years, as teens have taken up the smoking alternative.
A lot of science happened this year. Here are the moments and discoveries that amazed us.