While the year 2022 has seen surges in flu, mpox, COVID-19, and many other health issues, it has also been a year full of breakthroughs in the medical and scientific realm. All of these breakthroughs have massive impacts on the advancement of both fields. Here are some of the most noteworthy scientific and medical discoveries and breakthroughs for the past year.
1. Artificial Womb
Coming up with artificial wombs to alleviate pregnancy struggles among mothers has been a rising subject. While this technology has yet to hit the market, newsworthy remarks from Elon Musk and Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, among others, may signify how this is an imminent thing of the future. Not to mention, BBC News noted how Netherland scientists could come up with human artificial uteruses within a decade.
2. Fossil Found That is Twice as Big as a Bus
Last year, a dinosaur from over 70.5 million years ago was uncovered. What makes it even more extraordinary is that it had a remarkably long neck and its size was double that off a bus in London. These findings were first found within Spanish site Orcau. The creature has been labeled Abditosaurus kuehnei.
3. Explanation of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
A study focused on finding out reasons behind Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), an unexpected passing of a baby that takes place while healthy and less than 1-year-old babies sleep. Research confirmed how enzyme activity of BChE (butyrylcholinesterase), an enzyme established to help with the arousal pathway of the brian, was remarkably lower in SIDS babies than their non-SIDS counterparts. Such results reflect possibilities of pinpointing the infants who are at risk for SIDS.
4. Massive Sinkhole in China
Scientists from China were able to unearth a huge sinkhole. Unlike other sinkholes filled with dark space, this one had traces of housing a forest of species. It is around a thousand feet long, 150 meters wide, and 192 meters deep.
5. 400 Various Species of Insects Within A Tea Bag
Through environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, researchers discovered how over 1,200 various species of arthropods could be found in tea, parsley, mint, and chamomile. They also discovered DNA traces of 400 various insect species within one tea bag. Such findings generated from eDNA could be helpful in expanding eDNA scope as it brings insights on how to monitor particular ecosystems.
6. Rainbow Scarf Cloud
Those from Haikou, China were greeted with a rare rainbow scarf cloud last August 2022. While this was a rare and intriguing sight to see, it was noted that such a documented cloud is called a pileus or scarf cloud.
7. Cleopatra's Tomb
A tunnel that was paved through rock layers under Egypt's Taposiris Magna Temple was found. Archaeologist Kathleen Martinez thinks that Cleopatra could be buried underneath and that the discovered tunnel could be the pathway to the actual tomb and remains.
8. Math-Based Cancer Treatment With 22% More Effectivity in Tumor Targeting
Researchers from the University of Waterloo found a novel method of conducting radiation therapy. Such a method could be 22% more effective compared to current methods. Unlike other approaches, this one is largely based on math.
9. New Way of Treating Bacterial Wounds and Infections
Scientists discover how monocytes have the capacity to facilitate faster healing of wounds. These monocytes were found to create ghrelin within the area that is infected. This, then, stops the blood vessels from excessively growing due to leptin.
10. Transylvanosaurus, a Transylvanian Resident 70 Million Years Ago
Global researchers were able to unearth a different dinosaur. They decided to call it Transylvanosaurus platycephalus because of where it was spotted and of its flat-headed qualities. It was a small dinosaur that was only two meters long. Such findings challenge assumptions regarding minimal animal diversity across Europe during the period of Late Cretaceous.
RELATED ARTICLE: 'Wide and Flat-Headed' Transylvanosaurus, New Species of Herbivore Dinosaur, Lived in Transylvania 70 Million Years Ago
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