Here are the stories that defined the year 2023, from lunar triumphs and AI revolutions to mathematical marvels and cutting-edge medical breakthroughs.
- India’s Lunar Triumph: Relive the awe-inspiring moment when India’s lunar lander, Chandrayaan-3, touched the dark side of the moon, uncovering frozen water reservoirs. A groundbreaking feat at just $75m!
- AI Takes Center Stage: 2023 witnessed the mainstream explosion of AI, led by ChatGPT. Explore how this accessible, movie-worthy technology is reshaping industries and sparking a fierce race among tech giants.
- Girls Rewrite Math History: Meet Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson, the teenage math prodigies who defied a 1940 challenge, presenting a trigonometry proof for Pythagoras’s theorem. A triumph challenging stereotypes.
- Insights into Human Migration: Dive into revelations about our ancestry as DNA studies show that Neanderthal DNA entered Homo sapiens 250,000 years ago, reshaping our understanding of early human migrations.
- Hottest Year on Record: As temperatures soar, witness the impact on the planet, from floods to fires. Despite records, humanity shows resilience with advancements like AI forecasting and innovative technologies.
- Crispr’s Victory Over Sickle Cell: Explore the UK’s groundbreaking Crispr therapy approval for sickle cell disease and beta thalassaemia, a beacon of hope with potential long-term impacts and questions about risks.
- Wegovy: Our New Weight-Loss Ally: Discover how the drug Wegovy is transforming weight loss, promising a 15% body weight reduction. But with side effects and a $2m price tag, is it too good to be true?
- Room-Temperature Superconductor Quest: Join the quest for a room-temperature superconductor with the LK-99 compound. Despite initial hype, labs worldwide failed to replicate the results, emphasizing the importance of careful analysis.
- Bird Decline and Pesticides: Delve into the alarming decline of European birds, uncovering a link to pesticides and fertilizers. A stark reminder of the biodiversity crisis and a call for policy changes.
- Stem Cells and Embryo Models: Explore the hope stemming from stem cell-based embryo models, offering insights into human development and genetic disorders. A promising yet ethically challenging frontier.
Which of these science stories do you find most mind-blowing, and how do you think these breakthroughs will shape our future? Share your thoughts below!